Redundant I/O Circuit Pairing to Prevent Wiring Misconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face difficulties in accurately connecting redundant devices to the correct I/O units due to complex wiring, leading to potential erroneous connections.
Innovation Solution
The I/O unit is designed with two redundant slave processing circuits to facilitate clear pairing with two redundant master processing circuits, ensuring correct connection and communication between redundant devices and the master unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wiring such as a cable is used to connect the devices and the I/O units, then it is possible to physically connect the components, but it becomes difficult to determine which I/O unit is to be connected to which redundant device as a pair, leading to potential erroneous connections
Solution Approach 1:
The I/O unit is segmented into two distinct connection sets: a first connection set for connecting to a first redundant device and a second connection set for connecting to a second redundant device. This segmentation allows each connection set to be clearly associated with its corresponding redundant device, eliminating confusion in wiring connections while maintaining physical connectivity through cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The I/O unit acts as an intermediary between the master unit and the redundant devices. By providing distinct connection sets within the I/O unit that correspond to distinct redundant devices, the intermediary structure facilitates clear pairing relationships without requiring complex external wiring management or identification mechanisms.
2Reliability
If devices related to safety are made redundant with separate wiring connections, then safety reliability is improved, but the complexity of determining correct pairings between I/O units and redundant devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection interface is segmented into multiple distinct connection sets, where each connection set is designed to connect to a specific redundant device. This segmentation maintains the safety redundancy requirement while significantly improving ease of operation by making it visually and structurally obvious which connection set pairs with which redundant device, eliminating identification difficulties.
Solution Approach 2:
Each connection set within the I/O unit is given a distinct local quality or configuration that corresponds to its paired redundant device. This local differentiation allows operators to easily identify correct pairings without complex wiring diagrams or identification procedures, while still maintaining the required safety redundancy through separate physical connections.
Data Source
AI summary
An I/O unit transmits signals between a master unit and instruments. The master unit has two redundant master processing circuits. The I/O unit includes: a first slave processing circuit that performs input and output of signals with respect to one of the two master processing circuits; and a second slave processing circuit that performs input and output of signals with respect to the other one of the two redundant master processing circuits.