Magnetic Sensor System-Level Error Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic sensors currently do not detect or signal system-level errors, such as wheel runout, changes in air gap, or broken teeth, which are essential for maintaining accurate rotational data, as they lack sufficient information in their output signals to inform electronic control units (ECUs) about these issues.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic sensor system that detects system-level errors by analyzing signal characteristics of the magnetic field, such as extrema and offset values, and provides an indication using a system error protocol, including specific signal levels, pulse widths, and current levels to inform the ECU about errors like wheel runout, air gap changes, and broken teeth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic sensor output signals contain only basic rotational data, then the device complexity is low, but system-level error detection capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single magnetic sensor device: basic rotational data sensing and system-level error detection. The sensor integrates extrema detection circuitry and offset detection circuitry directly within the sensor assembly, allowing it to simultaneously provide rotational information and diagnostic error information through its output signal without requiring separate dedicated sensors for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic sensor is designed to serve multiple purposes: it detects rotational position and speed while simultaneously monitoring system health parameters such as air gap changes, wheel runout, and tooth integrity. The output signal is structured to carry both operational data and diagnostic information, enabling the sensor to function as both a measurement device and a diagnostic tool.
2Measurement precision
If the magnetic sensor analyzes multiple signal characteristics, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The signal analysis function is segmented into distinct circuit blocks within the sensor: extrema detection circuitry that identifies peak and valley values, offset detection circuitry that measures baseline shifts, and comparison circuitry that evaluates these parameters against threshold values. This modular segmentation allows precise measurement of multiple signal characteristics while managing complexity through functional decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor implements feedback mechanisms where detected signal characteristics (extrema, offset) are continuously monitored and compared against predefined thresholds. When parameters deviate from acceptable ranges, the sensor generates error indications that feedback to the control system, enabling real-time precision maintenance and error correction without requiring complex post-processing external to the sensor.
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 the detection and reporting of system-level errors to the ECU, allowing for timely corrective actions and improving the reliability and accuracy of rotational data, thereby enhancing the overall performance and fault tolerance of the sensor system.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic sensor may sense a magnetic field produced or distorted by a rotating magnet wheel
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic sensor may detect a system-level error, associated with a sensor system that includes the magnetic sensor, based on one or more physical parameters as determined at the magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor may provide an indication of the system-level error in an output signal. The one or more physical parameters may include a temperature at the magnetic sensor, a temperature drift of the magnetic sensor, a supply voltage at the magnetic sensor, an amount of humidity at the magnetic sensor, or an amount of pressure at the magnetic sensor.