Track-Mounted Sensor Assembly With Selective ECU Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical assemblies for vehicles lack an efficient mechanism to selectively connect and disconnect sensors from a track assembly, which limits their ability to provide accurate data for safety systems and other applications.
Innovation Solution
The electrical assembly incorporates an electronic control unit (ECU) connected to a track assembly with conductors and a support assembly with sensors and a sensor enabler. The sensor enabler, featuring diodes, comparators, and switches, selectively connects the sensors to terminals based on voltage levels provided by the ECU, allowing for the precise control of sensor connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are permanently connected to the track assembly, then continuous monitoring is available, but the system cannot selectively disconnect sensors to reduce complexity or manage power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic sensor connections through switches controlled by the ECU, allowing the system to transition between connected and disconnected states based on operational requirements. This enables selective activation of sensors only when needed, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability during active monitoring periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures multiple sensors in the support assembly with their connection pathways ready through the sensor enabler circuitry. The ECU can preemptively connect or disconnect specific sensors based on predicted operational needs, such as preparing safety monitoring before a collision event or disconnecting non-essential sensors during critical operations.
2Loss of information
If multiple sensors are connected to the track assembly, then comprehensive data collection is achieved, but the number of conductors required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensor connection pathways into a single track assembly with shared conductors. The sensor enabler circuitry allows multiple sensors to be selectively connected to the same conductor pairs, eliminating the need for dedicated conductors for each sensor and reducing overall wiring complexity while maintaining comprehensive data collection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The track assembly and its conductors are designed to serve multiple functions by supporting various sensor types (e.g., collision sensors, occupancy sensors) that can be selectively activated. The same conductor infrastructure supports different sensing functions at different times or under different conditions, maximizing the utility of each conductor.
3Speed
If all sensors remain connected, then system response time is minimized, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic or event-driven sensor activation rather than continuous operation. The ECU controls switches to connect sensors only during specific periods or events when their data is needed, such as during collision detection events or occupancy monitoring periods, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining rapid response capability when sensors are active.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical assembly comprising an electronic control unit (ECU); a track assembly electrically connected to the ECU, the track assembly including a first conductor and a second conductor; and a support assembly configured for connection with and movement along the track assembly relative to the ECU, the support assembly including: a first sensor, a second sensor, and a sensor enabler electrically connected to the first sensor and the second sensor, the sensor enabler including a first terminal, a second terminal, and at least one of a diode, a comparator, or a switch. The sensor enabler may selectively electrically connect the first sensor or the second sensor with the first terminal and the second terminal according to an output from the ECU.