Vehicle Controller Winding Resistance for Sensorless Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature monitoring methods for motor vehicle clutches and transmissions are complex, costly, and prone to faults due to the use of traditional temperature sensors, which can also cause malfunctions by heating the control device.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines temperature by measuring the electrical resistance of a winding using a defined current or voltage impulse, avoiding the need for traditional sensors and allowing for a simple, space-saving, and cost-effective temperature measurement, with calibration based on ambient temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a temperature sensor is mounted on the transmission or clutch with plug connections, then temperature monitoring is achieved, but the installation becomes complex and expensive with increased susceptibility to malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature monitoring function is merged with the existing electrical winding of the actuator motor. The winding serves dual purposes: actuation and temperature sensing. This eliminates the need for separate temperature sensors and their associated plug connections, thereby reducing installation complexity while maintaining monitoring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical winding serves itself by providing both actuation function and temperature measurement function. The resistance change of the winding during operation naturally indicates temperature, eliminating the need for external sensing components. This self-service approach reduces the number of parts and connections required.
2Reliability
If a temperature sensor is mounted on the transmission or clutch, then temperature monitoring is achieved, but cost increases due to additional components and installation
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensing capability is combined with the existing actuator winding, eliminating the need for separate temperature sensor components. This reduces part count, material costs, and assembly operations, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to monitor temperature for fault detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical winding is designed to perform multiple functions: motor actuation and temperature sensing. By making the winding universal, the system eliminates the need for dedicated temperature sensing components, reducing overall system cost while maintaining monitoring capability.
3Measurement precision
If the base plate of the housing is connected in a planar and thermally conductive manner to the unit to be monitored, then temperature measurement is achieved, but the control device itself becomes heated leading to malfunctions and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature measurement function is extracted from the housing structure and relocated to the electrical winding of the actuator motor. This removes the thermal conduction path from the monitored unit to the control device housing, preventing heat transfer to sensitive electronic components while maintaining measurement capability through the winding's resistance changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical winding acts as an intermediary element for temperature sensing. Instead of directly thermally coupling the control device housing to the monitored unit, the winding's electrical resistance serves as the measurement medium, providing temperature information without creating a thermal conduction path to the control electronics.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides accurate and fault-resistant temperature monitoring, preventing component damage and reducing installation complexity, while maintaining the accuracy of temperature determination.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature of the winding can be determined in a simple manner from the resistance by using the temperature coefficient of the specific resistance of the material of the winding.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining the temperature in an electronic controller of a motor vehicle, the controller having at least one electrical winding, characterized in that the electrical resistance of the winding is determined in a defined operating state and based thereon the temperature is determined.