Automatic Acceleration Sensor Orientation Determination

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of acceleration sensors into electronic control units (ECUs) on vehicles can lead to errors in mounting direction settings due to varying vehicle layouts, especially in tight spaces, resulting in inefficiencies during manufacturing and potential operational errors.

Innovation Solution

A mounting direction determination device and method that uses a two-axis acceleration sensor integrated within the ECU to automatically determine its orientation by comparing detection signals with stored reference data, eliminating the need for manual initial settings and reducing human error.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual initial setting is performed during manufacture or replacement, then the mounting direction can be specified, but operation errors may occur and manufacturing efficiency is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting direction specification accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-diagnosis and automatic determination of the acceleration sensor's mounting direction by detecting vehicle acceleration during movement and comparing it with predetermined reference acceleration values, eliminating the need for manual initial setting operations during manufacture or replacement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical setting operations with an automated electronic determination system that uses acceleration sensors and computational algorithms to automatically identify mounting direction, thereby eliminating human operation errors and improving manufacturing efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If integrated ECU with incorporated G sensor is used, then device integration is improved, but mounting direction errors occur due to varying vehicle layouts

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveECU integration levelVSAvoidmounting direction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts to different vehicle layouts and ECU mounting postures by automatically determining the acceleration sensor's orientation through acceleration detection and comparison, rather than relying on fixed predetermined mounting directions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from acceleration detection during vehicle movement to automatically correct and determine the mounting direction, comparing detected acceleration values with reference values to identify the correct orientation without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3693748B1Mounting direction determination device and mounting direction determination method of acceleration sensor
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 DAIMLER TRUCK AG
  • EP3693748B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2B
  • EP3693748B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3693748B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Provided are a mounting direction determination device and a mounting direction determination method of an acceleration sensor which can automatically determine the direction of the acceleration sensor mounted on a vehicle. The mounting direction determination device determines a mounting direction, relative to a vehicle, of the acceleration sensor that is capable of detecting a first acceleration in a first direction and a second acceleration in a second direction. A mounting direction determination unit determines the mounting direction by comparing values actually measured by the acceleration sensor with determination reference data. The determination reference data specifies a combination of the detection results of the first acceleration and the second acceleration and the mounting directions.