Voltage Detecting Device Address Setting via Series Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voltage detecting devices for high voltage batteries in hybrid electric vehicles require external terminals for address selection, increasing manufacturing costs and cannot function when power source levels are unequal among voltage detecting units.
Innovation Solution
A voltage detecting device with a first communication line for address setting and a second communication line for power source control, allowing voltage detecting units to set addresses and receive power source signals, enabling address setting and power control without external terminals, even when power source levels differ.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If address selecting switches are appended to external terminals for address selection, then address selection capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to additional external terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the address selection function from external terminals and relocates it to internal circuitry. The address selecting switches are moved from external connections to internal integration within the voltage detection IC, eliminating the need for additional external terminals while maintaining address selection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the address selection function with the power source input function by using the existing power source terminal to also carry address information. This combining of functions eliminates the need for separate address selection terminals, reducing device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple external terminals are provided for address selection, then address setting flexibility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the power source terminal multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as a power input and an address selection interface. This universal use of existing terminals provides address setting flexibility without requiring additional specialized terminals, thereby controlling manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage detection IC performs address selection automatically through its internal circuitry without requiring external address setting components. The device serves itself by integrating the address selection function internally, eliminating the need for external switches and reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Device complexity
If power sources of all voltage detection ICs are used as a common power source with address signal transmission, then address setting is simplified, but the method cannot be used when electrical potential of power source is not equalized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the address signal transmission from the power source transmission by using separate communication channels. The address information is transmitted through a dedicated communication interface rather than being superimposed on the power source line, allowing the system to handle unequal power source levels while maintaining address setting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication interface as an intermediary between the main control unit and voltage detection ICs for address setting. This mediator handles the address information transmission separately from power management, enabling the system to accommodate different power source levels without compromising address configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is to provide inexpensively a voltage detecting device for setting an address of each voltage detection IC even if a power source level of each voltage detection IC differs. A first transmitting line LT1 and a first receiving line LR1 connect a plurality of voltage detection ICs in series each other, and connect between the bottom voltage detection IC and the main microcomputer. The main microcomputer transmits an address number 0 to the bottom voltage detection IC. When the respective voltage detection ICs receive an address number through the first receiving line of a lower side from the main microcomputer, an address number adding 1 to the received address number is set as a self-address number. Furthermore, the respective voltage detection ICs transmit the address number which adds 1 to the received address number to the first transmitting line LT1 of an upper side.