Vehicle Sensor Synchronization via Direct Trigger Line
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor devices for motor vehicles cannot perform indirect measurements (cross measurements) using a combination of bus-capable and conventional ultrasonic sensors due to synchronization delays caused by the vehicle bus, limiting detection range and increasing costs from the need for more expensive bus-capable sensors.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device that synchronizes bus-capable and conventional ultrasonic sensors using a separate direct trigger line, allowing for indirect measurements by transmitting trigger signals directly, thereby bypassing the vehicle bus and enabling cross-measurements without mutual interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a combination of bus-capable and conventional ultrasonic sensors is used, then costs are reduced by using fewer expensive bus-capable sensors, but synchronization delays occur due to the vehicle bus limiting detection range and preventing indirect measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger signal transmission is segmented into two separate paths: a direct electrical connection path for critical synchronization signals and a vehicle bus path for other communications. This segmentation allows the most time-sensitive trigger signals to bypass the vehicle bus entirely, eliminating synchronization delays while still enabling the use of fewer bus-capable sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
A direct electrical connection acts as an intermediary channel between the control unit and sensors, providing a dedicated communication path that is faster and more reliable than the vehicle bus for trigger signal transmission. This intermediary path resolves the contradiction by providing the necessary synchronization accuracy without requiring all sensors to be bus-capable.
2Device complexity
If trigger signals are transmitted through the vehicle bus, then device complexity is reduced by using a single communication bus, but synchronization delays occur preventing accurate cross measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The communication architecture is segmented into two distinct channels: the vehicle bus for general control and data transmission, and a direct electrical connection exclusively for trigger signal transmission. This segmentation isolates the time-critical trigger signals from the vehicle bus traffic, eliminating synchronization delays while maintaining manageable device complexity through standardized connections.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional sensors are used without direct trigger connection, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but indirect measurements cannot be performed due to synchronization issues
Solution Approach 1:
The direct electrical connection is applied locally and selectively only to sensors that need to participate in indirect measurements, rather than requiring all sensors to have full bus capability. This localized application provides the necessary synchronization for cross measurements while keeping other sensors as simple conventional units, maintaining cost effectiveness.
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 reduces costs by using fewer expensive bus-capable sensors, enhances detection range, and prevents interference between sensors, allowing for efficient synchronization and accurate propagation time determination during cross-measurements.
Implementation Method 1
The control unit (21) is also electrically coupled to the at least one first sensor (24) via a trigger line (30) which is different from the vehicle bus (29) and transmits respective trigger signals (S(t)) to the sensors (22, 23, 24) via the signal line (27, 28) on the one hand and the trigger line (30) on the other hand, with which the sensors (22, 23, 24) are synchronized with one another
Implementation Method 2
Ultrasonic sensors are generally used in (one) parking assistance systems for motor vehicles... a first ultrasonic sensor (2) emits a sound wave, which is then reflected by an object and in turn received by the same ultrasonic sensor (2)... the propagation time of the sound wave between a transmission time and a reception time is determined and converted into a distance of the object from the motor vehicle
Implementation Method 3
a first ultrasonic sensor (2) emits a sound wave, which is then reflected by an object and in turn received by the same ultrasonic sensor (2)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor device (20) for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one first sensor (24) and one second sensor (22, 23), each for acquiring environmental information of the motor vehicle, and a control unit (21) for controlling the sensors (22, 23, 24), which is coupled to the first sensor (24) via a vehicle bus (29) for transmitting control data and to the second sensor (22, 23) via an electrical signal line (27, 28) separate from the vehicle bus (29), wherein the control unit (21) is additionally coupled to the first sensor (24) via an electrical trigger line (30) separate from the vehicle bus (29) and is configured to transmit respective trigger signals (S27, S28, S30) to the sensors (22, 23, 24) via the signal line (27, 28) on the one hand and the trigger line (30) on the other, with which the sensors (22, 23, 24) can be synchronized with each other.