Ultrasonic Sensor in Door Handle for Vehicle Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing number of driver assistance systems in vehicles leads to a higher demand for sensors, which complicates installation due to limited space and increases costs, as each system requires multiple sensors for various functions.

Innovation Solution

A locking system that incorporates an ultrasonic sensor in the door handle, which serves dual purposes by determining the resonant frequency to unlock or lock the vehicle and also functions as an environmental sensor, reducing the need for multiple sensors by using the same device for both tasks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are installed for different driver assistance systems, then the functionality and measurement precision are improved, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase due to limited space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsensor quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ultrasonic sensor in the door handle is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects locking requests by measuring resonance frequency changes when touched, and simultaneously serves as an environment sensor for driver assistance systems by detecting objects in the vicinity. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of sensors required in the vehicle while maintaining detection accuracy for both locking control and environmental awareness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensors are installed for different driver assistance systems, then the functionality is improved, but the installation space requirements and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The ultrasonic sensor integrated into the door handle serves dual purposes: it acts as a contactless locking trigger by detecting resonance frequency changes when approached or touched, and simultaneously functions as an environment sensor for driver assistance systems. This eliminates the need for separate sensors for locking control and environmental detection, significantly reducing installation space requirements while enhancing overall system functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the locking request detection function and the environment sensing function into a single ultrasonic sensor located in the door handle. By merging these two previously separate functions into one sensor component, the system reduces the total sensor count and installation space while maintaining both locking control capability and environmental awareness for driver assistance systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 ultrasonic sensor effectively handles locking requests and provides environmental data, thereby reducing the number of sensors required and simplifying installation while maintaining functionality.

Implementation Method 1

A locking system that incorporates an ultrasonic sensor in the door handle, which serves dual purposes by determining the resonant frequency to unlock or lock the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonant frequency: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP2722824B1Locking system for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP2722824B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2722824B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2722824B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The locking system has a control unit, so that the control unit is unlocked based on the detection of the existence of a vehicle key and the actuation of a door handle (1) by a person which drives the vehicle key with identification transmitter. An ultrasonic sensor (5) is arranged in the door handle. The control unit has a unit for determining the resonance frequency of the ultrasonic sensor. A locking request is derived from the resonance frequency.