Method for wireless signal transmission and sensor-controlled component

Abstract

Method for wireless signal transmission from a sensor (1) to a sensor-controlled component (2), wherein the sensor (1) receives a measurement signal (4), characterized in that the sensor (1) uses the energy received with the received measurement signal (4) to operate an associated transmitter unit (3), and that the signal (5) emitted by the transmitter unit (3) is determined by the amount of energy received with the measurement signal (4).

Description

The invention relates to a method for wireless signal transmission from a sensor to a sensor-controlled component, wherein the sensor receives a measurement signal. Furthermore, the invention relates to a sensor-controlled component with a sensor for detecting a physical quantity for controlling the component and with a connection between the component and the sensor. From US patent 2003 / 0 090 210 A1, a photosensor is known which emits a measurement signal that depends on the incident light intensity. The sensor can be a light sensor for controlling the headlight system in a motor vehicle. These light sensors are connected to a power supply via power lines and to a corresponding sensor-controlled component, such as the vehicle's headlight system, via data lines. Therefore, the sensor's installation location is not freely selectable but must be chosen to allow for a power supply and a data bus connection. The invention is based on the objective of providing a method and a sensor-controlled component of the type mentioned above, which allow a free choice of installation location. This problem is solved by a method having the features of claim 1. With regard to the sensor-controlled component, the solution is achieved by a sensor-controlled component having the features of claim 6. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in dependent claims 7 to 11. A further aspect of the invention consists in providing a sensor for a sensor-controlled component according to claim 12. In a method for wireless signal transmission from a sensor to a sensor-controlled component, wherein the sensor receives a measurement signal, it is essential to the invention that the sensor uses the received measurement signal as an energy source for operating an associated transmitter unit and that the signal emitted by the transmitter unit is determined by the amount of energy received. This method allows for the wireless installation of a sensor. For example, a light sensor can be mounted at any desired location in a vehicle. The sensor detects a physical quantity, such as electromagnetic waves within a specific frequency range, for instance, in the visible or infrared spectrum, and uses the energy captured by the measurement signal as its power source. Acoustic or other signals can also serve as both measurement signals and power sources. The received and measured signal thus simultaneously powers an associated transmitter, which enables wireless signal transmission from the sensor to the sensor-controlled component. This sensor can therefore operate autonomously and wirelessly. The sensor advantageously transforms the measured signal into an electrical output using an energy-autonomous conversion principle. The signal emitted by the transmitter is determined by the amount of energy absorbed. This means that the absorbed energy powers the transmitter, which then sends a signal to the sensor-controlled component depending on the amount of energy. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the energy absorbed by the sensor along with the measurement signal determines the signal strength of the transmitted signal. Based on the signal strength, the sensor-controlled component or a control unit can then infer the physical conditions at the sensor, for example, the lighting or acoustic conditions, and use this measured value to control the sensor-controlled component. Alternatively, the energy absorbed by the measuring sensor determines the signal frequency of the transmitted signal. With a strong measurement signal, which therefore also provides a high amount of energy, the sensor can thus provide a higher amount of energy to the associated transmitting unit. The transmitted measurement signal can then, for example, have a particularly high strength or amplitude. In another embodiment, the absorbed energy correlates with the transmitted signal frequency.This means that a particularly strong measurement signal results in a high signal frequency of the emitted signal. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a combination of these possibilities can also occur, meaning that with a high amount of absorbed energy, the emitted signal exhibits both a high amplitude and a high signal frequency. "High" here refers to a lower amplitude or frequency, as would result from a weaker measurement signal and thus a higher energy input. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensor uses light as both a measurement signal and an energy source. In such a case, the sensor is a light sensor or a photovoltaic cell that detects solar radiation and simultaneously uses it as an energy source for a transmitting unit. The transmitted signal is directly dependent on the amount of incident light and can be interpreted by the receiver accordingly. Alternatively, temperature, vibration, flow, or pressure sensors can also be used. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, a watchdog signal is sent from the transmitting unit to the sensor-controlled component. As soon as the detected measurement signal, for example, the illumination, is strong enough to power the connected transmitting unit, in particular a radio transmitter, the latter sends a watchdog signal to the sensor-controlled component. Such a watchdog signal is sent continuously as long as the signal strength is sufficient to power the transmitting unit. The sensor-controlled component, in particular its control unit, uses the signal strength or signal frequency, or a combination of both, to infer the physical conditions, especially the illumination conditions at the sensor. A further aspect of the invention consists in providing a sensor-controlled component with a sensor for detecting a physical quantity for controlling the component and with a connection between the component and the sensor. It is essential to the invention that the connection between the component and the sensor is a wireless radio link, that the sensor has a transmitter unit, and that the transmitter unit is powered exclusively by energy absorbed by the sensor, the energy absorbed by the sensor determining a signal emitted by the transmitter unit. Such a sensor-controlled component is operated, in particular, using the method described above. No cables are required between the sensor and the sensor-controlled component or its control unit. The sensor can be mounted completely wirelessly and thus at a freely selectable location.The sensor has a wireless radio connection to the component and draws its power from the recorded measurement signal, therefore requiring no external power supply. The sensor is thus completely connection-free. The sensor and its associated transmitter are designed and configured to emit a signal with a signal strength corresponding to the energy absorbed by the sensor. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor and its associated transmitter are designed and configured to emit a signal with a frequency corresponding to the energy absorbed by the sensor. The method described above can be implemented particularly efficiently with such a sensor and transmitter. The sensor is preferably a photovoltaic cell. Control via light, which simultaneously serves as the energy source, is particularly advantageous and offers numerous application possibilities. Alternatively, the sensor can also be a temperature sensor, a vibration sensor, a flow sensor, or a pressure sensor. Essentially, any sensor is conceivable where the desired measured variable can be used as an energy source. The sensor preferably also includes associated components, in particular an energy converter, a logic unit, and a transmitter. The energy converter advantageously comprises a capacitor resistor and an inductor, which condition the energy absorbed by the sensor. The connected transmitter is then controlled by an integrated circuit, in particular a connected logic unit. The sensor is preferably completely wireless.The component is preferably a headlight system or an air conditioning system controlled by the sensor. In particular, it refers to components that are part of a motor vehicle. The invention is especially advantageous in vehicles, particularly motor vehicles, since power supply and wiring always present a particular problem and challenge there. Another aspect of the invention relates to the provision of the sensor for the component described above. Such a sensor is also conceivable as a retrofit element and can be connected to existing components. The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment shown in the drawing. The single schematic figure in the drawing shows a sensor according to the invention with the sensor-controlled component and the associated energy input and signal transmission. The figure shows a sensor 1. This sensor receives a measurement signal 4, which simultaneously serves as the power supply and provides energy to the sensor 1. A transmitter 3 is associated with the sensor 1. Furthermore, a logic IC 8 and an energy converter 9 are arranged between the sensor 1 and the transmitter 3. The energy converter 9 comprises, in particular, resonant circuits consisting of a capacitor and an inductor, and preferably also resistors, with which the energy received by the sensor 1 is conditioned. The signal transmission from the transmitter 3 is controlled by a connected logic IC 8. For example, when a large amount of energy E reaches the sensor 1 via the measurement signal 4, a signal is emitted according to the diagram above, in which the amplitude 6 is relatively high and the frequency of the emitted signals is also relatively high.With a relatively low energy level E received by sensor 1 with the measurement signal 4, the emitted signal corresponds more closely to the embodiment shown below, with a comparatively low amplitude 6 and a comparatively high frequency 7. If the sensor receives no measurement signal at all, no signal 5 is emitted. The signal 5 is received by the sensor-controlled component 2. This component includes, in particular, a receiver with an antenna and an evaluation unit, which then controls the component 2. The component 2 can be, for example, an air conditioning system or a headlight system. These are, in particular, components within a motor vehicle. All features mentioned in the preceding description and in the claims can be combined in any selection with the features of the independent claim. The disclosure of the invention is therefore not limited to the described or claimed combinations of features; rather, all combinations of features meaningful within the scope of the invention are to be considered disclosed.

Claims

Method for wireless signal transmission from a sensor (1) to a sensor-controlled component (2), wherein the sensor (1) receives a measurement signal (4), characterized in that the sensor (1) uses the energy received with the received measurement signal (4) to operate an associated transmitter unit (3), and that the signal (5) emitted by the transmitter unit (3) is determined by the amount of energy received with the measurement signal (4). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the energy absorbed by the sensor (1) with the measurement signal (4) determines the signal strength (6) of the emitted signal (5). Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the energy absorbed by the sensor (1) with the measuring signal (4) determines the frequency (7) of the emitted signal (5). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (1) receives light as a measurement signal (4) and for energy absorption. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (1) with the connected transmitter unit (3) sends a watchdog signal to the component (2). A sensor-controlled component (2) and a sensor (1) for detecting a physical quantity for controlling the component (2) and with a connection between the component (2) and the sensor (1), characterized in that the connection between the component (2) and the sensor (1) is a wireless radio connection, that the sensor (1) has a transmitting unit (3), that the transmitting unit (3) is operated exclusively with energy absorbed by the sensor (1), wherein the energy absorbed by the sensor (1) with the measurement signal (4) determines a signal emitted by the transmitting unit (3). Sensor-controlled component (2) and a sensor (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the transmitting unit (3) is provided and designed to transmit a signal (5) with a signal strength (6) that corresponds to the energy received by the sensor (1) with the measurement signal (4). Sensor-controlled component (2) and a sensor (1) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the transmitting unit (3) is provided and designed to transmit a signal (5) with a frequency (7) that corresponds to the energy received by the sensor (1) with the measurement signal (4). Sensor-controlled component (2) and a sensor (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the sensor (1) is a photovoltaic cell. Sensor-controlled component (2) and a sensor (1) according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the sensor (1) is completely free of leads. Sensor-controlled component (2) and a sensor (1) according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the component is a headlight system. Sensor for a sensor-controlled component characterized in that the sensor (1) is designed and intended to use the energy absorbed with the measurement signal (4) for the operation of an associated transmitter unit (3), wherein the signal (5) emitted by the transmitter unit (3) is determined by the amount of energy absorbed with the measurement signal (4).

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