Vehicle Door Control Assembly With Wireless Emergency Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle door control arrangements with electric locks face challenges in ensuring operational safety during power failures, as they require costly energy storage devices or complex power transmission systems, and do not effectively guarantee door opening in emergencies.

Innovation Solution

A control arrangement that utilizes a power transmission unit to wirelessly receive electrical power from a mobile device, such as a power bank, to operate the door lock mechanism during emergencies, allowing for a simple and reliable door opening mechanism without the need for additional power connectors or complex hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an energy storage device is installed in each vehicle door to ensure door opening during power failure, then operational safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor opening reliability during power failureVSAvoidcontrol arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging station's power transmission unit is designed to perform dual functions: normally delivering power to mobile devices, and in emergency mode receiving power from mobile devices to operate the opening drive. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate emergency power storage devices in each door.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes the mobile device's own power source (battery) to serve the emergency door opening function. The mobile device acts as its own power provider, eliminating the need for dedicated emergency power systems in the vehicle door.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a power connector is added to receive power from a mobile phone, then operational safety is improved, but device complexity and implementation effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor opening reliability during power failureVSAvoidimplementation effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The existing charging station's power transmission unit is repurposed to perform both normal charging functions and emergency power reception. No additional power connectors or transmission components are required, as the existing infrastructure is made bidirectional.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The emergency power reception function is merged with the existing charging station's power transmission capability. The same hardware infrastructure serves both normal operation and emergency functions, eliminating the need for separate emergency power connection components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If wireless power transmission is used to receive power from a mobile device, then device complexity is reduced, but power transmission reliability may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission system complexityVSAvoidpower transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless power transmission unit is designed to operate bidirectionally, maintaining the same reliable wireless interface for both power delivery and power reception. This approach leverages the proven reliability of wireless power technology already validated in the charging station's normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures reliable door opening during power failures using existing mobile device charging stations, reducing implementation costs and complexity while maintaining operational safety.

Implementation Method 1

the power transmission unit (12) is configured for the wireless reception of electrical power from the mobile device (13)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3768923B1Control assembly for a motor vehicle door
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3768923B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3768923B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a control assembly for a motor vehicle door (2), wherein, when installed, the control assembly is supplied with electrical power from a motor vehicle electrical system (4), wherein the motor vehicle door (2) has a motor vehicle lock (6) with an electric opening drive (7) for the motorised opening of the motor vehicle lock (6), wherein the control assembly (1) has a door control unit (11) for activating the opening drive (7), wherein the control assembly (1) changes from a normal operating mode to an emergency operating mode when the control assembly (1) detects a predetermined emergency, wherein the control assembly (1) has a power transfer unit (12) and wherein, in the emergency operating mode, the reception of electrical power from a mobile device of first type (13) via the power transfer unit (12) is provided. According to the invention, the power transfer unit (12) is set up for the wire-free reception of electrical power from the mobile device of first type (13), and for the door control unit (11) to be set up to receive electrical power from the mobile device of first type (13) via the power transfer unit (12) in the emergency operating mode and, by using the received electrical power, to activate the opening drive (7) to open the motor vehicle lock (6).