PLC System Construction Tool for Unit Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing system construction tools for PLC systems often display inappropriate unit combinations, leading to rework in system configuration, and fail to accurately determine suitable connections and unit specifications during the design phase.
Innovation Solution
A system construction supporting tool that includes a product-specification storage unit, an arranged-unit-information storage unit, and a unit-list-display control unit to extract and display only arrangeable units based on product specifications and existing unit arrangements, reducing rework by ensuring appropriate unit selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If all units are displayed in the unit list without restriction, then the user has more selection freedom, but inappropriate unit combinations may be selected leading to rework
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary determination of arrangeable units based on product specifications and already-arranged units before the user makes selections. The control unit extracts and displays only units that can be properly arranged given the current configuration, preventing inappropriate selections before they occur rather than correcting them after
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the user by dynamically updating the unit list based on the current system configuration. As units are arranged or removed, the control unit recalculates which units are arrangeable and updates the display accordingly, guiding the user toward valid configurations
2Reliability
If unit arrangement restrictions are applied based on product specifications, then configuration appropriateness is improved, but user selection freedom is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-determines which units are arrangeable by checking product specifications and current configuration state before presenting options to the user. This preliminary filtering ensures that only valid selections are shown, maintaining configuration appropriateness while preserving user freedom within valid boundaries
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of unit list display from showing all units to showing only arrangeable units based on dynamic conditions (product specifications and current configuration). This parameter change resolves the contradiction by adapting the display content to the current system state
3Loss of information
If comprehensive unit information is displayed, then user information needs are met, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit extracts only the necessary information for determining arrangeable units from the comprehensive unit specifications and stored arrangement data. By separating the determination logic from the display content, the system provides comprehensive information processing without overwhelming the user interface with all possible data
Data Source
AI summary
A system construction supporting tool that supports construction of a programmable controller system, the system construction supporting tool including: a product-specification storage unit that stores therein information related to product specifications of units to be used as elements for constructing the programmable controller system; an arranged-unit-information storage unit that stores therein information related to arrangements of units already arranged in an edition operation on a display screen; a unit-list-display control unit that extracts arrangeable units based on the information stored in the arranged-unit-information storage unit and the information stored in the product-specification storage unit; and a unit-list display unit that displays a list of the units extracted by the unit-list-display control unit on the display screen.