Method for calibrating a sensor and switching arrangement for operating a sensor

• US 6,907,373 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2003
• Issued: 06/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Walter, Klaus, Rettig, Rasmus
• Primary Examiner(s): Barlow, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Washburn, Douglas N
• Application Number:
  US10/367,348
• Publication Number:
  US 20030158681A1
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 702/85, 702/104, 702/92, 702/94, 702/95, 702/115, 702/116, 702/150, 702/151, 702/152, 702/108, 702/117, 702/127, 702/33, 702/57, 702/103, 702/105, 702/189, 73/10.1, 73/10.2, 73/10.8, 73/14.2, 73/17.5, 73/17.9, 73/18.2, 181/296, 374/1, 700/1
• US Class Current: 702/104
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 18/001 Calibrating encoders
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 18/008 with calibration coefficients stored in memory
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 21/02 of speedometers

Abstract

A method for calibration of a sensor 1 is characterized in that the sensor 1 is arranged in a predetermined position, an equalizing unit 6 is connected to the sensor 1, data necessary for calibration are determined, and the determined calibration data are stored permanently in a storage medium 5.

Claims

1. A method for calibration of a magnetic sensor (1) sensing a position of a target (2, 30), characterized in that the magnetic sensor (1) is arranged in a predetermined position to the target (2, 3), wherein a control unit (6) is arranged externally to the magnetic sensor and is connected to the magnetic sensor (1) and controls a calibration in the sensor, wherein data necessary for the calibration is determined in the magnetic sensor and wherein determined calibration data is stored permanently in a storage medium (5) in the magnetic sensor (1).

2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the control unit (6) generates a predetermined signal, wherein said signal is furnished to the sensor (1) for calibration.

3. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the calibration takes place directly after the manufacture of the sensor (1).

4. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the predetermined position corresponds to a later structural position.

5. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the calibration takes place after a prescribed assembly of the sensor (1).

6. The method as defined in claim 5, wherein a prescribed assembly position is in a motor vehicle in which the sensor (1) is connected with the control unit (6), wherein said control unit (6) is a control apparatus of the motor vehicle.

8. The method as defined in claim 6, wherein a function to be detected from the sensor is performed at least once, wherein corresponding emitted signals from the sensor (1) are checked in the control unit (6) for plausibility, and upon a finding of plausibility, the calibration data is written into the storage medium.

9. The method as defined in claim 6, wherein the function to be detected from the sensor (1) is performed at least once, wherein the corresponding emitted signal from the sensor (1) is checked in the control apparatus for plausibility, and upon a finding plausibility, the calibration data is written into the storage medium (5).

10. The method as defined in claim 5, wherein with a plurality of sensors (1, 1′

) that serve the same purpose, a plausibility verification takes place by comparing an output signal of the sensor to be calibrated (1) with the output signal of another sensor (1′

).

11. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein at least a part of the permanently stored data is changeable during operation of the sensor.

12. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein storage of the data takes place by a brief raising of a supply voltage of the sensor through the control apparatus.

7. The method as defined in clam 6, wherein determination and storage of the calibration data is initiated by means of a start signal.