Ultrasonic Sensor Failure Diagnosis via Surge Voltage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for diagnosing ultrasonic sensor failures are inaccurate in environments where the reception waveform is changing, such as in vehicles, due to convection phenomena, leading to incorrect diagnoses of normal or faulty sensors.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that determine the presence of a surge voltage in the received ultrasonic waveforms after transmitter activation, using a controller to extract voltage values, calculate an average, and set a threshold to accurately diagnose sensor failures, with the option to diagnose multiple transmitters and a single receiver configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed reference value is used to diagnose ultrasonic sensor failure, then the diagnosis method is simple, but the diagnosis accuracy deteriorates in environments with convection phenomena
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring the baseline voltage of the reception waveform before the transmitter is activated. This baseline measurement is stored and later used for comparison after transmitter activation to detect surge voltage. By preparing the reference baseline in advance rather than using a fixed predetermined reference value, the system can accurately diagnose sensor failures even when the reception waveform changes due to convection phenomena.
2Productivity
If the diagnosis is based on whether voltage exceeds a reference value, then the diagnosis process is fast, but it produces incorrect diagnoses when reception waveform changes due to convection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the reference value based on the actual baseline voltage measured before transmitter activation. Instead of using a fixed reference value, the system calculates the baseline voltage from the reception waveform and uses this dynamic reference for comparison. This allows the diagnosis method to adapt to changing environmental conditions while maintaining fast diagnosis speed and high reliability.
3Device complexity
If a predetermined time period is used for diagnosis, then the diagnosis timing is simple to control, but it cannot accurately detect failures when waveform portions fall outside this period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by continuously monitoring the voltage of the reception waveform at multiple time points after transmitter activation. Instead of checking only once within a predetermined time period, the system periodically samples the voltage and compares each sample against the baseline to detect surge voltage. This periodic monitoring ensures that surge voltage is detected even if it occurs at different times, improving detection accuracy while maintaining simple control.
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 allows for precise diagnosis of ultrasonic sensor failures even in changing environments, ensuring accurate detection of normal or faulty sensors, enhancing the reliability of systems like intrusion protection in vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The ultrasonic detector applies a voltage to a piezoelectric element connected to a trigger pin to generate ultrasonic waves, and receives the sound wave reflected from the object through an echo pin to generate another voltage.
Implementation Method 2
in an environment where a reception waveform of the ultrasonic detector is changing due to a convection phenomenon, as in a commercial vehicle with a large internal volume
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for diagnosing a failure of an ultrasonic detector in a manner that diagnoses whether a failure has occurred in the ultrasonic detector by determining whether a surge voltage is generated based on a waveform received by a receiver of the ultrasonic detector after activation of a transmitter of the ultrasonic sensor, may include an ultrasonic detector transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave; a voltage detector measuring a voltage of the received ultrasonic wave; and a controller determining whether a surge voltage is generated based on the measured voltage, and diagnosing whether a failure has occurred in the ultrasonic detector according to whether the surge voltage is generated.