Self-Organizing Power Control System via Dynamic Data Structures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power and energy control and monitoring systems require user intervention for configuration and data management, lack self-organization capabilities, and struggle with efficient data storage and access, especially when integrating new modules or handling large amounts of data.

Innovation Solution

A multifunctional power and energy control system that self-organizes by integrating multiple backplane-based modules through module descriptions, utilizing dynamic data structures for improved data access, storage, and updating, eliminating the need for user configuration software and enabling efficient data management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If user configuration software is used to configure the system, then the system can be set up according to user requirements, but the system complexity and time required for configuration increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem configurabilityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects modules on the backplane and configures itself without requiring user intervention through configuration software. The controller reads module identification information directly from the modules and automatically generates the system configuration, eliminating the need for manual configuration while maintaining full adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Module identification information is pre-stored in each module's memory, containing all necessary configuration data. This preliminary preparation allows the system to self-configure immediately upon power-up without requiring user input, resolving the contradiction between configurability and configuration complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If general purpose embedded databases are used for data storage, then data storage capability is provided, but data access speeds and efficiency deteriorate with large data volumes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata storage capacityVSAvoiddata access speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The data storage system is segmented into multiple storage devices that can be distributed across the network. Data is divided and stored across these devices, allowing parallel access and improving overall data access speed while maintaining large storage capacity. The system manages these segmented storage resources transparently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A file server acts as an intermediary between the controller and the distributed storage devices. The file server manages data requests, routing them to appropriate storage devices and coordinating access, thereby maintaining high data access speeds even as storage capacity scales across multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple modules are integrated into the system, then system functionality and data processing capability improve, but the time required for system initialization and organization increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidsystem initialization time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

When modules are added to the backplane, the system automatically detects them through their identification information and integrates them without requiring user intervention. The controller reads module IDs, determines module types, and automatically configures the system, eliminating manual configuration time while supporting unlimited module integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Each module contains pre-stored identification information in its memory that includes all necessary configuration data. This preliminary preparation enables the system to instantly recognize and integrate new modules upon insertion, minimizing initialization time while maintaining full functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Quantity of substance

If commercial or free embedded databases are used, then data storage is provided, but the system lacks self-organization capability and requires user intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata storage capabilityVSAvoidself-organization capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically organizes itself by reading module identification information from each module's memory and configuring the system accordingly. The controller autonomously generates configuration data, manages data storage requirements, and coordinates with the file server, completely eliminating the need for user intervention while providing adequate data storage capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2477309B1Self-organized power and energy control and management systems and methods
Publication Date: 2020.01.15 ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECH INC
  • EP2477309B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2477309B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2477309B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Systems and methods self-organize a multifunctional power and energy control and management system by integrating multiple backplane based modules through module descriptions. Dynamic data table structures may be configured based on information provides with the module descriptions and provide for improved data accessing, storing, and updating.