Control Circuit Board Layout for Expandable Daisy-Chained I/O
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional control devices, such as robot controllers, face challenges with size and weight increases due to the need for internal space to accommodate expansion I/O boards, making user expansion complex and difficult.
Innovation Solution
A control device design that includes a master board with internal and external connectors and relay circuits, allowing slave boards to be daisy-chained both inside and outside the casing, enabling flexible substrate arrangement and downsizing by switching termination resistors between effective and ineffective states using photo MOS relays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If expansion I/O boards are arranged inside the casing, then expandability is improved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the expansion board arrangement into two segments: internal arrangement (for basic expandability) and external arrangement via daisy-chaining (for additional expansion). This segmentation allows the device to provide expandability without requiring all expansion boards to be housed internally, thus reducing device weight while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the expansion capability from a single internal dimension to multiple dimensions by introducing external daisy-chaining connections. Expansion boards can be arranged not only inside the casing but also outside through serial connection, effectively adding a spatial dimension to the expansion architecture and reducing internal space requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If expansion I/O boards are arranged inside the casing, then expandability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic flexibility to the expansion architecture by allowing expansion boards to be connected either internally or externally through daisy-chaining. This dynamic arrangement capability enables users to configure expansion boards based on their specific needs, simplifying the expansion process rather than requiring complex internal installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces communication cables as intermediaries that enable external daisy-chaining connections between expansion boards and the control device. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the expansion process by providing a standardized external connection interface, eliminating the need for complex internal wiring and board installation procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If internal space is secured for expansion boards, then expandability is improved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the requirement for large internal space by moving part of the expansion board arrangement to external locations. Expansion boards can be connected outside the casing through daisy-chaining, thereby extracting the space-consuming aspect from the internal device volume while preserving expandability functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single internal spatial dimension to multiple spatial dimensions by enabling external daisy-chaining connections. This dimensional expansion allows the system to accommodate more expansion boards without increasing internal volume, as boards can be arranged in an extended external configuration.
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
Facilitates user expansion while achieving downsizing of the control device, simplifying expansion work and reducing size and weight, allowing for more flexible and efficient configuration of slave boards.
Implementation Method 1
switching termination resistors between effective and ineffective states using photo MOS relays
Data Source
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AI summary
A control device includes a casing and a control circuit substrate arranged inside the casing. The control circuit substrate includes: a control circuit mounted on the control circuit substrate; an internal connector connectable to a communication cable inside the casing, the communication cable being connected to an expansion circuit substrate; and an external connector connectable to another communication cable outside the casing, the another communication cable being connected to another expansion circuit substrate. The control circuit is connected to the internal connector and the external connector in parallel.