EP0457033A2 - Apparatus to detect a changing operating parameter - Google Patents

Apparatus to detect a changing operating parameter Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0457033A2
EP0457033A2 EP19910105855 EP91105855A EP0457033A2 EP 0457033 A2 EP0457033 A2 EP 0457033A2 EP 19910105855 EP19910105855 EP 19910105855 EP 91105855 A EP91105855 A EP 91105855A EP 0457033 A2 EP0457033 A2 EP 0457033A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
measuring devices
operating parameter
characteristic
measuring
supply voltage
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Granted
Application number
EP19910105855
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0457033A3 (en
EP0457033B1 (en
Inventor
Rainer Dipl.-Ing. Norgauer
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Robert Bosch GmbH
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Robert Bosch GmbH
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
    • F02D41/24—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents characterised by the use of digital means
    • F02D41/26—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents characterised by the use of digital means using computer, e.g. microprocessor
    • F02D41/28—Interface circuits
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D11/00—Arrangements for, or adaptations to, non-automatic engine control initiation means, e.g. operator initiated
    • F02D11/06—Arrangements for, or adaptations to, non-automatic engine control initiation means, e.g. operator initiated characterised by non-mechanical control linkages, e.g. fluid control linkages or by control linkages with power drive or assistance
    • F02D11/10—Arrangements for, or adaptations to, non-automatic engine control initiation means, e.g. operator initiated characterised by non-mechanical control linkages, e.g. fluid control linkages or by control linkages with power drive or assistance of the electric type
    • F02D11/106—Detection of demand or actuation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D2200/00—Input parameters for engine control
    • F02D2200/02—Input parameters for engine control the parameters being related to the engine
    • F02D2200/04—Engine intake system parameters
    • F02D2200/0404—Throttle position
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F02D2400/00—Control systems adapted for specific engine types; Special features of engine control systems not otherwise provided for; Power supply, connectors or cabling for engine control systems
    • F02D2400/08—Redundant elements, e.g. two sensors for measuring the same parameter

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for detecting a variable operating parameter according to the preamble of patent claim 1.
  • Such a device for detecting a variable operating parameter, in particular for angle measurement in internal combustion engines, with at least two measuring devices which record the operating parameter is known from EP-A 118 247.
  • the at least two measuring devices each generate signal quantities that represent the operating parameter to be recorded.
  • a characteristic that is linearly dependent on the parameter to be recorded is specified for one of the measuring devices, while another measuring device shows this linear characteristic only in selected signal size ranges and no signal size is generated outside of these areas.
  • These signal size ranges are specified with a view to a functional monitoring of the measuring devices and / or the system by plausibility comparisons of the signal sizes of the measuring devices.
  • the measuring devices have a common voltage supply, irregularities, in particular fluctuations in the amount, in the voltage supply lead to incorrect measurement results and thus to malfunctions of the internal combustion engine and / or of the system connected to the measuring devices, which cannot be recognized by the plausibility monitoring outlined above.
  • the invention is therefore based on the object of specifying measures which improve the operational safety of a device for detecting a variable operating parameter of an internal combustion engine and / or a motor vehicle.
  • the object is achieved in that the characteristics of the at least two measuring devices for detecting the operating parameter are linear over the value range of the operating parameter, at least outside the extreme value ranges of the operating parameter, the slope of at least one characteristic deviating from the one or the other. This enables the detection of irregularities in the area of the voltage supply of the measuring devices.
  • DE-OS 35 10 173 describes the use of such a device for position detection in an electronic engine power control.
  • the disadvantages described above are particularly disadvantageous because of irregularities in the voltage supply to the position detection elements, since the performance of the internal combustion engines is influenced as a function of the signal quantities of the position detection elements.
  • the procedure according to the invention improves the operational safety of a device for detecting an operating parameter and the control system provided with this device in the area of an internal combustion engine and / or a motor vehicle.
  • a special Advantage can be seen in devices with a common power supply consisting of several measuring devices for recording the same operating parameter.
  • the procedure according to the invention makes it possible to detect irregularities in the voltage supply, such as voltage dips, drift phenomena or short-term or long-term shunts to ground or vehicle electrical system.
  • FIG. 1 shows the integration of the measuring devices in an engine control, in particular an electronic engine power control
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 show exemplary embodiments of the device for detecting an operating parameter, in particular a position, in the form of multiple potentiometers which have a characteristic curve according to FIG.
  • the flowchart according to FIG. 5, in conjunction with the characteristic diagram according to FIG. 6, presents a possible embodiment for the detection of irregularities in the supply voltage range of the detection device.
  • the exemplary embodiment described below relates to a device for detecting the position of a power-determining element of an internal combustion engine or a motor vehicle, in particular in connection with an electronic engine power control system.
  • 10 designates a power-determining element of an internal combustion engine and / or a motor vehicle. This is preferably a power actuator (throttle valve or control rod).
  • the performance-determining element 10 is connected via a transmission path 12 to a detection device 14 for the position of the performance-determining element.
  • the device 14 comprises at least two position measuring devices 16 to 18, which are referred to below as sensors. Each of these sensors is coupled to the transmission path 12.
  • the device 14 or each of the sensors or measuring devices 16 to 18 is connected via connecting lines 20 and 22 to a positive pole 24 and a negative pole 26 of the supply voltage.
  • such an arrangement is also provided for an operating element that can be actuated by the driver, in particular an accelerator pedal, for detecting its position.
  • the device for position detection 15 assigned to accelerator pedal 11 via transmission path 13 is not shown in detail in FIG. However, its structure results from the arrangement of the device 14. The following explanations regarding the device 14 therefore also apply to the device 15.
  • the signal variables for the position of the power-determining element 10, which are formed by the sensors 16 to 18 as a function of the position of the power-determining element 10 in accordance with their characteristics or characteristic, are connected to one another via connecting lines 28 to 30 Control and regulation system 32 forwarded.
  • the connecting lines 28 to 30 connect the device 14 or the sensors 16 to 18 to the control or regulating system 32.
  • the connecting lines 28 to 30 are guided in the control or regulating system 32 to input circuits 34 to 36. These consist at least of A / D converters for generating digital position values.
  • the digital values are output to a computing element 42 in which the control or regulating function of the electronic engine power control system and the functional check of the device 14 described below are carried out.
  • the computing element 42 is connected to the power actuator 10 via a line 44, an output stage 46 and a control line 48.
  • the device 15 assigned to the accelerator pedal is led via lines 31, the number of which is predetermined in accordance with the number of sensors of the device 15, to input circuits 37 of the control and regulating system 32, the outputs of which form the lines 40 mentioned above.
  • the signal quantities generated by the individual sensors and representing the position of the element assigned to them are delivered via lines 28 to 30 and 31 by devices 14 and 15 to the control and regulating system for further processing.
  • the control system regulates the position of the power actuator on the basis of the position values of the power-determining elements 10 and 11.
  • the setpoint specified by element 11 is compared with the actual value taken from element 10 and the power actuator is controlled via line 48 to reduce the setpoint / actual value difference.
  • This regulation can be based both on an individual sensor signal quantity and on the basis of an average value formed from several sensor signal quantities or a minimum value of the signal quantities generated by the sensors are carried out.
  • at least one of the sensor signal quantities is used to monitor the function of the other sensors, the signal quantities being evaluated for monitoring purposes in the control and regulating system, in particular in the computing element 42.
  • the operating element 42 is supplied with further operating parameters from corresponding measuring devices, not shown in FIG. 1, which are further processed for control and regulation purposes.
  • the control system 32 is known to include further inputs and outputs which are necessary to carry out the functions engine power control, idle speed control, fuel metering, ignition timing determination, etc. and are not shown in FIG. 1 for reasons of clarity.
  • the device 14 which is described above using the example of an electronic engine power control, can also be used in connection with other control tasks in the area of the internal combustion engine and motor vehicle for determining a position or location, such as for example when measuring the inflowing air quantity or determining the position of the seats the occupants of the motor vehicle for seat adjustment, etc.
  • the device 14 and 15 known from FIG. 1 essentially comprises two sensors 16 and 18 according to FIG. 2.
  • the sensor 16 consists of a resistance track 100 and a grinder 102, which is fixed to the transmission path 12 connected is. Furthermore, the resistance track 100 is connected via the connecting line 20 to the positive pole 24 and via the connecting line 22 to the negative pole 26 of the supply voltage.
  • the wiper 102 of the sensor 16 is connected to a line 104 which is led to a resistor 106.
  • the second connection of the resistor 106 is acted upon by the connecting line 28, which connects the device 14 to the control and regulating system 32.
  • a resistor 110 connected to the pole 26 of the supply voltage is connected to the connecting line 28 at the connection point 108.
  • the line 28 leads via the node 108 to the input circuit 34, not shown in FIG. 2.
  • the second sensor 18 comprises a resistance path 112 and a wiper 114 connected to the transmission path 12.
  • the resistance path 112 is connected via line 116 to line 20, which leads to the positive pole 24 of the supply voltage.
  • the second end of the resistance track 112 is connected via line 118 to line 22 of the negative pole 26 of the supply voltage.
  • the wiper 114 is connected via the line 120 and the resistor 122 to the line 30, which leads to the input circuit 36 (not shown in FIG. 2) via the node 124, at which a resistor 126 is connected to the pole 26 of the supply voltage.
  • the relationship between the signal magnitude taken from the grinders 102 and 114 and the position of the power-determining element 10, which is passed on via the transmission path 12, is linear, at least outside the extreme value range.
  • the signal size results directly from the position of the wipers 102 and 114 on the basis of the voltage divider formed by the wiper on the resistance tracks 100 and 112, respectively. Due to the differently selected length of the resistance tracks 100 and 112, however, as a result of the different divider ratios for the positions of the grinders 102 and 114, the slopes or characteristics of the sensors 16 and 18 differ from one another.
  • the slope of the curve is the longer resistance track generally smaller than that of the sensor equipped with the shorter resistance path. This relationship is shown in FIG. 4.
  • the horizontal axis describes the operating parameter of the internal combustion engine or the motor vehicle to be measured, in the case of the exemplary embodiment the position of the power-determining element, which in its value range lies between a minimum (min) and a maximum (max) value, which for example each corresponds to the stops of the performance-determining element can be varied.
  • the signal quantities taken from the grinders 102 and 114 are plotted on the horizontal axis. These signal sizes move within a signal range between a minimum signal size assigned to the minimum value of the operating parameter (min 1, 2) and a maximum signal size assigned to the maximum value of the operating parameter (max 1/2 ).
  • FIG. 4 shows the characteristic curve 200 assigned to the sensor 18 and the characteristic curve 202 assigned to the sensor 16, which is equipped with a resistance path 100 that is longer than the resistance path 112. Both curves have different slopes.
  • the value range of the signal size of the sensor 16 is accordingly changed compared to the sensor 18, reduced in FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 4 A further possibility for generating the characteristics shown in FIG. 4 consists in circuitry measures in accordance with the arrangement according to FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 3 the elements that have already been listed and described with reference to FIG. 2 are provided with the same reference numerals and not in more detail mentioned.
  • the resistance tracks 300 of the sensor 16 or 302 of the sensor 18 shown in FIG. 3 have the same lengths.
  • a resistor element in particular a resistor 304, is inserted in the supply voltage supply line 116 of the resistance path 302 of the sensor 18.
  • a resistor element in particular a resistor 304
  • this measure leads to the fact that for each position of the wiper the voltage drop between the wiper and negative pole or the voltage drop from the positive pole of the supply voltage to the wiper forming the signal variable differs in amount, ie for the resistance path provided with the resistive element 304 is smaller than for the other lanes.
  • a characteristic curve behavior according to FIG. 4 can be achieved in this way. It should be noted that in FIG. 3 the characteristic assigned to sensor 18 assumes a shape according to characteristic 202 in FIG. 4, while the characteristic assigned to sensor 16 has the shape of characteristic 200.
  • the measures described were each carried out in the area of the positive connection of the sensors.
  • the same effect without impairing the core idea can also be achieved with the measures mentioned in the area of the negative pole.
  • the position control of a power actuator performed by the control system takes place as a function of the sensor to which a characteristic curve according to 200 is assigned.
  • the other sensor with a characteristic curve with a lower gradient, is used to monitor the function of this sensor.
  • Irregularities in the supply voltage of the sensors in particular those that result in a change in the amount of the signal range of the sensor signal variables, lead to the shifting of the characteristic curves 200 and 202, as is shown by the broken lines in FIG is shown.
  • the signal variables of the two sensors are considered, there is a fixed linear relationship between them, which is illustrated by the solid line 310 in FIG. 5 by way of example.
  • the signal size of one sensor is plotted on the horizontal axis according to FIG. 5, and the signal size of the other sensor or sensors is plotted on the vertical axis.
  • a change in the supply voltage for example as a result of voltage dips and / or drift phenomena compared to the normal state according to characteristic curve 310, leads to a shift in the characteristic curve in the diagram according to FIG. 5.
  • An increase in the supply voltage and the resulting shift in characteristic curve 310 is shown by the dashed curve 312 in Figure 5 shown.
  • the characteristic curve shifts such that the characteristic curve points of different sizes in the diagram in FIG. 5 are shifted upward with a tendency to the right.
  • the signal quantities (U i, j ) of the individual sensors are read in according to step 400.
  • the signal size (U jt ) of one or more sensors is determined as a function of the signal size (U i ) of the or the other sensors in each case by means of a predetermined map representing the normal state according to FIG. 5 (310).
  • this or these theoretical signal quantities (U jt ) read out from the characteristic diagram for the normal state are compared with the actually recorded signal quantities (U j ) of the sensors concerned and a query is made as to whether the theoretical and actual values are related to one another in a predetermined tolerance band are located. For example, this can be done by calculating the amount of the difference between the theoretical and actual value and the Query whether the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold can be made. If the latter is the case, it is concluded that the sensors are malfunctioning due to irregularities in the supply voltage range (step 406), while in the event of a negative result of the query in step 404, the sensors are rated as functional. After steps 408, or in the event of an error 406, the program part according to FIG. 3 is ended and, if necessary, started again.
  • the procedure according to the invention in the case of a device which detects an operating parameter of the internal combustion engine and / or the motor vehicle and has a plurality of measuring devices which have a common power supply and which have a common power supply, a check for irregularities in the area of this common power supply at each operating point, is enabled during the operating cycle of the internal combustion engine.
  • the procedure illustrated here is not only limited to the potentiometer arrangement described in the exemplary embodiments, but can also be used, in particular as part of the circuitry measures according to FIG. 3, for other sensor systems for detecting an operating parameter with a common voltage supply.

Abstract

An apparatus for detecting a changing operating parameter of an internal combustion engine and/or of a motor vehicle, in particular for angular measurement is proposed, having at least two measuring devices which detect the respective operating parameter and have predetermined characteristics for the generation of signal variables which represent the operating parameter, the characteristics each having different forms, being linear over the value range of the operating parameter and the characteristic of at least one of the measuring devices deviating from those of the other measuring device or devices with respect to its gradient. Irregularities in the area of the common supply voltage of the measuring devices are then recognisable in that the signal variables of the measuring devices generated with deviating characteristics are placed in a relation with one another. <IMAGE>

Description

Stand der TechnikState of the art

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Vorrichtung zur Erfassung eines veränderlichen Betriebsparameters gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Patentanspruchs 1.The invention relates to a device for detecting a variable operating parameter according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Eine derartige Vorrichtung zur Erfassung eines veränderlichen Betriebsparameters, insbesondere zur Winkelmessung bei Brennkraftmaschinen, mit wenigstens zwei, den Betriebsparamter erfassenden Meßeinrichtungen ist aus der EP-A 118 247 bekannt. Die wenigstens zwei Meßeinrichtungen erzeugen dabei jeweils Signalgrößen, die den zu erfassenden Betriebsparameter repräsentieren. Für eine der Meßeinrichtungen ist eine linear vom zu erfassenden Parameter abhängige Charakteristik vorgegeben, während eine andere Meßeinrichtung diese lineare Charakteristik nur in ausgewählten Signalgrößenbereichen zeigt und außerhalb dieser Bereiche keine Signalgröße erzeugt wird. Diese Signalgrößenbereiche sind dabei mit Blick auf eine Funktionsüberwachung der Meßeinrichtungen und/oder des Systems durch Plausibilitätsvergleiche der Signalgrößen der Meßeinrichtungen vorgegeben.Such a device for detecting a variable operating parameter, in particular for angle measurement in internal combustion engines, with at least two measuring devices which record the operating parameter is known from EP-A 118 247. The at least two measuring devices each generate signal quantities that represent the operating parameter to be recorded. A characteristic that is linearly dependent on the parameter to be recorded is specified for one of the measuring devices, while another measuring device shows this linear characteristic only in selected signal size ranges and no signal size is generated outside of these areas. These signal size ranges are specified with a view to a functional monitoring of the measuring devices and / or the system by plausibility comparisons of the signal sizes of the measuring devices.

Da die Meßeinrichtungen über eine gemeinsame Spannungsversorgung verfügen, führen Unregelmäßigkeiten, insbesondere Betragsschwankungen, in der Spannungsversorgung zu fehlerhaften Meßergebnissen und somit zu Fehlfunktionen der Brennkraftmaschine und/oder des mit den Meßeinrichtungen verbundenen Systems, die von der oben skizzierten Plausibilitätsüberwachung nicht erkennbar sind.Since the measuring devices have a common voltage supply, irregularities, in particular fluctuations in the amount, in the voltage supply lead to incorrect measurement results and thus to malfunctions of the internal combustion engine and / or of the system connected to the measuring devices, which cannot be recognized by the plausibility monitoring outlined above.

Der Erfindung liegt daher die Aufgabe zugrunde, Maßnahmen anzugeben, die die Betriebssicherheit einer Vorrichtung zur Erfassung eines veränderlichen Betriebsparameters einer Brennkraftmaschine und/oder eines Kraftfahrzeugs verbessern. Die Aufgabe wird dadurch gelöst, daß die Charakteristiken der wenigstens zwei Meßeinrichtungen zur Erfassung des Betriebsparameters wenigstens außerhalb der Extremwertbereiche des Betriebsparameters über den Wertebereich des Betriebsparameters linear sind, wobei die Steigung wenigstens einer Charakteristik von den oder der jeweils anderen abweicht. Dies ermöglicht ein Erkennen von Unregelmäßigkeiten im Bereich der Spannungsversorgung der Meßeinrichtungen.The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying measures which improve the operational safety of a device for detecting a variable operating parameter of an internal combustion engine and / or a motor vehicle. The object is achieved in that the characteristics of the at least two measuring devices for detecting the operating parameter are linear over the value range of the operating parameter, at least outside the extreme value ranges of the operating parameter, the slope of at least one characteristic deviating from the one or the other. This enables the detection of irregularities in the area of the voltage supply of the measuring devices.

Die DE-OS 35 10 173 beschreibt die Anwendung einer derartigen Vorrichtung zur Positionserfassung bei einer elektronischen Motorleistungssteuerung. Bei derartigen, sicherheitsrelevanten Systemen sind die oben geschilderten Nachteile aufgrund von Unregelmäßigkeiten in der Spannungsversorgung der Positionserfassungsorgane von besonderem Nachteil, da in Abhängigkeit der Signalgrößen der Positionserfassungsorgane die Leistung der Brennkraftmaschien beeinflußt wird.DE-OS 35 10 173 describes the use of such a device for position detection in an electronic engine power control. In the case of such safety-relevant systems, the disadvantages described above are particularly disadvantageous because of irregularities in the voltage supply to the position detection elements, since the performance of the internal combustion engines is influenced as a function of the signal quantities of the position detection elements.

Vorteile der ErfindungAdvantages of the invention

Die erfindungsgemäße Vorgehensweise verbessert die Betriebssicherheit einer Vorrichtung zur Erfassung eines Betriebsparameters und des mit dieser Vorrichtung versehenen Steuerungssystems im Bereich einer Brennkraftmaschine und/oder eines Kraftfahrzeugs. Ein besonderer Vorteil ist bei aus mehreren Meßeinrichtungen zur Erfassung desselben Betriebsparameters bestehenden Vorrichtungen mit gemeinsamer Spannungsversorgung zu erkennen. Dort ermöglicht es die erfindungsgemäße Vorgehensweise, Unregelmäßigkeiten in der Spannungsversorgung, wie beispielsweise Spannungseinbrüche, Drifterscheinungen oder kurzzeitige oder langzeitige Nebenschlüsse zu Masse oder Bordnetz, erkennbar zu machen.The procedure according to the invention improves the operational safety of a device for detecting an operating parameter and the control system provided with this device in the area of an internal combustion engine and / or a motor vehicle. A special Advantage can be seen in devices with a common power supply consisting of several measuring devices for recording the same operating parameter. There, the procedure according to the invention makes it possible to detect irregularities in the voltage supply, such as voltage dips, drift phenomena or short-term or long-term shunts to ground or vehicle electrical system.

Besondere Bedeutung erlangt diese Tatsache bei Mehrfachpotentiometern zur Messung der Stellung eines leistungsbestimmenden Elements einer Brennkraftmaschine bzw. eines Kraftfahrzeugs, wie beispielsweise eines vom Fahrer betätigbaren Bedienelements oder eines Leistungsstellgliedes, insbesondere bei elektronischen Motorleistungssteuerungssystemen, da dort die auftretenden Auswirkungen von Unregelmäßigkeiten in der Spannungsversorgung sicherheitskritische Folgen haben können. Die erfindungsgemäße Vorgehensweise trägt zu einer Verbesserung der Betriebssicherheit derartiger Systeme bei.This fact is of particular importance in the case of multiple potentiometers for measuring the position of a performance-determining element of an internal combustion engine or a motor vehicle, such as, for example, a control element that can be actuated by the driver or a power actuator, in particular in the case of electronic engine power control systems, since there the effects of irregularities in the voltage supply have safety-critical consequences can. The procedure according to the invention contributes to an improvement in the operational safety of such systems.

Weitere Vorteile ergeben sich aus den Unteransprüchen in Verbindung mit der nachfolgenden Beschreibung von Ausführungsbeispielen.Further advantages result from the subclaims in connection with the following description of exemplary embodiments.

Zeichnungdrawing

Die Erfindung wird nachstehend anhand der in der Zeichnung dargestellten Ausführungsformen erläutert. Figur 1 stellt die Einbindung der Meßeinrichtungen in eine Motorsteuerung, insbesondere eine elektronische Motorleistungssteuerung` dar, während die Figuren 2 bzw. 3 Ausführungsbeispiele der Vorrichtung zur Erfassung eines Betriebsparameters, insbesondere einer Stellung, in Form von Mehrfachpotentiometern zeigen die eine Kennliniencharakteristik gemäß Figur 4 aufweisen. Das Flußdiagramm nach Figur 5 stellt in Verbindung mit dem Kennliniendiagramm nach Figur 6 eine mögliche Ausführungsform zur Erkennung von Unregelmäßigkeiten im Versorgungsspannungsbereich der Erfassungsvorrichtung vor.The invention is explained below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawing. FIG. 1 shows the integration of the measuring devices in an engine control, in particular an electronic engine power control, while FIGS. 2 and 3 show exemplary embodiments of the device for detecting an operating parameter, in particular a position, in the form of multiple potentiometers which have a characteristic curve according to FIG. The flowchart according to FIG. 5, in conjunction with the characteristic diagram according to FIG. 6, presents a possible embodiment for the detection of irregularities in the supply voltage range of the detection device.

Beschreibung von AusführungsbeispielenDescription of exemplary embodiments

Das im folgenden beschriebene Ausführungsbeispiel bezieht sich auf eine Vorrichtung zur Erfassung der Stellung eines leistungsbestimmenden Elements einer Brennkraftmaschine bzw. eines Kraftfahrzeugs, insbesondere in Verbindung mit einem elektronischen Motorleistungssteuerungssystem. In Figur 1 ist mit 10 ein leistungsbestimmendes Element einer Brennkraftmaschine und/oder eines Kraftfahrzeugs bezeichnet. Dabei handelt es sich vorzugsweise um ein Leistungsstellglied (Drosselklappe oder Regelstange). Das leistungsbestimmende Element 10 ist über einen Übertragungsweg 12 mit einer Erfassungsvorrichtung 14 für die Stellung des leistungsbestimmenden Elements verbunden. Die Vorrichtung 14 umfaßt wenigstens zwei Stellungsmeßeinrichtungen 16 bis 18, die im folgenden als Sensoren bezeichnet werden. Jeder dieser Sensoren ist mit dem Übertragungsweg 12 gekoppelt. Ferner ist die Vorrichtung 14 bzw. jeder der Sensoren oder Meßeinrichtungen 16 bis 18 über Verbindungsleitungen 20 bzw. 22 mit einem positiven Pol 24 sowie einem negativen Pol 26 der Versorgungsspannung verbunden.The exemplary embodiment described below relates to a device for detecting the position of a power-determining element of an internal combustion engine or a motor vehicle, in particular in connection with an electronic engine power control system. In FIG. 1, 10 designates a power-determining element of an internal combustion engine and / or a motor vehicle. This is preferably a power actuator (throttle valve or control rod). The performance-determining element 10 is connected via a transmission path 12 to a detection device 14 for the position of the performance-determining element. The device 14 comprises at least two position measuring devices 16 to 18, which are referred to below as sensors. Each of these sensors is coupled to the transmission path 12. Furthermore, the device 14 or each of the sensors or measuring devices 16 to 18 is connected via connecting lines 20 and 22 to a positive pole 24 and a negative pole 26 of the supply voltage.

In analoger Weise ist eine derartige Anordnung auch für ein vom Fahrer betätigbares Bedienelement, insbesondere ein Fahrpedal, zur Erfassung dessen Stellung vorgesehen. Aus Vereinfachungsgründen ist in Figur 1 die dem Fahrpedal 11 über den Übertragungsweg 13 zugeordnete Vorrichtung zur Stellungserfassung 15 nicht näher ausgestaltet. Ihr Aufbau ergibt sich jedoch aus der Anordnung der Vorrichtung 14. Die folgenden Ausführungen bezüglich der Vorrichtung 14 gelten daher ebenfalls für die Vorrichtung 15.In an analogous manner, such an arrangement is also provided for an operating element that can be actuated by the driver, in particular an accelerator pedal, for detecting its position. For reasons of simplification, the device for position detection 15 assigned to accelerator pedal 11 via transmission path 13 is not shown in detail in FIG. However, its structure results from the arrangement of the device 14. The following explanations regarding the device 14 therefore also apply to the device 15.

Die von den Sensoren 16 bis 18 in Abhängigkeit der Stellung des leistungsbestimmenden Elements 10 gemäß ihrer Charakteristik bzw. Kennlinie gebildeten Signalgrößen für die Position des leistungsbestimmenden Elements 10 werden über Verbindungsleitungen 28 bis 30 an ein Steuer- und Regelsystem 32 weitergeleitet. Die Verbindungsleitungen 28 bis 30 verbinden dabei die Vorrichtung 14 bzw. die Sensoren 16 bis 18 mit dem Steuer- bzw. Regelsystem 32. Die Verbindungsleitungen 28 bis 30 sind im Steuer- bzw. Regelsystem 32 auf Eingangsschaltungen 34 bis 36 geführt. Diese bestehen zumindest aus A/D-Wandlern zur Erzeugung digitaler Positionswerte. Über die Leitungen 40, die beispielsweise in Form eines Datenbus aufgebaut sind, werden die digitalen Werte an ein Rechenelement 42 abgegeben, in dem die Steuer- bzw. Regelfunktion des elektronischen Motorleistungssteuerungssystems und die weiter unten beschriebene Funktionsüberprüfung der Vorrichtung 14 ausgeführt werden. Das Rechenelement 42 ist über eine Leitung 44, eine Endstufe 46 sowie eine Ansteuerleitung 48 mit dem Leistungsstellglied 10 verbunden.The signal variables for the position of the power-determining element 10, which are formed by the sensors 16 to 18 as a function of the position of the power-determining element 10 in accordance with their characteristics or characteristic, are connected to one another via connecting lines 28 to 30 Control and regulation system 32 forwarded. The connecting lines 28 to 30 connect the device 14 or the sensors 16 to 18 to the control or regulating system 32. The connecting lines 28 to 30 are guided in the control or regulating system 32 to input circuits 34 to 36. These consist at least of A / D converters for generating digital position values. Via the lines 40, which are constructed, for example, in the form of a data bus, the digital values are output to a computing element 42 in which the control or regulating function of the electronic engine power control system and the functional check of the device 14 described below are carried out. The computing element 42 is connected to the power actuator 10 via a line 44, an output stage 46 and a control line 48.

In analoger Weise ist die dem Fahrpedal zugeordnete Vorrichtung 15 über Leitungen 31, deren Anzahl entsprechend der Anzahl der Sensoren der Vorrichtung 15 vorgegeben wird, auf Eingangsschaltungen 37 des Steuer- und Regelsystems 32 geführt, deren Ausgänge die oben erwähnten Leitungen 40 bilden.In an analogous manner, the device 15 assigned to the accelerator pedal is led via lines 31, the number of which is predetermined in accordance with the number of sensors of the device 15, to input circuits 37 of the control and regulating system 32, the outputs of which form the lines 40 mentioned above.

Die von den einzelnen Sensoren erzeugten, die Stellung des ihnen zugeordneten Elements repräsentierenden Signalgrößen, werden über die Leitungen 28 bis 30 bzw. 31 von den Vorrichtungen 14 bzw. 15 an das Steuer- und Regelsystem zur Weiterverarbeitung abgegeben. Zur Steuerung der Motorleistung führt das Steuer- und Regelsystem eine Lageregelung des Leistungsstellgliedes auf der Basis der Positionswerte der leistungsbestimmenden Elemente 10 und 11 durch. Dabei wird der von dem Element 11 vorgebenene Sollwert mit dem vom Element 10 abgenommenen Istwert verglichen und das Leistungsstellglied zur Verringerung der Soll-Istwert-Differenz über die Leitung 48 angesteuert. Diese Regelung kann dabei sowohl auf der Basis einer einzelnen Sensorsignalgröße als auch auf der Basis eines aus mehreren Sensorsignalgrößen gebildeten Mittelwerts oder eines Minimalwertes der von den Sensoren erzeugten Signalgrößen durchgeführt werden. In einem Ausführungsbeispiel dient wenigstens eine der Sensorsignalgrößen zur Überwachung der Funktion der jeweils anderen Sensoren, wobei die Auswertung der Signalgrößen zu Überwachungszwecken im Steuer- und Regelsystem, insbesondere im Rechenelement 42, durchgeführt wird.The signal quantities generated by the individual sensors and representing the position of the element assigned to them are delivered via lines 28 to 30 and 31 by devices 14 and 15 to the control and regulating system for further processing. To control the engine power, the control system regulates the position of the power actuator on the basis of the position values of the power-determining elements 10 and 11. The setpoint specified by element 11 is compared with the actual value taken from element 10 and the power actuator is controlled via line 48 to reduce the setpoint / actual value difference. This regulation can be based both on an individual sensor signal quantity and on the basis of an average value formed from several sensor signal quantities or a minimum value of the signal quantities generated by the sensors are carried out. In one embodiment, at least one of the sensor signal quantities is used to monitor the function of the other sensors, the signal quantities being evaluated for monitoring purposes in the control and regulating system, in particular in the computing element 42.

In bekannter Weise sind dem Rechenelement 42 weitere Betriebsparameter von entsprechenden, in Figur 1 nicht dargestellten Meßeinrichtungen zugeführt, die zu Steuerungs- und Regelungszwecken weiterverarbeitet werden.In a known manner, the operating element 42 is supplied with further operating parameters from corresponding measuring devices, not shown in FIG. 1, which are further processed for control and regulation purposes.

Das Steuer- bzw. Regelsystem 32 umfaßt bekannterweise weitere Ein- und Ausgänge, die zur Durchführung der Funktionen Motorleistungssteuerung, Leerlaufdrehzahlregelung, Kraftstoffzumessung, Zündzeitpunktsbestimmung, etc. notwendig sind und in Figur 1 aus Übersichtlichkeitsgründen nicht dargestellt sind.The control system 32 is known to include further inputs and outputs which are necessary to carry out the functions engine power control, idle speed control, fuel metering, ignition timing determination, etc. and are not shown in FIG. 1 for reasons of clarity.

Die Vorrichtung 14, die oben am Beispiel einer elektronischen Motorleistungssteuerung beschrieben ist, kann auch im Zusammenhang mit anderen im Bereich von Brennkraftmaschine und Kraftfahrzeug ausgeführten Steuerungsaufgaben zur Bestimmung einer Position oder Lage angewendet werden, wie beispielsweise bei der Messung der zuströmenden Luftmenge oder der Positionsbestimmung der Sitze der Insassen des Kraftfahrzeugs zur Sitzverstellung, etc.The device 14, which is described above using the example of an electronic engine power control, can also be used in connection with other control tasks in the area of the internal combustion engine and motor vehicle for determining a position or location, such as for example when measuring the inflowing air quantity or determining the position of the seats the occupants of the motor vehicle for seat adjustment, etc.

Zur Beseitigung der eingangs genannten Nachteile der Vorrichtung 14 werden in Figur 2 und 3 zwei Ausführungsbeispiele der Vorrichtung am Beispiel eines Doppelpotentiometers beschrieben, wobei die Einzelpotentiometer voneinander abweichende, in Figur 4 dargestellte Charakteristiken aufweisen und so die Erkennung von Unregelmäßigkeiten im Versorgungsspannungsbereich ermöglichen. Die aus Figur 1 bekannte Vorrichtung 14 bzw. 15 umfaßt gemäß Figur 2 im wesentlichen zwei Sensoren 16 bzw. 18. Der Sensor 16 besteht aus einer Widerstandsbahn 100 und einem Schleifer 102, der fest mit dem Übertragungsweg 12 verbunden ist. Ferner ist die Widerstandsbahn 100 über die Verbindungsleitung 20 an den positiven Pol 24 und über die Verbindungsleitung 22 an den negativen Pol 26 der Versorgungsspannung angeschlossen. Der Schleifer 102 des Sensors 16 ist an eine Leitung 104 angeknüpft, die auf einen Widerstand 106 geführt ist. Der zweite Anschluß des Widerstands 106 ist mit der Verbindungsleitung 28 beaufschlagt, die die Vorrichtung 14 mit dem Steuer- und Regelsystem 32 verbindet. Dort ist am Verknüpfungspunkt 108 an die Verbindungsleitung 28 ein gegen den Pol 26 der Versorgungsspannung geschalteter Widerstand 110 angeschlossen. Die Leitung 28 führt dabei über den Verknüpfungspunkt 108 an die in Figur 2 nicht dargestellte Eingangsschaltung 34.To eliminate the disadvantages of the device 14 mentioned at the outset, two exemplary embodiments of the device are described in FIGS. 2 and 3 using the example of a double potentiometer, the individual potentiometers having different characteristics, shown in FIG. 4, and thus enabling the detection of irregularities in the supply voltage range. The device 14 and 15 known from FIG. 1 essentially comprises two sensors 16 and 18 according to FIG. 2. The sensor 16 consists of a resistance track 100 and a grinder 102, which is fixed to the transmission path 12 connected is. Furthermore, the resistance track 100 is connected via the connecting line 20 to the positive pole 24 and via the connecting line 22 to the negative pole 26 of the supply voltage. The wiper 102 of the sensor 16 is connected to a line 104 which is led to a resistor 106. The second connection of the resistor 106 is acted upon by the connecting line 28, which connects the device 14 to the control and regulating system 32. There, a resistor 110 connected to the pole 26 of the supply voltage is connected to the connecting line 28 at the connection point 108. The line 28 leads via the node 108 to the input circuit 34, not shown in FIG. 2.

In analoger Weise umfaßt der zweite Sensor 18 eine Widerstandsbahn 112 sowie einen mit dem Übertragungsweg 12 verbundenen Schleifer 114. Die Widerstandsbahn 112 ist über die Leitung 116 mit der Leitung 20 verbunden, die zum positiven Pol 24 der Versorgungsspannung geführt ist. Das zweite Ende der Widerstandsbahn 112 ist über die Leitung 118 an die Leitung 22 des negativen Pols 26 der Versorgungsspannung angeschlossen. Ferner ist der Schleifer 114 über die Leitung 120 und den Widerstand 122 an die Leitung 30 angeknüpft, die über den Verknüpfungspunkt 124, an dem ein Widerstand 126 gegen den Pol 26 der Versorgungsspannung geschaltet ist, zu der in Figur 2 nicht dargestellte Eingangsschaltung 36 führt.Analogously, the second sensor 18 comprises a resistance path 112 and a wiper 114 connected to the transmission path 12. The resistance path 112 is connected via line 116 to line 20, which leads to the positive pole 24 of the supply voltage. The second end of the resistance track 112 is connected via line 118 to line 22 of the negative pole 26 of the supply voltage. Furthermore, the wiper 114 is connected via the line 120 and the resistor 122 to the line 30, which leads to the input circuit 36 (not shown in FIG. 2) via the node 124, at which a resistor 126 is connected to the pole 26 of the supply voltage.

Die beiden, mit dem Übertragungsweg 12 gleichermaßen verbundenen Schleifer 102 bzw. 114 der Sensoren 16 bzw. 18 bewegen sich in Abhängigkeit der Stellung des leistungsbestimmenden Elements 10 des Kraftfahrzeugs, die über den Übertragungsweg 12 auf die Schleifer 102 bzw. 114 übertragen wird, gleichsinnig über die Widerstandsbahnen 100 bzw. 112. Durch die starre Kopplung der Schleifer an den Übertragungsweg 12 und somit zueinander, ist die Position der beiden Schleifern zueinander grundsätzlich unverrückbar. Über die Leitungen 104 bzw. 120 werden von den Schleifern Signalgrößen abgenommen, die die jeweilige Stellung des leistungsbestimmenden Elements 10 repräsentiert. Diese Signalgrößen werden über die Widerstände 106 und 110 bzw. 122 und 126 in Spannungswerte zur Weiterverarbeitung im Rechenelement 42 umgewandelt.The two wipers 102 and 114 of the sensors 16 and 18, which are equally connected to the transmission path 12, move in the same direction depending on the position of the power-determining element 10 of the motor vehicle, which is transmitted to the wipers 102 and 114 via the transmission path 12 the resistance tracks 100 and 112. Due to the rigid coupling of the wipers to the transmission path 12 and thus to one another, the position of the two wipers relative to one another is fundamentally immovable. Over the lines 104 and 120, signal values are taken from the grinders, which represent the respective position of the power-determining element 10. These signal variables are converted via resistors 106 and 110 or 122 and 126 into voltage values for further processing in computing element 42.

Der Zusammenhang der von den Schleifern 102 bzw. 114 abgenommenen Signalgröße und der über den Übertragungsweg 12 weitergegebenen Stellung des leistungsbestimmenden Elementes 10 ist, zumindest außerhalb des Extremwertbereiches, linear. Die Signalgröße ergibt sich dabei direkt aus der Position der Schleifer 102 bzw. 114 aufgrund des vom Schleifer auf den Widerstandsbahnen 100 bzw. 112 gebildeten Spannungsteiler. Durch die unterschiedlich gewählte Länge der Widerstandsbahnen 100 und 112 ergeben sich jedoch infolge des für die Positionen der Schleifer 102 und 114 jeweils unterschiedlichen Teilerverhältnisse voneinander abweichende Steigungen der Charakteristiken bzw. Kennlinien der Sensoren 16 und 18. Dabei ist die Steigung der Kennlinie mit der längeren Widerstandsbahn im allgemeinen kleiner als die des mit der kürzeren Widerstandsbahn ausgestatteten Sensors. Dieser Zusammenhang ist in Figur 4 dargestellt. Dort beschreibt die horizontale Achse den zu messenden Betriebsparameter der Brennkraftmaschine bzw. des Kraftfahrzeugs, im Falle des Ausführungsbeispieles der Stellung des leistungsbestimmenden Elements, der in seinem Wertebereich zwischen einem minimalen (min) und einem maximalen (max) Wert, die beispielsweise jeweils den Anschlägen des leistungbestimmenden Elements entsprechen können, variierbar ist. Auf der horizontalen Achse sind die von den Schleifern 102 und 114 abgenommenen Signalgrößen aufgetragen. Diese Signalgrößen bewegen sich innerhalb eines Signalbereichs zwischen einer dem minimalen Wert des Betriebsparameters zugeordneten minimalen Signalgröße (min₁, ₂) und einer maximalen, dem maximalen Wert des Betriebsparameters zugeordneten Signalgröße (max1/2).The relationship between the signal magnitude taken from the grinders 102 and 114 and the position of the power-determining element 10, which is passed on via the transmission path 12, is linear, at least outside the extreme value range. The signal size results directly from the position of the wipers 102 and 114 on the basis of the voltage divider formed by the wiper on the resistance tracks 100 and 112, respectively. Due to the differently selected length of the resistance tracks 100 and 112, however, as a result of the different divider ratios for the positions of the grinders 102 and 114, the slopes or characteristics of the sensors 16 and 18 differ from one another. The slope of the curve is the longer resistance track generally smaller than that of the sensor equipped with the shorter resistance path. This relationship is shown in FIG. 4. There, the horizontal axis describes the operating parameter of the internal combustion engine or the motor vehicle to be measured, in the case of the exemplary embodiment the position of the power-determining element, which in its value range lies between a minimum (min) and a maximum (max) value, which for example each corresponds to the stops of the performance-determining element can be varied. The signal quantities taken from the grinders 102 and 114 are plotted on the horizontal axis. These signal sizes move within a signal range between a minimum signal size assigned to the minimum value of the operating parameter (min 1, ₂) and a maximum signal size assigned to the maximum value of the operating parameter (max 1/2 ).

Diese beschriebene Zuordnung steht in Abhängigkeit zum Spannungsabfall über der jeweiligen Widerstandsbahn, ist somit direkt abhängig von der Versorgungsspannung. Änderungen in der Versorgungsspannung führen damit zu einer Änderung der oben dargestellten Zuordnung.This assignment described is dependent on the voltage drop across the respective resistance path and is therefore directly dependent on the supply voltage. Changes in the supply voltage thus lead to a change in the assignment shown above.

Die nach Figur 2 vorgesehenen Widerstandsbahnen unterschiedlicher Länge führen zu unterschiedlichen Signalbereichen der jeweiligen Sensorsignalgrößen. In Figur 4 ist die dem Sensor 18 zugeordnete Kennlinie 200 sowie die dem Sensor 16, der mit einer gegenüber der Widerstandsbahn 112 längeren Widerstandsbahn 100 ausgestattet ist, zugeordnete Kennlinie 202 dargestellt. Beide Kennlinien weisen voneinander verschiedene Steigungen auf. Der Wertebereich der Signalgröße des Sensors 16 ist demnach gegenüber dem Sensor 18 verändert, in Figur 4 verringert.The resistance tracks of different lengths provided according to FIG. 2 lead to different signal areas of the respective sensor signal sizes. FIG. 4 shows the characteristic curve 200 assigned to the sensor 18 and the characteristic curve 202 assigned to the sensor 16, which is equipped with a resistance path 100 that is longer than the resistance path 112. Both curves have different slopes. The value range of the signal size of the sensor 16 is accordingly changed compared to the sensor 18, reduced in FIG. 4.

Da die Zuordnung Stellung-Signalgröße in Abhängigkeit zum Spannungsabfall über der jeweiligen Widerstandsbahn steht und somit direkt abhängig von der Versorgungsspannung ist, führen Änderungen in der Versorgungsspannung zu Änderungen der in Figur 4 dargestellten Kennlinien. Diese Tatsache wird zur Fehlerauswertung von Unregelmäßigkeiten im Versorgungsspannungsbereich gemäß der weiter unten dargestellten Vorgehensweise nach Figur 5 und 6 ausgenützt.Since the position-signal size assignment is dependent on the voltage drop above the respective resistance path and is therefore directly dependent on the supply voltage, changes in the supply voltage lead to changes in the characteristic curves shown in FIG. This fact is used for error evaluation of irregularities in the supply voltage range in accordance with the procedure shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 below.

Eine weitere Möglichkeit, die in Figur 4 dargestellten Charakteristiken zu erzeugen, besteht in schaltungstechnischen Maßnahmen gemäß der Anordnung nach Figur 3. In Figur 3 sind die Elemente, die bereits anhand Figur 2 aufgeführt und beschrieben worden sind, mit den gleichen Bezugszeichen versehen und nicht näher erwähnt. Die in Figur 3 dargestellten Widerstandsbahnen 300 des Sensors 16 bzw. 302 des Sensors 18 weisen im Gegensatz zu Figur 2 gleiche Längen auf. Zur Erzeugung des Verhaltens gemäß Figur 4 wird beispielsweise in der Versorgungsspannungszuleitung 116 der Widerstandsbahn 302 des Sensors 18 ein widerstandsbehaftetes Element, insbesondere ein Widerstand 304, eingefügt. Wie eine Verlängerung einer der Widerstandsbahnen gemäß Figur 2, führt diese Maßnahme dazu, daß für jede Position der Schleifer der die Signalgröße bildende Spannungsabfall zwischen Schleifer und negativem Pol bzw. der Spannungsabfall vom positiven Pol der Versorgungsspannung zu den Schleifern betragsmäßig unterschiedlich, d.h. für die mit den widerstandsbehafteten Element 304 versehenen Widerstandsbahn kleiner ist als für die jeweils anderen Bahnen. Ein Kennlinienverhalten gemäß Figur 4 ist auf diese Weise zu erreichen. Dabei ist zu beachten, daß in Figur 3 die dem Sensor 18 zugeordnete Charakteristik eine Form gemäß der Kennlinie 202 in Figur 4 annimmt, während die dem Sensor 16 zugeordnete Charakteristik die Form der Kennlinie 200 besitzt.A further possibility for generating the characteristics shown in FIG. 4 consists in circuitry measures in accordance with the arrangement according to FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the elements that have already been listed and described with reference to FIG. 2 are provided with the same reference numerals and not in more detail mentioned. In contrast to FIG. 2, the resistance tracks 300 of the sensor 16 or 302 of the sensor 18 shown in FIG. 3 have the same lengths. To generate the behavior according to FIG. 4, for example, a resistor element, in particular a resistor 304, is inserted in the supply voltage supply line 116 of the resistance path 302 of the sensor 18. Like an extension of one of the resistance tracks According to FIG. 2, this measure leads to the fact that for each position of the wiper the voltage drop between the wiper and negative pole or the voltage drop from the positive pole of the supply voltage to the wiper forming the signal variable differs in amount, ie for the resistance path provided with the resistive element 304 is smaller than for the other lanes. A characteristic curve behavior according to FIG. 4 can be achieved in this way. It should be noted that in FIG. 3 the characteristic assigned to sensor 18 assumes a shape according to characteristic 202 in FIG. 4, while the characteristic assigned to sensor 16 has the shape of characteristic 200.

In den Ausführungsbeispielen nach den Figuren 2 und 3 wurden die beschriebenen Maßnahmen jeweils im Bereich des positven Anschlusses der Sensoren vorgenommen. Die gleiche Wirkung ohne Beeinträchtigung des Kerngedankens läßt sich auch mit den erwähnten Maßnahmen im Bereich des negativen Pols erreichen.In the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 2 and 3, the measures described were each carried out in the area of the positive connection of the sensors. The same effect without impairing the core idea can also be achieved with the measures mentioned in the area of the negative pole.

Ferner ist anzumerken, daß in einem Ausführungsbeispiel die vom Steuer- und Regelsystem durchgeführte Lageregelung eines Leistungsstellgliedes in Abhängigkeit des Sensors erfolgt, dem eine Kennlinie gemäß 200 zugeordnet ist. Der andere Sensor, mit einer Kennlinie geringerer Steigung, dient zur Funktionsüberwachung dieses Sensors.It should also be noted that in one embodiment, the position control of a power actuator performed by the control system takes place as a function of the sensor to which a characteristic curve according to 200 is assigned. The other sensor, with a characteristic curve with a lower gradient, is used to monitor the function of this sensor.

Unregelmäßigkeiten in der Versorgungsspannung der Sensoren, insbesondere solche, die eine betragmäßige Änderung des Signalbereichs der Sensorsignalgrößen zur Folge haben, führen zur Verschiebung der Kennlinien 200 und 202, wie es strichliert in Figur 4 beispielhaft für eine betragsmäßige Vergrößerung der Signalbereiche anhand der Kennlinien 200a und 202a dargestellt ist.Irregularities in the supply voltage of the sensors, in particular those that result in a change in the amount of the signal range of the sensor signal variables, lead to the shifting of the characteristic curves 200 and 202, as is shown by the broken lines in FIG is shown.

Betrachtet man die Signalgrößen der beiden Sensoren, so besteht zwischen ihnen ein fester linearer Zusammenhang, der in Figur 5 beispielhaft durch die durchgezogene Linie 310 verdeutlicht ist. Dabei ist auf der horizontalen Achse nach Figur 5 die Signalgröße des einen, auf der vertikalen Achse die Signalgröße des oder der jeweils anderen Sensoren aufgetragen.If the signal variables of the two sensors are considered, there is a fixed linear relationship between them, which is illustrated by the solid line 310 in FIG. 5 by way of example. The signal size of one sensor is plotted on the horizontal axis according to FIG. 5, and the signal size of the other sensor or sensors is plotted on the vertical axis.

Eine Änderung der Versorgungsspannung beispielsweise infolge von Spannungseinbrüchen und/oder Drifterscheinungen gegenüber dem Normalzustand gemäß Kennlinie 310 führt zu einer Verschiebung der Kennlinie im Diagramm nach Figur 5. Eine Erhöhung der Versorgungsspannung und die daraus resultierende Verschiebung der Kennlinie 310 ist durch die strichliert aufgetragene Kennlinie 312 in Figur 5 dargestellt. Bei einer Erhöhung der Versorgungsspannung findet eine Verschiebung der Kennlinie derart statt, daß die Kennlinienpunkte mit unterschiedlicher Größe im Diagramm der Figur 5 nach oben mit einer Tendenz nach rechts verschoben werden.A change in the supply voltage, for example as a result of voltage dips and / or drift phenomena compared to the normal state according to characteristic curve 310, leads to a shift in the characteristic curve in the diagram according to FIG. 5. An increase in the supply voltage and the resulting shift in characteristic curve 310 is shown by the dashed curve 312 in Figure 5 shown. When the supply voltage increases, the characteristic curve shifts such that the characteristic curve points of different sizes in the diagram in FIG. 5 are shifted upward with a tendency to the right.

Diese Tatsache wird zur Auswertung der Funktionsfähigkeit der Erfassungsvorrichtung, wie es im Flußdiagramm nach Figur 6 verdeutlicht ist, verwendet. Nach Start des Programmteils werden die Signalgrößen (Ui,j) der einzelnen Sensoren gemaß Schritt 400 eingelesen. Danach wird in Schritt 402 die Signalgröße (Ujt) eines oder mehrerer Sensoren in Abhängigkeit der Signalgröße (Ui) des oder der jeweils anderen Sensoren mittels eines vorgegebenen, den Normalzustand repräsentierenden Kennfelds gemäß Figur 5 (310) bestimmt. Im darauffolgenden Abfrageschritt 404 werden dieser bzw. diese aus dem Kennfeld für den Normalzustand ausgelesenen, theoretischen Signalgrößen (Ujt) mit den tatsächlich erfaßten Signalgrößen (Uj) der betroffenen Sensoren verglichen und abgefragt, ob theoretischer und tatsächlicher Wert sich zueinander in einem vorgegebenen Toleranzband befinden. Beispielsweise kann dies durch Bildung des Betrags der Differenz zwischen theoretischem und tatsächlichem Wert und der Abfrage, obdie Differenz einen vorgegebenen Schwellwert überschreitet, vorgenommen werden. Ist letzteres der Fall, so wird auf eine Fehlfunktion der Sensoren durch Unregelmäßigkeiten im Versorgungsspannungsbereich geschlossen (Schritt 406), während bei einem negativen Ergebnis der Abfrage in Schritt 404 die Sensoren als funktionstüchtig bewertet werden. Nach den Schritten 408, bzw. im Fehlerfall 406, wird der Programmteil nach Figur 3 beendet und gegebenenfalls erneut gestartet.This fact is used for evaluating the functionality of the detection device, as is illustrated in the flow chart according to FIG. 6. After starting the program part, the signal quantities (U i, j ) of the individual sensors are read in according to step 400. Then, in step 402, the signal size (U jt ) of one or more sensors is determined as a function of the signal size (U i ) of the or the other sensors in each case by means of a predetermined map representing the normal state according to FIG. 5 (310). In the subsequent query step 404, this or these theoretical signal quantities (U jt ) read out from the characteristic diagram for the normal state are compared with the actually recorded signal quantities (U j ) of the sensors concerned and a query is made as to whether the theoretical and actual values are related to one another in a predetermined tolerance band are located. For example, this can be done by calculating the amount of the difference between the theoretical and actual value and the Query whether the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold can be made. If the latter is the case, it is concluded that the sensors are malfunctioning due to irregularities in the supply voltage range (step 406), while in the event of a negative result of the query in step 404, the sensors are rated as functional. After steps 408, or in the event of an error 406, the program part according to FIG. 3 is ended and, if necessary, started again.

Zusammenfassend ist festzustellen, daß durch die erfindungsgemäße Vorgehensweise bei einer einen Betriebsparameter der Brennkraftmaschine und/oder des Kraftfahrzeugs erfassenden Vorrichtung mit mehreren, den Betriebsparameter erfassenden Meßeinrichtungen, die über eine gemeinsame Spannungsversorgung verfügen, eine Überprüfung auf Unregelmäßigkeiten im Bereich dieser gemeinsamen Spannungsversorgung in jedem Betriebspunkt, während des Betriebszyklus der Brennkraftmaschine ermöglicht wird. Die dargestellte Vorgehensweise ist dabei nicht nur auf die in den Ausführungsbeispielen beschriebenen Potentiometeranordnung beschränkt, sondern ist insbesondere im Rahmen der schaltungstechnischen Maßnahmen nach Figur 3 auch auf andere Sensorsysteme zur Erfassung eines Betriebsparameters mit gemeinsamer Spannungsversorgung anwendbar.In summary, it can be stated that by the procedure according to the invention, in the case of a device which detects an operating parameter of the internal combustion engine and / or the motor vehicle and has a plurality of measuring devices which have a common power supply and which have a common power supply, a check for irregularities in the area of this common power supply at each operating point, is enabled during the operating cycle of the internal combustion engine. The procedure illustrated here is not only limited to the potentiometer arrangement described in the exemplary embodiments, but can also be used, in particular as part of the circuitry measures according to FIG. 3, for other sensor systems for detecting an operating parameter with a common voltage supply.

Claims (10)

Vorrichtung zur Erfassung eines veränderlichen Betriebsparameters einer Brennkraftmaschine und/oder eines Kraftfahrzeugs, insbesondere zur Winkelmessung, - mit wenigstens zwei diesen Betriebsparameter erfassenden Meßeinrichtungen, die wenigstens zwei den Betriebsparameter repräsentierende Signalgrößen erzeugen, - und diese Meßeinrichtungen vorgegebene Charakteristiken für die Erzeugung dieser Signalgrößen aufweisen, - wobei diese Charakteristiken für wenigstens zwei dieser Meßeinrichtungen jeweils unterschiedliche Formen besitzen,

dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß

diese Charakteristiken wenigstens außerhalb der Extremwertbereiche des Betriebsparameters über den Wertebereich des Betriebsparameters linear sind, wobei die Steigung wenigstens einer Charakteristik von den oder der jeweils anderen abweicht.Device for detecting a variable operating parameter of an internal combustion engine and / or a motor vehicle, in particular for angle measurement, with at least two measuring devices which record this operating parameter and which generate at least two signal quantities representing the operating parameter, and these measuring devices have predetermined characteristics for generating these signal quantities, these characteristics have different shapes for at least two of these measuring devices,

characterized in that

these characteristics are linear at least outside the extreme value ranges of the operating parameter over the range of values of the operating parameter, the slope of at least one characteristic deviating from the one or the other. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Meßeinrichtungen die Stellung wenigstens eines leistungsbestimmenden Elements der Brennkraftmaschine und/oder des Kraftfahrzeugs erfassen.Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring devices detect the position of at least one power-determining element of the internal combustion engine and / or the motor vehicle. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Meßeinrichtungen als Potentiometer ausgeführt sind.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measuring devices are designed as potentiometers. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Meßeinrichtungen im Rahmen einer elektronischen Motorleistungssteuerung verwendet werden.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measuring devices are used in the context of an electronic engine power control. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß eine von den anderen abweichende Charakteristik einer Meßeinrichtung durch Veränderung des Wertebereichs der Signalgröße der Meßeinrichtung gebildet wird.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a characteristic of a measuring device which differs from the other is formed by changing the value range of the signal size of the measuring device. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß eine von den anderen abweichende Charakteristik einer Meßeinrichtung durch schaltungstechnische Maßnahmen im Bereich dieser Meßeinrichtung gebildet wird.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a characteristic of a measuring device which differs from the others is formed by circuitry measures in the area of this measuring device. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß ein widerstandbehaftetes Element in die Versorgungsspannungsleitung der Meßeinrichtung eingefügt wird.Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that a resistive element is inserted into the supply voltage line of the measuring device. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß eine von den anderen abweichenden Charakteristik einer Meßeinrichtung bei als Potentiometer ausgeführten Meßeinrichtungen durch Änderung der Länge wenigstens einer Widerstandsbahn gebildet wird.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a characteristic of a measuring device deviating from the other is formed in measuring devices designed as potentiometers by changing the length of at least one resistance track. Vorrichtung mit den Merkmalen des Patentanspruchs 1,

dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß

die Signalgrößen miteinander in Beziehung gesetzt werden, derart, daß Schwankungen der Versorgungsspannung der Meßeinrichtungen erkennbar sind.Device with the features of claim 1,

characterized in that

the signal quantities are related to one another in such a way that fluctuations in the supply voltage of the measuring devices can be recognized. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß zur Festellung von Unregelmäßigkeiten im Bereich der Versorgungsspannung durch ein Rechenelement folgende Schritten ausgeführt werden: - Erfassen der Signalgrößen der Meßeinrichtungen - Bestimmen einer oder mehrerer Signalgrößen auf der Basis der jeweils anderen mittels einer einen Normalzustand repräsentierenden Kennlinie oder Kennfeldes - Vergleich der bestimmten mit den erfassten Größen auf ein vorgegebenes Toleranzband - Feststellen von Unregelmäßigkeiten im Bereich der Versorgungsspannung bei Abweichung der Größen bezüglich des Toleranzbandes. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the following steps are carried out by a computing element to determine irregularities in the area of the supply voltage: - Detection of the signal quantities of the measuring devices - Determination of one or more signal quantities on the basis of the respective other by means of a characteristic curve or characteristic field representing a normal state - Comparison of the determined with the recorded quantities on a given tolerance band - Detection of irregularities in the area of the supply voltage when the sizes deviate from the tolerance band.
EP91105855A 1990-05-14 1991-04-12 Apparatus to detect a changing operating parameter Expired - Lifetime EP0457033B1 (en)

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US5136880A (en) 1992-08-11
EP0457033A3 (en) 1993-03-03
EP0457033B1 (en) 1999-07-07
DE4015415A1 (en) 1991-11-21
JPH04228853A (en) 1992-08-18
JP3386824B2 (en) 2003-03-17
DE59109138D1 (en) 1999-08-12
DE4015415B4 (en) 2004-04-29

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