Parameter Setting Device for Automated Control Constraint Relaxation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In factory automation (FA) control apparatuses, users with little experience face difficulties in setting control parameters due to the complex restrictive relationships between them, leading to inconsistencies and challenges in determining appropriate values.
Innovation Solution
A parameter setting device that includes a constraint database, a constraint generator, a constraint evaluation indicator setting unit, a constraint satisfaction solution retrieve unit, and a constraint relaxing unit, which automatically determines appropriate control parameter values by generating new constraints, evaluating their influence, and relaxing them when necessary to satisfy existing and new constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users manually set control parameters with attention to restrictive relationships, then constraint satisfaction can be achieved, but the complexity and time required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The parameter setting device automatically determines appropriate control parameter values by itself, without requiring user manual adjustment. The constraint satisfaction solution retrieve unit autonomously searches for parameter combinations that satisfy all constraints, and the constraint relaxing unit automatically adjusts constraints when necessary, enabling the system to serve itself in the parameter setting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of parameter setting with an automated computational system. The constraint satisfaction solution retrieve unit uses algorithmic methods to search for valid parameter combinations, and the constraint relaxing unit applies automated logic to modify constraints based on evaluation indicators, substituting human manual operations with computational mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If users with little experience set control parameters, then ease of operation is improved, but constraint satisfaction and accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The parameter setting device acts as an intermediary between the user and the control parameters. Users simply input desired parameter values without needing to understand restrictive relationships, while the constraint satisfaction solution retrieve unit and constraint relaxing unit automatically handle the complex logic of satisfying constraints, mediating between simple user input and accurate constraint satisfaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-validation and self-correction by automatically checking whether input parameters satisfy constraints and autonomously adjusting parameters or relaxing constraints when violations occur, eliminating the need for users to have expert knowledge while maintaining high accuracy.
3Reliability
If all constraints are strictly maintained, then reliability is improved, but the ability to find any solution deteriorates when constraints are inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The constraint relaxing unit dynamically adjusts constraint strictness based on evaluation indicators. When the constraint satisfaction solution retrieve unit cannot find a valid parameter combination, the system automatically relaxes certain constraints according to their importance and influence degrees, transitioning from a static rigid constraint system to a dynamic adaptive one that can find solutions in inconsistent scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of constraints themselves by introducing relaxation levels. The constraint relaxing unit modifies constraint conditions based on evaluation indicators, allowing the system to adaptively adjust constraint strictness and find feasible solutions even when original constraints are inconsistent or overly restrictive.
4Ease of operation
If the system automatically determines parameter values, then ease of operation is improved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The parameter setting device is segmented into distinct functional units: the constraint database unit for storing constraints, the constraint generator unit for creating constraints, the constraint evaluation indicator setting unit for assigning priorities, the constraint satisfaction solution retrieve unit for searching valid parameters, and the constraint relaxing unit for adjusting constraints. This segmentation manages complexity by organizing functions into modular components.
Solution Approach 2:
The constraint evaluation indicator setting unit serves as an intermediary that bridges simple user input and complex constraint satisfaction logic. By pre-setting evaluation indicators that represent constraint importance and influence, the system mediates between automated determination needs and manageable complexity, allowing automatic parameter determination without requiring the entire system to be overly complex.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique that allows determination of appropriate control parameter values automatically. A constraint evaluation indicator setting unit sets, to each of a plurality of additional constraints, a third evaluation indicator obtained by combining a first evaluation indicator that indicates a level of influence on other control parameters when a control parameter is changed, and a second evaluation indicator that indicates weight according to a property including importance and the like. A constraint satisfaction solution retrieve unit retrieves a combination of control parameter values that satisfies constraints. When the constraint satisfaction solution retrieve unit fails to retrieve the combination of control parameter values, a constraint relaxing unit relaxes the additional constraints in accordance with the third evaluation indicator.