Redundant Sensor Timing in Steering Detection to Cut Processing Load

Solution Overview

Problem

Sensors in electric power steering devices require redundancy for safety, which increases processing load on the device due to the need to detect failures.

Innovation Solution

A detection device with a plurality of sensors configured to output detection signals at varying periodicities and information amounts, allowing for efficient diagnosis and reduced processing load by prioritizing shorter periodicities and reduced information transmission for certain sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If redundant sensors are used to ensure safety, then reliability is improved, but processing load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidprocessing load

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by setting different output periodicities for different sensors. The first sensor outputs detection signals at a first periodicity, while the second sensor outputs at a second periodicity that is longer than the first. This allows the system to maintain redundant sensing capability while reducing the overall processing load by not requiring all sensors to operate at the maximum frequency continuously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by assigning different functional roles and different output periodicities to different sensors based on their diagnostic value. The first sensor operates at a higher periodicity for primary monitoring, while the second sensor operates at a lower periodicity for periodic diagnostic checks. This differentiated approach optimizes the processing load distribution across the redundant sensor system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If all sensors output detection signals at the same high periodicity, then measurement precision is improved, but processing load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection signal accuracyVSAvoidprocessing load

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by setting different output periodicities for different sensors. The first sensor outputs detection signals at a first periodicity, while the second sensor outputs at a second periodicity that is longer than the first. This allows the system to maintain redundant sensing capability while reducing the overall processing load by not requiring all sensors to operate at the maximum frequency continuously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by having the second sensor output detection signals less frequently than the first sensor. The second sensor operates at a lower periodicity, providing periodic diagnostic information without requiring continuous high-frequency output. This partial monitoring approach reduces processing load while still enabling effective fault detection when combined with the first sensor's data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12504304B2Detection device and steering device

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 ASTEMO LTD

AI summary

A detection device includes: a plurality of sensors configured to detect a value to be detected; and a processing section configured to process a detection signal output from each of the plurality of sensors. A periodicity with which one or some of the plurality of sensors output detection signals is shorter than a periodicity with which others of the plurality of sensors output detection signals.