Vehicle Sensor Assembly With Redundant Power Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor arrangements for vehicles require multiple sensor elements per measurement point, leading to increased costs and complexity, while also being prone to failure due to reliance on single energy sources for wheel speed and rotational speed measurements.
Innovation Solution
A sensor arrangement with a separate connection module that connects two control devices and a single sensor element to two energy sources, allowing for redundant evaluation and automatic switching between energy sources in case of failure, thereby reducing costs and enhancing reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensor elements are used per measurement point, then reliability is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the evaluation functions into two control devices that simultaneously evaluate sensor signals from a single sensor element. Instead of using multiple sensor elements, the system combines the evaluation capabilities in the control devices to achieve redundant evaluation, thereby reducing sensor element quantity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control devices are designed to perform multiple functions: they evaluate sensor signals from potentially multiple sensor elements and also manage power supply switching between different energy sources. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve reliability through control device redundancy rather than sensor element redundancy.
2Reliability
If a single energy source is used for sensor elements, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different energy sources based on their operational status. The control devices can adaptively change the power supply configuration, transitioning from a static single-energy-source design to a dynamic multi-energy-source system that responds to failure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by providing alternative energy sources in advance and preparing the switching mechanism before failure occurs. When one energy source fails, the system can immediately switch to the other without interruption to sensor operation, thus cushioning against the failure impact.
3Reliability
If redundant sensor elements are used, then failure probability is reduced, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of copying sensor elements, the patent copies the evaluation function in the control devices. A single sensor element's signal is evaluated by multiple control devices, achieving the same redundancy effect as multiple sensor elements would provide, but at lower cost and complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor assembly includes a sensor element and at least two control units, each having an evaluation and control unit and an energy source. In a first control unit, a first evaluation and control unit is connected to a first energy source, and in a second control unit, a second evaluation and control unit is connected to a second energy source. The at least two control units and the sensor element are interconnected by at least one separate interconnection unit. Each interconnection unit connects a first connection of an associated sensor element to the first energy source and/or to the second energy source. A second connection of the sensor element is earthed. A sensor current flowing through the sensor element is modulated at least with information about a detected measured variable. The first evaluation and control unit and/or the second evaluation and control unit evaluate(s) the detected sensor current.