Modular Circuit Units With Voltage-Divider ID Assignment
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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
The resistor elements of each circuit unit form a serial ID wire, with unique characterizing voltages determining IDs, allowing for automatic and dynamic ID assignment, and a matrix or formula is used to determine IDs based on the total number of units and voltage values, enabling easy exchangeability and configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual or extensive hardware methods are used for assigning unique IDs to circuit units, then ID assignment can be achieved, but the complexity of the apparatus increases and flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Each circuit unit automatically determines its own unique ID by measuring the voltage at its connection point on the ID wire. The control unit reads the voltage value and uses it to identify the circuit unit's position in the series connection, enabling self-configuration without manual intervention or additional hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses voltage as a physical parameter to encode the unique ID of each circuit unit. By measuring the voltage at different connection points along the ID wire, each circuit unit obtains a distinct voltage value that corresponds to its position, transforming a physical parameter (voltage) into an identification code.
2Adaptability or versatility
If arbitrary circuit units are made exchangeable, then flexibility is improved, but automatic and dynamic ID assignment becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
When circuit units are exchanged or added to the modular apparatus, they automatically configure themselves by measuring the voltage at their new position on the ID wire. The control unit reads the voltage value and determines the unique ID based on the position, enabling dynamic adaptation without manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the voltage at the connection point and uses this feedback to determine the circuit unit's position and assign the appropriate ID. This feedback mechanism ensures that the system automatically adapts to changes in configuration.
3Device complexity
If simple resistor elements are used in the voltage divider, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision for ID assignment may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or hardware-based ID assignment mechanisms with an electrical measurement system. Instead of using switches, relays, or physical configuration methods, the system uses voltage measurement through simple resistor elements, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining measurement precision through electrical sensing.
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
This solution allows for automatic and dynamic ID assignment of circuit units, reducing complexity and enabling easy exchangeability, ensuring correct configuration and avoiding collisions in the internal communication bus, thus enhancing the modular apparatus's flexibility and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Each circuit unit comprises two serial resistor elements forming a voltage divider. The voltage dividers of all circuit units are serially connected and form the ID wire. Each circuit unit has an own characterizing voltage value on its connection point of its voltage divider.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular electronic and/or electric apparatus including a plurality of circuit units connected by an internal communication bus. The circuit unit includes at least two serial resistor elements forming a voltage divider. The resistor elements of the circuit units are serially connected and form an ID wire. The ID wire is interconnected between a first voltage terminal and a second voltage terminal. The circuit unit comprises at least one analog-digital converter. A connection point between two resistor elements of one circuit unit is connected to an analog input terminal of the analog-digital converter. A digital output terminal of the analog-digital converter is connected to the internal communication bus. The modular electronic and/or electric apparatus includes a master unit connected to the internal communication bus. In particular, the present invention relates to a modular domestic appliance including a plurality of circuit units connected by an internal communication bus.