Drive Train Sensor ID Verification for Safe Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle drive train control systems face issues when sensors are exchanged during servicing, leading to incompatible software states that can result in unsafe vehicle operation due to the lack of mechanical coding, requiring significant effort to ensure compatibility.
Innovation Solution
A control system where sensors transmit both measurement and actual identification signals, allowing the control unit to compare these with stored target identification signals for safe operation, eliminating the need for mechanical coding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical coding is used to ensure sensor compatibility, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of manufacture deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical coding systems with electronic identification signals. Sensors transmit digital identification signals to the control unit, which are then compared against stored target identification signals. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical coding features while maintaining sensor compatibility verification, thereby improving reliability without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital copies of identification information instead of physical mechanical codes. The sensor contains an identification signal that is a digital copy of the unique sensor characteristics, allowing the control unit to verify compatibility through signal comparison rather than mechanical engagement. This approach simplifies the physical structure while ensuring reliable sensor identification.
2Reliability
If mechanical coding is implemented for sensor verification, then reliability is improved, but ease of repair and productivity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing mechanical coding verification with electronic identification signal comparison, the patent enables automatic verification of sensor compatibility. During sensor replacement, the control unit automatically receives and verifies the identification signal from the new sensor, eliminating the need for technicians to manually verify mechanical coding compatibility. This significantly improves ease of repair while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-verification of sensor compatibility through automatic identification signal comparison. The control unit autonomously verifies whether the replaced sensor's identification signal matches the target identification signal, without requiring external manual intervention. This self-service capability streamlines the repair process and improves productivity.
3Reliability
If mechanical coding is used to prevent incompatible sensor installation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming mechanical coding verification with rapid electronic identification signal transmission and comparison. The sensor transmits its identification signal electronically, and the control unit compares it against the stored target identification signal almost instantaneously. This electronic verification process is significantly faster than manual mechanical coding verification, reducing time loss while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit stores target identification signals in advance, prepared for future sensor replacements. When a sensor is replaced, the verification process immediately compares the new sensor's identification signal against the pre-stored target signal. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for real-time lookup or complex verification procedures, significantly reducing verification time while ensuring reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for operating a drive train of a motor vehicle includes at least one sensor, each sensor being configured to acquire a measurement signal for an assembly of the drive train and transmit an actual identification signal for the respective sensor. The control system further includes at least one control unit, each of the at least one control unit being configured to receive the actual identification signal transmitted by a respective sensor; compare the actual identification signal with a target identification signal for the respective sensor, the target identification signal being stored in the respective control unit; receive and evaluate the measurement signal from the respective sensor; and control the operation of the drive train depending on the measurement signal only when the actual identification signal corresponds to the target identification signal for the respective sensor.