Ultrasonic Sensor Control Device Daisy-Chain Bus Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensor systems for vehicles face weight increase due to individual connections between multiple obstacle sensors and the control section, which hampers fuel efficiency, weight reduction, and compactization efforts.
Innovation Solution
A sensor control device utilizing a daisy-chain bus line for bidirectional communication between a control unit and multiple ultrasonic sensor drive units, allowing for the integration and simplified connection of ultrasonic sensors, with audio data transmission used for control signals and reflection data, reducing weight and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple obstacle sensors are connected individually in one-to-one relationship with the control section, then each sensor can be controlled and communicate independently, but the weight of connection lines increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual connection lines between sensors and control section are merged into a single bus line. The patent implements a daisy-chain topology where all ultrasonic sensors share a common communication bus, reducing the total number of cables from N individual lines to a single shared bus line, thereby significantly reducing weight while maintaining independent control capability through time-division multiplexing.
Solution Approach 2:
The bus line is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides power supply, bidirectional data communication, and control signal transmission between the control section and all ultrasonic sensors. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated lines for each function, reducing overall connection weight while maintaining full sensor control and communication independence.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple obstacle sensors are installed to cover wide detection area, then detection coverage is improved, but the number of connection lines and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensor connection pathways into a single unified bus line system. Instead of having separate control and data lines for each sensor, all sensors are connected in a daisy-chain configuration sharing common communication pathways, which simplifies the overall system architecture and reduces installation complexity while maintaining wide detection coverage through multiple sensor units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs time-division multiplexing where the bus line alternates between transmitting control signals from the control section to sensors and receiving detection data from sensors in periodic cycles. This periodic communication scheme allows multiple sensors to share the same physical connection infrastructure without signal interference, reducing system complexity while supporting expanded sensor networks for wide-area detection.
3Reliability
If individual connection lines are used for each sensor, then signal transmission is reliable, but weight reduction and fuel efficiency are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual signal transmission pathways into a single shared bus line that supports bidirectional communication. The daisy-chain topology ensures reliable signal transmission through proper impedance matching and signal routing, while the reduced cable weight directly decreases vehicle mass and improves fuel efficiency by eliminating redundant connection lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/electrical point-to-point connection system with a digital bus-based communication system. Instead of dedicated analog signal lines for each sensor, the system uses digital data packets transmitted over a shared bus with time-division multiplexing, maintaining transmission reliability through error checking and protocol management while significantly reducing physical connection weight and energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor control device includes a plurality of drive units for oscillating respective transducers included in a plurality of ultrasonic sensors, a driving signal generation section for generating driving signals capable of oscillating the respective plurality of transducers, a control unit having a control signal output section for outputting, to each one of the plurality of drive units, a control signal as an input command for the driving signal to the respective transducer and a bus line configured to connect the control unit to the plurality of drive units in form of a daisy-chain, the bus line being used for bidirectional communication of communication data between the control unit and the plurality of drive units based on preset time-division, the communication data being comprised of a data structure having a first band that allows superimposition of audio data thereon. Control data based on the control signal is included in the first band.