Method for checking the operability of a pressure sensor

• US 20040134256A1
• Filed: 11/12/2003
• Published: 07/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Herrmann, Thomas, Balzer, Knut
• Granted Patent: US 6,877,357 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/1.59
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 27/007 Malfunction diagnosis, i.e. diagnosing a sensor defect

Abstract

A method of checking the functional reliability of a pressure sensor is described, the air pressure being detected inside a vehicle body part, the vehicle having at least one additional pressure sensor for detecting the air pressure.

With the help of this method it is possible to determine the integrity of the sensor without requiring any additional auxiliary equipment.

To do so, the measured values of the pressure sensor and the measured values of the at least one additional pressure sensor are compared over a defined observation period. The pressure sensor is recognized as being defective if its measured values deviate by more than a predefined amount from the measured values of the at least one additional pressure sensor.

Claims

1. A method of checking the functional reliability of a pressure sensor which detects the air pressure inside a vehicle body part, the vehicle having at least one additional pressure sensor for detecting the air pressure,

wherein the measured values of the pressure sensor and the measured values of the at least one additional pressure sensor are compared over a defined observation period, and the pressure sensor is recognized as being defective if its measured values deviate by more than a predefined amount from the measured values of the at least one additional pressure sensor.

2. The method of checking the functional reliability of a pressure sensor situated in a vehicle door to detect a side impact as recited in claim 1,

wherein the additional pressure sensor is situated in another vehicle body part.

3. The method as recited in claim 2,

wherein the additional pressure sensor is situated in another vehicle door on the same side of the vehicle or on the other side.

4. The method as recited in one of claims 1 through 3, the pressure sensor being used to detect a vehicle collision, in particular a side impact,

wherein the decision regarding deployment of restraint means is made independently of the measured values of the pressure sensor if the pressure sensor has been recognized as being defective.

5. The method as recited in one of claims 1 through 4, the measured values of the pressure sensor being utilized multiple times, in particular as part of passenger protection, air conditioning in the interior of the vehicle and/or an automotive weather station.

6. The method as recited in one of claims 1 through 5, the measured values of the pressure sensor being displayed via a driver information system.