Many modern applications use sensor devices to collect data or relay information relating to the various applications. Sensor devices, for example, may relay information regarding a potential impact condition associated with a portion of an automobile, or the like. For example, a sensor may receive a signal indicating that the portion of the vehicle has collided with an object, an indication that a safety or restraint device (such as an air bag, for example) is to deploy.
In the case of vehicle crash sensors, many types of sensors may be used for different impact types and similar scenarios. For example, acceleration sensors may be used to detect sudden changes in the acceleration of the vehicle, pressure sensors may be used to detect changes in pressure or shock waves due to an impact, gravity sensors may be used to detect changes in the vehicle's attitude with respect to gravity (e.g., pitch, roll, etc.). Further, acoustic sensors may be used to detect the sounds of a collision with the vehicle.
When using any of the above sensors or others in a vehicle crash-detection application, or the like, the design of the system generally includes the response time of the sensor(s) within the system. For example, the use of various types of sensors may contribute to different latencies related to the occurrence of the event (i.e., collision, etc.) and the resulting deployment of the restraint device. Additionally, different installation techniques used on multiple like sensors may also contribute to the latencies of responses.
The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items.
For this discussion, the devices and systems illustrated in the figures are shown as having a multiplicity of components. Various implementations of devices and/or systems, as described herein, may include fewer components and remain within the scope of the disclosure. Alternately, other implementations of devices and/or systems may include additional components, or various combinations of the described components, and remain within the scope of the disclosure.
In many sensor applications, such as in crash-detection applications, for example, it is desirable to optimize the response time of the applications' systems. For example, it may be desirable to have an air bag deploy as quickly as possible following the occurrence of a collision of a vehicle. The speed of deployment may make the difference in the protection provided, in some cases. Further, a quicker response time may be desirable for a side-impact than for a front-impact, for example, based on the relative sizes of the deformable zones in each case.
In various implementations, the response time of such a system can be improved by reducing the time that a sensor receives an indication of an event following the occurrence of the event. In one example, the time for a sensor to receive an indication that a vehicle has had a collision can be reduced based on acoustical transfer mechanisms and techniques. Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide an improved signal receive time to a sensor component. In various implementations, the sensor component is enclosed within a package arranged to allow the sensor to receive a signal in less time.
For example, in an implementation, the package may have a cavity, and the cavity may enclose the sensor and be at least partly filled with a transducer medium or contain a transducer component. In some implementations, the package may be sealed or covered to protect the sensor and/or the transducer medium/component. In an implementation, the package may be enclosed within a protective shell to protect the sensor and the package from the environment.
In various implementations, the package may be mounted to a rigid surface, in such a way as to optimize the speed of signal reception. For example, the package may be mounted to a vehicle body, for instance, with an opening of the package (e.g., opening of the cavity) facing the rigid surface. In an implementation, a membrane covering the opening of the package is placed parallel to and in contact with the rigid surface, such that acoustical waveforms are transmitted from the rigid surface to the membrane and to the acoustic sensor, via any transducing media surrounding the sensor.
In some implementations, multiple electrical components may be mounted within the package, along with the sensor component. In one example, a controller may be enclosed within the package and coupled to the sensor component. For example, the controller may analyze a signal output by the sensor, and output a signal indicating a predefined state (e.g., a collision has occurred) based on the analysis. This may distinguish between an actual event (e.g., a collision) from a false indication (e.g., a ball striking the vehicle, etc.), or the like.
Various implementations and arrangements are discussed with reference to electrical and electronics components and various carriers. While specific sensor components (i.e., acoustic sensors) are mentioned, this is not intended to be limiting, and is for ease of discussion and illustrative convenience. The techniques and devices discussed with reference to a sensor housing or package are applicable to any type or number of sensor components (e.g., acoustic, pressure, acceleration, etc.), as well as accompanying circuits (e.g., integrated circuits, analog circuits, digital circuits, mixed circuits, controllers, processors, etc.), groups of components, packaged components, structures, and the like, that may be mounted within a housing or like package. For ease of discussion, the generic terms “sensor” and “controller,” respectively, are used herein to describe any of the above.
Further, the techniques and devices discussed with reference to a printed circuit board are applicable to any type of carrier (e.g., board, chip, wafer, substrate, printed circuit board (PCB), bus, flexible printed carrier, printed circuit tape, etc.) that the sensor and/or the controller may be mounted to. For ease of discussion, the generic term “carrier” is used herein.
Implementations are explained in more detail below using a plurality of examples. Although various implementations and examples are discussed here and below, further implementations and examples may be possible by combining the features and elements of individual implementations and examples.
The vehicle 102 of
As shown in the illustration of
As shown in
In an implementation, as shown in
As discussed above, the techniques, components, and devices described herein are not limited to the illustration in
In various implementations, a sensor module 204 comprises a sensor device, as described above. For example, in one implementation, the sensor module 204 comprises an acoustic sensor device, such as a microphone, or the like. In an implementation, the sensor module 204 is arranged to receive an acoustic waveform and to output a signal based on the waveform. For example, in the event of an impact with the vehicle 102, the sensor module 204 may be arranged to receive the acoustic waveform of the impact and to output a signal on an output conductor (e.g., conductor 302) based on the waveform received.
In some implementations, the sensor module 204 is a surface mount device, such as a miniature surface mount microphone. For example, the microphone may be mounted or formed on a chip, or a chip-based device. In other implementations, the sensor module 204 comprises other types or designs of sensors.
In alternate implementations, the sensor module 204 may include associated components, such as connectivity elements and/or protection elements. For example, as shown in
If included, the control module 206 may be enclosed within the package 202, and coupled to the sensor module 204. In an implementation, the control module 206 is arranged to receive the signal output from the sensor module 204 and to output a state signal indicating one of a plurality of predefined states, based on the signal output from the sensor module 204. In one example implementation, the control module 206 is arranged to analyze an output of an acoustic sensor (i.e., the sensor module 204) and to output a signal indicating the predefined state based on the analysis. In some implementations, various predefined states may include: non-event, event, and possible event. In other implementations, fewer, additional, or alternate states may be predefined.
For instance, the analysis by the control module 206 may determine whether the output signal from the sensor module 204 indicates an event (e.g., a collision, etc.) that indicates a safety device (e.g., an air bag, etc.) is to be deployed, or indicates a non-event, e.g., something else that does not require deployment of a safety device (such as a ball hitting the vehicle, etc.). In this way, false deployments and their associated costs and inconvenience can be avoided. In the implementation, the control module 206 is able to differentiate between various acoustic vibrations based on the properties of the vibrations (e.g., frequency and wavelength, duration, magnitude, characteristic wave shape, etc.) to determine whether an event is indicated, meaning deployment of a safety device is indicated.
In an implementation, the control module 206 of the sensor 104 outputs the signal indicating the predefined state, and another system such as the ECU 106 receives the signal and deploys the safety or restraint device(s) in response to receiving the signal. In an alternate implementation, the acoustic signal received by a single sensor module 204 may not be definitive. Then, the control module 206 may output a “possible event” signal. If the control module outputs a “possible event” signal, the ECU 106, or the like, may aggregate signals from multiple sensors 104 to determine whether to deploy the safety device. In an implementation, the ECU 106, or the like, may have rules in place to determine whether to deploy a safety device, based on aggregated results from a plurality of sensors 104.
In another alternate implementation, the predefined states output by the control module 206 may comprise analog or digital voltage levels, digital or binary codes, or the like. The ECU 106, or the like, may be prearranged (e.g., programmed, etc.) to determine whether deployment of a safety device is indicated, based on values of the predefined states.
In an implementation, the control module 204 may comprise a controller, such as a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a logic circuit, or the like. For example, in an implementation, the control module 204 comprises a programmable application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or the like. In other implementations, the control module 206 may comprise a programmed general purpose processor, or similar device.
Various portions of the sensor 104, including portions of the control module 206, output module 208 (including protocols, etc.), as well as other components, if present, can be implemented as a system, method, apparatus, or article of manufacture, using standard programming and/or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or any combination thereof to control a computer or processor to implement the disclosure. For example, the sensor 104 may include a memory storage device 308 coupled to the control module 206 and including data stored thereon, such as calibration data, reference data, controller-executable instructions, and the like. In one implementation, the memory storage device 308 is integral to the control module 206. In an alternate implementation, the memory storage device 308 may be remotely located elsewhere in the package 202, the vehicle 102, or remote to the vehicle 102 (e.g., cloud storage, etc.).
In such implementations, a sensor arrangement for a safety device deployment system, for example, may be implemented using one or more forms of computer-readable media (which may be included as system memory, for example, with the control module 206) that is accessible by the control module 206, the ECU 106, or the like. Computer-readable media may include, for example, computer storage media and communications media.
Computer-readable storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Memory 308 is an example of computer-readable storage media. Additional types of computer-readable storage media that may be present include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which may be used to store the desired information and which may accessed by the control module 206, the ECU 106, or the like.
In contrast, communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave, or other transport mechanism.
If included, the output module 208 may be arranged to transmit the state signal output by the control module 206. For example, the output module 208 may be arranged to output the state signal via a conductor 310, as shown in
In some implementations, the sensor 104 may include one or more carriers 210, enclosed within the housing 202 and arranged to provide one or more signal paths for the sensor module 204, the control module 206, the output module 208, and/or the memory storage device 308. In an implementation, at least the sensor module 204 and/or the control module 206 are mounted to and/or coupled to the carrier 210. In alternate implementations, additional components may be mounted to and/or coupled to the carrier 210. In such alternate implementations, the carrier 210 may provide signal paths for the additional components.
In various implementations, the carrier 210 comprises a bus, a flexible bus, a printed circuit board (PCB), a flexible PCB, flexible circuit tape, or the like. In one implementation, multiple carriers 210 are included within the sensor package 202.
In one implementation, the package 202 is a rigid housing, offering protection from outside elements and forces to the sensor module 204 (and other components) mounted within the package 202. For example, in an implementation, the package and components comprise a System-in-Package (SiP). In some implementations, the package 202 is arranged to enclose multiple electrical components (e.g., multiple devices, circuits, etc.).
The sensor package 202 is shown in
In an implementation, as shown in
In an alternate implementation, the package 202 comprises a pre-molded casing. In various implementations, the casing may be a single molded element, or may be comprised of multiple molded elements coupled together, for example. In one implementation, the package 202 includes one or more electrical contacts molded into the casing and extending to couple the components within the package 202 to each other or to the carrier 210, for example.
In various implementations, the sensor 104, including the sensor module 204, the control module 206, and the housing (i.e., package) 202, may be employed as a module or system. In alternate implementations, the system may include other components, such as the output module 208, one or more carriers 210, and the like.
In an implementation, as shown in
In an implementation, the cavity 312 is a sealed cavity 312 surrounding at least the microphone (i.e., sensor module 204). In the implementation, the sealed cavity 312 is at least partly filled with an acoustical transducing media. For example, the acoustical transducing media may include one or more of a gas, a liquid, and a solid medium, or a combination of the same, that are arranged to conduct acoustic waveforms. In such an implementation, an acoustic waveform may be conducted or transported from the source of the waveform to the package 202, from the package 202 to the acoustic media within the cavity 312, and from the acoustic media within the cavity 312 to the sensor module 204.
In various implementations, different types of acoustical transducing media may be used to achieve different results. In general, the different types of acoustical transducing media conduct acoustic waveforms at different rates. For example, the speed of an acoustic signal in air is about 0.3 m/ms, in oil it is about 1.3 m/ms, in water it is about 1.5 m/ms, and in iron it is about 5 m/ms. Accordingly, one or more of the media may be selected based on the speed of acoustic signals through the media, among other considerations.
In an implementation, the sensor 104 includes a protective membrane 314 overlaying an opening of the package 202. For example, the protective membrane 314 may be an acoustically transparent membrane, or the like. In the implementation, the membrane 314 is arranged to seal the opening of the package 202 and to allow acoustic waveforms to pass into the cavity 312 to the acoustic sensor (i.e., sensor module 204). In an example implementation, the cavity 312 is sealed using the membrane 314 to prevent acoustical transducing media from escaping the cavity 312.
In another implementation, the sensor 104 includes a protective screen 316 overlaying an opening of the package 202. In the implementation, the screen 316 is arranged to prevent particles, or the like, from entering the cavity 312, or damaging the membrane 314, if present.
Various implementations of a sensor 104, as described above are illustrated in
In another implementation, illustrated at diagram B) of
As shown in the illustration of diagram B) of
In a further implementation, as shown at diagram C) of
As shown in diagram C) of
The illustration of diagram C) shows the compact form factor of diagram B) enclosed within the shell 402. However, any of the form factors of sensor 104 may be enclosed within a shell 402, in various implementations.
In various implementations, the shell 402 may have any shape and size appropriate for the application. The shell 402 may be mounted to a location within the application system (e.g., vehicle, machine, process device, etc.) where the sensor 104 is needed to collect sensory information. In an alternate implementation, the package 202 may be mounted or located within the application system without a shell 402.
Referring to
As shown in
For example, in diagram A) of
In the example shown in diagram B) of
Also shown in the diagrams of
Referring to
For example, in one implementation, the package 202 includes one or more fasteners 506 protruding from the package 202 and arranged to couple the package 202 to the surface 602. In various implementations, the package 202 is arranged to be coupled to the surface 602 such that the opening of the cavity 312 faces the surface 602.
In an implementation, as shown in diagrams A) and B) of
In an implementation, as shown in
In one implementation, the acoustic waveform 604 is conducted from the rigid surface 602 to the sensor module 204 via the package 202. In an example, the package 202 swings around the seismic mass 702 based on the waveform 604, which transfers the acoustic waveform 604 to the grid or membrane 304 of the sensor module 204 based on inertial transfer from the package 202 to the seismic mass 702.
The techniques, components, and devices described herein with respect to the sensor 104 are not limited to the illustrations of
The order in which the process is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described process blocks can be combined in any order to implement the process, or alternate processes. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the process without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the process can be implemented in any suitable materials, or combinations thereof, without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein.
At block 802, the process 800 includes coupling an acoustic sensor (such as sensor module 204, for example) to a controller (such as control module 206, for example). The controller is arranged to analyze an output of the acoustic sensor and to output a signal indicating a predefined state based on the analysis. In alternate implementations, the process includes coupling another type of sensor (e.g., pressure sensor, acceleration sensor, gravity sensor, etc.) to the controller. In an implementation, the controller triggers the deployment of a safety device or restraint device based on the output signal.
In an example implementation, the acoustic sensor comprises a microphone, such as a miniature surface-mount microphone, or similar device. In another example, the controller comprises an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a processor, a logic circuit, or the like.
At block 804, the process includes enclosing the acoustic sensor and the controller within a molded package (such as package 202, for example) such that the molded package is integral to at least one of the acoustic sensor and the controller. In various implementations, additional devices, circuits, and the like, may be housed within the cavity of the package.
In an implementation, the process includes coupling at least one of the acoustic sensor and the controller to a carrier (such as carrier 210, for example). In a further implementation, the package is molded to at least a portion of the carrier. In an implementation, the carrier comprises one or more of a bus, a printed circuit board (PCB), a flexible printed circuit carrier, a circuit tape, and the like.
In an implementation, the process includes enclosing at least one of the acoustic sensor and the controller within a cavity (such as cavity 312, for example) of the molded package. In one implementation, the process includes at least partially filling the cavity with an acoustically transducing material and sealing the cavity with an acoustically transparent membrane (such as membrane 314, for example).
In an implementation, the process includes mounting the package to a rigid surface (such as surface 602, for example) such that the membrane is parallel to and in contact with the rigid surface. For example, the package is mounted to the surface such that acoustical waveforms (such as waveforms 604, for example) are transmitted from the rigid surface to the membrane and to the acoustic sensor, via the transducing material.
In an implementation, the process includes mounting the package to the rigid surface such that the cavity of the package faces the rigid surface. In a further implementation, the package is mounted to the rigid surface such that acoustical waveforms are transferred (e.g., conducted, etc.) to the acoustic sensor via the package.
In one implementation, the process includes enclosing the package within a rigid shell (such as shell 402, for example) and covering an opening of the shell with a protective screen (such as screen 404, for example). In the implementation, the shell and screen are arranged to protect the acoustical sensor from harsh environmental factors, such as particles, humidity, and so forth.
In alternate implementations, other techniques may be included in the process 800 in various combinations, and remain within the scope of the disclosure.
Although the implementations of the disclosure have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the implementations are not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as representative forms of implementing example devices and techniques.