Vehicle Sensor Bus Addressing via Membrane Coverage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sensor systems for vehicles, particularly rear monitoring systems in commercial vehicles, face challenges in efficient and cost-effective parameterization of identical sensors with the same construction, leading to confusion and errors in installation, increased production and logistics costs, and complexity in logistics due to the need for separate part numbers and pre-parameterization.
Innovation Solution
A method using conditional addressing commands based on external influences, such as covering the sensor membrane, allows the bus master to unambiguously parameterize sensors with relatively little effort and low costs, enabling sensors with the same hardware and software to have different bus addresses, simplifying logistics and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If identical sensors with the same construction are used to reduce production and logistics costs, then manufacturing costs and logistics complexity are reduced, but parameterization becomes error-prone and confusing due to the need for separate part numbers and pre-parameterization
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor performs self-parameterization by automatically assigning itself a unique bus address when it detects that its membrane is covered. This eliminates the need for manual parameterization and prevents errors, while allowing identical sensors to be used without separate part numbers.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor's bus address parameter is dynamically changed from a default value to a unique value based on the external condition of membrane coverage. This allows identical sensors to differentiate themselves through parameter changes rather than hardware differences.
2Productivity
If pre-parameterized sensors are mounted on the vehicle to enable immediate use, then installation time is reduced, but logistics complexity increases due to the need for separate part numbers and pre-parameterization processes
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is prepared in advance with a default bus address and the capability for automatic parameterization. This preliminary preparation allows the sensor to be installed immediately without pre-parameterization, while still enabling unique identification through automatic addressing during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A single sensor design with default addressing capability serves multiple functions: it can be installed immediately without special preparation, and it can automatically generate unique addresses during operation. This universal design eliminates the need for different part numbers.
3Ease of operation
If hardware solutions are implemented in the sensors to enable addressing, then addressing capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase due to additional hardware requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hardware-based addressing mechanisms with a software-based solution that uses the sensor's existing functional components (membrane coverage detection). This substitution eliminates additional hardware while maintaining addressing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor uses its own operational components (membrane coverage detection) to generate addressing information, rather than requiring separate hardware addressing mechanisms. This self-service approach reduces hardware complexity while enabling addressing.
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
The system has sensors e.g. detection sensors or displacement sensors (3-1-3-4), comprising a bus connection device and outputting a measuring signal by the bus connection device. A bus master (6) and the sensors form a local interconnect network bus system (2). The sensors are parameterized by the bus master by assigning bus addresses in the bus system based on detection of external influence. The displacement sensors utilize hardware and software to detect distances, and detection regions (10) of the sensors are overlapped. An independent claim is also included for a method for parameterizing a sensor system.