Module Position Identification via Voltage Divider Resistors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular electronic systems face complexity and error-proneness in determining the relative installation position of modules connected via a field bus system, particularly due to the need for flip-flop circuits and separate current measuring circuits, which are not robust and require manual intervention.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses resistors connected between the inputs and outputs of modules to determine the relative installation position by measuring voltage drops when modules are connected to a reference potential, allowing for automatic and error-reduced identification of module positions through programming, without the need for flip-flop circuits or complex current measuring systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If flip-flop circuits are integrated into each module to determine relative installation position, then module position identification is enabled, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the position identification function from complex flip-flop circuits and implements it using simple resistors connected to the field bus. Each module has a resistor (e.g., 1kΩ) that creates a voltage divider effect, allowing the control unit to determine module position by measuring voltage levels without requiring complex circuits in each module.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical/sequential logic system (flip-flop circuits) with an electrical measurement system based on Ohm's law and voltage dividers. Position identification is achieved through passive electrical components (resistors) rather than active sequential logic circuits.
2Measurement precision
If separate current measuring circuits are provided in each module, then module position can be determined, but device complexity and error-proneness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive, passive resistors instead of complex, active current measuring circuits. These resistors are simple components that are inherently reliable and require no power, calibration, or maintenance, effectively replacing fragile electronic measurement circuits.
3Ease of operation
If manual intervention is required for module position identification, then system operation is simpler, but productivity and time efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-identification of module positions automatically. When modules are connected to the field bus, the control unit automatically measures the voltage at each module's address and determines its position in the daisy-chain configuration without requiring manual intervention or configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit actively queries each module address on the field bus and receives voltage feedback that indicates the module's position. The voltage level measured at each address provides direct feedback about how many modules are connected between that address and the power supply, enabling automatic position determination.
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 method simplifies and automates the identification of module positions, reducing errors and time, and enables easier identification of faulty modules and termination of the bus system, while maintaining system functionality and robustness.
Implementation Method 1
the input and the output of each module being connected to one another via a resistor... in which the voltage present at the output of the current source connected upstream of the module in question is determined
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and to a system for identifying the relative installation position of the modules used in a modular electronic system. The system comprises a plurality of electronic modules linearly coupled to each other by means of a field bus system, at least one power supply unit having a current source associated with the power supply unit, and a central control unit. The modules are connected to the current source associated with the at least one power supply unit in series, possibly segment by segment, by means of inputs and outputs to be suitably connected to each other, wherein the input and the output of each module are connected to each other by means of a resistor. Each module has a switch, by means of which the output of the module in question can be connected to a reference potential, wherein a voltage detection device is associated with each current source, by means of which voltage detection device the voltage present at the output of the current source against a reference potential can be determined. In a method automatically performed by means of suitable programming, a measurement is performed for each module of the system, in which measurement the voltage present at the output of the current source connected before the module in question is determined by means of the voltage detection device, wherein during said measurement the current source connected before the module is activated, the output of the module in question is connected to the reference potential by means of the switched integrated into the module, and the outputs of the remaining modules are not connected to the reference potential, whereby the relative installation position of the modules results from a comparison of the determined voltages.