Ride Height Sensor Fault Detection via Signal Variance Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle suspension systems fail to effectively detect faults in ride height sensors, particularly when the sensor output is stuck within a predetermined range, leading to inaccuracies in maintaining the desired ride height.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a variance determination module and a fault detection module to detect faults in ride height sensors by calculating the variance of the ride height signal, ensuring fault detection regardless of the sensor output being within or outside the predetermined range, and taking remedial actions to maintain the vehicle's desired ride height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fault detection methods are used that only check sensor output outside predetermined range, then faults causing output outside range can be detected, but faults causing sensor output to be stuck within range cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from absolute sensor output values to the variance (statistical parameter) of the signal. By calculating variance of multiple samples and comparing against a threshold, the system can detect faults regardless of whether the sensor output is stuck within or outside the predetermined range, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the variance of ride height sensor signals and using this information to detect faults. The variance calculation provides feedback about signal stability, enabling the system to identify when the sensor is malfunctioning (stuck) versus when it is providing valid varying readings
2Measurement precision
If ride height sensors are used for closed-loop feedback control, then desired ride height can be maintained, but undetected sensor faults lead to inaccurate control decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the measurement approach by using variance analysis instead of direct threshold comparison. This parameter change enables the system to distinguish between legitimate ride height variations (suspension movement) and faulty sensor readings (stuck output), thereby improving both measurement precision and fault detection reliability simultaneously
Data Source
AI summary
A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a variance determination module and a fault detection module. The variance determination module determines a variance of samples generated from a ride height signal. The ride height signal is output by a ride height sensor that detects a ride height of a vehicle. The fault detection module detects a fault in the ride height sensor based on the variance.