Signal Control Device Malfunction Detection via AD Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional signal control devices may fail to detect terminal malfunctions in the charge/discharge circuit, leading to incorrect charging or discharging operations and missed detection of terminal malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A signal control device incorporating a charge/discharge circuit, a sampling capacitor, an AD conversion circuit, and a malfunction determination section, which performs AD conversions after charge or discharge operations to diagnose and determine malfunctions based on AD conversion values, ensuring accurate detection of terminal malfunctions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional AD conversion is performed without charge/discharge operations, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect terminal malfunctions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing charge and discharge operations on the sampling capacitor before the actual AD conversion. These preliminary operations prepare the capacitor in a known state and enable malfunction detection. The charge operation charges the capacitor through a charge switch, and the discharge operation discharges it through a discharge switch, both before the main conversion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the AD conversion results from charge and discharge operations to determine whether terminal malfunctions exist. The determination unit analyzes the AD conversion values to detect abnormalities in the charge/discharge circuit, creating a feedback loop that monitors system health and enables corrective actions.
2Reliability
If charge/discharge operations are added for malfunction detection, then the reliability improves, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by performing charge and discharge operations at specific intervals or at predetermined timings before actual AD conversions. This periodic structure allows the system to maintain reliability through regular malfunction checks while managing processing time by scheduling these operations efficiently in the conversion process.
3Measurement precision
If multiple AD conversions are performed for diagnosis, then the measurement precision improves, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing AD conversions selectively - not for every single charge/discharge operation, but only when needed for diagnosis or at specific intervals. This approach maintains measurement precision for malfunction detection while avoiding the productivity loss that would result from converting every intermediate value.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables reliable detection of charge/discharge circuit malfunctions, preventing missed detections and ensuring correct operation of the signal control device.
Implementation Method 1
a sampling capacitor Csh, capable of holding an electric charge
Implementation Method 2
an AC conversion circuit, performing an AC conversion by converting an analog voltage value charged in the sampling capacitor into an AC conversion value that is a digital value
Data Source
AI summary
A signal control device includes a charge/discharge circuit, a sampling capacitor, and an AC conversion circuit. The charge/discharge circuit is capable of charging or discharging the sampling capacitor. The AC conversion circuit performs an AD conversion by converting an analog voltage value charged in the sampling capacitor into an AD conversion value that is a digital value. After a charge operation or a discharge operation to the sampling capacitor with the charge/discharge circuit, the AD conversion circuit performs the AD conversion, and a malfunction of the charge/discharge circuit is determined based on a diagnosis result of the AD conversion value.