Logic Module Detects Plug Presence on Circuit Board
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging to determine the presence of a connector on a printed circuit board when the opposite side is not connected to other devices, as conventional methods fail to provide a clear indication of whether a plug is plugged in, especially in finished systems with unmated connectors.
Innovation Solution
An electronic circuit board with a contact strip and a control device, including a logic module connected to at least one contact, which detects electronic changes to determine the presence or absence of a plug by analyzing voltage potentials, using a microprocessor to differentiate between plugged and unplugged states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If conventional detection methods (optical or electrical) are used to detect plug presence, then detection can be performed, but it is impossible to determine whether a connector is plugged in when the opposite side is not contacted or when connectors are enclosed inside a housing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring a detection circuit connected to the contact strip that can detect the presence or absence of a plug before any actual connection is made. The control device continuously monitors the electrical state of the contact strip, enabling early detection of plug insertion without requiring the opposite side to be connected or the connector to be visible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary detection circuit as a mediator between the plug and the control system. This intermediary circuit detects electrical changes at the contact strip caused by plug insertion and translates them into detectable signals for the control device, enabling indirect detection of plug presence without direct contact with the plug itself or requiring visual access.
2Stability of the object's composition
If connectors are enclosed inside a housing for protection and organization, then connector stability and organization are improved, but it becomes difficult to see with conventional methods whether a connector is plugged in or not
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/visual detection methods with an electrical detection system. Instead of relying on visual inspection of the connector status (mechanical observation), the system uses electrical sensors and control circuits to detect plug presence through electrical signal changes, eliminating the need for visual access to enclosed connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device acts as an intermediary that translates internal electrical states of the enclosed connector into external detectable information. The detection circuit monitors electrical parameters within the housing and communicates plug presence status to the external environment without requiring physical or visual access to the enclosed connector.
3Adaptability or versatility
If circuit boards are delivered with unmated connectors for flexible construction and conversion, then adaptability is improved, but it creates a technical problem of determining whether a connector is plugged in when the opposite side is not connected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by creating a closed-loop detection system where the control device continuously monitors the electrical state of contact strips and receives feedback about plug presence. This feedback mechanism provides real-time information about connector status, enabling the system to adapt and respond to connection states even when connectors are unmated or enclosed.
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
The solution allows for easy detection of a plug's presence on a printed circuit board, even when it is not connected to other devices, by recognizing changes in electronic characteristics, ensuring reliable plug detection and integration with existing power supply systems.
Implementation Method 1
the logic module is set up to detect electronic changes at this input
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to an electronic circuit board (1) having several contacts (4, 5) forming a contact strip (22) for connecting a multi-core cable (8) to a plug (6) and a control device for detecting the presence of the plug (6), wherein the control device comprises a logic module (11) of which at least one input (19) is electrically connected to at least one first contact (12) of the contact strip (22) and wherein the logic module (11) is configured to detect electronic changes at this input (19).The invention also relates to a method for detecting the presence of a plug (6) with a multi-core cable (8) on a contact strip (22) consisting of several contacts (4, 5), in particular on an electronic circuit board (1), wherein a logic module (11) electronically monitors at least one first contact (12) of the contacts (4, 5) and infers the presence or absence of the plug (6) from its electronic properties. In this way, even with a circuit board installed in a housing, it is possible to detect whether a plug is inserted, provided there is access to its logic module, even if no devices are connected to it.