Pressure Sensor Verification via Parallel Voltage Divider
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic pressure measurement systems require additional components for verification, which increase costs and reduce the reliability of the actual pressure measurement due to complex structures.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic control unit with a sensor element and a resistance measurement bridge that includes a voltage divider connected in parallel, allowing for the generation of a differential voltage to verify the fluid pressure measurement without additional components, maintaining the reliability of the pressure measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional components are used for verifying fault-free functioning of the resistance measurement bridge and subsequent signal processing, then the reliability of verification is improved, but the device complexity increases and the reliability of the actual pressure measurement components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resistance measurement bridge serves dual purposes: it measures fluid pressure and simultaneously enables verification of its own fault-free functioning. The bridge's inherent structure with its four resistance elements (R1, R2, R3, R4) and output voltage Uout is used for both measurement and self-verification, eliminating the need for separate verification components.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistance measurement bridge is designed to perform multiple functions: it generates the transverse bridge voltage for pressure measurement and also provides the basis for verification by comparing the actual output voltage Uout with a theoretically calculated reference voltage Uout_ref. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated verification components.
2Reliability
If additional components are used for verifying the pressure measurement, then the verification capability is improved, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-verification using its own components. The electronic control unit calculates a reference voltage Uout_ref based on known resistance values and supply voltage, then compares this with the actual measured output voltage Uout from the bridge. This self-service approach avoids additional hardware costs.
Solution Approach 2:
A virtual reference model of the resistance measurement bridge is created in the electronic control unit. The theoretical output voltage Uout_ref is calculated based on the known circuit parameters (resistance values R1-R4 and supply voltage U+), creating a digital copy or model that is compared against the physical measurement, eliminating the need for physical duplicate verification components.
3Measurement precision
If additional components are used for verifying the pressure measurement, then the verification accuracy is improved, but the reliability of the actual pressure measurement components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resistance measurement bridge verifies itself without external components. The electronic control unit uses the known resistance values and supply voltage to calculate what the output voltage should be (Uout_ref), then compares this with the actual measured value. This self-verification maintains the original bridge's simplicity and reliability while providing accurate verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the actual output voltage Uout from the resistance measurement bridge is fed back to the electronic control unit for comparison with the calculated reference voltage Uout_ref. This feedback loop enables continuous verification of the bridge's proper functioning without adding complex verification hardware that could compromise reliability.
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
The solution provides a cost-effective and reliable method for verifying fluid pressure measurements, identifying faults in the pressure measurement and signal processing without reducing the reliability of the actual pressure measurement system.
Implementation Method 1
Pressure sensors for measuring the fluid pressure often have a piezoresistive element, the resistance of said piezoresistive element changing in the event of deformation
Implementation Method 2
said piezoresistive element being part of a resistance measurement bridge. A measure of the fluid pressure is then a voltage difference between the voltage dividers of the resistance measurement bridge
Data Source
AI summary
A device for measuring a fluid pressure and for verifying the fluid pressure that has been measured comprises a sensor element having a fluid chamber and an element that adjoins said fluid chamber and can be deformed under fluid pressure, a resistance bridge being arranged on the deformable element side that faces away from said fluid chamber, for the purpose of generating a transverse bridge voltage dependent on said fluid pressure. The device also comprises a voltage divider which is connected in parallel to said resistance bridge for generating a differential voltage.