Modular Circuit Unit ID Assignment Using Resistor Divider Bus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular electronic and/or electric apparatuses with internal communication buses require manual or extensive hardware methods for assigning unique IDs to circuit units, limiting flexibility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Serially connecting the resistor elements of each circuit unit to form an ID wire, where the characterizing voltage at the connection point determines each unit's ID, allowing for automatic and dynamic ID assignment, with a master unit informing circuit units of the total number and using a matrix or formula to determine IDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual or extensive hardware methods are used for assigning unique IDs to circuit units, then unique identification is achieved, but the complexity of the system increases and manual labor is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical ID assignment methods with an automatic electrical measurement system. The system uses voltage measurements at connection points of serially connected resistor elements to automatically determine unique IDs for circuit units, eliminating the need for manual labor while reducing hardware complexity through a standardized voltage divider approach.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed hardware structures are used for ID assignment, then unique IDs are assigned, but flexibility for arbitrary circuit units is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal ID assignment structure where all circuit units use identical voltage divider circuits with serially connected resistor elements. This standardized design allows any circuit unit to be exchanged or added to the system without requiring changes to the ID assignment hardware, achieving full adaptability while maintaining simple, consistent structure across all units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses variable resistance values in the voltage divider circuits to encode unique IDs for different circuit units. By changing the resistance parameters of the serially connected resistor elements, each circuit unit produces a distinct voltage measurement that corresponds to its unique ID, enabling flexible identification of arbitrary circuit units.
3Device complexity
If simple voltage dividers are used for ID assignment, then the structure is simplified, but measurement precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses identical voltage divider circuit designs across all circuit units, creating a standardized copyable structure. Each unit contains the same basic circuit topology with serially connected resistor elements and a connection point for voltage measurement. This copying approach simplifies the overall system structure while ensuring consistent measurement characteristics across all units.
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
Enables automatic, dynamic, and efficient ID assignment for arbitrarily exchangeable circuit units, reducing complexity and ensuring unique IDs without manual labor, suitable for modular domestic appliances like cooking ovens and hobs.
Implementation Method 1
Each circuit unit comprises two serial resistor elements forming a voltage divider. The two serial resistor elements of the circuit unit reduced the complexity of the modular electronic apparatus.
Implementation Method 2
Each circuit unit comprises an analogue-digital converter. The connection point between the two resistor elements of one circuit unit is connected to an analogue input terminal of the analogue-digital converter. A value at the digital output terminal of the analogue-digital converter of the circuit unit corresponding with the analogue value of the ID of said circuit unit defines a digital value of the ID.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a modular electronic and/or electric apparatus including a plurality of circuit units (10, 12, 14) connected by an internal communication bus (22). The circuit unit (10, 12, 14) comprises at least two serial resistor elements (RI1, ROI, RI2, R02, RIN, RON) forming a voltage divider. The resistor elements (RI1, RO1, RI2, R02, RIN, RON) of the circuit units (10, 12, 14) are serially connected and form an ID wire. The ID wire is interconnected between a first voltage terminal (VDD) and a second voltage terminal (VSS). The circuit unit (10, 12, 14) comprises at least one analogue-digital converter. A connection point between two resistor elements (RI1, RO1, RI2, R02, RIN, RON) of one circuit unit (10, 12, 14) is connected to an analogue input terminal of the analogue-digital converter. A digital output terminal of the analogue-digital converter is connected to the internal communication bus (22). The modular electronic and/or electric apparatus comprises a master unit (16) connected to the internal communication bus (22). In particular, the present invention relates to a modular domestic appliance including a plurality of circuit units connected by an internal communication bus.