Retractable Door Handle Antenna for Remote Parking Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parking assist devices with retractable door handles have limited communication range due to the door panel interrupting radio signals, making remote operation of the vehicle difficult and potentially unsafe, especially when the user is at a distance beyond the statutory limit.
Innovation Solution
A retractable door handle with a built-in antenna that transitions from a retracted state to a projected state for communication, allowing the antenna to emit and receive signals without interruption by the door panel, ensuring a sufficient communicable distance for remote vehicle operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the door handle with built-in antenna is retracted in the door panel, then the door panel provides structural protection and aesthetic appearance, but the door panel interrupts radio signals and limits communication range
Solution Approach 1:
The door handle is designed to dynamically transition between retracted and projected states. During remote operation, the door handle projects outward to position the antenna outside the door panel, enabling uninterrupted radio signal transmission and reception beyond the statutory distance threshold
Solution Approach 2:
The door handle acts as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the conflicting requirements of door panel protection and communication range. By projecting the antenna-carrying door handle outward, it creates a physical intermediary space that allows radio waves to transmit without being blocked by the metal door panel
2Ease of operation
If the door handle projects outside the door panel, then the antenna can communicate without signal interruption, but the door handle occupies more external space and may be more vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The door handle mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides user access for door opening, carries the communication antenna, and dynamically adjusts its position to enable both remote operation and normal door interaction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components
3Device complexity
If the antenna is built in the door handle, then the communication device can be compactly integrated, but the door panel blocks radio signals when the handle is retracted
Solution Approach 1:
The door handle dynamically changes position based on operational mode. When remote operation is required, it projects outward to place the antenna outside the signal-blocking door panel, ensuring reliable radio signal transmission while maintaining compact integration when retracted
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
Enables precise and safe remote operation of the vehicle by setting a necessary and sufficient communication range, preventing signal interference and enhancing user safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The processor emits a predetermined first signal S1 (a radio wave in a low-frequency (LF) band) from a transmission antenna TA built in a door handle of the host vehicle. A smart key carried by the user receives the first signal. The intensity of the first signal received by the smart key is correlated with the distance Δd between the user and the host vehicle.
Data Source
AI summary
A parking assist device including a retractable door handle device that includes a door handle with a built-in antenna used for a communication with a terminal carried by a user positioned outside a host vehicle and an actuator that causes the door handle to transition from a first state to a second state, the parking assist device comprising a processor that is configured to communicate with the terminal using the antenna, and that is configured to execute entry control for allowing the host vehicle to enter a parking spot or exit control for allowing the host vehicle to exit from the parking spot when a predetermined condition related to a communication result is met, wherein the processor causes the door handle to transition to the second state when executing the entry control or the exit control.