Self-Addressing Fieldbus for Road Construction Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measuring systems for road construction machines are inflexible and costly due to the need for multiple, specifically adapted connector strips for different sensors, leading to high manufacturing costs and limited application options, as well as complicated cabling and increased costs with multiple fieldbus cables.
Innovation Solution
A measuring system where field devices can autonomously assign themselves bus addresses based on voltage input signals, allowing for flexible and reliable addressing and expansion with any number of field devices, eliminating the need for specific connector strips and enabling easy communication with a control unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple specifically adapted connector strips are used for different sensors, then functional communication between sensors and control unit is enabled, but manufacturing costs increase and flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal connector strip design where all sockets are electrically connected in parallel to the same fieldbus lines (CAN_H and CAN_L). This allows any sensor type to be connected to any socket without requiring specifically adapted connector strips, enabling one connector strip to serve multiple sensor types and configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automatic self-addressing of sensors based on their position in the daisy-chain connection. Each sensor automatically determines its own address by detecting the voltage level from the control unit through the fieldbus cable, eliminating the need for manual configuration or pre-programmed addressing schemes.
2Reliability
If multiple specifically adapted connector strips are used for different sensors, then functional communication is ensured, but the measuring system becomes less flexible in application options
Solution Approach 1:
The universal connector strip with parallel electrical connections allows the same hardware configuration to support various sensor types (ultrasonic, inductive, capacitive, optical) and different measuring scenarios (layer thickness, elevation, position), significantly expanding application options without requiring multiple specialized connector strips.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to different sensor configurations through automatic address detection and assignment. Sensors can be added, removed, or repositioned in the daisy-chain, and the system automatically reconfigures addressing schemes to maintain functional communication, providing flexibility for various application scenarios.
3Reliability
If multiple fieldbus cables are used for multiple sensors, then each sensor can communicate with the control unit, but cabling becomes complicated and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple communication channels into a single fieldbus cable by connecting all sensor sockets in parallel to the same CAN_H and CAN_L lines. This daisy-chain approach allows multiple sensors to share one cable instead of requiring separate cables for each sensor, significantly reducing cabling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single fieldbus cable serves multiple functions by carrying communication signals to and from multiple different sensor types simultaneously. The same cable infrastructure supports various sensor configurations without requiring dedicated cables for each sensor type or position.
4Ease of operation
If sensors are assigned fixed addresses in predetermined sockets, then addressing is simplified, but the system cannot accommodate different sensor combinations flexibly
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors automatically determine their own addresses by detecting the voltage level present at their connection point in the daisy-chain. The control unit sends a test signal through the fieldbus cable, and each sensor measures the voltage to calculate its address based on its position in the chain, enabling flexible reconfiguration without manual address assignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the addressing parameter dynamically based on the physical configuration of sensors in the fieldbus chain. Instead of fixed addresses tied to specific sockets, addresses are derived from electrical parameters (voltage levels) that automatically reflect the current sensor configuration, allowing flexible adaptation to different sensor combinations.
Data Source
AI summary
A measuring system for a road construction machine includes a control unit which is operationally connected using a field bus to at least one field device, wherein an exclusive bus address is respectively assignable in the measuring system for each field device connected in the field bus. Furthermore, a method for addressing at least one field device is also provided.