Interior Antenna Transmission Power Control via Seat Occupancy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to ensure optimal transmission power for radio connections from a motor vehicle to external devices while maintaining crash safety and minimizing electromagnetic radiation exposure for occupants, particularly with the limitations of roof antennas and the need for interior antennas to comply with SAR values.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using interior antennas for transmitting radio signals, with transmission power controlled by seat occupancy sensors to adjust signal strength based on the presence of occupants, allowing for maximum power when seats are unoccupied and reducing power when occupants are present to prevent excessive radiation exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If interior antennas are used for transmitting radio signals, then crash safety is improved and installation space is optimized, but radiation exposure for occupants increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrash safetyVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the transmission power adjustable based on seat occupancy detection. The system dynamically adapts the radiation level according to the presence of occupants, switching between different power states to balance crash safety benefits with radiation exposure concerns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission power parameter based on detected seat occupancy. When no occupants are detected, maximum transmission power is used for optimal connectivity. When occupants are detected, transmission power is reduced to minimize radiation exposure, thus resolving the contradiction through parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If transmission power is reduced to comply with SAR values, then radiation exposure is minimized, but signal strength for outward radio connections deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation exposureVSAvoidsignal strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts transmission power based on real-time seat occupancy detection. When the vehicle is unoccupied, full signal strength is maintained for optimal outward radio connections. When occupants are present, power is dynamically reduced to comply with SAR values, thus resolving the contradiction between radiation exposure and signal strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system periodically detects seat occupancy and adjusts transmission power accordingly. This periodic monitoring and adjustment ensures that radiation exposure remains within safe limits while maintaining adequate signal strength for radio connections, alternating between high-power and low-power states based on occupancy conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Power

If roof antennas are used for optimal signal emission, then transmission performance is improved, but vulnerability to damage and lack of installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission performanceVSAvoiddamage vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by placing antennas inside the vehicle rather than on the roof. This interior antenna configuration protects them from damage while the system compensates for potential signal transmission issues through controlled power adjustment based on occupancy, thus resolving the contradiction between transmission performance and damage vulnerability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

This approach ensures that radiation exposure remains below predetermined limits, maintains high crash safety, and allows for robust and cost-effective interior antennas to be used for both receiving and transmitting radio signals, optimizing connectivity and safety.

Implementation Method 1

at least one antenna (A1, A2, A3, A4, A5) for transmitting and/or receiving radio signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

at least one seat occupancy sensor (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5) for detecting a seat occupancy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10863451B2Method for controlling a transmission power for a radio connection that starts from a motor vehicle, control device for a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle having a control device

Publication Date: 2020.12.08 AUDI AG

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a method for controlling a transmission power for a radio connection from at least one interior antenna of a motor vehicle to at least one radio device outside of the vehicle. At least one seat occupancy sensor of the motor vehicle signals seat occupancy of an associated vehicle seat by means of an associated occupancy signal. The transmission power at the at least one interior antenna is controlled in accordance with the occupancy signal. The disclosure further relates to a control device and to a motor vehicle having such a control device.