Voltage Detection Circuit Addressing Across Daisy Chain Failures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage measurement devices struggle to set device addresses for voltage detection circuits located above a failure point in a communication path, making it impossible to communicate effectively.
Innovation Solution
The device includes a configuration where device addresses can be set for voltage detection circuits both below and above a failure point by using address assignment commands from either side, utilizing specific circuits to generate and propagate device addresses through a daisy chain connection, ensuring continuous address assignment even with communication path failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a daisy chain connection is used for voltage detection circuits, then the system can measure multiple cell voltages efficiently, but a failure in the communication path prevents address assignment to circuits above the failure point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the address assignment process into two independent segments: one from the lower end and one from the upper end. Each segment can operate independently, so a failure in one segment does not affect the other. This allows voltage detection circuits to be addressed even when part of the daisy chain is failed, resolving the contradiction between efficient measurement and reliable address assignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the address assignment parameters by allowing bidirectional address propagation instead of unidirectional. The lower end controller can assign addresses upward through the chain, and the upper end controller can assign addresses downward. This parameter change in the assignment direction enables reliable address assignment regardless of where a communication failure occurs in the daisy chain.
2Device complexity
If unidirectional address assignment is used, then the system structure is simple, but address assignment fails when communication path is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the address assignment system universal by enabling both lower end and upper end controllers to perform address assignment functions. Instead of having only one end responsible for address assignment, both ends can independently assign addresses to voltage detection circuits. This multi-functionality ensures that if one path is blocked, the other path can still complete the address assignment, improving reliability without significantly increasing complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A voltage measurement device (100) includes: a plurality of voltage detection circuits (1) which measure cell voltages of a plurality of cells connected in series. Each of the plurality of voltage detection circuits (1) includes: a device address generating circuit (271, 281) which generates a device address according to a first address assignment command received from a preceding voltage detection circuit located at a preceding stage; and an address assignment command generating circuit (273, 283) which generates a second address assignment command according to the first address assignment command, and sends the second address assignment command to a next voltage detection circuit located at a next stage.