Motor Vehicle Door Lock Control System with State Reversal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current motor vehicle door locking and unlocking systems are complex, requiring simultaneous or directional actuation of multiple devices, which complicates the process and confuses users about the correct key rotation direction.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle door opening and closing control system featuring a lock unit that detects its state and reverses it upon key rotation detection, eliminating the need to consider key rotation direction for locking or unlocking, with a control unit that receives signals for locking or unlocking and updates the lock state accordingly, allowing for remote control operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple actuating devices are used for locking and unlocking, then the locking mechanism becomes more secure, but the operation becomes more complex and confusing for users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking securityVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple actuating devices (first and second actuating devices) into a single integrated locking control system. Both devices can be activated simultaneously or successively to unlock the lock, merging their functions into one coordinated operation rather than requiring separate independent actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking control system is designed to accept activation from multiple different actuating devices interchangeably. The system universally responds to either the first or second actuating device (or both) to achieve the same unlocking function, making the system multi-functional in terms of input methods while maintaining a single output function.

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

2Reliability

If the key rotation direction matters for locking vs unlocking, then the locking mechanism is more secure, but users experience confusion about the correct rotation direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking securityVSAvoiduser clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring the user to remember which key rotation direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise) performs which function (locking or unlocking), the system inverts the logic: the control unit automatically determines the desired action based on the vehicle's current state and executes the appropriate command. The key rotation merely triggers a state change rather than directly commanding a specific action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking control unit incorporates feedback by detecting the vehicle's current locked or unlocked state and using this information to determine the appropriate action to take. When a key rotation is detected, the control unit checks the current state and commands the opposite state change, creating a feedback loop that eliminates user confusion about rotation directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If a complex key rotation detection system is used to determine lock state, then the locking mechanism becomes more reliable, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestate detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking control unit serves multiple functions: it detects key rotation, determines the vehicle's current lock state, decides the appropriate action to take, and commands the locking or unlocking mechanism. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate complex subsystems into a single integrated control unit.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically determining the correct action based on its own internal state information. When a key rotation is detected, the control unit independently assesses the current state and commands the appropriate state change without requiring external input or complex decision logic from the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3684995B1Simplified locking and unlocking of the lock for an opening panel
Publication Date: 2021.11.24 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3684995B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a system (2) controlling the opening and closing of an opening panel of a motor vehicle, comprising an opening-panel lock unit (4) comprising a lock (5) able to engage with a fixed element (6) on the structure of the vehicle; means for locking and unlocking said lock and means for detecting the turning of a key (18) in a cylinder; a lock control unit (24) intended to be connected to said lock unit so as to control the locking and unlocking of the lock. The control unit (24) is configured to take into consideration, selectively, a locked or unlocked status of the lock (5) and, in response to the detection of the turning of the key, control a reversal of said lock status.