Bus-Based Power Control for Slave Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional electrical devices have complex and non-scalable control circuitry due to numerous interfaces and connection wires between master control panels and hardware modules, making maintenance costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A control circuitry module group using a bus for communication and power supply between a master control module and slave modules, eliminating the need for individual interfaces and reducing wiring through a bus-based system that includes a bus control module and slave control modules with signal processing and power switching units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate connection wires are used between master control panel and hardware modules, then reliable control is achieved, but device complexity increases and scalability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol circuitry complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate control connections are merged into a single bus structure. The patent implements a shared communication bus that consolidates multiple individual control wires into one common medium, allowing the master control module to communicate with multiple slave control modules through this single bus, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining control reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bus structure serves as a universal communication medium that can connect to multiple different slave modules. Instead of requiring dedicated control wires for each hardware module, the single bus can interface with various types of slave modules (heating, cooling, lighting, etc.), providing multi-functional connectivity and improving system scalability.

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

2Ease of operation

If individual interfaces are provided for each slave module, then direct control is achieved, but adaptability deteriorates and maintenance cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirect control capabilityVSAvoidsystem scalability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bus provides a universal interface that can accommodate multiple types of slave modules without requiring additional or modified physical connections. Each slave module connects to the same bus using a standardized interface, enabling the system to easily adapt to different module types and configurations, thereby improving scalability and versatility.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables dynamic addition and removal of slave modules without requiring physical reconfiguration of control connections. Modules can be dynamically connected or disconnected from the bus, and the system automatically manages communication, allowing flexible adaptation to changing operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of information

If multiple connection wires are used, then complete control signaling is achieved, but loss of substance increases due to excessive wiring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol signal completenessVSAvoidwiring material
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple control signal paths are merged into a single shared bus medium. Instead of using separate wires for each control signal between master and slave modules, all control communications share the same physical bus, dramatically reducing the quantity of wiring material required while maintaining complete control signaling capability through time-multiplexed or address-based communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2836887B1Apparatus for controlling power supply of slave modules
Publication Date: 2018.08.29 TYCO ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO LTD
  • EP2836887B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2836887B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~2
  • EP2836887B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a control circuitry module group, an electrical device, and a modem device. The control circuitry module group is configured for communication and/or power supply between a master control module (101) and at least one slave module (109) in an electrical device. The control circuitry module group comprises: a bus (105); a bus control module (107) coupled to a master control module (101) and the bus (105), configured to receive a control signal from the master control module, add a target address in the control signal, and send to the bus the control signal with the target address; and at least one slave control module (109) each coupled to a corresponding slave module (103) and the bus, respectively, and configured to receive the control signal with the target address via the bus, and controlg power supply to the slave module in response to the control signal.