Sensor, controller and method for monitoring at least one sensor

• US 20050252709A1
• Filed: 02/20/2003
• Published: 11/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Steiger, Eckard
• Granted Patent: US 7,472,000 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/268
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 3/08 with provision for safeguarding the apparatus, e.g. against abnormal operation, against breakdown
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2829 Testing of circuits in sensor or actuator systems testing of apparatus for measuring electric or magnetic variables G01R35/00; testing of indicating or recording apparatus G01D; in airbag systems B60R21/0173; checking gas analysers G01N33/007; monitoring or fail-safe circuits for electromagnets H01F7/1844

Abstract

A sensor having a sensor element, and a control unit having a processor, and a method for monitoring at least one sensor, are proposed. A fault pattern is generated within the sensor and is transmitted from the sensor to the control unit in order to enable an appropriate response to the fault pattern by the processor. The fault pattern is preferably transmitted in an eight-bit word. In addition to faults, unusual operating states are also transmitted.

Claims

1-9. -9. (canceled)

10. A sensor comprising a sensor element (2), at least one digital interface (5), and means (6) for transmitting a fault pattern via the at least one digital interface (5).

11. The sensor according to claim 10, wherein an eight-bit word (MONI) in a data telegram is provided for the fault message.

12. The sensor according to claim 11, wherein for generation of the fault message, means (4) are present for monitoring at least one phase-lock loop of the sensor or at least one control voltage in terms of a first predefined range, or the output values of at least one analog/digital converter in terms of a second predefined range, or output values of at least one digital/analog converter in terms of a third predefined range, or dynamic limits of at least one capacitance/voltage converter in terms of a fourth predefined range, or at least one offset controller in terms of a fifth predefined range, or at least one common-mode controller in terms of departure from a sixth predefined range, or at least one variable representing a sensor oscillation in terms of a seventh predefined range, or impermissible values of at least one counter as defined, a respective value being storable in a respective register in the event of a fault.

13. The sensor according to claim 12, wherein the respective register is reset after an end of the respective fault.

14. A control unit comprising the sensor (1) according to claim 10, and a processor (7) that receives at least one signal from the sensor (1) via the at least one digital interface (5), wherein the processor (7) evaluates the at least one sensor signal as a function of the fault pattern.

15. The control unit according to claim 14, wherein the sensor (1) is disposed inside a housing of the control unit (10).

16. A method for monitoring at least one sensor (1), the at least one sensor (1) transmitting a fault pattern to a processor (7).

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein a signal from the sensor is used for a restraint system (9).

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein a signal from the sensor is conveyed to a vehicle dynamics system.