EP2078290B1 - Electronic key - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an electronic key, in particular for a locking device of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing made of plastic and an electronic unit for data communication with a locking device, a housing formed on the receptacle, and a lid which is releasably secured to the housing and closes the receptacle, wherein in the receptacle a container element can be introduced, which accommodates the electronic unit and an energy store.

Closing devices for motor vehicles are often equipped to increase comfort for the user and to increase the anti-theft device in addition to a mechanical also with an electronic key. So that the user can be granted access to the interior of his motor vehicle, it requires a corresponding operation of the electronic key.

This actuation triggers a generally bidirectional data communication between the locking device and the electronic key. As part of this transmitted via electromagnetic waves data communication code is transmitted to authenticate the key. The authentication usually takes place with an in-vehicle transmitting and receiving unit, which in turn forwards the received signals to an identification and control unit. If the electronic key is positively authenticated, the access to the interior of the motor vehicle is released, for example, by the central locking unlocks the doors. Thus, now the user is given the opportunity to open a door or the trunk lid by pulling on an actuator.

From the DE 101 21 045 C2 the person skilled in an electronic key is known, which has a housing with an integrated electronic unit therein. On the top of the housing, the electronic key has a key arrangement, the actuation of which triggers the data communication described above. In order to prevent environmental influences such as dirt or moisture from penetrating into the housing interior along the key arrangement, a membrane is inserted into the housing. This membrane covers the keypad inside the housing and is welded to the housing shell. However, it has been found that by frequent operation of the keypad, the membrane can break. Subsequently, there is no possibility to replace the membrane, since this is welded to the housing element. Rather, the user of the electronic key is forced either to replace the housing shell or to request a replacement key.

From the EP 1 327 734 B1 an electronic key is known, which consists of a housing and an associated lid, wherein a container element in a housing arranged in the receptacle can be introduced. The container element serves to receive an electronic unit and an energy storage, so that they are protected from environmental influences.

From the scriptures EP 1 750 230 A2 and EP 1 837 832 A2 is a two-part housing for an electronic key is known in which a container element is incorporated in a receptacle. The container element is used to accommodate the electronics and is from a lid shot down so that the lid covers the receptacle, wherein the lid cooperates with the collar element of the container element and completely encloses the electronics unit.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic key, in which the mentioned disadvantages are avoided, in particular an electronic key is provided, which ensures a reliable sealing of the electronics within the electronic key and can be easily mounted.

To solve this problem, an electronic key with the features of claim 1 is proposed. In the dependent claims preferred developments are carried out.
It is inventively provided that the container element is formed of a deformable silicone and having a collar element, and the lid rests with its underside on the collar element, wherein the collar member so rests on the lid that forms a reliably sealed container element, whereby the electronic unit and the Energy storage are arranged protected. The container element and the collar element are formed of the same material and the underside of the lid has at least one complementary surface, which interacts with the collar element media-tight.

The electronics of the electronic key is surrounded by the container element and thus protected from external influences. Should the container element be damaged by the operation of the keypad, an easy replacement is possible. It requires only an opening of the lid closing the housing and the removal of the damaged container element with the electronic unit. Advantageously, the container element has a resealable area enclosed by the collar element, so that the electronic unit can be removed and inserted into a new and undamaged container element. After reinstalling the new container element in the electronic key this is immediately ready for use again. The container element according to the invention thus protects on the one hand the electronics against external influences and on the other hand easily replaceable in the event of a defect. In one possible embodiment, apart from the electronic unit in the container element, no further electrical or electronic components can be integrated in the housing of the electronic key. The remaining one Housing thus has only mechanical components such. B. a fold-out mechanical key.

In an advantageous embodiment, the container element can have an opening through which the electronics unit and the energy store can be easily removed from the container element or introduced into it. According to the invention, the opening is enclosed by the collar element. So that no environmental influences can penetrate into the container element through the opening, the collar element should rest on the lid in such a way that a reliably sealed container element is formed. As a result, the electronics unit and the energy storage are arranged protected from external influences. It has proven to be advantageous if the container element is configured approximately parallelepiped and has an opening only on its upper side. The collar element may in particular in one piece and / or be materially connected to the container element. Alternatively, the collar member may be positively and / or non-positively and / or materially secured to the container element.

To ensure that no environmental influences from the outside penetrate into the electronic key, it has proven to be advantageous if the lid has at least one complementary surface on its underside, which interacts with the collar element media-tight. In one embodiment, the complementary surface may have a hook-like cross-section and at least partially engage in the opening of the container element and thereby co-act positively and / or positively with the collar member. The thus designed complementary surface of the lid is located on the one hand on the collar element or the outer surface of the container element and the other on the boundary surface of the opening. The thus achieved larger contact area between the lid and the container element leads to an increased media density. In addition, the complementary surface of the lid may be constructed of a material which, due to its physical structure, achieves a non-cohesive but particularly media-tight connection. Thus, the complementary surface may have a rubber or Kunststoffwulst, which has a greater hardness than that of the collar member. During attachment of the cover to the housing, a complementary surface configured in this way could easily deform the collar element and thus achieve an improved sealing of the container element against external influences.

Preferably, the electronic unit is designed block-like and has a bearing, in which the energy storage is used. Such designed electronic units can be encapsulated for additional protection with a potting compound. Potting compounds of a one-component resin, a multicomponent resin or a synthetic synthetic resin have proven to be advantageous. Due to the encapsulation, the electronic components of the electronics unit are protected, in particular, from vibrations, shocks or fault currents. Furthermore, the electronics unit may have a fixing element for the reversible detachable mounting of the energy store. In addition, the fixing element can be designed as one of the two contact elements, which ensure the electrical supply of the electronic unit in cooperation with the energy storage.

Another measure improving the invention provides that the geometry of the outer contour of the container element is adapted to the shape of the electronic unit. In this case, the container element may in particular comprise the electronic unit at least partially positively. This measure prevents a free space between the container element and the electronics unit.

In an advantageous embodiment, the container element may have at least one positioning means. This positioning means can advantageously be arranged on the outer contour of the container element and serve for the defined positioning of the container element within the receptacle. In addition, the receptacle may have a complementary to the positioning means element. By the interaction of the complementary element and the positioning means ensures that the introduction of the container element or the electronic unit mounted therein is possible only in a predefined manner. Attempts to introduce the container element in a different than the intended location in the recording are prevented. It has proven to be advantageous if the positioning means is made of a plastic whose hardness is lower than that of the recording. This ensures that when inserting the container element in the recording no damage to the latter occur.

In an advantageous embodiment, the container element has at least one functional agent. The functional means may be for conveying information from the electronics unit to the user or in the opposite direction. It has proven to be advantageous if the functional means is arranged on the underside of the container element, ie on the side of the container element opposite the opening. In one possible embodiment of the invention, the housing may have at least one keypad and the electronics unit at least one switch element, wherein the functional means transmits an actuation of the keypad to the switch element. As described above, by the operation of the Keypad in an electronic key data communication with the motor vehicle are triggered. The necessary transmitting and receiving unit is part of the electronic unit. To trigger the data communication is the switch element, which may be constructed of a switch, probe, grid, microswitch or piezo switch. To transmit the mechanical actuation of the keypad to the switch element, the functional means may be formed rod-like. In an advantageous variant of the electronic key, the keypad is arranged on the side of the housing opposite the lid. In this case, the functional means may be arranged on the underside on the container element and thus rest force and / or positive fit on the keypad. When the keypad is pressed, the functional agent initiates the force into the switch element. By thus triggered data communication in particular a locking and / or unlocking of the locking device of the motor vehicle can be triggered.

In a further embodiment, the housing may have at least one display means and the electronics unit at least one information source, wherein the functional means transmits information from the information source to the display means. The task of the display means is to inform the owner of the condition of his motor vehicle. For example, the position of the locking device can be displayed. It has proved to be advantageous if the information source is a light source, the light is transmitted via the trained as a light guide functional means. In one possible embodiment, the display means may be a recess in the housing, in which protrudes the configured as a light guide functional means and transmits the light emitted from the information source light. The lighting means may be, in particular, an LED (light-emitting device) or an OLED (organic light-emitting device), since these require a small installation space, are economical and are resistant to vibration. In one possible embodiment of the invention, the display means may also be an LCD display presenting information to the user. The functional means may be configured in this embodiment as a cable, via which the information is transmitted from the electronic unit to the screen. In a non-inventive embodiment, the container element and / or individual elements of the container element contain a plastic, in particular a silicone, a metal and / or a composite material. The term plastic refers to all substances whose basic constituent are synthetically or semisynthetically produced polymers with organic groups. A special subgroup of plastics are the silicones. They denote a group of synthetic polymers in which silicon atoms are linked via oxygen atoms to form molecular chains and / or networks. In contrast, the term composite materials includes all materials that are composed of two or more bonded materials.

Furthermore, the container element according to the invention and / or individual elements of the container element can be produced by transfer molding, injection molding, blow molding and / or injection blow molding.

A further measure improving the invention provides that the housing and the cover are injection-molded parts made of plastic, wherein the housing has a higher strength than the cover. In one possible embodiment of the invention, the lid is designed on the underside with latching means which engage in counter-latching means of the housing. During the fastening of the lid to the housing, inter alia, the locking means of the lid deform and snap into the counter-locking means, whereby an exact fit of the lid on the housing is formed. Since the locking means of the lid have a correspondingly low strength, there is no risk that during assembly, for example, it comes to a breaking out of the locking means.

It is particularly advantageous that a gap is provided below the front edge region of the lid, in which an object for releasing the lid can be inserted. The article is advantageously the mechanical key which may be inserted in a compartment within the housing. To open the lid, the mechanical key is removed from its compartment and guided with its tip in said space. Here, the tip of the mechanical key is located between the edge region of the lid and the housing. By a corresponding movement of the mechanical key, for example by a rotation or a lever movement, the edge region of the lid can be raised, whereby at the same time the locking means of the lid is made of the counter-locking means on the housing. Conveniently, the space for releasing the lid for receiving through the wall is closed. This prevents that the object is guided too far into the housing, whereby, for example, the inner life, in particular the container element, could be damaged.

Fig. 1

eine rein schematische Darstellung eines elektronischen Schlüssels, der in Datenkommunikation mit einer Schließvorrichtung eines Kraftfahrzeuges steht,

Fig. 2

ein Gehäuse des erfindungsgemäßen elektronischen Schlüssels in dreidimensionaler Draufsicht,

Fig. 3

das Gehäuse des elektronischen Schlüssels aus Fig. 2, bei dem ein Deckel entfernt wurde,

Fig. 4

den erfindungsgemäßen elektronischen Schlüssel mit dem Gehäuse, einer Elektronikeinheit und einem Containerelement,

Fig. 5

eine Unterseite des erfindungsgemäßen Containerelementes und

Fig. 6

eine Seitenansicht des Gehäuses mit Deckel.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description in which a possible embodiment of the invention is described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may each be essential to the invention individually or in any desired combination. Show it:

Fig. 1

a purely schematic representation of an electronic key, which is in data communication with a locking device of a motor vehicle,

Fig. 2

a housing of the electronic key according to the invention in a three-dimensional plan view,

Fig. 3

the housing of the electronic key Fig. 2 with a lid removed,

Fig. 4

the electronic key according to the invention with the housing, an electronics unit and a container element,

Fig. 5

an underside of the container element according to the invention and

Fig. 6

a side view of the housing with lid.

In Fig. 1 is purely schematically illustrated an electronic key 10 which communicates with a closing device 105 of a motor vehicle 100 in data communication. Modern motor vehicles 100 have locking devices 105 that can be operated in at least two ways: via wireless data communication between the Key 10 and the closing device 105 or by means of a fold-out mechanical emergency key 120. Priority, however, should be the first type of operation of the locking device 105. For this purpose, the electronic key 10, inter alia, an electronic unit 40, which is supplied with a battery as an energy storage 41.

In Fig. 2 a housing 20 of the electronic key 10 is shown. The housing 20 has a plurality of keypads 21 on which various functions can be triggered. By way of example, a locking of the locking system 105 can be triggered on a keypad 21, while another keypad 21 initiates the unlocking. Due to the long mean time span between two assumed failures of the electronic unit 40 of the electronic key 10, the mechanical key 120 is generally integrated in one of the side flanks 26, 26 'of the housing 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the mechanical emergency key 120 lies in the invisible lateral flank 26 of the housing 20. To swing the mechanical emergency key 120 out of its hidden position, a user must operate a trigger button 25 on the surface of the housing 20. In known electronic keys 10, a membrane is firmly welded to the housing 20 below the keypad 21 to prevent environmental influences, such as moisture or dirt, from penetrating through the gaps between the keypad 21 and the housing 20 into the housing interior. In order to overcome the described disadvantage of this solution, the electronic key 10 according to the invention has a container element 60.

The in Fig. 3 illustrated electronic key 10 is located on the side of the housing 20 in which the keypad 21 is arranged. In the rear region of the housing 20, a receptacle 30 is formed, in which the container element 60 stores, in which the electronic unit 40 is introduced. In the illustrated embodiment, the electronics unit 40 is enclosed by the container element 60 from five sides and the remaining head side is covered at the edges by a collar member 61, so that an opening 62 is formed. The opening 62, which is enclosed by the collar element 61, allows an exchange of the energy store 41, without the need for removal of the electronics unit 40 or of the container element 60. To the overcome disadvantages of the invention, the collar member 61 is so on a cover 50, not shown, that forms a reliably sealed container element 60, whereby the electronic unit 40 and the energy storage 41 are arranged protected. The embodiment shown thus combines on the one hand good accessibility to the electronic unit 40 with effective protection of this electronic unit 40 from external influences.

In Fig. 4 the individual elements of the electronic key 10 according to the invention are shown. The housing 20 has a receptacle 30, in which the container element 60 can be introduced. The receptacle 30 is bounded laterally by two flanks 26, 26 ', which provide in conjunction with the housing bottom and the cover 50 for a spatial closure of the receptacle 30. On one of the lateral flanks 26 a mechanically deployable emergency key 120 is arranged. In the illustrated embodiment, apart from the electronics unit 40, no further electrical or electronic components are integrated in the housing 20. The housing 20 rather serves as a support and operating unit for the mechanical emergency key 120 and the electronic unit 40th

Also in Fig. 4 illustrated is the electronics unit 40, which has an approximately block-like contour. In the electronic unit 40, the electrical and / or electronic components are integrated, which are required for data communication with the locking device 105 of the motor vehicle 100. This includes in particular a transmitting and receiving unit, which enables wireless data communication. On the one hand electromagnetic waves, such as radio, are known as transport media for data communication. On the other hand, the data communication between the electronic key 10 and the closing device 105 can also be done inductively by means of a weak current signal. In this case, a weak current flows through the electrical key and the skin of the user in the vehicle body or there arranged closure device 105. The current signal acts as a carrier of a code, which is used for authentication. In order to supply the electronic unit 40 with a necessary energy, a bearing 42 is arranged within the electronic unit 40, in which an energy store 41 can store. In the illustrated Embodiment is in the energy storage 41 is a button battery. In the bearing 42, a fixing element 43 is provided which holds the energy storage 41 in the bearing 42 by a non-positive and / or positive contact. In the inserted state, the fixing element 43 consisting of a flexible, metallic material fixes and positions the energy store 41. The fixing element 43 is preferably part of the supply device of the electronic unit 40.

The container element 60 according to the invention is designed like a cuboid and has an opening 62 which is arranged on its upper side. Through the opening 62, the electronics unit 40 can be introduced into the container element 60. It has proven to be advantageous if the geometry of the outer contour of the container element 60 is adapted to the shape of the electronic unit 40. The opening 62 is enclosed by the collar member 61. The collar element 61 is intended, in conjunction with the cover 50, to reach the media density of the container element 60, so that the electronics unit 40 and the energy store 41 are arranged protected in the electronic key 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 62 covers almost the entire surface of the top of the container element 60 and is limited only by the narrow web formed collar member 61. The shape of the container element 60 is adapted to the geometry of the outer contour of the electronic unit 40 and allows easy insertion , Despite the large circumference of the opening 62, the container element 62 according to the invention achieves a high density of media, because dirt and moisture can not penetrate from the outside through the housing 20 into the electronics unit 40 due to the flat abutment of the collar element 61 on the underside of the lid 50. In order to further increase the density of the media, the cover 50 may have on its underside at least one complementary surface which interacts with the collar element 61 in a media-tight manner. The complementary surface may in particular have the shape and dimensions of the opening 62 and protrude into the container element 60 when the lid is closed. As a result, not only is the surface of the collar element 61 positively seated against the underside of the cover 50, but also the inner surface of the opening 62 is in media-tight contact with the outer contour of the complementary surface. To further increase the media density, the complementary surface of the lid 50 a Furthermore, the complementary surface should have a marginally larger dimension than the opening 62. By combining the two described factors, the complementary surface can be pressed into the opening 62. The slightly protruding collar element 61 deforms so elastically and / or plastically that between the complementary surface and the collar member 61 creates a press fit.

In the illustrated embodiment, the container element 60 is constructed of the plastic silicone. Since silicone is heat-resistant, hydrophobic, dielectric and deformable, it has all the advantages so that the container element according to the invention solves the problem posed by the invention. So that the container element 60 can be produced in one production step, it is advantageous if the collar element 61 is connected to the container element 60 in one piece and in the same material. The use of silicone as a base material for the container element 60 ensures that any moisture which has penetrated into the receptacle 30 can not come into contact with the electronic unit 40. Furthermore, the ductility of silicone allows easy removal or insertion of the electronics unit 40 into the container element 60. This is all the more important since the starting point of the invention was the possibility of replacing the electronic unit 40 sealing agent.

In order to trigger a locking or unlocking of the locking device 105, it requires an actuation of the in Fig. 1 The electronics required for the data communication is located in the electronics unit 40. In order to forward the triggering keystroke on the keypad 21 to a switch element of the electronic unit 40, the container element 60 according to the invention has two functional means 65 '. These are shaped like a cylinder and integrally and materially connected to the bottom 66 of the container element 60. The function means 65 'are in both positive and / or non-positive contact with the keypad 21 and with the switch elements, whereby a transmission of the triggering operation of a keypad 21 is secured to the switch element in the electronic unit 40.

This in Fig. 5 illustrated embodiment of the container element 60 has two types of functional means 65,65 ', which are both integrally formed and the same material on the underside 66 of the container element 60. Both function means 65, 65 'are used for bi- or monodirectional transmission of information or switching states of the electronic unit 40 to the user of the electronic key 10 or in the reverse direction. As in Fig. 2 can be seen, the housing 20 has a display means 22, by means of which the user of the electronic key 10 in particular closed states of the motor vehicle 100 can be displayed. To enable this, the electronics unit 40 has at least one information source, such as a light source. The light emitted by the information source is transported by means of the functional means 65 to the housing shell and displayed there to the user. When using a constructed of transparent and / or photoconductive silicone container element 60, the functional means 65 may be integrally formed and of the same material. In this case, only one recess 24 in the housing 20 is required, through which the functional means 65 or display means 22 designed as a light guide projects.

The Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of the housing 20 of the electronic key 10 with the partially opened lid 50. In this case, the lid 50 on its underside locking means 54, which engage in counter-locking means 27 of the housing 20. The cover 50 has a front edge region 51, a side region 52, and a rear edge region 53, two latching means 54 being formed on the front edge region 51 and one latching element 54 being formed on each side region 52. These locking means 54 engage in the inserted state of the lid 50 in the counter-latching means 27 of the housing 20, whereby a reliable fit of the lid 50 is ensured on the housing 20. Below the front edge region 51, a gap 23, which is embodied in the present embodiment as an elongated slot, is provided, into which an object, for example the mechanical key 120, for releasing the cover 50 can be inserted. Here, the mechanical emergency key 120 is guided with a tip in the intermediate space 23 and by a slight rotation or by a lever movement of the mechanical emergency key 120, the locking means 54 can be released from the counter-locking means 27. Thus, the lid 50 of the housing 20 be removed. So that when introducing the mechanical emergency key 120 into the intermediate space 23, there is no possible damage within the electronic key 10, the intermediate space 23 for receiving 30 is closed by a wall.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

electronic key

20

casing

21

keypad

22

display means

23

gap

24

recess

25

Release button for the mechanical emergency key 120

26.26 '

lateral edge of the housing 20

27

Securing means

30

admission

40

electronics unit

41

energy storage

42

camp

43

fixing element

50

cover

51

front edge area

52

page range

53

rear edge area

54

latching means

60

container element

61

collar element

62

opening

65

Working medium

66

Bottom of the container element 60

100

motor vehicle

105

closing device

120

emergency

Claims (12)

1. An electronic key (10), in particular for a closing device (105) of a motor vehicle (100), with
   a housing (20) made of plastic and an electronic unit (40) for data communication with the closing device (105),
   a receptacle (30) formed on the housing (20),
   and a lid (50) detachably fastened on the housing (20) and closing the receptacle (30), wherein
   a container element (60) can be inserted into the receptacle (30),
   the container element (60) receives the electronic unit (40) and an energy store (41),
   characterised in that the container element (60) is formed from a silicone and comprises a collar element (61), and the lid (50) is supported with its underside against the collar element (61), wherein the collar element (61) is supported against the lid (50) in such way that a reliably sealed container element (60) is formed thereby allowing the electronic unit (40) and the energy store (41) to be arranged in a protected manner,
   and in that the container element (60) and the collar element (61) are formed in one piece and are made of the same material,
   and in that the lid (50) on its underside comprises at least one complementary surface which interacts with the collar element (61) in a media-tight manner.
2. The electronic key (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the container element (60) is shaped in the manner of a cuboid, wherein a topside of the container element comprises an opening (62) and the opening (62) is enclosed by the collar element (61).
3. The electronic key (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the electronic unit (40) is shaped in the manner of a block and comprises a support (42) into which the energy store (41) can be inserted, and in that the electronic unit (40) comprises a fixing element (43) for the energy store (41) to be inserted.
4. The electronic key (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the geometry of the outer contour of the container element (60) is adapted to the shape of the electronic unit (40), wherein in particular the container element (60) encompasses the electronic unit (40), at least in sections, in a positive-locking manner.
5. The electronic key (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the container element (60) comprises at least one functional means (65, 65'), wherein in particular the container element (60) is fitted with the functional means (65, 65'), on its underside, wherein the container element (60) and the functional means (65, 65') are formed in one piece and/or are made of the same material.
6. The electronic key (10) according to claim 5, characterised in that the housing (20) comprises at least one key panel (21) and the electronic unit (40) comprises at least one switch element, and the functional means (65, 65') transfers an actuation of the key panel (21) onto the switch element, wherein locking and/or unlocking of the closing device (105) of the motor vehicle (100) can be triggered by means of the switch element.
7. The electronic key (10) according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterised in that the housing (20) comprises at least one indicating means (22), and the electronic unit (40) comprises at least one information source, and the functional means (65, 65') transfers information from the information source to the indicating means (22), wherein in particular the information source is a lamp and the functional means (65, 65') is a light conductor, wherein preferably the indicating means (22) is an opening (24) in the housing (20), into which the functional means (65, 65') configured as a light conductor protrudes and transfers in particular a light of an information source configured as a LED.
8. The electronic key (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the container element (60) and/or individual elements of the container element (60) are manufactured by transfer moulding, injection moulding, blow moulding and/or injection blowing.
9. The electronic key (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the housing (20) and the lid (50) are injection moulded parts of a plastic, wherein in particular the housing (20) comprises a greater resistance than the lid (50).
10. The electronic key (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lid (50) on its underside, comprises at least one locking means (54) which engages in the counter-locking means on the housing.
11. The electronic key (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lid (50) comprises a front rim area (51), a lateral area (52) and a rear rim area (53), wherein at least one locking means (54) is moulded onto the front rim area (51) and/or onto the lateral area (52), which locking means interacts with a corresponding counter-locking means (27) on the housing (20).
12. The electronic key (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a free space (23) is provided below the rear rim area (53) of the lid (50), into which an object can be inserted for releasing the lid (50).

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