Vehicle Entry System Mode Switching for Energy Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing keyless entry and starting systems for motor vehicles face issues with functional restrictions and increased energy consumption due to simultaneous use of near-field communication devices and vehicle key systems, leading to undesirable side effects and unauthorized displays.

Innovation Solution

A method that distinguishes between key operating mode and near-field operating mode, determining authorization through either the vehicle key or a near-field communication device, and only searching for the respective device upon specific conditions, thereby optimizing energy usage and informing the driver of potential issues with device removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If both near-field communication and vehicle key systems are active simultaneously, then the vehicle can be operated via multiple methods, but energy consumption increases and functional restrictions occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between different operating modes (key operating mode and near-field operating mode) based on which authorization method is used. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain versatility while optimizing energy consumption by activating only the necessary communication system in each mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by detecting the authorization method and transitioning between distinct operating modes. This parameter change ensures that only the relevant communication system remains active, reducing energy consumption while preserving operational flexibility through mode switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If both near-field communication and vehicle key systems are active simultaneously, then the vehicle can be operated via multiple methods, but functional restrictions and unauthorized displays occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidsystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts its operational state based on the detected authorization method, switching between key operating mode and near-field operating mode. This dynamic behavior prevents conflicting operations and unauthorized displays by ensuring only one system is active at a time, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the detection device to determine which authorization method was used and accordingly selects the appropriate operating mode. This feedback mechanism ensures that the control device operates the system correctly, preventing functional restrictions and unauthorized displays while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the system searches for both vehicle key and communication device continuously, then device presence is monitored, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice presence monitoringVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring behavior is made dynamic by searching for devices only when specific conditions are met (such as door opening or ignition on), rather than continuously. This conditional monitoring maintains reliability by detecting device presence when needed while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous searching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs device presence searches periodically or conditionally rather than continuously, activating the search function only when predetermined conditions occur. This periodic action maintains adequate monitoring reliability while optimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary continuous searches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3494014B1Method for operating a start and entry system of a motor vehicle and start and entry system for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 AUDI AG
  • EP3494014B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3494014B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A method for operating a start and entry system of a motor vehicle, including the steps of: detecting whether an authorization of the starting of the motor vehicle is carried out on the basis of a key signal received on the vehicle side, which has been sent from a transmitting and receiving unit of a vehicle key, or whether the authorization of the starting of the vehicle is carried out on the basis of a near-field signal received on the vehicle side, which has been sent by a near-field communication system of a mobile communication device. If the authorization of the vehicle start is carried out on the basis of the key signal received on the vehicle side: the start and entry system is operated in a key operating mode, in which, following the starting of the vehicle, only the availability of the vehicle key in a vehicle interior of the motor vehicle is monitored.