FR2815068A1 - LOCK KEY WITH DISPLAY PROTECTED BY THE KEY INSERT - Google Patents

Abstract

The lock key comprises a key body (1) and an insert (2) as well as a display screen (3) which is mounted in the key body (1). The insert (2) is mounted movable relative to the key body (1) so as to be able to cover or uncover the display screen (3). This display screen can be used to display information recorded on a vehicle by a hands-free access system.

Description

The invention relates to a lock key, comprising a key body and a

  insert intended to be inserted into the lock of a lock.

  The key according to the invention is more particularly intended for locking and / or unlocking the doors of a motor vehicle. Today, this type of key has a key body with electronic components to add functionality to the key. Thus, there are known keys having a key body in which is mounted an infrared remote control for controlling the locking and unlocking of the vehicle remotely, by simply pressing a push button which is integrated into the key body. In so-called "hands-free" access systems, keys are also known whose key body comprises a transmitter / receiver electronic identification member intended for exchanging data remotely and wirelessly with a recognition device mounted in the vehicle in such a way that the locking and unlocking of the vehicle can be carried out on the basis of a remote authentication of the identification member by the

recognition device.

  The use of the insert of such lock keys is increasingly marginal. The object of the invention is to add a new function to this type of key so that it is better suited to the use made of it and in order to

improve ergonomics.

  To this end, the invention relates to a lock key comprising a key body and an insert intended to be inserted into the lock of a lock, characterized in that a display screen is mounted in the body of key and in that the insert is mounted movable relative to the key body so as to cover or uncover the display screen. This display screen which is thus protected from mechanical attack by the insert can be used to display information about the vehicle such as for example the locked or unlocked state of the vehicle. The insert can be mounted sliding or pivoting relative to the body of the key. Preferably, the insert is made of plastic in order to further reduce the manufacturing cost. The key may include a switch which is closed only when the display screen is exposed,

  this switch allowing the power supply of the display screen.

  The invention will now be described in more detail, and with reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates an embodiment thereof by way of non-limiting example. Figure 1 is a representation of the key according to the invention with the insert deployed. FIG. 2 is a representation of the key with the insert folded down. FIG. 3 is a first representation of a variant of the key according to the invention. Figure 4 is a second representation of a variant of the key according to the invention. As shown in Figure 1, the key according to the invention comprises a key body 1 in which is mounted a display screen 3, for example a liquid crystal screen, capable of displaying digital or textual information. This key also comprises an insert 2 fixed to the key body 1 and intended to be inserted into the lock of a lock in order to lock or unlock it. The insert 2 of the key according to the invention is movable relative to the key body 1 so as to either cover the display screen to protect it from scratches and external physical aggression, or discover it so that a user can read the information on the display screen. When the insert does not cover the display screen and is in the deployed position, it can be inserted into the

  lock of a lock of a motor vehicle for example.

  More particularly, the insert 2 is pivotally mounted around an axis of rotation 4 on the key body 1 and covers or uncovers the display screen 3 by an angular displacement. When the insert covers the display screen 3, it retracts into the key body 1 as visible on the

figure 2.

  Alternatively, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the insert 2 is slidably mounted in the key body 1 along the longitudinal axis 5 of the insert. When it is inserted in the key body 1, it covers the display screen 3 and discovers it when it is extracted from the key body 1. In this

  alternatively, the insert 2 and the key body 1 are completely separable.

  The insert 2 of the lock key according to the invention may be made of plastic, in the form of a parallelepiped having a smooth face and a notched face, the notched face having a specific functional shape intended to mechanically cause locking or unlocking the lock. By arranging this type of insert so that when it covers the display screen 3, the notched face faces the display screen, the folded key can then have an external surface

completely smooth.

  An electronic identification member 6 shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1 and forming part of a hands-free access system for a motor vehicle or the like is mounted in the key body 1 while being connected to the display screen 3. L the identification member 6 is able to communicate remotely and wirelessly with a recognition device 7 of the hands-free access system and is designed to retrieve information on the vehicle or others from the recognition device mounted in the vehicle information. In particular, the recognition device 7 can send data in the direction of the key such as the time, date, temperature, the filling rate of the tank or the locked or unlocked state of the vehicle. This information may thus appear on the display screen 3 via the identification member so as to be accessible to the user of the vehicle at all times, including when he is not near the vehicle. . This data may for example appear one after the other as the user presses a

  scroll button not shown integrated into the key body.

  A battery is placed in the key body to power the display screen 3 as well as the electronics such as 6. To reduce energy consumption and increase the life of the battery, a switch 8 is interposed between display 3 and the battery. This switch works to close when the insert discovers the display screen and therefore let current flow between the battery and the display screen. A delay can be provided to cut off the power of the display screen 3 after a certain period of power time. If the insert is mounted to pivot on the key body, the switch is of the knife type and is preferably mounted on the axis of rotation 4. If the insert is mounted to slide in the key body, the switch is of the push button type. This kind of switch is good

known to those skilled in the art.

  As can be seen, the lock key according to the invention has an ergonomics better suited to current hands-free access systems thanks to the addition of a display screen which is protected by the insert of the mobile mounted key. through

relation to the key body.

Claims (7)

  1 / A lock key comprising a key body (1) and an insert (2) intended to be inserted into the lock of a lock, characterized in that a display screen (3) is mounted in the body key (1) and in that the insert (2) is mounted movable relative to the key body (1) so as to cover or   discover the display screen (3).   2 / The key according to claim 1, wherein the insert (2) is slidably mounted in the key body (1) to cover or uncover the screen display (3).   3 / The key according to claim 2, wherein the insert (2) and the key body (1) are severable.   4 / The key according to claim 1, wherein the insert (2) is pivotally mounted relative to the key body (1) to cover or uncover the display screen (3).   / The key according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the insert (2) is in plastic material.   6 / The key according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which a member   identification (6) is mounted in the key body and is connected to the display screen (3), this identification member being able to communicate remotely and wirelessly with a recognition device (7) d 'a system   hands-free access to a motor vehicle.   7 / The key according to claim 6, wherein the identification member is designed to recover information from the recognition device on the motor vehicle and to display this information on the display screen (3). 8 / The key according to claim 7, wherein said information includes the filling rate of the tank, the locked state or unlocked from the vehicle.   9 / The key according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a switch (8)   through which the display screen (3) is electrically supplied, this switch being closed only when the insert (2) uncovers the screen display (3).