NFC Card With Nested Manual Key for Power-Loss Vehicle Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle access systems fail to provide reliable access when vehicle electrical power is unavailable, necessitating a new method for both remote and physical access.
Innovation Solution
A near-field communication (NFC) card integrated with a physical grooved key, featuring an L-shaped recess and matching L-shaped key, allows for frictional retention and wireless data transmission, enabling vehicle access without electrical power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate physical key is kept apart from the NFC card, then the physical key can be used when electrical power is unavailable, but the user must manage and carry multiple separate components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the NFC card and physical key into a single integrated unit. The NFC card contains an embedded physical key that can be extracted when needed. This merging eliminates the need to carry separate NFC cards and physical keys, while ensuring access reliability by providing both electronic and mechanical access methods in one component.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated NFC card serves multiple functions: it acts as an electronic access card when the vehicle power is available, and contains an embedded physical key for mechanical access when power is unavailable. This multi-functionality ensures that a single component can handle all access scenarios, improving reliability without requiring multiple separate items.
2Ease of operation
If an NFC card is used for remote access, then access is convenient when vehicle power is available, but access fails when electrical power is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The physical key is pre-integrated within the NFC card structure, ready for immediate use. When electronic access fails due to power unavailability, the user can immediately extract and use the embedded physical key without needing to locate or retrieve a separate key, thus maintaining access reliability while preserving the convenience of carrying a single card.
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded physical key acts as an intermediary backup mechanism within the NFC card. When the primary electronic NFC function cannot operate due to power issues, the physical key provides an alternative access path, ensuring that the system maintains functionality across different operational conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a physical key is made separate from the NFC card, then the key can function independently, but the overall system size and what the user must carry increases
Solution Approach 1:
The physical key is nested within the NFC card structure. The key is housed in a recess or cavity within the card body, allowing it to be stored compactly when not in use. This nesting arrangement maintains the independent functionality of the physical key while minimizing the additional volume required, as the key occupies space that would otherwise be empty or unused in the card structure.
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
The NFC card and key system provides secure and reliable vehicle access by combining wireless communication with a physical key, ensuring access even when power is unavailable, reducing the need for separate components.
Implementation Method 1
a near-field communication (NFC) card having a chip positioned on or embedded within a face of the NFC card. Data of the NFC card is saved in and transmitted from the chip using a wireless transmission path to a vehicle.
Implementation Method 2
A physical grooved key is provided for the NFC card having: a manual grip portion frictionally and releasably received within the recess; and a key portion having a grooved segment defining a key geometry adapted to engage and lock or unlock a vehicle door lock
Data Source
AI summary
A near-field communication card and key system includes a near-field communication (NFC) card having a chip positioned on or embedded within a face of the NFC card. An L-shaped recess is created in the face of the NFC card. An L-shaped physical grooved key is provided for the NFC card releasably and frictionally retaining the physical grooved key in the recess. The physical grooved key includes: a key portion having a first width equaling a first portion width of a first portion of the recess; and a manual grip portion having a second width equaling a second portion width of a second portion of the recess. Data of the NFC card is saved in and transmitted from the chip using a wireless transmission path to a vehicle.