EP0809743B2 - Electronic key - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an electronic key for actuating a lock with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

In particular, in motor vehicles, the doors are often equipped with a central locking, the locks of the doors to increase comfort by means of an electronic key via infrared or Hf radiation can be operated remotely. In most cases, a car door is provided with an additional mechanical lock to the door opening, which is actuated by means of an additional mechanical key. This ensures that at least one lock to the door opening is also operable if the electronic key fails, for example, when empty energy storage.

In such electronic keys, it is now known to use the emergency key for the mechanical lock serving additional key bit on the housing of the key. So that the additional key bit does not interfere with general operation, it is pivotally mounted on the housing, so that it can be folded into the housing.

These known electronic keys were in an earlier patent application of the applicant DE 44 44 913 A1 (Publication on 22.06.95) provided with widening functions by the key was used in addition to the operation of the ignition in the vehicle. In the ignition of the key is secured during operation of the motor vehicle against accidental removal.

From the publication DE-U-87 13 501 An electronic key for actuating a lock has become known according to the preamble of claim 1. This electronic key is used in locking systems in motor vehicles, namely for opening and closing vehicle locks and for actuating the starter of an engine. An additional mechanical key bit for actuating a mechanical ignition lock is arranged on the housing of the electronic key. This key is therefore divided into its functions with the electronic functions for opening and closing the vehicle locks and the conventional mechanical operation of a mechanical ignition by means of a corresponding mechanical key.

From the still known document DE 38 42 790 C1 For example, a device constructed identically according to the electronic key described above has become known. Again, a mechanical flat key is used to operate a mechanical ignition, while the electronic remote control is used only for operating the vehicle doors. Finally it will be on the U.S. Patent 3,605,464 referenced, which discloses a key housing with integrated mechanical key, wherein the housing comprises a spring plate by means of which can be moved out key blade, which is wedge-shaped in its front part and serves to receive a mechanical key. However, the removable key plate is designed only as a sheath and receptacle for the mechanical key and has no function in the sense of a Schließmechanismusses. Furthermore, this document contains no reference to an electronic operation of a lock.

The invention has for its object to provide an electronic key, which also additionally has a mechanical key bit, in which the key housing is easy to use and visually appealing and has over a mechanical key to operate a mechanical lock extended functionality.

This object is solved by the features of patent claim 1.

In the key according to the invention, the position of the active part of the electronic key in Indiehandnehmen is immediately haptically identifiable. The key is visually very appealing. It can be constructed with a small thickness, in particular if the mechanical key is installed edgewise in the housing. The key according to the invention has large, uninterrupted surfaces on the side and thus has few or no sharp edges, so that it is no risk of damage for jacket pockets, etc. On these surfaces, different sized controls and their handling icons can be clearly displayed. To better locate the individual controls in the dark, markers between the controls, e.g. Webs, grooves or the like. Be provided on the housing surface. Also, display elements and adjustment elements for storing information on the side surfaces can be accommodated. Further embodiments and advantages will become apparent from the description of exemplary embodiments and the dependent claims.

Reference to the drawings, various embodiments of the electronic key according to the invention will be explained.

Fig. 1

einen erfindungsgemäßen Schlüssel in perspektivischer Darstellung

Fig. 2

eine Aufsicht auf die Rückseite des elektronischen Schlüssels

Fig. 3 und Fig. 4

perspektivische Darstellungen weiterer Ausbildungen, wobei Fig. 3 nicht erfindungszugehörig ist.

Fig. 5 und Fig. 6

Teildarstellungen von Schnitten durch das Gehäuses des elektronischen Schlüssels.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a key according to the invention in a perspective view

Fig. 2

a view of the back of the electronic key

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4

perspective views of further training, wherein Fig. 3 does not belong to the invention.

Fig. 5 and Fig. 6

Partial views of sections through the housing of the electronic key.

In Fig. 1 1 shows the housing of the electronic key. It is wedge-shaped. The right narrow end 2 of the wedge is inserted into the lock to be operated, for example in the ignition of a vehicle. It recognizes the low compared to the other dimensions and thus when wearing pleasant impacting thickness of the housing.

The housing 1 contains a printed circuit board, not shown. On this circuit board is an electronic circuit, which is designed for example as an integrated circuit. This electronic circuit is powered by an energy storage, such as a battery or a rechargeable battery, and is used to operate the electronic key. On the front side 2 of the housing 1, a transmitting element and a receiving element are arranged.

The transmitting element and the receiving element can work by means of infrared radiation, Hf radiation or the like. Upon actuation, e.g. a pushbutton 3, a code is generated in the electronic circuit of the key, which is emitted via the transmitting element in the manner of a unidirectional communication. This code is received by a corresponding receiver on the motor vehicle, decrypted and analyzed the user authorization. If the user authorization is correct, the corresponding function is performed on the central locking of the door locks.

If the key is in the ignition lock of the motor vehicle, a code, for example in the form of a bidirectional communication, is exchanged via the transmitting element and the receiving element with corresponding transmitting and receiving elements of the ignition lock. In this case, in turn, the user authorization is analyzed and with the right key can operate the ignition, for example, turn in the usual way, and there is the commissioning of the motor vehicle.

In the following, the bidirectional communication between the key and the ignition lock and the unidirectional communication between the key and the door locks will be explained in more detail.

For the bidirectional communication between the key and the ignition lock a unique identifier for the respective motor vehicle is stored as an individual identifier in the electronic circuit of the key. This individual identifier can be, for example, a unique number assigned by the motor vehicle manufacturer. The same individual identifier is also stored in the ignition. If the key is inserted in the ignition, an identification of the individual identifier is performed.

For this purpose, a random number is first determined by means of a random number generator in the ignition and stored in the ignition. From this code, a code is formed in the electronics of the ignition using a predetermined algorithm, which is transmitted as a second operating signal from the transmitting element of the ignition on the receiving element of the key. This recorded by the receiving element of the key second operating signal is decrypted in the electronic circuit of the key based on the algorithm in the code. This code as well as the stored in the electronic circuit of the key individual identifier are now used to form a coded first operating signal in the electronic circuit of the key based on the specified algorithm. At the same time, the code is stored in the electronic circuit of the key. This first operating signal is then transmitted from the transmitting element of the key to the ignition lock.
Thereafter, the first operating signal in the electronic circuit of the ignition lock is decrypted according to the specified algorithm, resulting in a determined index and a determined individual identifier result.

Subsequently, a comparison of the determined individual identifier and determined characteristic number with the individual identifier and code stored in the ignition lock. If this comparison is positive, i. if it is the right individual identifier and key figure, the user authorization is given. This is e.g. the immobilizer lifted and the vehicle put into operation.

For unidirectional communication between key and door locks from a few meters distance, e.g. triggered by pressing the button 3 from the individual identifier stored in the electronic circuit of the key and the code, which was determined during the last start in the random number generator of the ignition and also stored in the electronic circuit of the key, based on a fixed algorithm, a third operating signal and formed Posted. The recorded by the receiver on the motor vehicle third operating signal is an electronic, such as those in the ignition, forwarded and decrypted there by means of the stored code and the specified algorithm. The result of the decryption results in a determined individual identifier. The determined individual identifier is compared with the individual identifier stored in the electronics and in the case of a match unlocking or locking the central locking is triggered.

Here is done to simplify the effort in the remote control of the central locking only a unidirectional communication from the key to a corresponding receiver on the vehicle. Nevertheless, it is Also for this purpose a safe in terms of the theft protection bidirectional communication in an analogous manner as possible between key and ignition. The key can also be used to open the garage door or the front door, if their locks are designed accordingly.

In Fig. 1 are even more pushbuttons 4 and 5 and a slide switch 6 for triggering other operating functions, eg to trigger an alarm provided. With appropriate equipment of the vehicle, a radio alert may also include the location of the vehicle.

The housing 1 also contains a slide key, which is accommodated in a receptacle 7 at the upper part of the housing 1. He can be pushed out with an operating lever 8 from the receptacle 7 to the right. The housing 1 contains at the top a slot 9 for the actuating lever 8. The slot 9 may have an elastic lip which normally seals it, but escapes upon displacement of the sliding key the actuating lever.

The housing contains at the two end positions of the key stops and notches to secure the mechanical key.

The housing 1 is rounded at the left wide end to avoid sharp edges and to make the shape more appealing. The lever 8 includes an opening 10 for attaching the removed (separated) mechanical key to a keychain. The housing 1 may have an eyelet to hang or hang the entire key can.
In Fig. 1 Display elements 12 are still drawn to indicate any conditions of the system (eg, battery charge or location). With an actuating knob 11, a movable stop can be removed to remove the key from the receptacle 7 can. This is particularly in training of the key including a remote control of interest, because in this case the mechanical key, which is also suitable for locking the trunk, can be taken by the driver, while the workshop or porter the electronic key to move the Vehicle reserves.

Fig. 2 shows the back of the key housing 1. Here are two provided with symbols (numerals, letters) turntables 13 and 14 housed under the housing surface. At points 15, the turntables come out and are there by hand rotatable. On windows 16, the set icons are recognizable. You can eg mark the parking lot number or the room number of the hotel.
The case is designed in appropriate colors and is supplied for example for ladies and gentlemen in different colors. The housing is preferably formed in two parts. When training as a sliding key when inserting the key in the ignition of the mechanical key is pushed to its original position, if he is not already there.

In Fig. 3 a wedge key is shown in which the mechanical key 20 is hingedly connected to the housing 21.

Fig. 4 again shows a wedge key with a mechanical key, which is designed as a sliding key. Here, the slide key is arranged edgewise in the housing, which can be seen on the correspondingly formed receptacle 23. This solution allows a very thin design of the housing. It is particularly applicable to electronic keys that do not include a remote control, therefore need not own power source (battery) (when used as an ignition key, the energy is transferred from the lock to the key) and in which therefore on the active narrow side 24, the space for such an arrangement of the mechanical key is present.

From the sectional drawing of Fig. 5 which forms part of a section through the housing 1 of the Fig. 1 shows along the slot 9, the detent for the mechanical key 25 and the possibility for its removal from the recording can be detected. In the position shown, the actuating lever 26 is engaged in a recess and thus the mechanical key 25 is locked. If the key is pushed out of its receptacle to the right, the actuating lever 26 is rotated upward until a spring-loaded ball 28 engages in the recess 29. Then, the mechanical key 25 can be moved by means of the actuating lever 26 to the right to a stop and another detent. If, on the other hand, the key 25 is to be removed completely from the housing 30, a stop 31 is pulled by means of a knob 32 against the force of a spring 33 downwards. The mechanical key can now be pulled out to the left. The operating lever 26 may be made of high-strength plastic. With a key ring 34 is indicated, on which the electronic key in total or even the mechanical key can be moored.

In the embodiment of Fig. 6 again a part of the mechanical key 35 is shown with its actuating lever 36. Again, a sliding stop 37 is provided. The detent is realized by a bulge 38 on the actuating lever 36 and a recess in the housing 39. Through the recess 40 made of plastic operating lever 36 is resiliently yielding at this point, so that the bulge 38 can be pushed out of the recess.

Claims (16)

1. Electronic key for actuating a lock, such as an ignition lock, in particular for use in locking systems in motor vehicles, with a housing (1, 21, 22, 30) which has a narrow thickness and large side faces, which housing contains the components of the electronic key for actuating the lock, wherein the housing (1, 21, 22, 30) in plan view of the side faces from one broad end to an opposite narrow end (2, 24) has the shape of a thin wedge, and wherein the parts for actuating the key electronically, such as the transmitter and if necessary receiver, are contained in the narrow end (2, 24) of the housing (1, 21, 22, 30), characterised in that in plan view on the side face a dual-sided wedge shape is provided, in that the narrow end (2, 24) of the housing (1, 21, 22, 30) is designed for inserting into the lock, and in that the housing (1, 21, 22, 30) comprises a socket (7, 23) for a mechanical key (25) with a key bit for a mechanical lock, wherein the mechanical key (25) can be displaced longitudinally in the socket (7, 23).
2. Key according to claim 1, characterised in that the key bit is provided with a grip part (8) and the mechanical key (25, 35) designed in this way can be removed from the socket (7).
3. Key according to claim 1, characterised in that the key bit can be pushed out of the narrow side (2) of the wedge-shaped housing (1).
4. Key according to claim 3, characterised in that the key bit is housed in its socket (23) with its broad side substantially parallel to the side faces of the wedge-shaped housing (22).
5. Key according to claim 1, 3 or 4, characterised in that the housing (30) has stops (31, 37) for the key bit in its end positions.
6. Key according to claim 5, characterised in that one of the stops is designed as a movable stop (31).
7. Key according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that latching devices (27, 38, 39) are provided in which the key bit latches in its end positions.
8. Key according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the housing (1) is rounded at its broad side.
9. Key according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the housing (21, 22) has an eye on its broad side.
10. Key according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that at least one operating element (3 to 5) is placed on at least one side face of the wedge-shaped housing (1) to trigger operating functions.
11. Key according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that at least one operating element (6) is arranged on the broad side of the wedge-shaped housing (1).
12. Key according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that at least one display element (12) is provided on at least one of the side faces of the wedge-shaped housing (1) to indicate status.
13. Key according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that at least one of the operating elements (3) serves to remotely trigger an actuation of the lock.
14. Key according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that one operating element (6) serves to trigger an alarm.
15. Key according to any of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that at least one setting element (13 to 16) is provided on at least one of the side faces of the wedge-shaped housing (1) to store marker data.
16. Key according to any of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that grooves, webs or symbols are arranged between the adjacent operating elements (1 to 5).

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