METHOD FOR A SENSOR ARRANGEMENT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for a sensor arrangement of a vehicle.

[0002] Such methods for sensor arrangements are already known in numerous variants from the prior art.

[0003] For example, a sensor arrangement for a land vehicle is known from DE 103 33 997 B4, wherein the sensor arrangement has a level sensor for measuring the relative position of at least one wheel to a body of the land vehicle, and wherein at least one acceleration sensor is arranged in a housing of the level sensor.

[0004] Furthermore, a method for speed sensing in a vehicle using a sensor arrangement with a speed sensor is known from DE 10 2013 000 205 A1. The method comprises the following steps: determining the actual air gap value of the speed sensor and comparing this actual air gap value with previously defined target air gap values ​​of the speed sensor stored in the sensor arrangement for a subsequent operating routine of the speed sensor after the sensor arrangement has been installed in the vehicle; if the automatically determined actual air gap value matches one of the stored target air gap values, this actual air gap value is stored as the new target air gap value for a subsequent operation of the speed sensor of the sensor arrangement; if the determined actual air gap value does not match any stored target air gap value, an error message is output.

[0005] Furthermore, US patent 2009 240 393 A1 discloses a method for checking for incorrect installation of a sensor in a vehicle, in which a first indication of the direction of the sensor based on a yaw rate and a second direction of the sensor based at least partially on a steering angle are determined, wherein the second direction is automatically changed if the first indication and the second indication of the direction of the sensor differ from each other.

[0006] This is where the present invention comes in.

[0007] The present invention is based on the objective of simplifying the use of a sensor arrangement in a vehicle.

[0008] This problem is solved by a method with the features of claim 1, comprising the following method steps: self-calibration of a vehicle size sensor of the sensor arrangement in a self-calibration routine of the sensor arrangement, preferably after the sensor arrangement has been installed in the vehicle, wherein the actual position of the sensor arrangement is automatically determined by means of the sensor arrangement and compared with at least one predetermined target position of the sensor arrangement stored in the sensor arrangement for the at least one operating routine of the sensor arrangement, and output of an error message if the actual position of the sensor arrangement automatically determined by means of the sensor arrangement does not substantially correspond to any of the at least one target position of the sensor arrangement, or,If the actual position of the sensor arrangement, automatically determined by means of the sensor arrangement, substantially corresponds to one of the at least one target position of the sensor arrangement, the operating routine of the sensor arrangement corresponding to this target position of the sensor arrangement is stored for subsequent operation of the self-calibrated vehicle size sensor of the sensor arrangement, wherein the automatic determination of the actual position of the sensor arrangement in its self-calibration routine is based on at least one acceleration measurement of at least one acceleration sensor of the sensor arrangement.

[0009] The dependent claims relate to advantageous further developments of the invention.

[0010] A significant advantage of the invention lies particularly in the fact that the use of a sensor arrangement in a vehicle is simplified. The self-calibration of the vehicle size sensor in the sensor arrangement according to the invention makes it possible, for example, to design the sensor arrangement and the vehicle size sensor as a single, identical component and to install this identical component in any position and / or orientation within the technical limits on the vehicle. This is particularly advantageous when multiple vehicle size sensors are installed at different positions and / or in different orientations of the sensor arrangement on the vehicle to detect a vehicle size.The invention enables this in a particularly simple way by automatically determining the actual position of the sensor arrangement itself and comparing it with at least one predefined and stored target position for at least one operating routine of the sensor arrangement for a subsequent operation of the vehicle size sensor, which is self-calibrated in this way. The automatic determination of the actual position of the sensor arrangement in its self-calibration routine is based on at least one acceleration measurement from at least one acceleration sensor of the sensor arrangement. In this way, the actual position of the sensor arrangement according to the invention can be determined metrologically in a simple manner.

[0011] The vehicle size sensor of the sensor arrangement according to the invention is thus pre-configured and set up for at least one operating routine of the sensor arrangement that correlates with at least one target position of the sensor arrangement. In the self-calibration routine of the sensor arrangement, the at least one operating routine is then automatically selected by means of the automatic determination of the actual position of the sensor arrangement and stored for later operation of the vehicle size sensor of the sensor arrangement. If the at least one operating routine cannot be determined using the above-mentioned procedure, i.e., if the actual position of the sensor arrangement automatically determined by means of the sensor arrangement does not substantially correspond to any of the at least one target position of the sensor arrangement, an error message is issued in a manner known to those skilled in the art.This ensures that the vehicle size sensor of the sensor assembly and the vehicle's cooperating systems do not operate in an undesired manner. The invention is advantageously applicable, for example, during the initial assembly of the vehicle and thus during the initial assembly of the sensor assembly according to the invention. Furthermore, the invention is also advantageous during maintenance, for example, during the repair or replacement of the sensor assembly or the vehicle size sensor of the sensor assembly.

[0012] The term "position" of the sensor array refers to the arrangement of the sensor array itself, for example, the center of gravity of the sensor array, relative to the rest of the vehicle. The term "location" of the sensor array refers to its spatial orientation relative to the rest of the vehicle.

[0013] In principle, it is conceivable that only a single target position and / or a single target position of the sensor arrangement is predefined and stored for a single corresponding operating routine of the sensor arrangement for the operation of the self-calibrated vehicle size sensor. A particularly advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that a plurality of different target positions and / or target positions of the sensor arrangement are stored for a plurality of corresponding and different operating routines for the sensor arrangement. This makes it possible, for example, to install a plurality of sensor arrangements designed as identical parts at different positions and / or in different orientations of the sensor arrangement.

[0014] A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that the operating routine automatically determined by the self-calibration routine is stored immutably for subsequent operation of the self-calibrated vehicle size sensor of the sensor arrangement. This ensures that the operating routine, once determined and stored, cannot be subsequently manipulated in an undesired manner. In contrast, it is also conceivable that the operating routine automatically determined by the self-calibration routine is stored in a modified form for subsequent operation of the self-calibrated vehicle size sensor of the sensor arrangement. For example, this would make it possible to configure the sensor arrangement for a new self-calibration routine according to the invention.This could be done using a reset button or something similar.

[0015] Another advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that the self-calibration routine is automatically started when the sensor arrangement is initially powered. This makes triggering the self-calibration routine particularly easy. For example, the self-calibration routine can be started during the initial assembly of the vehicle at the end of the production line or during maintenance in a workshop by electrically connecting the sensor arrangement according to the invention to a power supply, such as the vehicle battery.

[0016] In principle, the triggering of the self-calibration routine can be freely selected within wide suitable limits, both in terms of type and function. This also applies to its termination. An advantageous embodiment of the inventive method provides that the self-calibration routine is automatically terminated after the actual position of the sensor arrangement has initially matched one of the at least one stored target position. This allows for the termination of the self-calibration routine with minimal effort.

[0017] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that the operating routine, automatically determined by the self-calibration routine and stored for subsequent operation of the self-calibrated vehicle size sensor of the sensor arrangement, is automatically started by a subsequent power supply to the sensor arrangement following the initial power supply. This simplifies the starting of the operating routine of the sensor arrangement according to the invention. For example, the operating routine can be started by the vehicle owner when the vehicle is first put into operation.

[0018] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that the at least one acceleration sensor is designed as a three-axis sensor and that the actual position of the sensor arrangement is automatically determined based on an acceleration measurement along one of the three-axis sensors' measuring axes. This makes the actual position of the sensor arrangement according to the invention particularly easy to determine metrologically. This is because a coordinate transformation is possible by measuring in all three spatial directions.

[0019] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached, roughly schematic drawing. The only illustration shows Figur 1 : Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a sensor arrangement according to the invention.

[0020] In Fig. 1 An exemplary embodiment of the invention for a vehicle 2 designed as a passenger car is shown. Four wheels 6 are arranged on a body 4 of the vehicle 2, each of which is operatively connected to a sensor arrangement 8 in a manner known to those skilled in the art. A total of four sensor arrangements 8 according to the invention are thus installed on the vehicle 2, the four sensor arrangements 8 being designed as identical parts. The sensor arrangements 8 each have a vehicle size sensor 10 designed as a vehicle level sensor and each have an acceleration sensor 12 designed as a three-axis sensor. Fig. 1 For the sake of clarity, only one of the four sensor arrangements 8 is shown in detail. Due to their design as identical components, the other sensor arrangements 8 are designed and configured identically to this sensor arrangement. Because they are designed as three-axis sensors, the position and orientation of each sensor arrangement 8 can be determined in a manner known to those skilled in the art using each of the acceleration sensors 12. The position of each sensor arrangement is described in terms of its arrangement relative to the

[0021] To understand the rest of vehicle 2. For example, the arrangement of the components in the image plane. Fig. 1 The sensor arrangement 8 shown in the upper right is located at this point on the vehicle 2. The position of each sensor arrangement 8 refers to its spatial orientation relative to the rest of the vehicle 2. For example, the spatial position of the sensor arrangement 8 in the image plane. Fig. 1 The sensor arrangement 8 shown in the upper right is located at this point on the vehicle 2.

[0022] The sensor assemblies 8, comprising the vehicle size sensors 10 and the acceleration sensors 12, are each connected to a control unit 14 of the vehicle 2 in a manner known to those skilled in the art. The sensor assemblies 8 are electrically connected to a battery 18 of the vehicle 2 via the control unit 14 and an ignition 16. For the sake of clarity, the aforementioned connections of the four sensor assemblies 8 are shown only for one of the four sensor assemblies 8, analogous to the above descriptions. Fig. 1 depicted.

[0023] The inventive method is described below according to the present embodiment and based on the Fig. 1 explained in more detail.

[0024] During the initial assembly of vehicle 2, the four sensor assemblies 8 are attached to the components from the Fig. 1 The four sensor assemblies (8) were installed in positions determined by the specific installation situation, in a manner known to a person skilled in the art. The four sensor assemblies were not yet put into operation beforehand, i.e., not yet connected to a power supply.

[0025] After installing the four sensor assemblies 8 in the vehicle 2, the technician connects each of the four sensor assemblies 8 to a supply voltage, for example, to the battery 18. The four sensor assemblies 8 are now supplied with a supply voltage for the first time. The four sensor assemblies 8 are designed and configured such that a self-calibration routine for each sensor assembly 8 is automatically started when it is first supplied with voltage.During the self-calibration routine, the vehicle size sensor 10 of the respective sensor assembly 8 undergoes self-calibration. The actual position of the respective sensor assembly 8 is automatically determined using this sensor assembly 8 and compared with four predefined target positions and locations stored within this sensor assembly 8 for a total of four operating routines of this sensor assembly 8. As explained above, the four sensor assemblies 8 installed on the vehicle 2 are identical. Accordingly, the four predefined and stored target positions and locations for each of the four operating routines of the respective sensor assembly 8 correlate with those from the... Fig. 1 four different positions and locations of the sensor arrangements are evident 8.

[0026] Accordingly, a first predefined and stored target position for a first operating routine of the respective sensor arrangement 8 correlates with a position in the image plane of Fig. 1 The actual position and location of one of the sensor arrangements 8 shown in the lower left, a second previously defined and saved target position and location for a second operating routine of the respective sensor arrangement 8 to a position in the image plane of Fig. 1 The actual position and location of one of the sensor arrangements 8 shown in the lower right, a third previously defined and stored target position and location for a third operating routine of the respective sensor arrangement 8 to a position in the image plane of Fig. 1 The actual position and location of one of the sensor arrangements 8 shown in the upper left, and a fourth previously defined and stored target position and location for a fourth operating routine of the respective sensor arrangement 8, are shown in the image plane. Fig. 1 The actual location and position of one of the sensor arrangements shown in the upper right is shown in section 8.

[0027] For each sensor arrangement 8 of the vehicle 2, a plurality of different target positions and target locations of this sensor arrangement 8 are stored for a plurality of corresponding and different operating routines for this sensor arrangement 8. Due to the design of the four sensor arrangements 8 as identical components, the respective configuration of the four sensor arrangements 8 is identical.

[0028] The self-calibration routine of each of the four sensor arrays 8 of the vehicle 2 is performed based on output signals from the acceleration sensor 12 of the respective sensor array 8. For this purpose, the respective acceleration sensor 12, configured as a three-axis sensor, measures the acceleration of the corresponding sensor array 8 in all three spatial directions. Using coordinate transformation, the actual position and orientation of each sensor array 8 of the vehicle 2 are then automatically determined. The actual position and orientation of each sensor array 8 determined in this way are then compared, as described below, with the stored target positions and orientations of each sensor array 8, which are assigned to a specific operating routine of the respective sensor array 8.

[0029] If the actual position and location of this sensor arrangement 8, automatically determined by means of the respective sensor arrangement 8, does not substantially correspond to any of the four previously defined target positions and locations of this sensor arrangement 8 stored in it, an error message is issued by means of this sensor arrangement 8 and the control unit 14 in a manner known to those skilled in the art.

[0030] If the actual position and location of the sensor arrangement 8, automatically determined by means of the respective sensor arrangement 8, substantially corresponds to one of the four previously defined target positions and locations stored in the sensor arrangement 8, the operating routine of the sensor arrangement 8 corresponding to this target position and location is stored for a subsequent operation of the self-calibrated vehicle size sensor 10 of the sensor arrangement 8.

[0031] To prevent unwanted subsequent manipulation of the sensor arrangements 8 of the vehicle 2, the operating routine automatically determined by means of the respective self-calibration routine for the respective sensor arrangement 8 is stored immutably for the subsequent operation of the self-calibrated vehicle size sensor 10 of this sensor arrangement 8.

[0032] In the latter case, i.e., if the actual position and location of the respective sensor arrangement 8, automatically determined by means of the respective sensor arrangement 8, essentially corresponds to one of the four previously defined target positions and locations of the sensor arrangement 8 stored in this sensor arrangement 8, the respective self-calibration routine is automatically terminated after an initial match between the actual position and location of the respective sensor arrangement 8 and one of the four stored target positions and locations of this sensor arrangement 8.

[0033] The four sensor arrangements 8 of the vehicle 2 are further designed and configured such that the operating routine, automatically determined by the respective self-calibration routine and stored for subsequent operation of the self-calibrated vehicle size sensor 10 of this sensor arrangement 8, is automatically started with a subsequent power supply to this sensor arrangement 8 following the initial power supply. For example, this occurs when the vehicle 2 is first started up by an owner of the vehicle 2 using the ignition 16.

[0034] The invention is not limited to the present embodiment. For example, the invention can also be advantageously used in other vehicles. The vehicle size sensor is not limited to the field of vehicle level sensing. Rather, the vehicle size sensor and the vehicle size detected by the vehicle size sensor can, within suitable limits, be any vehicle size and any vehicle size sensor in terms of type, function, dimensions, material, arrangement, and number. Instead of storing a plurality of different target positions and / or target locations of the sensor arrangement for a plurality of corresponding and different operating routines for the sensor arrangement, it is also possible to provide only a single target position and / or target location predefined and stored for a single operating routine of the sensor arrangement.In this case, there would therefore be only one permissible target position for the sensor arrangement. Furthermore, it is not absolutely necessary that both an actual position and an actual location of the sensor arrangement according to the invention be detected and compared with at least one previously defined and stored target position and actual location. In contrast, it is also possible to detect only an actual position or actual location and compare it with at least one previously defined and stored target position or actual location. Reference symbol list

[0035] 2 Vehicle 4 Body 6 Wheel 8 Sensor arrangement 10 Vehicle size sensor 12 Acceleration sensor 14 Control 16 Ignition 18 Battery

Claims

1. Method for a sensor arrangement (8) of a vehicle (2), comprising a vehicle parameter sensor (10) for detecting at least one vehicle parameter in at least one operating routine of the sensor arrangement (8), wherein the method features the following steps: - Self-calibration of the vehicle parameter sensor (10) of the sensor arrangement (8) in a self-calibration routine of the sensor arrangement (8), preferentially after installation of the sensor arrangement (8) in the vehicle (2), wherein the actual location and / or actual position of the sensor arrangement (8) is determined automatically by means of the sensor arrangement (8) and is compared with a previously specified set location and / or set position of the sensor arrangement (8) stored in the sensor arrangement (8) for the at least one operating routine of the sensor arrangement (8) and - output of an error message if the actual location and / or actual position of the sensor arrangement (8) determined automatically by means of the sensor arrangement (8) does not essentially correspond with any of the at least one set location and / or set position of the sensor arrangement (8) or, - if the actual location and / or actual position of the sensor arrangement (8) determined automatically by the sensor arrangement (8) corresponds essentially with at least one set location and / or set position of the sensor arrangement (8), saving of the operating routine of the sensor arrangement (8) corresponding to this set location and / or set position of the sensor arrangement (8) for a subsequent operation of the self-calibrated vehicle parameter sensor (10) of the sensor arrangement (8) characterized in that, the automatic determination of the actual location and / or the actual position of the sensor arrangement (8) in its self-calibration routine is performed depending on at least one acceleration measurement of at least one acceleration sensor (12) of the sensor arrangement (8).

2. Method in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that, a plurality of set locations and / or set positions of the sensor arrangement (8) differing from each other are saved for a plurality of operating routines for the sensor arrangement (8) corresponding thereto and differing from each other.

3. Method in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the operating routine determined automatically by means of the self-calibration routine is saved in an unchangeable manner for the subsequent operation of the self-calibrated vehicle parameter sensor (10) of the sensor arrangement (8).

4. Method in accordance with one of claims 1 through 3, characterized in that, the self-calibration routine is launched automatically with an initial power supply to the sensor arrangement (8).

5. Method in accordance with one of claims 1 through 4, characterized in that, the self-calibration routine is automatically terminated after the actual location and / or actual position of the sensor arrangement (8) corresponds for the first time with one of the at least one saved set location and / or set position of the sensor arrangement (8).

6. Method in accordance with one of claims 1 through 5, characterized in that, the operating routine of the at least one operating routine, which is determined automatically by means of the self-calibration routine and saved for the subsequent operation of the self-calibrated vehicle parameter sensor (10) of the sensor arrangement (8) is automatically launched with a further power supply to the sensor arrangement (8) subsequent to the initial power supply to the sensor arrangement (8).

7. Method in accordance with claim 1 through 6, characterized in that, the at least one acceleration sensor (12) is designed as a three-axis sensor (12) and automatic determination of the actual location and / or actual position of the sensor arrangement (8) is performed in each case depending on an acceleration measurement along a measuring axis of the three-axis sensor (12).