Shared Interface Circuit Board for Multiple Fieldbus Protocols

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current control systems face challenges in efficiently utilizing limited hardware space due to the need for multiple interface types, leading to increased costs and complexity, as they often require separate circuit boards and manual termination selections based on device location.

Innovation Solution

A shared interface circuit board with configurable transceiver and termination sections, coupled with a controller, supports multiple interface types using a common connector style, allowing for component selection at manufacturing to optimize board layout and reduce hardware requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate interface circuit boards are used to support different interface types, then interface versatility is improved, but hardware space and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface types supportVSAvoidhardware space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit board base is designed with multiple transceiver component sites and termination component sites that can accommodate different interface types (PROFIBUS, CANBUS, H1 FF, etc.) through component selection during assembly. This universal board design allows a single board to perform multiple interface functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated boards for each interface type and thereby reducing hardware space while maintaining interface versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate interface circuit boards are used for each interface type, then interface compatibility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface compatibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By designing a universal circuit board base that can support multiple interface types through component selection rather than requiring separate dedicated boards, the manufacturing cost is reduced. The common board structure can be mass-produced, and only the specific transceiver and termination components need to be selected during assembly, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing overall costs compared to producing multiple specialized board variants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The interface functionality is segmented into separate selectable components (transceivers and terminations) that can be independently chosen during assembly. This allows the common board structure to be manufactured once, and then configured for different interface types by selecting and assembling the appropriate components, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If switches are used for termination selection, then termination flexibility is improved, but device complexity and user operation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetermination selection flexibilityVSAvoidswitch configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The termination components are pre-configured and pre-assembled on the circuit board during the manufacturing process rather than requiring user configuration through switches. The appropriate termination components are selected and installed based on the intended interface type before the device reaches the user, eliminating the need for complex switch configurations and reducing both device complexity and user operation complexity while maintaining termination flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2479678B1Fieldbus interface circuit board supporting multiple interface types and terminations

Publication Date: 2016.10.12 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

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AI summary

An interface circuit board apparatus can include a shared circuit board (100) base, a transceiver section (115) disposed on the circuit board (100) base, and having circuit transceiver sites configured to receive a plurality of transceiver component types, a termination section (110) disposed on the circuit board (100) base, and having circuit termination sites configured to receive a plurality of termination component types, and a connection section (125) operatively coupled to the transceiver and termination sections (115, 110), wherein the transceiver section (115), the termination section (110) and the connection section (125) are configurable to support a plurality of interface types based on the plurality of transceiver component types and the plurality of termination component types.