Modular Sensor Interface Device for Parking Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic-based parking assistance systems face inefficiencies due to complex and costly interface devices that are not optimally utilized in applications with varying sensor requirements, leading to increased manufacturing costs and resource wastage.
Innovation Solution
The interface device is designed to accommodate multiple sensor interface units with varying numbers of sensor channels, allowing for flexible configuration and reduced component count, including the use of integrated circuits and level converters, enabling efficient use of resources and electromagnetic compatibility improvements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If all required assemblies and components are integrated into an interface device to meet maximum requirements, then the device can handle the maximum number of sensors, but the manufacturing costs increase and resources are inadequately utilized in applications with fewer sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The interface device is divided into multiple independent sensor interface units, each capable of handling a specific number of sensors (e.g., 6 or 8 channels). These modular units can be selectively combined to match the actual sensor requirements of different applications, avoiding the need to integrate all components for maximum capacity into a single fixed device.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface device is designed with dynamic configurability, allowing the number and type of sensor interface units to be adjusted based on application requirements. This enables the system to adapt between handling a minimum number of sensors (using fewer units) and maximum number of sensors (using more units), optimizing resource utilization and reducing manufacturing costs for each specific application.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of discrete electronic components are used in the interface device, then all sensor connection variants can be covered, but the device becomes complex to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components (sensor interface circuits, level converters, and other electronic assemblies) are merged into integrated sensor interface units. Each unit combines the necessary components to handle a specific number of sensor channels, reducing the overall number of discrete components and simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining the ability to support various sensor connection variants.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor interface units are designed with universal functionality to handle different sensor types and connection variants. Each unit can accommodate multiple sensor connections through integrated level converters and interface circuits, eliminating the need for separate discrete components for each variant and thereby reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Device complexity
If sensor interface units with fixed sensor channels are used, then the device structure is simplified, but the flexibility to accommodate different application requirements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The interface device is segmented into multiple standardized sensor interface units, each with a fixed number of sensor channels (e.g., 6 or 8). These segmented units maintain simple internal structures while providing configurability at the system level through selective combination and arrangement of units, thus preserving both structural simplicity and application flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sensor interface units can be assigned to different local positions or groups within the interface device, allowing each unit to be optimized for specific application requirements. This local differentiation enables the system to accommodate various application scenarios while maintaining the simple fixed-channel structure of individual units.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to an interface device (100) for an electronic sensor system (200), comprising a plurality of sensors (210, 220) and a computing unit (230) for controlling the sensors (210, 220) and/or for evalutaing sensor data obtained by means of the sensors (210, 220). Said sensors (210, 220) can be connected to the computing unit (230) via the interface device (100). According to the invention, at least two sensor interface units (110, 120) for connecting to the sensors (210, 220) can be housed simultaneously by the interface device (100). Each sensor interface unit (110, 120) can be selected from a plurality of sensor interface units that are different by at least a different number of sensor channels.