Breathalyzer Key Retention for Controlled Vehicle Key Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for devices and systems that prevent access to vehicle keys or safe keys by individuals with blood alcohol levels above predetermined limits, such as legal driving limits, to ensure safe operation of vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A key retention device that physically secures a key until a breath or blood sample indicates a blood alcohol level below a predetermined limit, using a sampling mechanism, analysis device, and mechanisms for retaining and releasing the key based on the analysis results, which can be combined with or separate from the sampling and analysis features, and may include power supplies, sensors, processors, and mechanical locking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a key retention device with breathalyzer integration is implemented, then safety against drunk driving is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated device: key retention mechanism, breathalyzer for alcohol detection, and control system are merged into one unit. This allows the device to simultaneously secure the key and verify the user's sobriety before releasing it, improving safety while managing complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The key retention device serves multiple purposes: it acts as a physical key safe, an alcohol testing device, and an automated decision-making system. By making the device universal and multi-functional, the patent addresses both key security and drunk driving prevention in a single system, improving overall safety without requiring separate devices for each function.
2Productivity
If automated key release based on breathalyzer results is implemented, then productivity of safety check is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs the alcohol detection and decision-making process automatically and immediately when the key is inserted and the breath test is administered. The control system is pre-programmed with the logic to compare breathalyzer results against legal limits and automatically make the release decision, eliminating manual intervention and speeding up the safety check process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-testing and self-decision-making: the breathalyzer automatically tests the user, the control system automatically compares results to legal limits, and the mechanism automatically releases or retains the key based on this analysis. This automated self-service approach improves productivity by eliminating manual safety checks while the modular design manages complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, methods, and systems for providing physical retention of a key or keys, such one or more vehicle keys or keys to a safe, and for providing an input feature, such as a breath or blood analysis device, and other features to prevent access to the keys until a suitable input is provided. For example, each key may be physically retained and prevented from being used until a breath, blood, or other sample input has been received that indicates a blood alcohol level is below a pre-determined limit, such as a legal limit for driving a vehicle. Various features then allow release of the key upon the legal limit being met.