Staggered Connector Pins for Early Warning During Hot Module Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial process control and automation systems face disruptions when a module is removed under power, leading to potential upsets or disruptions due to rapid changes in electrical currents, as existing solutions like SMOD circuits are costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A multilevel connector system with shorter and longer pins, where an early warning pulse generator detects the disconnection of shorter pins before longer pins, generating a signal to transition the electrical circuitry to a benign state, reducing disruptions during module extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a module is removed from an industrial process control system while under power, then the module can be replaced quickly, but rapid changes in electrical currents cause disruptions and upsets to the control system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the disconnect event through shorter pins before the actual power interruption occurs. The signal generator generates an early warning signal that triggers the benign state transition before power is completely interrupted, allowing the system to prepare for the module removal and avoid harmful current changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing a benign state transition that counteracts the potential harmful effects of module removal. The system proactively switches to a protected state in response to the disconnect detection, preventing the rapid current changes that would otherwise disrupt the control system during module extraction.
2Reliability
If existing solutions like SMOD circuits are used to prevent disruptions during module extraction, then system stability is improved, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the connector pins into different lengths (shorter pins and longer pins). The shorter pins serve as early warning indicators that disconnect before the longer power-carrying pins, providing a simple yet effective mechanism for detecting module removal intent without requiring complex protection circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the shorter pins as an intermediary element between the physical act of module removal and the electrical system. These pins act as mediators that provide advance notice of disconnect events, enabling the system to transition to a benign state without needing complex SMOD circuits or other sophisticated protection mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus includes a connector (600, 800, 1000) configured to be electrically coupled to electrical circuitry. The connector has multiple pins, including one or more first pins (365, 375) and one or more second pins (360). The one or more second pins longer than the one or more first pins. The apparatus also includes a signal generator (370) configured to detect disconnection of the one or more first pins prior to disconnection of the one or more second pins and generate a signal in response to detecting the disconnection of the one or more first pins. The connector could also include one or more third pins (385) longer than the one or more second pins. The first pin(s) can create an electrical path from the signal generator to ground, the second pin(s) can provide a supply voltage to the electrical circuitry, and the third pin(s) can electrically couple the electrical circuitry to ground.