Ultrasonic Object Detection Fault Diagnosis via Frequency Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional object detection devices with ultrasonic sensors face low detectability of faults, particularly due to resonance caused by bubbles in microphones, which can result in false notifications and malfunctions, as they rely on a single specific frequency for fault detection that may not trigger at all temperatures.
Innovation Solution
The object detection device incorporates a frequency control section that changes the ultrasonic wave frequency to multiple frequencies different from the driving frequency, allowing for higher fault detectability by considering wavelength changes due to environmental temperature, thereby identifying faults more effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single driving frequency is used for ultrasonic wave transmission, then the device complexity is reduced, but the fault detectability deteriorates due to inability to detect resonance conditions at different temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the ultrasonic wave frequency variable rather than fixed. The frequency control section dynamically adjusts the transmission frequency to multiple different frequencies based on environmental temperature conditions, allowing the system to adapt to changing resonance conditions and detect faults that would be invisible at a single fixed frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the ultrasonic wave from a constant value to a variable that takes multiple values. By transmitting ultrasonic waves at different frequencies corresponding to different temperature conditions, the system can detect resonance phenomena and faults across various operating environments, significantly improving fault detectability.
2Reliability
If multiple frequencies are used for fault detection, then the fault detectability is improved, but the use of energy increases due to additional frequency switching operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using frequency switching only during specific detection phases rather than continuously. The frequency control section alternates between different frequencies in a periodic manner during fault detection, and the control section determines faults based on these periodic measurements, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining high fault detectability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the ultrasonic sensor's own transmission and reception capabilities to perform self-diagnosis. By analyzing the reception wave characteristics when transmitting at different frequencies, the system detects faults without requiring external testing equipment or additional energy-intensive components, achieving energy-efficient self-monitoring.
3Reliability
If frequency switching is implemented for fault detection, then resonance conditions at different temperatures can be detected, but the device complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The control section is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the controller for frequency switching and as the fault determination unit. The same control section that manages the frequency control section also analyzes the reception waves to detect faults, eliminating the need for separate dedicated fault detection hardware and reducing overall device complexity despite the added frequency switching capability.
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
This approach significantly enhances fault detectability and reduces false notifications by accounting for varying wavelengths and temperatures, ensuring accurate object detection and reducing errors caused by resonance issues.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic sensor provided with a function of detecting a distance from an object, the device including: a transceiver section that transmits an ultrasonic wave and receives an ultrasonic wave including a reflected wave of the transmitted ultrasonic wave
Implementation Method 2
a frequency control section that changes a frequency of the ultrasonic wave transmitted by the transceiver section to a plurality of frequencies different from a driving frequency used to detect the distance from the object
Implementation Method 3
a fault determination section that determines whether a fault occurs in the function of detecting the distance from an object due to a value of an environment temperature or a wavelength of the ultrasonic wave transmitted by the transceiver section
Data Source
AI summary
An object detection device includes: a transceiver section that transmits an ultrasonic wave and receives an ultrasonic wave including a reflected wave of the transmitted ultrasonic wave, and outputs a signal in accordance with a wavelength of the received ultrasonic wave; a frequency control section that changes a frequency of the ultrasonic wave transmitted by the transceiver section to a plurality of frequencies different from a driving frequency used to detect the distance from the object; and a fault determination section that determines whether a fault occurs in the function of detecting the distance from the object due to a value of an environment temperature or a wavelength of the ultrasonic wave transmitted by the transceiver section, based on a value of the signal outputted from the transceiver section when the transceiver section transmits the ultrasonic wave at a selected one of the frequencies different from the driving frequency.