JP2001132289A - Electronic key apparatus for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic key apparatus for a vehicle, which ensures high theft preventive performance, and does not damage operability thereof. SOLUTION: There is provided an electronic key apparatus for a vehicle, which is constructed by carrying out electrical code matching between a coil antenna 11 of a receiver 2 and a transponder 3 of a transmitter 1 when the transmitter 1 is inserted into a slot 9 formed in the receiver 2, and activating a predetermined electric circuit in response to validation of the matching of the codes. In this electronic key apparatus, when arrival of the transmitter at a first location in the slot is detected by a first micro-switch 13a, an accessory circuit Acc is turned on. Thereafter, when arrival of the transmitter at a second location in the slot is detected by a second micro-switch 13b, an ignition circuit Ign is turned on provided that the codes are matched to each other, and at the same time activation of a starter motor ST is made feasible. Thus, only by inserting the transmitter into the slot and pressing a push button once, the engine of a vehicle can be started, which leads to quick starting of the engine.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicular electronic key device and, more particularly, to verifying an electrical code between a receiver and a transmitter when a transmitter is inserted into a slot provided in the receiver. The present invention relates to a vehicular electronic key device that activates a predetermined electric circuit based on the result.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to start an engine of a vehicle, it is common to insert a mechanical key and use a rotary switch that can be rotated when the key matches. However, since a simple mechanical key can be picked (illegally unlocked), there is no problem in terms of anti-theft property.

[0003] To improve theft protection, the present applicant automatically inserts a transmission unit into a slot provided in an instrument panel, an electric code is automatically transmitted, and the signal is transmitted to the instrument panel. If the code matches the code stored in the built-in reception control unit, A
A system that enables push button operations such as CC, ON, and START has already been proposed (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-156486).
Reference).

[0004]

However, in this technique, since the circuit configuration connected to the contacts of the conventional rotary switch is directly followed, the ACC, ON, START and ACC signals are inserted after the transmission unit is inserted into the slot. The engine will not start unless the push buttons are pressed in order. With a rotary switch, the contacts can be sequentially closed in one stroke, but in this case, three push buttons must be pressed, and the operation is complicated.

[0005] The present invention has been devised to solve such problems of the prior art, and its main objects are as follows.
An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular electronic key device configured to ensure high antitheft property and not to impair operability.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a transmitter (1) is inserted into a slot (9) provided on a receiver (2) side. An electronic key for a vehicle which performs an electrical code collation between the receiver (the coil antenna 11 thereof) and the transmitter (the transponder 3 thereof), and activates a predetermined electric circuit when the collation matches. When the first detecting means (first micro switch 13a) detects that the transmitter has reached the first position in the slot, the accessory circuit (Ac)
c) is turned on, and when the second detecting means (second micro switch 13b) detects that the transmitter has reached the second position in the slot, the ignition circuit (Ign) is turned on on condition that the codes match. The starter motor (ST) can be activated (by operating the push button 10).

According to this, the engine can be started only by inserting the transmitter into the slot and pressing the push button once.
Quick engine start is possible.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above, two depressions (5a and 5b) are arranged in the transmitter along the insertion direction, and a locking member (click) provided in a slot is provided. The spring 12) and these recesses cooperate to provide a sense of moderation at the two positions and are electrically actuated to engage with one of the recesses of the transmitter (lock solenoid 15 and lock solenoid 15). A lock pin 14) is provided in the slot, and this engagement means is activated during operation of the engine,
When the engine stops, its operation stops.

With these features, the operation can be performed reliably, the transmitter does not come off during traveling, and the moderation imparting mechanism and the in-slot holding mechanism of the transmitter can be partially used.
The structure can be simplified.

Further, in the third aspect of the present invention, the transmitter is provided with a holding / accommodating portion (7) for a mechanical key (6), so that the mechanical key (6) can be used with a mechanical key on the condition of failure. It is now possible to respond.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a transmitter 1 of an electronic key device to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 shows a receiver 2, and FIG. 3 shows a schematic block diagram relating to control. This electronic key device determines whether or not the user is correct by transmitting and receiving an electric code signal between the transmitter 1 and the receiver 2, and when it is determined that the user is a valid user, the steering lock actuator is used. And an engine control circuit such as an ignition system and a fuel supply system, that is, an ignition circuit Ign
And has a function of giving an operation permission signal to the device.

The transmitter 1 includes a code signal transmission circuit sealed in a glass tube whose both ends are rounded, and a transponder 3 for performing electromagnetic coupling with a coil antenna on the receiver side, A flat, synthetic resin case with a transmission circuit, transmission antenna, and battery (not shown) that emits a unique entry code for a keyless entry system that locks and unlocks the door by remote control. Built in. And on the outer surface of the transmitter 1,
A push button 4 for transmitting an entry code is provided, and by pressing the push button 4, an entry code signal is transmitted,
In response, the door is locked and unlocked. In addition, this keyless entry system itself can apply a well-known technique as it is.

On both sides of the transmitter 1, two pairs of recesses 5a and 5b are arranged in a row along the direction of insertion of the transmitter 1 into the slot so that the tip of a click spring described later is locked. The depressions 5a and 5b are formed on both side surfaces, so that there is no distinction between the front and back surfaces, so that the insertion direction can be selected.

The transmitter 1 is provided with a holding portion 7 for a mechanical key 6, which normally operates a door lock and an engine control circuit with an electronic key. However, in the event of a system failure, it can be used only at the time of failure. To the cylinder lock
A mechanical key 6 can be used.

The front panel 8 of the receiver 2 is provided with a slot 9 for receiving the transmitter 1 and a push button 10 for giving a start command to the starter motor ST and an engine stop command.

A coil antenna 11 for transmitting and receiving a code signal to and from the transponder 3 built in the transmitter 1 is provided around the insertion opening side of the slot 9 so as to surround the slot 9. . In the slot 9, the depressions 5 a and 5 b of the transmitter 1 are locked to give a sense of moderation to the insertion position of the transmitter 1, and to detect that the transmitter 1 has been inserted. And a lock solenoid 15 for driving a lock pin 14 that is detachable from the transmitter 1 so as to prohibit and allow the removal of the transmitter 1 from the slot 9. . These coil antenna 11, micro switches 13a and 13b, and lock solenoid 1
5 are connected to a control circuit 16 built in the receiver 2, respectively. The receiver 2 also has a built-in control circuit 17 for a keyless entry system.

Next, the operation of the apparatus will be described.

When the driver gets on the vehicle and unlocks the steering lock and starts the engine, first, the transmitter 1 is inserted into the slot 9 of the receiver 2. Then, the first dent 5a on the side surface of the transmitter 1 is locked by the click spring 12 to generate a first-stage click feeling, and the first microswitch 13a detects the insertion of the first stage to access the accessory circuit Acc. Turn on. At the same time, communication of radio signals is performed between the transponder 3 of the transmitter 1 and the coil antenna 11 of the receiver 2. That is, when a unique code signal is transmitted from the transponder 3 due to electromagnetic coupling between the transponder 3 and the coil antenna 11, the code signal is received by the coil antenna 11 and compared with the code stored in the control circuit 16. Is done.

Here, if the codes match each other,
It is determined that the transmitter is a legitimate transmitter, and the steering lock actuator SL is unlocked.

Next, when the transmitter 1 is further pushed into the slot 9, the second recess 5b is locked by the click spring 12, and the second micro switch 13b is turned on by the transmitter 1.
Detects the completion of insertion. At the same time, whether or not the steering lock has been unlocked is actually determined based on the output of a required sensor, and when it is confirmed that the steering lock has been completely unlocked, the ignition circuit Ign
Turn on. When the push button 10 provided on the front panel 8 of the receiver 2 is pressed in this state, the voltage of the battery is applied to the starter motor ST, and the engine starts. When the complete explosion of the engine is detected, the lock solenoid 15 is operated, and the lock pin 14 is inserted into the first recess 5 a of the transmitter 1 to prevent the transmitter 1 from coming out of the slot 9.

When stopping the engine, pressing the push button 10 again turns off the ignition circuit Ign and stops the engine. At the same time, the lock solenoid 15 is released under the condition that the shift lever is at the parking position, the lock pin 14 is retracted, and the transmitter 1 can be removed from the slot 9. First and second microswitches 13a and 13 indicate that transmitter 1 has been removed from slot 9.
If confirmed in b, the steering lock actuator SL is operated to lock the steering lock.

[0023]

As described above, according to claim 1 of the present invention,
Since the engine can be started only by pushing the push button once after inserting the transmitter, the engine can be started quickly.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above, a depression provided in the transmitter is engaged with a click spring provided in the slot so that a sense of moderation is generated at a specified insertion position. The lock pin is engaged with the depression of the transmitter while the engine is running, and the engagement is released when the engine stops, so the operation can be performed reliably, and the transmitter will not come off during traveling, and Since the moderation imparting mechanism and the in-slot holding mechanism of the transmitter can be partially used, the structure can be simplified. Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the holding portion for the mechanical key is provided, the door lock and the engine control circuit are usually operated with the electronic key, but can be used only when the system fails. It is possible to respond to the cylinder lock with a mechanical key.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a transmitter.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the receiver with a part cut away.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram relating to control of the device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Transmitter 2 Receiver 3 Transponder 5a / 5b Depression 6 Mechanical key 7 Holding / accommodating part 9 Slot 10 Push button 11 Coil antenna 12 Click spring 13a 1st micro switch 13b 2nd micro switch 14 Lock pin 15 Lock solenoid Acc Accessory circuit Ign ignition circuit ST starter motor

Claims (3)

[Claims] When a transmitter is inserted into a slot provided on a receiver side, an electrical code is collated between the receiver and the transmitter, and when the collations match, a predetermined electric circuit is activated. An electronic key device for a vehicle, comprising: a first detection unit configured to detect that a transmitter has reached a first position in the slot; and a transmitter having reached a second position in the slot. A second detecting means for detecting is provided in the slot, an accessory circuit is turned on when the first detecting means is operated, and an ignition circuit is turned on on condition of collation matching of the code when the second detecting means is operated thereafter. An electronic key device for a vehicle, wherein the starter motor can be started. 2. The transmitter has two depressions arranged in a row along the insertion direction, and a locking member for generating a sense of moderation at two positions in cooperation with these depressions is provided. Engaging means is provided in the slot and electrically actuated to engage one of the two recesses in the slot, the engaging means being activated during operation of the engine and being activated when the engine is stopped. The electronic key device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the operation stops. 3. The electronic key device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter includes a mechanical key holding / accommodating portion.