Vehicle PEPS and Wireless Charging Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional passive entry/passive start (PEPS) systems and wireless charging systems are not adaptable to commercial mobile devices, such as smartphones, due to the susceptibility of Bluetooth communication signals to reflection and distortion, which hinders accurate location determination and secure authentication.

Innovation Solution

A combined PEPS and wireless charging system using external and internal transceivers that transmit signals according to the Qi wireless charging standard, allowing for accurate location determination and secure authentication, with a secondary communication channel using ultra-wideband impulse radio to prevent relay attacks, and enabling wireless charging both inside and outside the vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If Bluetooth signals are used for PEPS communication with smartphones, then communication between vehicle and mobile device is enabled, but signal reflection and distortion occur leading to inaccurate location determination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with commercial mobile devicesVSAvoidlocation determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines PEPS authentication functionality with wireless charging functionality into a single integrated system. The vehicle's low frequency antenna serves dual purposes: authenticating the smartphone for PEPS and enabling wireless charging through the Qi standard. This merging resolves the contradiction by using a communication protocol (low frequency electromagnetic signals) that is both compatible with smartphones and capable of accurate location determination through controlled signal transmission and reception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the communication frequency parameter from Bluetooth (2.4 GHz) to low frequency (around 125 kHz) electromagnetic signals. This parameter change eliminates signal reflection and distortion issues while maintaining smartphone compatibility, as smartphones have built-in low frequency antennas for NFC and other functions. The low frequency signals provide better penetration and more predictable propagation characteristics for accurate location determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If low frequency signals are used for PEPS, then accurate location determination is achieved, but the system is not adaptable to commercial mobile devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation determination accuracyVSAvoidcompatibility with commercial mobile devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by making the low frequency antenna system serve multiple functions: PEPS authentication, wireless charging initiation, and charging power transmission. The vehicle's existing low frequency antenna infrastructure is leveraged to communicate with smartphones that already have low frequency capabilities (NFC, RFID), making the system universally compatible with commercial mobile devices while maintaining accurate location determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses low frequency electromagnetic signals as an intermediary that bridges the vehicle and smartphone. These signals act as a universal language that both the vehicle system and smartphone can understand and process, enabling communication and authentication without requiring proprietary Bluetooth protocols or additional hardware in the smartphone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If wireless charging system is added to PEPS system, then convenient charging solutions are enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless charging convenienceVSAvoidsystem integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges wireless charging components into the existing PEPS system architecture. The low frequency antenna used for PEPS authentication also serves as the transmitting antenna for wireless charging. The control unit that manages PEPS operations also coordinates wireless charging initiation and power transmission. This merging approach enables convenient wireless charging functionality while minimizing additional hardware and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The system provides secure and accurate passive entry and start functionality for vehicles using smartphones, with enhanced range and security, and allows for wireless charging without requiring new hardware, ensuring authorized access and convenient charging solutions.

Implementation Method 1

transmitting a low frequency signal via a low frequency antenna of the vehicle to a mobile device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a receiver of the mobile device receives the low frequency signal transmitted by the low frequency antenna of the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic reception: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

external and internal transceivers that transmit signals according to the Qi wireless charging standard

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3551509B1Combined vehicle passive entry/passive start and mobile electronic device wireless charging system
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 DENSO CORP
  • EP3551509B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3551509B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3551509B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A combined vehicle passive entry/passive start (PEPS) and mobile electronic device wireless charging system (10) includes a vehicle transmitter (32, 34) configured to transmit a signal in accordance with a wireless charging protocol. The signal is transmitted through a first wireless communications channel for receipt by a mobile electronic device (50). A vehicle receiver (40; 42) is configured to receive response data from the mobile electronic device (50) through a second wireless communications channel. The response data is generated by the mobile electronic device (50) in response to receipt of the signal transmitted by the vehicle transmitter (32, 34). A vehicle processor (44) module is configured to at least one of unlock doors of the vehicle (30) and start the vehicle (30) in response to receipt of the response data by the vehicle receiver (40; 42).