Bus Interface Circuit for Self-Addressing Participant Initialization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bus systems face challenges in automatically assigning addresses to new bus participants during initialization, requiring manual intervention and lacking efficient methods for detecting connection states and supply voltage presence.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a self-initializing interface with a controller and bus participants connected via a data bus, utilizing resistor networks and semiconductor switches to detect voltage states and automatically assign addresses to new participants, ensuring seamless integration and address allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual address assignment is used for bus participants, then address allocation can be controlled, but the initialization process becomes time-consuming and requires manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaddress assignment automationVSAvoidinitialization time
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The bus participant automatically determines its own address by detecting the voltage state at its input terminal during initialization. When powered on, the participant checks if voltage is present at its input, which indicates the address of the preceding participant. This self-addressing mechanism eliminates manual intervention and enables automatic initialization of the bus system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If voltage detection methods are simplified, then the detection process becomes easier, but the ability to detect multiple states (connection status, supply voltage presence, input activation) is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection state detection difficultyVSAvoiddetection information completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses different voltage levels to encode multiple states of the bus participant. By measuring the voltage at the input terminal, the system can distinguish between: no successor connected (voltage near supply voltage), successor without supply voltage (intermediate voltage level), and successor with supply voltage and activated input (voltage near ground). This allows comprehensive state detection using a single voltage measurement parameter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If resistor networks are used for voltage division, then voltage states can be differentiated, but the circuit complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage state discrimination precisionVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit combines several functions into a single integrated structure: the resistor network performs both voltage division for state detection and protection functions. The first resistor connects the input to supply voltage, the second resistor connects the input to ground, and their combination creates distinct voltage levels for different states. This merged circuit design achieves precise measurement while maintaining relatively simple circuitry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The resistor network serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it divides voltage to enable state detection, provides protection against voltage fluctuations, and establishes the electrical connection for the bus participant. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate circuits for each function, thereby managing complexity while achieving precise measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the bus system is designed to be easily expandable, then new participants can be added freely, but automatic detection and integration of new participants becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebus system expandabilityVSAvoidnew participant integration automation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The bus participant implements a feedback mechanism where the voltage state at its input terminal provides information about the system configuration. When a new participant is added to the bus, the voltage feedback at its input automatically indicates its position and address. This feedback enables the participant to self-configure and integrate into the bus system automatically, supporting easy expandability while maintaining automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

This solution enables automatic address assignment for new bus participants, enhances connection detection, and provides robust protection against voltage fluctuations, simplifying the integration process and improving system reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a third resistor R1 can be arranged between the input IN and the supply voltage connection by means of a first controllable semiconductor switch, in particular such that the third resistor R1 is arranged in parallel with the first resistor R4 when connecting the successor to the first bus participant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

a fourth resistor R3 can be arranged between the output OUT and the supply voltage connection by means of a second controllable semiconductor switch, in particular such that the fourth resistor R3 is arranged in parallel with the third resistor R1 when connecting the successor to the first bus participant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP4038843B1Bus system and method for operating a bus system
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 SEW EURODRIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4038843B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4038843B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4038843B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a system and a method for operating a system, having a controller and a first station and a successor, the station and successor each having a circuit assembly which is situated between an output OUT and an input IN, wherein there is a first resistor R4 between the output OUT and the terminal for supply voltage and a second resistor R2 between the input IN and a terminal for earth, wherein a third resistor R1 can be arranged between the input IN and the terminal for supply voltage by means of a first controllable semiconductor switch, wherein a fourth resistor R3 can be arranged between the output OUT and the terminal for supply voltage by means of a second controllable semiconductor switch.