Pyrotechnic Component Authorization Control for Vehicle Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

The unauthorized installation of pyrotechnic components, such as airbag modules, in vehicles leads to procurement crime and financial losses for vehicle users and insurance companies, as stolen or counterfeit components are difficult to detect and prevent.

Innovation Solution

A control unit is integrated into the vehicle's electrical system to manage and store the trigger status of pyrotechnic components, requiring authorization and verification of a unique identification code before allowing operation, and using blockchain for secure approval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If pyrotechnic components are made replaceable for maintenance purposes, then ease of repair is improved, but unauthorized installation and theft become more prevalent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereplaceability of pyrotechnic componentsVSAvoidauthorization control of component installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs preliminary verification of the pyrotechnic component's authorization status before allowing installation. The trigger status is checked in advance, and only authorized components can reset this status, preventing unauthorized installation before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A control unit acts as an intermediary between the pyrotechnic component and the vehicle's electrical system. This intermediary verifies authorization codes and manages the trigger status, ensuring that only authenticated components can be installed and operated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the trigger status is permanently stored to prevent unauthorized replacement, then security against procurement crime is improved, but the ability to legitimately replace components is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of unauthorized component installationVSAvoidlegitimate component replacement process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of trigger status from a permanent immutable state to a conditional state that can be reset. By introducing the authorization code as a reset condition, the system allows legitimate replacement while maintaining security against unauthorized installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit performs preliminary verification of the authorization code before resetting the trigger status. This preliminary check ensures that only components with valid authorization can be installed, while still allowing legitimate replacement when proper authorization is provided.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a verification system with authorization codes is implemented, then protection against procurement crime is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthorization verification of pyrotechnic componentsVSAvoidcontrol unit and verification system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs multiple functions: it monitors the trigger status, verifies authorization codes, prevents unauthorized triggering, and manages component replacement. By consolidating these functions into a single control unit, the system achieves comprehensive security without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The pyrotechnic component itself stores its unique authorization code and provides it when queried by the control unit. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external verification databases or complex communication systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4214096B1Method and controller for protection from unauthorised installation of a pyrotechnic component
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP4214096B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a controller (101) for triggering a pyrotechnic component (110) of a vehicle (100). The controller (101) is designed to determine and store a trigger status (103) of the pyrotechnic component (110), the trigger status (103) exhibiting a triggered state or a non-triggered state. The controller (101) is further designed, if the trigger status (103) exhibits the non-triggered state, to allow operation of the controller (101) with a pyrotechnic component (110) in the vehicle (100) without enabling the pyrotechnic component (110). Furthermore, the controller (101) is designed, if the trigger status (103) exhibits the triggered state, to reset the trigger status (103) from the triggered state to the non-triggered state when the pyrotechnic component (110) is enabled.