EP1465118A2 - Remote control for operating a motor vehicle locking device - Google Patents

Abstract

Remote control for activating a motor vehicle central locking system has a housing (1) with switching surfaces (B 1-B 3) each of which can be pressed against the housing area below it to contact an elastic switching element. Each switching element, in the form of a skin, on the outside of the housing forms a composite element with the housing.

Description

The invention relates to a remote control for actuating a locking device of a motor vehicle, comprising an at least one electrical Switch-containing housing, the housing a each has a switch associated actuation area for actuation one arranged below such an actuation area Switch compliant to the adjacent areas of the housing and wherein each actuation area is connected to the housing elastic actuator is assigned.

Remote controls of this type are known as part of motor vehicle keys. During the mechanical key of such a remote control for opening and closing a motor vehicle and for actuating of the ignition starter switch, the remote control is provided to a Opening and closing the motor vehicle without using the mechanical Key. The remote control includes everything Regulate a transmitter to send a signal to a motor vehicle Transceiver unit regarding the desired process to transfer. The transmitter and the other components of the remote control are housed in a plastic housing. To trigger the As a rule, several switches are provided for sending a signal, with which different functions can be triggered, for example a key switch for unlocking the doors of the motor vehicle, one to lock the same and one to open the tailgate. These switches are located inside the housing. To the The overlying housing shell is actuated by means of each open to an opening. These breakthroughs are through a curvature forming soft plastic element as an actuating element covered on the outside. This curved soft plastic element has material elastic properties, so that by pressing in the curvature one to be referred to as an actuation opening below one Breakthrough of the housing shell arranged switch actuated can be. It is provided that the actuating opening of the housing or the housing shell is just large enough for actuation of the switch underneath can be done with one finger.

The soft plastic element covering this actuation opening is in terms of its diameter, it is significantly larger than that in the housing shell introduced actuation opening. This serves the purpose that on the one hand a sufficient through the top of the soft plastic element large operating area is formed and on the other hand actuation of the switch if possible only from a single direction ago possible, namely those who with the direction of movement of the Switch element of the switch is aligned. Because of the low in one such remote control available space can only very small switches can be used. So that this as intended switch, the movable switching element must move in its direction be controlled; the actuated direction already gives way by a few degrees from the ideal, despite exercising one subjectively noticeable switching stroke by pressing in the soft plastic element actually the switch is not operated. Consequently, the one you want Action, for example unlocking the motor vehicle doors not executed.

The individual areas of operation of such a remote control are mostly arranged on a top of the remote control. Is the remote control in the hand of a user, the switches with the Thumb of this hand pressed. Because of the different arrangement the switch to the thumb, each switch with a different direction of movement acting on each area of operation driven. This does not only mean that one unfavorable holding the remote control in your hand with a switch wrong actuation movement can be controlled, but in particular also that the individual switches despite the same configurations convey a different switching feeling (feel).

The soft plastic element spanning an opening in the housing shell is not insignificant with regard to its extension larger than the opening itself and forms based on its extensive Connection with the housing shell. This has the disadvantage that if the remote control is used improperly the soft plastic element, for example, through sharp fingernails or the like can be damaged.

The invention lies on the basis of this prior art discussed therefore based on the task of a generic type Training remote control in such a way that not only the risk of Damage described above is minimized, but that too suitable for a more defined switching movement on the one actuation area the switch assigned to the remote control.

This object is achieved in that the actuating element as skin directly on the outside of the housing shell bordering with this forms a network.

This remote control forms in contrast to the known state the technology, the actuator none from the outside of the housing shell raised bulge, but forms as a skin with the Housing shell a composite. This skin can be, for example Plastic film or a metallic film that the elastic Properties of the operating areas are sufficient. It is considered special considered appropriate, the entire housing shell with such Cover skin, for example by overmolding the housing shell. In this case, not only the operating areas of the Housing shell with a soft plastic component as an actuating element spanned, but the entire housing shell receives a uniform external appearance with regard to the material used. The Bond between the soft plastic component and the housing shell can be achieved, for example, in that the soft plastic component is sprayed over the housing shell as a coating, if it has hardened but is still warm. Can be supported such a composite in that micro-openings in the housing shell are introduced into which the material of the soft plastic enters and clinging to it. As a result of the support of the soft plastic element on the outside of the case shell is - should be additional Measures should not be provided - only that area of a Actuating area not supported, which is flexible for switch actuation is. Because the switching stroke of those used for such remote controls Switch is only very small, this can in principle not be supported Area that can represent an opening in the housing shell, see above be made small that damage to the soft plastic component also avoided when actuating the same with a fingernail is. In the event that the operating areas of the housing shell not as an opening, but only through the outside of the housing shell recesses are defined, this is these recesses Filling soft plastic component supported overall. The provided in the housing shell on the outside in this embodiment Recesses weaken the housing shell in one Actuation range that this for exercising the necessary switching stroke can be pushed in.

In the event that the operating areas of the housing shell through Breakthroughs are characterized in a further development of the claimed Remote control provided that the operating areas are characterized by structures that the soft plastic element support and each area of activity based on the Center of the operating area gradually decreasing radially towards the outside Give flexibility. Such structuring of the areas of activity the housing shell can be made using structural elements be realized that have more elastic properties than that adjacent areas of the housing shell, but opposite the Soft plastic component expediently has a lower elasticity exhibit. Since the housing shell of such a remote control usually made of plastic by means of an injection molding process , it is advisable to use these structural elements in a two or two way Multi-component injection molding process with the creation of the housing shell manufacture. In principle, it can also be provided that Material of the housing shell itself to form such structural elements insert and the operating areas of the housing shell structure accordingly.

Fig. 1:

eine perspektivische Ansicht nach Art einer Explosionsdarstellung eines Teils eines Gehäuses einer Fernbedienung zum Betätigen der Schließeinrichtung eines Kraftfahrzeuges,

Fig. 2:

eine Unteransicht des Gehäuseteils der Figur 1,

Fig. 3:

eine schematisierte Unteransicht der Betätigungsbereiche einer Gehäuseschale einer weiteren Fernbedienung,

Fig. 4:

einen Querschnitt durch den Betätigungsbereich der Gehäuseschale der Figur 2 entlang der Linie A - B der Figur 3,

Fig. 5a, 5b:

beispielhafte Darstellungen zweier weiterer Ausgestaltungen zum Ausbilden eines Betätigungsbereiches einer Gehäuseschale für eine Fernbedienung jeweils aus einer Ansicht entsprechend derjenigen der Figur 3,

Fig. 6a bis 6d:

schematisierte Querschnitte durch jeweils einen Betätigungsbereich einer Gehäuseschale einer Fernbedienung in unterschiedlichen Ausgestaltungen eines Ausführungsbeispiels,

Fig. 7a, 7b:

schematisierte Darstellungen unterschiedlicher Ausgestaltungen eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels einer Gehäuseschale einer Fernbedienung,

Fig. 8a, 8b:

schematisierte Darstellungen unterschiedlicher Ausgestaltungen noch eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels einer Gehäuseschale einer Fernbedienung und

Fig. 9:

eine Darstellung nach Art einer Explosionsdarstellung eines weiteren Gehäuseteils einer weiteren Fernbedienung.

The invention is described below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

Fig. 1:

2 shows a perspective view in the manner of an exploded view of part of a housing of a remote control for actuating the locking device of a motor vehicle,

Fig. 2:

2 shows a bottom view of the housing part in FIG. 1,

Fig. 3:

2 shows a schematic bottom view of the actuation areas of a housing shell of a further remote control,

Fig. 4:

3 shows a cross section through the actuation area of the housing shell of FIG. 2 along the line A - B of FIG. 3,

5a, 5b:

exemplary representations of two further configurations for forming an actuation area of a housing shell for a remote control, each from a view corresponding to that of FIG. 3,

6a to 6d:

schematic cross sections through an actuation area of a housing shell of a remote control in different configurations of an embodiment,

7a, 7b:

Schematic representations of different configurations of a further embodiment of a housing shell of a remote control,

8a, 8b:

Schematic representations of different configurations of yet another embodiment of a housing shell of a remote control and

Fig. 9:

a representation in the manner of an exploded view of a further housing part of a further remote control.

A housing shell 1 is part of a housing of a remote control for actuating a locking device of a motor vehicle. The housing shell 1 comprises a lower shell 2 and an upper shell 3 which forms a composite with the lower shell 2. The lower shell 2 is a multi-component injection molded part, one component of which represents a supporting body 4. The support body 4 comprises three openings D ₁ - D ₃ , in each of which a structural part S ₁ - S ₃ made of another plastic component is inserted. The plastic component for forming the structural parts S ₁ - S ₃ is more elastic than that for forming the support body 4. The sections of the support body 4 directly enclosing the openings D ₁ - D ₃ are tapered. Such a taper is identified by the reference symbol V for the opening D ₁ . Numerous openings are made in the side walls of the lower shell 2, which serve to clamp the upper shell 3, which is sprayed onto the lower shell 2 as a whole. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the upper shell 3 is formed by an elastic soft plastic, which can be referred to as an actuating element as a soft plastic element in the region spanning the structural parts S ₁ - S ₃ .

The openings D ₁ -D ₃ are approximately oval in shape, the longitudinal axis of each opening D ₁ -D ₃ pointing away from the rear end of the housing shell 1. The wide area of each opening D ₁ - D ₃ lies in the rear area of each opening D ₁ - D ₃ . Such a configuration of the openings D ₁ - D ₃ supports the ergonomics when actuating the remote control formed with the housing shell 1 when it is in the hand of a user and the actuation areas are to be actuated with the thumb. It can be seen from the bottom view of the housing shell 1 in FIG. 2 that not only the sections of the support body 4 directly enclosing the openings D ₁ - D ₃ are made thinner than the adjacent sections of the support body 4, but that larger areas on the underside have a thinner thickness exhibit. These areas are identified in FIG. 2 on the basis of the opening D ₁ with the reference symbol 1. These thinner areas 5 cause a certain flexibility of the support body 4 and thus of the entire housing shell 1, which supports the ergonomic configurations of the openings D ₁ - D ₃ described above.

The upper shell 3 is sprayed onto the lower shell 2 by means of a spraying process in such a way that the structural parts S ₁ - S ₃ are bordered by the material of the upper shell 3 in the region of their center, as is particularly clearly shown in FIG. 2 on the structural part S. _{3 is} recognizable.

The material of the upper shell 3 that has passed through the structural part S ₃ not only provides a positive interlocking between the upper shell 3 and the lower shell 2 in the area of the structural parts S ₁ - S ₃ , but the shape of the housing shell 1 on its underside is designed in this way that a switching disk protruding from the underside of the structural parts S ₁ - S ₃ , designated by the reference symbol 6 for the structural part S ₃ , has been formed. The underside of the switching disc 6 - in FIG. 2 this is the top side due to the bottom view - lies on the switching element of an electrical switch.

The structural elements S ₁ - S ₃ and the reduction in thickness of the carrying body 4 directed towards the openings D ₁ - D ₃ cause an actuating movement of a user to actuate an actuating area B ₁ - B _{3 of} the remote control to the center of each structural element S ₁ - S ₃ - practically managed. Therefore, the switch arranged under the structural elements S ₁ - S ₃ is actuated in accordance with a largely defined switching movement.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the operating areas B ₁ - B _{3 of} an otherwise not shown housing shell 7, which is basically constructed like the housing shell 1 described for FIGS. 1 and 2. The structural elements S ₄ - S _{6 of} the operating areas B ₄ - B ₆ are designed like a spider web in this embodiment. The sections of the lower shell, which are reduced in thickness, are increasingly stronger in radial extension from the respective structural element S ₄ - S ₆ in relation to the adjacent sections of the lower shell of this housing shell 7, as can be seen from the cross section in FIG. The sections of the support body 8 of the housing shell 7 which actually encompass the opening in the actuation area B ₁ have a shoulder 9, into which material is poured when the support body 8 is encapsulated with the material to form the upper shell 10, so that the upper shell 10 with the support body 8 is positively connected in the area of the actuation area B ₄ . It is also clear from FIG. 4 that the upper shell 10, which forms a bond with the supporting body 8 of the lower shell, is supported by the structural part S ₄ in the direction of actuation — indicated by the arrow. Material for forming a switching disk 11 has also flowed through the central opening of the structural part S ₄ and also forms a positive connection with the lower shell of this housing shell 7 in this area.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show further possible configurations for forming actuation areas B ₇ and B ₈ , which differ in different structural parts S ₇ , S ₈ .

FIGS. 6a-6d show different configurations in which, in contrast to the configuration of the housing shells 1 or 7, no discrete structural part is inserted into the opening in a support body. The support bodies of these configurations are identified by T ₁ - T ₄ . The respective upper shell of the different configurations is identified by O ₁ - O ₄ . The configurations of FIGS. 6a-6d have in common that the support bodies T ₁ - T ₄ taper towards the actual opening in terms of their thickness, so that the sections of the respective support body T ₁ - T ₄ enclosing the actual opening have a certain flexibility and thus can also be elastically deformed when an actuating force is applied to the respective actuation area B ₉ - B ₁₂ . In the embodiment according to FIG. 6d, the areas enclosing the actual opening are additionally movable in the actuating direction via a film hinge 12. The underside of the upper shell O ₁ - O ₄ is pulled down so far in the area of the respective electrical switch that it rests on the upper side of the switching element of the electrical switch. Since the switches used have only a very small switching stroke, the resilience of the upper shell O ₁ - O ₄ and, accordingly, also the areas of the support bodies T ₁ - T ₄ that enclose the actual openings need only have a low elastic resilience. In any case, it is clear with these configurations that damage to the upper shell O ₁ - O _{4 is} hardly possible.

Figures 7a and 7b show two further configurations of a housing shell, shown in a section of one of their actuation areas B ₁₃ , B ₁₄ , in which the respective lower shell U ₁ , U _{2 is} not broken through in the area of the respective electrical switch, but by one annular recess A ₁ , A _{2 is} marked. Through these recesses A ₁ , A ₂ , the lower shell U ₁ , U ₂ is weakened to such an extent that the lower shell U ₁ , U ₂ is flexible in this area, so that when a force is applied to the respective actuation area B ₁₃ or B _14, that below the respective operating range B ₁₃ or B ₁₄ lying switch can be operated. The recesses A ₁ , A _{2 were} filled when the upper shell O ₅ , O _{6 was applied} , so that the recesses A ₁ , A ₂ are not visible from the outside. In this embodiment, the upper shell O ₅ , O _{6 is supported} over the entire area of actuation B ₁₃ or B ₁₄ .

FIGS. 8a, 8b show two further possible configurations of an actuation area B ₁₅ , B _{16 of} a housing shell each of a remote control. Openings D ₄ , D _{5 are made} in the actuation areas B ₁₅ , B ₁₆ in the support body T ₅ , T _{6 of} the respective lower shell. The areas of the support bodies T ₅ , T ₆ enclosing the openings D ₄ , D ₅ are reduced in strength compared to the adjacent areas. The openings D ₄ , D _{5 are} spanned by the upper shell O ₇ and O ₈ . The underside of each upper shell O ₇ , O _{8 has} reinforcing structures on the underside in the area of the openings D ₄ , D ₅ and a switching dome 13 or 14 in the area in the middle. The reinforcing structures are a plurality of concentrically arranged annular beads, which are shown in FIGS Make cross-sections of Figures 8a and 8b noticeable by the wavy design of the underside of the upper shells O ₇ , O ₈ .

FIG. 9 shows, in the manner of an exploded view, a further housing shell 15 of a remote control for actuating the locking device of a motor vehicle. The actuation areas of this housing shell are identified on the lower shell 16 of the housing shell 15 with the reference symbols B ₁₇ -B ₁₉ . In this embodiment, the lower shell 16 is formed in the area of the actuation areas B ₁₄ -B ₁₆ by forming switching tongues SZ ₁ -SZ ₃ with a paddle-like contour. The flexibility or mobility of the circuit SZ ₁ - SZ ₃ is supported in the illustrated embodiment in that the switching tongues SZ ₁ - SZ ₃ are held on the lower shell 16 with a film hinge. A corresponding groove is formed in the underside of the lower shell 16 to form the film hinge. The individual switching tongues SZ ₁ - SZ ₃ each carry a function symbolism F ₁ - F ₃ , which are made from a different plastic component than the other areas of the lower shell 16. The plastic component for realizing the function symbols F ₁ - F ₃ is light-conducting in the exemplary embodiment shown , The individual function symbols F ₁ - F ₃ are connected to one another in a light-conducting manner and thus represent a separate component - a light-conducting body 17 (cf. FIG. 9 below). The light guide body 17 has a circular structure 18, under which an LED is arranged as a light source and via which light for illuminating the function symbols F ₁ - F _{3 is} coupled.

The lower shell 16 of the housing shell 15 is covered with an upper shell 19, which is sprayed onto the lower shell 16 and with this one Verbund trains. The upper shell 19 covers the lower shell 16 as Skin.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

shell

2

subshell

3

Upper shell

4

support body

5

thin area

6

switching disk

7

shell

8th

support body

9

paragraph

10

Upper shell

11

switching disk

12

film hinge

13

switch dome

14

switch dome

15

shell

16

subshell

17

fiber-optic element

18

structure

19

Upper shell

A ₁ , A ₂

recess

B ₁ - B ₁₉

operating range

D ₁ - D ₅

perforation

F ₁ - F ₃

function icon

O ₁ - O ₆

Upper shell

S ₁ -S ₆

structure part

SZ ₁ - SZ ₃

reed

T ₁ - T ₆

support body

V

rejuvenation

Claims (16)

Remote control for actuating a locking device of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing containing at least one electrical switch, the housing having an actuation area (B ₁ - B ₁₉ ) assigned to a switch, which is used to actuate an actuation area (B ₁ - B ₁₉ ) below such an area. arranged switch is resilient to the adjacent areas of the housing, and wherein each actuating area (B ₁ - B ₁₉ ) is assigned an elastic actuating element connected to the housing, characterized in that the actuating element as a skin directly on the outside of the housing shell (1, 7 , 15) forms a bond with it. Remote control according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuation areas (B ₁ - B ₈ ) of the housing shell (1, 7) have an opening (D ₁ , D ₃ ) penetrating the housing shell (1, 7) and into the opening (D ₁ , D ₃ ) a resilient structural element (S ₁ , S ₈ ) is used, so that the resilience of the actuation area (B ₁ , - B ₈ ) gradually decreases from the center in the radial direction to the outside. Remote control according to claim 2, characterized in that the structural element is constructed in the form of a spider web (S ₁ , - S ₈ ). Remote control according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the structural element (S ₁ , - S ₈ ) consists of a plastic component which has more elastic properties than a plastic used to form the housing shell (1, 7). Remote control according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the actuating areas (B ₁ , - B ₁₂ ; B ₁₅ , B ₁₆ ) of the housing shell (1, 7) have an opening (D ₁ , 7) penetrating the housing shell (1, 7). - D ₅ ) and this opening (D ₁ , - D ₅ ) immediately enclosing sections of the housing shell (1, 7) are thinner than the adjacent sections of the housing shell (1, 7). Remote control according to claim 5, characterized in that between the thinner sections enclosing an actuating opening (B ₁ , - B ₁₂ ; B ₁₅ , B ₁₆ ) and the adjacent sections of the housing shell (1, 7) there is a transition area in which the Thickness of the housing shell increases from the direction of an opening to the sections adjacent to the transition area. Remote control according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the portions of the housing shell which directly enclose an opening are separated from the adjacent portions of the housing shell by a film hinge (12). Remote control according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the underside of the actuating element spanning the opening (D ₄ , D ₅ ) carries reinforcing structures on the underside. Remote control according to claim 8, characterized in that the reinforcing structures are annular beads arranged concentrically to one another. Remote control according to Claim 1, characterized in that the actuation areas (B ₁₃ , B ₁₄ ) of the housing shell are formed by cutouts (A ₁ , B ₂ ) made in the outside of the housing shell and filled with the material of the actuating element. Remote control according to claim 10, characterized in that the recess (A ₁ , A ₂ ) are designed as ring structures which include a dome-shaped thickening under which the switch to be actuated by this actuating region (B ₁₃ , B ₁₄ ) is arranged. Remote control according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuation areas (B ₁₇ , B ₁₉ ) of the housing shell (15) have openings penetrating through the housing shell (15) and that a switching tongue (SZ ₁ - SZ.) Projects into this opening and essentially fills it ₃ ) is provided. Remote control according to claim 12, characterized in that the switching tongues (SZ ₁ - SZ ₃ ) is connected to the adjacent sections of the housing shell via a film hinge. Remote control according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the housing shell (15) is produced as a two- or multi-component injection-molded part and one of the plastic components has a different color than the at least one other plastic component and forms a functional symbol (F ₁ - F ₃ ) through this becomes. Remote control according to claim 14, characterized in that the plastic component representing the functional symbols (F ₁ - F ₃ ) is light-conducting and the individual functional symbols (F ₁ - F ₃ ) formed by this plastic component are connected to one another and this plastic component is connected via a Coupling structure for coupling light from a light source assigned to the remote control. Remote control according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the actuating element is a soft plastic element.

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