Vacuum System Module Identification via Connector Contact Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum systems face challenges in uniquely identifying multiple electronic modules of the same type without requiring additional tools or features on the modules themselves, limiting the number of identical modules that can be installed.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a connector with unique identifiers at each contact point, allowing modules to be distinguished based on their assigned contact point identifiers, eliminating the need for switches or individual programming on the modules, and enabling a combination of type and contact point identifiers to create a unique module identifier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If switches or programming interfaces are added to each module for unique identification, then unique identification of identical modules is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The identification function is extracted from the modules themselves and relocated to the connection device. Each contact point on the connection device carries identification information, allowing modules to be uniquely identified through their connection point rather than requiring internal identification components. This reduces module complexity while maintaining reliable identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection device serves as an intermediary that enables identification between the control unit and modules. The identification information is embedded in the connection device's contact points, which mediate the identification process without requiring direct identification capabilities within each module.
2Quantity of substance
If switches with multiple positions are used for identification, then multiple identical modules can be distinguished, but the maximum number of modules is limited by switch position combinations
Solution Approach 1:
The identification system uses variable parameters (identification values assigned to different contact points) rather than fixed physical configurations like switch positions. This allows for flexible assignment of identification values and enables scaling to any number of modules by simply assigning new identification values to additional contact points, without being constrained by mechanical switch position limits.
3Reliability
If individual programming interfaces are provided on each module, then unique addresses can be programmed during manufacturing, but manufacturing effort and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Identification information is prepared in advance and embedded in the connection device's contact points during its manufacturing process, rather than requiring individual programming of each module. This preliminary preparation of identification data in the connection device eliminates the need for time-consuming individual module programming while ensuring accurate address assignment.
4Reliability
If additional identification components are added to each module, then unique identification is achieved, but the module design becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The identification function is merged with the connection device rather than being separate components on each module. The contact points of the connection device simultaneously serve both as electrical connection interfaces and as carriers of identification information, eliminating the need for separate identification components on each module while maintaining reliable identification.
Data Source
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AI summary
A vacuum system comprises at least one vacuum device, several electronic modules, and a connecting device that establishes at least one electrical connection between the several modules. The connecting device has one electrical contact point for each of the several modules, each contact point comprising a unique identifier. A method for identifying several electronic modules of such a vacuum system, each having a type identifier assigned to a specific module type, comprises identifying the modules by a combination of the unique identifier of their contact point with their type identifier.