Vehicle Key Unit Antenna Orientation for Wireless Signal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smart key systems for vehicles face challenges in maintaining reliable wireless communication between the key unit and the locking and unlocking device, particularly due to radio wave interference from noise sources within the vehicle, which can lead to communication defects and reduced signal-to-noise ratios.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wireless communication system where the key unit and locking and unlocking device utilize antenna coils with directivity, ensuring the axis of the unit-side antenna coil is parallel to the device-side antenna coil, maintaining a predetermined distance for effective communication, and using multiple frequency bands to enhance signal transmission and reception, even in noisy environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the key unit is installed in a position or orientation where communication with the locking and unlocking device occurs, then wireless communication between the key unit and locking and unlocking device is enabled, but radio wave interference from noise sources within the vehicle reduces signal-to-noise ratio and causes communication defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring the antenna coil in the key unit with specific orientation (parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal axis) and positioning it in a specific location (passenger compartment). This localized optimization of the antenna's spatial configuration creates a directional radiation pattern that avoids noise sources while maintaining communication reliability with the locking and unlocking device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the contradiction by introducing spatial orientation as an additional dimension for optimization. By orienting the antenna coil parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal axis rather than using omnidirectional or vertically oriented antennas, the system exploits the third spatial dimension to achieve directional communication that bypasses noise sources in the transverse plane.
2Reliability
If the key unit is installed close to the locking and unlocking device to maintain predetermined distance for effective communication, then communication intensity is increased, but installation space within the vehicle is limited and theft risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by specifying the passenger compartment as the optimal installation location for the key unit. This location provides a balance between maintaining sufficient communication intensity with the locking and unlocking device and ensuring physical security within the vehicle's secured interior space, away from external theft risks.
3Reliability
If the key unit is installed in a position away from noise sources to reduce interference, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but communication distance to the locking and unlocking device may exceed predetermined distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by utilizing spatial orientation (parallel to vehicle's longitudinal axis) as an additional dimension. This directional configuration allows the antenna to achieve optimal signal-to-noise ratio by orienting away from noise sources while maintaining effective communication distance through the directional radiation pattern, without requiring physical relocation that would increase distance.
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 configuration significantly increases the intensity of wireless communication between the key unit and the locking and unlocking device, maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio and ensuring reliable locking and unlocking operations even in the presence of noise sources, while also allowing for secure installation within the vehicle to prevent theft and ensure uninterrupted power supply.
Implementation Method 1
The antenna coil has directivity, for example, in a case where radio waves are transmitted from the antenna coil, a field intensity becomes relatively strong in an axial direction of the antenna coil
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication system includes: a locking and unlocking device configured to control locking and unlocking of a target, the locking and unlocking device including a device-side communication module configured to communicate a first signal having a first frequency band; and a key unit configured to command the locking and unlocking of the target by communicating with the locking and unlocking device. The key unit includes a unit-side communication module that communicates the first signal. The key unit is installed in the target such that a distance between the unit-side communication module and the device-side communication module is within a predetermined distance at which communication between the unit-side communication module and the device-side communication module is possible and that an axis of the unit-side antenna coil of the unit-side communication module is parallel to the axis of the device-side antenna coil.