JP2024082364A - Locking device - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To generate an operating feel that allows an operator operating a sliding section to intuitively understand the amount of operation performed, without increasing the number of parts. [Solution] A locking device includes a first housing having a housing section, a second housing, a held member that can be held in the housing section, and a locking mechanism that detachably holds the held member held in the housing section, the first housing having a locking section that slides in response to an operating force from the operator, and that holds the held member held in the housing section when in the locked position and releases the locking of the held member when slid from the locked position, and a first spring section that is integral with the locking section and applies a return force to the locking section when the locking section slides from the locked position, the second housing having a second spring section that applies a return force to the locking section when the locking section slides from the locked position by a first predetermined amount, and the locking mechanism has the locking section, the first spring section, and the second spring section. [Selected Figure] Figure 8A

Description

The present invention relates to a locking device.

The following Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic key that includes an emergency key, a case that houses the emergency key, a sliding part that engages the emergency key housed in the case, and a spring that returns the sliding part. The following Patent Document 1 also discloses a configuration in which a user can operate the sliding part of the electronic key to release the engagement between the sliding part and the emergency key, allowing the emergency key to be inserted and removed from the case.

International Publication No. 2012/132461

However, the electronic key of Patent Document 1 uses a single metal coil spring as the spring for returning the sliding part, which increases the number of parts. Furthermore, because the coil spring of the electronic key of Patent Document 1 has a constant spring constant, the operating load of the sliding member changes linearly with the amount of operation. For this reason, it is difficult for the electronic key of Patent Document 1 to provide a characteristic change point in the operating load characteristics without increasing the number of parts. As a result, an operator who operates the sliding part of the electronic key of Patent Document 1 cannot intuitively understand the amount of operation performed using the change in operating feel as an information source during operation.

The locking device according to one embodiment includes a first housing having a storage section, a second housing fixed to the first housing, a held member that can be held in the storage section, and a locking mechanism that detachably engages the held member held in the storage section. The first housing has a locking section that slides in response to an operating force from an operator, and when in the locked position, it engages the held member held in the storage section and releases the engagement of the held member when it slides from the locked position, and a first spring section that is integral with the locking section and applies a return force to the locking section to the locked position when the locking section slides from the locked position. The second housing has a second spring section that applies a return force to the locking section to the locked position when the locking section slides from the locked position by more than a first predetermined amount, and the locking mechanism has the locking section, the first spring section, and the second spring section.

The locking device according to one embodiment creates an operating sensation that allows the operator operating the sliding section to intuitively understand the amount of operation performed, without increasing the number of parts.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an upper surface side of an electronic key according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a lower surface side of an electronic key according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of an electronic key according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view showing the arrangement of a locking portion of an electronic key according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a right side view of an electronic key according to an embodiment; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic key according to the embodiment taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic key according to the embodiment taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a lower surface side of an intermediate housing included in an electronic key according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an upper surface side of a lower housing of an electronic key according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a top view of a lower housing of an electronic key according to an embodiment. FIG. 7C is an enlarged view of a portion of the lower housing shown in FIG. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a locking portion of an electronic key according to an embodiment is returned to a locked position; FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a locking portion of an electronic key according to an embodiment has been slid from a locked position to a position spaced a first predetermined distance away; FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a locking portion of an electronic key according to an embodiment is slid from a locked position to a position spaced a second predetermined distance away. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the operation load characteristics of a lock part of an electronic key according to an embodiment;

One embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Configuration of electronic key 10)
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the top side of an electronic key 10 according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the bottom side of an electronic key 10 according to one embodiment. Fig. 3A is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of an electronic key 10 according to one embodiment. Fig. 3B is a partially exploded perspective view showing the arrangement of a locking unit 151 of an electronic key 10 according to one embodiment.

For the sake of convenience, in the following description, the Z-axis direction (thickness direction of the housing 100) in the figure is defined as the up-down direction, the Y-axis direction (short side direction of the housing 100) in the figure is defined as the left-right direction, and the X-axis direction (longitudinal direction of the housing 100) in the figure is defined as the front-rear direction. However, the positive Z-axis direction is defined as the up direction, the positive X-axis direction is defined as the forward direction, and the positive Y-axis direction is defined as the right direction. The above directions are intended to define the relative positional relationships within the electronic key 10, and are not intended to define the installation direction of the electronic key 10 or the direction of operation during use. Installation or operation in any direction is within the scope of the present invention.

The electronic key 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3B is an example of a "lock device." The electronic key 10 is a portable key device carried by a user, and together with an onboard device (not shown) installed in a vehicle, constitutes an electronic key system. The electronic key 10 has the functionality to wirelessly communicate with the onboard device in response to user operations and to lock and unlock the vehicle doors by remotely operating the onboard device.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the electronic key 10 includes a housing 100, a circuit board 130, an elastic sheet 140, and a mechanical key 120.

The housing 100 is a container-like member having a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape, formed from a resin material such as ABS resin or PC resin. The housing 100 is configured to be separable into three parts: an upper housing 101, an intermediate housing 102, and a lower housing 103. The upper housing 101, the intermediate housing 102, and the lower housing 103 are provided so as to be engageable with each other in a snap-in shape. Engaging two members with a snap-in shape is an example of "fixing to each other". The intermediate housing 102 is an example of a "first housing". The lower housing 103 is an example of a "second housing".

In this embodiment, a configuration in which the intermediate housing 102 and the lower housing 103 can be separated is described, but the intermediate housing 102 and the lower housing 103 may be molded integrally in a resin molding process. If the intermediate housing 102 and the lower housing 103 are configured as separate parts, molding of each component becomes easier. If the intermediate housing 102 and the lower housing 103 are configured as integral parts, there is an advantage in that the number of parts is reduced.

The upper housing 101 has an opening 101c formed therethrough in the vertical direction. Knobs 101a and 101b are provided in the opening 101c to close the opening 101c. The knobs 101a and 101b are members that slide in the vertical direction when pressed by an operator. For example, the knob 101a is pressed by the user when locking the locking mechanism of the vehicle door. Also, for example, the knob 101b is pressed by the user when unlocking the locking mechanism of the vehicle door.

The lower surface 102E of the intermediate housing 102 is provided with a storage section 104 (see Figures 3B, 5, and 6) capable of storing a mechanical key 120.

In addition, a rectangular opening 103B is formed on the rear side (negative side of the X-axis) of the lower housing 103, through which the mechanical key 120 can be inserted.

The lower housing 103 is also formed with a rectangular opening 103A that penetrates the lower housing 103 in the vertical direction, and as shown in FIG. 2, an operation unit 151A of the lock unit 151 of the intermediate housing 102 is disposed in the opening 103A. The operation unit 151A of the lock unit 151 has a shape that receives an operation force from an operator. When viewed from below, the operation unit 151A is disposed in the center of the opening 103A in the Y-axis direction. The operator can slide the lock unit 151 in the Y-axis negative direction by inserting a fingertip into the opening 103A from below the lower housing 103 and applying a pressing force to the surface of the operation unit 151A on the Y-positive side, thereby applying an operation force that slides the operation unit 151A in the Y-axis negative direction.

The circuit board 130 is a flat member on which multiple electronic components are mounted. The circuit board 130 is disposed in the space formed between the upper housing 101 and the intermediate housing 102. For example, the circuit board 130 is a PWB (Printed Wiring Board) made of an insulating material such as glass epoxy.

Switches 131a and 131b are mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board 130. In this embodiment, push switches are used for the switches 131a and 131b. For example, when the switch 131a is pressed via the knob 101a, the circuit board 130 wirelessly transmits an operation signal for locking the locking mechanism of the vehicle door to the vehicle-mounted device via a communication circuit (not shown). Also, when the switch 131b is pressed via the knob 101b, the circuit board 130 wirelessly transmits an operation signal for unlocking the locking mechanism of the vehicle door to the vehicle-mounted device via the communication circuit. Also, a button battery 132 that supplies power to the circuit board 130 is provided on the lower surface of the circuit board 130.

The elastic sheet 140 is a sheet-like member that covers the entire upper surface of the circuit board 130 and has elasticity. The elastic sheet 140 can prevent water from entering the upper surface of the circuit board 130 even if water enters the space in which the circuit board 130 is arranged. For example, the elastic sheet 140 is formed by press molding an elastic material such as rubber or silicone.

The mechanical key 120 is an example of a "held member." The mechanical key 120 is a metal, flat member that can be inserted into a key cylinder installed in a vehicle and that mechanically rotates the key cylinder. The mechanical key 120 is an emergency key prepared in case the electronic functions of the electronic key 10 become unusable due to a dead battery or other reasons. When an operator uses the electronic functions of the electronic key 10, the mechanical key 120 is held inside the housing 100 so as not to interfere with input operations. The mechanical key 120 can be held in the holding section 104 provided on the bottom surface 102E of the intermediate housing 102 by inserting the tip of the mechanical key 120 through an opening 103B formed on the rear side (negative side of the X-axis) of the housing 100.

The mechanical key 120 is composed of a key blade 121 and a grip 122. The key blade 121 is a long and thin part in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) that is inserted into a key cylinder installed in the vehicle. The grip 122 supports the rear end of the key blade 121 and is the part that is gripped by the user. The grip 122 is wider in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) than the key blade 121.

The mechanical key 120 is locked by a locking portion 151 of the locking mechanism 150 to prevent it from falling out of the storage portion 104. When the locking portion 151 is released, the mechanical key 120 can be pulled out of the housing 100 in the negative direction of the X-axis.

(Internal configuration of storage section 104)
FIG. 4 is a right side view of the electronic key 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the electronic key 10 according to an embodiment taken along the cut line A-A shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the electronic key 10 according to an embodiment taken along the cut line B-B shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the lower surface 102E side of the intermediate housing 102 included in the electronic key 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the upper surface 103C side of the lower housing 103 included in the electronic key 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 7B is a top view of the lower housing 103 of the electronic key 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 7C is an enlarged view of the M portion of the lower housing 103 shown in FIG. 7B. FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the locking portion 151 of the electronic key 10 according to an embodiment is in the locked position. FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the locking portion 151 of the electronic key 10 according to an embodiment is slid to a position P1 that is a first predetermined amount S1 away from the locked position. Fig. 8C is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the locking portion 151 of the electronic key 10 according to one embodiment slides to a position P2 that is a second predetermined amount S2 away from the locked position. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the operation load characteristics of the locking portion 151 of the electronic key 10 according to one embodiment. In the graph shown in Fig. 9, the vertical axis represents the operation load related to the sliding operation of the locking portion 151, and the horizontal axis represents the stroke amount of the sliding operation of the locking portion 151.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the lower surface 102E of the intermediate housing 102 is provided with a storage section 104. The storage section 104 can store the mechanical key 120 through the opening 103B of the lower housing 103, with the key blade 121 facing forward (positive side of the X-axis) and the grip section 122 facing backward (negative side of the X-axis).

As shown in FIG. 6, the first support walls 102A and 102B are provided on the bottom surface 102E of the intermediate housing 102, protruding downward (Z-axis negative direction) from the bottom surface 102E. As shown in FIG. 5, the first support wall 102A extends in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) along the side surface on the Y-positive side of the key blade 121 of the mechanical key 120 housed in the housing portion 104 of the lower housing 103. The first support wall 102B extends in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) along the side surface on the Y-negative side of the key blade 121 of the mechanical key 120 housed in the housing portion 104 of the lower housing 103.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the first support walls 102A, 102B determine the left-right position of the key blade 121 of the mechanical key 120. The upward position of the key blade 121 of the mechanical key 120 housed in the housing 104 is determined by the bottom surface 102E of the intermediate housing 102. The downward position of the key blade 121 of the mechanical key 120 housed in the housing 104 is determined by the top surface 103C of the lower housing 103. With the above configuration, the mechanical key 120 is stably supported at a predetermined position within the housing 104.

The intermediate housing 102 has a second support wall 102C extending from the rear (Y-axis negative side) of the first support wall 102B toward the Y-axis negative direction. The intermediate housing 102 also has a second support wall 102D arranged opposite the second support wall 102C. The second support walls 102C and 102D are provided protruding downward (Z-axis negative direction) from the lower surface 102E of the intermediate housing 102. The intermediate housing 102 also has a locking portion 151 arranged between the second support walls 102C and 102D. The second support wall 102C and the locking portion 151 are connected by a first spring portion 152. The second support wall 102D and the locking portion 151 are connected by a first spring portion 152. The locking portion 151 is supported by the first spring portion 152 so as to be slidable in the Y-axis direction.

7, a pair of guide portions 155 are provided on the upper surface 103C of the lower housing 103, protruding upward (in the positive direction of the Z axis). As shown in FIG. 5, one of the pair of guide portions 155 is disposed between the second support wall 102C and the lock portion 151. A guide surface 155A parallel to the YZ plane is formed on the lock portion 151 side of the guide portion 155. The guide surface 155A guides the sliding of the lock portion 151 in the Y direction. The guide portion 155 also has a stopper surface 155B provided at the end of the guide surface 155A on the positive Y direction side, which is parallel to the XZ plane. The stopper surface 155B restricts the movement of the lock portion 151 in the positive Y direction so that the lock portion 151 does not move in the positive Y direction beyond the lock position.

A locking mechanism 150 for locking the mechanical key 120 is provided near the storage portion 104 of the electronic key 10. The locking mechanism 150 has a locking portion 151, a first spring portion 152, a second spring portion 153, and a third spring portion 154.

The locking portion 151 is a plate-shaped member that is slidable in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). The locking portion 151 can lock the mechanical key 120 stored in the storage portion 104 by fitting the tip portion 151B into a recess 123 formed on the Y-axis negative side of the key blade 121 of the mechanical key 120.

The locking section 151 has an operating section 151A that protrudes downward from the bottom surface. The operating section 151A is disposed within the opening 103A of the lower housing 103 (see FIG. 2). This allows the operator to slide the locking section 151 from outside the housing 100 using the operating section 151A.

When the locking portion 151 is in the locked position shown in Figs. 5A and 8A (i.e., when the operator is not performing a sliding operation), the tip portion 151B locks the mechanical key 120 stored in the storage portion 104. When the operator performs a sliding operation and the locking portion 151 slides from the locked position in the negative Y-axis direction (see Figs. 8B and 8C), the sliding operation continues, and the tip portion 151B eventually releases the locked state of the mechanical key 120.

In addition, an inclined portion 151C is formed at the corner of tip 151B of locking portion 151 on the negative side of the X-axis. As a result, when mechanical key 120 is inserted from the negative side of the X-axis, inclined portion 151C is pressed by mechanical key 120, causing locking portion 151 to slide in the negative direction of the Y-axis without any sliding operation by the operator. Then, the slid locking portion 151 automatically retreats in the negative direction of the Y-axis to a position where it does not interfere with the insertion of mechanical key 120. Thereafter, locking portion 151 returns to the locked position shown in FIG. 8A due to a return force described in detail below.

In addition, a pressing portion 151D that is parallel to the XZ plane is provided at the end of the locking portion 151 on the negative side of the Y axis. The pressing portion 151D is shaped so that it comes into contact with the second spring portion 153 or the third spring portion 154 when the locking portion 151 slides in the negative direction of the Y axis from the locked position, and receives a return force.

The first spring portion 152 has elasticity and is integral with the intermediate housing 102 and the locking portion 151, and applies a restoring force to the locking portion 151 when the locking portion 151 slides from the locked position.

When the locking portion 151 slides in the negative direction of the Y axis, the pair of first spring portions 152 elastically deform and apply a returning force to the locking portion 151 in the positive direction of the Y axis.

The pair of first spring parts 152 are formed integrally with the pair of second support walls 102C and the lock part 151 of the intermediate housing 102 when the intermediate housing 102 is formed. As a result, the pair of first spring parts 152 are provided integrally with the housing 100 and the intermediate housing 102.

The second spring portion 153 is provided on the lower housing 103 and has an elastic shape. The second spring portion 153 is provided at a position that contacts the locking portion 151 when the locking portion 151 of the intermediate housing 102 slides from the locked position in the negative Y-axis direction by a first predetermined amount S1 to transition to a first position P1 after assembly. The first predetermined amount S1 is an example of a "first predetermined amount." The second spring portion 153 applies a return force to the locking portion 151 when the locking portion 151 slides in the negative Y-axis direction beyond position P1.

The third spring portion 154 is provided on the lower housing 103 and has an elastic shape. The third spring portion 154 is provided at a position that contacts the locking portion 151 when the locking portion 151 of the intermediate housing 102 slides from the locking position in the negative Y-axis direction by a second predetermined amount S2 to transition to the second position P2 after assembly. The second predetermined amount S2 is an example of a "second predetermined amount." The second predetermined amount S2 is greater than the first predetermined amount S1. The third spring portion 154 applies a return force to the locking portion 151 when the locking portion 151 slides in the negative Y-axis direction beyond position P2.

As shown in Figures 7A to 7C, the lower housing 103 has a third support wall 103D that extends parallel to the XZ plane from the upper surface 103C. The second spring portion 153 and the third spring portion 154 protrude from the third support wall 103D toward the inside of the lower housing 103 (positive direction of the Y axis).

After assembly, the second spring portion 153 and the third spring portion 154 are disposed between the lock portion 151 and the third support wall 103D of the lower housing 103, as shown in Figures 5A and 8A.

As shown in Figures 8A to 8C, when the locking portion 151 is in the locked position, the second spring portion 153 and the third spring portion 154 are provided in a position that is further in the negative Y-axis direction than the pressing portion 151D of the locking portion 151 and is spaced apart from the pressing portion 151D of the locking portion 151. At this time, the distance between the second spring portion 153 and the pressing portion 151D is a first predetermined amount S1. Also, at this time, the distance between the third spring portion 154 and the pressing portion 151D is a second predetermined amount S2. When the locking portion 151 slides, the second spring portion 153 abuts against the pressing portion 151D of the locking portion 151 before the third spring portion 154.

The second spring portion 153 and the third spring portion 154 extend in a direction inclined with respect to the X-axis direction.

The end portion 153B of the second spring portion 153 is fixed to the third support wall 103D of the lower housing 103. This allows the second spring portion 153 to be elastically deformable so that the tip portion 153A moves in the Y-axis direction.

Similarly, the end portion 154B of the third spring portion 154 is fixed to the third support wall 103D of the lower housing 103. This allows the third spring portion 154 to be elastically deformable so that the tip portion 154A moves in the Y-axis direction.

Furthermore, the second spring portion 153 is inclined with respect to the X-axis so that the tip portion 153A side is closer to the lock portion 151 side (the positive side of the Y-axis) than the end portion 153B side.

Similarly, the third spring portion 154 is inclined with respect to the X-axis so that the tip portion 154A side is closer to the lock portion 151 side (the positive side of the Y-axis) than the end portion 154B side.

The second spring portion 153 and the third spring portion 154 are formed integrally with the third support wall 103D of the lower housing 103 when the lower housing 103 is formed.

(Operation and operation load of lock mechanism 150)
The relationship between the sliding action of the lock mechanism 150 and the operating load will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 8A, when the locking portion 151 is in the locked position, the second spring portion 153 and the third spring portion 154 are not in contact with the pressing portion 151D of the locking portion 151. At this time, the locking portion 151 is supported by the first spring portion 152. Therefore, when the amount by which the locking portion 151 has slid from the locked position is less than the first predetermined amount S1, a return force is applied to the locking portion 151 only from the first spring portion 152.

As shown in FIG. 8B, when the locking portion 151 slides from the locked position in the negative Y-axis direction by a first predetermined amount S1 to position P1 (see FIG. 9), the second spring portion 153 abuts against the pressing portion 151D of the locking portion 151. At this time, the first spring portion 152 applies a return force to the locking portion 151, but when the locking portion 151 transitions from position P1 in the negative Y-axis direction, the first spring portion 152 and the second spring portion 153 apply a return force to the locking portion 151. At this time, the first spring portion 152 and the second spring portion 153 each apply a return force to the locking portion 151. Therefore, a return force increased according to the spring constant obtained by adding up the spring constant of the first spring portion 152 and the spring constant of the second spring portion 153 is applied to the locking portion 151.

8C, when the locking portion 151 slides from the locked position in the negative Y-axis direction by a second predetermined amount S2 to position P2 (see FIG. 9), the third spring portion 154 abuts against the pressing portion 151D of the locking portion 151. At this time, the first spring portion 152 and the second spring portion 153 apply a return force to the locking portion 151, but when the locking portion 151 transitions in the negative Y-axis direction from position P2, the first spring portion 152, the second spring portion 153, and the third spring portion 154 apply a return force to the locking portion 151. At this time, the first spring portion 152, the second spring portion 153, and the third spring portion 154 each come into contact with the locking portion 151 to apply a return force. Therefore, a restoring force that is further increased according to the combined spring constant of the first spring portion 152, the second spring portion 153, and the third spring portion 154 is applied to the lock portion 151.

As shown in FIG. 8C, when the locking portion 151 has transitioned to position P2, the tip 151B of the locking portion 151 has not completely come out of the recess 123 of the mechanical key 120. In other words, at this point, the locking mechanism 150 has not released the mechanical key 120 from its engagement. To release the mechanical key 120, the locking portion 151 needs to be slid from the locked position to position P3 (see FIG. 9) that is a third predetermined amount S3 away in the negative Y-axis direction. The third predetermined amount S3 is an example of a "third predetermined amount." The third predetermined amount S3 is set to be greater than the second predetermined amount S2.

In other words, in order to unlock the mechanical key 120, the electronic key 10 according to one embodiment requires that the locking portion 151 be slid while the return forces from the first spring portion 152, the second spring portion 153, and the third spring portion 154 are being applied to the locking portion 151. The operator can sense with his or her fingertips on the operating portion 151A that the operating load required to slide the operating portion 151A and the rate of change (spring constant) of the operating load relative to the amount of sliding increase stepwise, as shown in FIG. 9. This allows the operator to intuitively sense the timing when the locked state of the mechanical key 120 will be released.

The locking portion 151 can be slid in the negative Y-axis direction up to position P4 (see FIG. 9) where the operating portion 151A comes into contact with the surface that constitutes the opening 103A of the lower housing 103.

As described above, the electronic key 10 according to one embodiment includes an intermediate housing 102 having a storage section 104, a lower housing 103 fixed to the intermediate housing 102, a mechanical key 120 that can be stored in the storage section 104, and a locking mechanism 150 that detachably locks the mechanical key 120 stored in the storage section 104. The intermediate housing 102 slides in response to an operating force from an operator, and when in the locked position, it locks the mechanical key 120 stored in the storage section 104, and when slid from the locked position, it locks the mechanical key 120 stored in the storage section 104. The lock mechanism 150 has a locking part 151 that releases the locking of the lock key 120, and a first spring part 152 that is integral with the locking part 151 and that applies a return force to the locking part 151 to the locked position when the locking part 151 slides from the locked position, and the lower housing 103 has a second spring part 153 that applies a return force to the locking part 151 to the locked position when the locking part 151 slides from the locked position by more than a first predetermined amount S1, and the locking mechanism 150 has the locking part 151, the first spring part 152, and the second spring part 153.

As a result, the electronic key 10 according to one embodiment can change the rate of increase (spring constant) of the operating load that increases in accordance with the sliding operation of the locking portion 151 in two stages: when the sliding amount of the locking portion 151 is equal to or less than the first predetermined amount S1, and when the sliding amount is greater than the first predetermined amount S1. Therefore, the operator can intuitively recognize the amount of operation performed by using the change in the operating feel as an information source.

In addition, the electronic key 10 according to one embodiment has a first spring portion 152 integrally formed with the middle housing 102 and a second spring portion 153 integrally formed with the lower housing 103, and these can be used in place of conventional return members, thereby reducing the number of parts.

In addition, in one embodiment of the electronic key 10, the locking mechanism 150 is integral with the lower housing 103 and has a third spring portion 154 that provides the locking portion 151 with a returning force to the locked position when the locking portion 151 slides from the locked position by more than a second predetermined amount S2 that is greater than the first predetermined amount S1.

As a result, the electronic key 10 according to one embodiment can change the rate of increase (spring constant) of the operating load that increases in accordance with the sliding operation of the locking portion 151 in three stages: when the sliding amount of the locking portion 151 is equal to or less than the first predetermined amount S1, when it is greater than the first predetermined amount S1, and when it is greater than the second predetermined amount S2.

In addition, in one embodiment of the electronic key 10, the locking portion 151 releases the lock of the mechanical key 120 when it slides from the locked position by at least a third predetermined amount S3 that is greater than the second predetermined amount S2. In other words, the operator slides the locking portion 151 until the rate of increase in the operating load (spring constant) increases by two stages from the initial speed, and then performs a further slide operation to slide the locking portion 151 up to the third predetermined amount S3, at which point the mechanical key 120 can be released from its locked state.

As a result, the electronic key 10 according to one embodiment can require a relatively strong operating force to release the lock of the mechanical key 120, so that the lock of the mechanical key 120 cannot be easily released against the operator's will due to an impact such as being dropped. Furthermore, when the operator wishes to release the lock, the operator only needs to apply a relatively strong operating force for a short period of time from the specified amount S2 to the specified amount S3, making the release operation easy.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

For example, the electronic key 10 according to one embodiment may be configured to have a pair of second spring portions 153 instead of the second spring portion 153 and the third spring portion 154, and the lock portion 151 may abut against the pair of second spring portions 153 when the stroke amount of the lock portion 151 reaches a first predetermined amount. In this case, the electronic key 10 according to one embodiment can change the rate of increase (spring constant) of the operating load that increases in accordance with the sliding operation of the lock portion 151 in two stages, when the sliding amount of the lock portion 151 is less than the first predetermined amount and when it is equal to or greater than the first predetermined amount.

10 Electronic key (locking device)
100 Housing 101 Upper housing 101a, 101b Knob 101c Opening 102 Middle housing (first housing)
102A, 102B First support wall 102C, 102D Second support wall 102E Lower surface 103 Lower housing (second housing)
103A Opening 103B Opening 103C Top surface 103D Third support wall 104 Storage section 120 Mechanical key 121 Key blade 122 Grip section 130 Circuit board 131a, 131b Switch 132 Button battery 140 Elastic sheet 150 Lock mechanism 151 Lock section 151A Operation section 151B Tip section 151C Inclined section 151D Pressing section 152 First spring section 153 Second spring section 153A Tip section 153B End section 154 Third spring section 154A Tip section 154B End section 155 Guide section 155A Guide surface 155B Stopper surface M section P1, P2, P3, P4 Position

Claims (4)

A first housing having a storage portion;
a second housing fixed to the first housing;
A held member that can be held in the holding portion;
a locking mechanism that detachably locks the held member accommodated in the accommodation portion,
The first housing includes:
a locking portion that receives an operating force from an operator, slides, and when in a locked position, locks the held member housed in the housing portion, and when slid from the locked position, releases the locking of the held member;
a first spring portion that is integral with the lock portion and that applies a returning force to the lock portion to return to the lock position when the lock portion slides from the lock position,
The second housing includes:
a second spring portion that applies a returning force to the locking portion to the locking position when the locking portion slides from the locking position by a distance greater than a first predetermined amount,
The locking device, wherein the locking mechanism includes the locking portion, the first spring portion, and the second spring portion. The locking mechanism includes:
2. The locking device according to claim 1, further comprising a third spring portion that is integral with the second housing and that applies a returning force to the locking portion to the locked position when the locking portion slides from the locked position by a second predetermined amount that is greater than the first predetermined amount. The lock portion is
3. The locking device according to claim 2, wherein the held member is released from the locked position when the held member is slid by a third predetermined amount or more, the third predetermined amount being greater than the second predetermined amount. The locking device according to claim 1 , wherein the first housing and the second housing are integrally formed.

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