EP2331777A1

EP2331777A1 - Key with stowable insert and corresponding extension module

Info

Publication number: EP2331777A1
Application number: EP09809348A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marc David; Benoit Delande
Original assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle SAS
Current assignee: Valeo Comfort and Driving Assistance SAS
Priority date: 2008-09-01
Filing date: 2009-08-28
Publication date: 2011-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-28
Also published as: EP2331776B1; FR2935418A1; FR2935419A1; JP5739331B2; WO2010023293A1; US20110179838A1; FR2935418B1; US8770001B2; US20110259064A1; JP2012501392A; WO2010023294A1; CN102232134A; FR2935419B1; JP2012501393A; US8763434B2; EP2331776A1; JP5650645B2; EP2331777B1; CN102216546A; CN102232134B

Abstract

The invention relates to a key, in particular for an automobile, which comprises: - a casing (3) with an upper half shell (3a) defining a lid and a lower half shell (3b) defining a casing bottom; - an insert (5, 7) pivotally mounted relative to the casing (3) and capable of movement between a rest position in which the insert (5, 7) is stowed in said casing (3) and a use position in which the insert (5, 7) is extended relative to said casing (3); - an insert (5, 7) extension device mounted in the casing (3) and including: a push button (19) axially received in a cavity (21) combined with the upper half shell (3a) and protruding from the upper half shell (3a) so as to be actuated by a user; and an elastic return member (23) for the insert (5, 7), having a first end (23a) connected to the insert (5, 7) for pivotally urging the insert (5, 7) into the use position when the push button (19) is actuated. According to the invention, the push button (19) includes a means for the rotational blocking of the push button (19) relative to the casing that defines an axial-translation guide for the push button (19), and said return member (23) is attached to the push button (19) by a second end (23b). The invention further relates to an extension module for the insert (5, 7) of such a key.

Description

Retractable insert wrench and corresponding deployment module

The invention relates to keys, particularly for a motor vehicle, whose head comprises a housing and whose part comprising the bit, called insert, is retractable into the housing.

The invention also relates to a deployment module of the insert of such a key.

Key structures forming a box with a retractable mechanical insert have already been proposed, in which the insert is pivotally mounted between a rest position in which the insert is retracted into a housing inside the housing, and a position of use in which the insert is deployed relative to the housing.

Such articulation of the insert requires a deployment mechanism of the insert mounted in the housing. For example, a deployment mechanism is known mounted between the bottom of a half-shell of the housing and a holding wall of this half-shell and comprising: a clevis secured to the bit pivotally mounted in the housing around an axis of pivoting between the rest position and the position of use,

- A push button mounted in a housing of the yoke to be secured in pivoting of the yoke, and

- A spring interposed between the bottom of the half-shell and the push button to resiliently return the yoke in the position of use.

However, this deployment mechanism uses a large number of components which are also relatively bulky and can monopolize a large volume inside the housing.

In addition, such a mechanism does not provide a push button to engage the deployment mechanism locked in rotation relative to the housing, to meet certain demands of manufacturers.

The invention aims to provide an optimized key in which the number of parts is limited while allowing to obtain a push button locked in rotation.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a key, particularly for a motor vehicle, comprising: a housing with an upper half-shell forming a lid and a lower half-shell forming a bottom of the housing,

an insert pivotally mounted relative to said housing between a rest position in which the insert is retracted into said housing and a position of use in which the insert is deployed relative to said housing;

a mechanism for deploying the insert mounted in said housing and comprising:

A push button received axially in an associated housing of the upper half-shell and projecting from the upper half-shell to be actuated by a user, and an elastic return element of the insert of which a first end is connected to the insert, for biasing the insert pivotally towards said position of use when the push button is actuated, characterized in that the push button comprises a means for locking the push button in rotation with respect to said guide housing of the push button in axial translation, and in that said return element is fixed to the push button by a second end.

Thus, we obtain a key with a reduced number of parts and a push button locked in rotation by means of a single push button which engages the deployment mechanism and which serves as an element locked in rotation for the biasing element soliciting the insert and pivot pin for the insert.

Such a push button may also have any general shape since it is not rotated.

Said key may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in combination: the push button and said guide blocking means are made in one piece, so no additional parts are necessary to guide in translation and to block in rotation the push button;

- Said guide blocking means comprises at least one guide pin of the push button cooperating with a corresponding notch of said housing of said upper half-shell; - Said guide locking means comprises three regularly spaced pusher button guide lugs, this ensures a stable translational guide axis and optimizes the guidance of the push button;

- The push button has a hollow interior space, inside which houses the second end of said return member;

- Two first parallel lips are formed in the bottom of the push button and receive the second end of said biasing member, so as to lock the second end of said biasing member relative to the push button locked in rotation; - The insert comprises a bit and a bit support secured to the bit pivotally mounted relative to said housing and the first end of said biasing element is fixed to the bit holder, so that said biasing element urges said support pivotally relative to said housing for deploying the bit when the push button is actuated; said support comprises a hollow pin inside which houses the first end of said return element;

two second parallel lips are formed in said pin and receive the first end of said return element, so as to block the first end of said return element with respect to said pin of said pivoting support relative to said housing;

said pin is connected to an internal lateral wall of said support by a radial bridge;

- said lower half-shell of said housing has a recess for receiving said support in said rest position and an orifice is provided on the inner wall of said lower half-shell at the recess for interlocking said pin;

said key comprises a stop means in translation of the push button formed in said support;

said stop means comprises a stop pin coming from the lower half-shell being introduced into a recess provided on said support; - The push button has at least one projection for holding the insert in position -A- of rest, said support comprises an open flange for the passage of said retaining projection, and said flange has a notch cooperating with said retaining projection, so that said retaining projection engages said notch in the rest position and that said holding projection releases said notch when the push button is actuated, so as to allow the pivoting of said support, such an open collar allows a simplified assembly of the push button and said support;

said return element is in the form of a helical torsion spring.

The invention also relates to an insert deployment module for retractable insert key configured to be mounted in a housing of said key, comprising:

an insert with a bit support and a bit secured to said support,

a push button received in an orifice of said support, and

- An elastic return element of the insert, characterized in that said return element is fixed on the one hand to said support and on the other hand to the push button.

Such a deployment module is assembled independently of a housing of the key in which the insert is intended to be retracted, and once assembled, this deployment module forms an easily manipulable unit that can be mounted in a simple manner in said housing . In addition, such a deployment module makes it easy to pre-constrain the return element during the assembly of this deployment module.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example, and the appended drawings among which: FIG. 1a shows a key according to the invention ,

FIG. 1b represents the upper half-shell of the key housing of FIG.

FIG. 1C represents an exploded view of the key of FIG.

FIG. 1d is a perspective from below of FIG. 1C; FIG. 2 is a view in more detail of the lower half-shell and button push of the key of the figure la,

FIG. 3 a is an exploded view of a push button and a housing of the push button on the upper half-shell of the key housing of FIG.

FIG. 3b is a view of the pushbutton mounted in the housing of FIG. 3a; FIG. 4a represents a pushbutton for the key of FIG.

FIG. 4b is a bottom view of the pushbutton of FIG. 4a,

FIG. 5a shows a bit carrier for the key of FIG.

FIG. 5b is a view from above of the bit holder of FIG. 5a,

FIG. 5c is a side view of the bit holder of FIG. 5a; FIG. 5d is a sectional view of the bit holder of FIG. 5c, and

- Figure 5e is a partially side view of the bit holder of Figure 5a.

The key 1 represented in FIGS.

a housing 3 forming a key head,

an insert 5, 7 comprising a bit holder 5 and a bit 7 secured to the support 5, and

a mechanism for deploying the insert 5.7 with respect to the housing 3 to enable the insert 5.7 to move between:

A rest position (Figures Ic, Id) in which the insert 5,7 is retracted into the housing 3 in a recess 9 provided inside the housing 3, for example in a substantially L-shaped shape corresponding to the shape insert 5.7, and

• a position of use (Figure la), wherein the insert 5.7 is deployed relative to the housing 3 to be inserted into a lock.

In the illustrated example, the housing 3 is made in two parts in the form of an upper half-shell 3a forming a lid and a lower half-shell 3b forming a bottom of the housing, these two half-shells 3a, 3b being able to be assembled for example by clipping. A seal (not shown) may be disposed between the two half-shells 3a, 3b to protect the interior of the housing 3 against the external environment, particularly against moisture or dust. One can still provide a decorative belt (not shown) disposed between the two half-shells 3a, 3b to embellish the assembly. The key 1 can also combine a mechanical key and an electronic key.

In this case, a printed circuit board (not shown) is disposed in the housing 3. This board carries the remote control electronic circuits for central locking / unlocking of the vehicle doors, and a transponder (not shown) for the anti-theft system of the vehicle and a battery (not shown) for the remote control function. This remote control function is operated by the operator by means of actuating buttons 11 provided on the upper half-shell 3a. A cover 13 can be arranged in the housing

3 to conceal the electrical or electronic components of the remote control housing 3.

In addition, the support 5 has two opposite ends 5a, 5b, the end 5a carries the blade 7. For this, an end 7a of the blade 7 can be nested in a complementary housing (not shown) at the level of the blade. end 5a of the support 5. The support 5 / bit assembly 7 is held fixed for example by a pin (not shown) through holes 17 formed on the support 5 and the bit 7. Of course, the blade 7 can be attached to the support 5 by any other appropriate means.

Moreover, the deployment mechanism of the insert 5.7 comprises:

a push button 19 received in an associated housing 21 of the upper half-shell 3a and passing through an orifice 6 of the support 5, the push-button 19 projecting from the upper half-shell 3 so as to be accessible to a user so that he can operate this push button 19 to deploy the insert 5.7, and

an elastic return element 23 fixed by a first end 23a to the insert 5,7 and by a second end 23b to a member locked in rotation relative to the casing 3, to bias the insert 5,7 pivotally towards the position of use when the push button 19 is actuated. This return element 23 is for example a helical torsion spring.

When the push button 19 is actuated by the user, the push button 19 is driven in axial translation along the longitudinal axis A within the support 5. In order to prevent the push-button 19 from coming into abutment against the bottom wall of the support 5 at the end of the stroke, it is possible to provide a means for stopping the push-button 19. This stop means may comprise a pin of FIG. stopping in the support 5 on which the push button 19 comes into contact at the end of travel, so that the translational movement of the push button 19 is stopped before the latter reaches the bottom wall of the support 5.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures Ic, Id and 2, the support 5 has at its bottom a recess (Figure Id), for example in a circular arc greater than 180 °, and the stop means comprises a stud stop 15 (Figures Ic and 2) from the lower half-shell 3b and inserted into the support 5 at this arc. This stop pad 15 further has a recess for defining a surface 15a of contact with the push button 19 at the end of the race. In addition, the push button 19 comprises means for locking the push button in rotation relative to the housing 3. This locking means forms a guide of the push button 19 in axial translation along the longitudinal axis A of the push button 19 and is realized in one piece with the push button 19.

Thus, it is the push button 19 which allows both to engage the deployment mechanism, to guide the push button 19 in translation, and to lock in rotation the push button 19. In the illustrated example, this means of guide blocking comprises at least one guide pin 25 which projects outwardly from the outer surface of the pushbutton 19. It can be provided that the pushbutton 19 has two diametrically opposite guide pins 25 or three regularly distributed guide pins 25 for optimized translation guidance. Referring to Figures 3a and 3b, each guide pin 25 cooperates with a corresponding notch 27 provided at the housing 21 on the upper half-shell 3a to guide the push button 19 in translation relative to the housing 3 along the axis A and to immobilize the push button 19 in rotation relative to the housing 3. Thus, given the height of the guide lugs 25 or first tenons and of the extra thickness vis-à-vis the upper shell, these tenons remain engaged in the notches 27 or first cavities and the button remains locked in rotation by connection with the upper shell.

The return member 23 is fixed by its second end 23b to the push button 19 and stable rotation (Figure Ic) without requiring an intermediate piece between the push button 19 and the biasing element 23 of the deployment mechanism.

For this purpose, as can be seen in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the push-button 19 has a hollow interior space 20 for housing the second end 23b of the return element 23.

More precisely, two first parallel lips 29 are formed in the bottom of the pushbutton 19 and extend towards the second end 23b of the return element 23 to receive this second end 23b. In this case, the second end 23b extends back inside the return element 23. The first lips 29 thus make it possible to block the second end 23b with respect to the push button 19 and thus to block the second end 23b in rotation relative to the upper half-shell 3a of the housing 3.

In addition, to bias the insert 5.7 pivotally, the return element 23 is preferably fixed by its first end 23 to the support 5. Thus, the spring has its lower end locked in rotation on the yoke or support insert, inserted in a groove arranged on the bottom of the latter, and its upper end locked in rotation at the bottom of the button on its closed wall. In said rest position, it is thus prestressed in torsion.

To do this, as can be seen in FIGS. 5a and 5b, the support 5 may comprise a hollow pin 31 for housing the first end 23a of the return element.

23 at the bottom wall 33 of the support 5. This pin 31 is for example connected to an inner side wall 35 of the support 5 by a radial bridge 37 and can be made of material.

In addition, it is possible to provide two parallel second lips 39 formed inside the pin 31 which extend towards the first end 23a of the return element 23 to receive this first end 23a. The first end 23a also extends back inside the return element 23. Thus, the second lips 39 block the first end 23a relative to the pin 31 of the support 5 pivotally mounted relative to the housing 3, so as to allow transmission of the restoring force of the return member 23 to the support 5.

In addition, as illustrated in FIGS. 5c, 5d, the pin 31 emerges with respect to the bottom wall 33 of the support 5. An orifice 41 (FIG. 1c) is then provided on the inner wall of the lower half-shell 3b. at the recess 9 for the interlocking of the pin 31 when mounting the support 5 in the housing 3. As described previously (see Figures Ic, Id), the support 5 is open at its bottom in a circular arc, in which the stud 15 is inserted during the mounting of the support 5 on the lower half-shell 3b. This circular arc is centered on the pivot axis A so that during the pivoting of the support 5, the stop pin 15 circulates in this arc until the radial bridge 37 abuts against this stud stop 15, so as to block the pivoting movement of the support 5.

In addition, for the pivoting guidance of the support 5, the support 5 may further comprise two guide fingers (not shown) on either side of the second end 5b, which, under the effect of the actuation of the push button 19, are respectively guided by a first guide groove 43a formed in the upper half-shell 3a and a second guide groove 43b formed in the lower half-shell 3b (see Figures Ib and Ic). These guide grooves 43a, 43b have a generally semicircular shape and are each delimited by two stops 45,47. Thus, when the guide fingers bear against the abutments 45, the insert 5, 7 is in the rest position, and when the guide fingers bear against the abutments 47, the insert 5, 7 is in the position of use.

Of course, any other means enabling pivotal guidance of the support 5 may be used.

Furthermore, the push button 19 and the support 5 respectively fixed to the return element 23, cooperate to maintain the insert 5,7 in the rest position. For this, with reference to FIGS. 4a, 4b and 5b, 5e, the pushbutton 19 has at least one retaining projection 49 of the insert 5,7 in the rest position, and the support 5 has a flange 51. This flange 51 is open to allow the passage of the retaining projection 49 and has a notch 53 cooperating with the retaining projection 49, so that the retaining projection 49 engages the notch 53 in the rest position and releases the notch 53 when the push button 19 is actuated, so as to allow the pivoting of the support 5.

The assembly comprising the support 5, the bit 7, the push button 19 and the return element 23, form a deployment module of the insert 5.7. This deployment module is assembled independently of the housing 3. The assembly of this deployment module comprises the following steps (see Figures Ic, 4a, 4b and 5a):

the end 7a of the bit 7 is fixed to the end 5a of the support 5,

the return element 23 is introduced through the orifice 6 of the support 5,

the first end 23a of the return element 23 is fixed in the second lips 39 of the hollow pin 31 of the support 5,

the push-button 19 is introduced through the orifice 6 and the push-button 19 is positioned so as to present the holding protrusion 49 of the push-button 19 above the opening of the flange 51 of the support 5,

the second end 23b of the return element 23 is fixed in the first lips 29 in the interior space 20 of the pushbutton 19, and

the holding projection 49 is introduced into the opening of the flange 51 of the support 5 and the pushbutton 19 is rotated by a predefined angle so that the holding projection 49 engages the notch 53 of the flange 51 of the support 5 The predefined angle is, for example, 90 ° for quarter-turn or 180 ° for half-turn mounting.

In addition, when the biasing member 23 is a helical torsion spring, the rotation of the push button 19 until the holding projection 49 engages the notch 53, makes it possible to pre-constrain the spring in a simple manner. torsion.

Of course, the order of certain steps of the assembly of this deployment module can be modified. The deployment module thus assembled, it can be mounted in the housing 3. For this, we mount the support 5 on the lower half-shell 3b and place the upper half-shell 3 has such that the push button 19 is received in housing

21 of the upper half-shell 3 has protruding from the housing 3. The two half-shells 3a, 3b are then fixed together.

The assembly of the support or clevis of the insert, the button and the spring is thus preassembled, with the prestressed spring. This arrangement therefore allows a prefabrication of such a module that can be produced and delivered by a supplier to the manufacturer of the remote control device. Thus, when an operator desires to use the insert 5.7 and thereby pull it out with respect to the housing 3, he presses the push button 19 whose actuation releases the notch 53 of the support 5, which relaxes the return element 23.

Under the action of the return element 23, the support 5 pivots with respect to the housing 3, the guide fingers of the support 5 being guided by the guide grooves 43a, 43b provided on the housing 3.

Under the effect of the pivoting of the support 5, the blade 7 is disengaged from the recess 9 and then moves from its retracted position into the housing 3, in its extended position relative to the housing 3 in which the blade 7 can be used, realizing for example an angle of 180 °. This use position is reached when the guiding fingers of the support 5 are pressed against the stops 47 of the housing 3, which blocks any further movement.

It is therefore understood that such a deployment module forms a preassembled unit for the key 1 to easily constrain the return element 23 during assembly and can be mounted in a simple manner in the housing 3 of the key 1, while by limiting the number of parts required for the articulation of the insert 5.7 relative to the housing 3.

Claims

Key, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising: a housing (3) with an upper half-shell (3a) forming a cover and a lower half-shell (3b) forming a housing bottom;

an insert (5, 7) pivotally mounted relative to said housing (3) between a rest position in which the insert (5, 7) is retracted into said housing (3) and a position of use in which the insert (5, 7) is deployed with respect to said housing (3),

a mechanism for deploying the insert (5, 7) mounted in said housing (3) and comprising:

A push button (19) received axially in a housing (21) associated with the upper half-shell (3 a) and projecting from the upper half-shell (3 a) to be actuated by a user, and

An elastic return element (23) of the insert (5, 7) having a first end (23a) connected to the insert (5, 7) for biasing the insert (5, 7) towards said use position when the push button (19) is actuated, characterized in that the push button (19) comprises a means for locking the push button (19) in rotation with respect to said push button guide housing (19) in axial translation, and in that said return element (23) is fixed to the push button (19) by a second end (23b).

2. Key according to claim 1, characterized in that the push button (19) and said locking means forming a guide are made in one piece.

3. Key according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said locking means forming a guide comprises at least one guide pin (25) of the push button (19) cooperating with a corresponding notch (27) of said housing ( 21) of said upper half-shell (3a).

4. Key according to claim 3, characterized in that said blocking means forming guide comprises three guide lugs (25) of the push button (19) regularly distributed.

5. Key according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the push button (19) has a hollow interior space (20), inside which houses the second end (23b) of said return element ( 23).

6. Key according to claim 5, characterized in that two first parallel lips (29) are formed in the bottom of the push button (19) and receive the second end (23b) of said return member (23).

7. Key according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the insert comprises a bit (7) and a bit carrier (5) integral with the bit (7) pivotally mounted relative to said housing (3). and in that the first end (23a) of said biasing member (23) is fixed to the bit holder (5), so that said biasing member (23) biases said holder (5) with respect to said housing ( 3) to deploy the bit (7) when the push button (19) is actuated.

8. Key according to claim 7, characterized in that said support (5) comprises a hollow pin (31) inside which houses the first end (23a) of said biasing element (23).

9. Key according to claim 8, characterized in that two second parallel lips (39) are formed in said pin (31) and receive the first end.

(23a) of said return member (23).

10. Key according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that said pin (31) is connected to an inner side wall (35) of said support (5) by a radial bridge (37).

11. Key according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that said lower half-shell (3b) of said housing (3) has a recess (9) for receiving said support (5) in said rest position and in that an orifice is provided on the inner wall of said lower half-shell (3b) at the recess (9) for interlocking said pin (31).

12. Key according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a stop means in translation of the push button (19) disposed at least partially in said support (5).

13. Key according to claim 12, characterized in that said stop means comprises a stop pin (15) coming from the lower half-shell (3b) being introduced into a recess provided on said support (5).

14. Key according to any one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that:

- The push button (19) comprises at least one holding projection (49) of the insert (5,7) in the rest position, in that - said support (5) has a flange (51) open for the passage of said retaining projection (49), and in that

said flange (51) has a notch (53) cooperating with said retaining projection (49), so that said retaining projection (49) engages said notch (53) in the rest position and that said retaining projection (49) ) releases said notch

(53) when the push button (19) is actuated, so as to allow the pivoting of said support (5).

15. Key according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that said biasing element (23) is formed as a helical torsion spring.

16. Key insert deployment module (1) with retractable insert configured to be mounted in a housing (3) of said key, comprising:

an insert (5, 7) with a bit carrier (5) and a bit (7) integral with said support (5), a push button (19) received in an orifice (6) of said support (5), and

an elastic return element (23) of the insert (5, 7), characterized in that said return element (23) is fixed on the one hand to said support (5) and on the other hand to the push button ( 19).