EP1853467A1 - System for testing the functionality of a sensor device - Google Patents

System for testing the functionality of a sensor device

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Publication number
EP1853467A1
EP1853467A1 EP06708179A EP06708179A EP1853467A1 EP 1853467 A1 EP1853467 A1 EP 1853467A1 EP 06708179 A EP06708179 A EP 06708179A EP 06708179 A EP06708179 A EP 06708179A EP 1853467 A1 EP1853467 A1 EP 1853467A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sensor device
sensor
sensor elements
evaluation
functionality
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP06708179A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Thomas Fischer
Helmuth Orlogi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Continental Automotive GmbH
Original Assignee
Siemens AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens AG filed Critical Siemens AG
Publication of EP1853467A1 publication Critical patent/EP1853467A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/34—Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians
    • B60R21/38—Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians using means for lifting bonnets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/01—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/01—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
    • B60R21/013—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
    • B60R21/0134—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle, e.g. using radar systems
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/01—Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents
    • B60R2021/01122—Prevention of malfunction
    • B60R2021/01184—Fault detection or diagnostic circuits
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/34—Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians

Definitions

  • a pedestrian protection system In the field of protective systems in motor vehicles, the introduction of a pedestrian protection system has been discussed for some time in addition to occupant protection. Such a system is intended to detect whether there is a collision of the vehicle with a pedestrian and, if appropriate, suitable protective mechanisms should be activated.
  • Such protective mechanisms may be, for example, airbags on the bonnet or on the A-pillars of the vehicle or a positioning of the bonnet by a few centimeters, in order to soften the impact of the pedestrian's head on the bonnet.
  • DE 100 30 465 A1 proposes to provide sensors on the bumper and on the bonnet of the vehicle, which sensors can detect a typical pedestrian impact in terms of their time sequence.
  • Sensors are there strain gauges or piezoresistive films but also optical sensors having a pressure-dependent light transmission, proposed.
  • another decision criterion is formed by determining the speed and / or acceleration changes of the vehicle caused by an impact, and then comparing these speed and / or acceleration changes with reference variables which typical of a pedestrian impact.
  • the sensors of this pedestrian impact device - both the optical sensors and the acceleration sensors - are connected with their data lines directly to the central control unit, so that a high cabling is required, which is in fact still greater due to the requirement of supply voltage lines for the individual sensors.
  • the use of two sensors ren to increase reliability consuming and therefore expensive.
  • the invention is therefore based on the object, a system with a sensor device formed with at least one sensor element, which is connected to an evaluation unit for generating a signal indicating an impact, indicate that can be checked in a simple manner on the functioning of the sensor device.
  • a second evaluation unit synchronized with the first evaluation unit is provided in such a way that the sensor unit can be controlled by the two evaluation units in time division multiplex mode.
  • the functionality of the sensor device can be checked in a simple manner and in an advantageous embodiment of the invention in case of lack of functionality of the sensor device to a connected to the evaluation central control unit an error signal are transmitted, which blocks the triggering of a pedestrian protection.
  • each sensor element can be checked separately. In the event that a sensor element is defective, the system can continue to be operated with the remaining functional sensor elements in an emergency operation, wherein in development of the invention, each non-functional sensor element is individually deactivated.
  • the transmission of the error signal by modulation of the current on a supply Voltage line between the evaluation and the central control unit to accomplish.
  • a data transmission line can be saved.
  • the individual sensor elements can be interrogated one after the other.
  • individual defective sensor elements can be identified and thus individually deactivated.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an inventive
  • Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the temporal sequence of sensor device queries.
  • FIG. 1 shows a sensor device 1, which in the example shown is formed with four sensor elements 2.
  • the sensor device is connected on the one hand by means of four lines to a first evaluation unit 3 and on the other hand by means of likewise four lines to a second evaluation unit 4. It is connected as each sensor element 2 with its own line to both the first and the second evaluation unit 3, 4.
  • the first evaluation unit 3 can check the functionality of the sensor elements 2 of the sensor device 1, but can also determine by evaluating the signals of the sensor elements 2 whether a force has taken place, for example, due to the impact on the bumper of a vehicle in which the sensor device 1 is arranged ,
  • the sensor elements 2 of the sensor device 1 can be formed with any type of pressure-sensitive sensors, where in a particularly advantageous manner, a fiber optic sensor is used whose optical conductivity changes by the action of a force, so that it can be determined by measuring the light intensity in the first evaluation unit 3, whether the optical fiber has been deformed.
  • the first evaluation unit 3 can be advantageously formed with a microprocessor.
  • the second evaluation unit 4 is only intended to check the functionality of the sensor elements 2 of the sensor device 1 and can therefore be made simpler. However, it is also possible to use a microprocessor for this as well. A check of the functionality of the sensor elements 3 of the sensor device 1 can be effected, for example, by the fact that in the case of the use of optical fibers as sensor elements 2 it is checked whether the received light intensity corresponds to an expected light intensity.
  • the first evaluation unit 3 and the second evaluation unit 4 deliver according to their evaluation of the signals of the sensor device 1 output signals to a central control unit 5.
  • This is connected via a supply voltage line 8 with the two evaluation units 3, 4, whereby this with a supply voltage be supplied.
  • the output signals of the two evaluation units 3 and 4 are linked together, which is indicated by a logic gate 6, whereby the triggering of a pedestrian protection means 7, which in the illustrated embodiment as hinged Bonnet is shown, in the presence of a lack of functionality of the sensor device 1 can be disabled.
  • each individual sensor element 2 can be determined and, if only a few sensor elements Mente 2 are recognized as defective, an emergency operation with the remaining sensor elements 2 are maintained. Accordingly, the processing of the signals of the first evaluation device 3 due to the defective sensor elements 2 in the central control unit 5 can be prevented.
  • the signal of the second evaluation unit 4 may alternatively by modulation of
  • the modulation can be performed in the second evaluation unit 4 by charging the supply voltage line 8 with a variable resistor, for example the load path of a
  • both evaluation units 3, 4 are connected to the sensor elements 2 of the sensor device 1, the interrogation of the sensor elements 2 takes place according to the invention in time division multiplex mode, which is shown schematically in FIG.
  • a sensor value is measured by the first evaluation unit 3.
  • the sensor is then checked for correct operation by the second evaluation unit 4. This process can be repeated periodically in an advantageous manner.
  • the sensor elements 2 can all be queried simultaneously or, as shown in the example of FIG. 2, in successive time slots.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Force Measurement Appropriate To Specific Purposes (AREA)
  • Testing Or Calibration Of Command Recording Devices (AREA)
  • Traffic Control Systems (AREA)

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for testing the functionality of a sensor device (1) which is formed by means of at least one sensor element (2) and is connected to a first evaluation unit (3) in order to generate a signal indicating an impact. A second evaluation unit (4) that is connected to the sensor device (1) is provided for testing the functionality of the sensor device (1). The evaluation units (3, 4) are connected to a central control unit (5) so as to trigger a pedestrian protecting means (7) while being synchronized in such a way that the evaluation units (3, 4) trigger the sensor device (1) in a time-multiplexing mode of operation.

Description

Beschreibungdescription
System zur Überprüfung der Funktionsfähigkeit einer SensoreinrichtungSystem for checking the functionality of a sensor device
Im Bereich der Schutzsysteme in Kraftfahrzeugen wird seit geraumer Zeit zusätzlich zum Insassenschutz die Einführung eines Fußgängerschutzsystems diskutiert. Durch ein solches System soll erkannt werden, ob ein Zusammenstoß des Fahrzeugs mit einem Fußgänger vorliegt und es sollen gegebenenfalls geeignete Schutzmechanismen aktiviert werden. Solche Schutzmechanismen können beispielsweise Airbags auf der Motorhaube oder an den A-Säulen des Fahrzeugs sein oder ein Aufstellen der Motorhaube um einige Zentimeter, um den Aufprall des Fuß- gängerkopfes auf die Motorhaube weicher zu gestalten.In the field of protective systems in motor vehicles, the introduction of a pedestrian protection system has been discussed for some time in addition to occupant protection. Such a system is intended to detect whether there is a collision of the vehicle with a pedestrian and, if appropriate, suitable protective mechanisms should be activated. Such protective mechanisms may be, for example, airbags on the bonnet or on the A-pillars of the vehicle or a positioning of the bonnet by a few centimeters, in order to soften the impact of the pedestrian's head on the bonnet.
Zur Detektion eines Fußgängeraufpralls schlägt die DE 100 30 465 Al vor, an der Stoßstange und an der Motorhaube des Fahrzeugs Sensoren vorzusehen, die einen typischen Fußgängerauf- prall in seinem zeitlichen Ablauf detektieren können. AlsTo detect a pedestrian impact, DE 100 30 465 A1 proposes to provide sensors on the bumper and on the bonnet of the vehicle, which sensors can detect a typical pedestrian impact in terms of their time sequence. When
Sensoren werden dort Dehnungsmessstreifen oder piezoresistive Folien aber auch optische Sensoren, die eine vom Druck abhängige Lichtdurchlässigkeit aufweisen, vorgeschlagen. Um die Zuverlässigkeit dieses Systems zu erhöhen, wird neben der Aufprallerkennung ein weiteres Entscheidungskriterium gebildet, indem die durch einen Aufprall verursachten Geschwindig- keits- und/oder Beschleunigungsänderungen des Fahrzeugs ermittelt werden und dann diese Geschwindigkeits- und/oder Beschleunigungsänderungen mit Referenzgrößen verglichen werden, welche für einen Fußgängeraufprall typisch sind. Die Sensoren dieser Fußgängeraufprallvorrichtung - und zwar sowohl die optischen Sensoren als auch die Beschleunigungssensoren - sind mit ihren Datenleitungen direkt mit der zentralen Steuereinheit verbunden, so dass ein hoher Verkabelungsaufwand erfor- derlich ist, der tatsächlich noch größer ist aufgrund des Erfordernisses von Versorgungsspannungsleitungen für die einzelnen Sensoren. Außerdem ist die Verwendung von zwei Senso- ren zur Erhöhung der Zuverlässigkeit aufwendig und damit teuer.Sensors are there strain gauges or piezoresistive films but also optical sensors having a pressure-dependent light transmission, proposed. In order to increase the reliability of this system, in addition to the impact detection, another decision criterion is formed by determining the speed and / or acceleration changes of the vehicle caused by an impact, and then comparing these speed and / or acceleration changes with reference variables which typical of a pedestrian impact. The sensors of this pedestrian impact device - both the optical sensors and the acceleration sensors - are connected with their data lines directly to the central control unit, so that a high cabling is required, which is in fact still greater due to the requirement of supply voltage lines for the individual sensors. In addition, the use of two sensors ren to increase reliability consuming and therefore expensive.
Der Erfindung liegt also die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein System mit einer mit zumindest einem Sensorelement gebildeten Sensoreinrichtung, die mit einer Auswerteeinheit zur Erzeugung eines einen Aufprall anzeigenden Signals verbunden ist, anzugeben, das auf einfache Art und Weise auf die Funktionsfähigkeit der Sensoreinrichtung überprüft werden kann.The invention is therefore based on the object, a system with a sensor device formed with at least one sensor element, which is connected to an evaluation unit for generating a signal indicating an impact, indicate that can be checked in a simple manner on the functioning of the sensor device.
Die Aufgabe wird durch ein System gemäß Anspruch 1 gelöst. Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen sind in den Unteransprüchen angegeben.The object is achieved by a system according to claim 1. Advantageous developments are specified in the subclaims.
Es ist folglich eine zweite, mit der ersten Auswerteeinheit derart synchronisierte Auswerteeinheit vorgesehen, dass die Sensoreinrichtung von den beiden Auswerteeinheiten im Zeitmultiplexbetrieb angesteuert werden kann. Hierdurch kann in einfacher Weise die Funktionsfähigkeit der Sensoreinrichtung überprüft werden und in vorteilhafter Weiterbildung der Erfindung bei mangelnder Funktionsfähigkeit der Sensoreinrichtung zu einer mit den Auswerteeinheiten verbundenen zentralen Steuereinheit ein Fehlersignal übertragen werden, das die Auslösung eines Fußgängerschutzmittels sperrt.Consequently, a second evaluation unit synchronized with the first evaluation unit is provided in such a way that the sensor unit can be controlled by the two evaluation units in time division multiplex mode. In this way, the functionality of the sensor device can be checked in a simple manner and in an advantageous embodiment of the invention in case of lack of functionality of the sensor device to a connected to the evaluation central control unit an error signal are transmitted, which blocks the triggering of a pedestrian protection.
Falls die Sensoreinrichtung mit mehreren Sensorelementen gebildet ist, ist in einer vorteilhaften Ausbildung der Erfindung jedes Sensorelement getrennt überprüfbar. Im Falle, dass ein Sensorelement defekt ist, kann das System mit den restli- chen funktionsfähigen Sensorelementen in einem Notbetrieb weiter betrieben werden, wobei in Weiterbildung der Erfindung jedes nicht funktionsfähige Sensorelement einzeln deaktivierbar ist.If the sensor device is formed with a plurality of sensor elements, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each sensor element can be checked separately. In the event that a sensor element is defective, the system can continue to be operated with the remaining functional sensor elements in an emergency operation, wherein in development of the invention, each non-functional sensor element is individually deactivated.
In einer besonders vorteilhaften Weiterbildung des erfindungsgemäßen Systems ist vorgesehen, die Übertragung des Fehlersignals durch Modulation des Stroms auf einer Versorgungs- Spannungsleitung zwischen den Auswerteeinheiten und der zentralen Steuereinheit zu bewerkstelligen. Hierdurch kann eine Datenübertragungsleitung eingespart werden.In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the system according to the invention, the transmission of the error signal by modulation of the current on a supply Voltage line between the evaluation and the central control unit to accomplish. As a result, a data transmission line can be saved.
Für eine besonders hohe Sicherheit hinsichtlich der Funktionsfähigkeit der Sensoreinrichtung kann vorgesehen werden, die Sensoreinrichtung periodisch zu überprüfen, wobei in einer vorteilhaften Ausbildung die einzelnen Sensorelemente nacheinander abgefragt werden können. Hierdurch lassen sich einzelne defekte Sensorelemente identifizieren und somit einzeln deaktivieren.For a particularly high level of security with regard to the functionality of the sensor device, it is possible to periodically check the sensor device, wherein in an advantageous embodiment the individual sensor elements can be interrogated one after the other. As a result, individual defective sensor elements can be identified and thus individually deactivated.
Die Erfindung wird nachfolgend anhand eines Ausführungsbeispiels mit Hilfe von Figuren näher beschrieben. Dabei zeigenThe invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment with the aid of figures. Show
Figur 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßenFigure 1 is a schematic representation of an inventive
System undSystem and
Figur 2 eine Prinzipdarstellung der zeitlichen Abfolge von Sensoreinrichtungsabfragen .Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the temporal sequence of sensor device queries.
Figur 1 zeigt eine Sensoreinrichtung 1, die im dargestellten Beispiel mit vier Sensorelementen 2 gebildet ist. Die Sensoreinrichtung ist einerseits mittels vier Leitungen mit einer ersten Auswerteeinheit 3 und andererseits mittels ebenfalls vier Leitungen mit einer zweiten Auswerteeinheit 4 verbunden. Es ist als jedes Sensorelement 2 mit einer eigenen Leitung sowohl mit der ersten als auch mit der zweiten Auswerteeinheit 3, 4 verbunden.FIG. 1 shows a sensor device 1, which in the example shown is formed with four sensor elements 2. The sensor device is connected on the one hand by means of four lines to a first evaluation unit 3 and on the other hand by means of likewise four lines to a second evaluation unit 4. It is connected as each sensor element 2 with its own line to both the first and the second evaluation unit 3, 4.
Die erste Auswerteeinheit 3 kann einerseits die Funktionsfähigkeit der Sensorelemente 2 der Sensoreinrichtung 1 überprüfen andererseits jedoch auch durch Auswertung der Signale der Sensorelemente 2 feststellen, ob eine Kraft beispielsweise durch den Aufprall auf den Stoßfänger eines Fahrzeugs, in dem die Sensoreinrichtung 1 angeordnet ist, stattgefunden hat.On the one hand, the first evaluation unit 3 can check the functionality of the sensor elements 2 of the sensor device 1, but can also determine by evaluating the signals of the sensor elements 2 whether a force has taken place, for example, due to the impact on the bumper of a vehicle in which the sensor device 1 is arranged ,
Die Sensorelemente 2 der Sensoreinrichtung 1 können dabei mit jeder Art von druckempfindlichen Sensoren gebildet sein, wo- bei in besonders vorteilhafter Weise ein faseroptischer Sensor verwendet wird, dessen Lichtleitfähigkeit sich durch Einwirkung einer Kraft verändert, so dass durch Messung der Lichtintensität in der ersten Auswerteeinheit 3 festgestellt werden kann, ob die Lichtleitfaser deformiert wurde. Die ersten Auswerteeinheit 3 kann dabei in vorteilhafter Weise mit einem Mikroprozessor gebildet sein.The sensor elements 2 of the sensor device 1 can be formed with any type of pressure-sensitive sensors, where in a particularly advantageous manner, a fiber optic sensor is used whose optical conductivity changes by the action of a force, so that it can be determined by measuring the light intensity in the first evaluation unit 3, whether the optical fiber has been deformed. The first evaluation unit 3 can be advantageously formed with a microprocessor.
Die zweite Auswerteeinheit 4 soll lediglich die Funktionsfä- higkeit der Sensorelemente 2 der Sensoreinrichtung 1 überprüfen und kann daher einfacher ausgebildet sein. Es ist jedoch gleichfalls möglich, auch hierfür einen Mikroprozessor zu verwenden. Eine Überprüfung der Funktionsfähigkeit der Sensorelemente 3 der Sensoreinrichtung 1 kann beispielsweise da- durch erfolgen, dass im Falle der Verwendung von Lichtleitfasern als Sensorelemente 2 überprüft wird, ob die empfangene Lichtintensität einer erwarteten Lichtintensität entspricht.The second evaluation unit 4 is only intended to check the functionality of the sensor elements 2 of the sensor device 1 and can therefore be made simpler. However, it is also possible to use a microprocessor for this as well. A check of the functionality of the sensor elements 3 of the sensor device 1 can be effected, for example, by the fact that in the case of the use of optical fibers as sensor elements 2 it is checked whether the received light intensity corresponds to an expected light intensity.
Die erste Auswerteeinheit 3 und die zweite Auswerteeinheit 4 liefern entsprechend der von ihnen vorgenommenen Auswertung der Signale der Sensoreinrichtung 1 Ausgangssignale an eine zentrale Steuereinheit 5. Diese ist über eine Versorgungs- spannungsleitung 8 mit den beiden Auswerteeinheiten 3, 4 verbunden, wodurch diese mit einer Versorgungsspannung versorgt werden. In der zentralen Steuereinheit 5, die in vorteilhafter Weise mit einem Mikroprozessor gebildet ist, werden die Ausgangssignale der beiden Auswerteeinheiten 3 und 4 miteinander verknüpft, was durch ein logisches Gatter 6 angedeutet ist, wodurch die Auslösung eines Fußgängerschutzmittels 7, das im dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel als aufklappbare Motorhaube dargestellt ist, bei Vorliegen einer mangelnden Funktionsfähigkeit der Sensoreinrichtung 1 gesperrt werden kann .The first evaluation unit 3 and the second evaluation unit 4 deliver according to their evaluation of the signals of the sensor device 1 output signals to a central control unit 5. This is connected via a supply voltage line 8 with the two evaluation units 3, 4, whereby this with a supply voltage be supplied. In the central control unit 5, which is advantageously formed with a microprocessor, the output signals of the two evaluation units 3 and 4 are linked together, which is indicated by a logic gate 6, whereby the triggering of a pedestrian protection means 7, which in the illustrated embodiment as hinged Bonnet is shown, in the presence of a lack of functionality of the sensor device 1 can be disabled.
In einer vorteilhaften Ausbildung des erfindungsgemäßen Systems kann die Funktionsfähigkeit jedes einzelnen Sensorelements 2 festgestellt werden und, falls nur wenige Sensorele- mente 2 als defekt erkannt werden, ein Notbetrieb mit den restlichen Sensorelementen 2 aufrecht erhalten werden. Entsprechend kann die Verarbeitung der Signale der ersten Auswerteeinrichtung 3 aufgrund der defekten Sensorelemente 2 im zentralen Steuergerät 5 unterbunden werden.In an advantageous embodiment of the system according to the invention, the functionality of each individual sensor element 2 can be determined and, if only a few sensor elements Mente 2 are recognized as defective, an emergency operation with the remaining sensor elements 2 are maintained. Accordingly, the processing of the signals of the first evaluation device 3 due to the defective sensor elements 2 in the central control unit 5 can be prevented.
Statt der Übermittlung des Ausgangssignals aus der zweiten Auswerteeinheit 4 auf einer gesonderten Leitung, wie im Ausführungsbeispiel der Figur 1 dargestellt, kann das Signal der zweiten Auswerteeinheit 4 alternativ durch Modulation desInstead of the transmission of the output signal from the second evaluation unit 4 on a separate line, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 1, the signal of the second evaluation unit 4 may alternatively by modulation of
Stroms auf der Versorgungsleitung 8 erfolgen. Hierdurch kann in vorteilhafter Weise eine Leitung eingespart werden. Die Modulation kann in der zweiten Auswerteeinheit 4 durch Beschälten der Versorgungsspannungsleitung 8 mit einem verän- derbaren Widerstand, beispielsweise der Laststrecke einesElectricity on the supply line 8 done. As a result, a line can be saved in an advantageous manner. The modulation can be performed in the second evaluation unit 4 by charging the supply voltage line 8 with a variable resistor, for example the load path of a
Transistors, erfolgen. Eine Detektion dieser Strommodulation kann im zentralen Steuergerät 5 mittels Messung des Spannungsabfalls an einem Längswiderstand in der Versorgungsspannungsleitung 8 erfolgen.Transistor, done. A detection of this current modulation can take place in the central control unit 5 by measuring the voltage drop across a series resistor in the supply voltage line 8.
Da beide Auswerteeinheiten 3, 4 mit den Sensorelementen 2 der Sensoreinrichtung 1 verbunden sind, erfolgt die Abfrage der Sensorelemente 2 in erfindungsgemäßer Weise im Zeitmultiplexbetrieb, was in Figur 2 schematisch dargestellt ist. So wird zunächst während einer Zeitperiode 10 ein Sensorwert von der ersten Auswerteeinheit 3 gemessen. Während einer Zeitperiode 20 wird dann der Sensor auf korrekte Funktion durch die zweite Auswerteeinheit 4 überprüft. Dieser Vorgang kann in vorteilhafter Weise periodisch wiederholt werden. Die Sensorele- mente 2 können prinzipiell alle gleichzeitig abgefragt werden oder, wie im Beispiel der Figur 2 dargestellt ist, in aufeinander folgenden Zeitschlitzen.Since both evaluation units 3, 4 are connected to the sensor elements 2 of the sensor device 1, the interrogation of the sensor elements 2 takes place according to the invention in time division multiplex mode, which is shown schematically in FIG. Thus, first during a period of time 10, a sensor value is measured by the first evaluation unit 3. During a period of time 20, the sensor is then checked for correct operation by the second evaluation unit 4. This process can be repeated periodically in an advantageous manner. In principle, the sensor elements 2 can all be queried simultaneously or, as shown in the example of FIG. 2, in successive time slots.
Durch das erfindungsgemäße System wird erreicht, dass ein durch die erste Auswerteeinheit 3 ermitteltes Signal von der Sensoreinheit 1, das auf einen Aufprall hindeutet, nur dann zur Auslösung eines Fußgängerschutzmittels 7 führt, wenn auch die zweite Auswerteeinheit 4 die korrekte Funktion der Sensorelemente 2 der Sensoreinrichtung 1 festgestellt hat. It is achieved by the system according to the invention that a signal determined by the first evaluation unit 3 from the sensor unit 1, which indicates an impact, only leads to the triggering of a pedestrian protection means 7, albeit the second evaluation unit 4 has detected the correct function of the sensor elements 2 of the sensor device 1.

Claims

Patentansprüche claims
1. System zur Überprüfung der Funktionsfähigkeit einer mit zumindest einem Sensorelement (2) gebildeten Sensoreinrich- tung (1), die mit einer ersten Auswerteeinheit (3) zur Erzeugung eines einen Aufprall anzeigenden Signals verbunden ist, gekennzeichnet durch eine zweite, mit der Sensoreinrichtung (1) verbundenen Auswerteeinheit (4) zur Überprüfung der Funktionsfähigkeit der Sensoreinrichtung (1), wobei die Auswerteeinheiten (3, 4) derart synchronisiert sind, dass sie die Sensoreinrichtung (1) im Zeitmultiplexbetrieb ansteuern und mit einer zentralen Steuereinheit (5) zur Auslösung eines Fußgängerschutzmittels (7) verbunden sind.1. System for checking the operability of a sensor device (1) formed with at least one sensor element (2), which is connected to a first evaluation unit (3) for generating a signal indicative of an impact, characterized by a second, with the sensor device ( 1), wherein the evaluation units (3, 4) are synchronized in such a way that they control the sensor device (1) in time division multiplex mode and with a central control unit (5) for triggering a Pedestrian protection means (7) are connected.
2. System nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass von der zweiten Auswerteeinheit (4) bei mangelnder Funktionsfähigkeit der Sensoreinrichtung (1) zur zentralen Steuereinheit2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that of the second evaluation unit (4) in case of lack of functionality of the sensor device (1) to the central control unit
(5) ein Fehlersignal übertragen wird, das die Auslösung des Fußgängerschutzmittels (7) sperrt.(5) an error signal is transmitted which blocks the release of the pedestrian protection means (7).
3. System nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass bei mehreren Sensorelementen jedes Sensorelement (2) getrennt überprüfbar ist.3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when several sensor elements each sensor element (2) is separately verifiable.
4. System nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass bei mehreren Sensorelementen (2) jedes nicht funktionsfähige Sensorelement einzeln deaktivierbar ist .4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when several sensor elements (2) each non-functional sensor element is individually deactivated.
5. System nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Übertragung des Fehlersignals durch Modulation des Stroms auf einer Versorgungsspannungsleitung (8) zwischen den Auswerteeinheiten (3, 4) und der zentralen Steuereinheit (5) erfolgt.5. System according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the transmission of the error signal by modulation of the current on a supply voltage line (8). between the evaluation units (3, 4) and the central control unit (5).
6. System nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Auswerteeinheiten (3, 4) die Sensoreinrichtung (1) periodisch im Zeitmultiplexbetrieb abfragen.6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation units (3, 4) interrogate the sensor device (1) periodically in time multiplex operation.
7. System nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass bei mehreren Sensorelementen (2) die Sensorelemente nacheinander abgefragt werden.7. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the case of a plurality of sensor elements (2), the sensor elements are interrogated one after the other.
8. System nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass bei mehreren Sensorelementen (2) die Sensorelemente gleichzeitig abgefragt werden. 8. System according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at several sensor elements (2), the sensor elements are queried simultaneously.
EP06708179A 2005-02-28 2006-02-10 System for testing the functionality of a sensor device Withdrawn EP1853467A1 (en)

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DE102005009102A DE102005009102B4 (en) 2005-02-28 2005-02-28 System for checking the functionality of a sensor device
PCT/EP2006/050836 WO2006092357A1 (en) 2005-02-28 2006-02-10 System for testing the functionality of a sensor device

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JP2008513278A (en) 2008-05-01
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US20070277584A1 (en) 2007-12-06
DE102005009102B4 (en) 2009-12-03
CN100475616C (en) 2009-04-08
WO2006092357A1 (en) 2006-09-08

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