Switchable Vehicle Antenna for Keyless Entry and Emergency Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing keyless locking systems for vehicles require complex and costly emergency functionalities, including ignition locks and transponder reading units, which complicate and expense vehicle topology.
Innovation Solution
A switchable antenna system that operates as a series resonant circuit for keyless functionality and a parallel resonant circuit for emergency functionality, allowing dual use and eliminating the need for separate ignition locks or transponder reading units, by switching between modes based on signal transmission and reception requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate ignition locks and transponder reading units are provided for emergency functionality, then emergency access and driving authorization are ensured, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a transmission antenna for keyless entry operations and as a reception antenna for emergency transponder communication. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate ignition locks and transponder reading units, reducing device complexity while maintaining emergency functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the keyless entry transmission antenna and the emergency transponder reading unit into a single antenna system. By merging these previously separate components, the vehicle topology is simplified and manufacturing costs are reduced, while the antenna can switch between transmission and reception modes as needed
2Device complexity
If a switchable antenna system is implemented, then device complexity is reduced and costs are saved, but the antenna must switch between transmission and reception modes which requires additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system automatically switches between transmission and reception modes based on the operational context without requiring manual intervention. The control unit manages the mode switching automatically, detecting when keyless entry operations are needed versus when emergency transponder reading is required, thereby simplifying operation while maintaining the benefits of a unified antenna system
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
Simplifies vehicle topology and reduces costs by enabling dual-use antennas, eliminating the need for additional control units and wiring, while enhancing security and efficiency through bidirectional communication and selective activation of authorized devices.
Implementation Method 1
the resonant circuit is operated as a series resonant circuit with a high quality in the transmission mode
Implementation Method 2
as a parallel resonant circuit with a low quality in the reception mode
Implementation Method 3
the two devices have transmitters and/or receivers for the transmission of the electromagnetic signals
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a lock system (3), in particular for the access authorization and/or driving authorization in a motor vehicle (1) in the manner of a keyless entry/go functionality. The lock system (3) comprises a first device (4) which has at least two states and is embodied as a control apparatus, such as a control apparatus for locking and/or unlocking the car doors (6), the ignition lock, the steering wheel lock for releasing and/or activating the immobilizer of the engine control unit or the like, and an associated second device (5) which is embodied in the manner of an electronic key, of an ID signal generator, a chip card or the like. The two devices (4, 5) have transmitters and/or receivers for, in particular, electromagnetic signals (7) for the operation of said devices (4, 5) in accordance with the regulations. In particular, at least one of the signals (7) transmitted between the second device (5) and the first device (4) is an encoded operating signal for authenticating the second device (5), with the result that after a positive evaluation of the transmitted operating signal in the case of a corrected second device (5), a change in the state of the first device (4) can be brought about. The first device (4) is assigned at least one antenna (29) which has an oscillatory circuit and is intended for transmitting the signals (7). The antenna (29) can be switched between transmitting mode for the keyless functionality and receiving mode for an emergency functionality when the keyless functionality fails, in particular by operating the oscillatory circuit in the transmitting mode as a high-quality series oscillatory circuit and in the receiving mode as a low-quality parallel oscillatory circuit.