Automatic Hardware Address Configuration for EV Charging Piles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hardware address configuration for output circuits in electronic devices is cumbersome, requires high skill, and is prone to errors, leading to increased maintenance costs and potential reliability issues.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a control circuit that automatically determines and configures hardware addresses for output circuits by detecting output signals and using configuration rules, eliminating the need for manual DIP switch configuration and reducing the number of output modules and computing resources required.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual DIP switch configuration is used for hardware addresses, then each output circuit can be uniquely identified, but the configuration process becomes cumbersome and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehardware address configuration accuracyVSAvoidconfiguration operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects which output circuit is connected to which output path and configures the hardware address without manual intervention. The control circuit enables each output circuit in turn, detects which output path receives the signal, and automatically assigns the corresponding hardware address, making the system self-configuring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical DIP switch system with an automatic detection and configuration system. Instead of manually setting physical switches, the control circuit uses signal detection and software logic to determine connections and assign addresses automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual hardware address configuration is implemented, then output circuits can be controlled individually, but maintenance skill requirements increase and errors occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput circuit control capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance skill requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-identification and self-addressing. When an output circuit is enabled, the system detects which output path receives the signal and automatically assigns the appropriate hardware address, eliminating the need for maintenance personnel to manually configure addresses or have specialized knowledge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If DIP switches are used for hardware address configuration, then hardware addresses can be set, but device complexity and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehardware address assignment accuracyVSAvoidoutput circuit component quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the DIP switches from the output circuit. The hardware address configuration function is moved from a physical component (DIP switches) to a software-based automatic detection and assignment system in the control circuit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical DIP switch system is replaced with an electronic detection and software configuration system. The control circuit uses signal detection and programming to assign hardware addresses, eliminating the need for physical configuration components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3965399B1Electronic device and hardware address configuration method
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 HUAWEI DIGITAL POWER TECH CO LTD
  • EP3965399B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3965399B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3965399B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This application provides an electronic device and a hardware address configuration method. The electronic device may be an electric vehicle charging pile. The electronic device includes a control circuit, N output circuits, and M output conducting wires. Any one of the N output circuits is a first output circuit. The control circuit determines, by using a detection port that receives an output signal, a first output conducting wire corresponding to the first output circuit; and further may configure a hardware address corresponding to the first output conducting wire for the first output circuit, and then indicate the hardware address to the first output circuit by using configuration information. The technical solutions provided in this application help reduce maintenance costs, improve reliability of the electronic device, and reduce production costs of the electronic device.