One-Wire Bus Auto-E-Connect Device Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

In one-wire bus systems, replacing devices requires manual reassignment of functional roles, leading to errors and increased effort, especially in installations with many identical devices monitoring critical states, where incorrect assignments can have severe consequences.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of additional data endpoints on one-wire devices that allow for automatic functional assignment by the bus master when compatible devices are replaced, including read-only memories for type and calibration data, and logical addresses that can be managed securely, enabling Auto-E-Connect for seamless device exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual functional assignment is used during bus commissioning, then initial device configuration is achieved, but device replacement requires time-consuming reassignment and is error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDevice replacement processVSAvoidTime for functional reassignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring devices with unique identification addresses and device family information during manufacturing. This preliminary encoding allows the bus master to automatically recognize and assign functions to replacement devices without manual reconfiguration, eliminating the time-consuming manual reassignment process while ensuring accurate functional mapping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If manual functional assignment is used, then initial configuration is completed, but errors in assignment can have severe consequences in critical monitoring applications

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveFunctional assignment accuracyVSAvoidConfiguration process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the bus master to automatically query device identification addresses and device family information, then autonomously perform functional assignment based on this data. This automated self-configuration process eliminates manual intervention errors while maintaining operational simplicity, ensuring reliable functional mapping even in critical monitoring applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If unique identification addresses are used for each device, then device individuality is maintained, but distinguishing and assigning identical devices becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDevice interchangeabilityVSAvoidDevice identification and assignment process
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies copying by using device family information that represents a template or category for groups of identical devices. Instead of manually configuring each individual device, the system copies functional assignments from the device family definition to multiple devices within that family, enabling seamless interchangeability while reducing the complexity of identification and assignment processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3764602B1One-wire bus with one or more one-wire-devices
Publication Date: 2022.07.27 ESERA GMBH
  • EP3764602B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to a one-wire bus system (1) with at least one one-wire device (2) having a data endpoint, characterized in that the one-wire devices (2) have one or more additional data endpoints (4) which can be read and/or written using special commands, wherein these additional data endpoints (4) have memory containing information about the respective one-wire device (2) and/or one or more dedicated binary sensors and input devices and/or simple or n-tuples of dedicated actuators.