In-Vehicle Key Storage Case With Adjustable Button Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle key storage solutions require an external key-storage box, which is vulnerable to theft, damage, and visibility, compromising security and potentially damaging the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A storage case integrated within the vehicle, equipped with actuators to press the unlocking and locking buttons of an electronic key, a transceiver for communication with an external terminal, and an adjustment mechanism to securely store and manage the key without an external box, allowing non-face-to-face key delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a key-storage box is placed outside the vehicle, then the key can be delivered to the user unattended, but the key-storage box is vulnerable to theft, damage, and visibility to third parties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the key-storage function from the exterior environment and relocates it to the interior of the vehicle. The storage box is now housed within the vehicle's interior space, separating the key storage system from external threats while maintaining the unattended delivery capability through automated actuation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The key-storage box is nested within the vehicle's interior structure, specifically positioned in the rear seat area. This nesting approach provides an additional layer of protection by placing the key storage system inside the vehicle's existing secure environment, making it less accessible to external threats.
2Ease of operation
If a key-storage box is placed outside the vehicle, then the key can be delivered to the user unattended, but the key-storage box may cause damage to the exterior of the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the key-storage box from the vehicle exterior and relocates it to the interior space. This extraction eliminates the direct contact between the storage box and the vehicle's exterior surfaces, preventing potential damage to paint, trim, or body panels while preserving the automated key delivery function.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage box is nested within the vehicle's interior compartment, specifically in the rear seat area. This nesting configuration ensures that the storage box does not interact with or potentially damage the vehicle's exterior surfaces, while still enabling the automated key delivery system to function.
3Reliability
If actuators are added to press unlocking and locking buttons, then the key delivery security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service principles where the actuators automatically press the unlocking and locking buttons without requiring manual intervention. The controller autonomously manages the actuator operations based on authentication status, reducing the need for complex control mechanisms while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical key handover with an automated electromechanical system. The actuators use simple linear motion mechanisms to press buttons, substituting complex human interaction with straightforward automated actuation, thereby improving security without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage case for being provided in a vehicle includes a case body having a storage space for an electronic key; a first actuator to protrude into the storage space and pressing an unlocking button of the electronic key in the storage space; a second actuator; an adjustment piece for adjusting positions of the first actuator and the second actuator; a transceiver for communicating with an external terminal apparatus; and a processor to, in response to the transceiver receiving an unlocking request signal transmitted from the external terminal apparatus, cause the first actuator to press the unlocking button. The adjustment piece includes a rotating plate rotatably provided with respect to the case body; and, with respect to the rotating plate, the first and the second actuators being adjustable to become nearer to each other and adjustable to become farther from each other.