FR3065282A1 - SENSOR FOR INTAKE AIR DISTRIBUTOR WITH REDUNDANCY FUNCTION - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sensor (1) for an intake air distributor of a motor vehicle comprising: - a substrate (3) comprising a first pressure sensor (4) comprising a first element sensitive to the pressure sensor (5) for measuring the pressure of a gas flowing inside the intake air distributor and supplying a first pressure signal P1, the first pressure sensor (4) comprising a means for processing the pressure signal (6), and - a protective housing in which the substrate (3) is housed, the protective housing comprising a connector electrically connected to the substrate (3) by connecting means (16, 17, 18). According to the invention, the substrate (3) comprises a second pressure sensitive element (9) for measuring the pressure of the gas flowing inside the intake air distributor (2) and for providing a second signal pressure P2. The first and second pressure signals P1 and P2 are transmitted to the signal processing means (6) processing these two pressure signals P1 and P2 to provide a pressure redundancy signal.

Description

Holder (s): SC2N.

Agent (s): VALEO ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEMS Simplified joint-stock company.

(64) SENSOR FOR INTAKE AIR DISTRIBUTOR WITH REDUNDANCY FUNCTION.

FR 3,065,282 - A1 (6y The subject of the present invention is a sensor (1) intended for an intake air distributor of a motor vehicle comprising:

- a substrate (3) comprising a first pressure probe (4) comprising a first pressure-sensitive element (5) intended to measure the pressure of a gas circulating inside the intake air distributor and at supplying a first pressure signal P1, the first pressure probe (4) comprising a signal processing means (6), and

- a protective housing in which the substrate (3) is housed, the protective housing comprising a connector electrically connected to the substrate (3) by a connecting means (16, 17, 18).

According to the invention, the substrate (3) comprises a second pressure-sensitive element (9) intended to measure the pressure of the gas circulating inside the intake air distributor (2) and to provide a second signal pressure P2. The first and second pressure signals P1 and P2 are transmitted to the signal processing means (6) processing these two pressure signals P1 and P2 to provide a pressure redundancy signal.

Sensor for intake air distributor with redundancy function

The present invention relates to a sensor intended to be mounted on an intake air distributor of a motor vehicle.

This type of sensor generally includes a pressure probe to measure the pressure of a gas mixture circulating in the intake manifold of a heat engine of a vehicle. It can be used in an EGR (“Exhaust Gas Recirculation”) loop, for example. This sensor is commonly called a MAP sensor ("Manifold Air Pressure").

This sensor can optionally include a temperature probe for measuring the temperature of the gaseous mixture which consists essentially of air but can also include exhaust gases which recirculate in the intake, oil vapors from the recycling of exhaust gases. crankcases, and fuel vapors that may come from the tank. This type of sensor is commonly called a TMAP (“Temperature Manifold Air Pressure”) sensor.

The pressure and temperature measurement allows the control system driving the heat engine to determine, among other things, the density of the intake air. This information makes it possible to optimize engine control in order to reduce polluting emissions and increase performance.

The known sensors comprise a substrate which can be a printed circuit or a ceramic comprising a pressure probe and a temperature probe electrically connected to the substrate. The pressure sensor includes a pressure sensitive element and the temperature sensor includes a temperature sensitive element.

In order to obtain a temperature representative of the actual temperature of the flow of the gaseous fluid, the temperature-sensitive element is generally placed substantially in the center of the vein of the fluid.

To prevent the substrate from being damaged by the temperature of the gas mixture, it is separated from the sensitive element and electrically connected to the latter by metal tabs.

According to the known prior art, the temperature probe can be a NTC thermistor (with Negative Temperature Coefficient).

Future regulations call for increased reliability and safety in the automobile.

For this, redundancy and internal control functions have been developed for these sensors.

To ensure the redundancy function, it is necessary to use two pressure probes in the case of a MAP type sensor or two pressure probes and two temperature probes in the case of a TMAP type sensor.

These pressure probes can be positioned in two different boxes or in the same suitable box.

The connection in this case is modified with the addition of an electrical conductor and a tab for each redundancy control signal.

However, these known solutions and this approach do not allow self-checking of all the quantities measured (pressure and temperature).

The invention therefore aims to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a sensor for an intake air distributor which is simpler and less expensive than those of the prior art making it possible to self-monitor at least the pressure, see pressure and temperature.

The invention relates to a sensor intended for an intake air distributor of a motor vehicle, said sensor comprising:

a substrate comprising a first pressure probe comprising a first pressure-sensitive element intended to measure the pressure of a gas circulating inside the intake air distributor and to supply a first pressure signal P1, the first pressure probe comprising a signal processing means, and

a protective housing in which the substrate is housed, the protective housing comprising a connector electrically connected to the substrate by a connecting means.

According to the invention, the substrate comprises a second pressure-sensitive element intended to measure the pressure of the gas circulating inside the intake air distributor and to provide a second pressure signal P2. The first and second pressure signals P1 and P2 are transmitted to the signal processing means processing these two pressure signals P1 and P2 to provide a pressure redundancy signal.

According to a possible embodiment, the first pressure probe comprises the first and the second pressure-sensitive element.

According to another possible embodiment, the substrate comprises a second pressure probe comprising the second pressure-sensitive element. The first and second pressure probes are interconnected by interconnection means allowing the transfer of the pressure signal P2 measured by the second pressure-sensitive element to the first pressure probe.

Alternatively, the first pressure probe comprises a first internal temperature probe for measuring a temperature Ti1 of a gas circulating inside the intake air distributor.

According to another variant, the second pressure probe comprises a second internal temperature probe for measuring a temperature Ti2 of a gas circulating inside the intake air distributor. A temperature signal Ti2 is transmitted to the first pressure probe via the interconnection means to allow the signal processing means to provide a temperature redundancy signal from the temperatures Ti 1 and Ti2.

Alternatively, the sensor includes a first external temperature probe transmitting a temperature signal T1 _ext to the first pressure probe.

Alternatively, the sensor includes two external temperature probes, a first external temperature probe transmitting a temperature signal T1 _ex t to the first pressure probe and a second external temperature probe transmitting a temperature signal T2 _ext to the second probe pressure. The temperature signal T2 _ext is retransmitted to the first pressure probe via the interconnection means.

As a variant, the pressure signals P1 and P2, as well as the temperature temperature signals Ti1, Ti2, T1 _ext , T2 _ext and the pressure and temperature redundancy signals are digital signals.

As a variant, the pressure signals P1 and P2, as well as the temperature signals Ti1, Ti2, T1 _ext , T2 _ext and the pressure and temperature redundancy signals are transmitted from the signal processing means to the connector via a link single data electrical connection means.

The invention thus provides a simpler and less expensive sensor for intake air distributor than those of the prior art.

The pressure and temperature sensors are positioned in the same protective housing.

Connectivity is simplified. Pressure, temperature and redundancy signals are transmitted by the same electrical conductor (only one tab).

The number of electronic components is reduced since the processing of temperature data and the pressure measurement to provide redundancy information are carried out in the same electronic component (integrated circuit).

The same integrated circuit with specific ASIC application makes it possible to process temperature and pressure and to provide digital redundancy signals.

The invention also makes it possible to perform self-monitoring in pressure and temperature.

The characteristics of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a sensor according to an embodiment of the invention mounted on an intake air distributor of a vehicle;

Figure 2 is another schematic representation of a sensor according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a sensor according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is another schematic representation of the sensor according to the embodiment of Figure 3 showing a first external temperature probe;

Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a sensor according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a sensor according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 represents a sensor 1 according to a possible embodiment of the invention mounted on an intake air distributor 2 of a vehicle.

The sensor 1 comprises a protective housing 7 made of polymer in which a substrate 3 is housed. The substrate 3 is more precisely housed in a cavity formed in the protective housing 7.

The substrate 3 can be a PCB printed circuit or a ceramic.

The protective housing 7 comprises a connector 8 electrically connected to the substrate 3 by a connecting means 16, 17, 18.

The connecting means 16, 17, 18 comprises a first electrical connection 17 and a second electrical connection 18 connected to an electrical power source (not shown).

The connector 8 is on the other hand electrically connected to an electronic device (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 2, the substrate 3 comprises a pressure probe 4 comprising a first pressure-sensitive element 5 intended to measure the pressure of the gas circulating inside the intake air distributor 2 and to provide a first pressure signal P1.

The first pressure probe 4 comprises a signal processing means 6. The signal processing means 6 is an integrated circuit.

According to the invention, the substrate 3 comprises a second pressure-sensitive element 9 intended to measure the pressure of the gas circulating inside the intake air distributor 2 and to provide a second pressure signal P2.

The first and second pressure signals P1 and P2 are transmitted to the signal processing means 6 processing these two pressure signals P1 and P2 to provide a pressure redundancy signal to carry out a redundancy diagnosis.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 2, the substrate 3 comprises a second pressure probe 10 comprising the second pressure-sensitive element 9.

The first and second pressure probes 4, 10 are interconnected with one another by interconnection means 11 allowing the transfer of the pressure signal P2 measured by the second pressure-sensitive element 9 to the first pressure probe 4.

The interconnection means 11 can be formed from one or more electrical connections (or conductors) such as an electric wire, for example.

According to an embodiment not shown, the substrate 3 may comprise only a first pressure probe 4 comprising a first pressure-sensitive element 5 and a second pressure probe 10 comprising the second pressure-sensitive element 9 so as to form a MPA type pressure sensor.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 2, the first pressure probe 4 comprises a first internal temperature probe 12 for measuring a temperature Ti 1 of a gas circulating inside the intake air distributor 2.

The second pressure probe 10 includes a second internal temperature probe 13 for measuring a temperature Ti2 of a gas circulating inside the intake air distributor 2.

A TMPA type sensor 1 is thus obtained.

A temperature signal Ti2 is transmitted to the first pressure probe 4 via the interconnection means 11 to allow the signal processing means 6 to provide a redundancy signal to carry out a temperature redundancy diagnosis from the temperatures Ti1 and Ti2 .

The pressure signals P1 and P2, as well as the temperature temperature signals Ti1, Ti2, T1 _ext , T2 _ext and the pressure and temperature redundancy signals are digital or digital signals.

The first pressure probe 4 is preferably an integrated circuit with specific application ASIC (Application Specifies for Integrated Circuit) capable of processing voltage signals to convert them into temperature.

It is capable of providing a digital output signal and using a protocol ("SENT").

The “SENT” protocol thus allows the signal processing means 6 to supply digital signals and limit the connections. There is no need to use additional tabs for the temperature redundancy signals which are transmitted by the same electrical data link 18 as that used to transmit the pressure redundancy signals.

The first internal temperature probe 12 is integrated into the first pressure probe 4 and the second internal temperature probe 13 is integrated into the second pressure probe 10.

In other words, the first pressure probe 4 and the first internal temperature probe 12 are integrated in the same electronic component. Likewise, the second pressure probe 10 and the second internal temperature probe 13 are integrated in the same electronic component.

The signal processing means 6 is integrated into the first pressure probe 4. A single electronic component or integrated circuit is necessary to process the temperature and pressure data, simplifying the electronics of the sensor 1 and reducing its cost.

Each pressure probe 4, 10 (or electronic component) delivers digital pressure and temperature signals. The transmission of redundancy signals from the first pressure probe 4 to the external electronic device is done by a digital communication protocol. This makes it possible to use the same electronic device, that is to say the first pressure probe 4, to transmit all these signals (pressure, temperature, redundancy), reducing the number of elements.

The connection means 16, 17, 18 comprises an electrical data connection

18.

In general, the pressure signals P1 and P2, as well as the temperature signals Ti1, Ti2, T1 _ext , T2 _ext and the pressure and temperature redundancy signals are transmitted from the first pressure probe 4 and more precisely from signal processing means 6 to connector 8 only via the electrical data link 18 which is unique.

It is thus possible to carry out a self-checking diagnosis of the pressure signals and a self-checking diagnosis of the temperature signals as described below:

Auto pressure control => (P1-P2) <Plimit <(P1-P2);

Auto internal temperature control => (Ti1 -Ti2) <Tlimit <(Ti1 Ti2).

The objective is to express that the control is done around a limit value and which is for example close to 0.

The first pressure probe 4 also provides a pressure redundancy signal (P1 / P2) and a temperature redundancy signal (T1 / T2).

FIG. 3 represents another embodiment in which the sensor 1 comprises a first external temperature probe 14 transmitting a temperature signal T1 _ext to the first pressure probe 4. The first external temperature probe 14 is external to the first and second pressure sensors 4, 10.

This makes it possible to reinforce the temperature redundancy function by providing an external temperature signal. The first external temperature probe 14 can be of the thermistor or platinum type.

The first external temperature probe 14 is placed on the substrate 3, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

The first external temperature probe 14 comprises two metal wires 19 electrically connected to the substrate 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor 1 is mounted on a part of an intake air distributor 2 of a motor vehicle, the two metal wires 19 and more precisely their respective ends are protected by an arch 20. This arch 20 protects these two ends from shocks that may occur during transport of the sensor 1 before its assembly on an intake air distributor 2. The two metal wires 19 are connected to an element measuring the temperature 21 such as a thermistor.

Arch 20 is largely openwork and does not prevent the flow of air from accessing the pressure and temperature probes.

The sensor 1 can thus be screwed onto the portion of the intake air distributor 2, by one or more screws passing through one or more fixing lugs arranged in the sensor 1.

At the output of the first pressure probe 4, it is thus possible to obtain: a pressure redundancy signal (P1 / P2);

an external temperature signal T1 _ext with or without internal temperatures (Ti1, Ti2);

It is also possible to carry out an autocontrolled signal such as: autocontrolled pressure => (P1-P2) <Plimit <(P1-P2); self-controlled internal temperature => (Ti1 -Ti2) <Tlimit <(Ti1 Ti2);

auto internal and external temperature control => T1 _ext > T max.

According to another embodiment (not shown), the sensor can comprise two pressure probes 4, 10 associated with two external temperature probes 14, 15, without an internal temperature probe.

According to another embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the sensor 1 comprises two pressure probes 4, 10 each comprising respectively a pressure-sensitive element 5, 9 and an internal temperature probe 12, 13.

This sensor 1 also includes two external temperature probes 14, 15 of which the first external temperature probe 14 transmitting a temperature signal T1 _ext to the first pressure probe 4 and a second external temperature probe 15 transmitting a temperature signal T2 _ext to the second pressure probe 10.

The temperature signal T2 _ext is then retransmitted to the first pressure probe 4 via the interconnection means 11.

At the output of the first pressure probe 4, it is thus possible to have: a pressure redundancy signal (P1 / P2); an internal temperature redundancy signal (T1 _e xt / T2 _e xt);

It is also possible to carry out an autocontrolled signal such as: autocontrolled pressure => (P1-P2) <Plimit <(P1-P2); self-controlled internal temperature => (Ti1 -Ti2) <Tlimit <(Ti1 Ti2);

self-controlled internal temperature => (T1 _ex t-T2 _ex t) Tlimit <

(T 1 ext-T2 _ex t).

According to another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the first pressure probe 4 comprises the first and the second pressure-sensitive element 5, 9.

In a variant shown in FIG. 6, the first pressure probe 4 also includes a first internal temperature probe 12 for measuring a temperature Ti 1 of a gas circulating inside the intake air distributor 2.

According to another variant (not shown), the sensor 1 according to the embodiment of FIG. 6 comprises a first external temperature probe 14 or else two external temperature probes including a first external temperature probe 14 and a second temperature probe external 15.

Claims (9)

1. A sensor (1) intended for an intake air distributor (2) of a motor vehicle, said sensor (1) comprising: - a substrate (3) comprising a first pressure probe (4) comprising a first pressure-sensitive element (5) intended to measure the pressure of a gas circulating inside the intake air distributor (2 ) and to supply a first pressure signal P1, said first pressure probe (4) comprising a signal processing means (6) receiving this first pressure signal P1, - a protective housing (7) in which the substrate (3) is housed, said protective housing (7) comprising a connector (8) electrically connected to the substrate (3) by a connecting means (16, 17, 18) , characterized in that: the substrate (3) comprises a second pressure-sensitive element (9) intended to measure the pressure of the gas circulating inside the intake air distributor (2) and to supply a second pressure signal P2, said first and second pressure signals P1 and P2 being transmitted to the signal processing means (6) processing these two pressure signals P1 and P2 to provide a pressure redundancy signal. 2. Sensor (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first pressure probe (4) comprises the first and the second pressure-sensitive element (5, 9). 3. Sensor (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the substrate (3) comprises a second pressure probe (10) comprising the second pressure-sensitive element (9), said first and second pressure probes (4 , 10) being interconnected by interconnection means (11) allowing the transfer of the pressure signal P2 measured by the second pressure-sensitive element (9) to the first pressure probe (4). 4. Sensor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first pressure probe (4) comprises a first internal temperature probe (12) for measuring a temperature Ti1 of a gas circulating at inside the intake air distributor (2). 5. Sensor (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the second pressure probe (10) comprises a second internal temperature probe (13) for measuring a temperature Ti2 of a gas circulating inside the distributor d intake air (2), a temperature signal Ti2 being transmitted to the first pressure probe (4) via the interconnection means (11) to allow the signal processing means (6) to supply a signal redundancy in temperature from temperatures Ti1 and Ti2. 6. Sensor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a first external temperature probe (14) transmitting a temperature signal T1 _ext to the first pressure probe (4). 7. Sensor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises two external temperature probes (14, 15) including a first external temperature probe (14) transmitting a temperature signal T1 _ext to the first pressure probe (4) and a second external temperature probe (15) transmitting a temperature signal T2 _ext to the second pressure probe (10), said temperature signal T2 _ext being retransmitted to the first temperature probe pressure (4) via the interconnection means (11). 8. Sensor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the pressure signals P1 and P2, as well as the temperature temperature signals Ti1, Ti2, T1 _ext , T2 _ext and the redundancy signals pressure and temperature are digital signals. 9. Sensor (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the pressure signals P1 and P2, as well as the temperature signals Ti1, Ti2, T1 _ext , T2 _ext and the redundancy signals in pressure and temperature are transmitted from the signal processing means (6) to the connector (8) via a single electrical data link (18) of the connecting means (16, 17, 18).