Relay-Based Field Wireless Settings for Remote Plant Configuration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Engineers face inefficiencies in setting or changing setting information for gateways and field devices due to the need to physically travel between control rooms and plants, and the complexity of using separate engineering tools for PLCs and gateways, which complicates the association of setting information and reduces work efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A management device and relay device system that allows for the storage and transmission of setting information between a management device and a relay device, which then relays it to field devices, enabling remote configuration and integration of setting information for PLCs, gateways, and field devices using a single engineering tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If engineers use separate PLC engineering tools and gateway engineering tools to set settings, then the settings can be configured according to device-specific requirements, but the work efficiency is reduced due to the need to separately prepare and switch between different engineering tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the PLC engineering tool and gateway engineering tool into a single integrated engineering tool. This unified tool can configure both PLCs and gateways without requiring engineers to switch between separate tools, thereby improving ease of operation while reducing the complexity of managing multiple engineering tools
Solution Approach 2:
The engineering tool is designed with multi-functionality to serve both PLC configuration and gateway configuration purposes. By making the tool universal, it eliminates the need for separate dedicated tools for each device type, streamlining the engineering workflow
2Ease of operation
If engineers physically travel to the plant to connect the gateway engineering tool to the gateway for setting or changing setting information, then direct configuration is possible, but work efficiency is reduced due to travel time and movement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The PLC acts as an intermediary device between the engineering tool and the gateway. The engineering tool connects to the PLC (which is accessible in the control room), and the PLC subsequently transmits the setting information to the gateway remotely. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for engineers to physically travel to the plant location
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically traveling to the plant with an automated electronic transmission system. Setting information is transmitted electronically through the PLC to the gateway, substituting the need for physical movement and direct connection at the remote location
3Reliability
If separate engineering tools are used for PLC and gateway settings, then device-specific configuration is achieved, but the association of setting information between PLC and gateway becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the configuration functions for PLC and gateway into a single engineering tool, the patent simplifies the association process. The tool can manage and correlate setting information for both devices within a unified interface, reducing the complexity of cross-referencing and associating settings between separate tools while maintaining reliable device-specific configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A management device according to an aspect of the present invention transmits and receives information to and from a relay device that is able to communicate with a field device installed in a plant. The management device includes a storage unit including a first setting storage area configured to store first setting information that is setting information of the relay device and a second setting storage area configured to store second setting information that is setting information of the field device and a first setting management unit that writes the first setting information and the second setting information to the relay device.