Plug-in Data Store with Independent Elements for Industrial Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of industrial systems leads to a high logistical effort and potential complications during commissioning and maintenance due to the need to handle multiple proprietary pluggable data storage solutions, increasing the number of different data memories required.

Innovation Solution

A pluggable data storage device with multiple independent non-volatile data storage elements and interfaces, where each element is physically separated and independently accessible, reducing the number of different data memories needed and simplifying component replacement by using a shared data storage solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple proprietary pluggable data storage devices are used for different system components, then each component can have dedicated storage, but the number of different data memories increases and logistical effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvededicated storage for each componentVSAvoidnumber of different data memories
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single pluggable data storage device that can serve multiple system components through multiple independent interfaces. The housing contains several data storage elements, each accessible via its own interface, allowing one universal device to replace multiple proprietary storage devices while maintaining dedicated access for each component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the internal structure of the data storage device into independent segments. Each data storage element is physically separated and accessible through its own dedicated interface, allowing independent access to each storage element while using a single unified device housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple proprietary pluggable data storage devices are used, then each component has dedicated storage, but space requirements and storage costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvededicated storageVSAvoidspace requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining multiple data storage elements into a single housing. Instead of having separate physical devices for each system component, multiple storage elements are integrated into one unified device that occupies less space while providing dedicated storage capacity for each component through independent interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple proprietary pluggable data storage devices are used, then each component has dedicated storage, but component replacement becomes more complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvededicated storageVSAvoidcomponent replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by creating a single replaceable device that serves multiple components. When replacement is needed, the entire unified data storage device with all its elements is replaced as one unit, simplifying the process compared to managing multiple separate proprietary devices, while each element maintains its dedicated access for the respective system component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3577549B1Plug-in data store having independent data store elements, and system of a plug-in data store and at least two system components
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 SEW EURODRIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3577549B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3577549B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3577549B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to the further development of a plug-in data store for system components of an industrial plant for the non-volatile storage of identification information and/or configuration information. According to the invention, the problem is solved in that a plurality of independent plug-in data stores is integrated in a common housing, the independence of each individual data store being maintained. A plurality of system components can simultaneously each access one exclusively associated data store element of the jointly used plug-in data store. Thus, the space required for establishing electrically conductive contact with the data store elements can be reduced. Furthermore, the stocking costs can thus be reduced, because only a single common plug-in data store is required. Therefore, if a system component is exchanged, at most one plug-in data store must be transferred to the new component, and consequently the exchange process can be simplified and the susceptibility to errors upon the exchange and thus the downtime of the installation can be considerably reduced.