JP2021079946A - Article - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an article for branching a signal from an antenna which transmits a signal in a vehicle.SOLUTION: A relay cable device 1 comprises a first connector 2 and a second connector 3, a relay cable 4 which relays therebetween, and a branch cable 5 which is branched from the relay cable 4. The relay cable device 1 is solely connected to an antenna in a vehicle. The first connector 2 is connected to an antenna side connector of the antenna, and the second connector 3 is connected to a cable side connector. A signal branched from the relay cable 4 by the branch cable 5 is transmitted to a vehicle repeater in the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to, for example, an object that transmits a signal.

Conventionally, remote control has been performed wirelessly in the vehicle. Patent Document 1 is shown as an example of such a technique.
Patent Document 1 relates to a remote starting device for a vehicle. In Patent Document 1, remote control is performed as follows.
First, the driver of the vehicle 1 carries the portable device 16 and operates the remote controller 34 at a position away from the vehicle 1 to wirelessly transmit the remote controller start signal from the remote controller 34. As a result, when the wireless transmission / reception unit 32 of the vehicle-mounted device 30 receives the remote control start signal, the vehicle control unit 4 outputs the engine start signal SSW2. The vehicle control unit 4 receives the engine start signal SSW2, inquires the collation control unit 6 for permission to start the engine, and the collation control unit 6 transmits a request signal from the wireless transmission / reception unit 18.

When the vehicle-mounted device 30 receives the request signal by the wireless transmission / reception unit 32, the vehicle-mounted device 30 amplifies the request signal and transfers it to the remote controller 34. When the wireless transmission / reception unit 36 of the remote controller 34 receives the request signal, the wireless transmission / reception unit 36 transfers the request signal to the wireless transmission / reception unit 24 of the portable device 16. When the portable device 16 receives the request signal, the portable device 16 transmits a password code signal including the password code from the wireless transmission / reception unit 24 or the transponder unit 26. When the remote controller 34 receives the password code signal, it amplifies the password code signal and wirelessly transmits it from the wireless transmission / reception unit 36.
When the vehicle-mounted device 30 receives the password code signal, the vehicle-mounted device 30 transmits the password code signal from the wireless transmission / reception unit 32 or the transponder unit 35 to the wireless transmission / reception unit 18 or the transponder unit 20 of the collation control unit 6. When the collation control unit 6 receives the password code signal, it collates the reference code with the password code. When the reference code and the password code match, the collation control unit 6 outputs an engine start permission signal to the vehicle control unit 4.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-121791

In the remote control of Patent Document 1, when the signal is wirelessly transmitted from the vehicle side, the on-board unit 30 on the receiving side receives the signal wirelessly by the wireless transmission / reception unit 32. However, when this signal is received wirelessly, it must be installed at a position and direction that optimizes the reception performance of the wireless transmission / reception unit 32 with respect to radio waves. Therefore, it is necessary to arrange the on-board unit 30 so that the position and direction have the best reception performance while checking the indicator of the measuring instrument. Moreover, since the place where the on-board unit 30 is placed is not limited to anywhere, it is quite difficult to place the on-board unit 30 and secure the reception performance, and it takes time to find such a place. This is the case.
Therefore, the inventor has made it possible to transmit a signal by connecting an object that transmits the signal to the antenna without using wireless communication. In order to relay the signal from the antenna, it is preferable to arrange a device for branching the signal between the antenna and the wiring to the antenna. As the device for branching the signal, for example, a relay cable device may be used.
The relay cable device is a device in which a pair of connectors are arranged at both ends of one or a plurality of relay cables, and a branch cable is connected to the relay cable. The relay cable device is used by interposing the connectors of the relay cable device between the connectors on the antenna side to which the cables are connected. For example, it is possible to use an electro tap as a simple connector for connecting a branch cable in the middle of the cable, but with a simple installation such as an electro tap, connection failure due to work mistakes may occur depending on the skill of the operator. Because.

In addition, when the relay cable device is attached for the wired connection with the antenna, the following problems also occur exemplarily.
(B) As for the connector on the cable path for branching from the antenna, a group of connectors other than the target connector is often arranged at the position where the relay cable device is attached, so search for the target connector. It takes time. It is difficult to know which connector should be removed to insert the branch cable connector. For example, when I tried to remove a certain connector and insert the branch cable, I realized that I had removed the wrong connector that the branch cable could not be inserted, and another. There was a problem that I noticed that I had removed the wrong connector that the branch cable could not be inserted after removing the connector.
(B) There is a problem that the connector shape is not common among vehicle manufacturers, and even if the same vehicle manufacturer is used, the connector shape is not common among vehicle models. How and which connector the cable is relayed to is optimized according to the allocation of functions in vehicle design, the order in the vehicle assembly process, workability, etc. according to the difference in vehicle manufacturer and vehicle type. Because. In addition, since there is an idea that cables are collectively made into a harness, the shape of the cable is not constant depending on the vehicle model.
Therefore, in order to correspond to those connectors, it was necessary to prepare a large number of different types of relay cable devices depending on the vehicle type. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a mold for manufacturing many different types of connectors, and the mold cost for that is incurred. In addition, workers have to perform work such as attaching a relay cable to a connector and attaching a branch cable in many different types of relay cable devices, which is troublesome, and manufacturing at that time is a small lot. It must be made. Therefore, as a result, the work cost of the relay cable device is also high. In addition, many types of relay cable devices must be stocked, and it is necessary to secure a storage space for that purpose.
(C) Many connectors and cables are concentrated at the position where the relay cable device is attached, and it may be difficult to attach the relay cable device at this position in terms of space capacity.
While the above-mentioned problems have arisen regarding the installation of the relay cable device for the antenna in this way, as a result of the inventor's verification of various vehicle types regarding the current state of the antenna, the antenna for certification of vehicle control Has discovered that the same products are currently exclusively supplied regardless of vehicle type or manufacturer.

The present invention has been made in view of the various problems described above.
(1) A vehicle that wirelessly transmits a signal into the vehicle interior from an antenna provided in the vehicle and determines whether or not to permit a predetermined operation of the vehicle based on a response signal received from a portable device in the vehicle interior. The most accessible from the outside, which is for acquiring the signal by another system using the signal, and is provided in the wiring in the vehicle from the device of the vehicle generating the signal to the antenna. A first connector that fits into one of a pair of connectors near the antenna, a second connector that fits into the other, a relay line that relays a signal between the first connector and the second connector, and the above. It is preferable to provide a branch line for acquiring a signal.
As a result, for example, a signal in a portion close to the antenna can be received by wire. Further, unlike the case of receiving a signal from an antenna wirelessly, for example, it does not take time to set up another system that uses the signal.
In addition, in response to the problem (a) above, it is difficult to place other connector groups at the positions of the pair of connectors that are closest to the antenna that can be accessed from the outside, so it is difficult to find the desired connector or make a mistake in the connector. It becomes difficult to occur.
Further, in response to the above problem (b), since the connectors provided unique to the antenna have a commonality, the first connector and the second connector that fit with such a connector may be used, and there are many different connectors. There is no need to prepare different types of "things".
Further, in response to the above problem (c), since the antenna is arranged independently, it is advantageous in terms of space when attaching an "object".

Here, the "object" may be, for example, an object capable of transmitting a signal, and may be, for example, a structure for branching the wiring from the device of the vehicle to the antenna. The relay line and the branch line may be, for example, a cable, and in particular, a wire body covered by itself may be used. Then, the first connector and the second connector may be attached there. For the relay line and the branch line, for example, the relay line and the branch line may be arranged on the printed circuit board, and a connector connected to the relay line and the branch line may be formed on the printed circuit board. It is particularly preferable to form the connector member and the wiring member without providing the connector member. In particular, the wiring member may be made of a flexible material. In this way, it is possible to easily insert the vehicle into a narrow empty space left in the vehicle or in a different empty space between different vehicle types by bending the vehicle.
"A vehicle that wirelessly transmits a signal into the vehicle interior from an antenna provided in the vehicle and determines whether or not to permit a predetermined operation of the vehicle based on a response signal received from a portable device in the vehicle interior" For example, a vehicle control system that controls a vehicle by wirelessly exchanging signals between a vehicle control device, a vehicle control device, and a portable device capable of wirelessly communicating with each other may be used. In the vehicle control system, for example, when the authentication information stored in the vehicle control device and the authentication information stored in the portable device capable of wirelessly communicating with the vehicle control device satisfy a predetermined authentication condition, the vehicle is controlled. It is better to have a system to do. As "authentication information satisfies a predetermined authentication condition", for example, a predetermined authentication condition may be met, or a different authentication condition may be calculated and matched each time as an authentication condition. As the "predetermined operation of the vehicle", for example, the engine may be started.
"Other systems that use signals" are, for example, vehicle control in a vehicle control system that controls a vehicle by wirelessly exchanging signals between a vehicle control device and a portable device capable of wireless communication with each other. It is preferable to use a relay system that relays wireless communication between the device and the portable device. As a device constituting a relay system for relaying wireless communication, for example, a first repeater arranged on the vehicle side and a second repeater carried together with a portable device may be used.
The pair of "closest to the antenna that can be accessed from the outside" is, for example, the connector on the antenna side of the pair of connectors is exposed from the antenna housing as a part of the antenna unit that becomes the antenna body, for example, the antenna. It is preferable that the structure is directly fixed to the housing of the antenna or is supported in the vicinity of the housing of the antenna by, for example, a connector (for example, a very short cable). For example, even if a connector connected to the internal circuit of the antenna unit is arranged inside the antenna housing, if the connector cannot be fitted with an external connector, the term "closest to the antenna" is used here. It means that it cannot be a connector.
The "wiring" may be, for example, electrically connected, and may be wired not only by a conductor such as a cable or a conducting wire but also by interposing a component such as a resistor or a capacitor in the middle. The same applies to other lines such as "relay line" and "branch line".
The first connector is, for example, a connector that fits into the connector on the antenna side of the pair of connectors closest to the antenna provided in the wiring in the vehicle from the device of the vehicle that generates the signal to the antenna. The connector may be, for example, a connector that fits into the connector on the device side of the vehicle among the pair of connectors closest to the antenna provided in the wiring in the vehicle from the device of the vehicle that generates the signal to the antenna.

(1-1) A signal is wirelessly transmitted into the vehicle interior from an antenna provided in the vehicle, and it is determined whether or not to permit a predetermined operation of the vehicle based on a response signal received from a portable device in the vehicle interior. A plurality of pairs of connectors on the wiring path in the vehicle from the device of the vehicle that generates the signal to the antenna, which is for acquiring the signal by another system that uses the signal. The first connector fitted to one of the pair of connectors having less wiring, the second connector fitted to the other, the first connector and the second connector. It is preferable to provide a relay line for relaying a signal between the connectors of the above and a branch line for acquiring the signal.
In this way, by connecting "things" to a pair of connectors with less wiring, it takes more time to check the wiring at the time of installation than when connecting to a pair of connectors with relatively more wiring. It doesn't cost. The first connector and the second connector, which are compatible with a pair of connectors having less wiring, are not larger than the case of connecting to a pair of connectors having relatively many wiring, and the manufacturing cost is low.

(1-2) A signal is wirelessly transmitted into the vehicle interior from an antenna provided in the vehicle, and it is determined whether or not to permit a predetermined operation of the vehicle based on a response signal received from a portable device in the vehicle interior. A plurality of pairs of connectors on the wiring path in the vehicle from the device of the vehicle that generates the signal to the antenna, which is for acquiring the signal by another system that uses the signal. Have,
Of the plurality of pairs of connectors, a connector in which a connector in which wiring other than the wiring leading to the antenna is connected is arranged in the vicinity of the pair of connectors, and a connector other than the wiring leading to the antenna in the vicinity of the pair of connectors. It has a connector to which the connector to which the wiring is connected is not arranged, and
A first connector that fits into one of the connectors to which a connector to which wiring other than the wiring to the antenna is connected is not arranged in the vicinity of the pair of connectors, a second connector that fits into the other, and the first connector. It is preferable to provide a relay line for relaying a signal between the connector of the above and the second connector, and a branch line for acquiring the signal.
In this way, there are multiple connectors in the wiring path in the vehicle to the antenna, and the "thing" is connected to the pair of connectors closest to the antenna that can be accessed from the outside. Since it is not possible to connect the "things" that are not closest to the antenna of the multiple connectors of the wiring path in the vehicle leading to the antenna, the "things" are not connected in the vicinity where many types of connectors are gathered, and the connector to be attached Eliminates problems such as sorting and mistaking.
In particular, it is preferable to provide a first connector, a second connector, a relay line, and a branch line so as to have both the configurations (1) and (1-2). More preferably, the first connector, the second connector, the relay line, and the branch line are provided so as to have all of the configurations (1), (1-1), and (1-2).

(2) The wiring in the vehicle from the device of the vehicle that generates the signal to the antenna includes a pair of connectors that are closest to the antenna that can be accessed from the outside, and a pair of connectors that are not the closest to the antenna. Are provided, and wiring other than the wiring leading to the antenna is connected to the connector closest to the antenna, and the first and second connectors are the connectors closest to the antenna accessible from the outside. It is better to fit in.
This is, for example, the idea of fitting the first and second connectors to the pair of connectors on the side of the pair of connectors that have less wiring. In this way, when wiring other than the wiring of the antenna material is connected to the "connector that is not closest to the antenna", "things" are placed for this "connector that is not closest to the antenna". This causes many problems.
For example, since multiple wires are concentrated on the "connector that is not closest to the antenna", even if you look at this "connector that is not closest to the antenna", you cannot tell at a glance which wire is for what. It is something that will end up. Therefore, first of all, it takes extra work time for checking the wiring at the time of installation.
Further, for example, since a plurality of wirings are connected, the “connector that is not closest to the antenna” tends to be large, resulting in high material cost. Also, for example, the shape of the "connector that is not closest to the antenna" is not necessarily unified for each vehicle model, so the type and number of wiring that concentrates on the "connector that is not closest to the antenna" is the same for each vehicle model. That is not the case. Therefore, in that case, the number of molds for manufacturing the first connector and the second connector of the "thing" increases, and the mold cost also increases. Further, for example, it is necessary to incorporate a corresponding number of relay lines according to the number of poles (number of terminals) of the first connector and the second connector of the "thing", which increases the work cost. For these reasons as well, the manufacturing cost for manufacturing "things" increases. Also, for example, when preparing many types of "things", it is necessary to secure a place to stock those many types of "things", and those that correspond to the vehicle type from those various types of "things". It will take time and effort to select.
On the other hand, if the first and second connectors are configured to fit into the connector closest to the antenna that can be accessed from the outside, the above problems do not occur and the installation work of the first and second connectors can be performed. It will be simplified and the manufacturing cost of the first and second connectors will be reduced.

The reason why the connector is arranged in the middle of the cable in the vehicle is as follows.
The cable as a signal transmitter is connected by a connector at the boundary position divided for each area, for example, near the boundary between the engine room side and the instrument panel part, or near the boundary between the engine room side and the indoor side. The route is constructed. The reason why the cables are divided and connected with connectors in this way is that, in general, in a vehicle, if the cables are connected to the target device in a single state without a connector in the middle, it is because of the assembly process in vehicle manufacturing. This is because the cable routing becomes too bad. Therefore, the cable in the vehicle is generally connected to the target in-vehicle device via a connector on the way.
Further, cables of the same type are bundled so as to pass through one connector to form a harness, and there are a plurality of different connectors for each harness. The position where the connector group is concentrated is generally near the above boundary. The position where the connector group is concentrated is generally a place where the operator can easily access the connector position to connect the connectors when assembling the vehicle, and at the same time, the operator can easily access the vehicle maintenance and repair. Because of this, it is an appropriate place to place the connector, both empirically and efficiently. Therefore, the connector group is often stored in a storage space provided, for example, near the front lower part of the passenger seat.

(3) The wiring in the vehicle from the device of the vehicle that generates the signal to the antenna includes a pair of connectors that are closest to the antenna that can be accessed from the outside, and one or a plurality of connectors that are not the closest to the antenna. Are provided, and a connector to which wiring in the vehicle other than the wiring leading to the antenna is connected is arranged in the vicinity of the connector that is not closest to the antenna, and the first and second connectors are accessed from the outside. It should be fitted to the connector closest to the antenna possible.
With such a configuration, the first connector and the second connector of the "thing" can be fitted to the connector of the vehicle without other connectors around, so the operator can work with a sufficient space. can do. Further, since the first connector and the second connector can be fitted to the connector closest to the antenna in the wiring leading to the antenna, there is no possibility that the connectors will be misplaced.
On the other hand, if "objects" are arranged for a pair of connectors that are not closest to the antenna, for example, it is necessary to distinguish between the connector that is originally planned to be attached and other connectors in the vicinity thereof. However, it takes a lot of wasted work time for that. Also, if the mounting area is narrow, the wiring of the connector will be an obstacle during mounting.

(4) Of the pair of connectors near the antenna, either the first or second connector that fits into the connector on the antenna side may be a connector that fits into the connector provided in the antenna.
As a result of actually disassembling and examining many cars distributed in various countries, the inventors wirelessly transmitted a signal into the vehicle interior from an antenna provided in the vehicle and received it from a portable device in the vehicle interior. In a vehicle that determines whether or not to allow a predetermined operation of the vehicle based on a response signal to this, this antenna uses a common connector between different vehicle models of the same manufacturer, and is used between different vehicle models of different manufacturers. Also found that a common connector was used. On the other hand, we also found that such a possibility is low with other connectors. Since the connector closest to the antenna has something in common even if the vehicle model is different, one type of "thing" that has a first connector and a second connector that fits the connector is sufficient for most vehicle models. It will be. At the very least, the number of types can be significantly reduced compared to using a connector that fits into another connector. Therefore, it is not necessary to secure the manufacturing cost for manufacturing various types of connectors and the place for stocking these various types of connectors.
Here, the "connector provided in the antenna" may be fixed directly to the antenna housing, for example, or may be exposed from the antenna housing as a part of the antenna unit housed in the antenna housing, for example. For example, the connector may be fixed to a connecting object (for example, a very short cable) other than the housing slightly extending from the antenna side.
(5) Of the pair of connectors near the antenna, either the first or second connector that fits into the connector on the antenna side may be a connector that fits into the connector fixed to the antenna side. ..
As a result, the antenna and the connector on the antenna side are integrated, so that it is not necessary to prepare many types of connectors on the antenna side, and the connector on the antenna side is unified. Therefore, the shapes of the connectors that are fitted to the various types of connectors on the antenna side are becoming more unified, and it is not necessary to prepare multiple types.

(6) The first connector and the second connector are from the pair of connectors closest to the antenna accessible from the outside in the wiring path leading to the pair of connectors closest to the antenna accessible from the outside. Also, it may be possible to fit a pair of connectors provided on the wiring in the vehicle leading to the antenna provided on the device side of the vehicle for generating the signal, which are not closest to the antenna.
As a result, when two or more pairs of connectors are formed on the path of "wiring in the vehicle from the device of the vehicle that generates the signal to the antenna", the first connector and the second connector of the "object" are formed. Can be connected to any connector, increasing the degree of freedom in the mounting position of "things".

(7) The first connector and the second connector are a pair of connectors that are closest to the antenna and are accessible from the outside, which are arranged at positions that are relatively less accessible than the connector that is not closest to the antenna. It should be possible to fit with.
In such a configuration, for example, when considering attaching the first connector and the second connector of the "thing" to a connector that is not near the antenna, there are many places where the connector that is not near the antenna is located and easily accessible. Other connectors tend to be arranged in a concentrated manner, making it difficult to find a connector that is not close to the target antenna for arranging "things". Also, in terms of space, it may be difficult to install because there is not always enough room for arranging new "things". On the other hand, many other connectors are difficult to concentrate in the hard-to-access place where the "connector closest to the antenna" is arranged, and it is easy to find the target "connector closest to the antenna". In addition, there is plenty of space because it is difficult for connectors other than the "connector closest to the antenna" to concentrate. Therefore, by attaching the "object" to such a position, it can be expected that the working time of the operator is reduced and the misalignment of the connector is less likely to occur.

(8) A plurality of the antennas for wirelessly transmitting signals into the vehicle interior are provided in the vehicle, and the first connector and the second connector are the most among the plurality of antennas provided in the vehicle. The connector may be a connector that fits with the connector closest to the antenna that can be accessed from the outside in the path to the antenna in the center of the vehicle.
As the attachment target of the first connector and the second connector, such a "connector closest to the antenna" is easily accessible from any direction of the vehicle, and the "connector" of the first connector and the second connector. It will be easier to attach to the "connector closest to the antenna".

(9) Another system that uses the signal is a system that needs to be connected to at least a push switch, an ignition switch, a brake signal line, and a power source of the vehicle, and the antenna that wirelessly transmits a signal into the vehicle interior is A plurality of the first connector and the second connector are provided in the vehicle, and the first connector and the second connector are in the path to the antenna located at a position accessible from the driver's seat among the plurality of the antennas provided in the vehicle. It is preferable to use a connector that fits with the connector closest to the antenna that can be accessed from the outside.
The vehicle's pushswitches, ignition switches, brake signal lines, and power supplies are all connectable in front of the driver's seat where they can be accessed and connected from the driver's seat in the room, and are the most connectable on the path to the antenna. Since the connector that fits with the connector near the antenna is also in a position that can be accessed from the driver's seat, wiring work to other systems that use signals can be concentrated and work efficiency is improved.
(10) A plurality of the antennas for wirelessly transmitting signals into the vehicle interior are provided in the vehicle, and the plurality of the antennas have a common one as a pair of connectors closest to the antennas accessible from the outside. The first connector and the second connector may be arranged between the connector of one of the antennas closest to the antenna.
This makes it possible to select an antenna that is arranged at a position that is easy for the operator to work on and attach an "object".
(11) The antenna may be arranged near the center of the vehicle in the width direction.
This makes it possible to select an antenna that is easy for the operator to work on and attach an "object". In particular, if there is an antenna near the center in the width direction of the vehicle, it is possible to work from either side of the vehicle, and the work area is secured, which is good for work.

(12) The shape of the first connector is such that the connector on the antenna side of the pair of connectors closest to the antenna that can be accessed from the outside is a shape that can be fitted, and the shape of the first connector is changed from the outside. The shape may be different from the connector on the wiring side of the pair of connectors closest to the antenna that can be accessed.
In this way, even if the first connector is configured so that the connector on the wiring side of the pair of connectors closest to the antenna has a different connection shape, both are fitted with the connector on the antenna side of the pair of connectors closest to the antenna. Since the structure is such that they can be connected together, it is not always necessary to prepare a connector with the same shape as the connector on the wiring side as the shape of the first connector. For example, a connector already available as a mass-produced product is used as the first connector. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the need for a new mold for manufacturing the first connector, and the manufacturing cost for the connector can be significantly reduced.

(13) The number of terminals of the second connector and the pitch between the terminals are configured to be the same as the connector on the antenna side of the pair of connectors closest to the antenna that can be accessed from the outside, and the second connector The shape of the guide portion that guides the connector on the wiring side of the pair of connectors closest to the antenna that can be accessed from the outside for fitting is the shape of the guide portion on the antenna side of the pair of connectors that are closest to the antenna that can be accessed from the outside. The shape may be different from that of the connector.
As long as the shape of the guide is such that the terminals are connected to each other, the shape of the second connector and the shape of the connector on the antenna side may be different, and only the number of terminals and the pitch between terminals are essential conditions. As a result, it becomes possible to apply various connectors having different guide shape shapes, and the manufacturing cost related to the connector can be significantly reduced.
(14) The first connector may have a connection portion shape having the same shape as the connector on the wiring side of the pair of connectors closest to the antenna that can be accessed from the outside.
As a result, it is not necessary to prepare the first connector and the connector on the wiring side separately, and the common parts can be achieved, so that the cost can be reduced.

(15) The other system using the signal may be a system having a function of wirelessly transmitting a signal based on the signal installed in the vehicle to at least the outside of the vehicle interior.
Since the signal acquired from the antenna is less deteriorated, the transmission operation can be performed accurately when another system wirelessly transmits the signal to the outside of the vehicle interior based on this signal.
As the signal to be wirelessly transmitted, for example, when the authentication information stored in the vehicle control device and the authentication information stored in the portable device capable of wirelessly communicating with the vehicle control device satisfy the predetermined authentication conditions. It may be the signal used for. When wirelessly transmitting to the outside of the vehicle interior, it is preferable that the frequency is higher than the frequency received by other systems and the power is larger than the power of the wireless transmission.
(16) Another system using the signal relays the signal to a portable device outside the passenger compartment via radio, and relays a response signal to the relayed signal from the portable device outside the passenger compartment. The system may generate the response signal that can be received by the vehicle.
With such a system, there is little deterioration of the signal acquired from the antenna by wire, so even when other systems wirelessly transmit to the outside of the vehicle interior based on this signal, the transmission operation can be performed accurately, and the vehicle can be used. The response signal from the portable device outside the room is also accurate.
(17) The determination of whether or not to permit the predetermined operation of the vehicle is to exchange the authentication information on the vehicle control device side and the authentication information on the portable device side, and when the predetermined authentication condition is satisfied, the above-mentioned determination is made. It is good to allow the vehicle to perform certain movements.
By permitting a predetermined operation of the vehicle when the authentication condition is satisfied in this way, it is possible to prevent the vehicle from malfunctioning.
The inventions (1) to (17), (1-1) and (1-2) described above can be arbitrarily combined. For example, not all or part of (1) may be provided, but at least one of the other configurations (2) to (17) may be provided. However, in particular, it is preferable to include the configuration of (1) and to include at least one configuration and combination of (2) to (17). Further, it is particularly preferable to have the configuration of (1-1) and to include the components and combinations described in at least one of the configurations (1) to (17). Further, it is particularly preferable to have the configuration of (1-2) and to include the components and combinations described in at least one of the configurations (1) to (17). Any component of each of the inventions (1) to (17), (1-1) and (1-2) may be extracted and combined with other components.

According to the present invention, this makes it possible to receive, for example, a signal in a portion close to the antenna by wire. Further, unlike the case of receiving a signal wirelessly from an antenna, for example, it does not take time to set up another system that uses the signal.
In addition, as an effect on the above problem (a), since it is difficult to arrange other connector groups at the positions of the pair of connectors closest to the antenna that can be accessed from the outside, it is difficult to find the target connector or make a mistake in the connector. It is unlikely to occur.
Further, as an effect on the above problem (b), since the connectors provided unique to the antenna have a commonality, the first connector and the second connector that fit with such a connector may be used, and there are many different connectors. There is no need to prepare different types of "things".
Further, as an effect of the above-mentioned problem (c), since the antenna is arranged independently, it is advantageous in terms of space when attaching an "object".

The front view of the relay cable apparatus of embodiment which concerns on this invention. (A) is a perspective view of the first connector and the cable side connector, and (b) is a perspective view of the second connector of the relay cable device. (A) is a front view of the first connector and (b) is a front view of the second connector of the relay cable device. (A) is a rear view of the antenna, and (b) is a side view of the antenna fixed to the vehicle side. Explanatory drawing explaining the wiring state of the relay cable device from a vehicle repeater. Explanatory drawing explaining the position of the antenna in the vehicle and the connection position of the relay cable device of the vehicle repeater. It is a figure explaining the fitting relationship of the first connector to the antenna side connector of an antenna, (a) is before fitting, (b) is a fitting completed state. In the figure explaining the fitting relationship of the cable side connector to the second connector, (a) is before fitting and (b) is the fitting completed state. Partially broken cross-sectional plan view illustrating a state in which the cable-side connector is being inserted into the second connector. Explanatory drawing for explaining the outline of the vehicle remote control system including a relay system. Explanatory drawing for explaining the electrical composition and signal exchange of a vehicle remote control system including a relay system. (A) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the route from the antenna to the vehicle control device in the embodiment, and (b) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the route from the antenna to the vehicle control device in another embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. These drawings are used to illustrate the technical features that can be adopted by the present invention. The configuration and shape of the device described are merely explanatory examples. The present invention is not construed as being limited to these, and various changes, modifications, and improvements can be made based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a relay cable device 1 for transmitting a signal to the signal of the present invention. The relay cable device 1 includes a first connector 2, a second connector 3, and two relay cables 4 for connecting the metal terminals in the first and second connectors 2 and 3, whichever is hot. It is composed of a branch cable 5 that branches from the relay cable 4.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 (a), 5, 8, 8 and the like, the plastic housing 6 of the first connector 2 is manufactured by injection molding using a mold. However, other manufacturing methods using a mold such as extrusion molding may be used. The first connector 2 is a connector having the same shape as the cable-side connector 46 described later, and is not a limited connector for use in this position, but a general-purpose product that is widely distributed in general. In the following description, the surface displayed in FIG. 3A is the front side.
The housing 6 has a terminal accommodating portion 7. The terminal accommodating portion 7 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is flat in the vertical direction, and has a contact surface 7a having a flat front surface. The upper surface of the terminal accommodating portion 7 is configured on a plane in which the rear side is one step higher than the front side (for example, a height difference of 0.5 mm in the present embodiment). Inside the terminal accommodating portion 7, three through holes 8 are formed so as to communicate with each other in the front-rear direction and are arranged on the same surface in the lateral direction. As shown in FIG. 8, the through hole 8 is partitioned from the adjacent through hole 8 inside the terminal accommodating portion 7 by the partition wall 9. The frontmost surface of the through hole 8 is a terminal insertion port 10 having a square outer shape narrowed down to a small diameter. The adjacent through holes 8 (and the terminal insertion openings 10) are evenly spaced, and the three through holes 8 at the center positions are arranged at the center of the terminal accommodating portion 7 in the left-right width direction.

A swing portion 11 is integrally formed at a position below the terminal accommodating portion 7. The swinging portion 11 is a swingable portion extending rearward in a cantilever shape below the terminal accommodating portion 7 with the front surface side of the terminal accommodating portion 7 as a base. The left-right width of the swing portion 11 is formed to be slightly smaller than that of the terminal accommodating portion 7. The swinging portion 11 is a horizontal portion 11A whose base side extends rearward in parallel with the bottom surface 7b of the terminal accommodating portion 7, and an operating portion 11B whose tip side extends diagonally downward with respect to the horizontal portion 11A. Has been done. The swinging portion 11 operates the operating portion 11B to swing the swinging portion 11 so as to approach the terminal accommodating portion 7 with the base as the center, thereby providing an internal urging force that becomes a spring force to return to the original position. generate. The front surface of the base portion of the swing portion 11 is formed flush with the contact surface 7a of the terminal accommodating portion 7, so that the front surface of the base portion of the swing portion 11 does not interfere with the fitting operation when the first connector 2 is used. It is configured in. The bottom surface 11a of the base of the swinging portion 11 is used as a guide surface for fitting the first connector 2 to the second connector 3.
Claws 12 are formed in a protruding shape on the lower surface of the swinging portion 11. The claw 12 is formed with a tapered surface 12a for abutting the contact portion in the traveling direction at a gentle angle on the front side, which is the advancing direction of the first connector 2. A pair of legs 13 extending downward are formed at both ends in the left-right direction on the rear side of the terminal accommodating portion 7. The legs 13 are formed to guide the claws 12 when swinging and to protect the claws 12.

A pair of side rails 14 extending linearly in the front-rear direction (longitudinal direction) of the terminal accommodating portion 7 are formed at the left and right side surface positions of the terminal accommodating portion 7. The side rails 14 are formed at positions opposite to each other on the left and right sides of the housing 6 along the bottom surface 7b of the terminal accommodating portion 7. The position where the side rail 14 is formed is a position slightly lower than the center in the vertical width of the housing 6 (here, the interval L1 shown in FIG. 3A).
Two female terminals 15 are arranged as metal terminals in the terminal accommodating portion 7. Each female terminal 15 is arranged on two sides of the three through holes 8 of the terminal accommodating portion 7. Each female terminal 15 is housed closer to the front of the through hole 8 and is connected to one end of a relay cable 4 led into the terminal housing part 7 from the rear opening 18 of the through hole 8 via a crimp terminal 16. .. The vertical width interval L1 from the terminal accommodating portion 7 to the swinging portion 11 base portion in front of the housing 6 is 6.5 mm. The left-right width direction dimension L2 of the terminal accommodating portion 7 of the housing 6 is 7.2 mm, and the left-right width direction dimension including both side rails 14 is 10 mm. These sizes are examples.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 (b), 5, 8, 9, 9 and the like, the plastic housing 21 of the second connector 3 is manufactured by injection molding using a mold. There is. However, as with the first connector 2, another manufacturing method using a mold such as extrusion molding may be used. The second connector 3 is not a connector having the same shape as the antenna side connector 37 described later, but has a different shape, and is not a limited connector for use in this position, but a general-purpose product that is widely distributed is used. ing. In the following description, the surface displayed in FIG. 3 (b) is referred to as the front.
The housing 21 has a terminal accommodating portion 22. The terminal accommodating portion 22 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape flat in the vertical direction, and a tubular portion 23 is integrally formed in front of the terminal accommodating portion 22. The terminal accommodating portion 22 and the tubular portion 23 are configured to have the same width in the left-right direction, and the tubular portion 23 is configured to slightly project downward in the vertical direction. The tubular portion 23 is a bottomed tubular body having an outer peripheral shape formed in a rectangular shape with rounded corners, and the bottomed portion, that is, the innermost part is the front surface 22a formed on the flat surface of the terminal accommodating portion 22. ..
A pair of guide rails 24 extending in the front-rear direction are formed on the bottom surface 23a in the tubular portion 23. The guide rails 24 are arranged equidistant from the adjacent left and right inner wall surfaces (that is, equidistant left and right with a straight line extending in the front-rear direction in the tubular portion 23 as a boundary). Both guide rails 24 extend from the opening 25 position to the front surface 22a of the terminal accommodating portion 22. The distance between the guide rails 24 is slightly larger than the width of the housing 6 of the first connector 2, and the housing 6 can be arranged between them. The height from the bottom surface 23a in the tubular portion 23 to the upper surface of both guide rails 24 coincides with the length from the bottom surface 11a of the base portion of the swinging portion 11 of the first connector 22 to the lower surface of the side rail 14. A shallow ridge 26 is formed between the guide rails 24 at a position facing the opening 25 of the tubular portion 23. As shown in FIGS. 2 (b) and 8 (a) (b), the ridge 26 extends in the left-right direction toward the opening 25, bends 90 degrees on both ends thereof, and is a terminal along the side rail 14. It extends to the front surface 22a of the accommodating portion 22.
The vertical spacing L3 between the upper surface of the ridge 26 in the internal space of the tubular portion 23 and the ceiling surface 23b in the tubular portion 23 is 7 mm, and the horizontal spacing L4 is 14 mm. These sizes are examples.

Inside the terminal accommodating portion 22, a plurality of through holes 28 (five in the present embodiment) arranged in the same plane in the lateral direction communicating with each other in the front-rear direction are formed. As shown in FIG. 8, the through hole 28 is partitioned from the adjacent through hole 28 inside the terminal accommodating portion 22 by the partition wall 29. The frontmost surface of the through hole 28 is a terminal protrusion 30 having a square outer shape narrowed down to a small diameter. Five terminal protrusions 30 are horizontally exposed on the front surface 22a of the terminal accommodating portion 22 in the lateral direction. The distance between the adjacent through holes 28 (and the terminal protrusions 30) is even, and the central through holes 28 are arranged at the center of the terminal accommodating portion 22 in the left-right width direction. The distance between the through holes 28 is the same as the distance between the through holes 8 of the terminal accommodating portion 7 of the first connector 2.
Two male terminals 31 are arranged as metal terminals in the terminal accommodating portion 22. Each male terminal 31 is arranged in the second and fourth rows of the through holes 28 of the terminal accommodating portion 22. In the arranged state, the distance between the two male terminals 31 coincides with the distance between the female terminals 15 on the first connector 2 side. Each male terminal 31 is accommodated in the through hole 28 closer to the front surface 22a of the terminal accommodating portion 22, and the front end side thereof is arranged in the tubular portion 23 in a protruding state. Each male terminal 31 is connected to the other end of the relay cable 4 led into the terminal accommodating portion 22 from the rear opening 33 of the through hole 28 via the crimp terminal 32.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the relay cable 4 which is the hot side of the two relay cables 4 arranged between the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 A branch cable 5 is connected in the middle (for example, an intermediate position). A rubber sleeve 34 is wound around the connection portion of the branch cable 5 to protect it.

The relay cable device 1 having such a configuration is used to directly connect to the base position of the antenna 35 shown in FIG. The antenna 35 is arranged in the vehicle from the beginning, and in the default state in which the relay system described later is not installed, the antenna side connector 37 of the antenna 35 is fitted with the cable side connector 46 as shown in FIG. 12 (a). There is. As shown in FIG. 2A, the cable-side connector 46 has the same shape as the first connector 2. In the present embodiment, when the relay system is mounted, the antenna side connector 37 and the cable side connector 46 are released from the mated state, and the relay cable device 1 is connected between them for use.
First, the antenna 35 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of antennas 35A to 35C (three in the present embodiment) are different parts in the vehicle C, specifically, in the present embodiment, the inside of the console box, the lower surface of the rear seat, and the trunk room. It is arranged at three places on the back side of the inner floor. In the present embodiment, the arrangement positions are all the central positions in the width direction of the vehicle C. None of these positions are positions where other connectors or other devices connected to cables arranged in the vehicle are not arranged. In addition, although it is a position that is easy for workers to access, it is a position that is hidden and cannot be seen just by riding normally. As will be described later, the antenna 35 is an antenna initially provided in the vehicle for transmitting radio waves having a frequency of 134 kHz, which is used when wirelessly transmitting LF data such as various command data at the first frequency. .. A pair of cables 47 are extended from each antenna 35 and are stored in a connector cable storage space (not shown) under the passenger seat in the vehicle C arranged near "A" indicated by the arrow in FIG. It is connected to the vehicle control device 50 arranged near “B” indicated by the arrow in FIG. 6 via the connector 48. As shown in FIG. 12A, a relay cable connected to another device is connected to the connector 48 in addition to the cable 47. Regardless of the vehicle C, most of the other vehicle models and vehicle models of different manufacturers use this antenna 35 as a common specification. In the storage space of “A” indicated by the arrow in FIG. 6, connectors other than the connector 48 to which the cable 47 guided to the antenna 35 is connected are also stored together.

As shown in FIG. 4, the antenna 35 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped antenna housing 36, an antenna unit 40 housed in the antenna housing 36, and a rear end in the longitudinal direction of the antenna housing 36 as a part of the antenna unit 40. It is composed of an antenna side connector 37 exposed from the side to the outside. That is, the antenna side connector 37 is integrally formed as a part of the antenna 35. In the following description, the right side of FIG. 4B is the front side. The antenna housing 36 is fixed to the catch 39 fixed to the vehicle C side via the fixing connector 38 attached to the side surface (upper surface in FIG. 4B).
As shown in FIGS. 4 (a), 4 (b), 7 (a), (b), and the like, the antenna-side connector 37 has a tubular shape with an opening at the rear. The antenna-side connector 37 is a bottomed cylinder having an outer peripheral shape formed in a rectangular shape with rounded corners, and the bottomed portion, that is, the innermost part of the inside is the rear surface 40a of the antenna unit 40. The left-right spacing L5 in the internal space of the antenna-side connector 37 is 7.5 mm, and the top-bottom spacing L6 is 7 mm. The left-right spacing L5 of the antenna-side connector 37 has a shape in which the housing 6 fits exactly in the left-right direction when the cable-side connector 46 is fitted, while the second connector 3 is lateral to the antenna-side connector 37. Since it is wide, a gap is created in the left-right direction when the cable-side connector 46 is fitted (both up and down directions fit perfectly).
A pair of left and right guide grooves 41 extending in the front-rear direction are formed on the left and right inner walls 37a of the antenna-side connector 37. The guide groove 41 extends from the opening 42 position of the antenna side connector 37 to the rear surface 40a of the antenna unit 40. The guide grooves 41 are formed at positions facing each other, and are arranged at positions slightly offset from the center in the vertical direction (downward in FIG. 4A). A square through hole 43 communicating inside and outside is formed on the rear side of the bottom inner wall 37b of the antenna side connector 37 on the side close to the guide groove 41. On the bottom inner wall 37b, ridges 44 are formed around the through hole 43 on three sides (the opening 42 side and the left and right sides adjacent to the opening 42 side) around the through hole 43.
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 7, two male terminals 45 as metal terminals are arranged so as to project from the rear surface 40a of the antenna unit 40 toward the inside of the rear antenna side connector 37. .. The male terminal 45 is arranged at a position closer to the ceiling wall 37c side than the guide groove 41, and extends parallel to the surface of the ceiling wall 37c. The distance between the two male terminals 45 is exactly the same as the distance between the two male terminals 31 on the second connector 3 side. Further, the pair of male terminals 45 are arranged at the center position in the left-right direction in the antenna side connector 37 (that is, the male terminals 45 have the same distance to the inner wall 37a whichever is closer to the left or right). .. Further, the distance from the ceiling wall 37c to the male terminal 45 coincides with the distance from the ceiling surface 23b of the tubular portion 23 to the male terminal 31.

Next, the operation when the first connector 2 of the relay cable device 1 is fitted to the antenna side connector 37 will be described. As described above, this operation is performed by default by releasing the state in which the antenna side connector 37 and the cable side connector 46 of the antenna 35 are fitted as shown in FIG. 12A.
As shown in FIG. 7A, the operator arranges the contact surface 7a of the first connector 2 so as to face the opening 42 on the antenna side connector 37 side, and the first connector 2 is the antenna side connector. It is relatively close so that it fits within 37 (it can also be seen as one of the advancements). When the side rails 14 on both sides of the housing 6 of the first connector 2 are relatively close to each other so as to fit in the left and right guide grooves 41 of the antenna side connector 37, the housing 6 is relative to the internal shape of the first connector 2. Since the outer shape of the first connector 2 is almost exactly the same, the housing 6 of the first connector 2 is reasonably housed in the antenna side connector 37. Further, the base bottom surface 11a (which becomes the bottom surface of the housing 6) of the swinging portion 11 also slides on the bottom inner wall 37b and moves. In this way, the female terminal 15 on the first connector 2 side is located in front of the male terminal 45 of the antenna side connector 37 in a state of being guided by the guide groove 41, the side rail 14, the bottom surface of the housing 6, and the bottom inner wall 37b. It will just be placed.
At this time, even if one of them, for example, the first connector 2 is inverted 180 degrees, the side rail 14 does not fit in the guide groove 41. Since both the guide groove 41 and the side rail 14 are formed at positions deviated from the center in the vertical direction, when the housing 6 of the first connector 2 is turned upside down, the housing 6 is near the opening 42 of the antenna side connector 37. This is because it collides with. As a result, problems such as the male terminal 45 being misplaced up and down and the male terminal 45 cannot be inserted into the female terminal 15 and hitting the first connector 2 and being broken are solved.
When the two ends are brought closer to each other when the tip of the housing 6 is contained in the connector 37 on the antenna side, the operation portion 11B of the swinging portion 11 has the tip side lowered, so that the opening of the connector 37 on the antenna side is opened as it advances. It comes into contact with the lower portion of 42, and the swinging portion 11 is pushed upward and urged as it approaches. Further, as the two approach each other, the male terminal 45 is inserted into the female terminal 15 and the terminals are connected to each other. When the first connector 2 is fitted into the antenna side connector 37, the tapered surface 12a of the claw 12 of the swinging portion 11 serves as a guide surface, gets over the ridge 44, and the claw 12 moves to the through hole 43 position. As a result, the urging force on the swinging portion 11 is released, the swinging portion 11 moves downward, and the claw 12 is engaged with the through hole 43 on the connector 37 side (state of FIG. 7B). In this state, the first connector 2 is housed in the antenna side connector 37 and is held at the innermost position thereof. On the other hand, when this is removed, the swinging portion 11 is operated to release the engagement state of the claw 12 with the through hole 43 so that the two are moved in relatively opposite directions.

Next, the fitting operation of the second connector 3 of the relay cable device 1 and the cable-side connector 46 will be described. Since the cable-side connector 46 has exactly the same shape as the first connector 2, the components of the cable-side connector 46 are designated by the same reference numerals as those of the first connector 2, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. .. As shown in FIG. 12A, a cable 47 extends from the cable-side connector 46 and is connected to the vehicle control device 50 via the connector 48 on the path.
As shown in FIG. 8A, the operator arranges the contact surface 7a of the cable-side connector 46 so as to face the opening 25 on the antenna-side connector 37 side, and inside the tubular portion 23 of the second connector 3. The cable side connector 46 is relatively close to each other so as to be fitted to the cable side connector 46. (It can also be seen as one of the advancements). As shown in FIG. 9, the left-right width of the cable-side connector 46 toward the lower side of the housing 6 (horizontal portion 11A of the swinging portion 11) fits exactly in the distance between the pair of guide rails 24 of the second connector 3. With the guide rail 24 as a guide, the housing 6 is reasonably housed in the second connector 3. Further, although the side rail 14 of the cable side connector 46 does not serve as a guide, the housing 6 fitted in the tubular portion 23 has the base bottom surface 11a of the swinging portion 11 (which serves as the bottom surface of the housing 6) inside the tubular portion 23. Since it is just placed on the guide rail 24 in a state of being in contact with the bottom surface 23a of the above, rattling in the vertical direction when the two approach each other is prevented. In the state where the housing 6 is guided by the guide rail 24 in this way, the female terminal 15 on the cable side connector 46 side is just arranged in front of the male terminal 31 of the second connector 3.
At this time, even if one of them, for example, the cable side connector 46 is inverted 180 degrees, the side rail 14 does not fit in the guide groove 41. This is because the upper side of the housing 6 (on the side of the terminal accommodating portion 7) is formed to be slightly wider and therefore hits the side rail 14. As a result, problems such as the male terminal 45 being misplaced upside down and being unable to be inserted into the female terminal 15 and being hit by the cable-side connector 46 and being broken are solved.
When the two are brought closer to each other when the tip of the housing 6 is contained in the cylinder 23, the operation portion 11B of the swing portion 11 has the tip side lowered, so that the opening 25 in the cylinder 23 is advanced. The swinging portion 11 is pushed upward and urged as it approaches the lower portion of the. Further, as the two approach each other, the male terminal 45 is inserted into the female terminal 15 and the terminals are connected to each other. When the cable-side connector 46 is fitted into the antenna-side connector 37, the tapered surface 12a of the claw 12 of the swinging portion 11 becomes a guide surface and is attached to the swinging portion 11 when the ridge portion 26 is overcome. The force is released, the swinging portion 11 moves downward, and the claw 12 is engaged with the ridge portion 26 (state of FIG. 8B). In this state, the cable-side connector 46 is housed in the tubular portion 23 of the second connector 3 and is held at the innermost position thereof. On the other hand, when this is removed, the swinging portion 11 is operated to release the engagement state of the claw 12 with the ridge portion 26 so that the two are moved in relatively opposite directions.
In this way, the first and second connectors 2 and 3 of the relay cable device 1 are connected to the base position of the antenna 35 (between the antenna side connector 37 and the cable side connector 46), and then the branch cable 5 tip side. Is connected to the vehicle repeater 51 constituting the following relay system.

Next, an outline of a vehicle remote control system in which such a relay cable device 1 is arranged between the antenna side connector 37 of the antenna 35 and the cable side connector 46 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the vehicle remote control system includes a vehicle control device 50, a vehicle repeater 51, a portable repeater 52, and a portable device 53. Note that FIG. 11 shows only the basic configuration necessary for explaining the outline of the vehicle remote control system, and the vehicle remote control system may include other configurations other than this configuration. One of the conditions for the vehicle remote control system is that the authentication information stored in the portable device 53, which is basically called a smart key or a mobile key, matches the authentication information stored in the vehicle control device 50. This is a system that controls a predetermined operation of the vehicle, for example, starting an engine. The vehicle repeater 51 and the portable repeater 52 are relay systems interposed between the vehicle control device 50 and the portable device 53, and the portable repeater 53 does not exist in or near the vehicle by interposing the relay system. Even so, it is possible to determine whether or not to allow the predetermined operation of the vehicle.

The vehicle control device 50 is a device for controlling a predetermined device of the vehicle. The control of this predetermined device is for starting the vehicle in a state in which it can run in response to a user operation such as pressing the push start button. For example, the cell motor in an automobile powered by an internal combustion engine is turned on. (Starting the engine), turning on the power to the electric vehicle in an electric vehicle powered by an electric motor (motor), and the like. One of the conditions is that the vehicle control device 50 matches the authentication information stored in the portable device 53 with the authentication information stored in the vehicle control device 50 prior to controlling the device of the vehicle to be controlled. First, it controls the start of the engine and the like.
In order to perform such control, the vehicle control device 50 and the portable device 53 are configured to be capable of wireless communication with each other. The vehicle control device 50 includes a control unit 50a, a transmission / reception unit 50b, and an authentication information storage unit 50c to perform such processing.

The control unit 50a is composed of, for example, an MPU or the like. The control unit 50a responds to confirm the existence of the legitimate portable device 53 based on the function of outputting a control signal for controlling the device of the vehicle to be controlled and the authentication information stored in the authentication information storage unit 50c. It has a function of outputting command data and the like when communicating with other devices such as a request signal (LF data).
The transmission / reception unit 50b performs wireless communication with the transmission / reception unit mounted on the portable device 53 or the vehicle repeater 51. The transmission / reception unit 50b is composed of, for example, an in-vehicle transmission / reception RFIC. The transmission / reception unit 1b has a function of wirelessly transmitting LF data such as various command data output from the control unit 50a on the first frequency, and command data and the like wirelessly transmitted on the second frequency from another device. It has a function of receiving RF data and passing it to the control unit 50a. The second frequency is higher than the first frequency, and the communication range of RF data using the second frequency is also long. As an example, the first frequency is 134 kHz and the second frequency is 314 MHz. As shown in FIG. 10, the vehicle control device 50 includes a first frequency transmission antenna 35 and a second frequency reception antenna 61 connected to the transmission / reception unit 50b. As shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, three transmitting antennas 35A to 35C are arranged in the vehicle, and three receiving antennas 61 are arranged in, for example, the C pillar behind the driver's seat side. There is.

The vehicle repeater 51 is arranged at a selectable predetermined position in the vehicle, for example, a position near the center console box in front of the passenger seat or a position such as the back surface of the dashboard that does not interfere with riding or driving. The vehicle repeater 51 is used to perform wireless communication with the control unit 51a that controls the vehicle repeater 51, the first vehicle-side transmission / reception unit 51b for performing wired communication with the vehicle control device 50, and the mobile repeater 52. The second vehicle side transmission / reception unit 51c is provided. The control unit 51a is composed of, for example, an MPU or the like. Further, the first vehicle-side transmission / reception unit 51b and the second vehicle-side transmission / reception unit 51c are each composed of, for example, an in-vehicle transmission / reception RFIC. The branch cable 5 of the relay cable device 1 relayed between the antenna side connector 37 of the antenna 35A and the cable side connector 46 is connected to the vehicle repeater 51.

As shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle repeater 51 is provided with a plurality of other relay cable devices 63 to 66 (for example, four in this embodiment) in addition to the relay cable device 1. The other relay cable devices 63 to 66 are connected between a pair of connectors provided at predetermined positions of the vehicle connected to the devices in a plurality of vehicles, and are intended signals (or power supplies). Is branched and led to the vehicle repeater 51 by a cable. Only the relay cable device 1 is connected to a device in a single vehicle (for example, antenna 35A in this embodiment).
The first other relay cable 63 is connected in the vicinity of “C” (the back position of the audio) indicated by the arrow in FIG. The second other relay cable 64 is connected to the vicinity of “D” (push switch) indicated by the arrow in FIG. The third other relay cable 65 is connected in the vicinity of “C” (the back position of the audio) indicated by the arrow in FIG. The fourth other relay cable 66 is connected to the vicinity of “E” (brake switch) indicated by the arrow in FIG.
The power supply or signal taken out by branching from the relay cable device 1 and each of the other relay cables 63 to 66 is collected by the connector 67 fixed to the housing of the vehicle repeater 51 and is collected at one position of the vehicle repeater. It is guided within 51. A fuse 67, a body ground 68, and an optional connector 69 are extended from the relay cable device 1 by a cable to the connector 67.

The first vehicle-side transmission / reception unit 51b transmits / receives data to / from the transmission / reception unit 50b of the vehicle control device 50, and is transmitted by wired communication from the antenna 35A in the transmission frequency band (first frequency) of the transmission / reception unit 50b. Receives radio waves and transmits them wirelessly on the second frequency. Further, the second vehicle-side transmission / reception unit 51c uses radio waves in the frequency band used for the specific power-saving radio station. By using this specific power-saving wireless communication, the communication distance becomes, for example, about 1 to 2 km in the view distance, and even if there is an obstacle, it becomes, for example, about several hundred meters.
As shown in FIG. 10, the vehicle repeater 51 has a second frequency transmission antenna 70 connected to the first vehicle side transmission / reception unit 51b and a specific power saving wireless communication connected to the second vehicle side transmission / reception unit 51c. It is provided with an antenna 71 that shares transmission and reception. Although the antenna 71 is represented as an antenna for both transmission and reception in FIG. 10, it may be an antenna for individual transmission and reception.

Further, in the present embodiment, the vehicle repeater 51 and the vehicle control device 50 are connected by a communication cable that performs wired communication. The control unit 2a of the vehicle repeater 51 uses this wired communication to transmit a foot brake signal and an engine start request signal. The foot brake signal is a signal corresponding to a signal output when the foot brake pedal of the vehicle is depressed. The engine start request signal is, for example, a signal corresponding to a signal output when the push start button of the vehicle is pressed.

The portable repeater 52 is carried together with the portable device 53 and can be moved inside and outside the vehicle. The portable repeater 52 includes a control unit 52a that controls the portable repeater 52, a first mobile side transmitter / receiver 52b for communicating with the portable device 53, and a second mobile phone for communicating with the vehicle repeater 51. A side transmission / reception unit 52c is provided. Further, the portable repeater 52 includes an operation unit 52d.
The operation unit 52d is, for example, a push button switch corresponding to an operation instruction of a start switch, a stop switch, or the like. A user who is at a position away from the vehicle operates the vehicle control device 50 mounted on the vehicle by pressing the operation unit 52d, and starts or stops the engine for remote control. When the control unit 52a detects an operation on the operation unit 52d, the control unit 52a transmits an instruction command corresponding to the operation from the second mobile side transmission / reception unit 52c.
The control unit 52a is composed of, for example, an MPU or the like. Further, the first mobile phone side transmission / reception unit 52b and the second mobile phone side transmission / reception unit 52c are each composed of an in-vehicle transmission / reception RFIC. Then, the first transmission / reception unit 52b wirelessly transmits in the reception frequency band (first frequency) of the portable device 53, and wirelessly receives in the transmission frequency (second frequency) of the transmission / reception unit 53b. Since the communication distance is short, a weak radio wave used in a weak radio station, which is one of the radio stations, is used. Further, the second mobile phone side transmission / reception unit 52c uses radio waves in the frequency band used for the specific power saving radio station.
As shown in FIG. 10, the portable repeater 52 includes a first frequency transmitting antenna 72 connected to the first mobile side transmitting / receiving unit 52b, a second frequency receiving antenna 73, and a second vehicle side. It includes a transmission / reception unit 52c and an antenna 74 that shares transmission / reception for specific power-saving wireless communication connected to the transmission / reception unit 52c. In FIG. 10, the transmitting antenna 72 and the receiving antenna 73 of the portable repeater 52 are represented separately, but this schematically shows that there is a transmitting side and a receiving side, and in reality, there is a transmitting side and a receiving side. For example, it may be a transmission / reception shared antenna. Conversely, the antenna 74 for specific power-saving wireless communication may be used as an individual antenna for transmission and reception.

The portable device 53 includes a control unit 53a, a transmission / reception unit 53b, and an authentication information storage unit 53c. The authentication information storage unit 53c stores a unique ID code as authentication information for the immobilizer function. The control unit 53a is composed of, for example, an MPU or the like. When the control unit 53a receives a response request signal addressed to itself from the vehicle control device 50 constituting the pair, the control unit 53a outputs a response signal (RF data: response data). The transmission / reception unit 53b performs wireless communication with the transmission / reception unit mounted on the vehicle control device 50 and the portable repeater 52. For example, it is composed of an in-vehicle transmission / reception RFIC. The transmission / reception unit 53b has a function of receiving LF data such as command data wirelessly transmitted on the first frequency and passing it to the control unit 53a, various command data such as a response signal output from the control unit 53a, and the like. It is equipped with a function to wirelessly transmit the RF data of the above on the second frequency. As shown in FIG. 10, the portable device 53 includes a first frequency receiving antenna 75 and a second frequency transmitting antenna 76 connected to the transmission / reception unit 53b. In FIG. 10, the receiving antenna 75 and the transmitting antenna 76 of the portable device 53 are represented separately, but this schematically shows that there is a transmitting side and a receiving side, and in reality, for example, It may be a transmission / reception shared antenna.

In the outline of such a system, in the present embodiment, it is possible to remotely start the engine using the relay function of the portable repeater 52 by the communication transition in the following order. The numbers in the following communication transition description correspond to the communication at the position of the number attached to the arrow indicating the communication state by the antenna of FIG.
(1) The control unit 52a of the portable repeater 52 outputs a start signal when the operation unit 52d is pressed. The second portable side transmission / reception unit 52c wirelessly transmits this start signal to the vehicle repeater 51.
(2) The second vehicle-side transmission / reception unit 51c of the vehicle repeater 51 receives the start signal transmitted from the portable repeater 52. Upon receiving the start signal, the control unit 51a of the vehicle repeater 51 transmits a foot brake signal to the vehicle control device 50 by wire communication using the wired communication function. The vehicle repeater 51 maintains a state in which the foot brake signal is turned on during the relay / transmission process of each data / signal shown below.
(3) When the control unit 50a of the vehicle control device 50 receives the foot brake signal, it accesses the authentication information storage unit 50c, acquires an ID code as the stored authentication information, and requests a response including the ID code. Output a signal (LF data). The transmission / reception unit 50b transmits the LF data using the wireless transmission function.

(4) The first vehicle-side transmission / reception unit 51b of the vehicle repeater 51 receives the LF data. The vehicle repeater 51 wirelessly transmits the wireless LF data based on the received LF data to the portable repeater 52 by using the transmission function of the second vehicle side transmission / reception unit 2c. The wireless LF data is data that is reversible with the LF data.
(5) The second mobile-side transmission / reception unit 52c of the mobile repeater 52 receives the wireless LF data. The portable repeater 52 generates the original LF data from the received wireless LF data, and uses the transmission function of the first mobile side transmitter / receiver 52b to direct the generated LF data to the portable device 53 at the first frequency. Send.

(6) The LF data transmitted by the portable repeater 52 is transmitted at the first frequency and is equivalent to the LF data transmitted by the transmission / reception unit 50b of the vehicle control device 50. Therefore, the transmission / reception unit 53b of the portable device 53 Receives the LF data. The control unit 53a determines whether or not the received LF data is addressed to itself. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the ID code included in the LF data matches the own ID code stored in the authentication information storage unit 53c. Then, when the ID codes match, RF data (response data) which is a response signal is transmitted by using the transmission function of the transmission / reception unit 4b. If the ID codes do not match, the control unit 53a does not transmit anything.
(7) The first mobile-side transmission / reception unit 52b of the mobile repeater 52 receives RF data. The portable repeater 52 transmits the radio RF data based on the received RF data by using the transmission function of the second portable side transmission / reception unit 52c. The radio RF data is data that is reversible with the LF data.
(8) The second vehicle-side transmission / reception unit 51c of the vehicle repeater 51 receives the radio RF data. The vehicle repeater 51 generates the original RF data from the received radio RF data, and transmits the generated RF data at the second frequency by using the transmission function of the first vehicle side transmission / reception unit 51b. Further, the control unit 51a of the vehicle repeater 51 transmits an engine start request signal to the vehicle control device 50 by using the wired communication function prior to the transmission of RF data from the first vehicle side transmission / reception unit 51b. The vehicle repeater 51 wirelessly transmits the above RF data while maintaining the state in which the engine start request signal is turned on.

With the above configuration, the following effects are obtained in the present embodiment.
(1) The second connector 3 constituting the relay cable device 1 has a shape different from that of the antenna side connector 37 of the antenna 35. Nevertheless, the second connector 3 has a shape that allows it to be fitted with the cable-side connector 46. Therefore, a general-purpose product that can be fitted with the cable-side connector 46 and is widely distributed can be used, and a new mold is prepared to manufacture a connector having the same shape as the antenna-side connector 37 of the antenna 35. No need to mold.
(2) Since the first connector 2 constituting the relay cable device 1 has the same shape as the cable-side connector 46 connected to the antenna-side connector 37 of the antenna 35 originally used by default, the antenna-side connector It is not necessary to prepare another shape as 37. Further, since the first connector 2 is not a limited connector for use in this position but a general-purpose product that is widely distributed in general, it is necessary to prepare a mold that can be easily obtained and newly mold the connector. There is no.
(3) Since the relay cable device 1 is used only for the antenna 35, there are only two relay cables 4 on the hot side and the cool side. Therefore, in the production work of the relay cable device 1 for branching the branch cable 5, there is no mistake of connecting the branch cable 5 by mistake for another relay cable, and the correct relay cable corresponding to the cable connected to the antenna 35 is selected. It is advantageous in terms of work because it eliminates the trouble of doing so.
(4) Since the relay cable device 1 is used only for the antenna 35, two relay cables 4 on the hot side and the cool side are sufficient. Therefore, both the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 originally accommodate the terminals. There should be only two regions (through holes 8, 28) for this. However, the first connector 2 and the second connector 3 have three and five terminal mounting areas (through holes 8 and 28), respectively. The reason for doing this is that it does not have to be the same as the antenna 35 side as long as the distance between the two terminals 45 on the antenna 35 side is used as a reference. By making it possible to use a connector provided with two or more terminal attachment areas in this way, it is possible to diversify the types of general-purpose connectors that can be used in the relay cable device 1.
(5) The side rail 14 of the housing 6 of the cable-side connector 46 is used so as to be guided by the guide groove 41 as a guide means in the left-right direction when connected to the antenna-side connector 37, but the cable-side connector 46 is second. When connecting to the connector 3 of the second connector 3, the guide groove 41 is not provided in the second connector 3. However, since the second connector 3 has the guide rail 24, the distance between the guide rails 24 serves as a guide means for the housing 6, so that even if the shape of the fitting portion between the second connector 3 and the antenna side connector 37 is different. The cable-side connector 46 is undoubtedly guided into the second connector 3.
(6) The shape of the second connector 3 for holding the cable-side connector 46 is different from that of the antenna-side connector 37, but even if the shape is different, the second connector 3 also has the claw 12 of the cable-side connector 46. It is the same as the antenna side connector 37 in that it is engaged and held. Therefore, the cable-side connector 46 is maintained in the fitted state even if the antenna-side connector 37 is replaced with the second connector 3.
(7) Although the shape of the second connector 3 is different from that of the antenna side connector 37, both of them have a shape that cannot be inserted except in the direction in which the vertical direction is fixed when inserting the cable side connector 46, which is incorrect. It is designed so that the male terminals 31 and 45 are not broken when inserted in the direction.

(8) In a vehicle remote control system including the above relay system, transmission / reception by an antenna has conventionally been performed wirelessly. Therefore, the conventional vehicle repeater must be installed at a position and direction that optimizes the reception performance. Therefore, it is necessary to use a reception measuring instrument and arrange the vehicle repeater so as to have the best reception performance position and direction while checking the indicator.
However, in the above embodiment, the vehicle control device 50 and the vehicle repeater 51 acquire the antenna 35 from the antenna 35 and wire it. Since the vehicle repeater 51 is fixed without being moved inside the vehicle, it is possible to wire from such an antenna, thereby acquiring a signal at a position closer to the antenna and by wire. And a signal without deterioration can be obtained. In addition, the troublesome setting work as in the case of wireless reception is eliminated, and the work time is shortened. Further, since the antenna 35 is arranged at a position in the vehicle that is easily accessible, such wiring work is also easy.
On the other hand, antennas other than the antenna 35, for example, the antenna 61, are not attached to the vehicle but are considered from the arrangement position, and the workability is poor and the wiring is difficult. Further, it is rather advantageous that other antennas, for example, antennas 71, 71-75, are wireless.
(9) The first and second connectors 2 and 3 of the relay cable device 1 are connected to the base position of the antenna 35A, but the arrangement of other connectors and cables is not concentrated in the area where the antenna 35A is arranged. Since it is a place, it is easy to connect the first and second connectors 2 and 3.
(10) In the present embodiment, a connector 48 other than the antenna side connector 37 is arranged from the antenna 35 to the vehicle control device 50. Then, in addition to the cable 47 guided to the antenna 35, a cable guided to another device is also connected to the connector 48. Therefore, when considering connecting a relay cable device between the connectors 48 to wire the antenna 35, a connector for the relay cable device for relaying these cables is required. In the relay cable device 1 as in the present embodiment, a simple connector connected only to the antenna 35 can be used as the relay connector, but there is a high possibility that a general-purpose connector cannot be found in such a multi-cable connector. Further, although most of the antennas 35 use this antenna 35 as a common specification even if the vehicle type or the manufacturer is different, there is a high possibility that the shape of the connector 48 is not constant for each vehicle type. Therefore, it is necessary to newly manufacture a mold for the relay connector of the connector 48 (the connector corresponding to the first and second connectors 2 and 3), which increases the cost. Further, it is troublesome and costly to manufacture the relay cable device itself in which such a plurality of cables are concentrated. In addition, even when manufacturing with a mold, a plurality of cables are concentrated, which increases the size and requires material costs.
However, in the present embodiment, the relay cable device 1 is not connected to the connector 48 where such a plurality of cables are concentrated, but is independently connected to the antenna side connector 37 which is directly exposed to the base of the antenna 35. Therefore, the first and second connectors 2 and 3 do not become large in size, and general-purpose connectors can be used.
(11) Since another connector without a cable connected to the antenna 35 is also arranged adjacent to the position where the connector 48 is stored, it takes time and effort to find the target connector 48, which is disadvantageous in terms of work. However, in the present embodiment, the relay cable device 1 is not connected to the connector 48 where such a plurality of cables are concentrated, but is independently connected to the antenna side connector 37 which is directly exposed to the base of the antenna 35. Therefore, such a problem does not occur and the work efficiency is improved.
(12) As shown in FIG. 6, the antenna 35A for connecting the relay cable device 1 is immediately beside the front seat, and the other positions A to E for connecting to the vehicle repeater 51 are dashes in front of the front seat. It is in the direction along the board. Therefore, the operator can perform the work for connecting the other relay cable devices 63 to 66 including the relay cable device 1 of the vehicle repeater 51 in the space on the front seat side with a margin, which is advantageous in terms of work.

The invention of the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified at the implementation stage without departing from the gist thereof. For example, it has the following aspects.
The above is an example of the shapes of the first and second connectors 2 and 3 of the relay cable device 1. Other than the above, the second connector 3 is free to select another shape as long as it can be connected to the cable-side connector 46.
-The holding means between the first connector 2 and the antenna side connector 37, and between the second connector 3 and the cable side connector 46 can also be held by means other than the above-mentioned claw 12. Means for promptly guiding the first connector 2 into the antenna-side connector 37 (side rail 14 and guide groove 41) and means for promptly guiding the cable-side connector 46 into the second connector 3 (housing 6). And the guide rail 24) may also have a configuration other than the above.
-In the above, the first connector 2 of the relay cable device 1 is fitted so as to be inserted into the antenna side connector 37, and the cable side connector 46 is fitted into the second connector 3 so as to be inserted. ing. Since the cable-side connector 46 is inserted into the antenna-side connector 37 in this fitting relationship, the second connector 3 has a different shape from the antenna-side connector 37, but in such a male-female relationship. This is because it needs to be engaged. However, in the antenna 35, the fitting relationship such that the antenna side connector 37 is inserted into the cable side connector 46 can be reversed, and in that case, the second connector 3 is inserted into the antenna side connector 37. It is preferable to have such a shape. In that case, the fitting relationship is such that the antenna-side connector 37 is inserted into the first connector 2.
-The relationship between the female terminal 15 and the male and female terminals 31 and 45 may be reversed.
The shape of the antenna 35 is an example as described above, and may be another shape. Further, although the antenna 35 was arranged at three places in the vehicle C in the above, it may be arranged at one place, two places or four or more places, and in the above, the antenna 35 was arranged at a position easily accessible. It may be in a location that is difficult to access.
The above is an example of the shape of the antenna side connector 37 of the antenna 35. In the above, the antenna side connector 37 is configured to be a part of the antenna unit 40 and project at the base position of the antenna 35. For example, the connector 37 is in the vicinity of the antenna 35 and can be handled as a unit with the antenna 35. It may be provided as an antenna side connector at a protruding position where a short cable extends from the antenna housing 36.
The above is also an example of the shape of the cable-side connector 46. The cable-side connector 46 may have a shape different from that of the first connector 2. Even if the cable-side connector 46 has a shape different from that of the first connector 2, it suffices as long as it can be connected to both the antenna-side connector 37 and the second connector 3.
-In the above embodiment, the intermediate connector 48 is interposed between the antenna 35 and the vehicle control device 50, but as shown in FIG. 12B, the cable side connector 46 is connected to the antenna side connector 37 to the antenna 35. The cable 47 extending from the cable-side connector 46 may be directly connected to the vehicle control device 50. On the contrary, three or more pairs of connectors may be arranged between the antenna 35 and the vehicle control device 50.
Although various aspects of the present invention have been described above with reference to embodiments and modifications, these embodiments and descriptions have not been made for the purpose of limiting the scope of the present invention, and are intended for understanding the present invention. It should be added that it was provided to contribute. The scope of the invention is not limited to the configurations expressly described herein, but also includes combinations of various aspects of the invention disclosed herein. Of the present invention, the configuration for which a patent is sought is specified in the appended claims, but even if the configuration is not currently specified in the claims, it is disclosed in the present specification. I would like to mention that there is a possibility of claiming a patent for this configuration in the future.
The present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the above-described embodiment. The components of each of the above-described embodiments and modifications may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Further, any component of each embodiment or modification, and any component described in the means for solving the invention or a component described in the means for solving the invention are embodied. And may be configured in any combination. We also intend to acquire the rights to these in the amendment or divisional application of the present application.
In addition, he / she intends to acquire the right to the whole design or the partial design by filing a change application to a design application. Although the entire drawing of the device is drawn with solid lines, it is a drawing that includes not only the whole design but also the partial design requested for a part of the device. For example, it is a drawing which includes a part of the device as a partial design regardless of the member as well as a part of the member of the device as a partial design. As a part of the device, it may be a part of the device or a part of the member.

1 ... Relay cable device, 2 ... First connector, 3 ... Second connector, 4 ... Relay cable as relay line, 5 ... Branch cable as branch line, 53 ... Portable device, 35A to 35C ... Antenna, C …vehicle.

Claims (4)

The first connector, which is configured to fit into the antenna side connector of the antenna installed in the vehicle,
A second connector configured to fit a cable-side connector provided on a cable electrically connected to the vehicle control device arranged in the vehicle, and a second connector.
A relay line that relays a signal between the first connector and the second connector,
Have,
The second connector is
A device configured to fit a cable-side connector having a shape different from that of the antenna-side connector and having the same shape as the first connector. The number of terminals of the second connector and the pitch between the terminals are the same as those of the antenna-side connector.
The device according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the guide portion included in the second connector to guide the cable side connector to be fitted is different from the shape of the guide portion included in the antenna side connector. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second connector has a connection portion shape having the same shape as the antenna-side connector. The vehicle control device controls for realizing remote starting of the engine of the vehicle.
A claim having a branch line for acquiring the signal, which is electrically connected to a vehicle repeater that relays a signal related to the remote start between the vehicle control device and a predetermined portable device. The device according to any one of 1 to 3.

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