Test Arrangement Commissioning via Data Bus Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing test setups with interconnected test components via a data bus can lead to dangerous situations due to wiring errors, which may result in unsafe testing conditions for personnel and potential damage to equipment.

Innovation Solution

A commissioning process is performed to verify that the actual test setup matches the specified configuration before allowing the test setup to enter an operational readiness state, ensuring safety by preventing the execution of tests with incorrect configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wired ring bus is used to connect all test components for functional testing, then the test setup can be fully integrated and tested, but wiring errors may occur leading to unsafe testing conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional test capabilityVSAvoidwiring errors causing unsafe conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing a commissioning process before the functional test to verify the correctness of the test setup configuration. The system determines whether the actual test setup corresponds to the specified configuration before allowing the functional test to proceed, thereby preventing wiring errors from causing unsafe conditions during testing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the test setup allows operational state without configuration verification, then testing can proceed quickly, but dangerous situations may arise from incorrect configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest execution speedVSAvoiddangerous situations from incorrect configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a preliminary commissioning process that verifies the test setup configuration before allowing the functional test to execute. This preliminary verification step ensures that the actual test setup corresponds to the specified configuration, preventing dangerous situations while maintaining efficient test execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by determining whether the actual test setup corresponds to the specified configuration and using this information to control whether the functional test may proceed. The system provides feedback about the operational readiness state based on the configuration verification results, allowing test execution only when the configuration is correct.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a commissioning process is added to verify test setup configuration, then safety is improved by preventing unsafe conditions, but the testing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunsafe testing conditionsVSAvoidcommissioning process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies self-service by automatically determining whether the actual test setup corresponds to the specified configuration through automated communication with test components via the data bus. The initiator device autonomously performs the verification and controls the operational readiness state without requiring manual intervention, thereby improving safety while minimizing the increase in process complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If the initiator device controls the operational readiness state, then the test setup can be safely managed, but the system requires centralized control architecture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest setup safety managementVSAvoidcentralized control architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functional test unit with the initiator device, combining the capabilities of test initiation and configuration verification in a single device. This consolidation allows the initiator device to control the operational readiness state effectively while reducing overall system complexity compared to having separate control and testing functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4591077B1Commissioning of a test arrangement

Publication Date: 2026.03.04 OMICRON ELECTRONICS GMBH

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AI summary

The aim of the invention is to render performing a test using a test arrangement consisting of a plurality of test components which are interconnected via a data bus more reliable. This aim is achieved in that: test components (Pn) of the test devices (PGi) are connected according to a specified test configuration; at least one test device (PGi) having a functional-test unit (13) is defined as an initiator device (10); all test components (Pn) connected to the data bus (2) are determined and stored as a test-component list (PL) in the initiator device (10); the test-component list (PL) is transmitted to a check unit (8) connected to the initiator device (10) and displayed; the displayed test-component list (PL) is checked by a user; the displayed test-component list (PL) is confirmed by the user if it corresponds to the specified test configuration, and the test-component list (PL) is transmitted as a user configuration list (BL) to the initiator device (10) in which this user configuration list is compared with the test-component list (PL); and the test arrangement (1) is brought into a ready-for-operation state if the user configuration list (BL) received corresponds to the stored test-component list (PL).