Sensor and associated method

Abstract

The sensor (4) comprises a magnetic detection cell (9) and control means (6). The control means are designed to configure at least one functionality of the sensor in an active mode when a magnetic field with a predetermined value is applied to the magnetic detection cell for a predetermined duration (Tact, Tdeact, Tres, Tstart, Tstop, Ts1, Ts2), where the predetermined duration is assigned to the functionality.

Description

[0001] The present invention is directed to a sensor.

[0002] In particular, the invention deals with configuring functionalities of a sensor from a magnetic field.

[0003] A sensor may have a housing that does not include any openings to prevent moisture and dust from entering the housing and damaging the electronic circuits contained within the housing.

[0004] The sensor is arranged, for example, on an axle of a vehicle to monitor the rolling bearings that support the axle in order to measure vibrations.

[0005] The sensor may include a control circuit, a measurement circuit, and a wireless interface to send the measurements to a processing device.

[0006] The battery contained in the case cannot be replaced or charged.

[0007] To conserve battery power, the sensor is in sleep mode, with only the sensor's control circuit being powered by the battery.

[0008] The sensor can also be in sleep mode to comply with regulations, for example, when the sensor is transported by aircraft to avoid the emission of waves that could disrupt the flight of the aircraft.

[0009] When the sensor is attached to the axle, it is known to apply a magnet to a Hall effect sensor for a predetermined duration to put the sensor into an active mode so that the sensor measures vibrations on the axle and transmits the measurements wirelessly.

[0010] The sensor may implement other functions that need to be configured during the lifetime of the sensor and, for example, using a mobile application.

[0011] However, a mobile application is not always available.

[0012] Consequently, the present invention intends to propose adding further configurable functionalities to the wireless sensor that are easy to configure.

[0013] According to one aspect, a method for controlling a sensor comprising a magnetic detection cell is proposed.

[0014] The method comprises configuring at least one functionality of the sensor in an active mode by applying a magnetic field having a predetermined value to the magnetic detection cell for a predetermined duration, wherein the predetermined duration is associated with the functionality.

[0015] The duration of application of the magnetic field with the predetermined value to the magnetic detection cell allows the sensor to be configured without using wireless communication with a mobile application designed to configure the sensor and without using a human-machine interface integrated into a housing of the sensor, such as a switch or a button, so that the housing has no opening that can allow dust and moisture to enter.

[0016] Preferably, the method further comprises placing the sensor in the active mode by applying a magnetic field to the magnetic detection cell for a predetermined activation period when the sensor is in a sleep mode.

[0017] Advantageously, the functionality of the sensor comprises putting the sensor into a sleep mode by applying the magnetic field to the magnetic detection cell for a predetermined deactivation period when the sensor is in the active mode.

[0018] Preferably, the functionality of the sensor comprises resetting an alarm stored in an alarm register of the sensor, the method comprising applying the magnetic field to the magnetic detection cell for a predetermined reset period to reset the alarm register of the sensor.

[0019] Advantageously, the functionality of the sensor comprises storing measurements measured by measuring means of the sensor in a memory of the sensor, the method comprising applying the magnetic field to the magnetic detection cell for a predetermined start storage period to begin storing the measurements in the memory.

[0020] Preferably, the functionality of the sensor comprises stopping the storage of measurements measured by measuring means of the sensor in a memory of the sensor, the method comprising applying the magnetic field to the magnetic detection cell for a predetermined stop storage period to stop the storage of the measurements in the memory.

[0021] Advantageously, the sensor comprises transmission means, wherein the functionality of the sensor comprises transmitting a frame containing a predetermined data set, the method comprising applying the magnetic field to the magnetic detection cell during a predetermined selection period such that the transmission means transmits the predetermined frame, wherein the predetermined data set is identified by the predetermined selection period.

[0022] According to another aspect, a sensor is proposed.

[0023] The sensor comprises a magnetic detection cell and control means, wherein the control means are adapted to configure at least one functionality of the sensor in an active mode when a magnetic field having a predetermined value is applied to the magnetic detection cell for a predetermined duration, wherein the predetermined duration is associated with the functionality.

[0024] Advantageously, the sensor further comprises an alarm register, wherein the functionality of the sensor comprises resetting the alarm register, wherein the control means are adapted to reset the alarm register when the magnetic field is applied to the magnetic detection cell for a predetermined reset period and the sensor is in active mode.

[0025] Preferably, the sensor further comprises measuring means and a memory, wherein the functionality of the sensor comprises storing the measurements in the memory, wherein the control means are arranged to start storing the measurements in the memory when the magnetic field is applied to the magnetic detection cell during a predetermined start storage period and the sensor is in the active mode.

[0026] Advantageously, the sensor further comprises transmission means, wherein the functionality of the sensor comprises controlling the transmission means such that the transmission means transmit a frame containing a predetermined data set, wherein the control means are adapted to control the transmission means such that the transmission means transmit a frame comprising a predetermined data set when the magnetic field is applied to the magnetic detection cell during a predetermined selection period, wherein the predetermined data set is identified by the predetermined selection period.

[0027] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the detailed description of embodiments, which is in no way limiting, and the attached drawings in which: - Fig. Figure 1 schematically illustrates an example of a vehicle according to the invention; and - Fig. 2 shows an example of a sensor according to the invention.

[0028] It will be Fig. 1, which illustrates an example of a vehicle 1 comprising two axles 2 and sensors 4.

[0029] Each sensor 4 is arranged at one end of each axle 2 carrying the wheels of the vehicle 1.

[0030] Vehicle 1 is a truck. In one variant, the vehicle can also be another type of vehicle, such as a bus or a truck trailer.

[0031] The sensor 4 can be arranged on an axis of a machine.

[0032] Sensor 4 is designed to measure vibrations on axis 2 in order to monitor bearings (not shown) that support the axis.

[0033] The vibration measurements can be transmitted wirelessly to a processing unit 5 for further processing.

[0034] Sensor 4 can also measure the temperature of axis 2.

[0035] Fig. 2 shows an example of sensor 4.

[0036] The sensor 4 comprises a housing 4a, which comprises control means 6, measuring means 7, transmission means 8, a magnetic detection cell 9, an alarm register 10, a memory 11 and a battery 12.

[0037] The housing 4a does not include any opening in order to protect the control means 6, the measuring means 7, the transmission means 8, the magnetic detection cell 9, the alarm register 10, the memory 11 and the battery 12 from dust and moisture projected, for example, by the wheels of the vehicle 1.

[0038] The control means 6 comprise, for example, a control unit which controls the measuring means 7, the transmission means 8, the magnetic detection cell 9, the alarm register 10 and the memory 11.

[0039] The measuring means 7 include, for example, a vibration measuring unit 7a and a temperature measuring unit 7b.

[0040] The transmission means 8 comprise a wireless transmission interface intended to send frames to the processing unit 5.

[0041] The magnetic detection cell 9 is designed to detect a magnetic field having a predetermined value, for example at least 60 Gauss at a distance of 10 mm from the magnetic detection cell 9.

[0042] The magnetic detection cell 9 comprises, for example, a Hall effect sensor.

[0043] The control means 6 are intended to configure at least the functionality of the sensor in an active mode when a magnetic field having the predetermined value is applied to the magnetic detection cell 9 for a predetermined duration.

[0044] The predetermined duration is assigned to the functionality.

[0045] The magnetic field is generated, for example, by a permanent magnet 13 which provides a magnetic field with a value at least equal to the predetermined value.

[0046] The permanent magnet 13 may, for example, comprise NdFeB.

[0047] During the active mode of the sensor 4, the measuring means 7 measure vibrations and temperature, the transmission means 8 send measurements to the processing unit 5, and the magnetic detection cell 9, the alarm register 10 and the memory 11 are controlled by the control means 6.

[0048] During a sleep mode of the sensor 4, the measuring means 7, the transmission means 8, and the alarm register 10 are switched off to conserve the battery 12. Only the control means 6, the magnetic detection cell 9, and the memory 11 are switched on.

[0049] The alarm register 10 is intended to store, for example, a temperature alarm when the temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit 7b exceeds a predetermined maximum temperature, or when the vibrations measured by the vibration measuring unit 7a exceed predetermined maximum vibrations that are representative of a failure of the bearing.

[0050] The memory 11 is intended to store, for example, the measurements provided by the measuring means 7.

[0051] It is assumed that six functions are implemented in Sensor 4.

[0052] However, more or fewer than six functionalities can be implemented in the sensor 4.

[0053] A first functionality involves putting sensor 4 into active mode when sensor 4 is in sleep mode. A predefined activation duration Tact is assigned to the first functionality, e.g., five seconds.

[0054] A second functionality includes putting the sensor 4 into sleep mode when the sensor 4 is in active mode. A predetermined deactivation duration Tdeact, e.g., one second, is assigned to the second functionality.

[0055] A third functionality involves resetting an alarm stored in the alarm register 10 of sensor 4 when sensor 4 is in active mode. A predefined reset duration Tres is assigned to the third functionality, e.g., thirty seconds.

[0056] A fourth functionality includes storing the measurements taken by the measuring means 7 of the sensor 4 in the memory 11 of the sensor 4 when the sensor 4 is in active mode. A predetermined initial storage period Tstart is assigned to the fourth functionality.

[0057] A fifth functionality includes stopping the storage of the measurements taken by the measuring means 7 of the sensor 4 in the memory 11 of the sensor 4 when the sensor 4 is in active mode. A predetermined storage stop duration Tstop is associated with the fifth functionality.

[0058] A sixth functionality comprises transmitting a frame containing a predetermined data set, such that the transmission means 8 transmits the frame when the sensor 4 is in active mode. A predetermined selection duration is associated with the sixth functionality.

[0059] A first selection duration Ts1 is associated with a first data set which includes, for example, the battery level, the battery voltage and the status of the alarm register 10.

[0060] A second selection period Ts2 is associated with a second data set comprising, for example, the battery level, the measurements provided by the vibration measuring unit 7a and the measurements provided by the temperature measuring unit 7b.

[0061] The values ​​of the activation duration Tact, the deactivation duration Tdeact, the reset duration Tres, the start storage duration Tstart, the stop storage duration Tstop, the first selection duration Ts1 and the second selection duration Ts2 are different from each other and are stored in the memory 11.

[0062] When the permanent magnet 13 is connected to the magnetic detection cell 9 so that the magnetic field measured by the magnetic detection cell 9 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the control means 6 starts a counter (not shown) and stops the counter when the magnetic field detected by the magnetic detection cell 9 is smaller than the predetermined value.

[0063] The control means 6 determine the duration between the start and stop of the counter and compare the determined duration with the durations stored in the memory 11.

[0064] If the determined duration is equal to the activation duration Tact and the sensor 4 is in sleep mode, the control means 6 switch the sensor 4 to the active mode (first functionality).

[0065] If the determined duration is equal to the deactivation duration Tdeact and the sensor 4 is in active mode, the control means 6 switch the sensor 4 to sleep mode (second functionality).

[0066] If the determined duration is equal to the reset duration Tres and the sensor 4 is in active mode, the control means 6 reset the alarm register 10 (third functionality).

[0067] If the determined duration is equal to the start storage duration Tstart and the sensor 4 is in active mode, the control means 6 store the measurements measured by the measuring means 7 in the memory 11 (fourth functionality).

[0068] If the determined duration is equal to the stop storage duration Tstop and the sensor 4 is in active mode, the control means 6 stop the storage of the measurements measured by the measuring means 7 in the memory 11 (fifth functionality).

[0069] If the determined duration is equal to the first selection duration Ts1 and the sensor 4 is in active mode, the control means 6 control the transmission means 8 to send a frame comprising the first data set (sixth functionality).

[0070] If the determined duration is equal to the second selection duration Ts2 and the sensor 4 is in active mode, the control means 6 control the transmission means 8 to send a frame comprising the second data set (sixth functionality).

[0071] The duration of application of the magnetic field with the predetermined value to the magnetic detection cell allows the sensor 4 to be configured without using wireless communication with a mobile application intended to configure the sensor 4 and without using a human-machine interface integrated into the housing 4a, for example a switch or a button, so that the housing 4a has no opening that could allow dust and moisture to enter.

Claims

[1] Method for controlling a sensor (4) comprising a magnetic detection cell (9), the method configuring at least one functionality of the sensor (4) in an active mode by applying a magnetic field with a predetermined value to the magnetic detection cell for a predetermined duration (Tact, Tdeact, Tres, Tstart, Tstop, Ts1, Ts2), the predetermined duration being associated with the functionality. [2] The method according to claim 1, further comprising placing the sensor (4) in the active mode by applying the magnetic field to the magnetic detection cell during a predetermined activation period (Tact) when the sensor is in a sleep mode. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the functionality of the sensor (4) comprises putting the sensor into a sleep mode by applying the magnetic field to the magnetic detection cell for a predetermined deactivation period (Tdeact) when the sensor is in the active mode. [4] Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the functionality of the sensor (4) comprises resetting an alarm stored in an alarm register (10) of the sensor, the method comprising applying the magnetic field to the magnetic detection cell for a predetermined reset period (Tres) to reset the alarm register of the sensor. [5] Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the functionality of the sensor (4) comprises storing measurements measured by measuring means (7) of the sensor in a memory (11) of the sensor, the method comprising applying the magnetic field to the magnetic detection cell during a predetermined start storage period (Tstart) to start storing the measurements in the memory. [6] Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sensor (4) comprises transmission means (8), the functionality of the sensor comprising transmitting a frame containing a predetermined data set, the method comprising applying the magnetic field to the magnetic detection cell during a predetermined selection period (Ts1, Ts2) such that the transmission means transmit the predetermined frame, the predetermined data set being identified by the predetermined selection period. [7] Sensor (4) comprising a magnetic detection cell (9) and control means (6), wherein the control means are adapted to configure at least one functionality of the sensor in an active mode when a magnetic field having a predetermined value is applied to the magnetic detection cell for a predetermined duration (Tact, Tdeact, Tres, Tstart, Tstop, Ts1, Ts2), wherein the predetermined duration is associated with the functionality. [8] Sensor according to claim 7, further comprising an alarm register (10), wherein the functionality of the sensor comprises resetting the alarm register, wherein the control means (6) are adapted to reset the alarm register when the magnetic field is applied to the magnetic detection cell for a predetermined reset period (Tres) and the sensor is in active mode. [9] Sensor according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising measuring means (7) and a memory (11), wherein the functionality of the sensor comprises storing the measurements in the memory, wherein the control means (6) are arranged to start storing the measurements in the memory when the magnetic field is applied to the magnetic detection cell during a predetermined start storage period (Tstart) and the sensor is in the active mode. [10] Sensor according to one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising transmission means (8), wherein the functionality of the sensor comprises controlling the transmission means such that the transmission means sends a frame containing a predetermined data set, wherein the control means (6) is adapted to control the transmission means such that the transmission means sends a frame containing a predetermined data set when the magnetic field is applied to the magnetic detection cell during a predetermined selection period (Ts1, Ts2), wherein the predetermined data set is identified by the predetermined selection period.

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