Method for controlling a system

• US 9,836,033 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2013
• Issued: 12/05/2017
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Dao, Tuan
• Application Number:
  US14/378,339
• Publication Number:
  US 20150039131A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,751 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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,

wherein the actuator transmits a synchronization signal to the two control units such that upon receipt of the synchronization signal, each control unit retrieves information from the sensor and transmits corresponding control data to the actuator on the basis of the information retrieved from the sensor,

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, and

wherein the selection device is a selection switch on the actuator that is configured to be actuated manually.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selection switch is a DIP switch.

3. 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 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,

wherein the actuator is configured to switch at least one of the escape route illumination device 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 at least one of smoke or fire, and

wherein the actuator transmits a synchronization signal to the two control units such that upon receipt of the synchronization signal, each control unit retrieves information from the sensor and transmits corresponding control data to the actuator on the basis of the information retrieved from the sensor.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, when no more control data are received from the first control unit, the actuator automatically selects the control data of the second control unit to carry out the actuator function, and when no more control data are received from the second control unit, the actuator automatically selects the control data of the first control unit to carry out the actuator function.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein a communication network is used for a data exchange between the two control units and the actuator.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the communication network comprises a bus system.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein data is exchanged between the two control units and the sensor via the bus system.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein data is exchanged between the two control units and the sensor via the communication network.

9. The method according to claim 3, 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.

10. 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,

wherein the actuator transmits a synchronization signal to the two control units such that upon receipt of the synchronization signal, each control unit retrieves information from the sensor and transmits corresponding control data to the actuator on the basis of the information retrieved from the sensor,

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,

wherein the selection device is a selection switch on the actuator that is configured to be actuated manually, and

wherein the selection switch is a DIP switch.