Control Apparatus Sensor Failure Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In complex control systems, providing redundant sensors for all sensors becomes impractical due to increased costs and complexity, making it challenging to maintain normal control when a sensor fails.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus with a first sensor, a second sensor, a target designator, and a main controller that calculates a tentative target value and correction value to match a control physical quantity with a target value, where the failure of the second sensor does not require redundant sensors, using a variation inhibitor to stabilize control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant sensors are provided for all sensors to sustain normal control after sensor failure, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase greatly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing redundancy only for the first sensor while using a compensation mechanism for the second sensor. This selective approach ensures that critical measurements have backup capability while non-critical measurements use alternative methods, thereby maintaining overall system reliability without requiring redundant sensors for every measurement point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mediator (the control apparatus with tentative target calculator and correction calculator) that compensates for the failure of the second sensor. Instead of directly providing redundant sensors for the second sensor, the system uses an intermediary control mechanism that calculates correction values based on the first sensor's data and other control parameters, thereby sustaining normal control functionality.
2Reliability
If redundant sensors are provided for all sensors to sustain normal control after sensor failure, then reliability is improved, but cost increases too greatly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by applying redundancy selectively only to the first sensor rather than all sensors. This targeted approach reduces the total number of redundant sensors needed, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while still maintaining the ability to sustain normal control when a sensor fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus acts as an intermediary that compensates for the lack of redundant sensors for the second sensor. By using the first sensor's data and control parameters to calculate correction values, the system maintains reliability without incurring the high costs associated with providing redundant sensors for every measurement point.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used for control, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using multiple sensors (first and second sensors) for measurements where precision is critical, while relying on compensation mechanisms for other measurements. This selective multi-sensor approach improves measurement precision for key parameters without unnecessarily increasing device complexity across the entire system.
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus includes: a tentative target calculator that calculates a tentative target value for a first physical quantity, based on a control target value; a correction calculator that calculates a correction value; and a first target value calculator that calculates as a first target value by adding the correction value to the tentative target value. When a second sensor fails, the first target value calculator designates the tentative target value as the first target value without adding the correction value to the tentative target value. The control apparatus further includes a variation inhibitor that inhibits the designated first target value from greatly varying due to the failure in the second sensor.