JP2007002499A - Key for electronic code lock - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a key for an electronic code lock, which is proof against transmission of radio waves from an ID code generating circuit when it is out of use. <P>SOLUTION: According to the structure of the key 10 for the electronic code lock, a transponder 11 is stored in a grip portion 13, a plurality of switch pressing sections 14, 15 for locking/unlocking a door lock device are fitted in an operating window 13e opened in an upper surface of the grip portion 13, and a conductive metallic key 12 is protruded from the grip portion 13. Further the key 10 has a movable mechanism 16 for moving the metallic key 12 to the inside/outside of the grip portion 13, and a location of the metallic key 12 moved to the inside of the grip portion 13 is closer to the transponder 11 than a location of the metallic key 12 moved to the outside. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic code lock key for locking or unlocking a locking device for a door or trunk of a vehicle and for starting an engine.

  Conventionally, as a device for the purpose of preventing theft of a vehicle, a unique ID code (identification code) of a key held by an occupant is compared with an ID code registered in advance in the vehicle, and only when the two match, An anti-theft device for starting an engine is known (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  In this antitheft device, as shown in FIG. 4, when the key 1A is inserted into the key cylinder 7, a radio wave is transmitted from the vehicle antenna 3 toward the key 1A, and the radio wave is received by an antenna (not shown) on the key 1A side.

  The radio waves received on the key 1A side are accumulated in the form of electric charges inside a transponder 2A as an ID code generating circuit built in the key 1A, whereby the transponder 2A is activated to transfer the ID code of the key 1A to the vehicle. Transmit to antenna 3.

  The ID code of the key 1A received by the vehicle antenna 3 is demodulated by the transmitter / receiver 4 and then sent to the immobilizer control unit 5 as an immobilizer electronic control unit.

The immobilizer control unit 5 compares the ID code transmitted from the key 1A with a pre-registered ID code, and when these ID codes match and turns the key 1A inserted into the key cylinder 7, the starter switch is turned on. When it can be confirmed that the engine has been operated, a start signal is sent to the engine control unit 6 to start the engine.
JP-A-11-334534 JP-A-7-180410

  However, as shown in FIG. 4, the key holder 8 attached to the key 1A may be provided with a plurality of spare keys 1B for the vehicle, keys 1C for other vehicles, and the like.

  When radio waves are transmitted from the vehicle antenna 3 in such a case, the plurality of keys 1A, 1B, 1C receive the radio waves, and the transponders 2A, 2B, 2C transmit ID codes, respectively. May occur.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic code lock key that can make it difficult for radio waves to be transmitted from an ID code generation circuit when not in use.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of switches for locking and unlocking a door locking device in an operation window opened on the upper surface of the gripping portion while an ID code generating circuit is accommodated in the gripping portion. An electronic code lock key in which a pressing portion is fitted and a conductive key plate protrudes from the grip portion, and a movable mechanism for moving the key plate inward and outward of the grip portion is provided, and the grip portion The key plate moved to the inside of the electronic code lock key is closer to the ID code generating circuit than the position moved to the outside.

  Here, the key plate can be configured to move to the outside of the gripping portion when an unlocking switch pressing portion of the switch pressing portions is pressed.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, the conductive key plate is brought close to the ID code generation circuit by operating the movable mechanism, thereby forming a state in which radio waves are not easily transmitted from the ID code generation circuit.

  For this reason, even if the electronic code lock key of the present invention is attached to the same key holder when another electronic code lock key is used, it is possible to prevent interference.

  Further, even when the electronic code lock key is carried, even if a skimming device for illegally taking out the ID code held by the ID code generation circuit is brought close, unauthorized acquisition of the ID code may be prevented. it can.

  Furthermore, if the key plate pops out and becomes usable when the switch pressing part for unlocking the door lock is pressed, the key plate can be quickly placed on the key cylinder when entering the vehicle and starting the engine. Can be inserted.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent parts as those in the conventional example will be described with the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining the operation of the electronic code lock key 10 according to the present embodiment, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views for explaining the configuration of the electronic code lock key 10.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic code lock key 10 according to the present embodiment includes a metal key 12 as a conductive key plate for locking (locking) and unlocking (unlocking) a locking device mounted on a vehicle. As a grip 13 formed by a resin upper case 13a and a lower case 13b, a movable mechanism 16 for moving the metal key 12 in and out of the grip 13 and a switch pressing section for performing an unlocking or locking operation The unlock switch 14 or the lock switch 15, the operation window 13 e opened in the upper case 13 a for fitting the unlock switch 14 or the lock switch 15, and the transponder 11 as an ID code generation circuit. Has been.

  The grip 13 is formed with a key holder mounting hole 13d at the end, and an opening 13c through which the metal key 12 is inserted and removed is provided at the opposite end surface.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper case 13a serving as the outer shell of the upper half portion of the grip portion 13 and the lower case 13b serving as the outer shell of the lower half portion are formed in a concave cross section.

  The internal space formed by the upper case 13a and the lower case 13b accommodates the circuit board 11b on which the transponder 11 and the switches 11a and (11a) for operating the transponder 11 are mounted.

  The circuit board 11b is disposed in a waterproof cover (not shown) made of an elastic member such as rubber. When the unlock switch 14 or the lock switch 15 fitted in the operation window 13e is pressed, the switches 11a and 11a are pressed. As a result, the transponder 11 is activated.

  The transponder 11 is an ID code generation circuit including a function code, and the transponder 11 transmits an ID code by selectively turning on the switches 11a and (11a).

  This ID code is received and decoded by an electronic control circuit (not shown) on the vehicle side, and a reference ID code including a reference function code preset in the electronic control circuit and an ID code from the transponder 11 are obtained. When they match, the locking device on the vehicle side is locked or unlocked.

  When the engine is started, when the metal key 12 is inserted into the key cylinder 7 and radio waves are transmitted from the vehicle antenna 3, the transponder 11 is activated to transmit the ID code toward the vehicle antenna 3 (see FIG. 4). ).

  That is, the transponder 11 transmits an ID code necessary for unlocking or locking the door or trunk locking device to the vehicle (not shown) when the unlock switch 14 or the lock switch 15 is pressed. When the engine is started, the ID code is transmitted to the vehicle antenna 3 for start permission.

  In addition, a movable mechanism 16 that moves the metal key 12 in and out of the gripping portion 13 is provided inside the gripping portion 13.

  The movable mechanism 16 includes a guide portion 16a that serves as a guide when the metal key 12 slides, and an extrusion spring that has one end connected to the rear end of the metal key 12 and the other end connected to the inner rear end of the guide portion 16a. 16b and a stopper 16c for fixing the metal key 12 in the housed state and the protruding state.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the metal key 12 moved by the movable mechanism 16 is provided with a locking portion 12c that hangs downward at the rear end, and the lower end of the stopper 16c is fitted to the front and rear of the upper surface. A front recess 12a and a rear recess 12b are provided.

  Further, the guide portion 16a is a box-like member in which a space capable of accommodating most of the metal key 12 is formed, and the locking portion 12c is provided on the lower surface so that the locking portion 12c does not hinder movement. A slit (not shown) for projecting is provided.

  Further, an extrusion spring 16b is accommodated in the guide portion 16a so as to be extendable and contractible.

  The stopper 16c is supported by a support shaft 16e attached to the inside of the upper case 13a, and a rod-like portion to be fitted to the front recess 12a or the rear recess 12b is formed in front of the support shaft 16e. In addition, a pressure-supporting portion 16 d is extended rearwardly below the unlock switch 14.

  A pressure spring 16d in a contracted state is disposed above the bar-like portion of the stopper 16c, and the lower end of the stopper 16c is always pressed against the metal key 12.

  Further, a convex portion 14b that protrudes downward is provided in front of the lower surface 14a of the unlock switch 14, and when the unlock switch 14 is pressed and the convex portion 14b is lowered, the supporting pressure portion 16d below the convex portion 14b. Is pushed by the convex portion 14b and lowered, and the lower end of the stopper 16c on the opposite side across the support shaft 16e is lifted.

  Next, the operation of the electronic code lock key 10 in the present embodiment will be described and the operation thereof will be described.

  FIG. 2 shows a sectional view when the electronic code lock key 10 is used as a key for starting the engine of the vehicle.

  In this state, the metal key 12 protrudes most from the grip portion 13, and only the base portion of the metal key 12 is accommodated in the grip portion 13.

  Further, the pushing spring 16b behind the metal key 12 is in the most extended state, and the protrusion of the metal key 12 from the opening portion 13c is blocked by the locking portion 12c, and the movement toward the inside of the gripping portion 13 is prevented from moving toward the rear recess 12b. It is blocked by a stopper 16c fitted to.

  When the electronic code lock key 10 is inserted into the key cylinder 7 in this state, radio waves are transmitted from the vehicle antenna 3 (see FIG. 4) toward the electronic code lock key 10, and the electronic code lock key 10 side is not shown. The radio waves received by the antenna are accumulated in the form of electric charges inside the transponder 11, whereby the transponder 11 is activated to transmit the ID code of the electronic code lock key 10 to the vehicle antenna 3.

  Then, the ID code of the electronic code lock key 10 received by the vehicle antenna 3 is demodulated by the transceiver 4 and then sent to the immobilizer control unit 5 (see FIG. 4).

  The immobilizer control unit 5 compares the ID code transmitted from the electronic code lock key 10 with a pre-registered ID code, and these ID codes match and the electronic code lock key inserted into the key cylinder 7 is used. When it is confirmed that the starter switch is turned on by turning 10, a start signal is sent from the immobilizer control unit 5 to the engine control unit 6 to start the engine.

  As described above, in the electronic code lock key 10 according to the present embodiment, when the metal key 12 is positioned outside the gripping portion 13, the rear end of the metal key 12 and the transponder 11 are separated from each other, and the metal key 12 is connected to the transponder 11. Since it does not adversely affect the operation of the key, it can be used in the same manner as a key having a normal immobilizer function.

  Next, a method for accommodating the metal key 12 of the electronic code lock key 10 used for starting the engine in the gripping portion 13 will be described.

  When the unlock switch 14 is pressed after the electronic code lock key 10 is pulled out of the key cylinder 7, the lower end of the stopper 16c is lifted by lowering the pressure-supporting portion 16d, and the metal key 12 is pulled out from the rear recess 12b.

  In this state, when the tip of the metal key 12 is pushed toward the inner side of the grip portion 13, the metal key 12 slides along the guide portion 16a, and the push spring 16b is compressed.

  If the sliding movement of the metal key 12 is continued until the stopper 16c is fitted in the front recess 12a, the state shown in FIG. 3 is obtained.

  In this state, the metal key 12 is all accommodated in the gripping portion 13 and the rear end thereof is pressed by the pushing spring 16b. However, the metal key 12 is pressed by the stopper 16c pressed against the front recess 12a by the force of the pressing spring 16d. Twelve jumps are blocked.

  In the state where the metal key 12 is accommodated in the grip portion 13 as described above, the conductive metal key 12 is arranged in the vicinity of the transponder 11, and as a result, a sufficient magnetic flux is secured in the transponder 11. Therefore, it is difficult to transmit a radio wave including an ID code.

  For this reason, even when the electronic code lock key 10 is attached in the state where the metal key 12 is accommodated in the gripping portion 13 as in the case of the unused keys 1B and 1C attached to the key holder 8 shown in FIG. Since the transponder 11 of the antenna 3 and the electronic code lock key 10 does not transmit or receive radio waves, it does not interfere with the communication between the key 1A inserted into the key cylinder 7 and the vehicle antenna 3 to start the engine. .

  In addition, when the electronic code lock key 10 is carried, even if a skimming device for illegally taking out the ID code held by the transponder 11 is brought close, unauthorized acquisition of the ID code can be prevented. .

  Furthermore, since the tip of the metal key 12 is accommodated in the grip portion 13 during carrying, the vehicle or the like is not damaged by the metal key 12.

  Then, when the unlock switch 14 is pressed when the metal key 12 is accommodated in the gripping portion 13 as shown in FIG. 3, the locking device is unlocked and the stopper 16c is lifted up from the front recess 12a. The metal key 12 is pushed out to the outer side of the gripping portion 13 by the urging of the pushing spring 16b and returned to the state shown in FIG.

  In this way, when the locking device is unlocked, the metal key 12 pops out of the gripping portion 13 so that it can be used for starting the engine. A metal key 12 can be inserted into the key cylinder 7.

  Although the best embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes that do not depart from the gist of the present invention are possible. Are included in the present invention.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the ID code for locking and unlocking and the ID code for starting the engine are transmitted from the same ID code generating circuit (transponder 11) is not limited to this. These may be provided separately. In such a case, the conductive key plate is brought close to the ID code generation circuit for starting the engine.

  In the present embodiment, the metal key 12 moves to the outside of the grip portion 13 when the unlock switch 14 is pressed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a switch for popping the metal key 12 is provided separately. You can also. Further, the movable mechanism 16 is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the form in which the entire length of the metal key 12 is accommodated in the grip portion 13 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be a configuration.

It is a perspective view explaining the structure of the key for electronic code locks of the best embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the structure of the key for electronic code locks when a metal key is located in the outer side of a holding part. It is sectional drawing explaining the structure of the key for electronic code locks when the metal key is accommodated in the holding part. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the conventional key for electronic code locks.

Explanation of symbols

10 Key for electronic code lock 11 Transponder (ID code generation circuit)
12 Metal key (key plate)
13 Gripping part 13c Opening part 13e Operation window 14 Unlock switch (switch pressing part)
15 Lock switch (switch pressing part)
16 Movable mechanism

Claims (2)

An ID code generating circuit is accommodated in the gripping portion, and a plurality of switch pressing portions for locking and unlocking the door locking device are fitted in the operation window opened on the upper surface of the gripping portion, and the conductive portion is electrically conductive from the gripping portion. An electronic code lock key with a protruding key plate,
A movable mechanism for moving the key plate in and out of the gripping portion is provided, and the key plate moved to the inside of the gripping portion is closer to the ID code generation circuit than the position moved to the outside. An electronic code lock key. The key for electronic code locking according to claim 1, wherein the key plate moves to the outside of the gripping portion when an unlocking switch pressing portion of the switch pressing portion is pressed.

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