Vehicle Door Lock Position Detection Anti-Tampering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle locking systems can be manipulated easily, leading to unreliable detection of a closed door position, particularly in automated vehicles, where the locking mechanism can be falsely indicated as locked without actual closure, posing safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A multi-factor query method using distinct position signals from different sources, where both signals must be verified to confirm a closed position, preventing manipulation and ensuring reliable detection through an AND connection rather than an OR connection, and incorporating additional security measures like secure transmission channels and diagnostic routines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single position signal from a door contact switch is used to detect closed position, then the system is simple to operate, but the system can be easily manipulated and reliability is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system is segmented into multiple independent signal sources (first position signal from door contact switch, second position signal from locking mechanism switch, third position signal from additional sensor). Each signal source independently monitors the closed position, and all signals must confirm the closed state simultaneously. This segmentation prevents manipulation because an attacker would need to simultaneously falsify multiple independent signals, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple position signals from different sources are required to confirm closed position, then manipulation resistance improves, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-tampering capabilityVSAvoidsignal verification complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple independent position signals from different signal sources are merged into a single unified detection logic within the control unit. The control unit evaluates all position signals simultaneously using an AND logic relationship, where all signals must indicate closed position for the system to confirm the closed state. This merging approach maintains anti-tampering capability while centralizing the verification process in the control unit, thereby managing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If redundant position signals are queried to detect open position, then detection accuracy improves, but the response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors all position signals in advance and maintains readiness to detect position changes. When a position change occurs, the control unit immediately evaluates the current state of all pre-monitored position signals without requiring sequential querying. This preliminary monitoring approach ensures high detection accuracy through redundant signals while minimizing detection time by having all signals ready for immediate evaluation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4139548B1Method for securely detecting a closed position of a movable part of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 KIEKERT AG
  • EP4139548B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for detecting a closed position of a movable part (110) of a vehicle (100), in particular an automatically operable vehicle, said method comprising the following steps: a control unit (20) receives a first position signal from a first signal source as a first closure criterion which comprises at least one locking position of a vehicle lock (11) for the movable part (110); the control unit (20) adds a conditional test instruction to the received first position signal, wherein the conditional test instruction comprises checking for at least one second position signal as a second closure criterion after detecting the first position signal, wherein the first closure criterion is also satisfied; the control unit (20) receives the second position signal from a second signal source as a second closure criterion, wherein the second signal source is different from the first signal source and the second position signal can be assigned to the movable part; the control unit (20) outputs a confirmation signal when both closure criteria are satisfied.