EP1327734B1

EP1327734B1 - Waterproof construction of a remote keyless entry device

Info

Publication number: EP1327734B1
Application number: EP20030000067
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hideki c/o Alps Electric Co. Ltd. Ueno
Original assignee: Alps Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-01-08
Filing date: 2003-01-07
Publication date: 2004-10-06
Anticipated expiration: 2023-01-07
Also published as: JP2003201781A; EP1327734A1; DE60300065T2; DE60300065D1; JP3960804B2

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a waterproof construction of a keyless-entry portable machine suitable for use in automobiles or the like.
The drawings of a waterproof construction of a conventional, keyless-entry portable machine will be explained, Fig. 5 being a cross sectional view showing an outline of the waterproof construction of the conventional, keyless-entry portable machine, and Fig. 6 being a cross sectional view relating to the waterproof construction of the conventional, keyless-entry portable machine and showing an essential part thereof. (see doc. JP 09078907)
Subsequently, an explanation will be given to a configuration of the waterproof construction of the conventional, keyless-entry portable machine with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. A box-shaped lower cover 51 formed from a molding of synthetic resin comprises a bottom wall 51a, an annular side wall 51b extending upward from an outer periphery of the bottom wall 51a, and a storage portion 51c surrounded by the side wall 51b and the bottom wall 51a.
Embedded in and mounted to the lower cover 51 is a key 52, with which a door of an automobile is manually locked or unlocked.
An upper cover 53 formed from a molding of synthetic resin comprises an upper wall 53a, a hole 53b formed on the upper wall 53a, an annular side wall 53c extending downward from an outer periphery of the upper wall 53a, and a storage portion 53d surrounded by the upper wall 53a and the side wall 53c.
And the upper cover 53 and the lower cover 51 are put in a facing state to be combined by a joining means such as screws or the like.
A box-shaped casing 54 formed from a molding of synthetic resin comprises a flat-plate shaped bottom wall 54a, a hole 54b provided in the bottom wall 54a, an annular side wall 54c extending upward from an outer periphery of the bottom wall 54a, a projection 54d for latching provided on an outer periphery of the side wall 54c, a storage portion 54e surrounded by the bottom wall 54a and the side wall 54c, and a partition 54f provided to project toward the storage portion 54e from the bottom wall 54a.
A circuit board 55 formed from a printed board mounts thereon electric parts such as a push type switch 56, or the like, and is disposed in the storage portion 54e while being placed on the partition 54f.
A box-shaped keytop 57 formed from a rubber material comprises a flat-plate shaped upper plate portion 57a, a pressing portion 57b provided to project upward from the upper plate portion 57a, an annular side plate portion 57c extending downward from an outer periphery of the upper plate portion 57a, a latch hole 57d provided on the side plate portion 57c, and an annular flange portion 57e projecting outward from the side plate portion 57c.
And the keytop 57 is positioned in a manner to cover an upper portion of the circuit board 55 and assembled to the casing 54 with the side plate portion 57c fitted onto an outside of the side wall 54c of the casing 54 and the projection 54d latching on the latch hole 57d.
At this time, a lower portion of the pressing portion 57b is put in a state to face a push button 56a of the switch 56.
Also, a button type battery 58 can be mounted in and dismounted from the storage portion 54e through the hole 54b of the casing 54, and when being mounted, the battery 58 is supported by the bottom wall 54a and the circuit board 55.
In this manner, the casing 54 and the keytop 57, in which the circuit board 55 or the like is received, are combined to form an intermediate product S2.
With the intermediate product S2 thus constructed, the hole 54b for mounting and dismounting of the battery 58 is present, so that water easily enters into the storage portion 54e through the hole 54b in the course of transportation of the intermediate product S2, or the like.
Also, such intermediate product S2 is received in the storage portions 51c, 53d in the lower cover 51 and the upper cover 53, the pressing portion 57b projects through the hole 53b, and the flange portion 57e of the keytop 57 is interposed between and supported by an upper end of the side wall 51b of the lower cover 51 and a lower end of the side wall 53c of the upper cover 53.
As a result, the interposed structure of the flange portion 57e puts the storage portion 51c in a closed state to make a waterproof construction of the intermediate product S2 but moisture enters into the storage portion 51c and into the storage portion 54e through the hole 54b of the casing 54 in a state, in which the flange portion 57e is inadequately interposed.
With the keyless-entry portable machine thus constructed, when the pressing portion 57b is pressed, the push button 56a of the switch 56 is operated with the result that a door of an automobile is locked or unlocked.
A waterproof construction of conventional, keyless-entry portable machines involves a problem that moisture is liable to enter into the storage portion 54e through the hole 54b of the casing 54 in the course of transportation of the intermediate product S2, or the like.
Also, there is caused a problem that when the flange portion 57e of the keytop 57 is inadequately interposed between the lower cover 51 and the upper cover 53, moisture also enters into the storage portion 54e through the hole 54b of the casing 54.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Hereupon, the present invention has its object to provide a waterproof construction of a keyless-entry portable machine, which is sure in waterproof.
As a first solving measure for solving the above problem, the invention provides a configuration comprising a lower casing having a bottom wall, a plug loosely fitted into a through hole provided in the bottom wall, a box-shaped keytop formed from a rubber material, a battery, switches and a circuit board received in the keytop, and an upper casing to interpose the keytop between it and the lower casing, the keytop comprising an upper plate portion, an annular side plate portion extending downward from an outer periphery of the upper plate portion, and a cavity surrounded by the upper plate portion and the side plate portion, and wherein when the upper casing and the lower casing are joined together, the upper plate portion is pressed by the upper casing whereby a lower end of the side plate portion is brought into pressure contact with the lower casing and interposed between the upper casing and the lower casing, and an air within the cavity can be discharged from the through hole and when an intermediate product with the upper casing and the lower casing joined is received in a cover, the cover brings the plug into pressure contact with the bottom wall and the plug closes the through hole, whereby the cavity is put in a sealed state.
With such configuration, the through hole of the lower casing is put in a state to be closed by the plug, so that moisture becomes hard to enter into the cavity of the keytop in the course of transportation of an intermediate product with the upper casing and the lower casing joined.
Also, since an air within the cavity can be discharged from the through hole, an air within the cavity is discharged when the keytop is pushed by the upper casing, so that the lower end of the side plate portion is adequately brought into pressure contact with the bottom wall to make closeness between the keytop and the bottom wall favorable.
Also, the plug is caused by the cover to come into pressure contact with the bottom wall and the through hole is fully closed by the plug, whereby the cavity is put in a sealed state to enable assuring waterproofness.
Also, as a second solving measure, the invention provides a configuration, in which a conductive unit is arranged in a position opposed to the through hole in the cavity and a measurement probe inserted into the through hole can contact with the conductive unit.
With such configuration, the through hole can also serve for measurement, and a construction is obtained, which is simple and in which measurement is easy.
Also, as a third solving measure, the invention provides a configuration, in which the upper casing and the lower casing are joined in a snapping manner.
With such configuration, the upper casing and the lower casing are easy to join together, and an operation of holding the keytop and pressing against the bottom wall becomes easy for favorable productivity.
Also, as a fourth solving measure, the invention provides a configuration, in which the circuit board is pushed against and supported on the lower casing by the keytop.
With such configuration, the circuit board is easily supported, and productivity is favorable.
Also, as a fifth solving measure, the invention provides a configuration, in which the plug is formed from a rubber material and can be mounted in and dismounted from the through hole.
With such configuration, the through hole is surely closed by the plug, and when the lower casing and the keytop are again joined at the time of exchange of a battery, an air within the cavity is discharged when the keytop is pushed by the upper casing, so that the lower end of the side plate portion is adequately brought into pressure contact with the bottom wall to make closeness between the keytop and the bottom wall favorable.
Also, as a sixth solving measure, the invention provides a configuration, in which the plug comprises a plate-shaped flange, a neck projecting from the flange, and a spherical-shaped head provided at a tip end of the neck, and the head is latched to the through hole with the flange positioned outside the lower casing.
With such configuration, the plug can be formed in a simple structure and mounting of the plug into the through hole becomes easy.
Also, as a seventh solving measure, the invention provides a configuration, in which the lower casing is provided with a recess to receive the flange.
With such configuration, the plug can be mounted in a compact manner, and the flange can also close the through hole to make closeness of the through hole further sure.
Also, as an eighth solving measure, the invention provides a configuration, in which the cover comprises an upper cover and a lower cover and the upper and lower casings joined are received in the upper and lower covers.
With such configuration, an intermediate product can be made waterproof irrespective of a state, in which the upper cover and the lower cover are clamped, and an assembling work thereof is made simple.
Also, as a ninth solving measure, the invention provides a configuration, in which the lower cover is provided with a projection to press the plug.
With such configuration, the through hole can be closed further surely.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is an exploded, perspective view showing a waterproof construction of a keyless-entry portable machine according to the invention;
Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view showing an essential part of an outline of the waterproof construction of the keyless-entry portable machine according to the invention;
Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view relating to the waterproof construction of the keyless-entry portable machine according to the invention and showing an essential part thereof as exploded;
Fig. 4 is an enlarged, cross sectional view showing an essential part of the waterproof construction of the keyless-entry portable machine according to the invention;
Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view showing an essential part representative of an outline of a waterproof construction of a conventional, keyless-entry portable machine; and
Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view relating to the waterproof construction of the conventional, keyless-entry portable machine and showing an essential part thereof as exploded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A waterproof construction of a keyless-entry portable machine according to the invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is an exploded, perspective view showing the waterproof construction of the keyless-entry portable machine according to the invention, Fig. 2 being a cross sectional view showing an essential part of an outline of the waterproof construction of the keyless-entry portable machine according to the invention, Fig. 3 being a cross sectional view relating to the waterproof construction of the keyless-entry portable machine according to the invention and showing an essential part thereof as exploded, and Fig. 4 being an enlarged, cross sectional view showing an essential part of the waterproof construction of the keyless-entry portable machine according to the invention.
Subsequently, an explanation will be given to a configuration of the waterproof construction of the keyless-entry portable machine of the invention with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. A box-shaped lower cover 1 formed from a molding of synthetic resin comprises a bottom wall 1a, an annular side wall 1b extending upward from an outer periphery of the bottom wall 1a, a storage portion 1c surrounded by the side wall 1b and the bottom wall 1a, and a projection 1d provided to project toward the storage portion 1c from the bottom wall 1a.
Embedded in and mounted to the lower cover 1 is a key 2, with which a door of an automobile is manually locked or unlocked.
An upper cover 3 formed from a molding of synthetic resin comprises an upper wall 3a, a plurality of holes 3b formed on the upper wall 3a, an annular side wall 3c extending downward from an outer periphery of the upper wall 3a, and a storage portion 3d surrounded by the upper wall 3a and the side wall 3c.
And the upper cover 3 and the lower cover 1 are put in a facing state to be combined by a joining means such as screws or the like to form a general cover.
A box-shaped lower casing 4 formed from a molding of synthetic resin comprises a flat-plate shaped bottom wall 4a, an annular side wall 4b extending upward from an outer periphery of the bottom wall 4a, a storage portion 4c surrounded by the bottom wall 4a and the side wall 4b, a recess 4d for latching provided on an outer periphery of the side wall 4b, a partition 4e provided to project toward the storage portion 4f from the bottom wall 4a, a through hole 4f extending through the bottom wall 4a, a cylindrical portion 4g provided to project toward the storage portion 4c from a periphery of the through hole 4f, and a circular recess 4h provided corresponding to the through hole 4f.
An upper casing 5 formed from a molding of synthetic resin comprises an upper wall 5a, a plurality of holes 5b formed on the upper wall 5a, an annular side wall 5c extending downward from an outer periphery of the upper wall 5a, a projection 5d for latching provided on an outer periphery of the side wall 5c, and a storage portion 5e surrounded by the upper wall 5a and the side wall 5c.
And the upper casing 5 and the lower casing 4 are caused to face each other and the side wall 5c is positioned in the side wall 4b of the lower casing 4 to be pushed thereinto, then the projection 5d fits into the recess 4d in a snapping manner to cause the lower and upper casings 4, 5 to be joined in a snapping manner and combined together.
A circuit board 6 formed from a printed board and formed thereon with a conductive pattern mounts thereon electric parts such as two push type switches 7, an IC part 8, or the like, to form thereon a transmitting circuit or a transmitting and receiving circuit, the circuit board 6 being disposed in the storage portion 4c while being placed on the partition 4e.
A negative terminal plate 9 is formed from a conductive metallic plate having a spring quality, the terminal plate 9 being placed on the bottom wall 4a in a state of being guided by the partition 4e, and connected to the conductive pattern on the circuit board 6.
A positive terminal plate 10 is formed from a conductive metallic plate having a spring quality, the terminal plate 10 being disposed between the circuit board 6 and the bottom wall 4a to be arranged on the terminal plate 9 with a spacing therefrom and with a portion thereof opposed to the terminal plate 9, and connected to the conductive pattern on the circuit board 6.
A button type battery 11 is arranged in a state of being connected to the terminal plates 9, 10, respectively.
Also, as shown in Fig. 4, a conductive unit 12 composed of the conductive pattern or the terminal plates 9, 10 is arranged in a position opposed to the through hole 4f, and while being not shown, a measurement probe can be inserted through the through hole 4f to be brought into contact with the conductive unit 12.
A box-shaped keytop 13 formed from a rubber material comprises a flat-plate shaped upper plate portion 13a, two pressing portions 13b provided to project upward from the upper plate portion 13a, an annular side plate portion 13c extending downward from an outer periphery of the upper plate portion 13a, a cavity 13d surrounded by the side plate portion 13c and the upper plate portion 13a, and a bias portion 13e projecting toward the cavity 13d from the upper plate portion 13a.
The keytop 13 is received in the storage portions 4c, 5e in a state, in which the circuit board 6 including the switches 7, or the like, the terminal plates 9, 10, and the battery 11 are received in the cavity 13d and an entire periphery of a lower end of the side plate portion 13c is brought into pressure contact with the bottom wall 4a.
Also, at the time of mounting of the keytop 13, the pressing portions 13b project above the holes 5b of the upper casing 5 and face buttons 7a of the switches 7, and also the bias portion 13e biases and supports the circuit board 6 on the partition 4e.
Subsequently, stated with respect to assembly of the keytop 13, a tip end of the side plate portion 13c of the keytop 13 is caused to abut against the bottom wall 4a with the keytop 13 covering the circuit board 6 and the like.
In this state, the upper casing 5 is laid on an upper portion of the keytop 13 to be joined to the lower casing 4 in a snapping manner.
Then, since the upper plate portion 13a of the keytop 13 is pushed by the upper wall 5a of the upper casing 5, the side plate portion 13c bends and the entire periphery of the tip end of the side plate portion 13c is brought into pressure contact with the bottom wall 4a to assure closeness between the keytop 13 and the bottom wall 4a, in which state the keytop 13 is brought into pressure contact and interposed between the lower casing 4 and the upper casing 5.
Also, when the keytop 13 is pushed at the upper plate portion 13a, an air within the cavity 13d is discharged from the through hole 4f, so that the air within the cavity 13d is not compressed, and so pressure contact of the tip end of the side plate portion 13c with the bottom wall 4a is made favorable to further make sure closeness between the keytop 13 and the bottom wall 4a.
A plug 14 formed from a rubber material comprises a disk-shaped flange 14a, a neck 14b projecting upward from a center of the flange 14a, and a spherical-shaped head 14c provided at a tip end of the neck 14b.
The plug 14 is latched with the head 14c loosely fitted into the through hole 4f, and the flange 14a is received and mounted in the recess 4h of the lower casing 4.
At this time, a slight gap is present between the head 14c and the through hole 4f to allow an air within the cavity 13d to be discharged outside from the gap but the flange 14a is disposed outside the through hole 4f to make entry of water hard.
In addition, slight irregularities may be provided on the head 14c or the through hole 4f to allow an air within the cavity 13d to be discharged outside from a gap.
The plug 14 can be mounted on and dismounted from the through hole 4f, and when being mounted, the plug 14 is latched to the through hole 4f.
In this manner, the lower and upper casings 4, 5, the keytop 13 covering the circuit board 6 and the like, and the plug 14 are assembled together to form an intermediate product S1.
Also, the electric performance of the intermediate product S1 is checked prior to mounting of the plug 14, such checking of the performance being performed by inserting a measurement probe (not shown) through the through hole 4f and bringing the measurement probe into contact with the conductive unit 12.
After completion of the checking of the performance, the intermediate product S1, to which the plug 14 is mounted, is in some cases transported to a site of outside order, or the like for final assembly, at which time entry of water is made hard in the course of transportation of the intermediate product S1.
Also, such intermediate product S1 is received in the storage portions 1c, 3d in the lower cover 1 and the upper cover 3, which constitute a cover, to complete a keyless-entry portable machine.
At this time, the pressing portions 13b of the keytop 13 are put in a state to project through the holes 3b of the upper cover 3, and the projection 1d of the lower cover 1 pushes the plug 14 against the bottom wall 4a to intensely bring the plug 14 into pressure contact with the through hole 4f.
Also, at the time of exchange of the battery 11, the battery 11 is exchanged in a state, in which the lower and upper covers 1, 3, the lower and upper casings 4, 5, and the keytop 13 are disassembled and the plug 14 is removed.
Then, after the upper casing 5 is joined to the lower casing 4 in a snapping manner in a state, in which the keytop 13 is placed on the bottom wall 4a, the plug 14 is latched to the through hole 4f to form an intermediate product S1, and then the intermediate product S1 is received in the lower and upper covers 1, 3 to complete exchange of the battery 11.
In addition, exchange of the battery 11 may be performed in a state, in which the plug 14 is latched to the through hole 4f.
With such keyless-entry portable machine thus constructed, the button 7a of one of the switches 7 is operated when one of the pressing portions 13b is pushed, with the result that a door of an automobile is locked, and the button 7a of the other of the switches 7 is operated when the other of the pressing portions 13b is pushed, with the result that a door of an automobile is unlocked.
In addition, while the switches in the embodiment are single ones, movable contacts may be provided on lower portions of the pressing portions of the keytop to come into and out of contact with fixed contacts provided on the circuit board.
A waterproof construction of a keyless-entry portable machine, according to the invention, comprises a lower casing having a bottom wall, a plug loosely fitted into a through hole provided in the bottom wall, a box-shaped keytop formed from a rubber material, a battery, switches and a circuit board received in the keytop, and an upper casing to interpose the keytop between it and the lower casing, the keytop comprising an upper plate portion, an annular side plate portion extending downward from an outer periphery of the upper plate portion, and a cavity surrounded by the upper plate portion and the side plate portion, and in the waterproof construction, when the upper casing and the lower casing are joined together, the upper plate portion is pressed by the upper casing whereby a lower end of the side plate portion is brought into pressure contact with the lower casing and interposed between the upper casing and the lower casing, and an air within the cavity can be discharged from the through hole and when an intermediate product with the upper casing and the lower casing joined is received in a cover, the cover brings the plug into pressure contact with the bottom wall and the plug closes the through hole, whereby the cavity is put in a sealed state, whereby the through hole of the lower casing is put in a state to be closed by the plug, so that moisture becomes hard to enter into the cavity of the keytop in the course of transportation of an intermediate product with the upper casing and the lower casing joined.
Also, since an air within the cavity can be discharged from the through hole, an air within the cavity is discharged when the keytop is pushed by the upper casing, so that the lower end of the side plate portion is adequately brought into pressure contact with the bottom wall to make closeness between the keytop and the bottom wall favorable.
Also, the plug is caused by the cover to come into pressure contact with the bottom wall and the through hole is fully closed by the plug, whereby the cavity is put in a sealed state to enable assuring waterproof.

Claims

A waterproof construction of a keyless-entry portable machine comprising a lower casing (4) having a bottom wall (4a), a plug (14) loosely fitted into a through hole (4f) provided in the bottom wall (4a), a box-shaped keytop (13) formed from a rubber material, a battery (11), switches (7) and a circuit board (6) received in the keytop (13), and an upper casing (5) to interpose the keytop (13) between it and the lower casing (4), the keytop (13) comprising an upper plate portion (13a), an annular side plate portion (13c) extending downward from an outer periphery of the upper plate portion (13a), and a cavity (13d) surrounded by the upper plate portion (13a) and the side plate portion (13c), and wherein when the upper casing (5) and the lower casing (4) are joined together, the upper plate portion (13a) is pressed by the upper casing (15) whereby a lower end of the side plate portion (13c) is brought into pressure contact with the lower casing (4) and interposed between the upper casing (5) and the lower casing (4), and an air within the cavity (13d) can be discharged from the through hole (4f) and when an intermediate product (S1) with the upper casing (5) and the lower casing (4) joined is received in a cover (1), the cover (1) brings the plug (14) into pressure contact with the bottom wall (4a) and the plug (14) closes the through hole (4f), whereby the cavity (13d) is put in a sealed state.
The waterproof construction of a keyless-entry portable machine, according to claim 1, wherein a conductive unit is arranged in a position opposed to the through hole in the cavity and a measurement probe inserted into the through hole can contact with the conductive unit.
The waterproof construction of the keyless-entry portable machine, according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper casing and the lower casing are joined in a snapping manner.
The waterproof construction of a keyless-entry portable machine, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the circuit board is pushed against and supported on the lower casing by the keytop.
The waterproof construction of the keyless-entry portable machine, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plug is formed from a rubber material and can be mounted in and dismounted from the through hole.
The waterproof construction of a keyless-entry portable machine, according to claim 5, wherein the plug comprises a plate-shaped flange, a neck projecting from the flange, and a spherical-shaped head provided at a tip end of the neck, and the head is latched to the through hole with the flange positioned outside the lower casing.
The waterproof construction of a keyless-entry portable machine, according to claim 6, wherein the lower casing is provided with a recess to receive the flange.
The waterproof construction of a keyless-entry portable machine, according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cover comprises an upper cover and a lower cover and the upper and lower casings joined are received in the upper and lower covers.
The waterproof construction of a keyless-entry portable machine, according to claim 8, wherein the lower cover is provided with a projection to press the plug.