JP2009215837A - Signal transmitter for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of antennas in a signal transmitter for a vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: The signal transmitter for the vehicle comprises a control device 4 for making a plurality of antennas 10, 11, 16, 17 transmit wireless signals to form a predetermined communication area inside or outside of the vehicle 2 to establish wireless communication between an electronic key 3 and the vehicle 2. The shared antenna 11 is to transmit the wireless signals to form the communication area inside and outside of the vehicle 2. The control device 4 forms the communication area either inside or outside of the vehicle 2 by changing output intensities of the wireless signals transmitted from the shared antenna 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle signal transmission device that transmits a predetermined signal from a vehicle.

  In recent years, in order to easily perform various operations such as door unlocking and engine starting, ID verification is performed between the vehicle and a key (electronic key) by wireless communication. If ID verification is established, various operations of the vehicle (door lock) An electronic key system that permits or can perform locking and unlocking is mounted on the vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). As an operation of this type of electronic key system, a request signal is intermittently transmitted from the antenna of the vehicle, and an identification signal carrying an ID code is transmitted from the electronic key in response to the request signal to the vehicle. When ID verification is established, various operations are permitted.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a general vehicle signal transmission device 41 used in the electronic key system. The vehicle signal transmission device 41 includes a control device 42 that performs overall control of the vehicle signal transmission device 41, and a plurality of outdoor antennas 44 to 46 that transmit request signals to the outside of the vehicle 40 based on instructions from the control device 42. And a plurality of indoor antennas 47 and 48 for transmitting a request signal to the room of the vehicle 40. The outdoor antennas 44 to 46 are disposed, for example, on the driver's seat door 54, the passenger's seat door 55, and the rear bumper 56 so that a request signal is transmitted around the door of the vehicle 40. In addition, the indoor antennas 47 and 48 are respectively disposed in the front and rear of the vehicle 40. That is, the vehicle 40 is provided with a total of five antennas. The control device 42 determines whether the request signal should be transmitted indoors or outdoors of the vehicle 40 based on a predetermined logic, and requests from the outdoor antennas 44 to 46 or the indoor antennas 47 and 48 via the drive circuit 43. A signal is transmitted to form the outdoor communication area Bo or the indoor communication area Bi.
JP 2004-025936 A JP 2004-027490 A

  By the way, in said vehicle signal transmission device 41, five antennas are provided, and if the number of antennas can be reduced, the cost corresponding to the reduced number of antennas can be reduced. Further, the man-hours for installing the antenna in the vehicle, and thus the antenna wiring can be reduced, which can contribute to a significant cost reduction. Furthermore, when the space where the antenna is installed is vacant, it becomes possible to use the open space for other purposes. However, even if the antenna is simply omitted, it is difficult to secure the vehicle outdoor and indoor communication areas equivalent to the case where the antenna is not omitted, even if the antenna arrangement is devised. And the proposal of the concrete structure for reducing the number of such antennas has not been made yet. For this reason, it has been desired to reduce the number of antennas.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to reduce the number of antennas in a vehicle signal transmission device.

Hereinafter, means for achieving the above-described object and its operation and effects will be described.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, an antenna provided on the indoor side of the vehicle is wirelessly formed so as to form a predetermined communication area outside or indoor of the vehicle so as to attempt establishment of wireless communication between the electronic key and the vehicle. A signal transmission device for a vehicle including control means for transmitting a signal, wherein the antenna is a shared antenna that transmits a radio signal so as to form a communication area outside and indoors of the vehicle, and the vicinity of the shared antenna An opening is formed in the body panel of the vehicle, and the control means forms a communication area either inside or outside the vehicle by changing an output intensity of a radio signal transmitted from the shared antenna. That is the gist.

  According to this configuration, the antenna is a shared antenna that forms a communication area outside and inside the vehicle by changing the output intensity of the radio signal by the control means. For this reason, as in the prior art, an indoor antenna that transmits a radio signal so as to form a communication area only in the vehicle interior and an outdoor antenna that transmits a radio signal only so as to form a communication area only outside the vehicle are provided. Compared to the above, the number of antennas can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the cost for the reduced number of antennas, and to reduce the man-hours for installing the antennas and thus the antenna wiring.

  In addition, since the common antenna is provided outside the vehicle outdoor such as in a rear bumper, which is provided with an outdoor antenna that transmits a radio signal to the outside of the vehicle like a conventional antenna, the shared antenna is provided. The radio signal transmitted from the vehicle is reflected by the body panel of the vehicle, so that it is easy to form a communication area in the vehicle interior. By increasing the output intensity of the radio signal transmitted from the shared antenna, a communication area can be easily formed outside the vehicle.

  Furthermore, by forming an opening in the vehicle body panel in the vicinity of the shared antenna, it is possible to efficiently propagate a radio signal transmitted from the shared antenna through the opening of the vehicle body to the outside of the vehicle. become able to. Therefore, it is easy to form a communication area outside the vehicle, and the output intensity of the radio signal transmitted from the shared antenna can be suppressed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the vehicle signal transmission device according to the first aspect, wherein a plurality of antennas for transmitting a radio signal by the control means so as to form a predetermined communication area in the room of the vehicle. The control means is configured to vary an output phase of a radio signal between the shared antenna and the antenna that transmits a radio signal so as to form a communication area in the vehicle room among the plurality of antennas. The gist is to form a predetermined communication area in the cabin of the vehicle.

  According to this configuration, the control unit varies the output phase of the radio signal with the antenna that transmits the radio signal so as to form a communication area in the vehicle interior among the shared antenna and the plurality of antennas. Here, in the place where the radio signals transmitted from the antennas interfere with each other, the radio signals are strengthened or weakened, but if the output phase is different, the place of interference can be changed. For this reason, the predetermined communication area is not formed by changing the output phase of the radio signal while suppressing the output intensity of the radio signal, instead of forming the predetermined communication area by increasing the output intensity of the radio signal. It can be formed easily.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicular signal transmission device according to the first or second aspect, the shared antenna is configured integrally with a door opening / closing switch provided on a door of the vehicle. Yes.

  According to this configuration, since the shared antenna is configured integrally with a door opening / closing switch provided on the door of the vehicle, the installation work can be performed only once compared to the case where the shared antenna and the door opening / closing switch are separate. At the same time, electrical wiring and the like can be collected. Moreover, since the opening part for attaching a door opening / closing switch is formed in the body panel in which a door opening / closing switch is provided, it is not necessary to form an opening part newly.

  According to the present invention, in the vehicle signal transmission device, the number of antennas can be reduced.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a vehicle signal transmission device according to the present invention is embodied in an electronic key system will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 2 includes an electronic key system 1 that can perform various vehicle operations without using an ignition key. In the electronic key system 1, various operations of the vehicle 2 are permitted / started on condition that the ID code (identification information) of the electronic key 3 matches the ID code of the vehicle 2. The various operations of the vehicle 2 include, for example, locking / unlocking the door lock, releasing the steering lock, starting the engine, opening the luggage door, and the like.

  The vehicle 2 is equipped with a control device 4 as a control means for performing overall control of the electronic key system 1. The control device 4 has an ID verification function for performing ID verification with the electronic key 3 and a control function for driving and controlling a door lock, a steering lock, an engine, and the like.

  The driver's seat door 6 and the passenger's seat door 7 of the vehicle 2 are respectively provided with a driver's seat door antenna 16 and a passenger's seat door antenna 17 that transmit radio signals to the outside. The driver's seat door antenna 16 and the passenger's seat door antenna 17 are connected to the control device 4 via the drive circuit 5, and are connected to the electronic key 3 via the drive circuit 5 that operates based on a command from the control device 4. Then, a predetermined wireless signal (request signal) is transmitted outside the vehicle 2 in order to attempt wireless communication.

  In the luggage door 8 of the vehicle 2, a shared antenna 11 that transmits a radio signal to the outside and the room is embedded in the room. The shared antenna 11 is also connected to the control device 4 via the drive circuit 5, and a predetermined radio signal for attempting wireless communication with the electronic key 3 via the drive circuit 5 that operates based on a command from the control device 4. (Request signal) is transmitted outside and inside the vehicle 2. The common antenna 11 has both functions of an outdoor antenna that transmits a radio signal to the rear periphery of the vehicle 2 outside the room and an indoor antenna that transmits a radio signal to the rear of the vehicle 2 indoors.

  An indoor antenna 10 that transmits a radio signal is mounted in the vehicle 2. The indoor antenna 10 is also connected to the control device 4 via the drive circuit 5, and a predetermined radio signal for attempting wireless communication with the electronic key 3 via the drive circuit 5 that operates based on a command from the control device 4. (Request signal) is transmitted to the interior of the vehicle 2. The vehicle 2 includes an ignition switch (engine switch) 13 that is operated when operating the on-vehicle electrical components or starting the engine. When the ignition switch 13 is turned on condition that indoor verification (ID verification) is established between the vehicle 2 and the electronic key 3, the engine is started without inserting the mechanical key into the key cylinder. The ignition switch 13 is not limited to the knob type that picks and rotates the operation unit as described above, but may be a one-push type that starts the engine by pressing the operation unit (push operation), for example.

  As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 2, the shared antenna 11 is configured integrally with an opening / closing switch 22 that is operated when the luggage door 8 is opened and closed, and is provided on the indoor side from the body panel (door panel) 21 of the luggage door 8. Yes. A slit 23 serving as an opening is formed at a location near the shared antenna 11 of the door panel 21. In this example, the slit 23 is provided in a portion of the door panel 21 that faces the shared antenna 11.

  Next, a communication area formed by wireless communication transmitted from the indoor antenna 10, the shared antenna 11, the driver's seat door antenna 16, and the passenger seat door antenna 17 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, when the communication area is formed outside the vehicle 2, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the control device 4 wirelessly transmits from the driver door antenna 16, the passenger door antenna 17, and the shared antenna 11. Send a signal. Specifically, the control device 4 transmits radio signals from the driver's seat door antenna 16 and the passenger seat door antenna 17 to the outer sides of the driver seat door 6 and the passenger seat door 7 to form predetermined communication areas A1 and A2. Moreover, the control apparatus 4 transmits a radio signal from the shared antenna 11 around the luggage door 8 to form a predetermined communication area A3o. At this time, the radio signal transmitted from the shared antenna 11 propagates around the luggage door 8 through the slit 23 of the door panel 21 to form a communication area A3o. Here, the communication area A3o is formed by the radio signal transmitted from the shared antenna 11, and the communication area A3i is also formed in the vehicle 2 interior.

  Next, when the communication area is formed in the room of the vehicle 2, the control device 4 transmits a radio signal from the indoor antenna 10 and the shared antenna 11 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Specifically, the control device 4 uses the output intensity of the radio signal transmitted from the shared antenna 11 to be smaller than that when transmitting the vehicle 2 to the outside of the vehicle 2, thereby suppressing the radio signal from leaking outside the vehicle. A radio signal is transmitted from the antenna 11. Further, the control device 4 causes the radio signal transmitted from the indoor antenna 10 and the radio signal transmitted from the shared antenna 11 to be different in output phase to form the communication area A4 in the entire interior of the vehicle 2.

  Here, the range adjustment of the communication area is performed using the interference of radio signals transmitted from the indoor antenna 10 and the shared antenna 11. The principle of this range adjustment will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, interference caused by radio signals transmitted from the two antennas 31 and 32 in the frame 30 will be described. The satin pattern portion is a communication area where wireless communication can be performed. For example, if the output phases of the radio signals transmitted from the two antennas 31 and 32 are the same (phase difference 0 degree), as shown in FIG. On the other hand, a non-sensing area D where the radio signal is weakened is formed. Further, when the output phases of the radio signals transmitted from the two antennas 31 and 32 are changed by 180 degrees (phase difference of 180 degrees), as shown in FIG. Thus, a non-sensing area D where the radio signal is weakened is formed. Further, if the output phases of the radio signals transmitted from the two antennas 31 and 32 are different by 90 degrees (phase difference of 90 degrees), as shown in FIG. A communication area can be formed in the entire 50. In this example, the frame 30 corresponds to the body of the vehicle 2, and the antennas 31 and 32 correspond to the indoor antenna 10 and the shared antenna 11. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the control device 4 varies the output phase of the radio signal transmitted from the indoor antenna 10 and the shared antenna 11 by 90 degrees, and extends the communication area A4 to the entire interior of the vehicle 2. To form. Depending on the shape of the vehicle, the phase difference is not limited to 90 degrees as long as the non-sensing area coincides with a portion that is not necessary as a communication area, and a desired communication area may be formed by another phase difference.

Next, an operation mode of the electronic key system 1 configured as described above will be described.
When the vehicle 2 is stopped, the control device 4 causes the driver's seat door antenna 16, the passenger's seat door antenna 17, and the common use so that the user who carries the electronic key 3 enters a standby state to detect that the user has approached the vehicle 2. Request signals are intermittently transmitted from the antenna 11 so that communication areas A1, A2, and A3o are formed outside the vehicle 2.

  When the user carries the electronic key 3 to get into the vehicle 2, approaches the vehicle 2 and enters one of the communication areas A 1, A 2, A 3 o, the control device 4 switches between the electronic key 3 and the vehicle 2. Intercommunication is performed through any one of the driver's seat door antenna 16, the passenger seat door antenna 17, and the shared antenna 11. That is, the electronic key 3 transmits a response signal in response to the request signal. This response signal is received through the receiver 12, and the control device 4 collates with the electronic key 3 based on the signal. And the control apparatus 4 unlocks a door lock, when collation corresponds.

  Further, when the control device 4 detects that the user has entered the vehicle 2, the control device 4 detects that the electronic key 3 is present in the room of the vehicle 2 from the indoor antenna 10 and the shared antenna 11 into the room of the vehicle 2. Request signals are intermittently transmitted so that the communication area A4 is formed.

  The control device 4 collates with the electronic key 3 based on a signal received through either the indoor antenna 10 or the shared antenna 11 and the receiver 12. And the control apparatus 4 permits an engine start, when collation corresponds.

  When it is detected that the user carries the electronic key 3 and gets off the vehicle 2, the communication areas A 1, A 2, and the communication area A 1, A 2, and the outside of the vehicle 2 from the driver door antenna 16, the passenger door antenna 17, and the shared antenna 11 are detected. A request signal is intermittently transmitted so that A3o is formed. The electronic key 3 is collated based on a signal received through any one of the driver door antenna 16, the passenger door antenna 17, and the common antenna 11 and the receiver 12. And the control apparatus 4 will lock a door lock, if the radio signal from the electronic key 3 stops after collation matches.

  In the above operation mode, when detecting that the electronic key 3 is present outside the vehicle 2, the communication area A 3 i is formed in the vehicle 2 by the radio signal transmitted from the shared antenna 11. Even if formed, there is no effect. That is, when the user approaches the vehicle 2 when the vehicle is stopped, the door lock is not unlocked, and thus the electronic key 3 does not enter the communication area A3i in the vehicle 2. Further, when the electronic key 3 is left in the luggage room behind the vehicle 2 and left the vehicle 2 when leaving the vehicle 2, the antennas 10 and 11 for transmitting radio signals to the room before locking the door lock are provided. Check that there is no electronic key 3 in the room and lock it. For this reason, when the electronic key 3 exists in the communication area A3i, the door lock is not locked. Therefore, there is no influence even if the communication area A3i in the vehicle 2 is formed when detecting the outdoor of the vehicle 2.

  Thus, by providing the shared antenna 11 that transmits a radio signal outside and indoors of the vehicle 2, the number of antennas provided in the vehicle 2 can be reduced. In addition, performance (communication characteristics, etc.) as an electronic key system can be ensured.

As described above, according to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The antenna is a shared antenna 11 that forms a communication area outside and inside the vehicle 2 by changing the output intensity of the radio signal by the control device 4. For this reason, as in the prior art, an indoor antenna that transmits a radio signal so as to form a communication area only in the vehicle interior and an outdoor antenna that transmits a radio signal only so as to form a communication area only outside the vehicle are provided. Compared to the above, the number of antennas can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the cost for the reduced number of antennas, and to reduce the man-hours for installing the antennas and thus the antenna wiring.

  (2) Since the common antenna 11 is provided outside the vehicle outside of the vehicle, such as in the rear bumper, which is provided with an outdoor antenna that transmits a radio signal outside the vehicle as in the prior art, the common antenna 11 is shared. A radio signal transmitted from the antenna 11 is reflected by the body panel of the vehicle 2 to some extent, so that a communication area can be easily formed in the vehicle 2. Further, by increasing the output intensity of the radio signal transmitted from the shared antenna 11, a communication area can be easily formed outside the vehicle 2.

  (3) By forming the slit 23 in the door panel 21 of the vehicle 2 in the vicinity of the shared antenna 11, the radio signal transmitted from the shared antenna 11 through the slit 23 can be efficiently propagated outside the vehicle 2. Will be able to. Therefore, it becomes easy to form a communication area outside the vehicle 2, and the output intensity of the radio signal transmitted from the shared antenna 11 can be suppressed.

  (4) The control device 4 varies the output phase of the radio signal between the shared antenna 11 and the indoor antenna 10. Here, in the place where the radio signals transmitted from the antennas interfere with each other, the radio signals are strengthened or weakened, but the place of interference can be changed by changing the output phase. For this reason, the predetermined communication area is not formed by changing the output phase of the radio signal while suppressing the output intensity of the radio signal, instead of forming the predetermined communication area by increasing the output intensity of the radio signal. It can be formed easily.

  (5) Since the shared antenna 11 is configured integrally with the opening / closing switch 22 provided on the luggage door 8 of the vehicle 2, the installation work is performed once compared to the case where the shared antenna 11 and the opening / closing switch 22 are separate. In addition, the electrical wiring and the like can be collected.

In addition, the said embodiment can be implemented with the following forms which changed this suitably.
In the above-described embodiment, the shared antenna 11 has both the functions of an outdoor antenna that transmits a radio signal around the rear of the vehicle 2 outside the room and an indoor antenna that transmits a radio signal behind the vehicle 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a shared antenna having the following functions of an outdoor antenna and an indoor antenna may be used.

(A) A shared antenna having both functions of a driver's seat door antenna that transmits a radio signal around the driver's seat door (outdoor) and an indoor antenna that transmits a radio signal in front of the vehicle 2 in the room.
(B) A shared antenna having the functions of both a passenger seat door antenna that transmits a radio signal around the passenger seat door (outdoor) and an indoor antenna that transmits a radio signal in front of the vehicle 2 in the room.

  (C) A driver's seat door antenna that transmits a radio signal around the driver's seat door (outdoor), a passenger's seat door antenna that transmits a radio signal around the passenger seat door (outdoor), and a radio signal in front of the vehicle 2 A shared antenna that also functions as an indoor antenna for transmission.

In the above embodiment, the shared antenna 11 and the open / close switch 22 are configured integrally, but may be configured separately.
-You may arrange | position the shared antenna 11 so that the opening part formed in the body panel may be penetrated. Specifically, the shared antenna 11 may be disposed in the opening, or may be disposed so as to protrude from the opening.

  In the above embodiment, the control device 4 forms the predetermined communication area A4 in the room of the vehicle 2 by causing the indoor antenna 10 and the shared antenna 11 to have different phases. However, if the control device 4 can form the predetermined communication area A4 in the vehicle 2 by changing only the output intensity of the radio signal transmitted from the shared antenna 11, the shared antenna and other antennas It is not necessary to change the phase of.

The top view of the vehicle which shows schematic structure of an electronic key system, and arrangement | positioning of an antenna. AA sectional view of vehicles showing arrangement of an antenna. The top view of the vehicle which shows the transmission range at the time of forming a communication area outdoors. The AA sectional view of vehicles showing the dispatch range at the time of forming a communication area outdoors. The top view of the vehicle which shows the transmission range at the time of forming a communication area indoors. The AA sectional view of vehicles showing the dispatch range at the time of forming a communication area indoors. (A) (b) (c) The simplified diagram which shows the communication area of the radio signal transmitted from two antennas. The top view of the vehicle which shows arrangement | positioning of an antenna.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic key system, 2 ... Vehicle, 3 ... Electronic key, 4 ... Control apparatus, 5 ... Drive circuit, 6 ... Driver's seat door, 7 ... Passenger seat door, 8 ... Luggage door, 10 ... Indoor antenna, 11 ... Shared antenna , 12 ... Receiver, 13 ... Ignition switch, 16 ... Driver door antenna, 17 ... Passenger door antenna, 21 ... Door panel, 22 ... Open / close switch, 23 ... Slit, 30 ... Frame, 31 ... Antenna, 32 ... Antenna, 40 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Vehicle, 41 ... Vehicle signal transmission device, 42 ... Control device, 43 ... Drive circuit, 44-46 ... Outdoor antenna, 47, 48 ... Indoor antenna, 54 ... Door of driver's seat, 55 ... Door of passenger seat, 56 ... rear bumper, A1, A2, A3i, A3o, A4 ... communication area.

Claims (3)

A vehicle comprising control means for transmitting a radio signal to an antenna provided on the indoor side of the vehicle so as to form a predetermined communication area outside or indoor of the vehicle in order to try to establish wireless communication between the electronic key and the vehicle A signal transmission device,
The antenna is a shared antenna that transmits a radio signal so as to form a communication area outside and inside the vehicle,
An opening is formed in the body panel of the vehicle in the vicinity of the shared antenna,
The signal transmission device for vehicles, wherein the control means forms a communication area either outside or inside the vehicle by changing an output intensity of a radio signal transmitted from the shared antenna. The vehicle signal transmission device according to claim 1,
A plurality of antennas for transmitting radio signals by the control means so as to form a predetermined communication area in the vehicle interior are provided in the vehicle interior;
The control means is configured to change the output phase of a radio signal between the shared antenna and the antenna that transmits a radio signal so as to form a communication area in the vehicle interior of the plurality of antennas, thereby changing the predetermined phase in the vehicle interior of the vehicle. A vehicle signal transmission device characterized by forming a communication area. In the vehicle signal transmission device according to claim 1 or 2,
The common antenna is configured integrally with a door opening / closing switch provided on the door of the vehicle.

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