Data processing: measuring – calibrating – or testing – Calibration or correction system – Sensor or transducer
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-17
2001-06-12
Shah, Kamini (Department: 2857)
Data processing: measuring, calibrating, or testing
Calibration or correction system
Sensor or transducer
C702S085000, C702S091000, C702S107000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06246968
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns a device for adjusting a physical dimension transformed into outputs or output curves by a sensor.
A sensor for measuring physical dimensions and a method of adjusting it are known from the German Patent Publication No. A 3,446,248. This particular sensor is a pressure sensor, and a processing circuit that calculates the precise measurement is employed along with it. The sensor is combined with a constant-value memory into a single component. The memory stores values employed to correct measurement signals emitted by the sensor. Several points at which the sensor is to measure the dimensions travel in succession over a test bench. The signal emitted by the sensor is employed as an actual value in a comparator. Corrections are obtained in the form of deviations between the actual and reference values and stored in the component's memory.
There is a drawback to this procedure. The corrections can be obtained and stored only while the sensor component is open. Once they have been obtained and stored, a data-and-address bus is removed from the memory and the component is coupled to insulation. The address-and-data input terminals are no longer accessible. The encapsulation makes it necessary to re-adjust the already corrected test signals, which can no longer be corrected.
An angle-of-rotation sensor is known from the German Patent Publication No. U 9,408,516 (corresponding to PCT/EP94/03825). It is stationary and includes at least one stator and a rotor that rotates around the stator. The stator is in two parts with a gap between them. The gap accommodates an electromagnetic component, particularly a Hall-effect component, that emits a voltage representing the angle of rotation.
A speed-of-rotation sensor is known from the German Patent Publication No. A 4,445,378. It emits rectangular pulses representing the position of a shaft from stationary to the highest permissible rated speed. The standstill output signal is emitted in response to comparison of an incoming signal that represents magnetic flux density with a threshold signal.
The two latter approaches have drawbacks. The sensor voltages and thresholds are adjusted with variable resistors. The resistors, however, can be varied only while the sensor is open. If the sensor is inside some sort of vessel, it cannot be re-adjusted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The principal object of the present invention is accordingly to provide an improved device of the aforesaid type that can be employed to adjust as often and easily as desired a physical dimension transformed into outputs or output curves by a sensor, even when the sensor is encapsulated.
This object is attained in a device of the aforesaid type in accordance with the present invention by providing a device which comprises the following elements:
an operating stage;
a permanent memory;
an altering component connected to the operations stage by way of the permanent memory and directly to the operations stage;
a temporary memory that parallels the permanent memory and is connected to the altering component and the operations stage; and
an output component;
wherein the operations stage is mounted on the sensor, a connector strip with at least one output pin is mounted on the altering component, and the output pin is connected to the output component, and
wherein the outputs or output curves produced by the operations stage are adjusted such that:
a) the altering component temporarily stores adjustment data in the temporary memory by way of the output pin and the data are processed by the operations stage to emit altered outputs or output curves by way of the output component's output pin, and
b) if the outputs or output curves have attained their adjusted state, the altering component enters the adjustment data in the permanent memory.
The present invention has several advantages. An encapsulated sensor can be adjusted by programming its pins. The requisite and desired adjustments can be carried out by way of the output pin. This means that the programming does not necessitate an extra pin, but exploits one that is already there. Furthermore, the sensors can be adjusted not only during manufacture, but later and on-site. It accordingly becomes possible to adjust the sensor to specific applications. When the overall situation and application change, even much later, the sensor can still be re-adjusted. Data obtained while the pin is being programmed can be permanently retained with no need to revalue over the life of the sensor.
The adjustment data can be employed to vary the timing frequencies or voltage steps in an angle-of-rotation sensor.
Programmed adjustment is comparable to fine adjustment of virtual or actual component with respect to slope or sensor-voltage output angle. The timing frequency is similarly virtually increased and decreased in accordance with the particular application.
The adjustment data can alternatively be employed to vary voltage levels in order to adjust the threshold of a standstill signal in a speed-of-rotation sensor. In this event as well, the procedure can be compared to the fine adjustment of a virtual trimming resistors.
The output stage can be a series comprising a signal-transforming component and an output terminal, the signal-transforming component being connected to the operations logic and the output terminal to the output pin.
Various embodiments of the signal-transforming component are possible.
The signal-transforming component can be a digital-to-analog converter with an amplifier downstream. In this case, the data are emitted digital and transformed for further processing by known means.
The signal-transforming component can also be a series circuit comprising a galvanically separated switch, especially an optical coupler, a reference stage, and a comparator. This is embodied in a bicycle-pedal module kick-down switch. The optical coupler ensures galvanic separation.
The varying component can comprise at least one central processing unit (CPU) or digital processor. The digital processor can be a module in the form of a regular computer. The computer can be a single-chip computer.
The operations stage can include a series circuit comprising a pre-amplifier, an offset amplifier connected to an offset digital-to-analog converter, a switching condenser stage, a sample-and-hold component, an amplifier connected to a gain-bit digital-to-analog converter, a performance-curve limiter, a terminal stage, and a clock generated connected to the pre-amplifier in the switching condenser stage and to the sample-and-hold component.
If the sensor is an angle-of-rotation sensor, as noted above, the pre-amplifier can be connected to its Hall-effect component. If the sensor is a speed-of-rotation sensor, the sensor comparator can be connected to the pre-amplifier.
The clock can be connected to the Hall-effect component.
A source of voltage or current can be included upstream of the Hall-effect component. Such a source can also be positioned upstream of the sensor comparator.
Adjustment data can be supplied to the pre-amplifier in the form of rough-adjustment levels, to the offset amplifier in the form of rough bits, to the amplifier in the form of fine-adjustment levels, and to the performance-curve limiter in the form of performance-curve limiting bits.
This particular embodiment of the operations stage allows precise fine adjustment. It also ensures the output of precisely adjusted data unaltered and continuous.
For a full understanding of the present invention, reference should now be made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4364027 (1982-12-01), Murooka
patent: 4581714 (1986-04-01), Reid
patent: 4608657 (1986-08-01), Manome et al.
patent: 4663586 (1987-05-01), Swerlein et al.
patent: 4796354 (1989-01-01), Yokoyama et al.
patent: 4845649 (1989-07-01), Eckardt et al.
patent: 5016198 (1991-05-01), Schreiber
patent: 5308930 (1994-05-01), Tokutu et al.
patent: 5604684 (1997-0
Topp Volker
Wilczek Klaus
AB Eletronik GmbH
Milde, Hoffbert & Macklin, LLP
Shah Kamini
Tsai Carol S. W.
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