Pressure Sensor Functional Test via Door Slam Events
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for testing pressure sensors in motor vehicles, such as those used in airbag systems, are inadequate as they often require separate generation of test stimuli and cannot detect clogging or malfunctions caused by external factors like water, and are typically only performed during workshop visits.
Innovation Solution
A method that utilizes natural events like slamming a vehicle door to generate pressure fluctuations for functional testing of pressure sensors, allowing for regular and efficient assessment of sensor functionality without the need for dedicated test stimuli, by recording and comparing output signals with reference signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate test stimuli are generated for pressure sensor testing, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses naturally occurring door slamming events to generate test stimuli for the pressure sensor, eliminating the need for dedicated test stimulus generation devices. The door slam automatically creates pressure fluctuations that serve as test inputs, and the system evaluates sensor response to these natural stimuli.
Solution Approach 2:
The door slam acts as an intermediary event that indirectly provides test stimuli to the pressure sensor. Instead of directly generating test signals, the system utilizes the mechanical action of door slamming to create pressure changes that propagate to the sensor, serving as a natural test mediator.
2Productivity
If pressure sensors are tested during workshop visits only, then productivity is improved, but reliability of continuous monitoring deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous functional testing of the pressure sensor by utilizing every door slamming event as a test opportunity. Instead of periodic testing during workshop visits, the sensor is continuously evaluated whenever a door is slammed, providing ongoing monitoring of sensor functionality and detecting failures promptly.
3Ease of manufacture
If pressure sensors are not freely accessible, then device integration is improved, but ease of operation for testing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for manual intervention or special access to test the pressure sensor. Door slamming events automatically provide test stimuli, and the evaluation unit automatically processes sensor responses, making the testing process self-service and independent of sensor accessibility or manual operation.
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 enables a simple, low-effort functional test of pressure sensors, capable of detecting malfunctions and providing timely feedback, even for sensors not freely accessible, by leveraging regular vehicle usage events to induce and measure pressure changes.
Implementation Method 1
stimuli - in particular pressure fluctuations - which are applied to the pressure sensor as a result of a test event
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The method involves detecting the output signal of a pressure transducer (1) that characteristic values of the output signal are compared to characteristic values of reference signal. The operational capability of the pressure transducer is derived from a status related to the result of the comparison. The transducer is provided in a vehicle (4) for determining pressure changing due to collision of the vehicle with a barricade. The temporary periphery of an inspection event appears by the specified usage of the vehicle and by which testing stimuli is applied on the pressure transducer.