Series-Connected Electrical Modules Using Voltage Cascade Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing series connections of electrical devices require complex and costly configurations to adapt to changes, such as adding or removing devices, and lack a simple method to determine individual device positions within the chain.
Innovation Solution
A method and device configuration where each electrical device has an input, output, and a measuring device to create a voltage cascade, allowing devices to configure themselves based on measured voltage drops, eliminating the need for complex input/output circuits and enabling dynamic adaptation to changes in the series connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual configuration using DIP switches is used, then ease of implementation is improved, but adaptability to changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical devices automatically configure themselves by measuring the voltage at their input terminal. When a device is added, removed, or repositioned in the series circuit, the voltage distribution changes automatically, and each device measures its own voltage to determine its position and configure its control variable without manual intervention. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for manual reconfiguration while maintaining full adaptability to circuit changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses voltage as a physical parameter that naturally changes when devices are added, removed, or repositioned in the series circuit. Each device measures this voltage parameter to determine its position. This approach maintains ease of implementation (no complex configuration circuits needed) while achieving full adaptability (automatic detection of any circuit changes through voltage measurement).
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional automatic configuration methods are used, then adaptability to changes is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the configuration function from complex communication systems and implements it through simple voltage measurement. By removing the need for dedicated configuration circuits, communication protocols, and processing units, the solution achieves automatic configuration capability while dramatically reducing device complexity. Each device only needs a voltage measuring device, which is far simpler than conventional automatic configuration systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex electronic configuration systems with a simple electrical measurement system. Instead of using communication protocols, microprocessors, and software for automatic configuration, the solution uses passive voltage measurement - a fundamental electrical phenomenon that requires minimal hardware and no complex processing. This substitution achieves automatic configuration while minimizing device complexity.
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 approach allows for easy, cost-effective, and flexible configuration of electrical devices in series connections, ensuring unique device identification and automatic adaptation to changes without manual intervention, while simplifying the input/output circuit design and enhancing robustness against electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) issues.
Implementation Method 1
Within each electrical device, the respective input is coupled to the corresponding output in such a way that a defined voltage drop occurs between the respective input and the corresponding output when a defined potential is applied to the respective input
Data Source
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AI summary
Device (100) comprising a plurality of electrical devices (10; 10A, 10B, 10C), each of which is configurable with respect to a control variable, wherein the electrical devices (10; 10A, 10B, 10C) each have an input (12) for applying an input signal, an output (14) for providing an output signal and a measuring device (24) for determining a voltage applied to the respective electrical device (10; 10A, 10B, 10C). The electrical devices (10; 10A, 10B, 10C) can be arranged in a series circuit, in which a first electrical device (10A) of the electrical devices (10; 10A, 10B, 10C) can be connected to an input signal relevant for the series circuit and each further electrical device (10B, 10C) is connected with the input (12) to the output (14) of a previous electrical device of the series circuit.Within each electrical device (10; 10A, 10B, 10C), the respective input (12) is coupled to the corresponding output (14) such that a defined voltage drop occurs between the respective input (12) and the corresponding output (14) when a defined potential (16) is applied to the respective input (12). Based on the measured applied voltage, the electrical devices (10; 10A, 10B, 10C) configure a control variable relevant to the device.