Wireless Communicator Modes for Multi-Machine Tool Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication techniques for electric working machines allow only one-on-one communication between machines, limiting their usefulness for concurrent operation with multiple machines.
Innovation Solution
A communicator device that enables unspecified electric working machines to operate in conjunction with a transmission-side machine, allowing users to select operating modes for communication and transmission cycles, and includes features like registration and deletion of machine information, improving the machines' operational flexibility and power efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If one-on-one communication is implemented between electric working machines, then communication reliability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate in both one-on-one communication mode (specifying a particular machine) and broadcast mode (communicating with unspecified machines). The communication controller switches between these modes based on operational requirements, allowing the same hardware to serve both reliability-critical and adaptability-critical scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its communication behavior by switching between different operating modes. When a particular receiving machine is specified, the device establishes a reliable dedicated connection. When no machine is specified, it broadcasts to multiple potential receivers. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by adapting the communication strategy to the specific operational context.
2Loss of information
If information transmission is performed continuously, then data freshness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous transmission, the communication device uses periodic cyclic transmission of operational information. The system transmits data at regular intervals, which maintains data freshness for time-critical operations while allowing the communication module to enter low-power states between transmissions. This periodic approach directly addresses the contradiction by balancing information freshness with energy conservation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operating modes are implemented, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple communication functions (one-on-one communication, broadcast communication, different transmission cycles) are merged into a single communication device with a unified controller. The communication controller integrates mode switching, machine specification, and cyclic transmission control within one unit, avoiding the need for separate hardware for each function. This merging approach enables versatility while controlling complexity by consolidating control logic rather than duplicating hardware components.
Data Source
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AI summary
A communicator (30A; 30B) in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a connector (36), a communication circuit (31), and a communication controller (32). The connector (36) is electrically coupled to an electric working machine. The communication circuit (31) performs wireless communication. The communication controller (32) cyclically transmits operational information without specifying a recipient via the communication circuit (31) in response to an operating mode of the communication controller (32) being set to an operation-transmission mode. The operational information indicates an operating state of the electric working machine.