EP0281376A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Multiplex control system
Assignee: ZF International UK Ltd
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Filing: 1988-03-02
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A multiplex control system e.g. for the facia of a vehicle comprises a wiring bus B with a control unit CON 1 or CON 2 and a plurality of input elements e.g. control switches SW1, SW2 .... connected to the bus, the control unit transmitting a pulse train along the bus and each input element including a circuit which counts the pulses in the train and modifies the j th pulse (where j is a count unique to that particular input element) if that input element is in a predetermined condition (e.g. the control switch is operated). The control unit is arranged to detect any such pulse modification to identify the corresponding input element and e.g. operate a load device accordingly.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Anthony Harris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 05:12
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R16/00; B60R16/02; B60R16/03; B60R16/0315; B60R2016/0322
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A multiplex control system comprising a wiring bus, a control unit connected to the bus, and a plurality of input elements connected or connectable to the bus in parallel, characterised in that the control unit (CON 1 or CON 2) is arranged to transmit a pulse train along the bus (B) and each input element (e.g. SW1) includes a circuit (IC) arranged to count the pulses and modify the j th pulse (where j is a count unique to that particular input element) if that input element is in a predetermined condition, the control unit being further arranged to detect any such pulse modification and identify the corresponding input element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A multiplex control system comprising a wiring bus, a control unit connected to the bus, and a plurality of input elements connected or connectable to the bus in parallel, characterised in that the control unit (CON 1 or CON 2) is arranged to transmit a pulse train along the bus (B) and each input element (e.g. SW1) includes a circuit (IC) arranged to count the pulses and modify the j th pulse (where j is a count unique to that particular input element) if that input element is in a predetermined condition, the control unit being further arranged to detect any such pulse modification and identify the corresponding input element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
A multiplex control system as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that each input element (e.g. SW1) is arranged to modify the j th pulse of the pulse train, when that input element is in its predetermined condition, by shunting a wire (SIG) carrying the pulse train in the bus (B) so as to cause a reduction in amplitude of the j th pulse.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A multiplex control system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said bus (B) includes a reset wire (ILL) for carrying a pulse to reset the counting circuit (IC) of each input element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A multiplex control system as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that said control unit (CON 1 or CON 2) is arranged to transmit a pulse on said reset wire (ILL) coincident with the j th pulse in said train in order to control a local load of the corresponding input element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A multiplex control system as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the control unit is arranged to transmit data in serial form over the wire (SIG) carrying said train of pulses, which serial data is transmitted between successive said trains of a predetermined number of pulses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A multiplex control system as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that two said control units (CON 1 and CON 2) are provided spaced apart along said BUS (B), the two control units being arranged to transmit said trains of pulses alternately.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
A multiplex control system as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that said bus (B) is arranged for mounting across the facia of a vehicle with the two control units (CON 1 and CON 2) on opposite sides of the vehicle and controlling load devices on the respective sides of the vehicle, said input elements comprising control switches (SW1 .... SWN) for said load devices.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A multiplex control system as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that at least one instrument (IP) for the facia (FM) connected to said bus to receive data in serial form along said bus from a said control unit (CON 1 or CON 2).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A multiplex control system as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterised in that additional said busses (e.g. RHS, OB2) connected to said control units (e.g. CON 2) and having additional said input elements connected to them
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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