Rotatable Sensor Carrier for Vehicle Control Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle braking systems, such as ESP and Integrated Power Brake, face challenges in accurately determining vehicle state variables like yaw rate and lateral acceleration due to oblique sensor installations, leading to signal falsification and unreliable data transmission.

Innovation Solution

A control unit/actuator assembly with an integrated sensor system featuring an inertial sensor system and arcuate signal transmission contact segments, allowing sensors to be aligned with the vehicle's coordinate system independently of installation position, ensuring reliable signal transmission and accurate data processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If sensors are installed in a fixed position on the control unit housing, then the assembly structure is simple, but the sensor alignment with vehicle coordinate system cannot be ensured when installed at different angular positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation position adaptabilityVSAvoidassembly structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor carrier body is made rotatable relative to the control unit housing, allowing dynamic adjustment of sensor orientation. The carrier body can be rotated to different angular positions and fixed, enabling the same assembly to adapt to various installation positions on the vehicle while maintaining proper sensor alignment with vehicle coordinate axes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If the carrier body is made rotatable to align sensors with vehicle coordinate system, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the assembly complexity and signal transmission reliability are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle state variable determination accuracyVSAvoidsignal transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The contact segment is designed with an arcuate shape that corresponds to the rotation path of the pin contact. This curved geometry ensures that the electrical contact maintains proper alignment and connection throughout the rotation range, preventing signal loss or falsification while allowing the carrier body to be positioned at different angular orientations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If oblique sensor installation is used to simplify mounting, then installation ease is improved, but signal falsification occurs and measurement reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidsignal transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor carrier body acts as an intermediary component between the control unit housing and the sensors. It provides a dedicated mounting interface that allows the sensors to be positioned at the correct orientation relative to vehicle coordinate axes, while the carrier itself can be installed in various positions on the housing. This intermediary structure eliminates the need for oblique sensor installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If multiple signal transmission contact points are used to ensure reliable signal transmission, then signal reliability is improved, but the risk of contact failure at specific angular positions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission reliabilityVSAvoidcontact system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The arcuate contact segment geometry ensures continuous electrical contact with the rotating pin across all angular positions. The curved surface of the contact segment matches the rotation path, maintaining reliable signal transmission without requiring multiple discrete contact points or complex switching mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP3658432B1Control apparatus-actuator unit
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3658432B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3658432B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3658432B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a control apparatus-actuator unit having a control apparatus and an actuator, said control apparatus-actuator unit being provided with a sensor system which comprises a carrier body that can be mounted to a component of the construction unit in different angular positions.