Pressure Sensor Plausibility Validation via Model Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pressure sensors in exhaust gas treatment units, such as particle filters, are prone to temperature-dependent disturbances like icing, which can lead to incorrect measurements, and it is challenging to differentiate these issues from actual sensor defects, affecting the reliability of measured values used in various vehicle applications.

Innovation Solution

A method that continuously checks the plausibility of pressure sensor measurements by comparing them with reference values calculated based on a model, using a correlation or estimation method to determine if the measurements reflect the actual differential pressure, and identifying implausible values by analyzing deviations and slope differences over time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pressure sensor measurements are used in exhaust gas treatment units, then differential pressure can be determined for various applications, but temperature-dependent disturbances like icing cause incorrect measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidtemperature-dependent disturbances
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing plausibility checks on pressure sensor measurements before using them for control applications. The method calculates reference values based on a model and compares them with actual measurements in advance, identifying implausible values due to icing or other disturbances before they affect engine control, particle filter regeneration, or turbocharger operation. This prevents incorrect measurements from causing harmful effects in downstream applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If plausibility checks are performed to differentiate icing from sensor defects, then measurement reliability improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault differentiation capabilityVSAvoidplausibility check system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary model-based reference value calculation system that mediates between the pressure sensor and the control applications. Instead of directly using sensor measurements, the system calculates expected reference values based on a model and compares them with actual measurements. This intermediary layer enables reliable differentiation between icing and sensor defects without requiring complex additional hardware, as the comparison logic serves as a software-based mediator that filters out implausible measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If measured values from pressure sensors are used for control applications, then system functionality is enabled, but incorrect measurements lead to incorrect control actions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication versatilityVSAvoidcontrol accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously comparing pressure sensor measurements with model-based reference values and using this comparison to validate measurements before control application. The system provides feedback on measurement plausibility, allowing the control unit to accept or reject measurements based on the correlation between actual and reference values. This feedback mechanism ensures that only reliable measurements are used for engine control, particle filter regeneration timing, and turbocharger operation, preventing incorrect control actions while maintaining versatile application support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3637076B1Method for validating a pressure sensor
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3637076B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3637076B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method for verifying the plausibility of a pressure sensor (1) which records measured values ​​(3) when measuring a differential pressure (2), wherein the measured values ​​(3) of the pressure sensor (1) are compared with reference values ​​(5) for the differential pressure (2) calculated on the basis of a model (4); wherein, to determine the plausibility of the course (6) of the measured values ​​(3), at least a deviation (7) of the measured values ​​(3) from the reference values ​​(5) and a difference (8) between a first slope (9) of the changing measured values ​​(3) and a second slope (10) of the changing reference values ​​(5) are considered.