Sensor A/D Circuit Redundancy for Continuous Failure Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit devices lack the capability to detect failures during normal operation periods, limiting their effectiveness in ensuring continuous functionality.
Innovation Solution
A circuit device is designed with a detection circuit, a pseudo-detection circuit, and a failure detection circuit. The detection circuit converts sensor signals to digital signals, while the pseudo-detection circuit generates pseudo-detection signals. The failure detection circuit compares these signals to detect any failures in the detection circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If diagnosis processing is performed before normal operation after power is turned on, then the detection circuit can be checked initially, but failure detection during normal operation is not enabled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring a pseudo-detection circuit that mirrors the detection circuit's structure and functionality. This pseudo-circuit is prepared in advance to generate reference signals that can be compared against actual detection signals during normal operation, enabling continuous failure detection without interrupting the primary function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements copying by creating a pseudo-detection circuit that replicates the detection circuit's architecture, including A/D conversion components and signal processing paths. This copy generates pseudo-detection signals that mirror what the actual detection circuit should produce, allowing for real-time comparison and failure identification during normal operation periods.
2Reliability
If a pseudo-detection circuit is added to enable continuous failure detection, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the pseudo-detection circuit to share common components and signal paths with the detection circuit where possible. The pseudo-circuit serves multiple purposes: generating reference signals, providing comparison data, and enabling failure detection across different operational modes, thereby reducing the need for entirely separate dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying to create a simplified replica of the detection circuit that captures only the essential signal processing functions needed for failure detection. By copying only the critical A/D conversion and signal generation paths rather than the entire system, the patent reduces complexity while maintaining effective failure detection capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit device is constituted by including: a detection circuit configured to include a first A/D conversion circuit that A/D converts a signal output from a sensor element to output a first digital signal and generate a detection signal in accordance with the first digital signal; a pseudo-detection circuit configured to include a second A/D conversion circuit that A/D converts a signal output from the sensor element to output a second digital signal and generate a pseudo-detection signal in accordance with the second digital signal; and a failure detection circuit configured to detect a failure of the detection circuit in accordance with a comparison result produced by comparing a value of the detection signal and a value of the pseudo-detection signal.