Sensor Data Checking Device for Automotive Safety Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data processing devices in safety-critical automotive applications, such as airbag and ESP systems, lack effective monitoring, leading to potential undetected errors that could cause unintended safety-critical events.

Innovation Solution

A checking device with a processing element and comparison device that compares original sensor data with processed data, detecting errors and signaling them to a control unit, thereby preventing unsafe actions, and can be implemented in various configurations including as an additional electronic circuit or separate microcontroller.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If no checking mechanism is implemented in the data processing device, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but the reliability of safety-critical operations deteriorates due to undetected errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of safety-critical operationsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The comparison device performs preliminary verification of sensor data before the data is used for safety-critical decisions. By comparing original sensor data with processed data in advance, the system detects errors before they can cause harmful effects, thus improving reliability without requiring complex post-processing or redundant safety systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The comparison device acts as an intermediary between the sensor data acquisition and the control unit decision-making process. It mediates by verifying data integrity and blocking potentially erroneous data from reaching the control unit, thereby improving reliability while maintaining a relatively simple overall device architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a comprehensive checking mechanism is implemented, then the reliability of data processing is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata processing reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The checking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a comparison device for data verification and an error signaling unit for error communication. This segmentation allows the checking function to be implemented as a modular addition rather than requiring complete redesign of the data processing system, thus improving reliability while limiting the increase in overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The comparison device implements a feedback mechanism by comparing original sensor data with processed data and generating error signals when discrepancies are detected. This feedback loop enables automatic error detection and signaling without requiring complex manual monitoring or intervention systems, thereby improving reliability while maintaining relatively simple device architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3215946B1Checking device for data preparation device
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3215946B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a checking device (100) for a data preparation device (10), comprising: a preparation element (13) for preparing sensor data (30) for a data transmission; and a comparison device (20) for comparing the sensor data (30) with the prepared sensor data, wherein, in the event that the prepared sensor data do not match the sensor data (30), an error of the data preparation device (10) is detected.