Bus Subscriber Auto-Addressing With Sensor-Based Position Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for addressing slave units in systems, such as refrigerated display cases, fail to accurately determine the exact position of individual units within the system, even after address allocation, leading to unclear placement of components like fans in cooling segments.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses indirect information retrieval through sensor systems to determine the position of slave units by activating and measuring changes in physical states, such as temperature, within the system, allowing for successive determination of all units' positions using auto-addressing and iterative processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If auto-addressing algorithms are used to allocate addresses to slave units, then address allocation is automated and efficient, but the exact position of each slave unit within the system remains undetermined

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddress allocation automationVSAvoidposition information

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system activates each slave unit sequentially and uses sensors to detect the physical state changes caused by each unit. The measured data is fed back to the control device, which automatically correlates the activation sequence with the sensor responses to determine the position of each slave unit, thereby resolving the information loss about unit locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Each slave unit identifies its own position by being activated in sequence and observing the sensor responses specific to its location. The unit's activation triggers a measurable change in its local environment, allowing it to self-determine its position within the system without external intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If manual position determination methods are used, then position information can be obtained, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoiddetermination process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual or mechanical position determination methods with an automated electronic system. The control device automatically activates slave units and processes sensor data to determine positions, substituting complex manual procedures with a streamlined electronic control and measurement system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system determines position by measuring changes in physical parameters (such as temperature, pressure, or other sensor-measurable quantities) that occur when slave units are activated. By monitoring these parameter changes and correlating them with the activation sequence, the system automatically determines positions with high precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If all slave units are activated simultaneously, then system operation is established quickly, but position determination becomes ambiguous

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem startup speedVSAvoidposition determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of simultaneous activation, the system uses periodic or sequential activation of slave units. Each unit is activated in turn, allowing the sensor system to detect the specific changes caused by each individual unit. This periodic activation pattern enables precise position determination while maintaining efficient system operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Enables accurate and cost-effective determination of slave units' positions within a system by identifying changes in measurement variables, ensuring precise allocation and operation of components like fans in cooling segments.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor system which determines the effect of the function to be achieved and whose installation location is known, by means of this secondary information, a conclusion can be drawn on the exact position of the slave unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS11829313B2Auto-addressing with position determination of bus subscribers

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 EBM PAPST MULFINGEN GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A position-sensing method and device for sensing the installation location (F1, . . . , Fi) of slave units (SE1, . . . , SEi) in an operating region (A1, . . . , Ai) of a system (A) comprising a number i of adjacent operating regions (A1, . . . , Ai) each having a slave unit, wherein the individual slave units (SE1, SEi) have a changeable operating function for achieving or changing the physical state in the operating region in question of the system, and wherein a respective sensor (S1, . . . , Si) is provided in each operating region in question in order to sense a measurement variable (T) proportional to the physical state in the operating region in question and an evaluating device is provided in order to determine, upon the activation or changing of the operating function of at least one slave unit (SE1, . . . , SEi), the installation location (F1, . . . , Fi) of said slave unit from the change in the measurement variables (T) over time.