Vehicle Access Sensor Energy Reduction via Wake-Up Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Polling systems for passive vehicle access require continuous energy to cyclically query the environment, leading to high energy consumption and unnecessary sensor activation and communication.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where sensor devices on the vehicle are switched to an energy-saving, passive state, activating only when a legitimate radio key is detected in the vicinity, reducing energy consumption and preventing unnecessary computations and communications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensor devices are continuously activated to detect user approach, then access detection reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess detection reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic polling of the environment using low-frequency wake-up signals instead of continuous sensor activation. The system cyclically emits wake-up signals and activates sensor devices only during polling intervals, transforming continuous operation into periodic action to reduce energy consumption while maintaining access detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection using low-frequency wake-up signals before activating the main sensor devices. By first querying the environment with minimal energy expenditure and only activating sensors when a potential user is detected, the system prepares in advance to avoid unnecessary continuous sensor operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If polling frequency is increased to improve response time, then access speed is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess speedVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic polling with optimized intervals rather than continuous high-frequency querying. By setting appropriate polling intervals and using low-frequency wake-up signals during these intervals, the system achieves a balance between response speed and energy consumption, avoiding the need for continuous high-frequency operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If sensor devices remain active to prevent false triggering, then system security is improved, but energy consumption increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces low-frequency wake-up signals as an intermediary detection layer between the environment and the main sensor devices. This intermediary system provides preliminary security screening with minimal energy consumption, allowing the main sensors to remain inactive most of the time while still preventing false triggering through the wake-up signal verification process.

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

Significantly reduces energy requirements by minimizing continuous energy supply to sensors, activating them only when a user with a legitimate radio key is present, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and preventing false triggering.

Implementation Method 1

a vehicle transmission device for transmitting wireless low-frequency electromagnetic signals is provided on the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a vehicle transceiver for wireless high-frequency electromagnetic signals on the vehicle side... a key transceiver for wireless high-frequency electromagnetic communication

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3350031B1Method for operating a vehicle access system
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 HUF HÜLSBECK & FÜRST GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3350031B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a passive access system for a vehicle (1). A vehicle transmission device (3a, 3b, 3c) for transmitting wireless low-frequency electromagnetic signals and a vehicle transceiver device (2) for wireless high-frequency electromagnetic signals are arranged on the vehicle, and a mobile vehicle key (8a, 8b) with a key receiving device for wireless low-frequency electromagnetic signals and a key transceiver device for wireless high-frequency electromagnetic signals are provided. The vehicle is equipped with a sensor device (5) for detecting a user approaching a vehicle door, said device being set to a passive non-sensing state. The surroundings of the vehicle (1) are scanned by transmitting low-frequency wake-up signals (4a, 4b, 4c). If the wake-up signals are received in the mobile vehicle key (8b) and a dialogue is initiated between the vehicle key and the vehicle in response thereto, the sensor device (5) on the vehicle is set to an active operating state.