Safety Program Configuration for Motion Function Enablement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current safety systems for drive devices, such as those using EtherCAT, require users to manually change safety function settings by writing source code, which is labor-intensive and prone to errors, as all safety functions are initially enabled by default and cannot be easily disabled without programming.
Innovation Solution
A control system with a support device that allows users to designate enabling or disabling of safety functions through a user interface, generating and transferring a safety program without the need for source code writing, and preventing unintended use of disabled safety functions by prohibiting related variables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all safety functions are enabled by default according to EtherCAT standards, then safety reliability is improved, but the complexity of changing settings increases and requires manual source code programming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a support device as an intermediary between the user and the drive device. This support device provides a user interface that simplifies the configuration process by allowing users to specify which safety functions to disable without directly programming source code. The support device then generates and transfers the appropriate safety program to the drive device, thereby maintaining safety reliability while reducing setting complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users manually write source code to change safety function settings, then adaptability to different work details is improved, but the risk of errors increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The support device provides self-service functionality by automatically generating the safety program based on user specifications. Instead of requiring users to manually write source code, the system allows users to simply indicate which safety functions should be disabled, and the support device handles the complex task of program generation and transfer, thereby improving productivity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device performs preliminary actions by pre-generating the safety program before it is transferred to the drive device. The system prepares the configuration in advance based on user input, validating and structuring the safety program beforehand, which reduces the time and effort required during actual deployment and minimizes the risk of errors.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users separately prepare programs to change safety function settings, then flexibility to adjust settings is improved, but the amount of work increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of program generation, validation, and transfer into a single integrated support device. Instead of requiring users to separately prepare and manually transfer safety programs, the support device combines these operations into one automated process that responds to user specifications, thereby maintaining setting flexibility while significantly reducing the time and effort required.
Data Source
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AI summary
The objective of the invention is to facilitate the setting of enabling or disabling in safety function. A control system (1) is provided with safety drivers (300) having motion safety functions, a safety controller (200) for outputting a safety instruction to the safety drivers (300) according to a safety program, and with a support device (500), wherein the safety program includes information for disabling particular motion safety functions and wherein the support device (500) comprises: a reception unit (5216) for receiving a designation, given by a user, of enabling or disabling for each of the motion safety functions; a generation unit (5212) for generating the safety program in accordance with the designation; and a transfer unit (5218) for transferring the safety program to the safety controller (200).