EP2093833B1 - Antenneneinheit - Google Patents

Antenneneinheit Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2093833B1
EP2093833B1 EP07831106.5A EP07831106A EP2093833B1 EP 2093833 B1 EP2093833 B1 EP 2093833B1 EP 07831106 A EP07831106 A EP 07831106A EP 2093833 B1 EP2093833 B1 EP 2093833B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
coil
antenna
winding
electrode
antenna unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP07831106.5A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2093833A1 (de
EP2093833A4 (de
Inventor
Hozumi Ueda
Koji Henmi
Norihiko Aida
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sumida Corp
Original Assignee
Sumida Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sumida Corp filed Critical Sumida Corp
Publication of EP2093833A1 publication Critical patent/EP2093833A1/de
Publication of EP2093833A4 publication Critical patent/EP2093833A4/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2093833B1 publication Critical patent/EP2093833B1/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B81/00—Power-actuated vehicle locks
    • E05B81/54—Electrical circuits
    • E05B81/64—Monitoring or sensing, e.g. by using switches or sensors
    • E05B81/76—Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles
    • E05B81/78—Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles as part of a hands-free locking or unlocking operation
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01F—MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
    • H01F5/00—Coils
    • H01F5/02—Coils wound on non-magnetic supports, e.g. formers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q7/00—Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop
    • H01Q7/06—Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop with core of ferromagnetic material
    • H01Q7/08—Ferrite rod or like elongated core
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B81/00—Power-actuated vehicle locks
    • E05B81/54—Electrical circuits
    • E05B81/64—Monitoring or sensing, e.g. by using switches or sensors
    • E05B81/76—Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles
    • E05B81/77—Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles comprising sensors detecting the presence of the hand of a user
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01F—MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
    • H01F5/00—Coils
    • H01F5/02—Coils wound on non-magnetic supports, e.g. formers
    • H01F2005/027—Coils wound on non-magnetic supports, e.g. formers wound on formers for receiving several coils with perpendicular winding axes, e.g. for antennae or inductive power transfer
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/27—Adaptation for use in or on movable bodies
    • H01Q1/32—Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles
    • H01Q1/3208—Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles characterised by the application wherein the antenna is used
    • H01Q1/3233—Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles characterised by the application wherein the antenna is used particular used as part of a sensor or in a security system, e.g. for automotive radar, navigation systems
    • H01Q1/3241—Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles characterised by the application wherein the antenna is used particular used as part of a sensor or in a security system, e.g. for automotive radar, navigation systems particular used in keyless entry systems

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an antenna unit that receives and/or transmits an electromagnetic signal.
  • Patent Document 1 An electronic key system which locks or unlocks car doors in response to a portable device carried by a user has been widely used in automobiles.
  • an electronic key system with an antenna unit which is located inside a door handle for communication with a portable device (so-called "keyless entry system") (see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, for example).
  • the antenna units described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 each include a sensor electrode which detects the contact of the hand of a user with the door handle based on a change in capacitance.
  • the antenna unit described in Patent Document 1 includes an antenna coil for transmission and reception of signals, and a core which is configured to have a plurality of thin core sheets laminated and has the antenna coil wound thereon.
  • one of the plurality of core sheets serves as a sensor electrode to be connected to a capacitance detector.
  • the antenna unit described in Patent Document 2 includes a first coil constituting a first antenna, a core on which the first coil is wound, a bobbin disposed outside the core, and a second coil wound on the bobbin.
  • the core is formed in a thin elongated rectangular-parallelepiped shape
  • the first coil is arranged on the outer periphery side of the core with its winding direction being a lateral direction of the core
  • the second coil is arranged on the outer periphery side of the core with its winding direction being a longitudinal direction of the core.
  • the second coil wound on the bobbin serves as a sensor electrode to be connected to a sensor detecting section.
  • one of the core sheets constituting the core is the sensor electrode, and hence an eddy current is generated in the sensor electrode at the time when the antenna coil is energized for signal transmission and reception.
  • the eddy-current loss caused by the eddy current may affect the transmission and reception of an adequate signal from the antenna unit.
  • the second coil is the sensor electrode, whereby an eddy current is not generated, thus making it possible to overcome the above-mentioned problem.
  • the user At the time when a user unlocks a door to enter a vehicle, the user generally touches the inner side of the door handle. To prevent a malfunction, therefore, it is preferable that the door should not be unlocked when the user touches the outer side of the door handle (opposite side to the vehicle), and should be unlocked only when the user touches the inner side of the door handle.
  • the second coil constituting the electrode sensor is arranged on the outer periphery side of the core with its winding direction being the longitudinal direction of the core in the antenna unit described in Patent Document 2, which is likely to cause a malfunction of unlocking the door even when the user erroneously touches the outer side of the door handle with no intention of unlocking the door.
  • an object of the present invention to provide an antenna unit with a structure which can enable transmission and reception of an adequate signal and prevent a malfunction of a predetermined operational target.
  • an antenna unit includes: an antenna coil for effecting at least one of reception and transmission of an electromagnetic signal; a bobbin on which the antenna coil is wound; a core to be retained in the bobbin; and a sensor electrode coil to be wound on the bobbin to detect a predetermined state change based on a change in capacitance, the bobbin including: an antenna coil winding part on which the antenna coil is wound; and an electrode coil winding part which protrudes from the antenna coil winding part in one direction and on which the sensor electrode coil can be wound.
  • the antenna unit according to the present invention includes the sensor electrode coil which detects a predetermined state change based on a change in capacitance. That is, the antenna unit according to the present invention uses the sensor electrode coil to detect a predetermined state change. Therefore, even when the sensor electrode coil is wound on the bobbin on which the antenna coil is to be wound, it is unlikely to cause the problem that the eddy-current loss affects the transmission and reception of an adequate signal from the antenna unit, thus ensuring the transmission and reception of the adequate signal.
  • the bobbin includes the electrode coil winding part which protrudes from the antenna coil winding part in one direction and on which the sensor electrode coil can be wound. That is, in the antenna unit according to the present invention, the sensor electrode coil can be arranged so as to be wound on the bobbin in one direction thereof. Therefore, when the part having the sensor electrode coil wound thereon is arranged in the detection direction to detect a predetermined state change, it is possible to detect a state change in this one direction only. In other words, even if a state change occurs in another direction, it is possible not to detect the state change. It is therefore possible to prevent the operation of a predetermined operational target when a state change occurs in another direction. This results in prevention of the malfunction of the predetermined operational target.
  • the bobbin should include a plurality of winding projections at which a plurality of the electrode coil winding parts are formed.
  • the antenna coil should have one end always grounded. This configuration can allow the antenna coil wound on the antenna coil winding part and grounded to prevent a change in capacitance at the sensor electrode coil even when some situation to change the capacitance at the sensor electrode coil occurs on the opposite side to the part on which the sensor electrode coil is wound.
  • the antenna unit according to the present invention can ensure the transmission and reception of an adequate signal and prevent the malfunction of the predetermined operational target.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an antenna unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention from one direction.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the antenna unit 1 illustrated in FIG 1 from another direction.
  • FIG 3 is a perspective view illustrating a bobbin 3 illustrated in FIG 1 .
  • the antenna unit 1 is an antenna unit to be used in an electronic key system for, for example, an automobile.
  • the antenna unit 1 includes an antenna coil 2 for effecting reception and/or transmission of an electromagnetic signal, the bobbin 3 on which the antenna coil 2 is wound, a core 4 to be retained in the bobbin 3, and a sensor electrode coil 5 (hereinafter, referred to as "electrode coil 5") to be wound on the bobbin 3 to detect a predetermined state change based on a change in capacitance.
  • the antenna unit 1 also includes two terminals 6 and 7 to which both end portions of the electrode coil 5 are respectively fixed, two terminals 8 and 9 to which both end portions of the antenna coil 2 are respectively fixed, a fixed base 10 to which the terminals 8 and 9 are fixed, and a terminal 11 fixed to the fixed base 10.
  • an oblique direction sloping lower rightward in FIG. 1 is an X direction
  • an oblique direction sloping upper rightward and perpendicular to the X direction is a Y direction
  • an up-down direction in FIG 1 perpendicular to the X direction and the Y direction is a Z direction.
  • a lower-rightward oblique direction in FIG. 1 is an X1 direction
  • a direction opposite thereto is an X2 direction
  • a lower-leftward oblique direction in FIG. 1 is a Y1 direction
  • a direction opposite thereto is a Y2 direction
  • an up direction in FIG. 1 is a Z1 direction
  • a down direction in FIG. 1 is a Z2 direction.
  • a plane which is formed by the Y direction and the Z direction is a YZ plane
  • a plane which is formed by the Z direction and the X direction is a ZX plane.
  • the antenna coil 2 has an insulation film coated on the top surface of a conductive wire material.
  • one antenna coil 2 is wound on an antenna coil winding part 3a (to be described later) formed at the bobbin 3, and is wound on a coil winding part 10c (to be described later) formed at the fixed base 10.
  • the leading end side (end portion on the winding start side) of the antenna coil 2 is fixed to the terminal 8
  • the trailing end side (end portion on the winding termination side) of the antenna coil 2 is fixed to the terminal 9.
  • the fixed base 10 is formed by a non-magnetic and insulative member (e.g., resin member or the like).
  • the fixed base 10 includes an approximately rectangular-parallelepiped base-side mounting part 10a to be mounted to a base mounting part 3e (to be described later) formed at the X2-directional end portion of the bobbin 3, an approximately rectangular-parallelepiped terminal fixed part 10b to which the terminals 8, 9, and 11 are fixed, and an approximately rectangular-parallelepiped coil winding part 10c arranged between the base-side mounting part 10a and the terminal fixed part 10b.
  • the base-side mounting part 10a is arranged at the X1-directional end
  • the terminal fixed part 10b is arranged at the X2-directional end.
  • the fixed base 10 may be formed integrally with the bobbin 3.
  • the base-side mounting part 10a has engagement projections 10d formed thereat which engage with engagement recesses 3k formed in the base mounting part 3e to be described later.
  • the terminals 8, 9, and 11 are fixed to the terminal fixed part 10b in such a way as to protrude from the X2-directional end of the fixed base 10 toward the X2 direction.
  • the core 4 is formed of a magnetic material, such as Mn-Zn ferrite or Ni-Zn ferrite.
  • the core 4 is formed in a flat and thin rectangular parallelepiped shape.
  • the core 4 is disposed between two flat plate parts 3g which form the antenna coil winding part 3a to be described later.
  • the electrode coil 5 like the antenna coil 2, has an insulation film coated on the top surface of a conductive wire material.
  • one electrode coil 5 is wound around electrode coil winding parts 3b (to be described later) formed at the bobbin 3.
  • the leading end side (end portion on the winding start side) of the electrode coil 5 is fixed to the terminal 6, and the trailing end side (end portion on the winding termination side) of the electrode coil 5 is fixed to the terminal 7.
  • the bobbin 3 like the fixed base 10, is formed by a non-magnetic and insulative member (e.g., resin member or the like) into a hollow approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole.
  • the bobbin 3 includes the antenna coil winding part 3a on which the antenna coil 2 is wound, winding projections 3c each having the electrode coil winding part 3b on which the electrode coil 5 can be wound, a terminal fixing part 3d to which the terminals 6 and 7 are fixed, the base mounting part 3e to which the fixed base 10 is attached, and positioning projections 3f for positioning the winding position of the antenna coil 2 in the X direction.
  • the bobbin 3 has the terminal fixing part 3d, the antenna coil winding part 3a, and the base mounting part 3e arranged adjacently to one another in the X2 direction from the X1 direction in the named order.
  • the winding projection 3c and the positioning projection 3f are formed in such a way as to protrude from the antenna coil winding part 3a in a predetermined direction. As is described later, the winding projection 3c and the base mounting part 3e serve, together with the positioning projections 3f, to position the winding position of the antenna coil 2 in the X direction.
  • the bobbin 3 according to the embodiment has the plurality of winding projections 3c. Specifically, the bobbin 3 has four winding projections 3c formed at predetermined intervals in the X direction. Further, the bobbin 3 according to the embodiment has the plurality of positioning projections 3f. Specifically, the bobbin 3 has a total of six positioning projections 3f formed at the two flat plate parts 3g (to be described later) which form the antenna coil winding part 3a, and between the four winding projections 3c.
  • the antenna coil winding part 3a is formed by the two thin elongated flat plate parts 3g parallel to the ZX plane as illustrated in FIG 3 . Specifically, the antenna coil winding part 3a is formed by the two flat plate part 3g coupled together via the terminal fixing part 3d and the winding projections 3c.
  • the flat plate parts 3g are respectively arranged on both Y-directional end sides of the bobbin 3.
  • the terminal fixing part 3d is formed in an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape.
  • a layout hole 3h where the X1-directional end portion of the core 4 is disposed is formed in the terminal fixing part 3d in such a way as to penetrate the terminal fixing part 3d in the X direction, and a lead-out/lead-in groove 3i for the electrode coil 5 is formed in the Z1-directional end face of the terminal fixing part 3d.
  • Fixing holes 3j to which the terminals 6 and 7 are fixed are formed in the X1-directional end face of the terminal fixing part 3d, and the terminals 6 and 7 are fixed to the terminal fixing part 3d in such a way as to protrude from the X1-directional end of the bobbin 3 toward the X1 direction.
  • the base mounting part 3e is formed in a block shape and is arranged at the X2-directional end portions of the two flat plate parts 3g.
  • the engagement recess 3k which engage with the engagement projections 10d of the fixed base 10 are formed in the base mounting part 3e.
  • An X1-directional end face 3m of the base mounting part 3e which is parallel to the YZ plane serves, together with the positioning projections 3f, to position the winding position of the antenna coil 2 in the X direction as mentioned above.
  • the winding projections 3c are formed in such a way that the flat portions parallel to the YZ plane protrude from the flat plate parts 3g outward in the Y direction and outward in the Z direction.
  • the winding projections 3c are formed in such a way as to slightly protrude from the two flat plate parts 3g outward in the Y direction and in the Z2 direction, respectively, in order to position the winding position of the antenna coil 2 in the X direction, and are formed in such a way as to significantly protrude from the flat plate parts 3g in the Z1 direction and couple the two flat plate parts 3g together for the winding of the electrode coil 5.
  • the winding projection 3c located at the outermost position in the X1 direction has portions slightly protruding in the Z2 direction of the winding projection 3c, which are connected so as to couple the two flat plate parts 3g. That is, the shape of the winding projection 3c located at the outermost position in the X1 direction as viewed from the X direction is an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape, while the shape of the other winding projections 3c as viewed from the X direction is an approximately groove-like shape open in the Z2 direction.
  • a groove part 3n is formed in a portion of the winding projection 3c, which protrudes in the Z1 direction, in a predetermined Y-directional range, and both sides of the groove part 3n are the electrode coil winding parts 3b on which the electrode coil 5 can be wound. That is, in the embodiment, two electrode coil winding parts 3b to be arranged with a predetermined interval provided in the Y direction therebetween are formed at the winding projection 3c. Note that the X1-directional end faces of the winding projections 3c serve to position the winding position of the antenna coil 2 in the X direction.
  • the positioning projections 3f are formed in such a way that the flat plate portions parallel to the YZ plane protrude from the two flat plate parts 3g outward in the Y direction and outward in the Z direction. Specifically, the positioning projections 3f are formed in such a way as to slightly protrude from the two flat plate parts 3g outward in the Y direction and outward in the Z direction in order to position the winding position of the antenna coil 2 in the X direction.
  • the antenna coil 2 is sequentially wound around the antenna coil winding part 3a while being positioned in the X direction by the X1-directional end faces of the positioning projections 3f, the X1-directional end faces of the winding projections 3c, and X1-directional end face 3m of the base mounting part 3e. That is, according to the embodiment, antenna coil parts 20 are formed at seven locations by the antenna coil 2 wound around the lateral periphery of the bobbin 3 (periphery formed by the Y direction and the Z direction).
  • the electrode coil 5 is wound in such a way as to abut on the X1-directional end face of the electrode coil winding part 3b located at the outermost position in the X1 direction, and the X2-directional end face of the electrode coil winding part 3b located at the outermost position in the X2 direction, and abut on the Y-directional both ends of the electrode coil winding part 3b.
  • the electrode coil 5 is wound on the electrode coil winding parts 3b arranged on the Y1-directional side, and then wound on the electrode coil winding parts 3b arranged on the Y2-directional side, with electrode coil parts 21 being formed at two positions on the Z1-directional side of the bobbin 3. In this way, the electrode coil 5 is wound on the electrode coil winding parts 3b protruding in the Z1 direction and is arranged on the Z1-directional side of the bobbin 3.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing the schematic configuration of an electronic key system which uses the antenna unit 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a part of the circuit configuration of the electronic key system using the antenna unit 1 illustrated in FIG 1 .
  • the antenna unit 1 with the foregoing configuration is used in, for example, an electronic key system for an automobile (so-called keyless entry system).
  • This electronic key system includes an on-vehicle device to be mounted on a vehicle, and a portable device which is carried around by a user who drives or so the automobile.
  • the on-vehicle device includes, for example, an antenna drive section 26 which energizes the antenna coil 2 to drive the antenna unit 1, a drive control section 27 which controls the antenna drive section 26, and a detecting section 28 which is connected to the electrode coil 5 to detect a change in capacitance between the electrode coil 5 and the ground (earth) or the like.
  • the antenna unit 1 is disposed inside a handle of a door 30 of the automobile (door handle) 31.
  • the antenna unit 1 is disposed inside the door handle 31 with the face of the Z1-directional side (i.e., side where the electrode coil 5 is arranged) of the antenna unit 1 facing toward the door 30 side (i.e., facing the depth side of the sheet of FIG 4 ).
  • the detecting section 28 is disposed inside the door handle 31 in such a way as to adjoin the antenna unit 1.
  • the antenna drive section 26 and the drive control section 27 are disposed in the main part of the automobile (not shown).
  • the antenna drive section 26 includes, for example, an n-channel field effect transistor (FET) 32 and a p-channel FET 33 connected in series.
  • FET field effect transistor
  • the gates of the n-channel FET 32 and the p-channel FET 33 are connected to the drive control section 27.
  • the drains of the n-channel FET 32 and the p-channel FET 33 are connected via a capacitor 34 to the terminal 8 to which the end portion of the antenna coil 2 is fixed.
  • the source of the n-channel FET 32 is connected to a battery (not shown) to be installed in the vehicle for energizing the antenna coil 2, while the source of the p-channel FET 33 is grounded.
  • one end of the antenna coil 2 is always grounded.
  • the terminal 9 to which the end portion of the antenna coil 2 is fixed is grounded through a predetermined wiring line.
  • the detecting section 28 is connected through predetermined wiring lines to the terminals 6 and 7 to which both end portions of the electrode coil 5 are respectively connected. This detecting section 28 detects a change in capacitance between the electrode coil 5 and the ground, which occurs when the user's hand touches, for example, the inner side (depth side of the sheet of FIG. 4 ) of the door handle 31. The detecting section 28 then outputs a detection signal representing a change in capacitance to the drive control section 27.
  • the electronic key system having the foregoing configuration operates as follows. First, when the user touches the inner side of the door handle 31 to unlock the locked door 30 and enter the automobile, the capacitance between the electrode coil 5 and the ground changes. Based on the change in capacitance, the detecting section 28 outputs a detection signal representing a change in capacitance to the drive control section 27.
  • the drive control section 27 drives the antenna drive section 26 to energize the antenna coil 2.
  • the antenna unit 1 radio-transmits a predetermined detection signal to the portable device (not shown).
  • the portable device which has received the signal transmitted from the antenna coil 2 transmits an unlock signal for the door 30 toward a predetermined door unlocking/locking control section (not shown) installed in the on-vehicle device.
  • the door unlocking/locking control section drives an unlocking/locking device (not shown) for the door 30 to unlock the door 30 based on the unlock signal.
  • the electronic key system may operate in the same way as the electronic key system described in the Patent Document 1 or the Patent Document 2. That is, the electronic key system may operate as follows.
  • the drive control section 27 drives the antenna drive section 26 to set the antenna coil 2 in an energized state for transmission and reception of a predetermined signal between the portable device and the antenna unit 1.
  • the detecting section 28 is ready to be able to detect a change in capacitance between the electrode coil 5 and the ground.
  • the unlocking/locking device for the door 30 is driven, whereby the door is unlocked.
  • the antenna unit 1 according to the embodiment includes the electrode coil 5 for detecting a predetermined state change, such as touching of the user's hand with the inner side of the door handle 31, based on a change in capacitance. That is, the antenna unit 1 according to the embodiment detects the predetermined state change by using the electrode coil 5. Therefore, even if the electrode coil 5 is wound on the bobbin 3 on which the antenna coil 2 is wound, it is unlikely to raise a problem such that the eddy-current loss affects the transmission and reception of an adequate signal from the antenna unit 1. As a result, according to the embodiment, the transmission and reception of the adequate signal from the antenna unit 1 can be ensured.
  • the electrode coil winding parts 3b around which the electrode coil 5 can be wound are formed in such a way as to protrude from the antenna coil winding part 3a in the Z1 direction. That is, according to the embodiment, the electrode coil 5 is wound and arranged around the Z1-direction side of the bobbin 3. According to the embodiment, one end of the antenna coil 2 is always grounded. Therefore, for example, in a case where the antenna unit 1 is used in an electronic key system for an automobile which has the configuration as illustrated in FIGS.
  • the antenna unit 1 can be configured in such a way that the door 30 is not unlocked unless the door handle 31 is held firmly even if the user erroneously touches the outer side of the door handle 31.
  • the bobbin 3 has four winding projections 3c formed at predetermined intervals in the X direction.
  • Each winding projection 3c has two electrode coil winding parts 3b formed at a predetermined interval in the Y direction. That is, the bobbin 3 has a total of eight electrode coil winding parts 3b. It is therefore possible to arbitrarily select, from the eight electrode coil winding parts 3b, the electrode coil winding parts 3b on which the electrode coil 5 is to be wound, and wind and arrange the electrode coil 5 at arbitrary positions.
  • the electrode coil 5 illustrated in FIG 1 for example, two winding projections 3c arranged inward in the X direction are used, and the electrode coil 5 is wound and arranged on the electrode coil winding parts 3b formed at those winding projections 3c as illustrated in FIG 6 .
  • Various arrangements of the electrode coil 5 other than the one illustrated in FIG 6 are also possible. This makes it possible to easily change the range of detection by the electrode coil 5.
  • the sensor electrode which detects a predetermined state change is formed by the electrode coil 5, and hence the inductance value of the sensor electrode can be easily and arbitrarily set by the number of turns (turn number) of the electrode coil 5 to be wound on the electrode coil winding parts 3b.
  • the bobbin 3 includes eight electrode coil winding parts 3b according to the embodiment, and hence each of the inductance value of the electrode coil part 21 formed by the electrode coil 5 wound on one electrode coil winding part 3b and the inductance value of the electrode coil part 21 formed by the electrode coil 5 wound on another electrode coil winding part 3b can be easily and arbitrarily set.
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing the outline of the winding pattern of the electrode coil 5 in a verification test for sensor sensitivity.
  • FIGS. 9 are perspective views illustrating specific examples of the winding pattern of the electrode coil 5 illustrated in FIG 8 with (A) illustrating a specific example of each of the winding patterns No. 1 and No. 2 illustrated in FIG. 8 , and (B) illustrating a specific example of each of the winding patterns No. 3 and No. 4 illustrated in FIG. 8 .
  • FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram for describing a method of conducting the verification test for sensor sensitivity.
  • FIGS. 11 are diagrams for describing the layout direction of a copper plate 40 in the verification test for sensor sensitivity.
  • FIGS. 12 are graphs illustrating the results of the verification test for sensor sensitivity with (A) illustrating the results when one end of the antenna coil 2 is grounded, and (B) illustrating the results when one end of the antenna coil 2 is not grounded.
  • the sensor electrode is configured with the winding of the electrode coil 5 as described above.
  • the sensor for detecting a predetermined state change includes the sensor electrode and the detecting section 28. The relation between the winding pattern of the electrode coil 5 and the sensitivity of the sensor (sensor sensitivity) is described below referring to the results of the test.
  • the former antenna unit 1 has substantially the same configuration and the same functions as the latter antenna unit 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 .
  • Same reference numerals are given to the components in FIGS. 8 , 9 , and 11 , which have the same functions as the corresponding components of the antenna unit 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 .
  • the antenna units 1 having the sensor electrodes formed by the electrode coil 5 wound in four winding patterns No. 1 to No. 4 were used. That is, the antenna unit 1 having the sensor electrode (No. 1, No. 2) formed by the electrode coil 5 wound so as to surround the entire periphery of the face of the Z1-directional side, which is a reaction surface, and the antenna unit 1 having the sensor electrode (No. 3, No. 4) formed by the electrode coil 5 wound on the reaction surface separately on both sides (both Y-directional sides) were used in the verification test.
  • the antenna unit 1 having the sensor electrode formed by the electrode coil 5 wound in the winding pattern No. 1 in which one electrode coil 5 is wound in one turn in FIG. 9(A) the antenna unit 1 having the sensor electrode formed by the electrode coil 5 wound in the winding pattern No. 2 in which one electrode coil 5 is wound in four turns in FIG 9(A)
  • the antenna unit 1 having the sensor electrode formed by the electrode coil 5 wound in the winding pattern No. 4 in which one electrode coil 5 is wound in four turns in FIG 9(B) the antenna unit 1 having the sensor electrode formed by the electrode coil 5 wound in the winding pattern No. 4 in which one electrode coil 5 is wound in four turns in FIG 9(B) .
  • an antenna unit having the sensor electrode formed by a sheet core 55 made of a thin magnetic member instead of the electrode coil 5, as illustrated in a pattern No. 5 of FIG 8 was used in the verification test, too.
  • the antenna unit 1 having the sensor electrode formed by the electrode coil 5 wound in each of the winding patterns No. 1 to No. 4 illustrated in FIG 8 or the antenna unit 1 having the sensor electrode formed by the sheet core 55 illustrated in the pattern No. 5 was secured at a position apart from a metal plate (steel plate equivalent to the sheet metal of the door 30) 41 by 30 mm as illustrated in FIG 10 .
  • the copper plate 40 used as a detection target being caused to gradually approach the antenna unit 1, the distance (detection distance) between the antenna unit 1 and the copper plate 40 when the copper plate 40 was detected by the sensor formed by the electrode coil 5 or the like was measured.
  • the antenna unit 1 used in the test had a longitudinal (X direction in FIG. 1 ) width of 55 mm and a lateral (Y direction in FIG 1 ) width of 16 mm.
  • the copper plate 40 used in the test was formed in a rectangular shape and had a lateral width of 25 mm as illustrated in FIG 11 .
  • the antenna coil 2 and the end portion side of the electrode coil 5 (or sheet core 55) are connected to a substrate 42 for the test.
  • the detection distance was measured as the copper plate 40 was caused to gradually approach the antenna unit 1 in two patterns, namely, a pattern (pattern A) in which the copper plate 40 was caused to gradually approach the antenna unit 1 with the longitudinal direction of the copper plate 40 being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the antenna unit 1 and a part of the sensor electrode and the copper plate 40 overlying each other, as illustrated in FIG 11 (A) , and a pattern (pattern B) in which the copper plate 40 was caused to gradually approach the antenna unit 1 with the longitudinal direction of the copper plate 40 being matched with the longitudinal direction of the antenna unit 1 and the entire sensor electrode and the copper plate 40 overlying each other, as illustrated in FIG 11(B) .
  • pattern A in which the copper plate 40 was caused to gradually approach the antenna unit 1 with the longitudinal direction of the copper plate 40 being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the antenna unit 1 and a part of the sensor electrode and the copper plate 40 overlying each other
  • pattern B pattern in which the copper plate 40 was caused to gradually approach the antenna unit 1 with the
  • the detection distance was measured in the verification test with one end of the antenna coil 2 being grounded (for example, state illustrated in FIG 5 ) and with one end of the antenna coil 2 being ungrounded (state in which a capacitor is arranged between the terminal 9 and the ground in FIG 5 ).
  • the detection distance in the patterns No. 1 to No. 4 did not change regardless of whether one end of the antenna coil 2 was grounded or not. That is, it is found that with the sensor electrode formed by the electrode coil 5, the grounding state of the antenna coil 2 hardly affects the sensor sensitivity of the antenna unit 1.
  • the detection distance in the case of the pattern No. 5 using the sheet core 55 by way of contrast, the detection distance changed between the case where one end of the antenna coil 2 was grounded and the case where one end of the antenna coil 2 was not grounded. That is, it is found that with the sensor electrode formed by the sheet core 55, the grounding state of the antenna coil 2 affects the sensor sensitivity of the antenna unit. It can be said from the above that in the case of the sensor electrode formed by the electrode coil 5, as compared with the case of the sensor electrode formed by the sheet core 55, the sensor sensitivity of the antenna unit 1 is not easily affected by the state of the antenna coil 2 and is stable.
  • one electrode coil 5 is wound on the reaction surface separately on both sides thereof in the patterns No. 3 and No. 4, but two electrode coils 5 may be wound on the reaction surface on one side and the other side thereof, respectively. That is, a 2-channel sensor electrode may be formed by two electrode coils 5. Alternatively, the leading end side and the trailing end side of the electrode coil 5 may be twined and fixed to the same terminal 6 (or terminal 7). In other words, the leading end and the trailing end of the electrode coil 5 may be short-circuited. Further, the number of turns of the electrode coil 5 in the pattern No. 2, No. 4 should not necessarily be four (four turns). For example, the number of turns of the electrode coil 5 in the pattern No. 2, No. 4 may be two or three, or five or more.
  • the bobbin 3 has four winding projections 3c formed at predetermined intervals in the X direction.
  • the bobbin 3 may have two or three winding projections 3c, or five or more winding projections 3c instead.
  • a single wide winding projection 3c in the X direction may be formed, and the electrode coil 5 is wound on the single winding projection 3c.
  • each winding projection 3c has two electrode coil winding parts 3b formed at a predetermined interval therebetween in the Y direction.
  • each winding projection 3c may have three or more electrode coil winding parts 3b formed at predetermined intervals in the Y direction, or may have a single electrode coil winding part 3b.
  • the antenna coil 2 is energized using the antenna drive section 26 which has the n-channel FET 32 and the p-channel FET 33 connected in series.
  • the antenna coil 2 may be energized using an antenna drive section 36 which is a so-called full bridge circuit which uses two n-channel FETs 32 and two p-channel FETs 33 as illustrated in FIG 7 in place of the antenna drive section 26.
  • the gates of the n-channel FETs 32 and the p-channel FETs 33 are connected to the drive control section 27, while the drains of the n-channel FETs 32 and the p-channel FETs 33 are connected to the end portions of the antenna coil 2.
  • the sources of the n-channel FETs 32 are connected to the battery (not shown) of the on-vehicle device, with the sources of the p-channel FETs 33 being grounded.
  • a predetermined operational target such as the door 30
  • a predetermined operational target can be operated based only on a state change on the Z1-directional side where the electrode coil 5 is wound as per the above-mentioned embodiment. If both of the two p-channel FETs 33 are turned off with the antenna coil 2 being ungrounded, on the other hand, a predetermined operational target can be operated based on a state change on the Z1-directional side where the electrode coil 5 is wound and a state change on the Z2-directional side where the electrode coil 5 is not wound.
  • the electrode coil 5 has one end side fixed to the terminal 6, and the other end side fixed to the terminal 7.
  • resin terminals may be formed at the bobbin 3, and the electrode coil 5 may have one end side fixed to this resin terminals, and the other end side fixed to the terminal 11.
  • the terminals 6, 7 can be omitted, thus simplifying the configuration of the antenna unit 1.
  • the detecting section 28 may be arranged on the terminal 11 side. Note that a plurality of the resin terminals are formed in such a way that, for example, the resin terminals protrude from the two flat plate parts 3g of the bobbin 3 outward in the Y direction.
  • the antenna unit 1 may be used in an electronic key system for a house other than for an automobile.
  • the approach of a user from the front side of the door of a house may be detected by the electrode coil 5, whereby the opening/closing of the door may be carried out using the antenna unit 1.
  • the antenna unit 1 may be used in a system other than an electronic key system.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Details Of Aerials (AREA)
  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
  • Support Of Aerials (AREA)
  • Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)

Claims (2)

  1. Antenneneinheit für ein elektronisches Schlüssesystem für ein Kraftfahrzeug, welche folgendes aufweist: eine Antennenwicklung zum Empfangen und/oder zum Übertragen eines elektromagnetischen Signals;
    eine Spule (3), auf welcher die Antennenwicklung (2) gewickelt ist;
    einen Kern (4), welcher in der Spule gehalten ist; und eine auf der Spule gewickelte Sensor-Elekrodenwicklung (5), um eine vorgegebene Zustandsänderung, welche auf einer Änderung der Kapazität basiert, zu erfassen,
    wobei die Spule enthält:
    einen Abschnitt (3a) zum Wickeln der Antennenwicklung, auf welchen die Antennenwicklung (2) gewickelt ist; und
    einen Abschnitt (3b) zum Wickeln einer Elektrodenwicklung, welcher vom Abschnitt zum Wickeln der Antennenwicklung (2) in einer Richtung hervorsteht und auf welchen die Elektrodenwicklung gewickelt werden kann,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Spule eine Vielzahl von Wickelvorsprüngen (3c) enthält, an denen eine Vielzahl von Abschnitten (3b) zum Wickeln einer Elektrodenwicklung gebildet sind.
  2. Antenneneinheit nach Anspruch 1, wobei ein Ende der Antennenwicklung immer geerdet ist.
EP07831106.5A 2006-11-08 2007-11-02 Antenneneinheit Active EP2093833B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2006302322 2006-11-08
PCT/JP2007/071372 WO2008056601A1 (fr) 2006-11-08 2007-11-02 Unité d'antenne

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2093833A1 EP2093833A1 (de) 2009-08-26
EP2093833A4 EP2093833A4 (de) 2013-07-10
EP2093833B1 true EP2093833B1 (de) 2014-05-07

Family

ID=39364419

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07831106.5A Active EP2093833B1 (de) 2006-11-08 2007-11-02 Antenneneinheit

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2093833B1 (de)
JP (1) JPWO2008056601A1 (de)
CN (1) CN101529654B (de)
WO (1) WO2008056601A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP5137716B2 (ja) * 2008-07-02 2013-02-06 スミダコーポレーション株式会社 アンテナ装置
JP5161901B2 (ja) * 2010-02-15 2013-03-13 スミダコーポレーション株式会社 アンテナコイル
JP5645115B2 (ja) * 2010-09-30 2014-12-24 日立金属株式会社 アンテナ部材及び低周波アンテナ
JP2014107692A (ja) * 2012-11-27 2014-06-09 Tokai Rika Co Ltd アンテナ装置
JP2014107691A (ja) * 2012-11-27 2014-06-09 Tokai Rika Co Ltd アンテナ装置
JP6229305B2 (ja) * 2013-05-17 2017-11-15 スミダコーポレーション株式会社 アンテナ装置およびアンテナ装置の製造方法
TWI464318B (zh) * 2013-07-29 2014-12-11 Univ Nat Taipei Technology 供裝設於把手的感應裝置及車門把手
US9768509B2 (en) * 2013-08-09 2017-09-19 Sumida Corporation Antenna coil component, antenna unit, and method of manufacturing the antenna coil component
WO2015107834A1 (ja) * 2014-01-20 2015-07-23 株式会社村田製作所 アンテナ部品
JP6451176B2 (ja) * 2014-09-25 2019-01-16 アイシン精機株式会社 バーアンテナ用のボビン、及び、このボビンを備えるバーアンテナ
JP6509612B2 (ja) * 2015-04-03 2019-05-08 東京パーツ工業株式会社 Ｒｆタグ用アンテナ及びｒｆタグ
JP6701907B2 (ja) * 2016-04-13 2020-05-27 スミダコーポレーション株式会社 アンテナ装置およびアンテナ装置の製造方法
DE102016010561A1 (de) * 2016-08-31 2018-03-01 Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst Gmbh & Co. Kg Kraftfahrzeugtürgriffanordnung mit Antenne
CN106711592A (zh) * 2017-03-17 2017-05-24 吉林省亿丰无线电技术股份有限公司 一种无线电信号转换装置

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH01121877U (de) * 1988-02-13 1989-08-18
JP2000286630A (ja) * 1999-03-31 2000-10-13 Toshiba Corp 送受信アンテナ
JP2001297918A (ja) * 2000-04-11 2001-10-26 Mitsubishi Electric Corp コイルアンテナおよび携帯通信機
JP3855253B2 (ja) * 2000-06-13 2006-12-06 アイシン精機株式会社 バーアンテナおよびその製造方法
JP2003092509A (ja) * 2001-07-13 2003-03-28 Sumida Corporation アンテナコイル
JP3899912B2 (ja) 2001-11-29 2007-03-28 アイシン精機株式会社 ドア開閉装置
JP2004147098A (ja) * 2002-10-24 2004-05-20 Aisin Seiki Co Ltd バーアンテナ装置
DE10359701A1 (de) * 2003-12-18 2005-07-14 Volkswagen Ag Funkantenne
JP4513481B2 (ja) 2004-09-28 2010-07-28 アイシン精機株式会社 アンテナ装置、及びドアハンドル装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2093833A1 (de) 2009-08-26
CN101529654B (zh) 2013-03-20
CN101529654A (zh) 2009-09-09
WO2008056601A1 (fr) 2008-05-15
JPWO2008056601A1 (ja) 2010-02-25
EP2093833A4 (de) 2013-07-10

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2093833B1 (de) Antenneneinheit
EP1678685B1 (de) Einrichtung zur detektion des menschlichen körpers für fahrzeuge
US9249606B2 (en) Antenna unit and door handle device including the same
US11269108B2 (en) Door handle assembly for a motor vehicle having a capacitive sensor and near-field communication
KR100864990B1 (ko) 경로 차량용 수동 위치감지/통신 장치 및 방법
EP2474842B1 (de) Kapazitive detektionsvorrichtung, sensoreinheit und kontrollsystem zur erkennung eines sich nähernden objekts sowie verfahren dafür
CN101136114B (zh) 无钥匙被动进入系统
AU2013293562B2 (en) Integrated antenna coil in a metallic body
US9652916B2 (en) Device for detecting the presence of a user, and vehicle door handle comprising said device
EP1617509A1 (de) Sensorträgerantenneneinrichtung des elektrostatischen kapazitätstyps
CN114630947B (zh) 用于在至少两个不同的探测区域内探测激活行为的车辆用装置
JP2009290454A (ja) 送信アンテナ装置及び送信アンテナ装置が収容されるドアハンドル
US20220352890A1 (en) Sensor Device
CN101308952A (zh) 无线通信设备的天线结构
US8134846B2 (en) Apparatus for shielding H-field signals
US5735152A (en) Locking system with magnetic field shield
KR20180080304A (ko) 차량에 핸즈프리 액세스를 하기 위해 휴대용 장치의 양방향 접근을 검출하는 디바이스 및 관련 검출 방법
CN108798314B (zh) 车门把手装置
US20020113747A1 (en) Transmitter and receiver coil
CN112242608B (zh) 天线模块
KR20240051590A (ko) 차량의 시동 버튼 설치 구조 및 이를 포함하는 시동 버튼 장치
WO2005035418A1 (en) Electromagnetic resonance sensing of elevator position
JP2021102866A (ja) 静電容量センサ
KR20090120710A (ko) 터치 감지부를 구비한 차량 도어 핸들, 및 도어 잠금 해제장치
KR20090120711A (ko) 터치 감지부를 구비한 차량 도어 핸들, 및 도어 잠금 해제장치

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20090604

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20130606

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: H01F 5/02 20060101ALI20130531BHEP

Ipc: H01F 27/32 20060101ALI20130531BHEP

Ipc: H01Q 11/08 20060101ALI20130531BHEP

Ipc: E05B 49/00 20060101ALI20130531BHEP

Ipc: E05B 65/12 20060101ALI20130531BHEP

Ipc: H01Q 1/32 20060101ALI20130531BHEP

Ipc: H01Q 7/08 20060101AFI20130531BHEP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R079

Ref document number: 602007036594

Country of ref document: DE

Free format text: PREVIOUS MAIN CLASS: H01Q0007080000

Ipc: E05B0081780000

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: H01Q 1/32 20060101ALI20140129BHEP

Ipc: E05B 81/78 20140101AFI20140129BHEP

Ipc: H01F 5/02 20060101ALI20140129BHEP

Ipc: H01Q 7/08 20060101ALI20140129BHEP

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20140212

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 666855

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20140515

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602007036594

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20140612

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 666855

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20140507

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: VDEP

Effective date: 20140507

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140507

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140507

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140907

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140808

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140507

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140507

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140507

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140507

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140507

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140507

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140908

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140507

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140507

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140507

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140507

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140507

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140507

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602007036594

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140507

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20150210

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140507

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602007036594

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20150210

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20141102

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140507

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140507

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20141130

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20141130

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20141102

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 9

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140507

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20071102

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140507

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20140507

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: CA

Effective date: 20160822

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 10

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 11

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20231123

Year of fee payment: 17

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20231120

Year of fee payment: 17

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20231121

Year of fee payment: 17