Ultrasonic Sensor Integrity Check Using Adjacent Crosstalk
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems fail to reliably determine whether ultrasonic sensors in vehicles are sending signals properly without distortion, which is crucial for advanced parking functions and autonomous driving, as they only check for disconnection or obstruction, not signal integrity.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that check the integrity of ultrasonic sensors by generating output signals from multiple sensors, acquiring crosstalk values from adjacent sensors, and determining anomalies based on reference values stored in a database, allowing for real-time sensitivity adjustments due to environmental changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only basic disconnection or obstruction checks are performed, then the system complexity is low, but the sensor signal integrity cannot be reliably determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an adjacent ultrasonic sensor as an intermediary to detect crosstalk signals from the target sensor. Instead of directly analyzing the target sensor's output signal for integrity, the system uses the adjacent sensor to receive and measure the crosstalk signal, which provides indirect but reliable information about the target sensor's signal integrity without requiring complex direct analysis equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex direct signal analysis mechanisms with a simpler crosstalk-based detection system. Instead of using sophisticated equipment to directly analyze the target sensor's output signal for distortion, the system substitutes this with a mechanical/acoustic approach where adjacent sensors naturally receive crosstalk signals that reveal integrity information
2Reliability
If crosstalk signals are not monitored, then the device complexity is low, but signal distortion due to aging or environmental factors cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the adjacent sensor continuously monitors crosstalk signals and provides feedback information about the target sensor's signal integrity. The system compares the received crosstalk signal characteristics against expected values and uses this feedback to determine whether signal distortion is occurring, enabling continuous reliability monitoring without complex additional hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing adjacent ultrasonic sensors to perform self-diagnosis of signal integrity. Instead of requiring separate dedicated monitoring equipment, the patent enables the sensor network to self-monitor by having each sensor's output potentially detected as crosstalk by its neighbors, allowing the system to detect aging or environmental effects on its own components using its existing infrastructure
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 ensures the reliability of ultrasonic sensors by identifying and addressing signal distortions caused by aging or environmental factors, reducing misrecognition of obstacles and enhancing the performance of parking assistance systems.
Implementation Method 1
An ultrasonic sensor for a vehicle functions to measure a distance value to an object around the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
The direct recognition method refers to a method in which an ultrasonic sensor transmits a signal and receives the same signal to calculate a distance value
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for determining integrity of a sensor includes a signal transmission unit configured to sequentially operate each of a plurality of ultrasonic sensors mounted on a vehicle to generate respective output signals. The apparatus also includes a signal sensing unit configured to acquire a received value of an adjacent ultrasonic sensor adjacent to each of the plurality of ultrasonic sensors which generate the respective output signals. The apparatus further includes an anomaly determining unit configured to determine whether the received value is abnormal. The apparatus additionally includes a determination-result processing unit configured to perform a response for each of the ultrasonic sensors according to a result of determining anomaly.