Method for controlling a drive

Abstract

A method for controlling a drive having at least one converter, at least one motor and an assigned drive control, wherein a failsafe CPU is operated separately from the drive control and only processes safety-relevant information, where a number of safety functions are implemented by the failsafe CPU such that the safety-relevant functions of the drive are implemented in a simple and reliable manner.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a drive within a multi-drive system of a paper-making machine, said drive having at least one converter, at least one motor and an associated drive control, comprising: operating a failsafe CPU separately from the associated drive control of the drive within the multi-drive system of the paper-making machine, said failsafe CPU communicating directly with at least one frequency converter via a communication interface; and processing only safety-relevant information by the failsafe CPU; wherein a plurality of safety functions are implemented by the failsafe CPU.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a multi-motor drive is controlled via the failsafe CPU.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the associated drive control of the drive within the multi-drive system of the paper-making machine and the failsafe CPU each communicate with the converter over a communication interface.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein only the failsafe CPU communicates with the converter over the communication interface.

5. A multi-drive system of a paper-making machine comprising: at least one frequency converter; a communication interface; at least one motor; an assigned drive control of a drive within the multi-drive system of the paper-making machine; and a failsafe CPU separated from the assigned drive control of the drive within the multi-drive system of the paper-making machine and communicating directly with said at least one frequency converter via the communication interface, and said failsafe CPU only processing safety-relevant information; wherein the failsafe CPU includes at least one safety program which causes operation the failsafe CPU separately from the assigned drive control of the drive within the multi-drive system of the paper-making machine and causes the processing of only the safety-relevant information at the failsafe CPU.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) One exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail on the basis of a drawing, in which, shown in a schematic representation in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a system with a failsafe CPU in accordance with the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a system with a failsafe CPU in accordance with the invention; and

(4) FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the method in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(5) The same reference characters have the same meaning in the figures.

(6) A system 2 which is part of a drive (not shown in more detail here) is shown in FIG. 1. The system 2 comprises a drive control 4, a converter 6, which is a frequency converter here, and a motor 8, where the converter 6 and the motor 8 are representative of a number of converters and motors if the drive is a multi-motor drive. The drive control 4 is connected in a DP-related manner to the frequency converter 6 via a field bus system 10a, such that target values, actual values, commands and/or status information are exchanged between the drive control 4 and the frequency converter 6. The frequency converter 6 feeds power to the motor 8.

(7) The system 2 also comprises a failsafe CPU 12, which communicates with the frequency converter 6 via a second field bus system 10b or via a data line for digital signals. The failsafe CPU 12 processes safety-relevant signals, which are supplied by, e.g., emergency stop buttons, safety switches, inching commands, or monitors, via one or a number of lines or a field bus system 22. Instead of a line 22, a wireless transmission such as via WLAN can also occur. The failsafe CPU 12 has a safety program 14, which contains a number, in particular all safety functions 16 required for the safe operation of the drive control. Safety functions 16 in this sense are, for instance, a prestart warning, a safeguarding against unexpected start-up, emergency stop, speed monitoring for design and creep rate and a safety-related inching mode.

(8) The frequency converter 6 is actuated with respect to the safety function 16 via the second field bus system 10b. Actual values and/or status information can also be supplied to the failsafe CPU 12 from frequency converter 6 via the second field bus system 10b.

(9) An alternative embodiment of the system 2 is shown in FIG. 2. The major difference from the embodiment of FIG. 1 consists in only the failsafe CPU 12 communicating directly with the frequency converter 6 via a field bus system 18. In the presently contemplated embodiment, the failsafe CPU 12 serves as a gateway for forwarding the values and commands of the drive control 4 to the frequency converter 6, which receives these values and commands via a data line 20. In addition, the failsafe CPU 12 is supplied with the safety-relevant signals via the line 22, which are assigned to the individual safety functions 16 in the safety program 14 and processed.

(10) FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the method for controlling a drive having at least one converter 6, at least one motor 8 and an associated drive control 4. The method comprises operating a failsafe CPU 12 separately from the associated drive control 4, as indicated in step 310. Next, only safety-relevant information is processed by the failsafe CPU 12, as indicated in step 320. In accordance with the invention, a plurality of safety functions 16 are implemented by the failsafe CPU 12.

(11) The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawing and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

(12) Thus, while there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.