Central Locking for Vehicle Add-Ons With Unified Remote Status
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users are required to carry multiple keys and manually check each lock for vehicles and their add-ons, such as trailers and roof boxes, which is inconvenient and lacks centralized control for locking and unlocking.
Innovation Solution
A central locking system that uses a mobile device to wirelessly connect to a central locking unit, allowing simultaneous locking and unlocking of vehicle locks and remote locks for various add-ons, such as trailers, roof boxes, and bike carriers, via near-field communication or Bluetooth, enabling centralized control and status monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate locks are used for vehicle and add-ons, then each lock can be independently secured, but the user must carry multiple keys and manually check each lock
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate locking mechanisms (vehicle lock and add-on locks) into a single centralized locking system. The control unit receives a single locking command and simultaneously actuates all connected locks, merging the function of multiple keys and manual operations into one unified system. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining independent security for each lock while providing centralized control through a single key or mobile device.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized locking system provides universal control over multiple different types of locks (vehicle doors, trailers, roof boxes, bike carriers) through a single control interface. The system can identify and control various add-on types based on their unique identifiers, making the locking system multi-functional rather than requiring separate key systems for each add-on type.
2Loss of information
If manual checking of each lock is required, then the locking status can be confirmed, but the process is time-consuming and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic feedback by having each lock send its locking status back to the control unit. The control unit then transmits this status information to the user's mobile device, providing real-time confirmation of whether each lock is locked or unlocked. This eliminates the need for manual checking while maintaining complete visibility of locking status, resolving the contradiction between information accuracy and time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking system performs self-monitoring and automatic status reporting without requiring user intervention. Each lock automatically detects its own state and communicates it to the control unit, which then informs the user. This self-service capability eliminates the manual checking process while ensuring the user has accurate information about all lock statuses.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate locking systems are used for vehicle and add-ons, then each can be controlled independently, but centralized control is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed with universal compatibility to work with multiple types of add-ons (trailers, roof boxes, bike carriers, caravans) through a single interface. Each add-on is identified by a unique identifier, allowing the system to adapt to different add-on types while maintaining a unified control structure. This reduces device complexity by replacing multiple separate locking systems with one multi-functional centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses segmentation by assigning unique identifiers to each add-on type, allowing the control unit to distinguish and appropriately control different add-ons. This segmentation approach enables the centralized system to handle diverse add-on types individually while maintaining overall system unity, balancing adaptability with manageable complexity.
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
Enhances security by allowing all locks to be locked or unlocked with a single action, simplifies the management of multiple locks, and provides easy remote access to the status and control of vehicle and remote unit locks, reducing the need for multiple keys and manual checks.
Implementation Method 1
A mobile device is configured to wirelessly connect to the central locking unit and to control the central locking unit to regulate the vehicle lock between the locked and unlocked position
Implementation Method 2
A mobile device is configured to wirelessly connect to the central locking unit and to control the central locking unit to regulate the vehicle lock between the locked and unlocked position
Data Source
Figure 1~2d
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The disclosure relates to an central locking system (1) for locking a vehicle (2), comprising a central locking unit (10), at least one vehicle lock (20) of the vehicle (2), wherein the vehicle lock (20) is connected to the central locking unit (10) and arranged to be regulated by the central locking unit (10) between a locked and unlocked position (L1,U1), a mobile device (30) configured to wirelessly connect to the central locking unit (10) and to control the central locking unit (10) to regulate the vehicle lock (20) between the locked and unlocked position (L1,U1), characterized in that the central locking system (1) comprises at least one remote lock (40) for locking a remote unit (4) configured to be detachably connected to the vehicle (2), wherein the remote lock (40) is configured to be connected to the central locking unit (10) and arranged to be regulated by the central locking unit (10) between a locked and unlocked position (L2,U2), and the mobile device (30) is configured to control the central locking unit (10) to regulate the remote lock (40) between the locked and unlocked position (L,2U2). The disclosure further relates to a vehicle system (100), a method for controlling a central locking system (1) and a computer program.