Wireless Ignition Interlock Relay for Low-Damage Vehicle Immobilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of breath alcohol ignition interlock devices (BAIIDs) in vehicles is complex, costly, and often results in permanent damage due to the need for extensive wiring and hard-wiring into the vehicle's electrical system, making it difficult and expensive to implement effectively.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle immobilization system using a wireless relay that communicates via Bluetooth with a control module to selectively restrict vehicle operations based on breath alcohol concentration, utilizing the vehicle's Onboard Diagnostic (OBD) port for monitoring and control, reducing the need for extensive wiring and simplifying the installation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hard-wiring the BAIID system into the vehicle's electrical system is used to ensure security and detect circumvention, then system reliability and security are improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hard-wiring system with a wireless communication system. The BAIID device communicates with vehicle control modules via wireless signals (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or cellular), eliminating the need for physical wiring through the firewall and dashboard. This substitution maintains security through encrypted communication protocols while dramatically reducing installation complexity to a simple plug-and-play interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vehicle's existing OBD port as a universal interface for both diagnostic communication and BAIID system integration. This multi-functional approach allows the BAIID device to access vehicle control systems through a standard port already present in modern vehicles, eliminating the need for vehicle-specific wiring modifications and simplifying installation across different vehicle models.
2Reliability
If extensive wiring and hard-wiring are performed to connect BAIID to vehicle electrical systems, then system reliability is improved, but installation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming manual wiring operations with wireless communication technology. The BAIID device establishes secure communication with vehicle systems through wireless protocols, reducing installation time from several hours of wiring work to minutes of plug-and-play setup. System integrity is maintained through encrypted data transmission and authentication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication module as an intermediary between the BAIID device and vehicle control systems. This mediator handles all data transmission and control signals wirelessly, eliminating the need for physical wire routing through the vehicle's firewall and dashboard, thereby drastically reducing installation time while maintaining reliable system integration.
3Reliability
If wires are routed through the firewall and dashboard connections are made to electrical components, then system reliability is improved, but vehicle damage and permanent modifications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the invasive mechanical wiring process with non-intrusive wireless communication. The BAIID device communicates with vehicle systems through wireless signals, eliminating the need to cut holes in the firewall, route wires through the dashboard, or splice into existing electrical components. This substitution completely prevents permanent vehicle damage while maintaining reliable system connectivity through encrypted wireless protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the vehicle's existing wireless communication infrastructure (OBD port, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) as an intermediary to establish connection between the BAIID device and vehicle control systems. This approach enables full system integration without any physical modifications to the vehicle structure or electrical system, thereby eliminating harmful effects such as firewall holes, dashboard damage, and electrical system alterations.
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 solution simplifies the installation of BAIIDs, reduces costs, and minimizes vehicle damage by using wireless communication and existing vehicle networks, ensuring effective immobilization of vehicles when intoxication is detected while maintaining system integrity and security.
Implementation Method 1
A relay is operable to replace a relay in the vehicle, and to wirelessly communicate with the control module
Implementation Method 2
a detection element operable to detect a level of an intoxicant in a user's breath
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle immobilization system includes a detection element operable to detect a level of an intoxicant in a user's breath. A control module is operable to receive a signal from the detection element indicating the level of intoxicant in the user's breath, and to selectively restrict operation of a vehicle based on the level of intoxicant in the user's breath exceeding a threshold. A wireless relay is operable to replace a standard relay in the vehicle, and to wirelessly communicate with the control module such that the control module is operable to control the wireless relay to selectively restrict operation of the vehicle.