Wireless Switch Control for Low-Power Smart Vehicle Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

The transition of vehicle systems from analog to digital has resulted in power and connectivity issues, leading to large and overwhelming wiring harnesses and interconnectivity problems due to different manufacturer codes and programming languages.

Innovation Solution

A wireless switch system with low-power wireless communication capability, utilizing an enhanced shockburst (ESB) protocol and energy harvesting, integrated with a controller and sensors for smart components like active valves and actuators, enabling adjustments in damping characteristics and saddle height settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wireless communication is implemented for digital vehicle components, then connectivity and control capability are improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic wake-up signals where the wireless switch enters low-power sleep mode and only activates periodically to check for incoming commands. This allows the component to maintain wireless connectivity capability while dramatically reducing average power consumption by keeping the radio interface dormant most of the time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service through autonomous operation where the wireless switch can independently receive commands, process adjustments, and return to sleep mode without requiring continuous power or active monitoring. The component manages its own power state transitions and command execution autonomously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If wireless communication protocol is added for remote control, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote control capabilityVSAvoidcommunication protocol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex communication protocol stack is extracted and implemented in the external controller rather than in the wireless switch itself. The switch only needs simple receive and execute functionality, while the sophisticated protocol handling, error correction, and data processing are performed by the separate controller unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary controller that mediates between the user interface and the wireless switch. This intermediary handles the complex communication protocols, command parsing, and coordination, while the wireless switch remains a simple actuator that only needs to receive basic adjustment commands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4021029B1Remote low latency and low power device for an active component

Publication Date: 2026.01.28 FOX FACTORY INC

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AI summary

A system comprising: a wireless switch (93), said wireless switch configured with a low power wireless communication capability; and a controller (39) in wireless communication with said wireless switch, wherein said controller is adapted to receive an input from said wireless switch, and communicate an adjustment command to at least one smart component.