Dual-Loop Bus System Short Circuit Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bus systems in fire detection and alarming installations take a long time to restart after a short circuit due to the sequential closure of switching elements, which affects the operability of large-capacity bus devices and voice-operated alarm systems.

Innovation Solution

A method where the bus system is operated by applying supply voltage to both ends of the bus lines simultaneously, closing switching elements in series, and monitoring for short circuits, with specific time delays to differentiate adjacent switching elements and isolate the short circuit, allowing for faster and reliable recovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the bus system restarts sequentially by closing switching elements one after another from one end, then the system can be restarted after a short circuit, but the restart time becomes excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem operability after short circuitVSAvoidrestart time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The bus loop is divided into multiple sections by switching elements, allowing the system to restart from multiple points simultaneously rather than sequentially from a single end, thereby reducing overall restart time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The restart process transitions from a one-dimensional sequential approach (one end to the other) to a two-dimensional simultaneous approach (both ends starting at the same time), effectively doubling the restart speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If switching elements close sequentially from one end of the bus line, then the system can be restarted, but large-capacity bus devices and voice-operated alarm systems cannot receive power in time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply restorationVSAvoidpower delivery speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The bus line is segmented into multiple sections with switching elements distributed throughout, enabling parallel power restoration to multiple devices simultaneously rather than sequential power delivery to each device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares for restart by maintaining switching elements in a ready state and initiating simultaneous closure from both ends, so that power is delivered to multiple large-capacity devices and alarm systems at the same time rather than sequentially

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the bus system operates as a loop for redundancy, then short circuits can be isolated, but the restart process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshort circuit isolation capabilityVSAvoidrestart procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically identifies the short circuit location and initiates restart procedures without manual intervention, using built-in detection and control mechanisms to manage the complex loop restoration process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors bus line conditions during restart and uses feedback signals to detect short circuits, adjust switching element closure timing, and verify proper system restoration, simplifying the overall restart procedure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2833333B1Bus system and method for operating a bus system
Publication Date: 2018.12.19 HONEYWELL LIFE SAFETY AUSTRIA
  • EP2833333B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2833333B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2833333B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention is directed to a method and a system for operating a bus system. The bus system comprises at least two bus lines formed as respective loops, a plurality of switching elements 51 to 5n connected in series so as to divide one of the bus lines in a plurality of sections, a central control unit 7 connected with the ends of the bus lines 1, 3, and a plurality of bus devices 91 to 9m connected in parallel between the two bus lines 1, 3 and distributed along the bus lines 1, 3 so that a bus device 9y is interposed between two consecutive switching elements 5x, 5x+1. The method comprise applying a supply voltage to both ends of the bus lines 1, 3 starting from terminals A, B of the central processing unit 7 and closing the switching elements 51, 5n upon reception of the supply voltage, so as to connect the subsequent respective sections of the bus from both ends, until all switching elements 51, 52, 53, 54, ... 5n are closed or until a short circuit is detected. If a short circuit is detected, the last two switching elements closed before detecting the short circuit will be re-opened and the connection of the bus devices will continue only from one side, either terminal A side or terminal B side.