Redundant Sensor Data Serialization and Malfunction Diagnosis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Duplicating sensors in ink jet recording devices increases the number of input terminals required for calculation devices, leading to higher costs and complexity, while existing solutions fail to efficiently detect malfunctions in redundant sensor systems without increasing the calculation element's inputs.
Innovation Solution
A state determination apparatus that uses a selector element to synchronize detection signals from multiple sensors with a clock signal, storing logical levels in a shift register for diagnosis, allowing malfunction detection without increasing the number of calculation element inputs, and utilizing a diagnosis unit to identify non-matching logical levels for accurate failure diagnosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are duplicated to improve reliability, then sensor malfunction detection capability is improved, but the number of input terminals of the calculation device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensor data processing by separating the data acquisition function (performed by multiple sensors) from the data processing function (performed by a single calculation device). The selector element acts as an intermediary that multiplexes multiple sensor signals into a single input stream, allowing the calculation device to process redundant sensor data without requiring multiple input terminals. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability through sensor duplication while avoiding the increase in input terminal complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a selector element as an intermediary component between the multiple sensors and the calculation device. This selector element receives detection signals from multiple sensors and sequentially outputs them to a single input terminal of the calculation device. The intermediary selector element enables the system to utilize multiple sensors for improved reliability and malfunction detection without requiring the calculation device to have multiple input terminals, thus resolving the technical contradiction.
2Reliability
If the number of input terminals is increased to accommodate duplicated sensors, then sensor malfunction detection is enabled, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the signal processing architecture to allow multiple sensors to share a single input terminal through the selector element. This segmentation approach maintains the ability to detect sensor malfunctions by comparing outputs from multiple sensors while avoiding the need for multiple expensive input terminals in the calculation device, thereby reducing overall system cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a time-multiplexed copying approach where the selector element sequentially copies detection signals from multiple sensors into a single input stream. Instead of requiring physical copies of input terminals, the system creates temporal copies of sensor data, allowing the calculation device to process data from multiple sensors through a single terminal, thus reducing hardware costs while maintaining malfunction detection capability.
3Measurement precision
If redundant sensors are used to detect malfunctions, then detection accuracy is improved, but the calculation element requires more inputs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through the selector element, which sequentially samples and outputs detection signals from multiple sensors in a time-multiplexed manner. The calculation device receives periodic signals from the selector element and uses the bit width storage unit to store and compare multiple sensor readings over time. This periodic sampling approach enables accurate malfunction detection by analyzing patterns across multiple sensors without requiring simultaneous multiple input terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a spatial dimension (multiple input terminals) to a temporal dimension (time-multiplexed single input). By using the selector element to sequentially present sensor data over time and the bit width storage unit to retain historical data, the system achieves the same malfunction detection accuracy that would require multiple simultaneous inputs, but uses a single input terminal instead. This dimensional change resolves the contradiction between detection accuracy and device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A state determination apparatus that does not need an increase in number of inputs of a calculation element for duplicated sensors even in a case where a sensor is duplicated, and can detect a malfunction of a plurality of duplicated sensors is provided. The object is resolved by a state determination apparatus including a plurality of sensors that detect a state of the same determination target in a duplicated manner, a selector element that receives an input of the detection signal of each sensor of the plurality of sensors and sequentially outputs the detection signal of one sensor among the detection signals of the sensors in synchronization with a first clock signal having a first frequency, and a storage unit that receives an input of an output signal of the selector element and sequentially stores a logical level of the output signal of the selector element in a bit width greater than or equal to the number of the plurality of sensors in synchronization with a second clock signal having a second frequency higher than or equal to the first frequency.