Exhaust Gas Sensor Voltage Supply Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exhaust gas aftertreatment devices in motor vehicles rely on multiple sensors connected to a single voltage supply unit, making it difficult to isolate faulty sensors without affecting the entire system, which can lead to damage and hinder vehicle operation when malfunctions occur.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of independently switchable supply banks for sensors grouped by function allows for selective shutdown of malfunctioning sensor groups, ensuring continued operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment device and preventing damage by isolating affected components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all sensors are connected to a single voltage supply unit, then the system structure is simple, but a malfunction in one sensor can cause the entire sensor system to fail

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor system reliabilityVSAvoidvoltage supply structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single voltage supply unit is segmented into multiple independently switchable supply banks, with each supply bank powering a specific group of sensors. This segmentation allows isolated failure containment while maintaining overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different supply banks are assigned to different sensor groups based on their specific functions and failure modes. This local differentiation ensures that a malfunction in one supply bank does not affect other sensor groups, providing targeted reliability improvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of repair

If sensors are grouped by function and assigned to separate supply banks, then sensor malfunction isolation is improved, but the voltage supply structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor malfunction isolationVSAvoidvoltage supply structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage supply structure is divided into multiple independent supply banks, each capable of being switched on or off independently. This segmentation enables precise isolation of malfunctioning sensor groups while maintaining a relatively simple overall architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The supply banks are designed with dynamic switching capability, allowing the control unit to activate or deactivate specific supply banks based on detected malfunctions. This dynamic control enables flexible malfunction isolation without requiring permanent complex wiring for all sensor combinations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the entire sensor system is switched off when a malfunction is detected, then safety is ensured, but the exhaust gas aftertreatment device cannot continue to operate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexhaust gas aftertreatment device reliabilityVSAvoidexhaust gas aftertreatment device operational continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system is segmented into multiple independent supply banks, allowing selective shutdown of only the affected bank while maintaining power to other functional groups. This enables continued operation of non-defective sensors and the exhaust gas aftertreatment device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of shutting down the entire sensor system when a malfunction is detected, the system applies partial action by shutting down only the specific supply bank containing the faulty sensor. This partial shutdown maintains sufficient operational capability for the exhaust gas aftertreatment device to continue functioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2478197B1Arrangement and method for operating an exhaust gas aftertreatment device
Publication Date: 2016.10.12 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2478197B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement (1) for operating an exhaust gas aftertreatment device, in particular of a motor vehicle, having a plurality of active sensors (3-8) and a control device (2) that comprises at least one voltage supply unit (9) to which the sensors (3-8) are operatively connected. According to the invention, the voltage supply unit (9) comprises at least two supply benches (13-15) that can be switched independently from each other. The sensors (3-8) are grouped according to the function thereof and are then associated with one of the supply benches (13-15).