JP4106524B2 - Antenna unit for vehicle keyless entry - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an antenna unit for keyless entry of a vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When constructing a keyless entry system, as a conventional example in which an antenna and a capacitance sensor 1 are arranged in an outside handle device that is an exposed element from a vehicle body, for example, the one described in JP-T-2001-520337 It has been known. In this conventional example, the capacitance sensor uses an antenna housed inside the handle, or a cover with a conductive plating on the handle and the vehicle body as a detection electrode, and is connected to a gap formed between the antenna and the vehicle body. A change in capacitance due to insertion of a hand is detected, and the antenna is changed to a communication state.
[0003]
These antennas and transmission / reception circuits are laminated and fixed in advance on the component group support, and the desired function can be added to the handle device by fixing the component group support to the handle body.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional example, the antenna is exposed and fixed to the support member of the group of components, so that it is difficult to handle because it is easy to cause breakage, breakage, etc. of conductive wires during parts storage and assembly work. There is a problem that the nature is bad.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described drawbacks, and an object of the present invention is to provide an antenna unit for a keyless entry of a vehicle having good assembly workability.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, the object is
A capacitive sensor 1 that detects the approach or contact of the driver to the vehicle, and an antenna 2 that transitions to a communication state when a capacitance change is detected by the capacitive sensor 1;
The antenna 2 is covered over the entire length by the synthetic resin connecting portion 4,
The detection electrode 3 of the capacitance sensor 1 is configured separately from the antenna 2 and maintains a predetermined positional relationship in an insulated state so that the electrical influence between the antenna 2 and the antenna 2 is constant. This is achieved by providing a vehicle keyless entry antenna unit integrated by the synthetic resin connecting portion 4 .
[0007]
The keyless entry antenna unit A is essential in a keyless entry system that performs ID confirmation from the vehicle side to the driver side by detecting the approach or contact of the driver to the vehicle, and unlocking the door. It is a unit of communication means and proximity sensor or contact detection sensor with the driver's mobile terminal device, and operates as an antenna 2 that constitutes part of the communication means and proximity sensor or contact detection sensor The detection electrode 3 of the electrostatic capacitance sensor 1 is integrated through a synthetic resin connecting portion that covers the antenna 2 over its entire length.
[0008]
By constructing the antenna unit A in which the antenna 2 and the capacitance sensor 1 are integrated, simply connecting an appropriate control circuit to the external connection line 7 drawn from the antenna unit A, the keyless entry system can be easily configured. It becomes possible to add basic functions to desired mechanical parts. Further, since the synthetic resin connecting portion 4 also functions as a covering for the antenna 2 at the same time, the conductive wire 2a of the antenna 2 at the time of transportation, storage, or assembly work, or ferrite on which the conductive wire 2a is wound. It is possible to prevent damage to the core 2b made of a ferromagnetic material such as.
[0009]
The antenna unit A can be integrated by, for example, holding the antenna 2 and the detection electrode 3 with a case 4a formed in a predetermined shape in advance and then filling the gap with a sealing resin 4b or the like. If the antenna 2 and the detection electrode 3 are insert-molded when the synthetic resin connecting portion 4 is injection-molded, the manufacturing efficiency is improved.
[0010]
Further, the wiring in the antenna unit A is connected to the antenna 2 and the capacitance sensor 1 individually packaged by a holder or a case in the antenna unit A through the synthetic resin connecting portion 4 as it is, The input / output line from each package may be drawn out as it is, but the substrate housing portion 5 is formed in the synthetic resin connecting portion 4, the wiring pattern in the substrate housing portion 5, and the transmission / reception circuit as desired, or When the capacitance detection circuit of the capacitance sensor 1 is mounted, it is not necessary to package each component, and the cost can be reduced.
[0011]
The above antenna unit A can be accommodated in the handle 8 so that the detection electrode 3 is along the outer shell wall surface of the handle 8 facing the door panel 9 and can be used as a door outside handle device of a vehicle. In order to be incorporated in the outside handle device, the antenna unit A is formed in an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape so that it can be accommodated in the grip portion of the handle 8, and the handle to the handle 8 of the outside handle device in which the antenna unit A is incorporated, Alternatively, when the approach is detected by the detection electrode 3, the antenna 2 transitions to the communication state and performs communication with the portable device of the driver outside the vehicle.
[0012]
In this case, if the antenna unit A is provided with the switch 10 for generating a lock operation signal to the door, the driver can perform the lock operation only by operating the switch 10 when leaving the vehicle. improves.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1 and 2 show an embodiment of the present invention. The outside handle device is formed by attaching a handle 8 to a handle base 11 fixed to a door panel 9 of a vehicle. By rotating the handle 8 around the pivot axis 11a with the handle base 11, the operation unit 12 connected to a door lock device (not shown) arranged inside the door is operated, and the door lock device is released.
[0014]
The handle base 11 is provided with an auxiliary lock 13 and a lock switch 14 that can be operated by a key plate. When the auxiliary lock 13 is operated, the door lock device is locked and unlocked. When the lock switch 14 is pressed, the door lock device is locked. Can be operated.
[0015]
The handle 8 of the handle device is provided with a hinge connecting portion 8b to the handle base 11 at one end and is formed in a longitudinal direction in the vehicle longitudinal direction (vehicle length direction), and an arm portion 8c on which the hinge connecting portion 8b is formed. It has a handle body 8a made of synthetic resin. In almost all areas except the arm portion 8c of the handle body 8a, a concave groove that opens toward the door panel 9 is provided. After the antenna unit A is accommodated in the concave groove, the cover 15 made of synthetic resin is provided. It is blocked by. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 15a denotes a fastener for fixing the cover 15 to the handle body 1c.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 3, the antenna unit A includes a holder 2c at the base end, an antenna 2 in which a conductive wire 2a is wound around a core 2b made of a ferromagnetic material such as ferrite or ceramic, and a capacitance detection circuit. It has a capacitance sensor 1 in which a metal detection electrode 3 such as stainless steel having a plate shape is sealed and sealed from the package 3a, and a case 4a. The case 4a is an injection-molded product made of a cylindrical synthetic resin material with one end opened, and the open end is formed in a wide mouth.
[0017]
The antenna 2 is entirely inserted into the case 4a with the holder 2c positioned on the opening end side, and the capacitance sensor 1 is accommodated in the case 4a with the package 3a superimposed on the holder 2c of the antenna 2. In the accommodated state in the case 4a, the detection electrode 3 of the capacitance sensor 1 protrudes outside the case 4a from the electrode insertion opening 4c opened in the case 4a. Further, the lead wires 16 drawn out from the package 3a and the holder 2c are gathered and drawn out as an external connection line 7 to the outside of the case 4a, and then the case 4a is filled with the sealing resin 4b and solidified.
[0018]
Therefore, in this embodiment, in the antenna unit A, the electrostatic capacitance sensor 1 and the antenna 2 are packaged and integrated by the synthetic resin connecting portion 4 constituted by the case 4a and the sealing resin 4b. Therefore, as described above, after the antenna unit A is fixed to the handle body 8a, the handle 8 can be used as a constituent member of the keyless entry system simply by connecting the external connection line 7 to the control unit inside the vehicle.
[0019]
When a human body approaches the handle 8 or is touched with the hand 8 to open the door with the handle 8 assembled, a change in the capacitance of the detection electrode 3 detects the capacitance in the package 3a. It is detected by a circuit and input to the control unit. The control unit that has received the detection signal drives the communication circuit to emit communication radio waves from the antenna 2 and communicates with the portable terminal device on the driver side, and the identity of the portable terminal device is confirmed to match. And unlocking the locking device. Even if a large force is applied to the handle 8 during the door opening operation, an excessive stress is not generated in the antenna 2 covered with the synthetic resin connecting portion 4. There is no damage. When the driver goes out of the vehicle and presses the lock switch 14 disposed on the handle base 11, the lock device shifts to the locked state.
[0020]
FIG. 4A shows a modification of FIG. In the description of the present modification and the following embodiment, components that are substantially the same as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and description thereof is omitted.
[0021]
This modification shows a case where the lock switch 14 is arranged on the antenna unit A side, and a switch holding portion 4d is formed in the case 4a in advance. The switch 10 that functions as the lock switch 14 is housed in the switch holding portion 4d, and is then fixed to the case 4a with an adhesive or the like. The detection electrode 3 is disposed on the surface.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 4B, the switch 10 can also be constituted by a capacitive touch sensor. In this case, the circuit unit of the touch sensor and the capacitive sensor 1 is packaged in the same package. If the sealing is performed in advance in 3a, molding workability is improved. In FIG. 4B, reference numeral 10a denotes a detection electrode of the touch sensor.
[0023]
FIG. 5 shows still another modification. In this modification, the capacitance sensor 1 and the antenna 2 are not connected via the case 4a, but are set in a molding die and directly insert-molded. The molding synthetic resin functions as the synthetic resin connecting portion 4 by molding, and the antenna unit A is integrated.
[0024]
In addition, when the switch 10 is arranged in the antenna unit A, it is possible to form the switch holding portion 4d shown in FIG. 4A at the time of molding, and fix the switch 10 to the switch holding portion 4d after molding. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5B, a capacitive touch sensor can be used as the switch 10. In this case, if the detection electrode 10a of the touch sensor and the package 3a of the touch sensor are shared, molding workability is improved.
[0025]
FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, in the antenna 2 and the capacitance sensor 1, only the antenna body and the detection electrode 3 of the capacitance sensor 1 are integrated with a synthetic resin for molding without the package 3a and the holder 2c. The At the time of integral molding with the molding resin, a substrate housing portion 5 is formed in the molded portion (synthetic resin coupling portion 4), and the mounting substrate 6 is housed in the substrate housing portion 5.
[0026]
The mounting substrate 6 is electrically connected to the detection electrode 3 and the like via the antenna 2 exposed on the inner wall of the substrate housing portion 5 at the time of molding and the lead portion 17 to the detection electrode 3, and the lead portion 17 of the antenna 2 main body is The external connection line 7 is connected by pattern wiring or the like formed on the mounting substrate 6. As shown in FIG. 6B, the molded portion 4 is formed with a cable lead portion 4 e having a shape in which the wall surface of the substrate housing portion 5 is notched. In addition, a capacitance detection circuit is mounted on the mounting substrate 6, the lead portion 17 of the detection electrode 3 is connected to the input terminal of the capacitance detection circuit, and the external connection line 7 connected to the output terminal side. To the outside of the antenna unit A.
[0027]
The mounting substrate 6 accommodated in the substrate accommodating portion 5 as described above is sealed with the potting resin 18 or the like filled in the substrate accommodating portion 5 to prevent water droplets and dust from adhering to the pattern or the like.
[0028]
In FIG. 6, the case where the capacitance detection circuit is formed on the mounting substrate 6 has been described. However, the mounting substrate 6 is used only as a wiring substrate, and the capacitance detection circuit is disposed in another part. Alternatively, the transmission / reception circuit, and further the entire control unit can be incorporated on the mounting substrate 6.
[0029]
In the figure, the detection electrode 3 is completely covered by the molded part 4, but it can also be exposed from the molded part 4 as shown in FIG. Further, in order to arrange the switch 10 in the antenna unit A, as shown in FIG. 7B, a switch holding portion 4d is formed in the molded portion 4, and the switch 10 is fixed in the switch holding portion 4d. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7C, a capacitive touch sensor can be integrally formed with the molded portion 4. In the modification shown in FIG. 7C, the capacitance detection circuit of the touch sensor is mounted on the mounting substrate 6.
[0030]
In the above description, the antenna unit A is fixed to the handle body 8a by the cover. However, as shown in FIG. 8, the antenna unit A is directly fixed to the handle body 8a, and the synthetic resin connecting portion 4 is connected to the handle 8. The door panel 9 can be exposed to the opposite wall surface.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a vehicle keyless entry antenna unit with good assembly workability.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows a handle device.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a handle.
3A and 3B are diagrams showing an antenna unit, where FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view.
4 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of FIG.
5 is a cross-sectional view showing another modification of FIG. 3. FIG.
6A and 6B are views showing a second embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a substrate housing portion.
7 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a modification of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Capacitance sensor 2 Antenna 3 Detection electrode 4 Synthetic resin connection part 5 Board | substrate accommodating part 6 Mounting board 7 External connection line 8 Handle 9 Door panel 10 Switch A Antenna unit

Claims (5)

A capacitive sensor that detects the approach or contact of the driver to the vehicle, and an antenna that transitions to a communication state when a capacitance change is detected by the capacitive sensor;
The antenna is covered over the entire length by a synthetic resin connecting portion,
The detection electrode of the capacitance sensor is configured separately from the antenna, and is connected to the antenna and the synthetic resin so that a predetermined electrical relationship is maintained and the mutual electrical influence is constant while being insulated. A keyless entry antenna unit for a vehicle that is integrated by a unit. 2. The vehicle keyless entry antenna unit according to claim 1, wherein the detection electrode is formed in a plate shape. 3. The vehicle keyless entry antenna unit according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is formed by winding a conductive wire around a core made of a ferromagnetic material such as ferrite or ceramic . A door outside handle device for a vehicle, wherein the keyless entry antenna unit for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is accommodated in a handle. The door outside handle device for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the detection electrode is accommodated in the handle so as to extend along a wall surface of the handle facing the door panel .

Images