Vehicle Locking Antenna Frequency Diversity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic locking systems for vehicles require high transmission power to cover large areas, leading to increased battery costs and legal limitations, while also facing inefficiencies in signal transmission and security against unauthorized access.

Innovation Solution

The locking system employs differently arranged antennas operating on different frequency channels, using low-frequency wake-up signals and higher-frequency authentication signals to minimize power consumption and enhance security, allowing for efficient operation with reduced range and increased theft security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a single antenna operates at high power to cover the entire transmission range, then the transmission coverage is sufficient, but the energy consumption increases and battery cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission coverage areaVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single antenna system into multiple antennas (at least two) that are spatially separated and operate on different frequency channels. Each antenna covers a specific area or direction, and they work together to provide comprehensive coverage. This segmentation allows the system to reduce individual antenna power consumption while maintaining overall coverage area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If transmission power is increased to improve signal quality, then the effective range is extended, but the system exceeds legal radio approval limits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidradio frequency interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operating parameters by using multiple frequency channels instead of a single high-power frequency. Each antenna operates on a different frequency channel, allowing the system to distribute the transmission power across multiple frequencies. This approach maintains signal quality and effective range while keeping individual transmission power levels within legal radio approval limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If multiple antennas are used to improve signal quality, then the transmission reliability increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission reliabilityVSAvoidantenna system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different frequency channels to different antennas based on their spatial locations. Each antenna is optimized for its specific position and frequency channel, creating a diversified system where each component has a specialized function. This approach improves overall signal reliability through spatial and frequency diversity while managing complexity through structured assignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Use of energy by moving object

If the transmission range is reduced to lower power consumption, then the energy efficiency improves, but the convenience for user operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds the frequency dimension to the antenna system by using multiple frequency channels alongside spatial distribution. This creates a two-dimensional diversity (space and frequency) that enhances signal coverage and reliability without requiring high power transmission. The system achieves extended effective range through constructive interference and frequency diversity, maintaining user convenience while improving energy efficiency.

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

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 approach enables the locking system to operate with significantly less transmission power, reducing energy consumption and overshoots, while maintaining effective range and security, thereby adhering to worldwide radio approval regulations and enhancing user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

For their intended operation, the two devices have transmitters and/or receivers for the transmission of the electromagnetic signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

at least one signal can be transmitted between the key and the control device as a coded operating signal for authentication of the key

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2825424B1Locking system, especially for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2017.05.10 MARQUARDT GMBH
  • EP2825424B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2825424B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2825424B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a locking system (3) for a motor vehicle (1), in the manner of a keyless entry/go functionality, and comprises a first device (4), such as a control device for unlocking and/or locking the car doors (6) or the like, and an associated second device (5), in the form of an electronic key or the like. Both devices (4, 5) have transmitters and/or receivers especially for electromagnetic signals (7) for their intended use. The first device (4) is associated with an antenna (29, 30) for transmitting at least one of the signals (7). At least two different physical antennas (30,31) operating with two different frequency channels are provided for the first device (4), the one antenna (30,31) being operated in which the quality of the signal (7) received from the second device (5) meets a predetermined minimum requirement.