Electric Machine Control via Predicate-Based Self-Diagnostic Error Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automation technologies require extensive explicit programming for error checking and handling, which is time-consuming and prone to errors, as they necessitate manual recognition and simulation of error states.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling electrical machines or systems using predicates that define functional relationships between components, where expected values are included in the predicate, allowing for automatic checking and generation of control signals based on differences between expected and actual values, thereby reducing the need for explicit error handling programming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If explicit programming is used for error checking and handling, then error detection capability is improved, but programming effort and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the automation solution to automatically check itself for errors. The runtime system continuously monitors the execution status and error states without requiring external programming intervention, making the system self-diagnostic and reducing the need for manual error handling code
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining error states and their corresponding representations in the system model. By anticipating potential errors and preparing their representations in advance, the system can immediately recognize and respond to errors without requiring complex runtime decision logic or extensive programming
2Reliability
If explicit error checking is implemented, then system reliability is improved, but testing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating a virtual model or representation of the automation solution that mirrors the actual system structure. This model includes representations of components, their interactions, and potential error states. Testing can then be performed on this simplified model rather than the complex actual system, reducing testing complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary layer (the runtime system with error state representations) that mediates between the complex automation logic and the error checking function. This intermediary handles the complexity of error detection internally, allowing the main system to maintain high reliability without exposing testing complexity to users
3Ease of operation
If manual error state recognition is required, then programming control is improved, but development time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The runtime system performs self-service by automatically recognizing error states based on the pre-defined representations in the system model. The system monitors execution status, compares it against known error patterns, and identifies errors without requiring programmers to manually code recognition logic for each potential error scenario
Solution Approach 2:
Error state representations are defined preliminarily during system design rather than during programming or testing. By establishing the error state model in advance, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming manual error recognition programming while maintaining precise control over error detection behavior
Data Source
AI summary
It should be possible to examine an automated system in regard to possible errors in a simpler manner. Therefore, a method is proposed for controlling an electric machine or unit by actuating a component (1) of the electric machine or unit using a predicate (3) and by automatically examining the component in regard to the performance of the predicate (3). The predicate (3) contains an expected value (32) of a (physical) quantity of the component. In the examination of the component (1), it is checked whether the expected value (32) actually arises when the predicate (3) is performed. Thus, error situations can be detected by the runtime system without explicit programming being necessary therefor.