Vehicle Charging Inlet Lock Control for Shared Access Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles with shareable spaces, the existing control systems do not adequately prevent theft of outlet cables and limit external charging when the inlet is unlocked, as it can be accessed by third parties, leading to incomplete charging of the vehicle's power storage device.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control device with an electronic control unit that selectively switches the inlet between locked and unlocked states based on user and third-party access, preventing unauthorized unlocking and ensuring secure charging by allowing the user to choose specific control modes for locking and unlocking the inlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inlet is unlocked in conjunction with unlocking of the delivery door to reduce user's troublesome work, then ease of operation is improved, but security against theft and unauthorized access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the unlocking behavior based on the type of door unlocked. When the occupant door is unlocked, the inlet automatically unlocks to convenience the user. However, when the delivery door is unlocked, the inlet remains locked to prevent unauthorized access. This localized differentiation of control logic resolves the contradiction by providing convenience only where appropriate while maintaining security where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control where the inlet's locked/unlocked state changes dynamically based on which door is unlocked and by whom. The control unit dynamically adjusts the inlet state according to real-time conditions: automatic unlocking when the user opens the occupant door, and maintained locking when a third party opens the delivery door. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and security.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the inlet is unlocked when the delivery door is unlocked to allow shareable space access, then adaptability is improved, but loss of energy increases due to limited external charging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different inlet control behaviors for different access scenarios. When the delivery door is unlocked by a third party, the inlet remains locked to ensure complete charging, avoiding energy loss from limited charging. This selective control resolves the contradiction by maintaining adaptability for delivery access while preventing energy loss through restricted inlet access during third-party deliveries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by preemptively preventing the inlet from unlocking when the delivery door is opened by a third party. This anticipatory control prevents the harmful effect of limited external charging before it occurs, ensuring that the power storage device can be fully charged even when the vehicle is accessed for delivery purposes. This resolves the contradiction between adaptability and energy loss prevention.
3Reliability
If the inlet remains locked during third-party access to prevent theft, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates as user must manually unlock inlet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by applying local quality to the control logic: the inlet automatically unlocks specifically when the occupant door is unlocked by the user, providing convenience without compromising security. The automatic unlocking is localized to user-initiated access only, not extended to third-party delivery access. This selective automatic unlocking maintains security while improving ease of operation for the intended user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control where the inlet's automatic unlocking function is activated only under specific conditions: when the user unlocks the occupant door. The control unit dynamically responds to different unlocking events with different behaviors: automatic inlet unlocking for user access, and maintained inlet locking for third-party delivery access. This dynamic differentiation resolves the contradiction between security and ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control device controls a vehicle including an occupant door and an opening and closing member for a shareable space. The vehicle control device is configured to control switching between a locked state and an unlocked state of an inlet, and to execute first control. In the first control, the inlet is switched to the unlocked state when the opening and closing member for the shareable space is unlocked by a user while the inlet is in the locked state. The inlet is not switched to the unlocked state when the opening and closing member for the shareable space is unlocked by a third person while the inlet is in the locked state.