Bus Coupler Segmentation for Voltage Drop Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The number of bus connections that can be connected to a bus system is limited due to increased resistance and voltage drop, especially when high-energy devices are connected, making it difficult to implement flexible and efficient control functions in building automation while maintaining safety and operational readiness.
Innovation Solution
A bus coupling unit (bus coupler) with four ports, allowing for internal electrical connections between two-wire bus lines, reduces voltage drop by half and enables flexible configuration and control through switching elements, allowing for efficient energy and data transmission, and automatic testing and initialization processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of bus connections is increased to improve flexibility and control functions, then the system becomes more versatile, but the resistance and voltage drop increase, limiting the number of connectable devices
Solution Approach 1:
The bus system is divided into multiple segments by inserting bus couplers between bus connections. Each coupler creates a separate segment with its own power supply path, effectively breaking the continuous resistance accumulation that occurs in traditional linear bus systems. This segmentation allows the system to support more devices without proportionally increasing voltage drop.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional linear bus topology to a two-dimensional segmented topology by introducing couplers that create parallel power paths. Electrical energy can flow through multiple paths simultaneously, reducing the effective resistance and voltage drop experienced by individual devices while maintaining system versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more bus devices are connected to increase system functionality, then the control capabilities are enhanced, but the effective resistance increases quadratically, limiting the number of devices
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the bus system into multiple independent sections using bus couplers, the patent prevents the quadratic increase in effective resistance that occurs in linear configurations. Each segment operates with reduced resistance, allowing more devices to be connected while maintaining reliable electrical connections and operational readiness.
3Use of energy by moving object
If high-energy consumption devices are connected to meet power requirements, then the system satisfies energy demands, but the voltage drop increases significantly, reducing the number of connectable devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multi-dimensional power distribution paths through bus couplers, allowing electrical energy to reach high-consumption devices through multiple parallel routes. This dimensional expansion of the power distribution network reduces voltage drop even when high-energy devices are connected, maintaining system versatility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The bus coupler increases the number of bus connections that can be safely and efficiently connected, reducing voltage drop and enabling more flexible and efficient control of devices in building automation systems, while maintaining operational readiness and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The bus coupler comprises switching elements, in particular mechanically controlled switching elements, especially electronically controlled switching elements
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention is a bus coupling unit (10) having two inputs (12, 13) and two outputs (14, 15) to which bus lines (16, 17) of a two-wire bus can be connected in each case, and a bus system (24) having at least one such bus coupling unit (10), wherein one of the inputs (12, 13) can be connected to one of the outputs (14, 15) inside the bus coupling unit (10) in each case in an electrically conductive manner by means of a first and a second connection path (26, 28), and wherein the two connection paths (26, 28) can be connected in an electrically conductive manner inside the bus coupling unit (10) by means of a bridge path (30).