Sensor device, vehicle, and method for operating the sensor device

Abstract

Sensor device, vehicle, and method for operating a sensor device A sensor device comprising a plurality of sensors (3), wherein each sensor (3) is configured to transmit at least one signal (11, 12) at various transmission times, the transmission times of the sensors (3) being set respectively according to transmission rules assigned to each of the sensors (3), and the sensor device (2) is configured to omit the signal (11, 12) of one of the sensors (3) assigned to the transmission time when the transmission time of one of the sensors (3) and the further transmission time of a further sensor (3) among the sensors (3) coincide, or is configured to transmit in response to measures for changing the transmission time and / or the signal quality. The sensor device is characterized by this.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor device including a plurality of sensors, where each sensor is configured to transmit at least one signal at various transmission times, and the transmission times of the sensors are each set according to a transmission rule assigned to each sensor. The present invention also relates to a method for operating a sensor device including a vehicle and a plurality of sensors.

Background Art

[0002] A sensor device including a plurality of sensors can be used, for example, in the automotive field. For example, a sensor device including a plurality of ultrasonic sensors is used for measuring the distance between a vehicle and an object in the vehicle's surrounding environment. Using such a sensor device, for example, systems for automatic parking, collision avoidance or automatic braking and / or further types of driving assistance systems can be implemented.

[0003] In each of the driving assistance systems to be implemented, in order to achieve sufficient coverage of the vehicle's surrounding environment, generally, a sensor device including a plurality of sensors, for example, a sensor device including six or more ultrasonic sensors for each bumper of the vehicle, is used. Thereby, it becomes possible to detect the vehicle's surrounding environment in front of, behind, and optionally, also on the sides of the vehicle.

[0004] In ultrasonic sensors, typically, individual ultrasonic pulses are transmitted, and echoes generated by signals reflected from objects are waited for. These echoes are then uniquely assigned to each transmitted signal or sensor. To increase the transmission frequency of the sensors, especially when multiple sensors of the same structure are used and the detection areas overlap at least partially, transmission times can be set for each sensor sequentially, for example, via a fixed code, at intervals characteristic of each sensor. This allows the sensors to transmit each of their signals as a pulse train without waiting for echoes or interfering with each other. Based on the characteristic intervals between the transmission times of the signals, the received echoes can be assigned to each sensor.

[0005] In such methods, two or more sensors may transmit signals simultaneously. Due to high energy consumption during transmission, high power or high current may be output from the sensor's energy source to the sensor in such cases, potentially leading to undesirable results. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to identify an improved sensor device that avoids the occurrence of such current spikes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve this problem, in the type of sensor device described at the beginning, according to the present invention, the sensor device is configured to either omit the signal of one sensor that is assigned to a transmission time if the transmission time of one of the sensors coincides with a further transmission time of another sensor, or to transmit in response to measures that change the transmission time and / or signal quality.

[0008] Here, coincidence of transmission time is understood to mean that the transmission time coincides with the same time, or that the transmission of the signals occurs within a predetermined time interval that causes at least a partial overlap of transmission times at the time of transmission. Therefore, if the signals transmitted at the time of transmission overlap at least partially in time, the transmission times coincide.

[0009] If the transmission time of one sensor coincides with the transmission time of another sensor, and it is predicted that both sensors will transmit signals at the same time, then at least one sensor may omit its signal instead, or transmit it depending on measures taken to alter the transmission time and / or signal quality. If the signal is interrupted, the other sensor may, for example, transmit its signal as usual.

[0010] If the transmission time and / or signal quality of at least one sensor is adjusted according to the measures provided, then the signals of further sensors may also be adjusted according to the measures, for example, if the transmission rules for the further sensors are known to them. Alternatively, the signals of further sensors may be transmitted normally at the time of transmission, that is, without any modification by the measures.

[0011] By omitting the signal, the sensor does not require energy to generate a signal, thus avoiding current spikes in the power supply or sensor's supply line. Similarly, by changing the transmission time and / or signal quality, the energy required by the sensor at the original transmission time can be reduced, thus avoiding current spikes.

[0012] Avoiding current spikes in the power supply and supply lines has the advantage of requiring the energy supply to the sensor to be adjusted to a lower maximum output current. A particular advantage of the present invention is that the buffer required for voltage supply to the sensor only needs to meet much lower requirements, thus requiring less installation space and enabling lower-cost implementation. In this way, the robustness of the sensor device or the robustness of the operation of the sensor device can be improved.

[0013] Furthermore, adverse effects caused by current spikes, such as a drop in supply voltage, can be avoided. This prevents insufficient voltage supply, which can occur, for example, when multiple sensors transmit simultaneously, potentially causing the sensors to enter sleep mode or reset mode.

[0014] Furthermore, in avoiding current spikes, the generation of electromagnetic fields induced by the current flow, which may in some cases affect further devices, is minimal, which has the advantage of reducing obstacles related to the electromagnetic compatibility of the sensor device.

[0015] The method according to the present invention advantageously prevents simultaneous transmission by multiple sensors, even in sensor devices where the transmission time at which sensors transmit their signals is determined individually according to transmission rules assigned to each sensor. As a result, excessive load on sensors due to current or voltage supply can be reduced, particularly in sensor devices where individual sensors operate at least substantially autonomously according to transmission rules stored in the sensors. In this way, it is advantageous to avoid the need for complex synchronization processes and / or central control of sensors or the need for central determination of each sensor's transmission time.

[0016] According to the present invention, the measure may be configured to include shifting the transmission time by a predetermined time interval and / or reducing the transmission power of the signal by a predetermined coefficient.

[0017] One possible measure is to configure the system to shift the transmission time by a predetermined time interval. In this case, the sensor transmits the signal not at the original transmission time, but specifically at an alternative transmission time shifted by a predetermined time interval into the future. This reduces the energy supply load because at least one additional sensor that would normally transmit at the original transmission time transmits independently. At the shifted transmission time, in particular, since at least one sensor transmits independently, there is no excessive load on the power supply even at the shifted transmission time. Furthermore, it is possible to set a time interval different from the transmission time defined by the transmission rules.

[0018] Additionally or alternatively, as a measure, the transmission power of the signal being transmitted at the time of transmission can be reduced. This can reduce the energy required by the sensor for transmitting the signal, and thus reduce the overall energy supply load at the time of transmission. When a measure is used to reduce the transmission power by a predetermined coefficient, and further sensors can also take corresponding measures, the overall energy requirement at the time of transmission does not increase, even when at least one sensor and further sensors are transmitting simultaneously. The transmission power can be reduced, for example, by transmitting a signal with a smaller signal amplitude.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a transmission rule assigned to each sensor is stored in each sensor, at least one of the sensors stores at least one further transmission rule for a further sensor, and at least one sensor can be configured to calculate the match between one of its transmission times and at least one further transmission time described by the at least one further transmission rule.

[0020] Here, each sensor stores at least one transmission rule, which defines the transmission time for that sensor. Some of the sensors in the sensor device may store one or more additional transmission rules. Alternatively, all sensors may store at least one additional transmission rule. Each sensor may also store the transmission rules for all sensors in the sensor device.

[0021] Each sensor may be equipped with, for example, a computing device to calculate the transmission time based on one or more transmission rules. Each sensor may also be equipped with, for example, a storage device containing the transmission rules and, if necessary, one or more additional transmission rules. The transmission rules can be assigned to the sensors, for example, by the sensor device's control unit during the initialization of the sensor device.

[0022] Alternatively, according to the present invention, the sensor device may include a control device, the control device storing transmission rules assigned to each sensor, the control device being configured to calculate a match between the transmission time of one of the sensors and at least one further transmission time of at least one further sensor, and the control device being configured to control the sensors to omit the transmission time signal and / or transmit a signal in response to measures that modify the transmission time and / or signal quality.

[0023] In particular, if a sensor transmits a signal at the time of transmission in response to a measure that modifies the signal quality, the control device may also control at least one additional sensor to transmit its signal in response to the above measure that modifies the signal quality or to one measure that modifies the signal quality. In this case, the signal from one additional sensor or the signals from multiple additional sensors can be modified according to the same measure, in particular, by reducing the transmission power by the same coefficient. Here, this coefficient can be selected such that the sum of the transmission powers of all signals transmitted at the time of transmission corresponds to the transmission powers of the individual unmodified signals.

[0024] According to the present invention, a transmission rule can be configured such that each of the tables has a plurality of transmission time intervals, and in particular, includes them as probabilistically generated codes, and the sensor device calculates the transmission time based on the transmission time interval and the synchronization signal.

[0025] The transmission rule can be transmitted to each individual sensor, for example, by the control device of the sensor device, during initialization. At this time, different transmission rules can be transmitted to each sensor. Alternatively, the transmission rule assigned to the sensor can also be generated and stored in the control device during the initialization of the sensor device.

[0026] Since the transmission rule can be configured as a table having a plurality of transmission time intervals, for example, the sensor or the control device can determine each transmission time based on a predetermined transmission time interval. In the case of the transmission rule stored in the sensor, in particular, the control device of the sensor device can set a synchronization signal, and the synchronization signal represents a periodically updated reference signal for synchronizing each start point for calculating the transmission time and / or each transmission cycle. When the transmission rule is stored in the control device, the control device can calculate the transmission time of the sensor using, for example, a synchronization signal generated inside the control device or generated externally and transmitted to the control device.

[0027] According to the present invention, the sensor can be configured to be connected to a common power supply device that supplies power to the sensor.

[0028] Here, the power supply unit can be implemented in particular in the control unit of the sensor device or in one of the control units of the sensor device. In this case, the control unit can supply power to individual sensors or include a power supply unit for supplying power to sensors. Here, the central power supply for the sensors can be implemented advantageously, as it can be implemented with less effort or in a compact manner by avoiding simultaneous transmission or by reducing current spikes when multiple signals are transmitted simultaneously. This advantageously makes it easier to integrate the power supplies for all sensors into the control unit of the sensor device.

[0029] According to the present invention, the sensors can be connected to the control device via separate connections, or the sensors and the control device can be configured to be connected to each other in a common parallel circuit.

[0030] Each sensor can be connected to a control device individually via a point-to-point connection. Such point-to-point connections may include separate lines for energy supply and / or data transmission between the sensor and the control device. Alternatively, energy supply and data transmission can be performed via a common line.

[0031] Alternatively, the sensors and control devices can be connected to each other in a parallel circuit, at least in terms of their energy supply. In this case, in particular, the power supply of the control device can be connected in parallel with the sensors to apply a common supply voltage to the sensors.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor can be configured as an ultrasonic sensor. Other configurations of the sensor, such as a radar sensor or a lidar sensor, are also conceivable.

[0033] According to the present invention, the sensor device can be configured for distance measurement, liquid level measurement, and / or theft prevention alarm system. Here, the configuration of the sensor device can be achieved by configuring the control device of the sensor device to perform distance measurement, liquid level measurement, and / or theft detection based on echoes or measurements detected by the sensor.

[0034] A vehicle according to the present invention may be configured to include at least one sensor device according to the present invention. Here, the sensor device may be configured, for example, for distance measurement and may include a plurality of sensors arranged along or in part of the perimeter of the vehicle, for example, along the vehicle's bumper. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle may also include a sensor device configured for liquid level measurement and / or as an anti-theft alarm system.

[0035] Therefore, all the advantages and details described above regarding the sensor device according to the present invention also apply to the vehicle according to the present invention, and vice versa.

[0036] A method for operating a sensor device comprising multiple sensors according to the present invention is configured such that each sensor transmits at least one signal at various transmission times, the transmission times of each sensor are set by transmission rules assigned to each sensor, and when the transmission time of one of the sensors coincides with a further transmission time of another of the sensors, the signal of that sensor assigned to the transmission time is either omitted or transmitted in accordance with measures to change the transmission time and / or signal quality.

[0037] According to the present invention, the measure includes shifting the transmission time by a predetermined time interval and / or reducing the transmission power by a predetermined coefficient, and the sensor can be configured to transmit a signal in accordance with the measure using the shifted transmission time and / or reduced transmission power.

[0038] According to the present invention, in a first preferred embodiment of the method, a transmission rule assigned to each sensor is stored in each sensor, at least one of the sensors stores at least one further transmission rule for a further sensor, and at least one sensor can be configured to calculate the match between one of its transmission times and at least one further transmission time described by the at least one further transmission rule.

[0039] According to the present invention, in a second preferred embodiment of the method, the sensor device comprises a control device, wherein transmission rules assigned to each sensor are stored in the control device, and the control device can be configured to calculate the coincidence between the transmission time of one of the sensors and at least one further transmission time of at least one further sensor, and to control the sensors to omit the signal at the transmission time and / or transmit a signal in response to measures that modify the transmission time and / or signal quality.

[0040] Accordingly, all the advantages and details described above relating to the sensor device and / or vehicle according to the present invention also apply to the method according to the present invention, and vice versa.

[0041] Further advantages and configurations of the present invention can be obtained from the embodiments and drawings described below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0042] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of a vehicle embodiment according to the present invention, including a first embodiment of the sensor device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the sensor device according to the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows two diagrams illustrating examples of embodiments of the method according to the present invention, each showing the transmission of signals at various transmission points. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0043] Figure 1 shows an example of a vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 includes a sensor device 2 having a plurality of sensors 3 configured as ultrasonic sensors. The sensor device 2 also includes a control device 4 connected to the sensors 3. In the first embodiment of the sensor device 2, each sensor 3 is connected to the control device 4 via a separate connection 5. Energy transmission, i.e., power supply, can be performed from the control device 4 to each individual sensor 3 via the separate connection 5. Data exchange can also be performed between the sensors 3 and the control device 4 via each of the separate connections 5.

[0044] Sensor 3 is located in a portion of the outer perimeter of vehicle 1, in this case on the front bumper of vehicle 1. Sensor device 2 may include further sensors 3 located in other portion of the area around vehicle 1 to detect the vehicle's surrounding environment, for example, behind and / or to the sides of vehicle 1. In this case, sensor device 2 can be configured as a distance detection device capable of determining the distance between vehicle 1 and further objects in the surrounding environment of vehicle 1. Accordingly, the control device 4 of sensor device 2 is configured to determine the distance to further objects based on the measurement data of sensor 3 and / or to create a surrounding environment map describing multiple objects and their relative positions to vehicle 1.

[0045] Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the sensor device 2. In this embodiment, the sensors 3 are connected by a parallel circuit 6. The parallel circuit 6 of the sensors 3 is further connected to a power supply 7 which is configured as part of the control device 4, so that power can be supplied to the sensors 3 via the parallel circuit 6. Data transmission between the sensors 3 under the control device 4 can be performed, for example, via an additional data communication connection 8.

[0046] In both embodiments of the sensor device 2, each sensor 3 is configured to transmit at least one signal at various transmission times. The transmission times of each sensor 3 are set by transmission rules assigned to each sensor 3. The sensor device 2 is configured to omit the signal of sensor 3 assigned to a transmission time if the transmission time of one of the sensors 3 coincides with a further transmission time of another sensor 3, or to transmit in accordance with measures that change the transmission time and / or signal quality, i.e., signal characteristics.

[0047] The transmission rules describing each transmission time of sensor 3 may each include, for example, a table having multiple transmission time intervals. The transmission rules may be generated, for example, as a probabilistic code. The transmission rules for sensor 3 can be stored in each individual sensor 3 or in the control device 4.

[0048] If a transmission rule is stored for each of the sensors 3, in order to avoid simultaneous transmission of signals through multiple sensors 3, one or more of the sensors 3 each store at least one additional transmission rule for further sensors 3. In this way, at least some of the sensors 3 can be informed of the transmission times of one or more other sensors 3 of the sensor device 2, in addition to their own transmission times. In this case, the sensor 3 can calculate the coincidence of the two transmission times based on the transmission rule assigned to it and the additional transmission rule describing the transmission times of the further sensors 3. Thus, the sensor 3 can calculate when one of its transmission times coincides with the transmission time of one of the further sensors 3.

[0049] Because sensor 3 requires high energy to generate signals when transmitting them, that is, at each transmission point, the power supply for sensor 3, for example, the power supply unit 7 incorporated into the control unit 4, may become overloaded, meaning that voltage compensation measures and / or a higher power power supply unit 7 configuration may be required. Furthermore, the resulting current spikes may be undesirable in terms of the electromagnetic compatibility of sensor device 2.

[0050] Sensor 3, which calculates the correspondence between the transmission time and at least one further transmission time described by at least one further transmission rule, may omit the signal assigned to the transmission time, or may transmit it depending on measures taken to change the transmission time and / or signal quality.

[0051] Alternatively, each transmission rule could be stored in the control unit 4, and the control unit 4 could control the individual sensors 3 to transmit signals at the corresponding transmission time. Thus, if two or more transmission times coincide, the control unit 4 can control one or more of the sensors to omit each of their signals and / or modify each of those signals in accordance with measures to change the transmission time and / or signal quality.

[0052] Here, the measures may include shifting the transmission time of one of the sensors 3 by a predetermined time interval and / or reducing the signal power or signal amplitude of the signal by a predetermined coefficient. In particular, the reduction of transmission power can be done with respect to both sensor 3 and at least one further sensor 3, that is, with respect to all sensors 3 whose transmission times coincide.

[0053] A coefficient for reducing transmission power can be calculated according to the number of matching transmission times, and therefore, according to the number of signals scheduled to be transmitted simultaneously. For example, in the case of two signals scheduled to be transmitted at the same transmission time, the signal amplitude of each signal can be reduced so that only half of the transmission power is used for transmission. In this way, the energy or power required by sensor 3 remains the same at common transmission times. In general, in the case of n signals scheduled to be transmitted at the same transmission time, the transmission power of each can be reduced by a coefficient of 1 / n. This can be set by the control device 4 if the transmission rules are stored in the control device 4, or it can be calculated individually by each sensor based on the transmission rules stored in the sensor.

[0054] Figure 3 schematically shows two figures, 9 and 10. Here, Figure 9 shows signal 11 transmitted by the first sensor of sensor 3, and Figure 10 shows signal 12 transmitted by the second sensor of sensor 3. The horizontal axis shows time t, and the vertical axis shows the transmitted power P1 or P2 of signal 11 or 12, respectively.

[0055] Signals 11 and 12 are transmitted at different transmission times. The transmission times are obtained, for example, from time intervals stored as transmission rules, and are selected so as to be at least partially different with respect to each individual sensor 3, in particular, so that each sensor 3 transmits its signals in a time-characteristic pattern.

[0056] In this case, the transmission time can be generated at a constant time, for example, based on a time interval, in response to a synchronization signal transmitted from the control device 4 to the sensor 3. By assigning a characteristic pattern to the signal transmission, the received signal, or an echo derived from the signal, can be assigned to individual sensors 3.

[0057] In the example shown in Figure 3, the transmission time t of the first sensor 1,i and the transmission time t of the second sensor 2,iIt is clear that they match. Here, as a measure, the transmission power of both signals is reduced by a factor of 0.5, so overall, at the transmission time t 1,i or t 2,i The energy required in this case is constant.

[0058] Additionally or alternatively, the transmission time of one of the signals is set to a time interval Δt, as schematically shown by the dashed line for the signal 11 of the first sensor 3. i It can only be shifted.

[0059] As an alternative to shifting the transmission time and / or taking measures to change the transmission time and / or signal quality, transmission time t 1,i or t 2,i The signal 11 from the first sensor 3 or the signal 12 from the second sensor 3 can also be omitted. The actions to be taken can be stored as action information in each individual sensor 3 and / or control device 4, similar to the transmission rules.

[0060] In both embodiments of the sensor device 2, the sensor 3 can be connected to a power supply unit that is configured separately from the control unit 4. Furthermore, the sensor device 2 can be used in devices of a different type than a vehicle, and / or can be configured as a liquid level measuring and / or anti-theft alarm system. The functions of the sensor device 2 can be implemented, for example, by a control unit 4 that evaluates the measurement data or echo of the signal received by the sensor 3 accordingly.

[0061] As an alternative to configuring sensor 3 as an ultrasonic sensor, sensor 3 can also be configured as another type of sensor, such as a radar sensor or a lidar sensor. While this application relates to the invention described in the claims, it also includes the following other aspects. 1. A sensor device comprising a plurality of sensors (3), wherein each sensor (3) is configured to transmit at least one signal (11, 12) at various transmission times, and the transmission times of each sensor (3) are set according to transmission rules assigned to each sensor (3), The sensor device (2) is configured to omit the signal (11,12) of the sensor (3) assigned to the transmission time if the transmission time of one of the sensors (3) coincides with the transmission time of another sensor (3) among the sensors (3), or to transmit in response to measures that change the transmission time and / or signal quality. 2. The sensor device according to claim 1, characterized in that the measure includes shifting the transmission time by a predetermined time interval and / or reducing the transmission power of the signals (11,12) by a predetermined coefficient. 3. The sensor device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transmission rules assigned to each of the sensors (3) are stored in each of the sensors (3), at least one of the sensors (3) stores at least one further transmission rule for a further sensor (3) among the sensors (3), and the at least one sensor (3) is configured to calculate the match between one of the transmission times and at least one further transmission time described by the at least one further transmission rule. 4. The sensor device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor device (2) comprises a control device (4), the transmission rules assigned to each of the sensors (3) are stored in the control device (4), the control device (4) is configured to calculate a coincidence between the transmission time of one of the sensors (3) and at least one further transmission time of at least one further sensor (3) among the sensors (3), and the control device (4) is configured to control the sensors (3) to omit the signals (11,12) at the transmission time, and / or transmit the signals (11,12) in response to measures that change the transmission time and / or the signal quality. 5. The sensor device according to any one of 1 to 4 above, characterized in that the transmission rule includes, in particular, tables having a plurality of transmission time intervals, each as a probabilistically generated code, and the sensor device (2) is configured to calculate the transmission time according to the transmission time interval and the synchronization signal. 6. The sensor device according to any one of 1 to 5 above, characterized in that the sensor (3) is connected to a common power supply device (7) that supplies power to the sensor (3). 7. The sensor device according to any one of the above 1 to 6, characterized in that the sensor (3) is configured as an ultrasonic sensor. 8. The sensor device according to any one of 1 to 7 above, characterized in that the sensor device (2) is configured for distance measurement, liquid level measurement, and / or an anti-theft alarm system. 9. A vehicle equipped with at least one sensor device (2) as described in any one of items 1 to 8 above. 10. A method for operating a sensor device (2) comprising a plurality of sensors (3), wherein each sensor (3) transmits at least one signal (11, 12) at various transmission times, the transmission times of each sensor (3) are set according to transmission rules assigned to each sensor (3), and when the transmission time of one of the sensors (3) coincides with a further transmission time of another sensor (3) among the sensors (3), the signal (11, 12) of the one sensor (3) assigned to the transmission time is omitted or transmitted in accordance with measures to change the transmission time and / or signal quality.

Claims

1. A sensor device comprising a plurality of sensors (3), wherein each sensor (3) is configured to transmit at least one signal (11, 12) at various transmission times, and the transmission times of each sensor (3) are set according to transmission rules assigned to each sensor (3), The sensor device (2) is configured to omit the signals (11, 12) of one of the sensors (3) that are assigned to a transmission time if the transmission time of one of the sensors (3) coincides with the transmission time of another sensor (3) among the sensors (3), or to transmit in response to measures that change the transmission time and / or signal quality. The sensor (3) is configured as an ultrasonic sensor. A sensor device characterized by the following features.

2. The sensor device according to claim 1, characterized in that the measure includes shifting the transmission time by a predetermined time interval and / or reducing the transmission power of the signals (11, 12) by a predetermined coefficient.

3. The sensor device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transmission rules assigned to each of the sensors (3) are stored in each of the sensors (3), at least one of the sensors (3) stores at least one further transmission rule for a further sensor (3) among the sensors (3), and the at least one sensor (3) is configured to calculate the match between one of the transmission times and at least one further transmission time described by the at least one further transmission rule.

4. The sensor device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor device (2) comprises a control device (4), the transmission rules assigned to each of the sensors (3) are stored in the control device (4), the control device (4) is configured to calculate the coincidence of the transmission time of one of the sensors (3) and at least one further transmission time of at least one further sensor (3) among the sensors (3), and the control device (4) is configured to control the sensors (3) to omit the signals (11, 12) at the transmission time, and / or transmit the signals (11, 12) in response to measures that change the transmission time and / or the signal quality.

5. The sensor device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transmission rule includes, in particular, tables having a plurality of transmission time intervals, each as a probabilistically generated code, and the sensor device (2) is configured to calculate the transmission time according to the transmission time interval and the synchronization signal.

6. The sensor device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sensor (3) is connected to a common power supply device (7) that supplies power to the sensor (3).

7. The sensor device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sensor device (2) is configured for distance measurement, liquid level measurement, and / or theft prevention alarm system.

8. A vehicle comprising at least one sensor device (2) according to claim 1 or 2.

9. A method for operating a sensor device (2) comprising a plurality of sensors (3), wherein each sensor (3) transmits at least one signal (11, 12) at various transmission times, the transmission times of each sensor (3) are set according to transmission rules assigned to each sensor (3), and when the transmission time of one of the sensors (3) coincides with a further transmission time of another sensor (3) among the sensors (3), the signal (11, 12) of the one sensor (3) assigned to the transmission time is omitted or transmitted in accordance with measures to change the transmission time and / or signal quality. The sensor (3) is configured as an ultrasonic sensor. method.

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