Smart Entry Visual Lock Indication via Movable Mirrors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smart entry systems fail to reliably inform passengers of the vehicle's auto lock state, especially in noisy environments or low-light conditions, leading to potential unlocked doors being overlooked.
Innovation Solution
The system employs movable vehicle components such as electric folding door mirrors, vehicle height adjustment devices, electric sun shades, and pop-up door handles to visually indicate the auto lock mode, along with controlled window glass light transmission, ensuring passengers can recognize the lock state from a distance and in various conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vehicle buzzer and vehicle indicator are used to inform passengers of the auto lock mode, then the operating state can be communicated, but the passenger may fail to recognize the signal in noisy environments or low-light conditions or when far from the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes changes in the state of movable members (such as door mirrors transitioning between folded and unfolded positions) and degree of light transmission of window glass to visually indicate the auto lock mode. These visual changes are observable from outside the vehicle and are not affected by ambient noise, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable state communication and environmental interference.
2Reliability
If traditional auditory and visual indicators are used, then the system structure remains simple, but the passenger may be unable to recognize the operating state when considerably away from the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repurposes existing movable members (door mirrors, window glass) that already have functional roles in the vehicle to also serve as indicators for the auto lock mode. The door mirror's folding/unfolding motion and the window glass's light transmission changes provide visual feedback without requiring separate dedicated indicator components, thus maintaining simplicity while improving distant recognizability.
Data Source
AI summary
A smart entry system has an auto lock mode in which an auto lock function to automatically lock at least one door of the vehicle is executed in response to detection that a mobile device has got away from the vehicle, and the smart entry system includes: at least one movable member visually recognizable from outside the vehicle; and a control section that, once the vehicle shifts to the auto lock mode, actuates the at least one movable member to a predetermined state. Examples of the at least one movable member include electric folding door mirrors, vehicle height adjustment devices, electric sun shades, and pop-up door handles.