Wheel Speed Sensor Assembly for Redundant Brake Control Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake systems for highly automated or autonomous vehicles require redundant rotation rate sensors, leading to increased complexity, cost, and latency in information transfer due to direct point-to-point connections or switching devices, and existing solutions with multiple sensors per vehicle wheel are inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with standard rotation rate sensors connected directly to control units near the wheel, allowing real-time rotation rate information transfer to both primary and secondary control units without additional switching devices, using a databus for central network distribution and enabling redundancy through dual control units for actuator control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If eight rotation rate sensors are installed (four per control unit), then redundant rotation rate information is available to both primary and secondary control units, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor connection architecture by having all eight rotation rate sensors (four per wheel) connect to a common databus that both primary and secondary control units can access. This eliminates the need for separate point-to-point connections for each control unit, reducing wiring complexity while maintaining redundant information availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The databus serves multiple functions: it provides rotation rate information to both primary and secondary control units, supports redundant communication paths, and enables flexible information distribution. This universal communication infrastructure replaces multiple dedicated connection paths, reducing overall system complexity.
2Speed
If rotation rate sensors are connected point-to-point to primary control unit with switching device for fault coverage, then real-time information is available, but additional complexity and costs are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical switching device architecture with an electronic databus-based communication system. Information flows digitally through the databus to both control units simultaneously, eliminating the need for physical switching mechanisms while maintaining real-time data availability and fault coverage capabilities.
3Reliability
If rotation rate information is looped through primary control unit to secondary control unit, then redundant information is available, but latency increases and fault coverage is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information distribution architecture so that rotation rate information flows independently to both primary and secondary control units via the databus. This parallel distribution eliminates the sequential 'looping' approach, reducing latency while maintaining redundant information availability and improving fault coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a sensor assembly for a vehicle, comprising: a speed sensor for each vehicle wheel that detects an rpm-dependent and/or rotational-speed-dependent physical variable, which is used to ascertain speed information; a primary control unit, which analyses the speed information to perform first braking functions; and a secondary control unit, which analyses the speed information to perform second braking functions. A control unit is positioned close to each of the vehicle wheels, and is connected to the speed sensor associated with the corresponding wheel and receives a sensor signal and determines the speed information for the corresponding vehicle wheel, the primary control device and a further control device receiving the speed information for analysis in real time, and the control devices making the speed information available in the form of first sensor data to a central network over a databus for distribution in the vehicle.