Vehicle Steering Angle Sensor Controller for Automatic Malfunction Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle systems lack the ability to automatically determine when a sensor malfunction caused by electromagnetic interference has resolved, often requiring manual intervention to clear errors, which can lead to false alarms and unnecessary system modifications.
Innovation Solution
A controller with a malfunction monitoring module, failure handling module, and signal checking module is used to monitor vehicle steering sensors, storing drive cycle information and comparing sensor outputs to predetermined ranges to automatically verify sensor recovery and reset indicators and system operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If malfunction monitoring functions use strict tolerances to avoid misdetection, then measurement precision is improved, but false good checks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing two distinct sets of evaluation parameters: one set for malfunction detection with strict tolerances, and another set for good checking with more lenient tolerances. The system dynamically switches between these parameter sets based on the operational phase (malfunction detection vs. recovery verification), allowing optimal precision in each phase without compromising overall reliability.
2Reliability
If manual intervention is required to clear sensor errors, then reliability is improved by ensuring proper verification, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically verify sensor recovery and clear malfunctions without requiring manual technician intervention. The good checking function autonomously monitors sensor output, compares it against lenient tolerances, and automatically resets the malfunction state when recovery is confirmed, thereby maintaining reliability while significantly improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the good checking function continuously monitors sensor output and provides feedback about recovery status. This feedback loop allows the system to automatically determine when a sensor has returned to normal operation and trigger appropriate reset actions, eliminating the need for manual verification while ensuring reliable recovery detection.
3Reliability
If good checking uses lenient tolerances to avoid false alarms, then reliability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the evaluation process into two distinct segments: malfunction detection with strict tolerances and good checking with lenient tolerances. Each segment uses appropriately tuned parameters for its specific purpose, allowing the system to maintain high measurement precision in malfunction detection while achieving high reliability in recovery detection without false alarms.
Data Source
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AI summary
A controller for determining whether a previously-determined vehicle steering sensor malfunction still exists. The controller includes an electronic, non-volatile memory, and an electronic processing unit connected to the electronic, non-volatile memory. The electronic processing module includes a malfunction monitoring module, a failure handling module, and a signal checking module. The malfunction monitoring module monitors the operation of at least one vehicle sensor and generates a fault signal when the at least one sensor malfunctions. The failure handling module causes drive cycle information and the fault information to be stored in the electronic, non-volatile memory. The signal checking module performs a signal check on information from the at least one sensor.