Safety unit, controller system, connection method of controllers, control method of the controller system and monitor method of the controller system

• US 7,813,813 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2008
• Issued: 10/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Original Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Inventors: Nakamura, Toshiyuki, Nakayama, Teruyuki, Muneta, Yasuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartman, Jr.; Ronald D
• Application Number:
  US12/188,783
• Publication Number:
  US 20080306613A1
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 700/1, 700/21, 700/79
• US Class Current: 700/1
• 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 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.

2. 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.

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 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.

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 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.