Keyless Engine Starting System Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional engine starting systems face issues such as inadequate antitheft measures, mechanical failure risks, and difficulty in starting the engine at night due to the need for a key and key cylinder, which can be costly and restrict design flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A keyless engine starting system using a portable transmitter-receiver with a stored cipher code for bidirectional communication with vehicle-side equipment, allowing engine operation and steering wheel locking via a single switch, eliminating the need for a key and key cylinder.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a key and key cylinder are used for engine starting, then mechanical operation is enabled, but mechanical failure risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical failure riskVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical key-cylinder system with an electronic authentication system using a portable transmitter-receiver that communicates with the vehicle's control unit. The driver simply presses a button on the portable device, eliminating mechanical components like keys and cylinders that are prone to failure, while maintaining ease of operation through electronic actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If a key cylinder is used for engine starting, then engine control is enabled, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem configurationVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the key cylinder component from the system, replacing it with a simplified electronic authentication mechanism. The portable transmitter-receiver communicates wirelessly or via simple electrical contact with the vehicle's control unit, removing the mechanical key insertion and turning mechanism, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a key cylinder is used for engine starting, then authentication is provided, but antitheft security is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantitheft securityVSAvoidsystem configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a portable transmitter-receiver that stores authentication data and communicates it to the vehicle's control unit. This electronic copying and verification of authentication information provides enhanced security compared to physical keys, as the authentication data can be encrypted and verified electronically, making unauthorized duplication more difficult while not significantly increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Illumination intensity

If a lamp is installed on the key cylinder for night visibility, then visibility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing the mechanical key cylinder with an electronic authentication system, the patent eliminates the need for a lamp to illuminate the key insertion area. The electronic button on the portable transmitter-receiver can be easily located and operated even in darkness, removing the requirement for additional lighting components and thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining or improving visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

5Adaptability or versatility

If a key cylinder is used for engine starting, then engine control is enabled, but design flexibility is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidsystem configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the key cylinder from the vehicle's design, eliminating the space and structural requirements associated with it. This extraction of the mechanical component provides greater design flexibility for the vehicle's interior layout and component placement, while the electronic authentication system requires minimal space and can be integrated more flexibly into the vehicle's control architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS7501714B2Engine starting system

Publication Date: 2009.03.10 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC MOBILITY CORP

AI summary

To dispense with a key cylinder and permit or stop operation of an engine with ease, an engine starting system of the present invention comprises a power source activation unit, an engine control unit, a propelled-object-side equipment, a steering wheel locking unit, a switch, and a portable equipment. The portable equipment includes a transmitter-receiver, a memory circuit, and a control circuit. The propelled-object-side equipment includes a transmitter-receiver, a memory circuit, and a control circuit. The propelled-object-side equipment transmits an inquiry signal to the portable equipment in response to an actuation signal of the switch, and the portable equipment transmits an answer signal corresponding to the inquiry signal. If the answer signal corresponds to the inquiry signal, the control circuit unlocks the steering wheel locking unit, permits the engine to be started, and performs various operations depending on how many times and how long the switch is actuated.