Rotation Rate Sensor Temperature Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotation rate sensors for vehicles face inaccuracies due to temperature effects, which cause mechanical stresses and frequency changes in the transmitter element, leading to incorrect detection of rotation rates.

Innovation Solution

The sensor coordinates temperature-related mechanical effects by adjusting system parameters such as mass, spring stiffness, and position of the transmitter element, ensuring that the vibration of the transmitter element is independent of temperature, allowing for pre-determination and compensation of errors, thereby improving accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the transmitter element is used to detect rotation rate, then the rotation rate can be detected, but temperature effects cause mechanical stresses and frequency changes leading to incorrect detection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation rate detection accuracyVSAvoidtemperature effects
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the mass of the transmitter element, the spring stiffness of the restoring element, and the position of the transmitter element relative to the rotation axis. These parameter adjustments are designed to compensate for temperature-induced frequency shifts and mechanical stress effects, thereby maintaining measurement precision across varying temperature conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-determining and pre-compensating for temperature effects through careful design of the transmitter element and restoring element. The system parameters are optimized in advance to account for temperature variations, eliminating the need for real-time temperature compensation during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the transmitter element oscillates at an angle to the rotation axis, then the Coriolis force can be detected, but temperature-related heat movements cause mechanical stresses that affect the position and vibration of the transmitter element

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation rate detection accuracyVSAvoidtransmitter element position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the mass parameter of the transmitter element and the spring stiffness parameter of the restoring element to compensate for temperature-induced position changes. These parameter adjustments ensure that the transmitter element maintains its optimal position and oscillation characteristics despite temperature-related thermal expansion and contraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the counterweight principle by designing the restoring element with specific spring stiffness characteristics that counterbalance the thermal stresses and position drift caused by temperature variations. This counteracting mechanism maintains the transmitter element's position stability throughout the operating temperature range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Measurement precision

If the transmitter element oscillates with excitation frequency, then the reaction frequency can be measured, but temperature effects cause frequency shifts that lead to incorrect rotation rate calculation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation rate detection accuracyVSAvoidtemperature-induced frequency changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the mass and spring stiffness parameters of the transmitter element system to compensate for temperature-induced frequency shifts. By optimizing these parameters, the system maintains a stable frequency ratio between the excitation frequency and reaction frequency, ensuring accurate rotation rate calculation despite temperature variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary compensation for temperature effects by pre-calculating and pre-adjusting the system parameters during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that the frequency relationship between excitation and reaction remains stable across the operating temperature range, eliminating the need for real-time frequency correction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 accurate detection of rotation rates by accounting for temperature-induced errors, providing a defined tolerance range and enhancing the sensor's temperature independence, making it suitable for various applications.

Implementation Method 1

the transmitter element due to the Coriolis force is at an angle to the rotation axis and at an angle to the direction of oscillation in a reaction direction with a reaction frequency deflected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoriolis force: Coriolis Force

Implementation Method 2

temperature-related heat movements in the object lead to mechanical stresses which have an influence on the position of the transmitter element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 3

the temperature also has an influence on the frequency of the oscillation of the transmitter element caused by the Coriolis force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal effects on oscillation frequency:

Data Source

PatentEP2936055B1Sensor for detecting a rotation rate of an object
Publication Date: 2018.10.31 CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO OHG
  • EP2936055B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2936055B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2936055B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a sensor (4) for detecting a rotation rate (8) of an object (6, 20), comprising: - a sensor element (2), which is designed to vibrate at an angle to the rotation axis (10) of the rotation rate (8) to be detected at an excitation frequency on a resetting element (14) fastened in a spatially fixed manner to the object (6, 20), such that the sensor element (2) is deflected at a reaction frequency in a reaction direction (18) at an angle to the rotation axis (10) and at an angle to the vibration direction (16) owing to the Coriolis force (18); and - a measuring transducer (32), which is designed to detect the vibration in the reaction direction (18) - wherein the vibratable sensor element (2) is formed in such a manner that a comparison of a temperature-dependent displacement of a frequency spacing between the excitation frequency and the reaction frequency and a temperature-dependent position (50) of the sensor element (2) on the object (6, 20) satisfies a predefined condition.