SAFETY UNIT, CONTROLLER SYSTEM, CONNECTION METHOD OF CONTROLLERS, CONTROL METHOD OF THE CONTROLLER SYSTEM AND MONITOR METHOD OF THE CONTROLLER SYSTEM

• US 20080306613A1
• Filed: 08/08/2008
• Published: 12/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Original Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Inventors: Nakamura, Toshiyuki, Nakayama, Teruyuki, Muneta, Yasuo
• Granted Patent: US 7,813,813 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/7
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/058 Safety, monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/14012 Safety integrity level, safety integrated systems, SIL, SIS
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25012 Two different bus systems

Abstract

Safety units 1d to 1f for executing a safety function processing are connected to a non-safety controller constituted by connecting a plurality of units 1b, 1c including CPU units 1a. A CPU bus 10 to be connected with the CPU units and a safety dedicated bus 11 for mutually connecting the safety units are provided to the safety units. Since the safety dedicated bus is isolated from the non-safety system, reliability of the safety function can be secured. The CPU unit can read out data through the CPU bus irrespective of the safety unit and the non-safety unit.

Claims

1. A safety unit capable of being connected to a non-safety controller constituted by connecting a plurality of non-safety units including CPU units, comprising:

a CPU bus for connecting said CPU units; and

a processing portion for executing a safety function processing;

wherein transmission/reception of data are made with said CPU units through said CPU bus.

2. A safety unit according to claim 1, further comprising safety system construction management information storage means for storing safety system construction management information, and having a master function for managing and collating all of said safety units.

3. A method of monitoring a controller system including a non-safety controller constituted by connecting a plurality of units including CPU units through a CPU bus and a safety controller constituted by connecting a plurality of safety units including CPU units and having a safety function, said controllers being connected by extending the CPU bus of said non-safety controller to said safety controller, comprising the steps of:

providing a tool interface to the CPU units of said non-safety controller and connecting a tool;

acquiring information held by said safety controller by processing of the CPU unit through said CPU bus in accordance with a request from the tool so connected; and

transmitting the acquired information to an external tool through the tool interface of the CPU unit of said non-safety controller.

4. A method of setting a controller system including a non-safety controller constituted by connecting a plurality of units including CPU units through a CPU bus and a safety controller constituted by connecting a plurality of safety units including CPU units and having a safety function, said controllers being connected by extending the CPU bus of said non-safety controller to said safety controller, comprising the steps of:

providing a tool interface to the CPU units of said non-safety controller and connecting a tool; and

conducting predetermined setting to said safety controller by processing of the CPU unit through said CPU bus in accordance with an instruction from the tool connected.

5. A method of monitoring a controller system including a non-safety controller constituted by connecting a plurality of units including CPU units through a CPU bus and a safety controller constituted by connecting a plurality of safety units including CPU units and having a safety function, said controllers being connected by extending the CPU bus of said non-safety controller to said safety controller, comprising the steps of:

providing a tool interface to the CPU units of said non-safety controller and connecting a tool;

acquiring information held in at least said non-safety controller by processing of the CPU unit of said safety controller through said CPU bus in accordance with a request from the tool connected; and

transmitting the information acquired to an external tool through the tool interface of the CPU units of said safety controller.

6. A method of setting a controller system including a non-safety controller constituted by connecting a plurality of units including CPU units through a CPU bus and a safety controller constituted by connecting a plurality of safety units including CPU units and having a safety function, said controllers being connected by extending the CPU bus of said non-safety controller to said safety controller, comprising the steps of:

providing a tool interface to the CPU units of said safety controller and connecting a tool; and

conducting predetermined setting to at least said non-safety controller by processing of the CPU unit of said safety controller through said CPU bus in accordance with an instruction from the tool connected.