METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A SYSTEM

• US 20150039131A1
• Filed: 02/18/2013
• Published: 02/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Company KG
• Inventors: Pollmann, Werner
• Granted Patent: US 9,836,033 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/275
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0428 Safety, monitoring G05B19/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24178 Controlled device decides which redundant controller will be active
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 9/03 with multiple-channel loop, i.e. redundant control systems

Abstract

A method for controlling a system consisting of at least two control units, namely a first control unit and a second control unit. The system includes least one actuator and at least one sensor. The control units generate control data for the actuator on the basis of the information from the sensor, The method includes receiving, with the actuator, both the control data of the first control unit and the control data of the second control unit. The method also includes deciding, with the actuator, whether to use the control data of the first or second control unit to carry out an actuator function with the actuator.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a system including a first control unit and a second control unit, an actuator, and a sensor, the control units generating control data for the actuator on the basis of the information from the sensor, the method comprising:

receiving, by the actuator, both the control data of the first control unit and the control data of the second control unit; and

deciding, by the actuator, whether to use the control data of the first or second control unit to carry out an actuator function with the actuator.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a selection device via which the actuator automatically selects whether to use the control data of the first or second control unit to carry out the actuator function.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the selection device is a selection switch on the actuator is configured to be actuated manually.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the selection device is a selection criterion in a control program of control electronics of the actuator.

5. The method according to claim 1, when the first control unit fails and no more control data are received therefrom, the actuator automatically selects the control data of the second control unit to carry out the actuator function, and when the second control unit fails and no more control data are received therefrom, the actuator automatically selects the control data of the first control unit to carry out the actuator function.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the actuator transmits a synchronisation signal to the two control units, whereupon the two control units retrieve the information from the at least one sensor and transmit corresponding control data to the actuator on the basis of the updated sensor information.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein a communication network is used for a data exchange between the two control units and the at least one actuator.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein a bus system is used as the communication network.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein data is exchanged between the two control units and the at least one sensor via the same communication network.

12. The method according to claim 3, wherein the selection switch is a DIP switch.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein data is exchanged between the two control units and the sensor via the same bus system.

10. A method for controlling at least one of an escape route illumination device or emergency lighting in a tunnel used by vehicles using a first control unit and a second control unit, an actuator, and a sensor, the control units generating control data for the actuator on the basis of the information from the sensor, the method comprising:

receiving, by the actuator, both the control data of the first control unit and the control data of the second control unit;

deciding, by the actuator, whether to use the control data of the first or second control unit to carry out an actuator function with the actuator;

wherein the actuator is configured to switch at least one of the escape route illumination mechanism or the emergency lighting on and off or parts of the escape route illumination device or parts of the emergency lighting on and off;

wherein the sensor is configured to detect at least one of a position or a movement of vehicles or detect at least one of smoke or fire.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the first control unit is arranged in a region of an entrance of the tunnel and the second control unit is arranged in a region of an exit of the tunnel.