JP2009275365A - Portable machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable machine in which a mechanical key can be surely housed, and which prevents the mechanical key from being put into the state of being carelessly taken out. <P>SOLUTION: This portable machine 10, which is used to wirelessly lock/unlock a vehicle door, is equipped with an electronic circuit board 1b in which a battery 1a is mounted in a casing composed of lower and upper cases 1 and 8. In the portable machine 10, the casing houses the key 2 which is used to manually lock/unlock the vehicle door, for example, in the exhaustion of the battery 1a; a ball 4 urged from a thickness direction by a spring 3 is brought into pressurized contact with one end thereof; and the other end thereof is supported by a U-shaped portion 6a of a turnable hook 6. When the hook 6 is turned, the other end of the key 2 is moved outward by the inside of the U-shaped portion 6a, and exposed outside the cases 1 and 8. Thus, the key can be taken out with a user's fingers. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable device for electronically locking and unlocking a door of a vehicle such as an automobile, and more particularly to a portable device capable of storing an emergency mechanical key.

  In recent years, an electronic key system that electronically locks and unlocks a door of a vehicle such as an automobile has been proposed against the background of the development of information communication technology and the spread of communication devices.

  This electronic key system is possessed by a driver or the like, transmits a locking / unlocking signal, and has a function of enabling the engine to start, and a card-type portable device mounted on a vehicle and from the portable device. It consists of a locking / unlocking device that receives the transmitted locking / unlocking signal and locks / unlocks the door lock drive device, and establishes wireless communication between the portable device and the door lock drive device When this happens, locking / unlocking of the door and permission to start the engine are executed.

  As the portable device, for example, there is a portable device in a card type that can be easily carried in a wallet or the like in consideration of the fact that a driver often carries the device (see Patent Document 1).

In this portable device, a substrate on which an electronic circuit such as a transmission / reception circuit is mounted and a battery for supplying an operation power to the electronic circuit are accommodated in the case. Since the portable device performs wireless communication with the door lock driving device using the battery as a power source, the wireless communication is disabled when the battery voltage drops below a predetermined value, that is, when the battery runs out. Locking / unlocking the door and permission to start the engine via wireless communication become impossible. In addition, even if the portable device breaks down for some reason, it becomes impossible to lock / unlock the door lock driving device and allow the engine to start by wireless communication. Assuming the occurrence of such a state, a mechanical key (also referred to as an emergency key) is detachably stored in the portable device so that the door lock driving device can be manually locked and unlocked. In an emergency as described above, the user takes out the mechanical key from the case of the portable device, and locks / unlocks the door lock driving device using the mechanical key.
JP 2007-032123 A

  However, according to the conventional portable device, since the mechanical key is locked by the engaging member rotatably attached to the case of the portable device, it can be easily operated even when the engaging member does not intend to take out the mechanical key. There is an inconvenience that it is likely to be taken out and easily taken out.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable device that can securely store a mechanical key and prevent the mechanical key from being inadvertently taken out.

[1] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention wirelessly locks and unlocks a specific vehicle door, and an electronic circuit board on which a battery is mounted, and manually locks and unlocks the vehicle door. A mechanical key used in the housing, a housing having a space for housing the mechanical key and incorporating the electronic circuit board, and a predetermined portion having a thickness of the mechanical key at one end of the mechanical key housed in the housing A first support member that is press-contacted in a direction, and is housed in the casing so as to be rotatable, holds the other end of the mechanical key when not rotating, and moves the other end of the mechanical key in accordance with a rotation operation. And a supporting device. 2. A portable device comprising: a support member.

[2] The first support member includes a sphere that contacts the one end of the mechanical key as the predetermined portion, and an elastic member that biases the sphere in the mechanical key direction. The portable device described in [1] may be used.

[3] The above-mentioned [1], wherein the second support member is a hook having a U-shaped portion fitted to the other end of the mechanical key and a protruding portion protruding from the housing. It may be a portable device.

  According to the portable device of the present invention, the mechanical key can be securely stored, and the mechanical key can be prevented from being inadvertently taken out.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an electronic key system to which a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

  The electronic key system 100 is attached to a card-type portable device 10 that is possessed by a user 20 or the like and contains an emergency mechanical key (hereinafter referred to as a key) and a door 30 a of a vehicle (automobile) 30. The door lock mechanism 31 that locks and unlocks the door 30a, the door lock drive device 32 that is mounted in the engine room of the vehicle 30 and drives the door lock mechanism 31, and the engine room, etc. A locking / unlocking device 33 that controls the door lock driving device 32 based on a communication result with the portable device 10 is provided. The door lock drive device 32 is also attached to other doors of the same vehicle 30 as necessary. Further, the locking / unlocking device 33 may be an ECU (electronic control unit) that controls engine start / stop and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the electronic key system.

(Configuration of portable device 10)
The portable device 10 includes a resin lower case 1 forming a part of a housing, an electronic circuit board 1b installed in the lower case 1 with a battery 1a mounted thereon, and a detachable key 2. ing. Details of the configuration of the key 2 will be described later with reference to FIG. The electronic circuit board 1b includes a control unit 1d including a memory 1c in which a preset ID code ID ₁ is stored, a communication unit 1e connected to the control unit 1d, and a communication unit 1e. A receiving antenna 1f and a transmitting antenna 1g connected to the communication unit 1e are mounted. Here, the control part 1d and the communication part 1e consist of LSI etc., for example.

  The communication unit 1e sends a lock / unlock signal (ID code signal Sc) for locking / unlocking the door lock mechanism 31 to the lock / unlock device 33 and the lock / unlock device 33. It comprises a receiving circuit 1h that receives the request signal Sr.

The control unit 1d is composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and when a request signal is input from the reception circuit 1h, outputs an ID code signal Sc including a predetermined ID code ID ₁ to the transmission circuit 1i as a response signal, and transmits the transmission antenna 1g. The function of transmitting to the locking / unlocking device 33 via the.

  The transmission antenna 1g is configured by a wiring pattern in a shape tuned to an RF (Radio Frequency) band that transmits an ID code signal Sc of a predetermined frequency (for example, about 300 MHz) to the locking / unlocking device 33.

  The receiving antenna 1f is an LF (Low Frequency) antenna that receives a request signal Sr having a predetermined frequency (for example, about 130 kHz) from the locking / unlocking device 33. Specifically, the receiving antenna 1f has a magnetic core made of ferrite. The coil antenna is wound with a coil.

  The battery 1a is made of, for example, a button-type lithium battery, and functions as a power source that supplies the communication unit 1e, the control unit 1d, and the like.

(Configuration of door lock mechanism 31 and door lock drive device 32)
The door lock mechanism 31 includes, for example, a solenoid that serves as a drive source, a link mechanism that opens and closes the lock of the door 30a by an actuator of the solenoid, and the like (both not shown).

  The door lock drive device 32 includes a circuit that energizes and shuts off the solenoid of the door lock mechanism 31 based on a drive signal from the locking / unlocking device 33.

(Configuration of locking / unlocking device 33)
Locking and unlocking device 33 is preset ID code IDC ₂ and a control unit 33b having a memory 33a stored, a communication unit 33c which is connected to the control unit 33b is connected to the door lock drive device 32 And a transmission antenna 33d connected to the communication unit 33c and a reception antenna 33e connected to the communication unit 33c. The communication unit 33c converts the request signal Sr from the control unit 33b into a transmission signal and outputs the transmission signal to the transmission antenna 33d, and the reception circuit 33g that receives the ID code signal Sc through the reception antenna 33d from the portable device 10. And is configured.

The control unit 33b is composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and is configured to intermittently output the request signal Sr to the communication unit 33c. When the ID code signal Sc is input from the receiving circuit 33g, the ID code IDC ₁ included in the ID code signal Sc is compared with the ID code IDC ₂ stored in the memory 33a (ID code verification). At the same time, the door lock driving device 32 is controlled based on the collation result of the ID code.

  The transmission antenna 33d is connected to the transmission circuit 33f and configured to transmit a request signal Sr having a predetermined frequency (for example, about 130 kHz) to the portable device 10.

  The receiving antenna 33e is connected to the receiving circuit 33g and configured to receive an ID code signal Sc having a predetermined frequency (for example, about 300 MHz) from the portable device 10.

(Configuration of key storage part of portable device)
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a detailed configuration of the key storage unit of the portable device. As shown in FIG. 3, the portable device 10 includes a battery 1 a and a lower case 1, a key 2 stored in a key storage space 1 j of the lower case 1, and a first disposed between the lower case 1 and the key 2. Springs (elastic members) 3 and balls (spheres) 4 as supporting members, pins 5 locked to the lower case 1 and the upper case 8, and a U-shaped portion 6 a fitted to the end of the key 2. At the same time, a hook 6 as a second support member that rotates about the pin 5 as a rotation axis, a return spring 7 that generates a biasing force that rotates the hook 6 in a predetermined direction, the key 2, the spring 3, and the ball 4 described above. And an upper case 8 that covers the lower case 1 so as to cover the pin 5, the hook 6 and the return spring 7.

  The lower case 1 and the upper case 8 are made by molding a resin material that is difficult to break, for example, a synthetic resin material such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). Have A housing is formed by assembling the lower case 1 and the upper case 8. The assembly of the lower case 1 and the upper case 8 is performed by an engaging member provided on the joint surface or by screwing.

  The key 2 is made of metal, for example, brass or the like so as to form a substantially L shape with a predetermined thickness (for example, 2 mm), and further, a key groove 2a is formed on one side and a through hole 2b is provided on one end. The shape is different. The through hole 2b does not necessarily have to be through, and may be, for example, a hemispherical recess.

  The spring 3 is a coil spring made of a metal wire, and a ball 4 made of a metal sphere is fixed to one end. The ball 4 and the spring 3 are integrally joined by welding or the like. The spring 3 is arranged so that the ball 4 can be brought into pressure contact with the opening surface of the through hole 2b of the key 2 and is not detached from the lower case 1 even when the key 2 is attached or detached.

  The pin 5 is a short metal rod, and is attached so that both ends thereof are interposed in the lower case 1 and the upper case 8 while being inserted into the through hole 6 b of the hook 6.

  The hook 6 is made of resin or metal, and includes the above-described U-shaped portion 6a and the through hole 6b, as well as a protruding portion 6c to which the user applies a finger when taking out the key 2.

  The return spring 7 is a coil spring made of a metal wire. Both ends of the return spring 7 extend in the radial direction, and the ends of the return spring 7 are bent so as to be locked to the hook 6 and the upper case 8. With this structure, one end of the return spring 7 is locked to the hook 6 and the other end is locked to the upper case 8. As a result, the hook 6 is always urged clockwise in FIG.

(Operation of the electronic key system 100)
As shown in FIG. 1, when the user 20 has the portable device 10 and enters a communicable range with respect to the vehicle 30, the portable device 10 receives a request signal Sr transmitted from the locking / unlocking device 33. This request signal Sr is a signal for requesting the portable device 10 to transmit the ID code IDC ₁ . When the portable device 10 receives the request signal Sr, the portable device 10 transmits the ID code IDC ₁ stored in the memory 1c in advance as the ID code signal Sc.

When receiving the ID code signal Sc transmitted from the portable device 10, the locking / unlocking device 33 stores the ID code IDC ₁ on the portable device 10 side included in the ID code signal Sc and the memory 33 a of the communication unit 33 c in advance. The stored ID code IDC ₂ on the vehicle side is collated by the control unit 33b. When the two ID codes match, the control unit 33b operates the door lock driving device 32, drives the door lock mechanism 31 by the door lock driving device 32, and unlocks the door 30a of the vehicle 30.

  On the other hand, when the user 20 holds the portable device 10 and moves away from the vehicle and moves out of the communicable range, the locking / unlocking device 33 cannot receive the ID code signal Sc transmitted from the portable device 10. When the locking / unlocking device 33 cannot receive the ID code signal Sc on the portable device 10 side, it controls to lock the door 30a. As described above, by using the portable device 10, the door 20 is automatically locked and unlocked without the user 20 touching the vehicle 30.

  However, since the portable device 10 operates with the battery 1a as a power source, it does not operate when the battery 1a is discharged below a predetermined capacity, and the portable device 10 is in the same state as when the portable device 10 is outside the communicable range of the vehicle 30, The electronic key system 100 will not function. Therefore, the key 2 is prepared in case the battery 1a is discharged. Below, the usage method of the key 2 is demonstrated.

(How to take out key 2)
4 is a diagram showing a key storage state in the portable device, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the key is slightly pulled out from the state of FIG. 4, and FIG. FIG. In FIGS. 4 to 6, the lower case 1 is illustrated as being removed from the upper case 8. 4 to 6, the illustration of the return spring 7 is omitted.

  In a state where the key 2 is not removed from the portable device 10, as shown in FIG. 4, the key 2 is in a state of being stored in the key storage space 1j. At this time, one end of the key 2 is supported by the spring 3 and the ball 4, and the other end is urged by the return spring 7. Further, since the U-shaped portion 6 a of the hook 6 is fitted to the end of the key 2, the key 2 does not come out of the lower case 1 and the upper case 8, that is, the casing of the portable device 10.

  4, when the user 20 rotates the projection 6c of the hook 6 with his / her finger in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 5, the end of the piece provided with the key groove 2a of the key 2 Part B is pushed out of the upper case 8 by the U-shaped part 6 a of the hook 6. At this stage, one end of the key 2 is locked by the spring 3 and the ball 4. That is, since the key 2 is pressed toward the upper case 8 by the ball 4 by the urging force of the spring 3, the key 2 uses the ball 4 as a rotation axis until the ball 4 is removed from the through hole 2 b of the key 2.

  When the user 20 grasps the end portion B of the key 2 shown in FIG. 5 with a finger and pulls it in the direction of arrow C shown in FIG. 5 using the ball 4 as a fulcrum, the side wall of one end of the key 2 is the side wall of the key storage space 1j. The one end of the key 2 is pushed in the direction of arrow D by the repulsive force at that time. In the process of being pushed out in the direction of arrow D, the ball 4 is removed from the through hole 2b of the key 2 and the restriction on one end of the key 2 is lost. As a result, the key 2 can be taken out from the portable device 10 without receiving resistance. This state is shown in FIG.

(Effect of embodiment)
According to the present embodiment, the following effects are obtained.
(A) Since the operation of taking out the key 2 from the portable device 10 is an operation of rotating the hook 6 with a finger, the key 2 is compared with the operation of taking out the pushing operation mechanism as in the portable device shown in Patent Document 1. Can be reduced.
(B) When the key 2 is stored in the portable device 10, the key 2 is completely stored in the lower case 1 and the upper case 8, so that the degree of freedom in design of the portable device 10 can be improved. it can.
(C) In a state where the key 2 is stored in the portable device 10, both ends of the key 2 are held at the two locations of the hook 6 and the ball 4, so that the key 2 can be held stably and reliably.
(D) Since the hook 6 can have the same thickness and width as the key 2, the key storage space 1j of the key 2 in the portable device 10 can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the shape of the key 2 is not limited to the L shape, and may be, for example, a T shape, an I shape, or the like.

  The spring 3 may be another elastic member such as a leaf spring.

  Furthermore, the ball 4 only needs to have a spherical surface in contact with the key 2, and therefore does not have to be a perfect sphere, and may be, for example, a hemisphere. Further, the pin 5 may be integrated with the hook 6.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an electronic key system to which a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the electronic key system. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a detailed configuration of the key storage unit of the portable device. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a key storage state in the portable device. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the key is slightly pulled out from the state of FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the key is completely removed from the portable device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lower case 1a Battery 1b Electronic circuit board 1c Memory 1d Control part 1e Communication part 1f Reception antenna 1g Transmission antenna 1h Reception circuit 1i Transmission circuit 1j Key storage space 1k Spring hole 1l Hook holding hole 2 Key (mechanical key)
2a Key groove 2b Through hole 3 Spring 4 Ball 5 Pin 6 Hook 6a U-shaped part 6b Through hole 6c Projection part 7 Return spring 8 Upper case 10 Mobile device 20 User 30 Vehicle 30a Door 31 Door lock mechanism 32 Door lock drive device 33 Locking Unlocking device 33a Memory 33b Control unit 33c Reception circuit 33d Transmission antenna 33e Reception antenna 33f Transmission circuit 33g Reception circuit 100 Electronic key system

Claims (3)

An electronic circuit board mounted with an electronic circuit and a battery for wirelessly locking and unlocking a specific vehicle door; and
Mechanical keys used for manually locking and unlocking the door of the vehicle,
A housing having a space for housing the mechanical key and incorporating the electronic circuit board;
A first support member in which the predetermined portion is in pressure contact with one end of the mechanical key housed in the housing from the thickness direction of the mechanical key;
A second support member that is rotatable and stored in the housing, holds the other end of the mechanical key when not rotating, and moves the other end of the mechanical key in accordance with a rotation operation;
A portable device characterized by comprising:   The first support member includes a sphere that contacts the one end of the mechanical key as the predetermined portion, and an elastic member that urges the sphere toward the mechanical key. The portable device described.   2. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the second support member is a hook having a U-shaped portion that is fitted to the other end of the mechanical key and a protruding portion that protrudes from the housing.

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