Vehicle Secure Access Power Switching for Depleted Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles equipped with electronic access mechanisms, such as keypads and NFC cards, face access issues when the vehicle battery is depleted, as these mechanisms require electrical power to operate.
Innovation Solution
A secured access system that includes a power input to receive external power, a voltage monitor to assess the vehicle battery's state, and a processor that switches the access component's power source from the vehicle battery to the external power input when the battery is depleted, ensuring continued access to the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic access mechanisms (keypads, NFC cards, Phone as a Key) are used for vehicle access, then security and convenience are improved, but the system becomes unable to function when the vehicle battery is depleted
Solution Approach 1:
A capacitor is introduced as an intermediary energy storage component between the vehicle battery and the access control module. The capacitor maintains sufficient voltage to power the access mechanism even when the battery voltage drops below the operational threshold, enabling the system to function during battery depletion scenarios while maintaining electronic access security and convenience
2Ease of operation
If the access component is powered by the vehicle battery, then the system operates normally with full functionality, but the user loses access when the battery is depleted and cannot recharge or replace the battery
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor is pre-charged during normal battery operation to store energy in advance. When the battery becomes depleted, this pre-stored energy in the capacitor provides a cushion that keeps the access control module operational, allowing the user to still access the vehicle to address the battery issue without being locked out
3Adaptability or versatility
If external power input is always connected to the access component, then access is maintained during battery depletion, but power consumption increases and electrical isolation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two power sources based on battery status. During normal operation, the access component is powered by the vehicle battery with the external power input electrically isolated. When battery voltage drops below the threshold, the system automatically transitions to powering the access component from the external power input through the capacitor, optimizing energy consumption by only activating external power when necessary
Data Source
AI summary
Secured access to a vehicle is provided. A power input is configured to receive power from a source external to the vehicle. A voltage monitor is configured to measure voltage and/or state of health of a vehicle battery. An access component is configured to provide secured access to the vehicle. A processor is configured to, responsive to the voltage monitor indicating the vehicle battery is unable to power the access component, power the access component via the power input to allow the secured access to the vehicle despite the vehicle battery being depleted.