Series Test Sensor Circuit for Magnetic Field Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor systems, particularly magnetic field sensors, face challenges in accurately detecting faults under critical operating conditions, leading to potential false positives and incorrect measurements due to material defects or environmental changes.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device with a test sensor connected in series to the main sensor, utilizing a monitor circuit with a processing and determination circuit to compare signals and generate a diagnostic signal, allowing for real-time fault detection and compensation while operating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a test sensor is connected in series with the main sensor and a monitor circuit is used to compare signals, then diagnostic capabilities are improved and faults are detected, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a test sensor that is a substantial duplicate of the main sensor to generate a test signal for comparison. This copying approach allows the system to detect faults by comparing the test signal with the main sensor signal, improving reliability while keeping the test structure relatively simple and integrated.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitor circuit combines multiple functions (signal processing, comparison, and diagnostic determination) into a single integrated circuit block. This merging of functions improves fault detection capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through functional integration.
2Measurement precision
If sensor measurements are taken over time, then measurement data is collected, but measurements drift and accuracy decreases due to environmental changes and aging
Solution Approach 1:
The monitor circuit continuously compares the main sensor signal with the test sensor signal and generates a diagnostic signal based on the comparison. This continuous feedback mechanism allows the system to detect drift and accuracy degradation over time, enabling real-time monitoring and compensation of measurement precision loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The test sensor is configured to provide a known test signal before actual measurements are taken. This preliminary action establishes a reference point for comparison, allowing the system to detect subsequent drift or changes in measurement accuracy over time by comparing against this pre-established baseline.
3Reliability
If diagnostic capabilities are added to detect faults, then reliability is improved, but the sensor system size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitor circuit is designed to perform multiple functions including signal comparison, fault detection, and diagnostic determination within a single integrated circuit. This multi-functionality approach improves reliability through comprehensive fault detection while minimizing the increase in system size and cost by consolidating diagnostic functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex external diagnostic equipment, the patent uses a simplified test sensor that is a substantial duplicate of the main sensor. This copying approach provides effective fault detection capability while keeping the added component size and cost relatively low compared to using entirely different diagnostic instruments.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor device comprises a sensor connected to a first signal and responsive to an external field to produce a sensor signal, a test device connected to a second signal and electrically connected in series with the sensor by an electrical test connection providing a test signal, and a monitor circuit electrically connected to the first, second and test signals. The monitor circuit comprises a processing circuit and a determination circuit. The processing circuit is responsive to the test signal and a predetermined processing value to form a processing output signal. The determination circuit is responsive to the processing output signal to determine a diagnostic signal. A sensor circuit responsive to the sensor signal provides a sensor device signal responsive to the external field.