Current Detection Circuit Temperature Compensation for Solenoid Valves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current detection circuits in vehicles have insufficient accuracy for detecting currents supplied to solenoid valves, leading to inefficiencies in clutch control operations.

Innovation Solution

A current detection circuit is designed with a detection resistor, amplification unit, AD converter, and correction unit that includes a temperature sensor and storage for temperature characteristics, allowing for precise correction of detected current values by applying calculated correction coefficients based on temperature and operational states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a current detection circuit is provided to detect current values supplied to solenoid valves, then clutch control operations can be performed, but current detection accuracy is insufficient for recent vehicle requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by introducing temperature compensation coefficients that adjust the detection characteristics based on temperature conditions. The correction unit changes the detection parameters (gain and offset) according to temperature, thereby maintaining high detection accuracy across different temperature ranges while ensuring reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using the temperature detection value to dynamically adjust the current detection characteristics. The correction unit receives temperature information and feeds back adjusted detection parameters to compensate for temperature-induced errors, thereby improving both accuracy and reliability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If temperature characteristics of reference current are corrected using storage unit and operation unit, then current detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent detection accuracyVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing temperature compensation coefficients in the storage unit before actual current detection is needed. These coefficients are calculated in advance based on temperature characteristics, so when temperature correction is required, the system simply retrieves and applies the pre-computed values, avoiding complex real-time calculations and reducing circuit complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the temperature compensation process into distinct functional units: temperature sensor, storage unit for coefficients, and correction unit. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function efficiently, simplifying the overall design while achieving accurate temperature compensation across different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If correction coefficients are applied based on temperature sensor detection, then temperature-related fluctuations are corrected, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature compensation accuracyVSAvoidcomponent precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by having the system automatically measure its own temperature and apply the appropriate compensation coefficients without external intervention. The temperature sensor monitors the actual operating temperature, and the correction unit automatically adjusts the detection characteristics, enabling the system to self-correct for temperature variations and reducing the need for high manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes to compensate for manufacturing variations. By storing multiple compensation coefficients corresponding to different temperature conditions and selecting the appropriate coefficient based on actual temperature, the system can accommodate normal manufacturing tolerances while maintaining high detection accuracy across the operating temperature range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution significantly improves current detection accuracy by correcting temperature-related fluctuations, enhancing the precision of clutch control operations and overall vehicle performance.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor; a storage unit configured to store information about temperature characteristics of the detected current value generated due to temperature characteristics of the reference current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

a detection resistor provided between a load and a driver configured to supply a current to the load

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical resistance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 3

an amplification unit configured to amplify a detected voltage generated based on a value of a current flowing to the detection resistor and a resistance value of the detection resistor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical amplification:

Implementation Method 4

an AD converter configured to convert an output voltage from the amplification unit into a digital value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAnalog-to-digital conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS10302681B2Current detection circuit and semiconductor device including the same
Publication Date: 2019.05.28 RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORP
  • US10302681B2 patent drawing
  • US10302681B2 patent drawing
  • US10302681B2 patent drawing

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a current detection circuit (12) includes: a detection resistor (Rs) provided between a solenoid valve (106) and a solenoid driver (11); an amplification unit (121) configured to amplify a detected voltage of the detection resistor (Rs); an AD converter (122) that is driven by a reference voltage (Vref) generated based on a reference current (Iref) and configured to convert an output voltage from the amplification unit (121) into a digital value and output the digital value as a detected current value (D1); and a correction unit configured to perform a correction on the detected current value (D1). The correction unit includes: a temperature sensor (123); a storage unit (125) configured to store information about temperature characteristics of the detected current value (D1) generated due to temperature characteristics of a reference current in each of two or more different temperature regions; and an operation unit configured to apply, to the detected current value (D1), a first correction coefficient calculated based on a detection result of the temperature sensor (123) and information about temperature characteristics of the detected current value (D1) stored in the storage unit (125).