Modular Circuit Board Switch Detection via Marked Potential
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Solution Overview
Problem
In non-contact switch systems, assembling control panels with multiple circuit boards is challenging due to the need for hardware or firmware adjustments to recognize individual circuit boards and prevent mistaken triggering of switches.
Innovation Solution
A modular circuit board design with a processing unit that executes a general program, including a single-board detection process and a multi-board detection process, allows for interconnection of modular circuit boards via common leads of detection units, enabling detection of mistaken switch triggering without hardware or firmware adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If hardware or firmware adjustments are made to distinguish individual circuit boards, then switch detection accuracy is improved, but circuit board replaceability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from hardware-specific characteristics (dip switch positions, firmware versions) to a universal marked signal that can be detected across all circuit boards. The marked signal is a electrical parameter (voltage level) that can be set without modifying the circuit board's hardware or firmware, thus maintaining replaceability while achieving accurate detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a marked signal as an intermediary element between the circuit board and the detection system. This marked signal serves as a mediator that carries detection information without requiring any permanent modification to the circuit board itself, enabling both accurate detection and full replaceability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple non-contact switches are arranged in a control panel, then functionality is improved, but mistaken triggering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system first performs single-board detection to check for marked signals before executing multi-board detection. This feedback loop allows the system to identify and handle mistaken triggering by detecting the presence or absence of marked signals, thereby improving reliability while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the detection process into two distinct stages: single-board detection (checking for marked signals) and multi-board detection (identifying specific switch positions). This segmentation allows the system to first filter out mistaken triggering at the board level before proceeding to switch-level detection, improving overall accuracy.
3Loss of information
If circuit boards are designed with unique hardware or firmware configurations, then individual identification is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the marked signal mechanism universal across all circuit boards. Instead of requiring unique hardware or firmware configurations for identification, the same simple marked signal approach can be applied to any circuit board, reducing system complexity while maintaining identification capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular circuit board, a non-contact switch system, and a switch detection method are provided. The non-contact switch system includes multiple modular circuit boards. The modular circuit board includes: a non-contact switch set configured to receive a sensing signal of a sensed target; and a processing unit configured to perform a general program. The processing unit includes a detection unit, and the detection unit includes a first common lead. The general program includes a single-board detection process and a multi-board detection process. The single-board detection process includes: determining whether only one non-contact switch receives the sensing signal, and entering the multi-board detection process if a determining result is yes; or providing, by the detection unit, a marked potential if the determining result is no. The multi-board detection process includes: determining whether a first interconnected potential of the first common lead is the marked potential.