Lever Sensor Impairment Detection for Vehicle Tank Level Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in reliably and efficiently detecting impairments, such as sticking, in lever sensors used to determine the filling level of liquid containers in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A device, such as a control unit, is employed to detect impairments in lever sensors by determining the maximum and minimum measured values over a specific time or distance interval, and then analyzing the proportion of time or distance where the measured values fall within predetermined value ranges during a subsequent interval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the measured value resolution is limited to a small number of discrete values, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The filling level measurement range is segmented into multiple discrete steps, where each step corresponds to a specific measured value. This segmentation allows the use of simple discrete sensors while still providing sufficient measurement precision for practical filling level determination in fuel tanks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the interpretation of measured values by using the discrete sensor outputs to determine not just the current level but also the direction of level change (rising or falling). This parameter change approach allows precise filling level determination even with limited discrete measurement values.
2Speed
If the lever sensor provides measured values at a high measuring rate, then the response speed is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring impairments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the analysis of sensor signals by comparing the high-rate measured values with expected changes during vehicle maneuvers. This dynamic comparison approach enables the detection of sensor impairments even when measurements are taken at high rates, as the system can identify when the sensor fails to respond appropriately to known level changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for recognizing an impairment of a lever sensor, wherein the lever sensor detects measured values with respect to a filling level of a liquid container of a motor vehicle. The device determines a maximum measured value and a minimum measured value of the lever sensor in a time and/or distance interval of a first phase. The device further determines, in a second phase following the first phase, proportion information relating to a proportion of a time and/or distance interval of the second phase, for which the measured values of the lever sensor lie within a minimum value range for the minimum measured value of the first phase and/or within a maximum value range for the maximum measured value of the first phase, and recognizes an impairment of the lever sensor on the basis of the proportion information.