Vehicle Door Handle UWB Antenna Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle door handles lack efficient communication capabilities with electronic vehicle keys, particularly in terms of accuracy and security, due to limitations in existing antenna technologies and their integration with vehicle infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an ultra-broadband (UWB) antenna within the vehicle door handle, designed for bidirectional UWB signal transmission and reception, which utilizes a control circuit and a reflector area on the sheet metal section to enhance communication robustness and accuracy, while minimizing interference and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional antenna is used in the vehicle door handle, then the communication capability with electronic vehicle keys is limited, but the device complexity and power consumption are lower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antenna with the sheet metal section of the vehicle door to form an integrated antenna system. The sheet metal itself serves as the radiating element, eliminating the need for separate conventional antenna components while improving communication reliability through the inherent conductive properties and geometric configuration of the door structure
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet metal section of the vehicle door serves dual functions: it provides the structural body of the door while simultaneously acting as the antenna for UWB communication with electronic vehicle keys. This multi-functional design improves communication capabilities without adding dedicated antenna components that would increase device complexity
2Reliability
If an antenna is integrated into the vehicle door handle, then communication with electronic vehicle keys is enabled, but the Faraday cage effect causes signal interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the antenna function from the enclosed metal housing that causes the Faraday cage effect. By configuring the sheet metal section itself as the antenna with appropriate geometric openings and conductive patterns, the design allows UWB signals to penetrate and communicate effectively while maintaining the protective function of the door structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces conductive patterns and geometric configurations on the sheet metal section that act as intermediaries between the internal electronics and the external UWB signals. These patterns facilitate signal transmission while the overall sheet metal structure provides protection, mediating between the conflicting requirements of shielding and communication
3Reliability
If the sheet metal section is used as a reflector area, then UWB signal distribution is optimized, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet metal section serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the structural body of the door, acts as the antenna radiating element, and functions as the reflector area for optimizing UWB signal distribution. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate precision-manufactured reflector components, reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining signal optimization benefits
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
The UWB antenna provides accurate distance determination and secure communication with electronic vehicle keys, reducing susceptibility to unauthorized data acquisition and improving communication reliability by avoiding the Faraday cage effect and optimizing signal distribution.
Implementation Method 1
an ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna, abbreviated: UWB antenna, inside the handle. The UWB antenna is designed for UWB signal transmission
Implementation Method 2
which utilizes a control circuit and a reflector area on the sheet metal section to enhance communication robustness and accuracy
Implementation Method 3
accurate distance determination and secure communication with electronic vehicle keys
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle door handle comprising a handle (1) and a handle carrier (5, 5a, 5b). The handle (1) is mounted in the handle carrier (5) by means of a first bearing section (3) and a second bearing section (4) and is arranged on a vehicle door (2) with a lock assembly (6). The handle (1) forms a gripping area (17) with a sheet metal section (14) of the vehicle door (2). The handle has an antenna (11), which is arranged, for example, on a circuit board (12) and is coupled via a signal line (7) to a control circuit (10) for controlling transmit and receive operation with the antenna (11). The antenna (11) is designed as a UWB antenna. The position and orientation of the antenna (11) and the shape of at least one reflector area of the sheet metal section (14) are coordinated in such a way that the reflector area acts specifically as a reflector for UWB signals.