Timed Vehicle Compartment Lock Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Public service vehicles, such as police, fire, and EMS vehicles, require secure storage compartments that are independent of other doors to maintain the security of sensitive items like medicine, equipment, and weapons, as existing access systems do not effectively limit the time for which rear closures are unlocked, potentially compromising security.
Innovation Solution
A timed access system for vehicle compartments that responds to specific unlock and unlatch signals, only unlocking the rear closure when the vehicle is in a secure state (e.g., ignition in Run or Start) and locking it after a predetermined time (e.g., 30, 45, or 60 seconds), independent of other door operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rear closure is unlocked using existing access systems, then the compartment is accessible for storage and retrieval of items, but the closure remains unlocked indefinitely or until manually relocked, compromising security of sensitive items
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the lock state of the rear closure from static (manually locked/unlocked) to time-dependent (automatically locks after predetermined period). The controller monitors the unlock duration and automatically re-locks the closure after a predetermined time period, ensuring sensitive items remain secure even if the vehicle is compromised.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary security action by automatically re-locking the rear closure after a predetermined time period following an unlock event. This preliminary re-locking action occurs before any potential unauthorized access can occur, maintaining continuous security protection for sensitive items stored in the compartment.
2Productivity
If the rear closure is unlocked for extended periods, then items can be easily accessed and removed, but the security of the compartment is compromised when the vehicle is not in a secured state
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic security enforcement by automatically re-locking the rear closure after a predetermined time period. This periodic action creates a natural access window for legitimate item retrieval while automatically closing the security gap that would otherwise exist during extended unlock periods, preventing unauthorized access when the vehicle is not in a secured state.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller receives feedback regarding the vehicle's secure state (through vehicle operation signals) and the unlock timing, and automatically adjusts the lock state accordingly. When the vehicle is not in a secured state, the system ensures the closure locks after the predetermined time, providing feedback-based security control that balances accessibility with protection against unauthorized access.
3Reliability
If the compartment access is independent of other doors, then security of sensitive items is maintained, but the system complexity increases compared to integrated door locking systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the vehicle's door locking control into independent modules: front door locks controlled by traditional mechanisms, and rear closure locks controlled by a separate timed access system. This segmentation allows the rear compartment to maintain independent security control, ensuring that even if other doors are compromised, the sensitive items in the rear compartment remain protected through automatic time-based locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves multiple functions: it manages traditional door locking operations and simultaneously controls the timed rear closure locking system. By integrating these functions into a single control unit that responds to both traditional unlock requests and vehicle operation signals, the system achieves independent compartment security without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An access system for a vehicle may include a controller. The controller may be configured to respond to receiving an unlock signal indicative of an unlock request by causing a compartment closure to unlock for a predetermined time. Or the controller may be configured to respond to receiving an unlock signal indicative of an unlock request and a vehicle operation signal indicative of a vehicle secure state by causing a compartment closure to unlock for a predetermined time. Upon expiration of the predetermined time, the controller may cause the compartment closure to lock. The controller may be configured to respond to receiving an unlatch signal indicative of an unlatch request during the predetermined time by causing the compartment closure to unlatch.