Smart Key Battery Management With Motion-Triggered Wireless Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional passive entry systems face challenges with battery life in key fobs due to high power consumption, especially with newer features, and the integration of digital key technology increases system complexity.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system with a wireless control module and a vehicle access device that includes a battery saving function to deactivate the wireless communication device when no motion is detected, and uses event-triggered and heartbeat-based functions to manage keyless entry and communication, along with a Proximity Matrix to track and manage both legacy key fobs and smart devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wireless communication device is continuously activated to maintain keyless entry functionality, then the reliability of vehicle access is improved, but the battery life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of the wireless communication device based on detected motion. When motion is detected, the device transitions to an active state to ensure reliable keyless entry functionality. When no motion is detected for a predetermined period, the device transitions to a deactivated state to conserve battery power. This dynamic state adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining reliability and extending battery life.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of the wireless communication device from active to deactivated based on motion detection results. This parameter change allows the system to optimize between reliability (active state) and battery conservation (deactivated state), effectively resolving the technical contradiction.
2Loss of energy
If the battery saving function is activated to extend battery life, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the risk of unintended deactivation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback through motion detection to control the battery saving function. The motion sensor provides continuous feedback about user presence, and this feedback determines whether the wireless communication device should remain active or enter power-saving mode. This feedback mechanism prevents unintended deactivation by ensuring the device stays active when the user is present while still enabling power savings when the user is absent.
3Adaptability or versatility
If digital key technology is integrated to enable smartphone access, then the versatility of vehicle access methods is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements multi-functionality by supporting both traditional key fob devices and smartphone digital keys through a unified control architecture. The vehicle control system can recognize and authenticate multiple types of access devices, allowing users to choose their preferred method (physical key fob or smartphone) without requiring separate systems. This universal approach improves versatility while managing complexity through integration.
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
Enhances battery life of key fobs and smart devices by preventing unintended deactivation, supports both legacy and digital key technologies, and efficiently manages vehicle access and start functionalities.
Implementation Method 1
the VAD further includes a motion sensor to detect motion of the VAD
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control system to manage keyless entry functionality and communication of a vehicle includes a wireless control module (WCM) configured to be disposed within the vehicle and control one or more keyless entry functions, and a vehicle access device (VAD) to provide keyless entry functionality to a user. The VAD includes a battery powering a wireless communication device (WCD) for communicating with the WCM. The VAD includes a battery saving function configured to selectively deactivate the WCD to preserve battery power when no motion of the VAD is detected for a predetermined period of time. A controller having one or more processors is programmed to detect a presence of the VAD within a predetermined range of the vehicle, and selectively send a signal to the VAD to disable the battery saving function when the VAD is within the predetermined range of the vehicle.