Ultrasonic Sensor Self-Diagnosis via Membrane Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasonic sensors lack effective self-diagnosis methods to quantify functional impairments during operation, especially in safety-relevant applications, leading to undetected performance losses due to environmental and aging effects.
Innovation Solution
Measuring the acceleration of the sensor membrane to estimate deflection, sound pressure, and sensitivity, allowing for the derivation of sensor parameters and adjustment of sensitivity through transmission current and reception amplification, enabling real-time self-diagnosis and adaptive signal evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ultrasonic sensors are operated closer to performance limits for safety-relevant functions, then functional capability is improved, but detection of performance losses becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor performs self-diagnosis by measuring its own membrane acceleration using an integrated acceleration sensor, enabling it to detect its own performance losses without external reference measurements or systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors sensor performance by comparing measured membrane acceleration against reference values and provides feedback signals that trigger adjustments in transmission current or reception amplification when performance degradation is detected
2Reliability
If comprehensive self-diagnosis is implemented to detect functional limitations, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acceleration sensor is integrated directly into the ultrasonic sensor housing, merging the diagnostic function with the sensing function in a single compact unit, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane acceleration measurement serves multiple purposes: it enables self-diagnosis of functional impairments, provides data for adjusting transmission current, and enables adaptation to changing environmental conditions, making the diagnostic system multi-functional
3Measurement precision
If reference measurements are used for sensor calibration, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor performs its own calibration and diagnosis using internally generated reference values from the acceleration measurement, eliminating the need for external reference measurements and time-consuming calibration procedures while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary self-diagnosis and calibration actions continuously during operation, so that when actual measurement takes place, the sensor is already optimized and no additional calibration time is required
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
Enables reliable assessment and adjustment of sensor sensitivity, reducing the risk of system failures and maintaining performance under changing conditions, such as temperature variations, by providing continuous and quick sensitivity estimation without the need for reference measurements.
Implementation Method 1
By measuring an acceleration of a membrane of a first ultrasonic sensor
Implementation Method 2
a signal sent by the sensor is reflected on the object, the echo is received by the sensor
Implementation Method 3
the speed of the object can also be deduced by detecting a Doppler shift of the signal
Implementation Method 4
DE 10 2006 053 112 discloses a method for controlling a transmission sound pressure and an adjustable reception amplification, in particular of an ultrasonic sensor with a converter
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for self-diagnosis of a first sensor (1), more particularly an ultrasonic sensor, wherein an acceleration of a diaphragm (7) in the first sensor (1) is measured by an acceleration sensor (13) and a quantity that can be compared with a corresponding reference value is determined from the acceleration. The invention also relates to a sensor comprising at least one diaphragm (7), a sensor element (10) and at least one acceleration sensor (13) which determines the acceleration of the at least one diaphragm (7), and to a vehicle comprising the sensor.