Sensor Fault Detection via High-Resolution A/D Signal Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor equipment in safety engineering faces challenges in automatically recognizing connected sensor devices and detecting function or contact faults, requiring complex and expensive electrical circuitry.
Innovation Solution
A device with a high-resolution A/D converter for recording electrical signals at coupling points, allowing for automatic sensor identification and fault detection without the need for specific circuitry or software adaptation, using a microcontroller to analyze signal profiles and set threshold values for acceptance ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex electrical circuitry is used for sensor identification and fault detection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electrical circuitry with a measurement means using a high-resolution A/D converter that records electrical signals at coupling points. This substitution reduces hardware complexity while maintaining or improving reliability through digital signal analysis and evaluation means that process the recorded signals to identify sensors and detect faults.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the electrical signals by recording them with the A/D converter at various coupling points. This digital representation allows for flexible analysis and evaluation without requiring complex analog circuitry, enabling reliable sensor identification and fault detection through software-based processing of the signal copies.
2Measurement precision
If specific circuitry and software adaptation are used for each sensor device, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal measurement means with high-resolution A/D converter and evaluation software that can handle multiple sensor devices without requiring specific circuitry or software adaptation for each sensor type. The system records and evaluates signals from different sensor devices using the same hardware and software platform, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining measurement precision through high-resolution conversion and flexible evaluation algorithms.
3Measurement precision
If high-resolution A/D converter is used for signal recording, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by recording electrical signals only at specific coupling points with the A/D converter only when needed for identification or fault detection. The high-resolution conversion is performed selectively rather than continuously, reducing energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision when actually required for sensor identification and fault detection purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
A device and a method for fault detection and/or identification of at least one sensor device is described, characterized by a measurement mechanism with at least one high-resolution, A/D converter device for recording at least one electrical signal (A, Iout) at one or more coupling points for the at least one sensor device.