DE102020118678A1 - Wireless mobile engine starter - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a wireless mobile engine starting device (1) for activating the engine of a vehicle (9) with a component carrier (B) in which a transceiver unit (5) for sending and receiving data from and to a transceiver unit (10 ) is arranged in the vehicle (9), which is connected to an engine starting device (M) inside the vehicle, the component carrier also having a receiving device (4) for receiving wirelessly transmitted electromagnetic energy (7) or electromagnetic waves (7) for generating electrical energy by means of a power generation unit (7a), and an authentication device (8) which is designed to communicate with an authorization module (8) integrated in the vehicle via a communication channel (Ka), the power supply for the authentication device (8) coming exclusively from the internal power generation unit (7a ) is powered, at least when the wireless mobile Mot orstarting device (1) in an area with a predetermined field strength, generated by a vehicle-integrated transmitter (11) of electromagnetic waves.

Description

The present invention relates to a wireless mobile engine starting device of a vehicle and a method for starting a vehicle engine using such a mobile engine starting device.

Systems for securing a vehicle against an unauthorized engine start are known in particular from the prior art. So-called immobilizer systems (immobilizers) are known in vehicle technology, which are intended to provide protection for vehicles against an unauthorized engine start. For example, the document discloses EP 2 045 151 B1 a corresponding system. Such devices have an immobilizer device, which has both an immobilizer control unit and an associated immobilizer code reader. When an ignition key is inserted into an ignition switch and engine start is requested by turning the key, a code set in the key is checked. This code can be stored in a passive transponder in the ignition key, for example. The code is usually generated by sending data to the transponder in the ignition key through a coil inserted in the ignition lock, which converts this data into a code in arithmetic operations and returns this code via the coil to the immobilizer control device. After successfully checking the code, the vehicle can be started because the immobilizer control unit sends a corresponding release to the vehicle control. An alternative design of such an immobilizer system is from EP 0 926 022 A1 known.

However, such systems are essentially concerned with unauthorized engine starts and not with the fundamental question of how to start an engine without contact, i.e. without inserting a starting device into a key socket on the vehicle.

From the DE 10 2011 117 978 A1 discloses a locking system for access and/or driving authorization in a motor vehicle in the form of a keyless entry/go functionality. The locking system comprises a first device that has at least two states and is designed as a control device, such as a control device for unlocking and/or locking the car doors, the ignition lock, the steering wheel lock, for releasing and/or locking the immobilizer, the engine control unit or the like. and an associated second device in the form of an electronic key, an ID transmitter, a chip card or the like. For their intended operation, the two devices have transmitters and/or receivers for, in particular, electromagnetic signals. In particular, at least one of the signals transmitted between the second device and the first device is a coded operating signal for authentication. the DE 102007027095 A1 relates to a very similar solution in which two transceiver devices are provided. However, the energy supply, the required installation space and the functionality are inadequately solved in the two aforementioned devices.

From the DE 10 2004 007 721 A9 a control system for a motor vehicle is known. The control system includes a first device for performing at least one control function in the motor vehicle and at least one control device for performing a further function in the motor vehicle. The first device and the control device are arranged together for the transmission of signals in a vehicle electrical system. From the DE 10 2005 017 458 A1 a method for operating a locking system, in particular for access and/or driving authorization in a motor vehicle, in the manner of a keyless entry/go functionality is known. The locking system comprises a first device that has at least two states and is designed as a control device, such as a control device for unlocking and/or locking the car doors, the ignition lock, the steering wheel lock, for releasing and/or locking the immobilizer, the engine control unit or the like, and one associated second device designed in the manner of an electronic key, an ID transmitter, a chip card or the like. Signals are transmitted between the two devices for their intended operation. At least one of the transmitted signals can be a coded operating signal for authentication of the second device, so that after a positive evaluation of the transmitted operating signal with an authorized second device, the status of the first device is changed. Furthermore, in the second device, the field strength for at least two mutually orthogonal components of an area delimitation signal transmitted by the first device is measured. In the second device, the location of the second device in relation to the first device is determined on the basis of the measured field strengths in the manner of an area. In a first version, the radio key in the form of a wireless electronic key enables the doors to be opened, while in the so-called keyless-go equipment variant this also simultaneously releases the authorization to start the engine, so that the engine of the means of transport can be started without a key. With this keyless go equipment variant, the radio key can also be used as a check card so that the door can be opened immediately when the door handles are touched.

Devices of this type, which are known from the prior art, are comparatively large in terms of installation space, however, because they have an integrated energy store in particular.

Similar devices are known as vehicle locking systems. From the DE 34 36 761 A a locking system for a motor vehicle is known, which consists of an operating key, an operating key holder and connecting lines to an associated operating unit. An operating signal transmitter with an operating signal encoder is arranged in the operating key, and an operating signal receiver with an operating signal decoder is arranged in the operating key receptacle. If the service key is inserted into the service key receptacle, a coded service signal can be transmitted from the service signal transmitter to the service signal receiver. If this operating signal is successfully decoded in the operating signal decoder, the operating unit is started up.

Such systems require a contact or an interface connection in the operating key holder and require a specific geometric shape adapted to the operating key holder or vice versa. Such systems known from the prior art are also large in terms of installation space and are therefore unwieldy for a user.

Against this technical background, the invention deals with the problem of providing a space-optimized, universally usable mobile starting device which does not have the said disadvantages known from the prior art.

The invention solves this problem with a mobile engine starting device having the features of claim 1.

Before the invention is described in more detail, some terms and the terminology used are explained for a better understanding of the invention.

A basic idea of the invention is that already by saving an internal energy storage such. B. an integrated battery, a space optimization of about 20% - 30% can be realized compared to a conventional solution with integrated energy storage. In addition, the solution is superimposed with the concept of a specific data communication, so that the vehicle key is energetically activated only when the vehicle key is at a predefined location, i. H. located in the immediate reception area, preferably in the reception area for near-field transmission of electromagnetic energy in the vehicle, and only then is data communication between the components involved made possible or established. Such an architecture ensures additional security during authorization, since the vehicle key then represents a kind of "intelligent" mobile engine start device for activating the engine.

According to the invention, therefore, a wireless mobile engine starting device is provided for activating the engine of a vehicle, with a component carrier in or on which a transceiver unit is provided for sending and receiving data from and to a transceiver unit in the vehicle, the latter transceiver Unit is connected to an in-vehicle engine starting device, wherein the component carrier further comprises a receiving device for receiving wirelessly or contactlessly transmitted electromagnetic energy or electromagnetic waves for generating electrical energy by means of a power generation unit. Such a unit is equipped with means for coupling in electromagnetic waves and converting them into electrical energy or voltage. The energy generated in this way can then be supplied to an authentication device which is also configured in the engine starting device.

The authentication device is in turn designed with means to communicate with a vehicle-integrated authorization module via a communication channel, wherein the power supply of the authentication device is supplied with power exclusively from the internal power generation unit, at least during the period of time; when the wireless mobile engine starting device is in an area with a predetermined field strength generated by an on-vehicle electromagnetic wave transmitter.

For this purpose, the transmitter for generating electromagnetic waves is arranged at a specific place in the vehicle, so that a specific field with a desired electric and magnetic field strength is generated in its immediate vicinity. Thus, the transmitter (transmitter) for transmitting electromagnetic waves can be located in the vehicle's steering wheel and/or in a gear knob of the vehicle. It is particularly advantageous if the mobile engine starting device (ie the vehicle starting key) is on the hand of a vehicle user, preferably in a ring on a finger or a piece of jewelry on the hand.

If the vehicle user then grabs the steering wheel or the shift knob of a shift lever, the receiver for receiving the energy from the mobile engine starting device is in the electromagnetic field with sufficient field strength (if the transmitter is designed accordingly) and electrical energy is then generated. Once the vehicle has been started, further authentication is no longer necessary and it no longer matters where the mobile engine starting device is located while the vehicle is being steered and driven.

It is therefore also advantageous if the transponder picks up a signal received from the vehicle or the authentication device and automatically answers and/or forwards it.

It is also advantageous if an authorization code is transmitted from the transceiver to the authorization module and this is designed to activate and/or enable the engine start function by means of an actuator, a button, a start button, a switch or a means for starting the engine that a vehicle user can only start the engine after activation and/or activation.

A further preferred measure provides that the communication channel for data transmission also represents the channel for transmission of the electromagnetic waves to the receiving device at the same time. For this purpose, a communication interface can be provided on both sides (i.e. on the vehicle side and on the side of the engine starting device). A superimposed signal would also be conceivable.

In addition to the mobile engine starting device, a further aspect of the present invention relates to a system architecture comprising such a wireless mobile engine starting device and a communication and control unit which is internal to the vehicle or intended for vehicle integration, the communication and control unit having a transmitter (e.g. a transmitter comprising an oscillator ) for transmitting electromagnetic waves, a transceiver for wireless data communication of data with the mobile engine starting device and an authorization module which evaluates an authorization code received from the engine starting device in order to activate or enable or block an engine start function depending on the authorization check. In this way, the activation of a start/stop button in the vehicle can be guaranteed automatically.

If a vehicle user has e.g. For example, the engine starter is integrated into a ring on the hand or a bracelet, so after entering the vehicle, after electromagnetic activation and supply of the engine starter with electrically coupled energy, communication is established automatically and authorization is carried out when the appropriate authorization code is received and thereafter the vehicle user can simply control the vehicle by pressing z. B. the start-stop button. In order to save energy in the vehicle, the electromagnetic field is only activated after the start request has been displayed using the start/stop button.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is therefore provided that the authorization module for the authorization check of a received authorization code automatically connects to the wireless mobile engine starting device as soon as the engine starting device is within a defined reception range and/or distance from the transmitter for transmitting electromagnetic waves. This can be the case, for example, when gripping the steering wheel, as described above, if a transmitter of electromagnetic waves is integrated in the steering wheel. Here too, in order to save energy on the vehicle side, provision can be made for the electromagnetic field to be activated only after the start request has been displayed using the start/stop button.

Also preferred is a system architecture in which the authentication device is only supplied with electrical energy when the engine starting device is within a defined reception range and/or distance from the transmitter for transmitting electromagnetic waves.

1. a. Anordnen oder Verbringen der mobilen Motorstartvorrichtung im definierten Empfangsbereich und/oder Abstand zu dem Sender im Fahrzeug, der der Energieübertragung dient;
2. b. Erzeugen einer elektrischen Energie für die Authentifizierungseinrichtung mittels der empfangenen elektromagnetischen Wellen vom Sender mit der Energieerzeugungseinheit in der Motorstartvorrichtung, wodurch die Authentifizierungseinrichtung in einen aktiven Zustand gebracht wird in dem diese eine Kommunikation mit dem in der mobilen Motorstartvorrichtung integrierten Transceiver aktiviert und Daten an das fahrzeugintegriere Kommunikations- und Steuergerät sendet;
3. c. Übertragen eines Berechtigungscodes von der Authentifizierungseinrichtung an das Autorisierungsmodul, welches eine Berechtigungsprüfung durchführt und abhängig davon eine Motorstartfunktion aktiviert oder freischaltet, so dass ein Benutzer den Motor starten kann.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for starting an engine of a correspondingly equipped vehicle using a system architecture with the following steps:

1. a. arranging or bringing the mobile engine starting device in the defined reception area and / or distance to the transmitter in the vehicle, which is used for energy transmission;
2. b. Generating electrical energy for the authentication device using the electromagnetic waves received from the transmitter with the energy generation unit in the engine starting device, whereby the authentication device is brought into an active state in which it activates communication with the transceiver integrated in the mobile engine starting device and data to the vehicle-integrated communication - and control unit sends;
3. c. Transferring an authorization code from the authentication device to the authorization module, which is an authorization performs testing and depending on it activates or unlocks an engine start function so that a user can start the engine.

Other advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the dependent claims or are presented in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures.

• 1 eine schematische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Systemarchitektur umfassend eine mobile Motorstartvorrichtung und
• 2 eine schematische Ansicht einer alternativen Ausführung einer erfindungsgemäßen Systemarchitektur umfassend eine mobile Motorstartvorrichtung.

It showed:

• 1 a schematic view of a system architecture according to the invention comprising a mobile engine starting device and
• 2 a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of a system architecture according to the invention comprising a mobile engine starting device.

In the following the invention using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the 1 and 2 described in more detail.

In the 1 and 2 each shows a wireless mobile engine starting device 1 for activating the engine of a vehicle 9, which is only shown schematically.

The respective engine starting device 1 has a component carrier. The component carrier can be a housing, a chip card, a ring, a piece of jewelery or the like.

This component carrier contains the transceiver unit 5, which is designed to send and receive data from and to a transceiver unit 10, which is mounted in the vehicle 9.

This is connected to an in-vehicle engine starting device M so that it can be activated. The component carrier B also includes a receiving device 4 for receiving wirelessly transmitted electromagnetic energy 7 z. B. electromagnetic waves for generating electrical energy in the engine starting device M.

For this purpose, the engine starting device M has an integrated energy generation unit 7a. This can be a receiving coil into which the electromagnetic wave is coupled and a voltage pulse is induced.

Furthermore, an authentication device 8 is provided in the engine starting device M. FIG. This can communicate with an authorization module 8 in the vehicle via a wireless communication channel Ka provided specifically for this purpose.

The authentication device 8 is supplied with power exclusively from the internal power generation unit 7s. For this purpose, the wireless mobile engine starting device 1 must be in an area with a predetermined field strength generated by the transmitter 11 integrated in the vehicle. It is particularly advantageous if the change in field strength changes according to a predetermined pattern, which can also be encoded.

The system architecture can be designed in such a way that the vehicle-side components for data communication are at least partially or completely combined in a communication and control unit, the communication and control unit for this purpose the transmitter 11 for transmitting electromagnetic waves, the transceiver 10 for wireless data communication of data having the mobile engine starting device 1 and the authorization module 14, which evaluates an authorization code received from the engine starting device 1 in order to activate or unlock an engine start function depending thereon.

The arrows between the respective transceivers and the receiving units and the authorization module 14 on the one hand and the authentication device 8 on the other hand represent communication paths which can be implemented using conventional data transmission means.

The implementation of the invention is not limited to the preferred exemplary embodiments specified above. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable which make use of the solution shown even in the case of fundamentally different designs.

Reference List

1

vehicle key

ca

electromagnetic field

4

Receiver unit for wireless energy transmission

5

Transmitting and receiving unit (for wireless communication in the vehicle key)

6

Communication between authentication unit and sending and receiving unit

7

Power transmission from receiving unit for wireless power transmission and authentication unit

8th

authentication unit

9

vehicle

10

Transmitting and receiving unit for wireless communication in the vehicle

11

Transmission unit for wireless energy transmission

12

Communication between authorization unit and sending and receiving unit

13

Energy transmission from authorization unit and transmitter and receiver unit

14

authorization unit

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 2045151 B1 [0002]
• EP 0926022 A1 [0002]
• DE 102011117978 A1 [0004]
• DE 102007027095 A1 [0004]
• DE 102004007721 A9 [0005]
• DE 102005017458 A1 [0005]
• DE 3436761 A [0007]

Claims (11)

Wireless mobile engine starting device (1) for activating the engine of a vehicle (9) with a component carrier (B) in which a transceiver unit (5) for sending and receiving data from and to a transceiver unit (10) in the vehicle ( 9), which is connected to an on-board engine starting device (M), the component carrier also having a receiving device (4) for receiving wirelessly transmitted electromagnetic energy (7) or electromagnetic waves (7) for generating electrical energy by means of an energy generating unit ( 7a) and an authentication device (8) which is designed to communicate with a vehicle-integrated authorization module (8) via a communication channel (Ka), the power supply of the authentication device (8) being supplied with power exclusively by the internal power generation unit (7a). is, at least when the wireless mobile engine starting device (1) in egg NEM area with a predetermined field strength, generated by a vehicle-integrated transmitter (11) of electromagnetic waves. Wireless mobile engine starter (1) after claim 1 , characterized in that it has a means or a transponder which is designed to automatically exchange authentication data by means of the transceiver unit (5) via the communication channel (Ka) with the vehicle-integrated authorization module (8) as soon as the wireless mobile engine starting device (1 ) is in the transmission / reception range to the vehicle's internal authorization module (8). Wireless mobile engine starter (1) after claim 1 , characterized in that the transponder picks up a signal received from the vehicle (9) or the authentication device (8) and automatically answers and/or forwards it. Wireless mobile engine starting device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that an authorization code is transmitted from the transceiver (5) to the authentication device (8) and this is designed to activate the engine start function by means of an actuator, a button, a start button, a switch or a means for starting the engine and / or unlock, so that a vehicle user can only start the engine after activation and / or activation. Wireless mobile engine starting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication channel (Ka) also represents the channel for transmission of the electromagnetic waves to the receiving device (4) at the same time. System architecture comprising a wireless mobile engine starting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a communication and control unit which is internal to the vehicle or intended for vehicle integration, the communication and control unit (9a), a transmitter (11) for transmitting electromagnetic waves, a transceiver (10 ) for wireless data communication of data with the mobile engine starting device (1) and an authorization module (14) which evaluates an authorization code received from the engine starting device (1) in order to activate or unlock an engine start function depending thereon. System architecture according to claim 6 , characterized in that the authentication device (8) for the authorization check of a received authorization code automatically connects to the wireless mobile engine starting device (1) as soon as the engine starting device (1) is within a defined reception range and/or distance from the transmitter (11) for transmission electromagnetic waves. System architecture according to claim 6 or 7 , characterized in that the communication and control device is located in a vehicle (9) and has an engine start/stop device connected via an activation means. System architecture according to one of Claims 6 until 8th , characterized in that the transmitter (11) for transmitting electromagnetic waves is located in the steering wheel of the vehicle or in a shift knob of the vehicle. System architecture according to one of Claims 6 until 9 , characterized in that the authentication device (8) is only supplied with electrical energy when the engine starting device (1) is in a defined reception area and / or distance from the transmitter (11) for transmitting electromagnetic waves. Method for starting an engine of a vehicle using a system architecture according to one of Claims 6 until 10 with the following steps: a. Arranging the mobile engine starting device (1) in the defined reception area and/or distance from the transmitter (11) in the vehicle (9); b. Generating electrical energy for the authentication device (8) by means of the received electromagnetic waves from the transmitter (11) with the energy generating unit (7a), whereby the authentication device (8) in an active state is brought in which this activates a communication with the mobile engine starting device (1) integrated transceiver (5) and sends data to the vehicle-integrated communication and control device; c. Transmission of an authorization code from the authentication device (8) to the authorization module (14), which carries out an authorization check and, depending on this, activates or unlocks an engine start function, so that a user can start the engine.

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