Vehicle Emergency Access Control Device With External Power Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing use of virtual keys in vehicles poses a challenge for providing emergency access when the vehicle's system fails, as mechanical emergency keys are no longer assumed, and existing solutions do not adequately address the need for independent emergency unlocking.

Innovation Solution

An access control device integrated into a vehicle door handle with an electric drive, a control circuit, communication circuit, and a second supply interface for external power, allowing for autonomous emergency operation and authentication independent of the vehicle's on-board system, using NFC for secure data exchange and verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If virtual keys are used for access control, then security and convenience are improved, but the ability to provide emergency access in case of system failure deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control securityVSAvoidemergency access capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The access control system is segmented into two independent parts: the main vehicle access control system (with on-board power and communication) and the emergency access control device (with external power interface and independent control circuit). This segmentation allows the emergency device to function independently when the main system fails, resolving the contradiction between using virtual keys for security and maintaining emergency access capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The emergency access control device changes the power supply parameter from relying on the vehicle's on-board electrical system to accepting external power sources (such as portable power banks). This parameter change enables the device to operate independently of the vehicle's electrical system, providing emergency access capability while maintaining virtual key security for normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If mechanical emergency keys are removed, then vehicle security is improved, but emergency unlocking capability in case of system failure deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle securityVSAvoidemergency unlocking
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical emergency key system is replaced with an electronic emergency access control device that uses an electric drive mechanism. This substitution maintains vehicle security by eliminating physical keys while providing emergency unlocking capability through an electronically controlled actuator that can mechanically actuate the door lock when activated by external power and authentication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If access control device operates independently of on-board system, then emergency access reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency access reliabilityVSAvoidaccess control device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The essential emergency access functions (control circuit, communication circuit, electric drive, and external power interface) are extracted from the main vehicle access control system and consolidated into a separate emergency access control device. This extraction reduces the complexity burden on the main vehicle system while providing independent emergency access reliability through the dedicated emergency device with its own power and control pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3654298B1Access control device for emergency actuation and associated method
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 HUF HÜLSBECK & FÜRST GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3654298B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP3654298B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3654298B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

Access control device for installation in a motor vehicle, comprising a control circuit (31) and a communication circuit (24) coupled thereto, as well as an electric drive (6a) which acts on an opening lock via an actuating section. A first supply interface connects the access control device to the power supply of a vehicle's electrical system; a second supply interface (7) is designed for power supply from an external voltage source and can supply the control circuit (31), the communication circuit (24), and the electric drive (6a).The control circuit (31) monitors the second supply interface (7) for voltage applied to it and controls the communication circuit depending on detected voltage values ​​at the second supply interface in order to initiate data communication, wherein the control circuit is designed to control the electric drive to move the actuating section depending on data transmitted in the data communication in order to release the locking effect of the opening lock.