Smart Wireless Switch for Automotive Lighting Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communications and control systems rely heavily on extensive wiring, which is costly, labor-intensive to install, and prone to reliability and safety issues due to wear and damage from environmental factors and animal interference.

Innovation Solution

A wireless switching system comprising a smart wireless switch component that sends control signals wirelessly to a control module, enabling the control of load devices without physical connections, using low-power components and UHF transmitters and receivers for efficient communication and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If extensive wiring is used to connect switch and load devices, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but installation cost and labor intensity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost and labor

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with a wireless communication system. The switch component and control module communicate control signals wirelessly through radio frequency transmission, eliminating the need for physical electrical connections between the switch and control module. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining system functionality while removing the costly and labor-intensive wiring infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless communication signals as an intermediary medium to transmit control commands from the switch to the control module. Instead of direct electrical connection through wires, the control information is transmitted through electromagnetic waves, serving as a non-contact intermediary that enables control functionality without extensive wiring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If wired connections are used for control signals, then system reliability is maintained, but the system becomes vulnerable to wear, damage, and safety issues over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol signal transmission reliabilityVSAvoidwear, damage, and safety issues

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the control signal transmission function from the physical wiring medium. By separating the control information from the electrical connection medium, the system eliminates the vulnerabilities associated with physical wires (wear, chewing, damage) while preserving the control functionality through wireless electromagnetic transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If wireless communication is implemented, then installation cost and complexity are reduced, but power consumption increases for the switch component

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation cost and complexityVSAvoidpower consumption of switch component

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic transmission of control signals rather than continuous transmission. The wireless switch component transmits control signals only when switching actions are required, and remains in a low-power state during idle periods. This periodic operation pattern reduces the average power consumption of the wireless switch while maintaining the ability to control the load device when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs energy harvesting or energy scavenging mechanisms where the switch component captures and stores small amounts of energy from the environment (such as RF energy, thermal energy, or mechanical energy from switch actuation) to power its wireless communication functions. This self-service approach minimizes the external power requirements of the wireless switch component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution reduces the need for extensive wiring, lowering costs and improving reliability and safety by enabling wireless control of devices, making it easier and less expensive to produce, operate, and maintain systems like automotive lighting systems.

Implementation Method 1

a UHF transmitter component (112) which has an associated antenna (114)... to facilitate transmitting signals wirelessly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS7519326B2Smart wireless switch

Publication Date: 2009.04.14 INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG

AI summary

One or more aspects of the present invention relate to a wireless switch component and an associated control module component that facilitate wireless control over a load device. The load device is operatively coupled to the control module component and is selectively activated thereby in accordance with a wireless control signal sent by the wireless switch component.