Wired Interconnection Block for Man-Machine Dialogue Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing human-machine dialogue devices require specific configuration and addressing by a computer, are vulnerable to electromagnetic disturbances, and necessitate intelligent processing units for communication, limiting flexibility and safety in industrial environments.

Innovation Solution

A device with a wired interconnection block using point-to-point links via twisted cables and optional microcontrollers allows flexible connection and supervision of human-machine dialogue members, enabling safe operation regardless of their position relative to the master module and robust against electromagnetic interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If dialogue members are connected via data bus requiring specific configuration and addressing, then communication between master module and dialogue members is established, but the complexity of installation and configuration increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveInstallation and configuration easeVSAvoidConfiguration and addressing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-identification of dialogue members through their unique physical positions in the daisy-chain connection. Each member automatically determines its address based on its position in the chain, eliminating the need for manual configuration and addressing by installers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a simplified communication protocol that acts as an intermediary between the physical connection and the logical addressing system. This protocol automatically translates physical position into communication address, removing the complexity of manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If standard communication bus is used for data exchange, then dialogue members can communicate with master module, but electromagnetic disturbances cause data degradation and safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveData transmission reliabilityVSAvoidElectromagnetic disturbance susceptibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs twisted pair cables with differential signaling, which combines two conductors in a physically balanced configuration. This composite structure inherently rejects electromagnetic interference through common-mode rejection, maintaining signal integrity in noisy industrial environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The system transforms the potential harm of electromagnetic disturbances into a benefit by using differential signaling, where any external electromagnetic interference affects both conductors equally and is therefore rejected as common-mode noise, actually improving reliability in electrically noisy environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If processing unit with intelligence and communication protocol is required, then data exchange and addressing management is possible, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAddressing and data exchange capabilityVSAvoidProcessing unit intelligence requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the intelligence and communication protocol management from individual dialogue members and concentrates it entirely in the master control module. This allows dialogue members to be simple, dumb devices that only respond to basic signals, while the master module handles all complex addressing and communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of each dialogue member having its own processing intelligence to manage addressing and communication, the system inverts the architecture so that the master module provides all intelligence and each dialogue member simply responds to positional-based addressing, reducing individual device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables flexible and safe monitoring and control of human-machine dialogue members without specific computer configuration, enhancing reliability and safety by allowing physical connection and data exchange regardless of member positioning and environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a wired interconnection block (2) connected by a point-to-point link to each dialogue member (10, 12, 22, 24, 50) via a network of twisted cables

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical signal transmission: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3201738B1System for control/command of a plurality of man-machine dialogue devices
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
  • EP3201738B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3201738B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP3201738B1 patent drawingFigure 3c~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for control/command of a plurality of man-machine dialogue facilities which are linked in series in such a way as to form a network. This device comprises a wire interconnection block linked by a point-to-point link to each dialogue facility via a network of twisted cables.