Crankshaft Camshaft Sensor Signal Evaluation Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for evaluating crankshaft and camshaft sensor signals in internal combustion engines require waiting for new input signals, leading to delays in switching control in case of sensor failure, and lack efficient simultaneous data acquisition for rapid switchover.
Innovation Solution
A circuit assemblage and method that simultaneously acquire data from both crankshaft and camshaft sensors, allowing for immediate switchover between sensors without waiting for new signals, using monitoring means and digital phase locked loops to generate precise position pulses for engine control, leveraging existing engine monitoring functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If sensor signal evaluation is performed sequentially with waiting for new input signals, then the system can process sensor data in a simple manner, but the switchover time between sensors increases and control response is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by continuously acquiring and storing sensor data from both crankshaft and camshaft sensors in advance, so that when a switchover is needed, the data is already ready for immediate processing. This eliminates the waiting time that would otherwise be required for new sensor signals to arrive after a failure detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between evaluating crankshaft sensor signals and camshaft sensor signals based on operational conditions. The evaluation unit can flexibly transition from one sensor source to another, allowing the system to adapt to sensor failures or optimize performance based on real-time needs.
2Reliability
If only one sensor is used for position calculation, then the system complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases when sensor failure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by maintaining separate evaluation paths for crankshaft and camshaft sensor signals, with each sensor having its own dedicated evaluation unit. This allows independent processing and monitoring of each sensor, enabling the system to detect failures in one sensor while continuing to operate with the other sensor without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares backup evaluation capacity by continuously monitoring both sensor signals and maintaining the ability to switch to the alternative sensor. This cushioning arrangement ensures that when one sensor fails, the system can immediately compensate by transitioning to the other sensor, preventing operational disruption.
3Productivity
If sensor data is acquired simultaneously from both sensors, then rapid switchover is enabled, but the data acquisition and processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensor evaluation function into separate evaluation units for crankshaft and camshaft sensors, with a central switching mechanism that selects which evaluation unit to activate. This segmentation allows independent processing of each sensor's data while maintaining the ability to rapidly switch between them, improving switchover speed without creating unnecessary processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit assemblage and a method for evaluating signals of a crankshaft sensor and of a camshaft sensor of an internal combustion engine are provided, the times at which the signals occur being evaluated. A position signal of a shaft of the internal combustion engine is formed from the times. Storage units are provided which simultaneously store the occurrence times of the signals of the crankshaft sensor and the occurrence times of signals of the camshaft sensor. A decision unit is provided as to whether the position signal is formed from the occurrence times of the signals of the crankshaft sensor or from the occurrence times of the signals of the camshaft sensor.