Series-Connected Sensor Power Supply for EPS Standby

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor arrangements for detecting steering angle in EPS systems face high power consumption during standby mode due to the need for separate current sources for each sensor, leading to inefficiencies and increased power loss.

Innovation Solution

The method involves connecting sensors in series during standby mode and supplying them with a single current source, reducing power consumption by minimizing power losses associated with multiple current sources, while maintaining the ability to detect zero transitions of sinusoidal signals for complete steering wheel revolutions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate current sources are used for each sensor during standby mode, then each sensor can be independently powered, but power consumption increases due to multiple current sources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor operation reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate current sources into a single shared current source that supplies power to multiple sensors through series connection. This combining approach reduces the total number of current sources from n (one per sensor) to just one, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining sensor operation during standby mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic switching between different power supply configurations: during normal operation, sensors are powered individually with separate voltage sources; during standby mode, sensors are switched to series connection with a single current source. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize power consumption based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If sensors are connected in series with a single current source during standby mode, then power consumption is reduced, but the system must maintain ability to detect zero transitions of sinusoidal signals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsteering wheel position detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by reducing the power supply level during standby mode compared to normal operation. Instead of maintaining full power for all sensors, the system uses a single current source that provides sufficient power only for the essential function of detecting zero transitions, which is adequate for determining complete steering wheel revolutions without requiring full measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the power supply parameters during standby mode by switching from individual voltage sources to a shared current source, thereby altering the electrical characteristics of the sensor network. This parameter change reduces power consumption while maintaining the critical capability of detecting zero transitions in the sinusoidal signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If multiple voltage sources are used to power sensors during normal operation, then each sensor receives constant voltage for precise measurement, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor output signal accuracyVSAvoidpower supply arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic reconfiguration of the power supply architecture, switching between a complex multi-source configuration during normal operation and a simplified single-source configuration during standby mode. This dynamic approach allows the system to have high measurement precision when needed while reducing complexity when full precision is not required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the power supply arrangement universal by designing it to perform multiple functions: during normal operation, it provides precise individual voltage sources for each sensor; during standby mode, it reconfigures to provide series-connected power through a single current source. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8129856B2Sensor arrangement and method of supplying power to sensors therein

Publication Date: 2012.03.06 INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG

AI summary

One aspect of the invention relates to a method of supplying power to a sensor arrangement including a first sensor and at least one second sensor which in each case have a first and a second supply terminal, and which can be operated in a first and a second operating mode. The first and at least one second sensor can be connected via their supply terminals to a voltage supply arrangement in the first operating mode. The first and at least one second sensor can be connected in series with one another via their supply terminals in the second operating mode and the series circuit with the first and at least one second sensor is connected in series with a current source.