GB2474391A

GB2474391A - Docking station with latching mechanism for electronic key fob.

Info

Publication number: GB2474391A
Application number: GB1100948A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adrian Charles Morgan Jenkins; Andrew John Syvret; Kalpesh Mistry
Original assignee: Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd
Current assignee: Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd
Priority date: 2006-04-07
Filing date: 2006-04-07
Publication date: 2011-04-13
Anticipated expiration: 2026-04-07
Also published as: GB2474391B; GB201100948D0

Abstract

A docking station 7 for co-operation with an electronic key fob for a vehicle ignition has a slot into which an electronic key fob can be inserted, and a casing 13 for housing a spring, and a slider 14 and latch arrangement 16, 18. The slider is pushed by the fob as it is inserted against the action of the spring. The latch arrangement comprises a latch arm 16 and a curved and stepped track 18 in which the latch arm is constrained to move. The latch arrangement acts to hold the fob and slider in one of a sequence of positions as the fob is pushed and released. Microswitches may be associated with each of the latch positions operable to actuate the vehicle ignition and engine cranking. The docking station is preferably provided in a vehicle instrument panel and may further comprise an electronic module for detecting a signal from a transponder housed in the key fob for deactivating a vehicle steering lock.

Description

DOCKING STATION FOR AN ELECTRONIC KEY FOB

This invention relates to a docking station for an electronic key fob for a motor vehicle.

According to the invention there is provided a docking station for co-operation with an electronic key fob wherein the docking station is provided with a slot into which the electronic key fob can be inserted, and a casing, for housing a spring, and slider and latch arrangement, said slider and latch arrangement being located with respect to said slot for contacting an end of the electronic key fob when the electronic key fob is inserted into the slot, and movable against the action of the spring when the electronic key fob is pushed progressively further into the slot, and in which the slider is provided with a curved and stepped track in which said latch is constrained to move, thereby acting to hold the electronic key fob and slider and latch arrangement in one of a sequence of positions with respect to the slot and casing respectively.

The docking station may be provided with one or more micro switches with which either the slider and latch arrangement or electronic key fob make contact as they move within the casing or slot respectively. The micro switches may be configured to enable the activation of various vehicle functions such as the ignition, electrical accessories and engine cranking.

An electronic key fob which may in a preferred embodiment be used with a docking station in accordance with the invention comprises a body having an end cap made from transparent material in which the end cap is provided with an internal reflecting surface whereby light entering a side of the end cap is reflected to emerge through a front face of the end cap.

In one embodiment, the end cap has two internal reflecting surfaces arranged so that light entering two opposing sides of the end cap emerges through its front face.

A reflecting surface may be provided by cutting the end cap into two pieces and then joining the pieces back together again with adhesive. This can be done two or more times to form two or more reflecting surfaces. The reflecting surface is formed at the joins.

The end cap may be made from glass or acrylic material, for example.

Text may be etched on to a surface of the end cap or may be written inside the end cap by 3-D laser etching.

The body of the electronic key fob may include a memory stick and the body may further be provided with electrical contacts for enabling an electrical connection between the memory stick and a docking station. The memory stick may be used to update in-car satellite 1 0 navigation data, for example.

The body of the electronic key fob may further be provided with a mechanical key. This key may be secured in a recess down one side of the body. Alternatively, it may be stored inside the body of the electronic key fob. In either case, it may be deployed by pushing a release I S button on the body.

One or more transponders and a battery for providing electrical power thereto, may be housed in the body of the electronic key fob. Such transponders may be of the type configured to operate vehicle security systems. The body may also be provided with push buttons for activating one or more of the transponders.

A preferred construction of the docking station comprises a docking station for co-operation with an electronic key fob wherein the docking station is provided with a slot into which the electronic key fob can be inserted, and illumination means for directing light into said slot.

The illumination means may include a light source. The illumination means may include a light source and an optical element.

The optical element may be made from glass or acrylic material, for example.

The optical element may include an internal reflecting surface. The internal reflecting surface may be provided by cutting the optical element into two pieces and joining them together again with adhesive.

The reflecting surface is formed at the joins.

The optical element may have text etched on to one of its surfaces. The optical element may have text written inside it by means of 3-D laser etching.

JO In one embodiment, two optical elements are provided and positioned with respect to each other to form two opposing sides of the slot.

The docking station may be provided with a micro switch. The. micro switch may be configured to turn the light source on and off in accordance with the position of the electronic 1 5. key fob with respect to the slot. . . . . Some embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the drawings of which; Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic key fob suitable for use with a docking station in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a docking station in accordance with an embodiment of the invention prior to the insertion of the electronic key fob of Fig. I; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a docking station in accordance with an embodiment of the invention after insertion of the electronic key fob of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the docking station of Figs. 2 and 3; Fig. 5 is a partly cut-away plan view of the docking station of Figs. 2 and 3 and, Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view along a line VI-VI' of Fig. 3.

With reference to Fig. 1, an electronic key fob 1 comprises a metal casing 2 attached to a transparent end cap 3 made from glass. The electronic key fob 1 houses a battery (not shown) and conventional transponder circuitry (not Shown) for transmitting signals necessary for activating the various vehicle security systems. Three push buttons 4a, 4b, 4c located on one face of the casing to enable locking and unlocking of the vehicle doors and unlocking of the luggage compartment. A mechanical key 5 for emergency use, should the internal battery of the electronic key fob 1 fail, is secured along one side of the casing 2 and pivots outwards from one of its ends when a release button 6 is pressed.

A docking station will now be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 5. A docking station 7 is mounted to an instrument panel 8 for incorporation in a vehicle, The docking station 7 includes a hollow cylindrical portion 9 which houses upper and lower semi-cylindrical optical elements lOa, lOb which, in turn, co-operate with the cylindrical portion 9 to form a rectangular slot 11 into which the electronic key fob 1 can be inserted.

An electronic module 12 houses circuitry for detecting a signal from a transponder housed in the electronic key fob 1 for deactivating the vehicle's steering lock (not shown).

A series of micro switches (not shown) are positioned so that the electronic key fob 1 can make contact with each one in turn as it is inserted into or retracted from the slot 11.

The docking station 7 further comprises a casing 13 in which is located a slider 14, spring 15 and arm 16 arrangement. When the electronic key fob 1 is inserted into the slot 11, it abuts the front face of the slider 14. The slider 14 is free to move linearly in guides 17 against the actions of the spring 15 as the electronic key fob 1 is pushed further into the slot 11.

The slider 14 is provided with a closed M-shapcd track 18 which incorporates a set of vertical steps. The arm 16 which is C-shaped has one of its ends pivotally fixed to the casing 13 and has its other end constrained to move along the M-shaped track 18 and drop down each step in sequence as the slider 14 is pushed along its guides 17. The action of the arm 16 holds the slider 14 in position against the action of the spring 15. The co-operation of the stepped M-shaped track 18 and the arm 16 enables the electronic key fob 1, once inserted into the docking station, to be moved and set into one of several positions.

Two pairs of light emitting diodes (LED's) 20a, 20b and 21a, 21b are located close to an in-board face of each optical element lOa, lOb for lighting up said elements and the glass end cap 3 of the electronic key fob 1.

Referring now to Fig. 6, the optical elements lOa, lOb each have a cut line 21, 22 respectively which provides a reflective plane for incident light. Such a reflective plane can be made by cutting an element into two pieces and then gluing them back together with adhesive. The glass end cap 3 of the electronic key fob 1 incorporates two such cut lines 23, 24.

Fig. 6 shows the paths of light rays 25, 26 from the two pairs of LED's 20a, 20b, 2la, 21b which are transmitted through the upper and lower optical elements lOa, lOb respectively and through the end cap 3 into the line of sight of the driver of the vehicle. In this example, each pair of LED's comprises a red one 20a, 21a and a blue one 20b, 21b.

Illumination of the LED's causes both optical elements lOa, lOb and the end cap 3 Lo glow by virtue of the diffusive and reflective nature of Lhe cut lines.

The in-board face of the upper optical element lOa has the word "START" etched into it. This word is visible to the driver when either one of the LED's 20a, 20b is illuminated.

In operation, the electronic key fob 1 is used to gain access to a vehicle and to start its engine as follows.

The driver presses the door unlock button 4b. The doors unlock arid the courtesy lights come on. Also, the blue LED's 20b, 21b are illuminated so that the out-board faces of the optical elements lOa, lOb glow blue.

The driver then inserts the electronic key fob 1 (end cap 3 facing outwards) into the slot 11 until the end cap 3 is flush with the out-board faces of the optical elements lOa, lOb, In the flush position, the outer surface of the electronic key fob makes contact with a first micro switch located within the docking station. Activating the micro switch enables the vehicle's ignition and accessories such as headlamps and air conditioning. Also, in the flush position, the electroni.c circuit 12 is able to receive a signal from the relevant transponder in the electronic key fob 1 and thereby deactivate the steering lock. Activation of the micro switch also extinguishes the blue LED's 20b, 21b and illuminates the red LED's 20a, 21a. As the end cap 3 is flush with the optical elements lOa, lOb the light from the LED's will also cause the end cap 3 to glow and the etched word "START" will be visible to the driver.

The act of pushing the electronic key fob into the flush position moves the slider 14 a short distance against the action of the spring 15. Movement of the slider 14 causes the arm 16 to follow the M-shaped track 18 until it drops down a step into a first detent position thus holding the electronic key fob 1 in its flush position.

The red glowing end cap 3 signifies to the driver that the engine can be cranked. The driver then ensures that the vehicle is in "park" and that the foot brake is depressed (as a safety measure). On a vehicle with manual transmission rather than automatic transmission, the clutch pedal could be depressed as a safety measure instead. The driver then pushes the electronic key fob 1 a little further into the docking station 7 so that it is sub-flush and then releases it once the engine has fired. On being pushed into the sub-flush position, the outer surface of the electronic key fob 1 makes contact with and so activates a further micro switch which, in turn, causes cranking of the vehicle's engine.

When the engine is running, the red LED'S 20a, 21a are extinguished and the blue ones 20b, 21b are illuminated again.

Pushing the electronic key fob 1 into a sub-flush position and then releasing it causes the free end of the arm 16 to continue to follow the M-shaped track until it drops down a further step into a second detent position, thus holding the electronic key fob in a flush position against the action of the spring 15.

when the driver wishes to stop the engine, the driver pushes the electronic key fob 1 a short distance into the docking station 7 to a sub-flush position and then releases it. In so doing, the electronic key fob 1 makes contact with a micro switch which causes the igniLion to turn off. This movement of the electronic key fob 1 also causes the free end -10-of the arm 16 to follow the remaining part of the 14-shaped track back up to its starting point. The spring 15 relaxes and partially ejects the electronic key fob 1 from the slot 11 so that it can be manually removed.

In an alternative arrangement, the arm 16 makes contact with the electronic key fob and moves linearly within the casing 13 as the electronic key fob 1 is pushed into the slot 9. The slider 14 is fixed to the casing 13 but allowed to pivot slightly.

In alternative embodiments, the stepped 14-shaped track can be configured to permit additional detent positions for the electronic key fob. For example, a detent position whereby certain vehicle accessories are activated can be separated from a further detent position whereby the ignition is activated.

The track may take a shape other than an M-shape yet be configured to perform the same function.

Further, the engine-running position of the electronic key fob need not necessarily be flush with the surrounds of the docking station.

Further still, the colours of the LED's can be made to change according to a different chosen strategy. The colour choice is not necessarily limited to red or blue. The LED's may be alternatively located around the circumference of the optical elemenLs.

-11 -In a further embodiment, the end cap comprises a block of rectangular cross section which is cut in half. Each piece is cut in half again and the resulting four pieces then have text etched into them by means of a 3-0 laser etching process. For example, the text could comprise the words "STOP" or "START". The four pieces are then glued back together with adhesive so that two reflective planes at right angles to one another are formed inside the reconstituted block.

In this further embodiment, the LED's are repositioned from their location in Fig. 4 so that their light impinges on the sides of the end cap when the electronic key fob is pushed into the flush position in the docking station.

The reflecting surfaces formed where the four pieces of the end cap are joined together, reflect and diffuse the light emitted by the LED's so that the end cap and optical elements glow and illuminate the etched text so that the text is visible to the driver.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A docking station for co-operation with an electronic key fob wherein the docking station is provided with a slot into which an electronic key fob can be inserted, and a casing, for housing a spring, and slider and latch arrangement, said slider and latch arrangement being located with respect to said slot for contacting an end of the electronic key fob when the electronic key fob is inserted into the slot, and movable against the action of the spring when the electronic key fob is pushed progressively further into the slot, and in which the slider is 1 0 provided with a curved and stepped track in which said latch is constrained to move, thereby acting to hold the electronic key fob and slider and latch arrangement in one of a sequence of positions with respect to the slot and casing respectively.
2. A docking station as claimed in Claim I which is provided with one or more micro switches with which either the slider and latch arrangement, or an electronic key fob, make contact as they move within the casing or slot.
3. A docking station as claimed in Claim 2 in which the one or more micro switches are arranged to enable actuation of vehicle ignition.
4. A docking station as claimed in Claim 2 in which the one or more micro switches are arranged to enable actuation of vehicle engine cranking.
5. A docking station as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 in which a series of said micro switches are provided with which an electronic key fob can make contact in turn as it is inserted into the slot.
6. A docking station as claimed in any preceding claim in which the slot is rectangular and in which the docking station includes a hollow cylindrical portion which houses upper and lower semi-cylindrical optical elements which co-operate with the cylindrical portion to form the rectangular slot. -13-
7. A docking station as claimed in Claim 6 which includes LEDs located close to an in-board face of each optical element.
8. A docking station as claimed in any preceding claim in which the slider is free to move linearly in guides against the actions of the spring, as an electronic key fob is pushed into the slot.
9. A docking station as claimed in Claim 7 in which the slider is provided with a closed M-shaped track which incorporates a set of vertical steps.
10. A docking station as claimed in Claim 9 in which the latch comprises a C-shaped arm which has an end thereof pivotally fixed to the casing and its other end constrained to move along the M-shaped track and to drop down each step in sequence as the slider is pushed along the guides.
11. A docking station as claimed in Claim 1 in which said slider is fixed to the casing but allowed to pivot slightly.
12. A docking station and instrument panel combination which includes an instrument panel for incorporation in a vehicle and a docking station as claimed in any preceding claim which is mounted to the instrument panel.
13. A docking station and instrument panel combination as claimed in Claim 12 which includes an electronic module housing circuitry for detecting a signal from a transponder housed in an electronic key fob which arranged to be inserted in the slot, for detactivating a vehicle steering lock.
14. A docking station and electronic key combination which comprise a docking station as claimed in any one of Claim ito ii and an electronic key fob insertable into the slot.