Rechargeable Door Unlock Actuator With Independent Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Keyless entry systems for vehicles face challenges in ensuring door unlock functionality, especially in scenarios like vehicle crashes or battery loss, where traditional systems may fail due to power depletion, requiring an alternative power source to maintain door lock actuation.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle remote keyless entry system incorporating an energy storage device (ESD) that supplies power to the lock actuator independently, with an ESD controller managing charging and discharge, and potentially communicating with the vehicle safety system to initiate door unlock commands in crash scenarios, and utilizing energy harvesting to recharge the power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional keyless entry systems rely on vehicle battery power for door lock actuators, then the system is simple and uses existing power infrastructure, but the system fails when battery power is depleted or lost
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into two independent sources: the vehicle battery and a separate energy storage device (ESD). The ESD is specifically dedicated to powering the door lock actuators, while other vehicle systems continue to use the main battery. This segmentation ensures that door unlock functionality remains operational even when the vehicle battery is depleted, as the ESD provides an independent power source for this critical function.
2Reliability
If an energy storage device is added to provide independent power for lock actuators, then reliability in battery loss scenarios improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device is equipped with its own controller that autonomously manages charging and discharging operations. The ESD controller monitors the state of charge and automatically draws power from the vehicle battery when available, and independently powers the door lock actuators when the vehicle battery is depleted. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex control wiring and intervention, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining reliability.
3Speed
If the energy storage device continuously monitors battery status and crash conditions, then the system responds faster to unlock scenarios, but power consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ESD controller employs periodic monitoring rather than continuous monitoring of battery status and crash conditions. The controller checks the state of charge of the ESD and the status of the vehicle battery at predetermined intervals, and also responds to crash events detected by the vehicle's safety system. This periodic action approach ensures timely response to unlock scenarios while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring, as the controller remains in a low-power state between monitoring cycles.
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
Ensures reliable door unlock functionality even in battery loss or crash situations, reducing the need for continuous battery power and enhancing safety by providing an independent power source for lock actuation.
Implementation Method 1
an energy storage device (ESD) that supplies power to the lock actuator independently
Implementation Method 2
utilizing energy harvesting to recharge the power supply
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle remote keyless entry system for an electrically actuatable vehicle lock includes a fob comprising a transmitter that is actuatable to transmit an RKE message. A vehicle-based receiver receives the RKE message. A vehicle-based controller operatively connected to the vehicle-based receiver is configured to supply electrical power from a vehicle battery to the vehicle lock to unlock the vehicle lock in response to receiving the RKE message from the vehicle-based receiver. An energy storage device, separate from the vehicle battery, supplies electrical power to actuate the vehicle lock to unlock the vehicle lock when predetermined conditions are met.