Hydrogen Sensor ID Setting Across Dual Communication Buses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensor identifier setting methods limit the number of sensors that can be identified, leading to confusion between failing and normal sensors, especially when three or more sensors are connected, and increase installation costs due to the need for additional connectors.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system that uses two communication buses and identification terminals with open and grounded states to set unique identifiers based on connection states and bus differences, preventing identifier confusion and allowing for more sensors to be identified without increasing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional identifier setting methods are used with limited external terminals, then the device complexity is reduced, but the number of sensors that can be identified is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension for identifier differentiation by utilizing two separate communication buses (first communication bus and second communication bus). Sensors connected to different buses can have identical identification terminal states but will be distinguished by their bus affiliation. This dimensional expansion allows the system to identify more sensors without increasing the number of identification terminals per sensor, thereby resolving the contradiction between identifying more sensors and maintaining device complexity at acceptable levels.
2Ease of operation
If sensors are connected to the same communication bus with identical identification terminal states, then the ease of operation is improved, but identifier confusion occurs between failing and normal sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensor network into two distinct groups based on communication bus affiliation. Each sensor's identifier is formed by the combination of its identification terminal states and its communication bus assignment. This segmentation ensures that even if multiple sensors share the same identification terminal states, they will have unique identifiers due to their different bus assignments, preventing identifier confusion while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication bus assignment acts as an intermediary element that differentiates sensors with identical identification terminal states. The control device uses the bus affiliation as an additional distinguishing factor, mediating between the limited identification terminals and the requirement for unique sensor identification. This intermediary mechanism prevents identifier confusion without requiring additional identification terminals or complicating the sensor configuration.
3Reliability
If more external terminals are added to prevent identifier overlap, then the reliability is improved, but the installation space and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the communication bus assignment serve a dual function: it serves as both the communication channel for sensor data transmission and as an additional identifier dimension. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated identification terminals, as the bus affiliation itself contributes to unique sensor identification. Consequently, the installation space of connectors is not increased, and cost remains controlled while maintaining reliable unique identification.
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrogen sensor includes a communication terminal, a plurality of identification terminals, and an ID setting section. The communication terminal is connected to a first communication bus or a second communication bus, and communicate with a vehicle ECU. Each of the plurality of identification terminals is set to either an open state (OPEN) in which the identification terminal is not connected to any potential or a grounded state (GND) in which the identification terminal is connected to a ground potential. The ID setting section sets an identifier in either a standard format or an extended format, according to a difference in the communication bus to which the communication terminal is connected.