Load variation detector

• US 5,675,094 A
• Filed: 01/11/1996
• Issued: 10/07/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sensortech LP
• Original Assignee: Sensortech LP
• Inventors: Vigmostad, Erik B., Klauber, Robert D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dougherty, Elizabeth L.
• Application Number:
  US08/585,431
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 73/763, 73/862.333, 73/862.334, 73/862.335, 73/862.336, 73/862.191, 73/118.1, 73/116, 73/DIG. 2, 324/34, 364/431.08
• US Class Current: 73/862.191
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/019 characterised by the type of sensor or the arrangement thereof B60G17/01941 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/11 Leaf spring
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/24 Fluid damper
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/312 The spring being a wound spring
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/11 Mounting of sensors thereon
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/30 Propulsion unit conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/60 Load
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2400/91 Frequency
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/12 Strain gauge
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2401/172 Hall effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/02 Retarders, delaying means, dead zones, threshold values, cut-off frequency, timer interruption
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/08 Failure or malfunction detecting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/602 high pass
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2600/604 low pass
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/80 Detection or control after a system or component failure
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2800/802 Diagnostics
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 2230/08 Sensor arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/125 by using magnetostrictive means magnetostrictive sensors H10N35/101
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/225 to foot actuated controls, e.g. brake pedals

Abstract

A method and apparatus to detect variations in load by comparing signals related to, but not necessarily accurately correlated with, stress/strain states of a load transmitting member. In one embodiment, a first signal is obtained relating to the time rate of change of stress in the member produced by a first loading event or series of events. A second signal is obtained which relates to the time rate of change of stress in the member produced by a second loading event or series of events. The first and second signals are compared to detect significant variations in loading. Each of the two signals may be a composite of other signals. A magnetostrictive sensor may preferably be used to obtain the signals relating to the stress in the load transmitting member. The load may be applied force, torque, stress, strain, or deflection. In another embodiment, the time rate of change of a single segment of an analog signal related to, but not directly correlated with, stress is used to determine rapid changes in load. In yet another embodiment, a statistical value derived from a plurality of signals is used to determine variation in load. Applications comprise internal combustion engine and driveline torque variation diagnostics, brake pedals, and suspension systems.

Claims

1. A method for detecting variation in load in a load transmitting member which experiences a plurality of load producing events at different times, at least one of which load producing events may be a zero load, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a plurality of signals at different times, each such signal related to, but not directly correlated with, stress in the member produced by at least one load producing event;

using said plurality of signals to obtain a statistical value indicative of the degree of variation in the plurality of signals over time, and

using said statistical value to detect variation in load between different load producing events occurring at different times.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein

the statistical value is one of a standard deviation, an estimate of a standard deviation, a variance, an estimate of a variance, and an expectation value, and

the variation in load is a variation in force.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein

said load transmitting member is a component of a brake pedal system.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein

said load transmitting member is a component of a brake pedal system wherein the signals are obtained by using a magnetostrictive sensor, and wherein said method further comprises the step of providing an indication of variation in brake pedal force to an anti-lock braking system control unit.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein

said load transmitting member is a component of a suspension system.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein

said load transmitting member is a component of a suspension system wherein the signals are obtained by using a magnetostrictive sensor, and wherein said method further comprises the step of providing an indication of suspension system force variation to an electronic monitoring unit.

7. A method for detecting variation in load in a load transmitting member which experiences a plurality of load producing events at different times, at least one of which load producing events may be a zero load, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a plurality of signals which result from the electrical output of a magnetostrictive sensor, wherein each such signal is related to stress in the member produced by at least one load producing event;

using said plurality of signals to obtain a statistical value indicative of the degree of variation in the plurality of signals over time,

comparing said statistical value to a threshold to detect variation in load between different load producing events occurring at different times.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the variation in load is a variation in force.

9. A method for detecting variation in load in a load transmitting member which experiences a series of load producing events at different times, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a first signal related to, but not necessarily directly correlated with, a derivative with respect to time of stress in the member produced by a first at least one load producing event at a first time;

obtaining a second signal related to, but not necessarily directed correlated with, a derivative with respect to time of stress in the member produced by a second at least one load producing event at a second time different from the first time; and

comparing said first signal to said second signal to detect the variation in load between different load producing events occurring at different times

wherein said first and second times may each be an interval in time of any duration including a zero duration point in time.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein

the derivatives with respect to time of stress in the member produced by the first and second at least one load producing events are first derivatives.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein

the derivatives with respect to time of stress in the member produced by the first and second at least one load producing events are derivatives higher than the first derivative.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein

said load transmitting member is a component of a brake pedal system wherein the signals are obtained by using a magnetostrictive sensor, and wherein said method further comprises the step of providing an indication of variation in brake pedal force to an anti-lock braking system control unit.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein

said load transmitting member is a component of a suspension system wherein the signals are obtained by using a magnetostrictive sensor, and wherein said method further comprises the step of providing an indication of suspension system force variation to an electronic monitoring unit.

14. A method for detecting variation in load in a load transmitting member which experiences a plurality of load producing events, at least one of which may be a zero load, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a plurality of signals, each related to, but not directly correlated with, stress in the member produced by at least one load producing event;

using said plurality of signals to obtain a statistical value indicative of the degree of variation in the plurality of signals,

comparing said statistical value to a threshold to detect variation in load between different load producing events.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein

the statistical value is a moving standard deviation.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein

the statistical value is an estimate of a moving standard deviation.

17. A method for detecting variation in load in a load transmitting member which experiences a plurality of load producing events, at least one of which may be a zero load, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a plurality of signals which result from the electrical output of a magnetostrictive sensor, wherein each such signal is related to stress in the member produced by at least one load producing event;

using said plurality of signals to obtain a statistical value indicative of the degree of variation in the plurality of signals,

comparing said statistical value to a threshold to detect variation in load between different load producing events.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein

the statistical value is a moving standard deviation.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein

the statistical value is an estimate of a moving standard deviation.