Straddled Vehicle Authentication System Power Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Straddled vehicles, such as motorcycles, face increased power consumption and size due to the need for larger batteries to support smart key systems that perform authentication using portable devices, leading to inefficiencies in power management and vehicle design.

Innovation Solution

A straddled-vehicle authentication system that includes a power unit control unit, a portable device for authentication via wireless communication, and a main operation part for switching states, allowing for reduced power consumption by maintaining an authentication verified state with minimal power usage, thereby reducing the need for larger batteries and enhancing security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a smart key system is mounted to perform authentication using a portable device, then security is improved, but power consumption increases and battery size must be increased

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the operation part movable between multiple positions (LOCK, OFF, OPEN, ON) rather than fixed. The movable operation part enables different authentication modes: in the OFF position, mechanical operation performs basic authentication; in the ON position, wireless communication with portable device performs enhanced authentication. This dynamic positioning allows the system to adapt power consumption to security requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the authentication system by introducing multiple positions for the operation part. Each position changes the authentication mode: LOCK position prevents operation, OFF position enables mechanical authentication, OPEN position enables wireless authentication verification, and ON position enables both mechanical and wireless authentication. This parameter change allows flexible control over power consumption versus security level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a smart key system is mounted to perform authentication using a portable device, then security is improved, but the size of the straddled vehicle increases due to larger battery

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidvehicle size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The movable operation part enables the system to dynamically switch between authentication modes. When high security is not required, the system can operate in OFF or OPEN positions using mechanical authentication or verification only, avoiding continuous wireless communication and reducing power consumption requirements, thus preventing battery size increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial authentication actions based on operational position. In OFF position, only mechanical operation is required; in OPEN position, wireless verification is performed but engine start is blocked; in ON position, full authentication including wireless communication is performed. This partial action approach reduces average power consumption and battery size requirements compared to always performing full authentication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If the operation part is exposed to the outside for easy operation, then ease of operation is improved, but security is reduced due to vulnerability to external access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the authentication process into multiple independent stages corresponding to different positions of the operation part: mechanical operation stage (OFF position), wireless verification stage (OPEN position), and engine start authorization stage (ON position). Each segment provides a layer of security control, allowing the exposed operation part to be used for basic authentication while additional security layers are applied through wireless communication and control unit verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless communication and control units as intermediaries between the exposed operation part and the engine start function. The operation part can be externally accessed, but its actions are mediated through wireless authentication protocols and control unit verification before allowing engine start. This intermediary layer maintains ease of external operation while preserving security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The system achieves reduced power consumption and enhanced security by allowing the authentication verified state to be maintained with minimal power usage, addressing the issue of increased battery size and power consumption in straddled vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

a portable device configured to be used for an authentication to use the straddled vehicle via a wireless communication

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3115284B1Straddled-vehicle authentication system and straddled vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.07.25 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3115284B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3115284B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3115284B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A straddled-vehicle authentication system and a straddled vehicle are provided that achieve a suppression of an increase in power consumption while performing an authentication in the straddled vehicle using a portable device, and that also achieve a suppression of an increase in the size of the straddled vehicle which may otherwise result from an increase in the size of a battery. The straddled-vehicle authentication system is configured such that its state is switchable from an OFF state (Q2), through at least an authentication verifying state (Q3) and an authentication verified state (Q4), to a power-unit ON state (Q5). The authentication verifying state (Q3) is a state entered by a transition from the OFF state (Q2), the transition caused by a displacement of a main operation part, the displacement caused in response to a load applied to the main operation part in the OFF state (Q2). The authentication verifying state (Q3) is a state in which an authentication control unit performs an authentication verifying operation. The authentication verified state (Q4) is a state entered by a transition from the authentication verifying state (Q3), the transition caused by a displacement of the main operation part, the displacement caused in response to a load applied to the main operation part in a state where the authentication performed by the authentication control unit has been verified in the authentication verifying state (Q3). The authentication verified state (Q4) is a state in which a power source of a power unit control unit is off and the authentication performed by the authentication control unit has been verified.