Vehicle Key Magnetic Sensor for Missing Closure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often forget to reattach or correctly attach the mechanical key or closure in electronic vehicle keys, leading to potential damage from moisture and dust, and there is a risk of losing the mechanical key.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating magnetic sensors and magnets in the key's housing and closure to detect the presence and absence of the mechanical key and closure, using ferromagnetic materials and Hall sensors to signal the user through visual or auditory feedback if the key is missing or incorrectly attached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the mechanical key and closure are made removable for battery replacement and mechanical lock operation, then the versatility and ease of operation are improved, but the risk of forgetting to reattach or lose the mechanical key increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a detection system with magnetic sensors and magnets that automatically detect whether the mechanical key and closure are present in the housing. The system provides feedback to the user through visual or auditory signals when components are missing, preventing loss by alerting the user before leaving the key behind.
2Ease of operation
If the mechanical key and closure are made removable, then the ease of operation for battery replacement is improved, but the protection against harmful influences deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system monitors whether the closure is properly attached to the housing using magnetic sensors and magnets. When the closure is missing or incorrectly attached, the system alerts the user through visual or auditory feedback, preventing moisture and dust from damaging the electronics inside the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects the presence or absence of the closure and mechanical key without requiring user intervention. The magnetic detection system self-monitors the sealed state of the housing and provides automatic alerts, eliminating the need for manual checking by the user.
3Reliability
If means for detecting the presence of the mechanical key are added to the housing, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical detection mechanisms with a magnetic field-based detection system. Magnets are embedded in the closure and mechanical key, while magnetic sensors in the housing detect their presence through non-contact magnetic field interaction, significantly simplifying the overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic detection system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it detects both the closure presence and the mechanical key presence using the same sensor and magnet principles. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate detection systems for each component, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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
Effectively informs the user of a missing or incorrectly attached mechanical key or closure, preventing damage and loss by providing timely notifications, thus enhancing the reliability and usability of electronic vehicle keys.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating magnetic sensors and magnets in the key's housing and closure to detect the presence and absence of the mechanical key and closure, using ferromagnetic materials and Hall sensors to signal the user
Implementation Method 2
using ferromagnetic materials and Hall sensors to signal the user
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The key (1) has housing (2) and a mechanical key (11) for actuating a mechanical lock, where the mechanical key is accommodated in the housing. A unit for detecting the presence of the mechanical Key in the housing is arranged in the housing, where the unit cooperates with the mechanical key. A receptacle is provided in the housing for the mechanical key.