Magnetic Field Sensor Tamper-Resistant Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic field sensors in motor vehicles require enhanced security measures to prevent unauthorized manipulation and data corruption, as existing solutions are not sufficiently robust against tampering.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic field sensor design featuring a toothed area with a seal between the sensor and connection housing parts, where the toothed sections mesh and a seal secures the connection, making unauthorized separation recognizable and preventing reassembly, combined with a high-strength, brittle material for the sensor element housing and security pigments in the connection element housing for anti-counterfeiting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sensor element housing part and connection element housing part are connected by a flange only, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the connection can be separated and manipulated without detection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against manipulationVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple security functions into a single integrated toothing area structure. The toothing for anti-twisting, the seal for sealing, and the adhesive bond for joining are all integrated into one area on the device housing outside, creating a multi-functional security feature that prevents manipulation while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The seal is applied and the adhesive bond is created before final assembly, establishing security measures in advance. The toothing area is prepared with sealing surfaces and adhesive layers prior to connecting the housing parts, ensuring that any attempt to separate them will destroy the seal and break the adhesive bond, making manipulation detectable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a seal is added to secure the connection between housing parts, then manipulation detection is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanipulation detectionVSAvoidmanufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The seal and adhesive bond system is designed to be self-verifying. When the housing parts are separated, the seal is destroyed and the adhesive bond breaks, automatically providing evidence of manipulation without requiring additional sensors or detection systems. The structure itself serves as the detection mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The material properties of the adhesive bond and seal are selected to change irreversibly upon separation. The adhesive transitions from a bonded state to a broken state, and the seal transitions from an intact sealed state to a destroyed state, providing clear visual and physical indicators of manipulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the housing material is made brittle and high-strength for anti-manipulation, then security is improved, but the housing becomes more difficult to manufacture and assemble

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-manipulation securityVSAvoidhousing manufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device housing outside uses composite construction combining the brittle, high-strength sensor element housing part with the more ductile connection element housing part. This allows the critical security area to have the required brittleness for manipulation detection while the overall structure maintains manufacturability and assembly feasibility through material complementarity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3441778B1Magnetic field sensor
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
  • EP3441778B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3441778B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3441778B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a magnetic field sensor 1 with a device housing 6 comprising at least one sensor element housing part 2 and a connection element housing part 4, wherein the connection element housing part 4 is arranged at least partially in the sensor element housing part 2 in the direction of a longitudinal axis L of the device housing 6 and wherein the connection element housing part 4 and the sensor element housing part 2 are connected by means of a crimp 8.To increase the protection of the magnetic field sensor against possible tampering, it is proposed that an outer surface of the device housing 6 has a toothed area 12 having a toothed connection 10 between the connection element housing part 4 and the sensor element housing part 2, wherein in the toothed area 12 a toothed section 14 of the connection element housing part 4 and a toothed section 16 of the sensor element housing part 2 interlock and form the outer surface of the device housing, and wherein in the toothed area 12 on the outer surface of the device housing a seal 18 securing the connection between the connection element housing part 4 and the sensor element housing part 2 is arranged on the connection element housing part 4 and the sensor element housing part 2.