Vehicle Key Antenna Positioning for Radio Wave Radiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remote control key systems for small vehicles, such as motorcycles, suffer from reduced radio wave radiation performance due to the antenna being covered by the user's hand during operation, which limits the transmission range and effectiveness of the answerback function, especially in low illumination conditions.

Innovation Solution

The remote control key unit design positions the antenna to the left of the operation portion, ensuring it is not covered by the user's hand when the key is held in the ordinary manner, allowing for reliable radio wave transmission to the vehicle's receiver, and utilizes 2.4 GHz band radio waves to maintain compactness and enable advanced electronic circuitry within the key unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the antenna is positioned near the operation portion to save space, then the key unit can be more compact, but the antenna gets covered by the user's hand during operation, reducing radio wave radiation performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekey unit sizeVSAvoidradio wave radiation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the antenna in a different spatial dimension relative to the operation portion. Specifically, the antenna is disposed at a position that is not covered by the user's hand when operating the key, utilizing the three-dimensional space within the holder to place the antenna in an exposed location rather than crowding it near the operation portion. This dimensional arrangement allows both compactness and reliable radio wave transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the operation portion is positioned for easy operation, then user operability is improved, but the antenna may be covered by the user's hand, limiting transmission range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation portion accessibilityVSAvoidtransmission range
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric positioning of components within the key unit. The operation portion is positioned on one side of the holder while the antenna is positioned on the opposite side or in a location not obscured by the hand during operation. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that the easily accessible operation portion does not interfere with the antenna's radio wave transmission, maintaining both ease of operation and full transmission range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Reliability

If metal components are used to enhance radio wave transmission, then transmission performance improves, but the key unit structure becomes more complex and manufacturing more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio wave transmission performanceVSAvoidkey unit manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the antenna design by changing its physical parameters, such as using a printed circuit board (PCB) antenna or whip antenna with specific dimensions and configurations. This allows the antenna to achieve effective radio wave transmission without requiring additional metal components or complex structures. The antenna parameters are tuned to work efficiently with the holder's existing materials, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining transmission performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This configuration enhances radio wave radiation performance, ensuring reliable communication between the key unit and the vehicle while maintaining user operability, and allows for a compact key unit design with advanced features, effectively extending the transmission range and improving the answerback functionality.

Implementation Method 1

an antenna (45) held by the holder (42) and disposed at a position that is not covered by a hand of a user when the user grips the holder (42) and operates the operation portion (44), for radiating radio waves of the signal generated by the transmitter (47)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio wave radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2782081B1Remote control key unit for a vehicle, remote control key system for a vehicle, and arrangement
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2782081B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2782081B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2782081B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A remote control key unit (40) for small vehicle includes a key (41) to be inserted into a key cylinder (51) that is included in a small vehicle (1), a holder (42) supporting the key (41) and to be gripped by a user, an operation portion (44) held by the holder (42) and to be operated by the user, a transmitter (47), held by the holder (42), for generating, in response to an operation of the operation portion (44), a signal to be transmitted to a receiver (105) that is included in the small vehicle (1), and an antenna (45), held by the holder (42), for radiating radio waves of the signal generated by the transmitter (47). The antenna (45) is disposed at a position in the holder (42) that is not covered by a hand of the user when the user grips the holder (42) and operates the operation portion (44).