Power Supply Monitoring for Controlled Shutdown of Control Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for monitoring and controlling the shutdown of control and computer units in automation systems are complex, require detailed communication data, and are not suitable for dynamic assignment of power supply components, leading to potential data loss and uncontrolled shutdowns during power supply disruptions.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses a control system to identify and dynamically assign control applications to power supply components, allowing for centralized monitoring and controlled shutdown of control and computer units without requiring detailed communication data, reducing errors and complexity by eliminating the need for master-slave distinctions and minimizing communication load on individual power supply components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing methods for monitoring and controlling shutdown are used, then power supply components can be monitored, but the system complexity increases and detailed communication data is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrolled shutdown capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control application on the control unit autonomously manages the shutdown process by directly receiving power supply status signals and executing shutdown sequences without requiring external master-slave coordination or complex communication protocols. Each control unit independently monitors its own power supply state and performs controlled shutdown when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If existing methods are used, then power supply monitoring is possible, but data loss may occur during power disruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata loss preventionVSAvoidconfiguration simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control application is pre-configured with shutdown routines and data saving procedures that automatically execute when power supply disruptions are detected. The system performs preliminary data saving and application termination actions before complete power loss occurs, preventing data loss without requiring complex real-time configuration during emergencies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If existing methods with master-slave distinctions are used, then coordinated shutdown can be achieved, but communication load on power supply components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoordinated shutdownVSAvoidcommunication load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the control architecture into independent control units, each with its own control application that directly monitors power supply status. This segmentation eliminates the need for centralized master-slave communication, as each unit independently handles its own shutdown coordination, significantly reducing communication load on power supply components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If existing methods are used, then power supply control is possible, but detailed communication data is required for configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply controlVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The control application automatically receives and processes power supply status signals directly from power supply components without requiring detailed communication configuration data. The system self-configures by directly interfacing with power supply status indicators, eliminating complex communication setup requirements while maintaining reliable power supply control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3528065B1Method for monitoring, managing and controlled shutdown of control and/or computational units
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 SIEMENS AG
  • EP3528065B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3528065B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for monitoring, controlling, and controlling the shutdown of control and/or computer units of at least one system. The control and/or computer units are powered by power supply components. A control application (101, 201, 301) is installed on the respective control and/or computer units of the at least one system, and a connection is then established via a communication network to a control system for power supply components (102, 202, 302). The power supply components and all control applications installed on the control and/or computer units of the at least one system are identified by means of a detection call (103, 203, 303).The power supply components are then assigned those identified control applications (104, 204, 304) that are installed on the respective control and/or computer units supplied by the respective power supply component. The assignments between the power supply components and identified control applications can then be stored either centrally in the control system or locally (105, 205, 305), and the power supply components can be monitored centrally by the control system or locally by the respective assigned control application for event alarms (106, 206, 306). When an event alarm occurs in a power supply component, at least one predefined action or a controlled shutdown process is initiated by the at least one assigned control application on the associated control and/or computer unit (107, 207, 307).