Passive Coding Contact Loop for Secondary Module Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building electrical installation systems require complex module marriage processes, which are inefficient when secondary modules lack processor means, necessitating active component involvement for identification and configuration.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a secondary module detector with a passive coding contact loop in the primary module, allowing identification of connected secondary modules via test voltage application and monitoring, enabling module recognition and configuration without active components in the secondary module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the secondary module has processor means for active identification and marriage processes, then the module marriage can be performed actively and reliably, but the device complexity and cost increase due to additional active components in the secondary module

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodule marriage reliabilityVSAvoidsecondary module complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a passive coding contact loop as an intermediary element between the primary module's detector and the secondary module. This passive loop carries identification information without requiring active components in the secondary module, thus maintaining reliability while reducing complexity. The coding contact loop acts as a mediator that enables communication and identification functionality without the need for processors or active electronics in the secondary module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the secondary module lacks processor means, then the device complexity and cost are reduced, but the module marriage process becomes inefficient and cannot be performed actively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecondary module complexityVSAvoidmodule marriage efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the passive coding contact loop automatically provides identification information when contacted by the primary module's detector. The secondary module does not need to actively participate in the identification process; instead, the electrical connection itself through the coding contacts automatically communicates the module type and configuration information to the primary module, enabling efficient marriage without processors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If a passive coding contact loop is used for secondary module identification, then the device complexity is reduced and secondary modules can operate without processor means, but the measurement precision and detection capability may be limited compared to active processor-based identification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall system complexityVSAvoidsecondary module identification precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning specific coding patterns to different types of secondary modules through the arrangement and configuration of coding contacts. Each secondary module type has a unique local configuration of coding contacts that provides precise identification information. This allows the primary module's detector to accurately distinguish between different module types based on the specific local arrangement of contacts, achieving high identification precision without requiring active processors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Facilitates simple and efficient module marriage and configuration, allowing operation of secondary modules without processor means in the secondary module, reducing installation complexity and enhancing system flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

a test voltage is applied to at least one connection contact of its interface from the primary module and one or more further connection contacts are then monitored for a voltage input

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical voltage detection: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentEP3067989B1Installation device for a building technology electrical installation system and method for detecting a secondary module connected to a primary module of such an installation
Publication Date: 2018.08.01 ALBRECHT JUNG GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3067989B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

An installation device 1 for a building electrical installation system comprising a primary module 2 having a controller 6 and a secondary module 3, 3.1 connected to a hardware interface 9 of the primary module 2, wherein the primary module 2 is equipped with a secondary module recognition function to identify the currently connected secondary module 3 or 3.1 from among several possible secondary modules 3, 3.1 connectable to the interface 9, wherein at least one secondary module 3, 3.1 connectable to the interface 9 has at least one passive coding contact loop 11, 11.1 contacting the interface 9 of the primary module 2, and the coding of the secondary module 3, 3.1 is established via the connection contacts A1, Ax; A1, Ay of the primary module 2 used by the contact loop 11, 11.1, by connecting different secondary modules 3, 3.1 with contact loop 11, 11.1. They can be distinguished by the different assignment of the corresponding connection contacts A1, Ax; A1, Ay of the primary module 2. Furthermore, a method for detecting a secondary module connected to a hardware interface of a primary module containing a controller in a building electrical installation is described.