WO2022265614A2

WO2022265614A2 - Vehicle door emergency opening system

Info

Publication number: WO2022265614A2
Application number: PCT/TR2022/050650
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mahmut Erdal GÜNDÜZ
Original assignee: İstanbul Elektroni̇k Anahtar Ve Güvenli̇k Si̇stemleri̇ Sanayi̇ Ti̇caret Li̇mi̇ted Şi̇rketi̇
Priority date: 2022-05-17
Filing date: 2022-06-24
Publication date: 2022-12-22
Also published as: WO2022265614A3; TR2022008026A2

Abstract

The invention relates to an emergency vehicle door opening system in the field of automotive safety, which enables the vehicle door to be opened safely in the event that the battery in the key fob belonging to the vehicle goes dead.

Description

VEHICLE DOOR EMERGENCY OPENING SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a vehicle door emergency opening system which allows the vehicle door to be opened safely in the event that the battery in the key fob belonging to the vehicle goes dead. STATE OF THE ART

The central locking system allows the vehicle doors and luggage compartment to be locked and unlocked. This system is activated either via the door locks or with remote control. Car keys with remote control enable this operation without direct contact with the vehicle. Some vehicle keys on the other hand are integrated into a single lock of the vehicle, providing general locking or unlocking by way of said lock. Vehicles with central locking usually have only one lock. Locking systems with infrared technology detect the infrared receiver at a certain distance from the vehicle and carry out the locking process through a detection system provided in the vehicle. This can be done in the same way and from certain distances also in locking systems with remote control. In addition, window lifters and sliding roofs can also be operated with a remote control.

The new vehicle models are not equipped with a visible lock, whereas it is possible to reach the central locking system with a single button. On some vehicle models, the central locking system is activated automatically when the speed falls below a certain limit. This aims to prevent the doors from being opened from outside and unpleasant situations occurring, for example when stopping at traffic lights. Unlocking is effected by removing the ignition key or pulling on one of the inner door handles.

In the event of an accident, the central locking systems of the vehicles are unlocked automatically thanks to the crash sensor. Usually, the central locking system is coupled with the immobiliser. When central locking system and immobiliser are activated or deactivated, a warning is given by either an acoustic signal, warning lights or the headlights lighting up, depending on the vehicle model. As the remote controls allow operation with the existing keys, repeated operation can take place when trials are made during change of battery. This operation is performed with a single unlocking and locking operation by inserting the ignition key into its slot. Central locking can also be effected from inside the vehicle. To this end, one can perform unlocking from inside by pulling the vehicle handle and activate the central locking by pressing on the same.

In prior art systems, vehicle owners can open the vehicle doors by pressing the unlock button on the key fob to enter their vehicle from outside or, if the vehicle has keyless entry function, they can open the vehicle doors using a sensor or button on the door handle, in both cases disabling the alarm so that it can not sound. In cases where the battery of the key fob runs out, the vehicle doors can be opened by inserting the metal key attached to the key fob into the mechanical lock, which is either hidden or visible on the door handle, and turning it. In this case, however, the alarm stays active and the siren sounds. Upon entering the vehicle, the siren continues to sound until the vehicle is started. This represents another problem in prior art.

Some of the sources mentioned in the prior art are: https://www. youtube. com/watch?v=a8LMkP5FoDM https://www. youtube. com/watch?v=QPGSb9BenrO

The prior art document titled "Method to Lock, Unlock and Start a Vehicle" with publication number US10596995B2 relates to a method for locking, unlocking and starting a vehicle without using an electronic key fob. According to the disclosure, when the car is locked, the automatic car start function is blocked without actively using the key. Here it's stated in summary: "When the car is securely unlocked against relay station attacks, it is possible to start the car without actively using the key."

Therefore, the need to eliminate the disadvantages of the existing applications currently used in prior art calls for an improvement in the relevant technical field.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an vehicle door emergency opening system, which enables the vehicle door to be opened safely in the event of a dead battery in the vehicle key fob, thereby eliminating the above-mentioned disadvantages and bringing new advantages to the relevant technical field in the field of automotive safety.

The object of the invention is to enable the vehicle door to be opened safely (using the electronic authentication method applied when starting the vehicle) with the help of an electronic antenna circuit to be installed on the outer surface of the vehicle (about the door handle), without the mechanical lock and metal key of the vehicle being used and without a key fob battery being required, and thus to enable the vehicle owner to open the vehicle door without activating the vehicle alarm, if present, and without compromising security in case of emergency.

Parts to be used for this solution are;

• "125 Khz emergency entry antenna" to be installed on the outer surface of the vehicle (inside the door handle), · "Emergency entry release button" and

• the vehicle key fob with a dead battery.

Thanks to the invention, the doors can be opened and locked via electronic security, even if the battery of the vehicle key fob goes dead. When the vehicle door is opened mechanically, the alarm will always be activated since the alarm system cannot detect whether it is opened by an authorised person (with the metal key of the vehicle) or by an unauthorised person (using tools such as lock picks etc.) With this inventive system developed, since a key fob electronically programmed to the vehicle will be used, the alarm will always detect it as an authorised attempt and therefore will not be activated. This in turn will ensure that the alarm will not be activated when the authorised person wants to enter the vehicle in an emergency at inappropriate hours.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention, briefly summarised above and discussed in more detail below, may be understood by reference to the exemplary embodiments of the invention described in the accompanying drawings. It should be noted, however, that the accompanying drawings depict only typical embodiments of the present invention and therefore cannot be assumed to limit the scope of the invention, since the invention may allow for other equally effective embodiments. Figure-1 : A general schematic view of the invention.

For ease of understanding, identical reference numbers have been used, where possible, to indicate identical elements common to the figures. The figures are not drawn to scale and can be simplified for clarity. It is to be understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be expediently incorporated into other embodiments without the need for further explanation.

Detailed Explanation of Drawings The meanings of the reference numbers shown in the figures are given below.

1. Emergency entry release button

2. Emergency entry antenna

3. BCM module

4. Key fob

5. Low frequency antenna

6. Immobilizer antenna 7. Start/stop button

8. Radio frequency receiver

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the preferred alternatives of the embodiment of the emergency vehicle door opening system, being the subject matter of the invention, are explained only for a better understanding of the subject matter and without any limiting effect whatsoever.

The invention is an emergency vehicle door opening system, which, as shown in Fig. 1, comprises an emergency entry release button (1), an emergency entry antenna (2), a BCM module (3), a key fob (4), a low frequency antenna (5), an immobiliser antenna (6), a start/stop button (7) and a high frequency receiver (8).

The emergency entry release button (1) is the key that operates according to on- off logic and starts the door opening process from outside the vehicle. When this button is pressed, the vehicle controls whether there is an associated key fob (4) present in the immediate proximity and, if yes, releases the locks and allows opening of the doors. If the battery in vehicle's key fob is dead, the vehicle cannot detect the key in current systems and thus will not allow the vehicle to be opened electronically; only the mechanical key allows the vehicle to be unlocked. Now this problem has been overcome. The emergency entry antenna (2) is implemented as 125 Khz. It is the electronic circuit that contains the coil winding, which, when the emergency entry release button (1) is pressed, energises the transponder in the key fob (4) of the vehicle with the magnetic field it emits and enables communication with the BCM module (3) on the vehicle.

BCM module (3) is the body control module. It is the name given to the main control module where all the vehicle's electronic controls, with the exception of the engine, are performed, and may also be referred to by different names in different vehicles. It is located inside the vehicle.

The key fob (4) is a product which is previously introduced to the vehicle (ex- factory or programmed afterwards) and used to open and close the vehicle doors and to start the vehicle.

The low frequency antenna (5) is the antenna which detects that the key fob (4) is inside the car and enables the car to be started when entered into the car with the key fob (4) in hand and the start/stop button (7) is pressed.

Immobiliser antenna (6) is the component, where the key fob (4) can be plugged into the socket and operated without battery when in the car, if the battery of the key fob (4) has gone dead. The immobiliser antenna (6) is the component that transmits the energy received from the vehicle battery to the key fob (4) inserted into the socket with its battery depleted and starts the vehicle following a safety query which is carried out when the start/stop button (7) is pressed.

Start/stop button (7) is the component that allows the immobiliser antenna (6) to check whether there is a key fob (4) of the vehicle present inside the vehicle, when the vehicle owner presses the start/stop button (7) while he/she is in the vehicle, and if yes, to start the vehicle and if not, to sustain the non-operation status. In the framework of invention the radio frequency receiver (8) is implemented as 433 Mhz. It is the receiver module or circuit on the vehicle that enables the key fob (4) outside the vehicle to open or close the doors when the buttons thereon are pressed. This module also serves the communication between the key fob (4) and the vehicle when the emergency entry release button (1) is pressed.

While the vehicle owner is outside the vehicle, if he/she presses the emergency entry release button (1) as he/she holds the key fob (4) with a dead battery in a proximity of 1-2 cm to the 125 Khz emergency entry antenna (2), the BCM module (3) on the vehicle detects whether the key fob (4) of the vehicle is outside the vehicle by performing a querry via the 433 Mhz radio frequency receiver (8) module or circuit. If the battery of the key fob (4) is operational, the system works normally and allows the vehicle door to be opened. However, if the battery of the vehicle key fob (4) is dead, then the BCM module (3) checks if there is a vehicle- associated key fob (4) positioned in the proximity (1-2 cm) of 125 Khz emergency entry antenna (2), manufactured according to our (applicants') design and fitted aesthetically on the exterior surface of the vehicle, by means of the magnetic field emitted by the latter. Energised by this emitted magnetic field, the key fob (4) begins to communicate with the vehicle's BCM module (3) without the need for an external power supply (key fob battery) to the integrated transponder security circuit therein. When it detects such a key fob (4), it transmits to the BCM module (3) the confirmation command that allows the vehicle door to be opened after required security steps are implemented following an authentication using high- security algorithms, upon which the BCM module (3) transmits the door opening command to the door lock actuators and the door locks, and enables opening. Since the door is opened after all security algorithms are passed, an alarm that is possibly found on the vehicle can also be deactivated by the BCM module (3). The next steps (starting the vehicle, etc.) proceed as usual. During all these operations, the electrical energy required at the vehicle is provided from the vehicle battery.

Put in other words, the invention can also be explained as follows. In the event that the battery of the key fob (4) is depleted, the steps to be performed can be summarised as follows:

1- The key fob (4) is placed within no more than a few centimetres (preferably 1-2 cm) away from the 125 kHz emergency entry antenna (2), which is provided near the door handle. If the distance to the 125 kHz emergency entry antenna (2) is too big, the transponder in the key fob cannot be powered and/or data cannot be properly received and transmitted during communication. 2- By means of a sensor on the door handle or by pressing the emergency entry release button (1), the communication steps between the vehicle and the remote key fob (4) are started.

3- As a result of detection by means of the sensor or pressing the emergency entry reelase button (1), the BCM module (3) in the vehicle activates the 125 kHz emergency entry antenna (2) provided near the door handle.

4- The integrated security circuit in the key fob (4) located in the proximity of the 125 kHz emergency entry antenna (2) is activated by means the magnetic field emitted by the 125 kHz emergency entry antenna (2).

5- The integrated security circuit in the key fob (4) and the BCM module (3), which is the unit that carries out the authentication in the vehicle, have the same type of symmetric encryption security algorithm and security encryption. In this way, the BCM module (3) and the key fob (4) start to communicate in an encrypted manner.

6- As a result of the communication, the BCM module (3) in the vehicle confirms that the key fob (4) is a device associated with the vehicle and opens the doors by sending a signal to the central locking actuators. Otherwise, the BCM module (3) takes no action and the vehicle doors remain locked; the alarm remains active although it does not sound.

The only ground for the system provided in this patent application to start operating is that the battery in the vehicle-associated key fob goes dead or becomes inoperable. This is a very key aspect that distinguishes the system from those in other patent documents.

Claims

1- The invention relates to an vehicle door emergency opening system in the field of automotive safety, which enables the vehicle door to be opened safely in the event that the battery in the key fob of the vehicle goes dead, characterized by;

- a key fob (4), which is preferably placed within not more than 5 cm away from the 125 Khz emergency entry antenna (2) provided near the door handle, - a sensor on the door handle or an emergency entry release button (1) which, when pressed, initiates the communication steps between the vehicle and the key fob (4),

- BCM module (3) provided in the vehicle, which powers the 125 Khz emergency entry antenna (2) provided near the door handle as a result of a detection by the sensor or pressing the emergency entry release button (1 ),

- 125 Khz emergency entry antenna (2), which prowers the integrated security circuit in the key fob (4) placed in the proximity of the 125 Khz emergency entry antenna (2) by means of the magnetic field it emits. 2- The invention relates to a BCM module (3) of claim 1 , characterised in that it sends a signal to the central locking actuators to open the doors, based on the the presence of a key fob (4) having the same type of asymmetric encrypted security algorithm and security encryption.