Source: https://insight.rpxcorp.com/pat/US6694211B2
Timestamp: 2019-10-20 11:00:46
Document Index: 670248400

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4']

Patent US 6,694,211 B2
1. In a control system for a group of fiber processing machines, wherein the control system includes a superordinate control console;
and separate machine-specific control consoles connected to each respective fiber processing machine;
the superordinate control console and the machine-specific control consoles being connected to one another by control and regulating devices via a network;
the improvement comprising means for utilizing said superordinate control console for all and only for those inputs and displays which require no personal control and display acknowledgment at the machines and for utilizing said machine-specific control consoles for all and only for those inputs and displays which, for the operation of the machines require a personal control and display acknowledgement at the machines, wherein said superordinate control console comprises a stationary unit and a mobile unit removable from said stationary unit and attachable to selected fiber processing machines for data inputting and data displaying.
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2. In a control system for a group of fiber processing machines, the fiber processing machines simultaneously performing operations parallel to each other, wherein the control system includes a superordinate control console;
the improvement comprising means for utilizing said superordinate control console for all and only for those inputs and displays which require no personal control and display acknowledgment at the machines and for utilizing said machine-specific control consoles for all and only for those inputs and displays which, for the operation of the machines require a personal control and display acknowledgement at the machines.
5. The control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said stationary unit has a current supply, a system for communicating with said network, a system for data storage and data administration;
and further wherein said mobile unit has a control console unit.
10. In a method of controlling a group of fiber processing machines that simultaneously perform operations parallel to each other by a system including a superordinate control console and separate machine-specific control consoles connected to each respective fiber processing machine;
the improvement wherein the method comprises the steps of (a) utilizing said superordinate control console for all and only for those inputs and displays requiring no personal control and display acknowledgment at the machines; and
<FGREF>FIG. 1</FGREF> is a schematic perspective view of a system composed of eight carding machines and three draw frames which are connected by a data network with a central handling and displaying apparatus (central control console).
<FGREF>FIG. 2</FGREF> is a schematic view of a system formed of four carding machines each having a machine-specific control console which are connected with the central control console by a data network.
<FGREF>FIG. 3</FGREF> is a diagram showing the several control and display functions assigned to the control consoles.
<FGREF>FIG. 4</FGREF> is a diagram showing the central control console, having a stationary and a mobile part.
<FGREF>FIG. 5</FGREF>a is a diagram illustrating the several control and display functions assigned to the control consoles, and a mobile terminal coupled to the stationary part of the superordinate control console.
<FGREF>FIG. 5</FGREF>b is a diagram illustrating the several control and display functions assigned to the control consoles, and a mobile terminal coupled to a machine control apparatus.
<FGREF>FIG. 6</FGREF> is a diagram illustrating the connection of a modem to the central control console and the connection with a mobile telephone equipment via a wireless station.
<FGREF>FIG. 7</FGREF> is a schematic side elevational view of a carding machine with a block diagram for controlling and regulating the carding machine.
<FGREF>FIG. 8</FGREF> is a schematic side elevational view of a draw frame with block diagram for controlling and regulating the draw frame.
<FGREF>FIG. 1</FGREF> shows a spinning preparation system composed of eight carding machines 1a-1h and three draw frames 2a, 2b and 2c. The carding machines 1a-1h are connected by a data network 3 to a superordinate control console 4 which comprises, among others, a monitor screen 5 and a keyboard 6 and may further include a printer 7. The carding machines may be high-production DK 903 models, the draw frames may be high-production HSR 1000 models and the data network may be a TEXNET model, all manufactured by Trützschler GmbH & Co. KG, Mönchengladbach, Germany.
As shown in <FGREF>FIG. 2</FGREF>, four carding machines 1a-1d are each connected with a respective, machine-specific control console 8a-8d, each having a respective keyboard 9a-9d and a monitor screen 10a-10d. Each control console 8a-8d is connected with a respective electronic machine control and regulating device 11a-11d, for example, a microcomputer.
As illustrated in <FGREF>FIGS. 1 and 2</FGREF>, all the carding machines and draw frames of the system are connected with a communication network 3 and can exchange data with one another or with other devices. The central control console 4 has a monitor screen 5, a touch screen, a keyboard 6 as well as capabilities to store data in large quantities over a long period of time. Based on this arrangement, it is feasible to centrally perform all complex machine-setting, parameter-setting and inputting steps. In addition, numerous data of the individual machines may be displayed, visualized, stored, exchanged and monitored.
Each machine (such the cards 1a-1d according to <FGREF>FIG. 2</FGREF>) has a relatively simple and inexpensive respective terminal 9a-9d, by means of which only those inputting steps are performed which are necessary for the normal manufacturing operation. Likewise, the displays 10a-10d belonging to the respective terminals 9a-9d cover only such a working field. According to <FGREF>FIG. 3</FGREF>, a clear division is effected between a first group composed of control and display pertaining to the normal manufacturing operation and a second group required for the machine-setting, parameter-setting, and visualizing steps as well as error detection. The first group is exclusively feasible via the respective, machine-specific control consoles 8a-8d (simple machine terminals 9a-9d), while the second group is possible only by means of the elements of the central control console 4 which is shown as a one-part, stationary apparatus.
Thus, for example, as concerns the three draw frames 2a, 2b and 2c, the following division of control and display functions between the superordinate control console 4 and the machine-specific control consoles 31 (only one shown in <FGREF>FIG. 8</FGREF>) may be effected:
The following are inputted only at the inputting devices 32 (only one shown in <FGREF>FIG. 8</FGREF>) of the machine-specific control consoles 31: start/stop, coiler can replacement.
Because of technological reasons, certain machine-setting and parameter-setting steps must be combined with complex numeric or graphic indications which stem from the purely production-specific control and must be performed directly at the machine. For an effective and economical solution of this task, the central control console 4 is constructed in two parts as shown in FIG. 4. The first part 4a is stationary and contains mainly a current supply 12, the device 13 maintaining communication with the network 3, the memory 14, data administration as well as a computer 15. The control and display portion 4b is a mobile terminal separated from the stationary part 4a . Thus, all the machines have the possibility, on the one hand, to receive mechanically at a suitable location the mobile control and display part 4b of the central control console 4 and, on the other hand, to couple the mobile part 4b electrically with the machine computers 11a-11d (FIG. 2), 11 (FIG. 7), 30 (<FGREF>FIG. 8</FGREF>) which are also connected with the stationary part 4a of the central control console 4 via the network 3.
As shown in <FGREF>FIG. 5</FGREF>a, the “not production-specific control” is performed by the superordinate control console 4, but, in contrast to <FGREF>FIG. 4</FGREF>, in such a manner that the mobile terminal 4b, disconnected from the stationary part 4a, is associated with one of the machines.
<FGREF>FIG. 5</FGREF>b shows an embodiment in which a mobile terminal 4b is associated with a machine and takes care of the “not production-specific control” via a high performance machine computer 11.
d. By virtue of the possibility to nevertheless perform, if necessary, all machine-settings, parameter-settings and data recall required directly at the machine, with the aid of the mobile terminal 4b together with a corresponding graphic support, no appreciable disadvantages in the control are experienced. This is particularly so, because, as a rule, these tasks are performed deliberately and occur relatively seldom as related to the “normal operation”. Further, it is almost impossible that these tasks are performed simultaneously at several machines.
g. If very large manufacturing systems are required or are present, more than one mobile control console 4a may be used; in an extreme situation a separate one may be used for every machine.
i. The control console 4 is further connected via a suitable device, such as a modem 16 (<FGREF>FIG. 6</FGREF>) with a telephone or other communication network 17 to make it possible to call for external information concerning the machines or to transfer data thereto (telephone service for problem searching, technical support, updates, and the like).
j. With an appropriately equipped central station 4 and/or the computers 11, 11a-11d and 30 it is possible, for example, to effect via the Internet a direct access to the machine control or assistance, or to gain access to externally stored drawings, graphs, and the like. It is advantageous to make available, maintain and store such information centrally, and then make them available for worldwide locations.
k. The central control console 4 is constructed such that it is capable of transmitting reports via the ordinary telephone network 17 or other communication networks to one or several arbitrarily designated communication devices in case of errors or other problems. As shown in <FGREF>FIG. 6</FGREF>, this applies particularly in case of handheld remote controls 18 (for example, by means of SMS), with which the maintenance personnel may be equipped for being contacted under predefined conditions via a transmitter 19. Thus, such an arrangement may also assume the function of an automatic personal paging system. A transmitter station is designated at 19.
l. In addition, the central control console 4 may control one or more signaling lamps or acoustic signaling devices. In case of a malfunction, the signal transmitters acoustically or visibly may indicate the existence of a problem and alert the maintenance personnel. A plant plan on the monitor of the central control console 4 or its mobile terminal 4b may point to the particular machine which experiences difficulties.
n. To avoid an unnecessary burdening of the machine computer, the machine controls 11, 11a-11d and 30 may be designed such that the mobile terminal 4b has, when in use at the machine, a direct connection with the network which interconnects the machines.
o. The mobile part 4b of the central handling and indicating station 4 is coupled with the stationary part 4a by means of a serial communication (for example, Can open, Ethernet, and the like). In this manner, it may also be coupled to the individual machine controls 11, 11a-11d and 30.
p. The mobile terminal 4b as well as the input at the machines are designed such that upon coupling the mobile terminal to the machine, the required electric connections are automatically established (for example, by means of special, integrated plug-in unit).
q. The mobile terminal 4b is designed such that it has all the usual attributes of a personal computer for industrial use.
r. The control console 4 and the mobile terminals 4b communicate with one another by wireless or by infrared transmission. As a result, the terminal may be used even without a direct electrical connection practically at any desired location of the plant.
<FGREF>FIG. 7</FGREF> illustrates a carding machine 1 having a feed roller 20 connected to an electronic tachogenerator 21 as measured value receiver. The tachogenerator 21 is connected to an analog-digital converter 22 which, in turn, is coupled with an electronic control device 11 (microcomputer) including a microprocessor with memory. The analog/digital converter 22 is controlled by the microcomputer 11 coupled to a nominal value inputter 23. The microcomputer 11 is further connected to a first digital/analog power converter 24 connected with a regulating motor 25 which drives the feed roller 20. The carding machine 1 further has a doffer 29 coupled to an electric tachogenerator 26 which functions as a measured value receiver and which is connected with the analog/digital converter 22 coupled to the microcomputer 11. The latter is also connected to a second digital/analog power converter 27 coupled to a regulating motor 28 driving the doffer 29. In operation the rpm signals of the feed roller 20 and the doffer 29 are converted into analog electric signals by the tachogenerators 21 and 26, respectively. These analog signals are converted into digital electric signals by the analog/digital converter 22 and constitute the input signals in the microcomputer 11. The microprocessor of the microcomputer 11 forms digital electric output signals from the input signals and the stored program data. These digital signals are reconverted into analog electric signals by the successive digital/analog power converters 24 and 27, respectively, and are applied thereafter to the regulating motors 25 and 28. The inputting device 9 and the monitor 10, comprised in the machine-specific control console 8 (FIG. 2), are connected to the electronic machine control and regulating device 11. One of the functions of the inputting device 9 is to switch the carding machine 1 on and off. The control console 8 of the carding machine 1 is connected by the data cable 3 to the central control console 4.
<FGREF>FIG. 8</FGREF> schematically shows a draw frame 2 in which the slivers 35 are withdrawn from non-illustrated coiler cans and enter a sliver guide 36 and pass by a measuring member 39 as they are pulled by calender rolls 37, 38 in the working direction A. The draw unit of the draw frame 2 is a 4-over-3 construction, that is, it has a lower output roll I, a lower mid roll II and a lower input roll III as well as four upper rolls 40, 41, 42 and 43. In the draw unit a drafting of the slivers is taking place, and the drafted slivers are introduced at the outlet of the draw unit into a sliver guide 44 and are, by means of calender rolls 45 and 46, pulled through a sliver trumpet 47 in which the slivers are combined into a single sliver 48 which is subsequently deposited into a non-illustrated coiler can.
The term superordinate characterizing the central control console 4 encompasses a functional super-ordination such that the central functions (<FGREF>FIGS. 3</FGREF>, 5a, 5b) of the superordinate (central) control console 4 for the plurality of associated machines 1, 2, 1a-1h and 2a-2c are the same. The term superordinate for central control console 4 further encompasses a structural super-ordination such that only one control console 4 or only one mobile control console 4b is present for the plurality of associated machines 1, 2, 1a-1h and 2a-2c. In this arrangement, the mobile control console 4b cooperates either with the stationary control console 4a (and its computer unit 15) or with the electronic machine control and regulating apparatus 11, 11a-11d and 30 of a machine 1, 2, 1a-1h and 2a-2c.
Trã¼Tzschler GmbH & Company KG
US 20020095235A1
700/142, 700/130, 700/9, 700/83, 700/84, 700/143, 112/155, 112/102.5, 112/80.23, 112/470.04, 112/470.06, 572/64
D01G 31/006 : On-line measurement and rec...
G05B 19/108 : characterised by physical l...
G05B 2219/36163 : Local as well as remote con...
G05B 2219/36168 : Touchscreen
G05B 2219/36169 : Remote, host controlled, op...
Current Assignee: Trã¼Tzschler GmbH & Company KG
Sponsoring Entity: Trã¼Tzschler GmbH & Company KG