Vehicle Locking System with Passive Transponder Backup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic locking systems for motor vehicles require mechanical locks and emergency keys, which are expensive and offer low security, especially when vehicle or key batteries are depleted, limiting access and increasing theft risks.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a low-frequency (LF) coil for energy transfer between the vehicle and key, enabling transponder-mediated communication and power supply, eliminating the need for mechanical locks and emergency keys by using a passive RFID transponder and emergency batteries for emergency access and starting the vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical locks and emergency keys are used for emergency access, then access is possible when batteries are depleted, but the system becomes expensive and offers low security protection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency access capabilityVSAvoidsystem cost and security protection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical lock and mechanical emergency key system with an electronic/electromagnetic system. A coil (electromagnetic component) is integrated into the door handle to communicate with and power a passive transponder in the key, eliminating the need for mechanical emergency access components while maintaining security and enabling emergency operation when batteries are depleted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a passive transponder as an intermediary between the key battery and the vehicle's locking system. This transponder can be activated by the coil in the door handle to enable emergency access, serving as a mediator that allows communication and power transfer without requiring the key battery to be charged or the vehicle battery to be functional.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If electronic locking systems are used without backup, then the system is simple, but access is impossible when the vehicle or key battery is depleted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidaccess availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a passive transponder in the key that is预先 prepared to receive power from the coil in the door handle. This preliminary setup allows the transponder to be activated on-demand for emergency access without requiring prior battery charging or complex backup systems, maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The passive transponder in the key serves itself by harvesting power from the coil in the door handle when needed. This self-service mechanism allows the key to enable emergency access without requiring an external power source or complex backup battery system, maintaining system simplicity while ensuring access availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a passive RFID transponder is used in the key, then emergency operation is enabled when the key battery is exhausted, but the key requires external power transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency operation capabilityVSAvoidenergy transmission requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses electromagnetic fields (analogous to pneumatic/hydraulic systems in terms of energy transmission through a medium) where a coil in the door handle generates an electromagnetic field that powers the passive transponder in the key. This allows energy transmission without direct electrical contact, enabling emergency operation when the key battery is exhausted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct electrical contact or mechanical key systems with electromagnetic energy transmission. The coil in the door handle creates an electromagnetic field that inductively powers the passive transponder, substituting mechanical or direct electrical energy transfer with electromagnetic coupling to enable emergency access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Provides secure, cost-effective keyless entry and starting functionality without mechanical locks or emergency keys, ensuring access and vehicle operation even when batteries are depleted, with monitored emergency battery replacement ensuring high reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a coil of the type of an LF (low frequency) coil, for the transmission of energy from the first energy store to the second device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3292027B1Entry system with backup operation for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.07.07 MARQUARDT GMBH
  • EP3292027B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3292027B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3292027B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a locking system (3) for the access authorization in a motor vehicle, comprising a first device (4) for unlocking and locking the car doors, and a second device (5) designed in the manner of an electronic key. To the first device, an energy transmission means, in particular a coil of the type of an LF (low frequency) coil, for transmitting energy from the vehicle battery (9) is assigned. The second device (5) comprises a transponder such that by means of the energy transmission means, energy can be transmitted to the second device (5) for the emergency operation thereof in the event of an exhausted key battery (10). Furthermore, an emergency battery is assigned to the first device (4), the storage capacity of which is such that in the event of an exhausted vehicle battery (9), the energy thereof is sufficient for the emergency operation of the first device (4).