Passive Oscillating Circuit for Low-Loss Sensor Calibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measuring sensors, such as intelligent battery sensors in motor vehicles, require continuous calibration with calibration currents generated by series or switching regulators, leading to energy losses and increased fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Innovation Solution

A passive electrical oscillating circuit with a capacitor and coil is used to generate a calibration current with minimal losses, allowing for efficient detection of the resistance value of the measuring resistor through controlled oscillation, enabling continuous calibration with reduced energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a passive electrical oscillating circuit is used to generate calibration current, then energy loss is reduced, but measurement precision must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy loss in calibration current generationVSAvoiddetection precision of resistance value
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic oscillation of a passive electrical oscillating circuit to generate calibration current pulses at regular intervals. This periodic action allows the system to maintain measurement precision through continuous calibration while minimizing energy loss by restricting current generation to brief oscillation periods rather than continuous operation. The oscillating circuit naturally generates current pulses that can be synchronized with measurement cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The passive electrical oscillating circuit generates its own calibration current through its inherent oscillation properties without requiring active regulation components. The circuit uses its stored energy and natural oscillation to produce the calibration current, eliminating the need for energy-intensive series or switching regulators. This self-service mechanism reduces energy loss while maintaining the required current characteristics for accurate resistance measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If continuous calibration is performed to maintain measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of electrical measurement variablesVSAvoidenergy consumption of motor vehicle
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs calibration at periodic intervals using oscillating current pulses rather than continuous calibration current. The control device triggers oscillation cycles at predetermined intervals, maintaining measurement accuracy through regular calibration while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous calibration approaches. The periodic nature allows the system to balance precision requirements with energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The passive oscillating circuit maintains calibration capability through continuous oscillation cycles, ensuring measurement precision is preserved without interruption. The circuit can be repeatedly triggered to generate calibration current pulses, providing continuous calibration coverage while the passive nature and periodic operation minimize cumulative energy consumption over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If high current intensity is used for calibration, then measurement precision is improved, but energy loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresolution of resistance value detectionVSAvoidenergy loss during calibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The oscillating circuit generates high current intensity calibration pulses only during brief oscillation periods rather than continuously. The control device limits calibration current generation to discrete oscillation cycles, achieving high-resolution resistance measurement through peak current intensity while minimizing total energy loss by restricting high-current operation to necessary time intervals only.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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

This approach allows for high-resolution detection of resistance values with low energy loss, reducing the overall energy consumption of the vehicle by minimizing losses in the calibration process.

Implementation Method 1

a passive electrical oscillating circuit with a capacitor and coil can be used, which can generate a predetermined calibration current for the duration of an oscillating period

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic oscillation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3345006B1Apparatus for recording a resistance value of a measuring resistor of a measuring sensor
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
  • EP3345006B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3345006B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3345006B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an apparatus (100) for recording a resistance value of a measuring resistor of a measuring sensor, having a passive electrical resonant circuit (101) for generating a predetermined calibration current, wherein the passive electrical resonant circuit (101) comprises a capacitor, an energy store (103) which can be connected to the capacitor in order to apply electrical energy to the capacitor, and a control device (105) which is designed to connect the passive electrical resonant circuit (101) to the measuring resistor for the duration of an oscillation period of the passive electrical resonant circuit (101) and to disconnect the capacitor from the energy store (103) for the duration of the oscillation period in order to apply the predetermined calibration current to the measuring resistor, wherein the control device (105) is also designed to record a measurement voltage across the measuring resistor, which is dependent on the predetermined calibration current, for the duration of the oscillation period in order to record the resistance value of the measuring resistor.