Patent Description:
With the rapid development of vehicle-related technologies, recently released vehicles are equipped with dozens of controllers to control various electronic functions such as an ABS, an EPS, an ADAS, and the like.

In general, an output of a temperature sensor is an important factor in determining operations of devices in a vehicle. Therefore, one of the important requirements of vehicle-related companies is the accuracy of temperature sensors. In addition, to satisfy requirements of a vehicle functional safety, it is important whether the failure of each circuit can be determined.

A negative temperature coefficient of resistance (an NTC) is commonly used for the temperature sensors. Since a resistance value of the NTC changes depending on a temperature, it is possible to sense the temperature, based on a voltage applied to the NTC depending on the temperature by providing a resistance divider circuit. However, in the NTC, the resistance value changes non-linearly depending on the temperature, and the change in the resistance value is not large in a high temperature section. <CIT> discloses a temperature sensing apparatus with the features of the preamble of claim <NUM>. <CIT> discloses a temperature sensing circuit for cooking appliances.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art while advantages achieved by the prior art are maintained intact. The invention is defined by the features of claim <NUM>.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a temperature sensing apparatus that accurately senses a temperature in all sections.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a temperature sensing apparatus capable of preventing a decrease in temperature sensing accuracy in a high temperature section that occurs as a change in resistance value in the high temperature section is not large in an NTC.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a temperature sensing apparatus capable of determining a failure of a temperature sensor.

The technical problems to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned problems, and any other technical problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood from the following description by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains.

According to the invention, a temperature sensing apparatus includes a first voltage generator including a first resistor and a first temperature sensor, a second voltage generator that generates a control voltage, a voltage adjuster connected in parallel with the first resistor and that adjusts a voltage applied to the first temperature sensor based on the control voltage, and a controller that senses a temperature based on the voltage applied to the first temperature sensor, and the first temperature sensor is a device that converts a temperature into a voltage.

According to an embodiment, the voltage adjuster may include a second resistor and a switch.

According to an embodiment, the switch may be operated in response to the control voltage.

According to an embodiment, the second voltage generator may generate the control voltage applied to the switch.

According to an embodiment, the switch may include at least one of a MOSFET, a BJT, and a switch capable of controlling on/off of a circuit.

Further, according to the invention, the second voltage generator includes a third resistor and a second temperature sensor, and the second temperature sensor is a device that converts a temperature into a voltage.

According to an embodiment, the second voltage generator may control the voltage adjuster, based on a voltage applied to the second temperature sensor.

According to an embodiment, the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor may be disposed adjacent to each other.

According to an embodiment, the controller may sense the temperature, based on a voltage applied to the second temperature sensor.

According to an embodiment, a resistance value of the first resistor may be the same as a resistance value of the third resistor.

According to an embodiment, the controller may sense the temperature based on the voltage applied to the second temperature sensor in a specified section, and may sense the temperature based on the voltage applied to the first temperature sensor in a section other than the specified section.

According to an embodiment, the second voltage generator may control the voltage adjuster at a threshold temperature to increase a level of the voltage applied to the first temperature sensor.

According to an embodiment, a temperature sensing apparatus includes a first resistor, a first NTC resistor connected in series with the first resistor, a switch and a second resistor connected in series with each other and connected in parallel with the first resistor, a third resistor and a second NTC resistor that generate a divided voltage applied to the switch, and a controller that senses a temperature based on a first voltage applied to the first NTC resistor.

According to an embodiment, the switch may be short-circuited when the divided voltage is less than or equal to a preset value.

According to an embodiment, a combined resistance of the first resistor and the second resistor may be connected in series with the first NTC resistor, when the switch is short-circuited.

According to an embodiment, a resistance value of the third resistor may be set to short the switch at a threshold temperature.

According to an embodiment, the first NTC resistor and the second NTC resistor may be disposed adjacent to each other.

According to an embodiment, the controller may sense the temperature, based on a second voltage applied to the second NTC resistor.

According to an embodiment, the controller may determine the temperature based on the first voltage as the sensed temperature when the temperature based on the first voltage is less than or equal to a first temperature or is greater than a second temperature, and may determine the temperature based on the second voltage as the sensed temperature when the temperature based on the second voltage exceeds the first temperature and is less than or equal to the second temperature.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary drawings. In adding the reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the identical or equivalent component is designated by the identical numeral even when they are displayed on other drawings. Further, in describing the embodiment of the present disclosure, a detailed description of well-known features or functions will be ruled out in order not to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure.

In describing the components of the embodiment according to the present disclosure, terms such as first, second, "A", "B", (a), (b), and the like may be used. These terms are merely intended to distinguish one component from another component, and the terms do not limit the nature, sequence or order of the constituent components. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meanings as those generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. Such terms as those defined in a generally used dictionary are to be interpreted as having meanings equal to the contextual meanings in the relevant field of art, and are not to be interpreted as having ideal or excessively formal meanings unless clearly defined as having such in the present application.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a temperature sensing apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a temperature sensing apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first voltage generator <NUM>, a voltage adjuster <NUM>, a second voltage generator <NUM>, and a controller <NUM> (which includes a circuit, or a storage with instructions and a processor, to perform various functions/operations described with reference to the controller <NUM>).

The first voltage generator <NUM> includes a first resistor and a first temperature sensor. Further, the first temperature sensor is a device that converts a temperature into a voltage. According to the invention, the first temperature sensor is a a first NTC resistor. As another example, a resistance value of the first temperature sensor may change depending on the temperature. As another example, the first resistor and the first temperature sensor may be connected in series to each other. Also, the first voltage generator <NUM> may include a power source for supplying a voltage divided by the first resistor and the first temperature sensor. For example, the power source may supply 5V to the first resistor and the first temperature sensor. In this case, the first resistor and the first temperature sensor may divide the voltage supplied from the power source. According to an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may receive a voltage applied to the first temperature sensor.

The voltage adjuster <NUM> is connected in parallel with the first resistor. Further, the voltage adjuster <NUM> adjusts a voltage applied to the first temperature sensor. As another example, the voltage adjuster <NUM> may include a second resistor and a switch. According to the embodiment, since the second resistor is connected in parallel with the first resistor when the switch is shorted, a combined resistance is formed such that a higher voltage can be applied to the first temperature sensor. According to another embodiment, since the second resistor does not form a combined resistance with the first resistor when the switch is opened, an existing circuit in which the first temperature sensor and the first resistor are connected in series may be formed. In an embodiment, the switch may operate by receiving a voltage generated from the second voltage generator <NUM>. In an embodiment, the switch may include a switch capable of on/off control of a circuit including a MOSFET, a BJT, or the like.

The second voltage generator <NUM> generates a control voltage. For example, the control voltage generated from the second voltage generator <NUM> may be applied to a switch included in the voltage adjuster <NUM>, and the switch included in the voltage adjuster <NUM> may operate based on the control voltage.

The second voltage generator <NUM> includes a third resistor and a second temperature sensor. Further, the second temperature sensor is a device that converts a temperature into a voltage. As another example, the second temperature sensor may include a second NTC resistor. The resistance value of the second temperature sensor may change according to a temperature. Also, the second voltage generator <NUM> may include a power source for supplying a voltage divided by the third resistor and the second temperature sensor. For example, the power source may supply 5V to the first resistor and the first temperature sensor. In this case, the third resistor and the second temperature sensor may generate a control voltage by dividing a voltage supplied from the power source, and the generated control voltage may be applied to a switch included in the voltage adjuster <NUM>. In an embodiment, the second voltage generator <NUM> may control the voltage adjuster <NUM> at a threshold temperature to increase the voltage that is applied to the first temperature sensor.

In an embodiment, the control voltage may be a voltage applied to the second temperature sensor. For example, the second voltage generator <NUM> may control the voltage adjuster <NUM>, based on a voltage applied to the second temperature sensor. As another example, the second voltage generator <NUM> may control an operation of the switch by applying a voltage applied to the second temperature sensor to the switch included in the voltage adjuster <NUM>. According to an embodiment, when the temperature increases, the resistance value of the second temperature sensor may decrease, and accordingly, a level of the control voltage that is the voltage applied to the second temperature sensor may decrease, and the switch may be short-circuited.

In an embodiment, a level of the third resistor may be set depending on a temperature at which the switch included in the voltage adjuster <NUM> is short-circuited. For example, when it is determined to short-circuit the switch at the set temperature, a size of the third resistor may be set based on a voltage value for shorting the switch, a voltage value of the second temperature sensor at the set temperature, and voltage values of power sources included in the first voltage generator <NUM> and the second voltage generator <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the first temperature sensor included in the first voltage generator <NUM> and the second temperature sensor included in the second voltage generator <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to each other. For example, the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor may be disposed adjacent to each other to have the same temperature. According to an embodiment, the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor may be disposed to have a distance of <NUM> or less.

According to an embodiment, a resistance value of the first resistor may be the same as a resistance value of the third resistor. For example, when the first resistor and the third resistor have the same resistance value, a division voltage divided through the first resistor and the first temperature sensor and a division voltage divided through the second resistor and the second temperature sensor may have the same value.

The controller <NUM> may sense a temperature based on a voltage applied to the first temperature sensor. For example, when a temperature increases, a size of the first temperature sensor decreases and a level of voltage applied to the first temperature sensor decreases, and when a temperature decreases, the size of the first temperature sensor increases and the level of the voltage applied to the first temperature sensor increases. Accordingly, the controller <NUM> may sense a temperature based on the level of the voltage applied to the first temperature sensor. In one embodiment, the controller <NUM> may include an MCU or an ECU.

According to an embodiment, when the temperature increases above the set temperature, the second voltage generator <NUM> may generate a control voltage that short-circuits the switch, and the switch to which the control voltage is applied may be short-circuited. When the switch is short-circuited, the second resistor may form a combined resistance with the first resistor, and the resistor connected to the first temperature sensor may decrease in size, such that the voltage applied to the first temperature sensor may increase, and thus the controller <NUM> may accurately sense the temperature above the set temperature. That is, even at a high temperature, the controller <NUM> may accurately sense the temperature based on the level of the voltage applied to the first temperature sensor.

The controller <NUM> may sense a temperature based on a voltage applied to the second temperature sensor included in the second voltage generator <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may sense the temperature based on a voltage applied to the first temperature sensor and a voltage applied to the second temperature sensor. For another example, the controller <NUM> may sense the temperature based on the voltage applied to the second temperature sensor in a specified section, and may sense the temperature based on the voltage applied to the first temperature sensor in a section other than the specified section. In this case, the specified section may be a section for changing the switch included in the voltage adjuster <NUM> from an open state to a short-circuited state.

In one embodiment, since the controller <NUM> may sense the temperature through both the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, when one NTC resistor or a circuit including the NTC resistor fails, the controller <NUM> may sense the failure. That is, when a failure is sensed, the controller <NUM> may inform a user of the corresponding fact.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a temperature sensing apparatus may accurately sense a temperature in all sections.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a temperature sensing apparatus may prevent a decrease in temperature sensing accuracy in a high temperature section that occurs as a change in resistance value in the high temperature section is not large in an NTC.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, even when one NTC or a circuit including the NTC fails, a temperature sensing apparatus may sense a temperature using the other NTC and may determine a failure of the corresponding circuit.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a temperature sensing apparatus may maintain the sensing accuracy up to a high temperature only by an operation of the circuit itself without receiving a control signal from an MCU.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a temperature sensing apparatus may maintain a temperature sensing accuracy up to a high temperature even in the case of other devices that convert a temperature into a voltage, other than the NTC.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a temperature sensing apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a temperature sensing apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first resistor R1, a first power source V1, a first NTC resistor NTC1, a switch 'S', a second resistor R2, a third resistor R3, a second NTC resistor NTC2, a second power source V2, and a controller <NUM>. In an embodiment, the temperature sensing apparatus <NUM> may be included in the temperature sensing apparatus <NUM> of <FIG>. According to an embodiment, the first NTC resistor NTC1 may correspond to the first temperature sensor of <FIG>, and the second NTC resistor NTC2 may correspond to the second temperature sensor of <FIG>. That is, according to an embodiment, the first NTC resistor NTC1 may be included in the first voltage generator <NUM> of <FIG>, and the second NTC resistor NTC2 may be included in the second voltage generator <NUM> of <FIG>.

The first resistor R1 may be connected in series with the first NTC resistor NTC1. Also, the first resistor R1 may be connected in series with the first power source V1. Accordingly, the voltage supplied by the first power source V1 may be divided through the first resistor R1 and the first NTC resistor NTC1, and may generate a first voltage applied to the first NTC resistor NTC1. For example, a resistance value of the first NTC resistor NTC1 may change depending on a temperature. In some embodiments, the first resistor R1 may include a plurality of resistors.

The switch 'S' may be connected in parallel with the first resistor R1. In addition, the first power source V1 may be connected to one end of the switch `S'. In an embodiment, the switch 'S' may include a MOSFET or a BJT.

The second resistor R2 may be connected in series with the switch 'S'. In addition, the second resistor R2 may be connected in parallel with the first resistor R1. For example, when the switch 'S' is short-circuited, the second resistor R2 may be connected in parallel with the first resistor R1 to form a combined resistance. For another example, when the switch 'S' is opened, the second resistor R2 is not connected to the first resistor R1, and thus a combined resistance may not be formed. In some embodiments, since a resistance value of the combined resistance of the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 is less than the resistance value of the first resistor R1, when the second resistor R2 and the first resistor R1 form a combined resistance (e.g., when the switch 'S' is short-circuited), a larger voltage may be applied to the first NTC resistor NTC1. In an embodiment, the second resistor R2 may include a plurality of resistors.

The switch 'S' may receive a divided voltage generated through the third resistor R3 and the second NTC resistor NTC2. For example, an operation of the switch 'S' may be controlled through an applied division voltage. For another example, the switch 'S' may be short-circuited when the divided voltage is less than or equal to a preset value, and may be opened when the divided voltage is greater than the preset value.

The third resistor R3 and the second NTC resistor NTC2 may be connected in series to each other. One end of the third resistor R3 may be connected to the second power source V2. Accordingly, a voltage supplied from the second power source V2 may be divided through the third resistor R3 and the second NTC resistor NTC2, and a divided voltage may be generated. According to an embodiment, the generated division voltage may be applied to the switch 'S'.

In an embodiment, the resistance value of the second NTC resistor NTC2 may be changed depending on a temperature.

In an embodiment, the resistance value of the third resistor R3 may be the same as the resistance value of the first resistor R1.

In an embodiment, the voltage value of the first power source V1 may be the same as the voltage value of the second power source V2.

In an embodiment, the third resistor R3 may include a plurality of resistors.

In an embodiment, the resistance value of the third resistor R3 may be set to short-circuit the switch 'S' at a threshold temperature.

In an embodiment, the first NTC resistor NTC1 and the second NTC resistor NTC2 may be disposed adjacent to each other. For example, the first NTC resistor NTC1 and the second NTC resistor NTC2 may be disposed to have the same temperature. As another example, the first NTC resistor NTC1 and the second NTC resistor NTC2 may be disposed to have a distance of <NUM> or less.

The controller <NUM> may receive a first voltage applied to the first NTC resistor NTC1 and may sense a temperature based on the first voltage. For example, when the first voltage increases, the controller <NUM> may sense that the temperature is low, and when the first voltage decreases, the controller <NUM> may sense that the temperature is high. As another example, the controller <NUM> may store in advance a table of the first voltage depending on the temperature, and may sense the temperature based on the table.

The controller <NUM> may sense the temperature based on the second voltage applied to the second NTC resistor NTC2. For example, the controller <NUM> may receive a second voltage applied to the second NTC resistor NTC2 and may sense the temperature based on the second voltage. In an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may sense the temperature based on the first voltage when it is less than or equal to a first temperature or when it is greater than a second temperature, and may sense the temperature based on the second voltage when it exceeds the first temperature and is less than or equal to the second temperature. For example, a section when it exceeds the first temperature and is less than or equal to the second temperature may be a section in which the switch 'S' is changed from an open state to a short-circuited state.

In an embodiment, when the resistance values of the first resistor R1 and the third resistor R3 are the same, the controller <NUM> may sense the temperature based on any one of the first voltage and the second voltage when the temperature is below the first temperature.

In an embodiment, since the controller <NUM> may sense the temperature based on the first voltage and the second voltage, when an abnormality occurs in any one of the first voltage and the second voltage, the controller <NUM> may detect the occurrence of the abnormality based on the other voltage. In addition, the controller <NUM> may sense a temperature based on a voltage at which an abnormality does not occur, and may inform the user that a problem occurs in a circuit corresponding to the abnormal voltage.

In the temperature sensing apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the temperature increases, the resistance value of the second NTC resistor NTC2 may decrease, and the second voltage (the divided voltage) applied to the second NTC resistor NTC2 may decrease, such that the switch 'S' may be short-circuited. When the switch 'S' is short-circuited, the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 may form a combined resistance, a first voltage greater than before the combined resistance is formed may be applied to the first NTC resistor NTC1, and the controller <NUM> may sense the temperature based on the first voltage. Accordingly, the temperature sensing apparatus <NUM> may solve the problem that an amount of change in the resistance value of the NTC resistor is lowered at a high temperature.

In an embodiment, the first resistor R1 and the first NTC resistor NTC1 may be included in a first voltage generator <NUM>. In an embodiment, the second resistor R2 and the switch 'S' may be included in a voltage adjuster <NUM>. In an embodiment, the third resistor R3 and the second NTC resistor NTC2 may be included in a second voltage generator <NUM>. In one embodiment, the first voltage generator <NUM>, the voltage adjuster <NUM>, the second voltage generator <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> may be actually the same as the first voltage generator <NUM>, the voltage adjuster <NUM>, the second voltage generator <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> of <FIG>, respectively.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a change in a voltage applied to an NTC according to a temperature.

Referring to <FIG>, in the case of an NTC resistor without a voltage adjuster (e.g., the voltage adjuster <NUM> of <FIG> or the voltage adjuster <NUM> of <FIG>), the amount of change in a magnitude <NUM> of the applied voltage decreases as the temperature increases. That is, it is difficult for the controller (e.g., the controller <NUM> of <FIG> or the controller <NUM> of <FIG>) to sense the temperature accurately at a high temperature based on the magnitude <NUM> of the voltage applied to the NTC resistor.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a change in a voltage applied to a plurality of NTCs in a temperature sensing apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the temperature sensing apparatus (e.g., the temperature sensing apparatuses <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may sense a temperature based on a magnitude <NUM> of a voltage applied to the first NTC resistor and the magnitude <NUM> of the voltage applied to the second NTC resistor. A low temperature section may be a section below the first temperature, a variation section may be a section above the first temperature and below the second temperature, and the high temperature section may be a section above the second temperature. For example, the variation section may be a section in which the switch 'S' of <FIG> is changed from an open state to a short-circuited state.

The magnitude <NUM> of the voltage applied to the first NTC resistor may continuously decrease as the temperature rises in the low temperature section. Also, in the variation period, as the switch 'S' is short-circuited, the magnitude <NUM> of the voltage applied to the first NTC resistor may increase. In addition, since the switch 'S' is completely short-circuited in the high temperature section, the magnitude of the resistor connected to the first NTC resistor decreases, such that the magnitude <NUM> of the voltage applied to the first NTC resistor may increase as in the low temperature section. Accordingly, a temperature sensing apparatus may accurately sense the temperature based on the magnitude <NUM> of the voltage applied to the first NTC resistor.

Comparing the magnitude <NUM> of the voltage applied to the first NTC resistor with the magnitude <NUM> of the voltage applied to the second NTC resistor, since the rate of change of the magnitude <NUM> of the voltage applied to the first NTC resistor in the high temperature section is greater than the rate of change of the magnitude <NUM> of the voltage applied to the second NTC resistor is <NUM>, the temperature sensing apparatus may more accurately sense the temperature based on the magnitude <NUM> of the voltage applied to the first NTC resistor.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a change in a voltage applied to a plurality of NTCs in a temperature sensing apparatus, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the temperature sensing apparatus (e.g., the temperature sensing apparatuses <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may sense a temperature based on a magnitude <NUM> of a voltage applied to the first NTC resistor and a magnitude <NUM> of the voltage applied to the second NTC resistor.

In <FIG>, the resistance values of the first resistor (the first resistor R1 in <FIG>) and the third resistor (the third resistor R3 in <FIG>) may be the same. In this case, in a low temperature section, the magnitude <NUM> of the voltage applied to the first NTC resistor and the magnitude <NUM> of the voltage applied to the second NTC resistor may be the same. Therefore, a temperature sensing apparatus may obtain the same result even when sensing the temperature based on any one of the magnitude <NUM> of the voltage applied to the first NTC resistor and the magnitude <NUM> of the voltage applied to the second NTC resistor.

In the high temperature section, as in <FIG>, since the magnitude <NUM> of the voltage applied to the first NTC resistor increases as the switch 'S' is short-circuited, the temperature sensing apparatus may more accurately sense the temperature based on the magnitude <NUM> of the voltage applied to the first NTC resistor.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, even when one NTC or a circuit including the NTC fails, a temperature sensing apparatus may sense a temperature using the other NTC and may determine a failure of the corresponding circuit.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a temperature sensing apparatus may maintain the sensing accuracy up to a high temperature only by an operation of the circuit itself without receiving a control signal from an MCU.

In addition, various effects directly or indirectly identified through this document may be provided.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present disclosure, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains will be able to make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present disclosure.

Claim 1:
A temperature sensing apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a first voltage generator (<NUM>) including a first resistor and a first temperature sensor;
a second voltage generator (<NUM>) configured to generate a control voltage;
a voltage adjuster (<NUM>) connected in parallel with the first resistor and configured to adjust a voltage applied to the first temperature sensor based on the control voltage; and
a controller (<NUM>) configured to sense a temperature based on the voltage applied to the first temperature sensor, and
wherein the first temperature sensor is a device configured to convert a temperature into a voltage and wherein the first temperature sensor is negative temperature coefficient resistor,
characterized in that
the second voltage generator (<NUM>) includes a third resistor and a second temperature sensor, and
wherein the second temperature sensor is a device configured to convert a temperature into a voltage.