Vehicle Ultrasonic Sensor Testing for Aging-Related Drift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic sensors in motor vehicles face issues with measurement accuracy due to aging-related changes in electroacoustic transducer characteristics, leading to potential errors in plausibility checks and sensor failures over time.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic sensor system that captures electrical characteristic variables at multiple measurement points by varying both frequency and amplitude of an electrical test signal, allowing for a comprehensive characterization of the transducer's state, including non-linear dependencies, and adjusts measurement parameters accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple ultrasonic sensors are provided with plausibility checks to detect aging-related changes, then measurement reliability is improved, but false rejection of valid measurements occurs due to gradual electrical characteristic changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by measuring electrical characteristic variables (impedance, resonance frequency) at multiple different amplitudes of the test signal. This multi-parameter approach captures the non-linear behavior of the electroacoustic transducer across different operating conditions, allowing the system to distinguish between gradual acceptable aging and sudden failures, thereby reducing false rejections while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to the monitoring approach by measuring electrical characteristics not just at a single operating point but across multiple amplitude levels. This dimensional expansion from single-point to multi-point measurement enables the system to characterize the transducer's behavior throughout its operating range, resolving the contradiction between detecting aging and avoiding false alarms
2Measurement precision
If electrical characteristic variables are measured at multiple amplitudes to capture non-linear behavior, then state characterization accuracy is improved, but test complexity and measurement time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selecting a representative set of amplitudes for testing rather than measuring at every possible amplitude level. The system measures electrical characteristics at multiple discrete amplitude points that are sufficient to capture the non-linear behavior and characterize the transducer state accurately, avoiding the excessive complexity of exhaustive measurement while maintaining adequate precision
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
Enhances the reliability and accuracy of distance measurements by adaptively managing sensor performance changes, ensuring consistent measurement quality over time without interrupting regular operation.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic sensor with an electroacoustic transducer arrangement for generating and detecting ultrasonic waves
Implementation Method 2
The distance from the object is determined based on the signal time of flight
Implementation Method 3
an electrical test device which is configured to output an electrical test signal to the electroacoustic transducer arrangement and to capture an electrical response signal from the electroacoustic transducer arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed is an ultrasonic sensor system (1) for a motor vehicle (11), comprising an ultrasonic sensor (2) and a test control device (10). The ultrasonic sensor (2) comprises an electroacoustic converter arrangement (7) for generating and detecting ultrasonic waves and an electric test device (8), which is designed to output an electric test signal to the electroacoustic converter arrangement (7) and to detect an electric response signal of the electroacoustic converter arrangement (7) to the electric test signal. The test control device (10) is designed to detect a characteristic variable of the electric response signal at a plurality of measurement points (14, 15) by means of the electric test device (8) by varying a frequency and an amplitude of the electric test signal.