ESP Sensor Orientation Verification via Linear Acceleration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for verifying the correct installation of ESP units in vehicles are complex, risk safety during initial vehicle maneuvers, and can only provide error warnings after cornering, which distracts the driver and may lead to unnecessary ESP interventions.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that determine the installation direction of ESP units by acquiring sensor signals during non-accelerating and linear acceleration states, using gravitational acceleration to define the vertical direction and linear acceleration to determine the longitudinal direction, allowing for calibration and detection of incorrect installations without the need for cornering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If cornering is performed to verify ESP unit installation orientation, then the orientation can be determined through yaw rate calculations, but the procedure becomes complex requiring test tracks with sufficient curves and creates safety risks during initial vehicle maneuvers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorientation verification accuracyVSAvoidverification procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs orientation verification before vehicle cornering by using acceleration sensor data during linear acceleration phases. The control unit calculates expected yaw rates from acceleration sensor signals and compares them with actual yaw rate sensor readings in advance, eliminating the need for complex test track cornering maneuvers to verify installation orientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical cornering maneuver requirement with a computational approach using acceleration sensor data. Instead of requiring physical cornering to generate measurable yaw rates, the system uses acceleration sensor signals during linear acceleration to calculate expected yaw rates and verify orientation through mathematical comparison.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If cornering is performed to check sensor unit orientation, then installation correctness can be verified, but ESP intervention may be necessary during the first corner and error warnings can only be given during or after cornering which distracts the driver

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation verification reliabilityVSAvoiddriver safety and attention
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs orientation verification during linear acceleration phases before any cornering occurs. The control unit calculates expected yaw rates from acceleration sensor signals and compares them with actual yaw rate readings in advance, allowing error warnings to be issued before the driver begins cornering maneuvers, thus maintaining driver safety and attention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent prevents potential ESP intervention during cornering by verifying installation orientation in advance during linear acceleration. By detecting and warning of installation errors before cornering begins, the system prevents the harmful effect of ESP intervention during critical driving maneuvers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensor signals are used to calculate yaw speeds independently, then orientation verification becomes more accurate, but the method requires cornering and complex test procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveyaw rate calculation accuracyVSAvoidverification time and test track requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the multi-sensor yaw rate verification during linear acceleration phases before cornering. By calculating expected yaw rates from acceleration sensor signals and comparing them with actual yaw rate sensor readings during straight-line acceleration, the system completes the verification process in advance without requiring time-consuming test track cornering maneuvers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables a low-risk, efficient check of ESP unit orientation, ensuring correct installation before vehicle movement, reducing the risk of safety distractions and potential ESP interventions, and allowing for calibration to improve measurement accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

acquiring a first sensor signal from the acceleration sensor when the vehicle is in a non-accelerating state (e.g. standstill or idle state)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitational acceleration: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

acquiring a second sensor signal from the acceleration sensor in response to a linear acceleration of the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLinear acceleration: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP3347248B1Method and device for ascertaining an orientation of a sensor unit
Publication Date: 2021.11.10 KNORR BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHIZEUGE GMBH
  • EP3347248B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3347248B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3347248B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method (100) for ascertaining an orientation of a sensor unit (50), which has at least one acceleration sensor and is assembled into a vehicle (70). The method has the following steps: detecting (S110) a first sensor signal from the acceleration sensor in an acceleration-free state of the vehicle (70); detecting (S120) a second sensor signal from the acceleration sensor in response to a linear acceleration of the vehicle (70); and ascertaining (S130) the orientation of the sensor unit relative to the vehicle (70) on the basis of the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.