Current Sensor Error Detection via Signal Superposition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensors in safety-relevant applications face challenges in detecting error states and signaling them effectively, while also requiring minimal wiring to reduce complexity and costs, especially in automotive applications where excessive or incorrectly polarized currents can cause damage.
Innovation Solution
A current sensor arrangement that overlays error signals onto the reference voltage or measurement voltage, allowing for error detection and signaling without additional wiring, using a magnetic module and electronic module with integrated error detection and suppression capabilities, enabling fault recognition within the existing analog input/output pathways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If error detection and signaling capabilities are added to current sensors for safety-relevant applications, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines error detection and signaling functions with the existing current measurement functionality by superimposing error signals onto the measurement signal pathway. The error signal is added to the analog output signal, allowing both measurement and error indication to travel through the same channel, thereby reducing the need for separate error output lines and simplifying the overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The analog output line serves multiple functions: it carries both the normal current measurement signal and the error indication signal. By making the output pathway universal, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated error signal lines, reducing wiring complexity while maintaining reliable error detection capability for safety-relevant applications.
2Reliability
If additional wiring is added for error signal output, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to increased wiring effort and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the error signal transmission with the existing measurement signal pathway. Instead of creating separate wiring for error signals, the error indication is superimposed on the analog output line that already connects to the downstream arrangement, eliminating additional wiring requirements and simplifying installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The analog output line is designed to serve dual purposes: carrying both the current measurement information and the error status indication. This multi-functional approach allows the same physical connection to perform multiple roles, reducing the number of wires needed and improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable error signaling.
3Reliability
If the number of external connections is increased for error detection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple information channels (current measurement and error detection) into a single output pathway. By superimposing the error signal onto the measurement signal, the system maintains reliable fault detection capability while reducing the number of external connections required, as both functions share the same analog output line.
Solution Approach 2:
The analog output connection is designed to be universal, carrying both measurement data and error status simultaneously. This approach allows the system to maintain high reliability through comprehensive error detection while minimizing the number of external connections, as the same physical interface handles multiple functions.
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 solution allows for effective detection and signaling of error states without increasing the number of external connections, ensuring safe operation and reducing complexity and costs by integrating error detection into the current sensor's existing signal pathways.
Implementation Method 1
a toroidal core that has an air gap or has no air gap, through which a conductor (primary conductor) for the current to be measured is guided and which can be provided with at least one winding... which measures the strength of the magnetic flux in the air gap of the toroid or in the toroid itself, which is induced in the toroid by the magnetic field of the primary conductor
Implementation Method 2
special magnetic field probes such as inductive magnetic field probes or Hall probes... which measures the strength of the magnetic flux in the air gap of the toroid or in the toroid itself
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5
AI summary
The arrangement has a magnetic module for producing a potential-free signal supplied to a magnetic module and proportional to a current to be measured. An electronic module is electrically coupled with the magnetic module for evaluating the potential-free signal from the magnetic module and for producing an analog output voltage from the signal. The electronic module produces an error signal during the occurrence of a malfunction in the arrangement, and superimposes the error signal of a reference voltage on a reference voltage input and a reference voltage output.