Trigger-Synchronized Functional Unit for Multi-Rate Control Output

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Solution Overview

Problem

In programmable controllers, high-speed functional processing performance is underutilized due to synchronization constraints, and variations in control periods among internal control processors lead to inefficiencies, especially in long-term control scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A functional unit that synchronizes with a trigger signal to perform multiple functional processes within a single synchronization period, allowing for shorter control periods and collective output of processing results, thereby utilizing high-speed processing and minimizing control period variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a functional unit performs only one functional process in one synchronization period, then synchronization with the trigger signal is maintained, but high-speed functional processing performance cannot be utilized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional processing performanceVSAvoidsynchronization period

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The functional unit segments the synchronization period into multiple control periods, allowing multiple functional processes to be executed within one synchronization period. Each control period completes a functional process and outputs results, enabling high-speed processing while maintaining synchronization through collective output at the end of the synchronization period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If multiple input units and output units perform high-speed control depending on internal control processor, then high-speed functional processing is achieved, but variations in control period increase to non-negligible level in long-term control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehigh-speed control performanceVSAvoidcontrol period variation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple input units and output units are merged into a single functional unit that shares a common control period and collective output mechanism. This unification ensures that all functional processes within the unit operate with the same timing reference, eliminating control period variations that would otherwise accumulate in long-term control scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Speed

If a functional processing unit performs functional process with control period shorter than synchronization period, then high-speed processing is enabled, but multiple processing results need collective output control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol periodVSAvoidoutput control mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The functional processing unit performs multiple functional processes in advance during the synchronization period, accumulating processing results. The output control unit then collectively outputs all accumulated results in a single synchronized action at the end of the synchronization period, eliminating the need for complex individual output control for each fast process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11215957B2Functional unit and control apparatus wherein a functional unit synchronized with another functional unit on basis of an outside trigger signal having a synchronized period

Publication Date: 2022.01.04 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A functional unit is synchronized with an output system unit on the basis of a trigger signal input from outside with a synchronization period. The input system unit includes: a functional processing unit to perform, on the basis of the trigger signal, a functional process with a control period that is shorter than the synchronization period, and to generate processing results by repeatedly performing the functional process in one synchronization period; and a shared memory to collectively output the processing results of the functional processing unit to outside on the basis of the trigger signal.