Sensor Identification via Analog Interface for Diesel Engine Glow Plugs
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Solution Overview
Problem
In diesel engines, the lack of a coding system in rotational-symmetrical coaxial plugs for glow plugs with integrated cylinder pressure sensors leads to uncertainty in selecting the correct component, potentially causing incorrect measurement signals and actuation issues, especially with different materials and manufacturers' variants having different characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A method for transmitting identifier data via an analog interface before measurement signals, allowing the engine control unit to identify the specific sensor or component type, ensuring the correct component is used by distinguishing between different types through unique voltage signal sequences and levels, even when components have mechanically identical interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanically coded plug is used to ensure correct component selection, then component identification reliability is improved, but the plug dimensions increase and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical coding system with an electronic identification system. Instead of using physically different plug configurations, the system uses a microcontroller-based sensor that communicates component identification data via a wireless interface (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, or other wireless communication protocols) to the control unit. This substitution eliminates the need for larger mechanically coded plugs while maintaining reliable component identification.
2Reliability
If a mechanically coded plug is used to ensure correct component selection, then component identification reliability is improved, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical coding and assembly procedures with an electronic identification system. The sensor unit includes a microcontroller that automatically identifies the component type and communicates this information wirelessly to the control unit, eliminating the need for technicians to manually verify component coding or perform complex assembly procedures. This reduces assembly complexity while maintaining identification reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor unit performs self-identification of its type and characteristics through its microcontroller, eliminating the need for external mechanical coding or manual verification. The system automatically determines component identity and transmits this information to the control unit, making the assembly process simpler and more reliable.
3Ease of operation
If rotational-symmetrical coaxial plug is used for ease of installation, then ease of operation is improved, but component identification capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for asymmetric mechanical coding with wireless electronic communication. The rotational-symmetrical plug maintains its ease of installation advantage, while the microcontroller-based sensor unit wirelessly transmits component identification data to the control unit, preventing information loss about component type and characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication interface as an intermediary between the sensor unit and the control unit. This intermediary carries component identification information without requiring mechanical coding in the plug, thus preserving both rotational symmetry for easy installation and component identification capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transmitting data from a sensor to a receiver by means of an analog interface, whereby, during a first period of time, the sensor transmits identifier data for identifying the type of the sensor and/or for identifying the type of a component associated with the sensor, and measurement signals of the sensor are only transmitted after the first period of time. In this context, it is also provided that the transmission of the identifier data serves to identify a specific sensor from a group of multiple sensors and/or a specific component that is associated with the sensor from a group of multiple components, whereby the multiple sensors of the appertaining group and/or the multiple components of the appertaining group have mechanically identical interfaces and consequently can fundamentally be employed alternatingly. A method according to the invention is advantageously suitable, among other things, for transmitting data from a cylinder pressure sensor—which is especially integrated into a glow plug of an internal combustion engine—to a receiver, whereby this receiver can especially be integrated into a control unit, for instance, an engine control unit of the internal combustion engine. With such a method according to the invention, before measurement signals of the cylinder pressure sensor are transmitted, the engine control unit of the internal combustion engine can advantageously identify whether a defined, selected cylinder pressure sensor, and particularly a defined selected glow plug with an integrated cylinder pressure sensor, is also actually installed in the internal combustion engine.