IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,859,971
Granted Patent B2
US 11,859,971 · App. 17/304,439 · Granted Jan 2, 2024

Safety mechanism for angle sensors using segmentation

Inventor: Dirk Hammerschmidt (Finkenstein, AT)
Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
G01B7/30G01D5/145G01D5/16
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,859,971
App. No.
17/304,439
Granted
Jan 2, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

In some implementations, an angle sensor may receive a first x-component value and a first y-component value from a first set sensing elements and a second x-component value and a second y-component value from a second set of angle sensing elements. The angle sensor may perform a safety check including determining a first range of angles associated with a target object based on a relationship between a magnitude of the first x-component value and a magnitude of the first y-component value; determining a second range of angles associated with the target object based on a relationship between a magnitude of the second x-component value and a magnitude of the second y-component value; and determining whether the second range of angles is a subset of the first range of angles. The angle sensor may output an indication of a result of the safety check.

Claims (146)

1. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a system and via a first angle measurement path, a first x-component value and a first y-component value from a first set of angle sensing elements, wherein the first set of angle sensing elements are associated with a first measurement range;

receiving, by the system and via a second angle measurement path, a second x-component value and a second y-component value from a second set of angle sensing elements, wherein the second set of angle sensing elements are associated with a second measurement range that is different from the first measurement range;

performing, by the system, a safety check including:

segmenting, based on an intersection of an x-component signal and a y-component signal associated with the first set of angle sensing elements, the first measurement range into a plurality of first segments;

segmenting, based on an intersection of an x-component signal and a y-component signal associated with the second set of angle sensing elements, the second measurement range into a plurality of second segments;

determining a first segment, of the plurality of first segments, corresponding to a first range of angles associated with a target object based on a relationship between a magnitude of the first x-component value and a magnitude of the first y-component value;

determining a second segment, of the plurality of second segments, corresponding to a second range of angles associated with the target object based on a relationship between a magnitude of the second x-component value and a magnitude of the second y-component value; and

determining whether the second range of angles is a subset of the first range of angles; and

outputting, by the system and to a controller, a signal corresponding to an indication of a result of performing the safety check based on whether the second range of angles is a subset of the first range of angles, wherein the indication of the result of performing the safety check indicates whether a failure, an error, or a deactivation is associated with one or more of the first angle measurement path or the second angle measurement path, and wherein the controller performs one or more operations associated with controlling one or more of an electrical system or an electrical subsystem based on the indication.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the first range of angles comprises:

determining that the first range of angles is a range of angles from zero degrees to forty-five degrees when the first x-component value is greater than the first y-component value and the first y-component value is greater than zero;

determining that the first range of angles is a range of angles from forty-five degrees to ninety degrees when the first y-component value is greater than the first x-component value and the first x-component value is greater than zero;

determining that the first range of angles is a range of angles from ninety degrees to 135 degrees when the first y-component value is greater than a negative of the first x-component value and the negative of the first x-component value is greater than zero;

determining that the first range of angles is a range of angles from 135 degrees to 180 degrees when the negative of the first x-component value is greater than the first y-component value and the first y-component value is greater than zero;

determining that the first range of angles is a range of angles from 180 degrees to 225 degrees when the first y-component value is less than zero and the first x-component value is less than the first y-component value;

determining that the first range of angles is a range of angles from 225 degrees to 270 degrees when the first x-component value is less than zero and the first y-component value is less than the first x-component value;

determining that the first range of angles is a range of angles from 270 degrees to 315 degrees when the negative of the first y-component value is greater than the first x-component value and the first x-component value is greater than zero; and

determining that the first range of angles is a range of angles from 315 degrees to 360 degrees when the first x-component value is greater than the negative of the first y-component value and the negative of the first y-component value is greater than zero.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the second range of angles comprises:

determining that the second range of angles is a range of angles from zero degrees to 22.5 degrees when the second x-component value is greater than the second y-component value and the second y-component value is greater than zero;

determining that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 22.5 degrees to forty-five degrees when the second y-component value is greater than the second x-component value and the second x-component value is greater than zero;

determining that the second range of angles is a range of angles from forty-five degrees to 67.5 degrees when the second y-component value is greater than a negative of the second x-component value and the negative of the second x-component value is greater than zero;

determining that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 67.5 degrees to ninety degrees when the negative of the second x-component value is greater than the second y-component value and the second y-component value is greater than zero;

determining that the second range of angles is a range of angles from ninety degrees to 112.5 degrees when the second y-component value is less than zero and the second x-component value is less than the second y-component value;

determining that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 112.5 degrees to 135 degrees when the second x-component value is less than zero and the second y-component value is less than the second x-component value;

determining that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 135 degrees to 157.5 degrees when the negative of the second y-component value is greater than the second x-component value and the second x-component value is greater than zero; and

determining that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 157.5 degrees to 180 degrees when the second x-component value is greater than the negative of the second y-component value and the negative of the second y-component value is greater than zero.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the second range of angles comprises:

determining that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 180 degrees to 202.5 degrees when the second x-component value is greater than the second y-component value and the second y-component value is greater than zero;

determining that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 202.5 degrees to 225 degrees when the second y-component value is greater than the second x-component value and the second x-component value is greater than zero;

determining that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 225 degrees to 247.5 degrees when the second y-component value is greater than a negative of the second x-component value and the negative of the second x-component value is greater than zero;

determining that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 247.5 degrees to 270 degrees when the negative of the second x-component value is greater than the second y-component value and the second y-component value is greater than zero;

determining that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 270 degrees to 292.5 degrees when the second y-component value is less than zero and the second x-component value is less than the second y-component value;

determining that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 292.5 degrees to 315 degrees when the second x-component value is less than zero and the second y-component value is less than the second x-component value;

determining that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 315 degrees to 337.5 degrees when the negative of the second y-component value is greater than the second x-component value and the second x-component value is greater than zero; and

determining that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 337.5 degrees to 360 degrees when the second x-component value is greater than the negative of the second y-component value and the negative of the second y-component value is greater than zero.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein performing the safety check further includes:

determining that a largest angle included in the first range of angles is equal to a smallest angle included in the second range of angles or that a smallest angle included in the first range of angles is equal to a largest angle included in the second range of angles,

wherein the indication of the result includes an indication of a positive result of performing the safety check based on the largest angle included in the first range of angles being equal to the smallest angle included in the second range of angles or based on the smallest angle included in the first range of angles being equal to the largest angle included in the second range of angles.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein performing the safety check further includes:

determining that the first range of angles includes ninety degrees or 270 degrees; and

determining whether the first x-component value, multiplied by a first factor, is less than the first y-component value,

wherein the indication of the result includes an indication of a positive result of performing the safety check when the first x-component value, multiplied by the first factor, is less than the first y-component value.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein performing the safety check further includes:

determining that the first range of angles includes zero degrees, 180 degrees, or 360 degrees; and

determining whether the first y-component value, multiplied by a first factor, is less than the first x-component value,

wherein the indication of the result includes an indication of a positive result of performing the safety check when the first y-component value, multiplied by the first factor, is less than the first x-component value.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein performing the safety check further includes:

determining that the first range of angles includes 45 degrees or 135 degrees; and

determining whether a difference between an absolute value of the first x-component value and an absolute value of the first y-component value satisfies a threshold,

wherein the indication of the result includes an indication of a positive result of performing the safety check when difference of the absolute value of the first x-component value and the absolute value of the first y-component value satisfies the threshold.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

determining the threshold based on:

dividing the absolute value of the first x-component value by a value;

dividing the absolute value of the first y-component value by the value; or

dividing a sum of the absolute value of the first x-component value and the absolute value of the first y-component value by a multiple of the value.

10. An angle sensor, comprising:

a first angle measurement path to determine a first x-component value and a first y-component value based on sensor values from a first set sensing elements, wherein the first set of angle sensing elements are associated with a first measurement range;

a second angle measurement path to determine a second x-component value and a second y-component value based on sensor values from a second set of angle sensing elements, wherein the second set of angle sensing elements are associated with a second measurement range that is different from the first measurement range;

a safety path to perform a safety check, the safety path being configured to:

segment, based on an intersection of an x-component signal and a y-component signal associated with the first set of angle sensing elements, the first measurement range into a plurality of first segments;

segment, based on an intersection of an x-component signal and a y-component signal associated with the second set of angle sensing elements, the second measurement range into a plurality of second segments;

determine a first segment, of the plurality of first segments, corresponding to a first range of angles associated with a target object based on a relationship between the first x-component value and the first y-component value;

determine a second segment, of the plurality of second segments, corresponding to a second range of angles associated with the target object based on a relationship between the second x-component value and the second y-component value; and

determine whether the second range of angles is a subset of the first range of angles; and

an output component to provide, to a controller, an indication of a result of performing the safety check based on whether the second range of angles is a subset of the first range of angles, wherein the indication of the result of performing the safety check indicates whether a failure, an error, or a deactivation is associated with one or more of the first angle measurement path or the second angle measurement path, and wherein the controller performs one or more operations associated with controlling one or more of an electrical system or an electrical subsystem based on the indication.

11. The angle sensor of claim 10 , wherein the safety path, to determine the first range of angles, is configured to:

determine that the first range of angles is a range of angles from zero degrees to forty-five degrees when the first x-component value is greater than the first y-component value and the first y-component value is greater than zero;

determine that the first range of angles is a range of angles from forty-five degrees to ninety degrees when the first y-component value is greater than the first x-component value and the first x-component value is greater than zero;

determine that the first range of angles is a range of angles from ninety degrees to 135 degrees when the first y-component value is greater than a negative of the first x-component value and the negative of the first x-component value is greater than zero;

determine that the first range of angles is a range of angles from 135 degrees to 180 degrees when the negative of the first x-component value is greater than the first y-component value and the first y-component value is greater than zero;

determine that the first range of angles is a range of angles from 180 degrees to 225 degrees when the first y-component value is less than zero and the first x-component value is less than the first y-component value;

determine that the first range of angles is a range of angles from 225 degrees to 270 degrees when the first x-component value is less than zero and the first y-component value is less than the first x-component value;

determine that the first range of angles is a range of angles from 270 degrees to 315 degrees when the negative of the first y-component value is greater than the first x-component value and the first x-component value is greater than zero; and

determine that the first range of angles is a range of angles from 315 degrees to 360 degrees when the first x-component value is greater than the negative of the first y-component value and the negative of the first y-component value is greater than zero.

12. The angle sensor of claim 10 , wherein the safety path, to determine the second range of angles, is configured to:

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from zero degrees to 22.5 degrees when the second x-component value is greater than the second y-component value and the second y-component value is greater than zero;

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 22.5 degrees to forty-five degrees when the second y-component value is greater than the second x-component value and the second x-component value is greater than zero;

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from forty-five degrees to 67.5 degrees when the second y-component value is greater than a negative of the second x-component value and the negative of the second x-component value is greater than zero;

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 67.5 degrees to ninety degrees when the negative of the second x-component value is greater than the second y-component value and the second y-component value is greater than zero;

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from ninety degrees to 112.5 degrees when the second y-component value is less than zero and the second x-component value is less than the second y-component value;

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 112.5 degrees to 135 degrees when the second x-component value is less than zero and the second y-component value is less than the second x-component value;

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 135 degrees to 157.5 degrees when the negative of the second y-component value is greater than the second x-component value and the second x-component value is greater than zero; and

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 157.5 degrees to 180 degrees when the second x-component value is greater than the negative of the second y-component value and the negative of the second y-component value is greater than zero.

13. The angle sensor of claim 10 , wherein the safety path, to determine the second range of angles, is configured to:

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 180 degrees to 202.5 degrees when the second x-component value is greater than the second y-component value and the second y-component value is greater than zero;

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 202.5 degrees to 225 degrees when the second y-component value is greater than the second x-component value and the second x-component value is greater than zero;

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 225 degrees to 247.5 degrees when the second y-component value is greater than a negative of the second x-component value and the negative of the second x-component value is greater than zero;

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 247.5 degrees to 270 degrees when the negative of the second x-component value is greater than the second y-component value and the second y-component value is greater than zero;

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 270 degrees to 292.5 degrees when the second y-component value is less than zero and the second x-component value is less than the second y-component value;

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 292.5 degrees to 315 degrees when the second x-component value is less than zero and the second y-component value is less than the second x-component value;

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 315 degrees to 337.5 degrees when the negative of the second y-component value is greater than the second x-component value and the second x-component value is greater than zero; and

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 337.5 degrees to 360 degrees when the second x-component value is greater than the negative of the second y-component value and the negative of the second y-component value is greater than zero.

14. The angle sensor of claim 10 , wherein the safety path, to perform the safety check, is configured to:

determine that a largest angle included in the first range of angles is equal to a smallest angle included in the second range of angles or that a smallest angle included in the first range of angles is equal to a largest angle included in the second range of angles,

wherein the indication of the result includes an indication of a positive result of performing the safety check based on the largest angle included in the first range of angles being equal to the smallest angle included in the second range of angles or based on the smallest angle included in the first range of angles being equal to the largest angle included in the second range of angles.

15. The angle sensor of claim 10 , wherein the safety path, to perform the safety check, is configured to:

determine that the first range of angles includes ninety degrees or 270 degrees; and

determine whether the first x-component value, multiplied by a first factor, is less than the first y-component value,

wherein the indication of the result includes an indication of a positive result of performing the safety check when the first x-component value, multiplied by the first factor, is less than the first y-component value.

16. The angle sensor of claim 10 , wherein the safety path, to perform the safety check, is configured to:

determine that the first range of angles includes zero degrees, 180 degrees, or 360 degrees; and

determine whether the first y-component value, multiplied by a first factor, is less than the first x-component value,

wherein the indication of the result includes an indication of a positive result of performing the safety check when the first y-component value, multiplied by the first factor, is less than the first x-component value.

17. The angle sensor of claim 10 , wherein the safety path, to perform the safety check, is configured to:

determine that the first range of angles includes 45 degrees or 135 degrees; and

determine whether a difference between an absolute value of the first x-component value and an absolute value of the first y-component value satisfies a threshold,

wherein the indication of the result includes an indication of a positive result of performing the safety check when difference of the absolute value of the first x-component value and the absolute value of the first y-component value satisfies the threshold; and

wherein the safety path, to determine the threshold, is configured to:

divide the absolute value of the first x-component value by a value;

divide the absolute value of the first y-component value by the value; or

divide a sum of the absolute value of the first x-component value and the absolute value of the first y-component value by a multiple of the value.

18. A sensor system comprising:

a first set of angle sensing elements configured to determine a first x-component value and a first y-component value, wherein the first set of angle sensing elements are associated with a first measurement range;

a second set of angle sensing elements configured to determine a second x-component value and a second y-component value from a second set of angle sensing elements, wherein the second set of angle sensing elements are associated with a second measurement range that is different from the first measurement range;

a safety check component configured to:

segment, based on an intersection of an x-component signal and a y-component signal associated with the first set of angle sensing elements, the first measurement range into a plurality of first segments;

segment, based on an intersection of an x-component signal and a y-component signal associated with the second set of angle sensing elements, the second measurement range into a plurality of second segments;

determine a first segment, of the plurality of first segments, corresponding to a first range of angles associated with a target object based on a relationship between a magnitude of the first x-component value and a magnitude of the first y-component value;

determine a second segment, of the plurality of second segments, corresponding to a second range of angles associated with the target object based on a relationship between a magnitude of the second x-component value and a magnitude of the second y-component value; and

determine whether the second range of angles is a subset of the first range of angles; and

an output component to provide, to a controller, an indication of a result of a safety check based on whether the second range of angles is a subset of the first range of angles,

wherein the indication of the result of the safety check indicates whether a failure, an error, or a deactivation is associated with one or more of a first angle measurement path associated with the first set of angle sensing elements or a second angle measurement path associated with the second set of angle sensing elements, and

wherein the controller performs one or more operations associated with controlling one or more of an electrical system or an electrical subsystem based on the indication of the result of the safety check.

19. The sensor system of claim 18 , wherein the safety check component, to determine the first range of angles, is configured to:

determine that the first range of angles is a range of angles from zero degrees to forty-five degrees when the first x-component value is greater than the first y-component value and the first y-component value is greater than zero;

determine that the first range of angles is a range of angles from forty-five degrees to ninety degrees when the first y-component value is greater than the first x-component value and the first x-component value is greater than zero;

determine that the first range of angles is a range of angles from ninety degrees to 135 degrees when the first y-component value is greater than a negative of the first x-component value and the negative of the first x-component value is greater than zero;

determine that the first range of angles is a range of angles from 135 degrees to 180 degrees when the negative of the first x-component value is greater than the first y-component value and the first y-component value is greater than zero;

determine that the first range of angles is a range of angles from 180 degrees to 225 degrees when the first y-component value is less than zero and the first x-component value is less than the first y-component value;

determine that the first range of angles is a range of angles from 225 degrees to 270 degrees when the first x-component value is less than zero and the first y-component value is less than the first x-component value;

determine that the first range of angles is a range of angles from 270 degrees to 315 degrees when the negative of the first y-component value is greater than the first x-component value and the first x-component value is greater than zero; and

determine that the first range of angles is a range of angles from 315 degrees to 360 degrees when the first x-component value is greater than the negative of the first y-component value and the negative of the first y-component value is greater than zero; and

wherein the safety check component, to determine the second range of angles, is configured to:

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from zero degrees to 22.5 degrees when the second x-component value is greater than the second y-component value and the second y-component value is greater than zero;

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 22.5 degrees to forty-five degrees when the second y-component value is greater than the second x-component value and the second x-component value is greater than zero;

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from forty-five degrees to 67.5 degrees when the second y-component value is greater than a negative of the second x-component value and the negative of the second x-component value is greater than zero;

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 67.5 degrees to ninety degrees when the negative of the second x-component value is greater than the second y-component value and the second y-component value is greater than zero;

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from ninety degrees to 112.5 degrees when the second y-component value is less than zero and the second x-component value is less than the second y-component value;

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 112.5 degrees to 135 degrees when the second x-component value is less than zero and the second y-component value is less than the second x-component value;

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 135 degrees to 157.5 degrees when the negative of the second y-component value is greater than the second x-component value and the second x-component value is greater than zero; and

determine that the second range of angles is a range of angles from 157.5 degrees to 180 degrees when the second x-component value is greater than the negative of the second y-component value and the negative of the second y-component value is greater than zero.

20. The sensor system of claim 18 , wherein the safety check component is further configured to:

determine that a largest angle included in the first range of angles is equal to a smallest angle included in the second range of angles or determine that a smallest angle included in the first range of angles is equal to a largest angle included in the second range of angles,

wherein the indication of the result includes an indication of a positive result of performing the safety check based on the largest angle included in the first range of angles being equal to the smallest angle included in the second range of angles or based on the smallest angle included in the first range of angles being equal to the largest angle included in the second range of angles.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 22, 2021
From: HAMMERSCHMIDT, DIRK
To: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
Reel/Frame 056623/0361 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220404135A1 · Dec 22, 2022
Cited By (1)
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