Vehicle Window Control Device Sensor Fault Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power window systems fail to perform safety functions when a fault occurs in one of the two hall sensors, as they cannot detect the location and direction of the window glass, leading to potential accidents.
Innovation Solution
A window control device that includes a driving motor, a first sensor generating one pulse signal, a second sensor sensing a voltage signal, and a controller determining the direction and speed of the window glass based on the pulse signal and voltage signal to perform the safety function, even if one hall sensor fails, by changing the direction of the window glass if an obstacle is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two hall sensors are used to detect window glass position and direction, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases when a fault occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter used for detection based on sensor status. When both hall sensors are normal, it uses pulse signals from both sensors for high-precision detection. When one sensor fails, it switches to using the voltage signal parameter to determine direction and the pulse signal from the remaining sensor to calculate speed, maintaining safety function with available parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage signal acts as an intermediary to compensate for the failed hall sensor. By analyzing the voltage signal's polarity (positive for forward rotation, negative for reverse rotation), the system can determine window glass direction without relying on the failed sensor's pulse signal
2Device complexity
If one hall sensor fails, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect direction and location is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors the status of both hall sensors and provides feedback on sensor health. When a sensor failure is detected, the system adjusts its detection strategy by using the voltage signal feedback to determine direction and the remaining sensor's pulse signal feedback to calculate speed, preventing information loss
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage signal serves multiple functions: it controls motor operation and simultaneously acts as a backup for direction detection when hall sensors fail. This multi-functionality ensures that direction and location information can be obtained through alternative means when the primary sensing method is compromised
3Device complexity
If the safety function is disabled to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to potential accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements beforehand cushioning by preparing alternative detection methods in advance. When sensor faults are detected, the controller switches to using voltage signals and remaining pulse signals to maintain safety function, cushioning against the potential harm of undetected obstacles without requiring complete system redesign
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
Ensures the safety function is maintained even with a faulty sensor by determining the direction and speed of the window glass and automatically lowering it if an obstacle is detected, preventing accidents.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor configured to generate one pulse signal corresponding to a rotation of the driving motor
Implementation Method 2
a second sensor configured to sense a voltage signal provided to the driving motor
Data Source
AI summary
A window control device for a vehicle, and a method therefor, include a driving motor configured to drive a window glass, a first sensor configured to generate one pulse signal corresponding to a rotation of the driving motor, a second sensor configured to sense a voltage signal provided to the driving motor, and a controller configured to perform a safety function based on the one pulse signal generated by the first sensor and the voltage signal sensed by the second sensor. Although a fault occurs in one of two hall sensors, the window control device may normally perform the safety function.