FR2721965A1 - KEY PROVIDED WITH A REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH A KEY - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a key provided with a remote control device suitable for remotely controlling the opening and / or closing of the doors of a motor vehicle. This key consists of a paneton, two half-shells adapted to house the remote control device between them and a seal (19). The control device is of the type comprising a plurality of electronic components, an infrared emitting diode and a switch actuated by a deformable member (18) integral with at least one of the half-shells. According to the present invention, the key is characterized in that the deformable member (18) and the seal (19) are made integrally in a single material and in that said seal (19a, 19b) also produces the Sealing of the infrared emitting diode and a light emitting diode indicator. The present invention also extends to the method of manufacturing such a key.

Description

The present invention relates to a key and a method for producing a

  such a key. More particularly this key is suitable for controlling the opening

  and / or closing the doors of a motor vehicle.

  Keys are already known, provided with an infrared remote control device for example, adapted for remotely controlling the opening of the doors of a motor vehicle. Generally, such keys are produced by assembling two half-shells containing an electronic device for

  remote control and a bit.

  The remote control device comprises, inter alia, a light-emitting diode adapted to serve as a functioning indicator and a diode for emitting the infrared signal. The half-shells and the emitting diode are sealed by specific seals, inserted in the

appropriate places.

  In known manner, the remote control device is actuated,

  inter alia, by pressure on a deformable member inserted in one of the half

  cockles. Thus by pressing the housing at the level of the deformable member, the remote control device is operated and therefore the opening

vehicle doors.

  Such a key housing thus consists of two half-shells, a control device, several seals and a deformable member. The relatively large number of small parts to be placed in this

  type of case makes its long, delicate and expensive manufacturing process.

  The object of the present invention is to minimize the number of parts to be assembled to make such a key. We are also trying to reduce

manufacturing costs and time.

  To this end, the present invention relates to a key provided with a control device suitable for remotely controlling the opening and / or closing of the doors of a motor vehicle. This key consists of a bit and two half-shells adapted to accommodate between them the control device and a seal. The control device is of the type comprising a plurality of electronic components, a transmitting diode and a switch actuated by a deformable member secured to at least one of the half-shells. The key according to the invention is characterized in that the deformable member and the seal are made integrally from a single material and in that

  that said seal also seals the emitting diode.

  Thanks to this arrangement, all the small elements necessary for the production of a key are integral with each other, which reduces the number of parts to be inserted in the key housing. Furthermore advantageously, the same

  material constitutes the deformable member and the seal.

  Advantageously, this material is deposited by overmolding on only one of the two half-shells. Such removal by molding is easy to perform and inexpensive. The number of steps required to manufacture this key is

thus significantly reduced.

  The present invention also extends to a method of manufacturing a

such a key.

  Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention

  will emerge moreover from the description which follows by way of nonlimiting example and in

  reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is an exploded and perspective view showing a key according to the invention, - Figures 2a and 2b are perspective views of the upper half-shell respectively according to a top view , and a view from below and,

  - Figure 3 is a sectional view along line III - III of Figure 2b.

  According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the key 10 according to the invention comprises: - two said half-shells, lower 1 1 a and, upper 11 b, - an electronic remote control device 12 of the opening and / or closing the doors of a vehicle and,

- a key bit 13.

  The remote control device 12 essentially consists of a number of electronic components 14 of known types, an infrared emitting diode 15, a switch 16, supports 17 and a diode

light emitting 21.

  As best seen in Figures 2a and 2b the center of the upper half-shell 11b is closed by a deformable member 18. In known manner when the user exerts pressure on this deformable member, he actuates the switch 16 placed at the balance of this organ. Thereby a code is emitted by the emitting diode 15 so that the automobile lock corresponding to this key is actuated. The operating principle of opening and closing the doors of a vehicle is also well known per se and will not be

not described here.

  The seal 19 ensuring the tightness of the half-shells, one with respect to the other, extends over the entire periphery of the upper shell 11b. This seal also seals the diode 15. For this purpose the seal 19 has an annular extension 19a, adapted to surround the emitting diode 15 and thus make it waterproof. This seal 19 also seals

  of the light-emitting diode 21.

  In fact, this diode 21 is adapted to radiate outwards from the upper half-shell 11b, thanks to an indicator 22. This indicator is completely

  surrounded by the seal 19 which has for this purpose an annular part 19b.

  According to the invention, the deformable member 18 and the seal 19 form only one piece and are produced in one piece by overmolding.

  Advantageously, this overmolding is carried out in only one of the half

  shells (11 b in the example shown).

  The material used to make the entire deformable member and the seal

is for example an elastomer.

  When the molding of the deformable member and of the seal is carried out, it suffices to place the remote control device 12 in the two half-shells, to insert the bit 13, to close and secure the assembly, to carry out the

key according to the present invention.

  It will be noted that the number of parts necessary for the production of the key according to the invention is notably reduced compared to the existing keys. In addition

  the manufacturing process is simple and has few steps.

  It will also be noted that the deformable member 18 has a large annular flange 20 ensuring sealing between itself and the housing. Thus the material overmolded in the upper half-shell 1 b simultaneously performs the following functions: * actuation (18) of the switch 16, * sealing (19) of the half-shells relative to each other, * tightness (19a) of the emitting diode 15, * tightness (19b) of the LED of the light-emitting diode 21, and * tightness (20) of the deformable member 18, with respect to the half-shell

1 1 b.

  Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. In particular, the production of overmolding can be

  performed in any one of the two half-shells, or even on both.

Claims (4)

  1] Key provided with a remote control device suitable for remotely controlling the opening and / or closing of the doors of a motor vehicle, said key (10) consisting of a bit (13) and two half -shells (l11a, 11b) adapted to accommodate between them a remote control device (12) and a seal (19), said control device being of the type comprising a plurality of electronic components (14), a emitting diode (15) and a switch (16) actuated by a deformable member (18) integral with at least one of the half-shells, said key being characterized in that the deformable member (18) and the gasket sealing (19) are made integrally from a single material and in that said seal (19a) also performs sealing of the diode transmitter (15).   2] Key according to claim 1, characterized in that the seal   (19a) of the diode (15) is formed over its entire periphery.   3] Key according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the material used for the production of the deformable member (18) and the seal   seal (19) is an elastomer.   4] Key according to claim 3, characterized in that the elastomer is deposited by overmolding.   ] Key according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that   that the deformable member (18) and the seal (19) are deposited in a   only half-shells (1 1 a, 1 1 b).   6] A method of manufacturing a key according to any one of claims   above, characterized in that it comprises the following stages: molding of each half-shell (1 1 a, 1 1 b), - overmolding in one of the half-shells of a deformable member (18) and of a seal (19) integrally and of the same material,   - installation of the control device (12) inside each half   shell (1a, 11b), - securing of the two half-shells (11a, 11b) between them and placing place du paneton (13).