JP3667878B2 - Vehicle load control device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle load control device having a wireless door lock function and an immobilizer function.
[0002]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Conventionally, as a wireless door lock device, a radio wave is transmitted by an operation on an operation button provided on a transmitter, and a control device provided on the vehicle uses a vehicle door according to the radio wave from the transmitter. Lock and unlock the locking mechanism. Therefore, the user can arbitrarily lock and unlock the door lock mechanism by operating the operation buttons.
[0003]
By the way, this type of remote key locks and unlocks the door lock mechanism in response to an operation on the operation button. For example, when getting on the vehicle, the operation button is operated to unlock the door lock mechanism. It is necessary and the operation is troublesome.
[0004]
Therefore, in recent years, a remote key capable of unlocking the door lock mechanism without performing a special operation has been proposed as follows.
(1) When the transmitter / receiver receives a magnetic field signal from the vehicle, the identification number stored in advance is transmitted by radio waves, and the control unit provided in the vehicle has the received identification number registered in advance. When unlocked, unlock the door lock mechanism. In this case, since the transmitter / receiver returns the identification signal by a radio wave having a large transmission distance, the transmitter / receiver is suitable for use in the vicinity of the vehicle although a power source is required.
[0005]
(2) When the transmitter / receiver receives the magnetic field signal from the vehicle (door), the identification number stored in advance is returned by the magnetic field signal, and the control device provided in the vehicle displays the received identification signal. When it is registered in advance, the door lock mechanism is unlocked. Therefore, the door lock mechanism can be unlocked without performing a special operation only by the user approaching the door handle of the vehicle. In this case, the transmitter / receiver returns a modulated magnetic field signal having substantially the same frequency as that of the received magnetic field signal while generating power from the magnetic field signal, but does not require a power supply although the communication distance is short.
[0006]
On the other hand, an electronic key including an immobilizer transceiver (transponder) is provided. In this case, when the ignition key is inserted into the ignition switch, when the transmitter / receiver provided in the ignition key receives the magnetic field signal from the vehicle (ignition switch), the identification number stored in advance is returned. The control device provided in the vehicle permits the start of the engine when the received identification number is registered in advance. Therefore, it is prohibited to start the engine using an ignition key other than the regular ignition key, so that security can be improved.
[0007]
By the way, when the door lock function and the immobilizer function are provided in one ignition key, the user can exhibit the door lock function and the immobilizer function only by carrying one ignition key. Is easy to use.
[0008]
Here, as a means for providing a door lock function to the ignition key, it is conceivable to provide one of the above-described transceivers of (1) or (2) or both of the transceivers of (1) and (2).
In this case, the transmitter / receiver of (1) and (2) and the transmitter / receiver for immobilizer receive the magnetic field signal, so that the configuration of the tuning circuit is simplified by setting the frequency of the magnetic field signal of the transmitter / receiver to be the same. Therefore, the cost and size of the remote key can be reduced.
[0009]
However, when the frequency of the tuning circuit of the transmitter / receiver is set to be the same, the transmitter / receiver cannot distinguish the magnetic field signal transmitted from which system (door lock function, immobilizer function) when receiving the magnetic field signal. Therefore, each transmitter / receiver returns a response signal indicating the same identification number at the same time, or sequentially returns a response signal indicating an identification number set differently for each system. For this reason, since the identification number for immobilizers that require confidentiality is transmitted from outside the vehicle, there is a problem that eavesdropping is easy and security is lowered.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a door lock control function and an engine start control function for returning a response signal indicating an identification number in response to a magnetic field signal from the vehicle side. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle load control device that can improve the confidentiality of a response signal for an engine start control function with a simple configuration.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A first transmission coil is provided to transmit a magnetic field signal to the outside of the vehicle, a second transmission coil is provided to transmit a magnetic field signal inside the vehicle, and the first transmission coil having a predetermined frequency is transmitted from the first transmission coil. A receiving means for transmitting a first magnetic field signal and transmitting a second magnetic field signal having the same frequency as the first magnetic field signal from the second transmitting coil, and receiving the magnetic field signal having the predetermined frequency. When the magnetic field signal received by the receiving coil is the first magnetic field signal and the signal level is lower than the reference value , a first response signal indicating a preset identification number is transmitted as a radio wave. When the signal level is higher than the reference value, the response is made with a magnetic field. When the received magnetic field signal is the second magnetic field signal, a second response signal indicating a preset identification number is returned. Reply with magnetic field When a first response signal is received by the vehicle, the door lock mechanism is unlocked according to the first response signal, and when the second response signal is received, the vehicle receives the first response signal. Control means for permitting engine start in response to the response signal 2 is provided (claim 1).
[0012]
According to such a configuration, the transmission means transmits the first magnetic field signal having a predetermined frequency from the first transmission coil, and transmits the second magnetic field signal having the same frequency as the first magnetic field signal to the second frequency. Transmit from the transmission coil. Thereby, the first magnetic field signal is transmitted outside the vehicle, and the second magnetic field signal is transmitted inside the vehicle.
[0013]
Now, when the user carrying the transceiver approaches the vehicle, the receiving coil of the transceiver receives the first magnetic field signal. Then, the transceiver returns a first response signal in response to the reception of the first magnetic field signal, so that the control means provided in the vehicle has a door lock mechanism in accordance with the received first response signal. To control. Thereby, the user can unlock the door lock mechanism only by approaching the vehicle.
[0014]
When the user carrying the transceiver gets on the vehicle, the receiving coil of the transceiver receives the second magnetic field signal. Then, the transmitter / receiver returns a second response signal in response to the reception of the second magnetic field signal, so that the control unit permits the engine start in accordance with the received second response signal. As a result, the user can start the engine only by getting on the vehicle.
[0016]
In the above configuration, when the transmitter / receiver receives the first or second magnetic field signal, the transmitter / receiver generates power for the power source from the magnetic field signal, and the corresponding response signal is a modulated magnetic field having substantially the same frequency as the magnetic field signal. You may make it reply with a signal (Claim 2 ).
According to such a configuration, although the transmission distance of the magnetic field signal is short, the transmitter / receiver does not require a power source, so that a communication incapable state due to power consumption is not generated.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a remote control key will be described below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 shows an electrical configuration of the ECU provided on the vehicle side. In FIG. 2, a code command generation circuit 2 in the ECU 1 outputs a pre-registered code α or code β in response to a command from a decoding control circuit 3 having functions as a transmission means and a control means. The modulation circuit 4 modulates and outputs the codes α and β from the code command generation circuit 2. The oscillation circuit 5 modulates the codes α and β modulated by the modulation circuit 4 to a predetermined frequency. The power transmission driver circuit 6 increases and outputs the code signals α and β from the oscillation circuit 5.
[0018]
The power transmission / reception coil switching circuit 7 outputs the code signal α input from the power transmission driver circuit 6 in response to a command from the decoding control circuit 3 from the first transmission coil 8 and outputs the code signal β to the second transmission coil. 9 to output. In this case, the first transmission coil 8 is provided corresponding to a vehicle door handle (not shown), and the second transmission coil 9 is provided corresponding to an ignition switch 15 (not shown).
[0019]
The first transmission coil 8 transmits the given code signal α as the first magnetic field signal α, and the second transmission coil 9 outputs the given code signal β as the second magnetic field signal β. To do.
[0020]
The power transmission / reception coil switching circuit 7 outputs the magnetic field signal received by the coils 8 and 9 outputting the magnetic field signal to the demodulation circuit 10. The demodulation circuit 10 demodulates the magnetic field signal received by the coils 8 and 9 and outputs it to the decoding control circuit 3.
The high frequency demodulation circuit 11 demodulates the high frequency signal received by the antenna 12 and outputs it to the decoding control circuit 3.
[0021]
The decoding control circuit 3 outputs a lock signal and an unlock signal to the door lock mechanism 13 when an identification number based on a signal from the demodulation circuit 10 or the high frequency demodulation circuit 11 is registered in advance. In this case, the decoding control circuit 3 outputs a lock signal to the door lock mechanism 13 when no open signal is input from the door courtesy switch 14 even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the unlock signal was output to the door lock mechanism 13. The security is enhanced by locking.
[0022]
The decoding control circuit 3 outputs a start permission signal to the engine start control device 16 when an identification number based on the signal from the demodulation circuit 10 at the timing when the key remind signal is input from the ignition switch 15 is set in advance. . In this case, the engine start control device 16 starts the engine when an ON signal is input from the ignition switch 15 in a state where the start permission signal is input.
[0023]
On the other hand, FIG. 1 shows the electrical configuration of the remote key. In FIG. 1, a code A ′ generating circuit 18 in a remote key 17 as a transmitter / receiver modulates a lock signal and an unlock signal together with a code signal A ′ according to an operation on the lock key 19 or the unlock key 20, oscillates, and high frequency Output to the output circuit 21. The modulation / oscillation / high-frequency output circuit 21 performs high-frequency modulation on the code signal A ′, the lock signal, and the unlock signal given from the code A ′ generation circuit, and transmits them from the antenna 22. Here, the code A ′ generation circuit 18 and the modulation / oscillation / high frequency output circuit 21 are supplied with power from the battery 23.
[0024]
The tuning circuit 24 is set to receive a magnetic field signal having a predetermined frequency (the same frequency as the magnetic field signals transmitted from the first and second transmission coils 8 and 9).
The charging circuit 25 functions as a power source by generating electric power from the magnetic field signal received by the tuning circuit 24 and charging it.
The magnetic field strength detection circuit 26 determines the signal level of the magnetic field signal received by the tuning circuit 24 and supplies the signal level to the switching circuit 27.
[0025]
The switching circuit 27 switches the output terminal that outputs the voltage from the charging circuit 25 according to the signal level detected by the magnetic field strength detection circuit 26. That is, when the signal level of the magnetic field signal is higher than the determination level, the charging circuit 25 is connected to the output terminal 27a, and when the signal level of the magnetic field signal is lower than the determination level, the charging circuit 25 is connected to the output terminal 27b.
[0026]
When the code indicated by the magnetic field signal is the code α, the decoding circuit 28 determines that the code is a door lock control code and switches the code A generation circuit 31 to the oscillation / modulation / drive circuit 32 by switching to the switching circuit 30. When the code indicated by the magnetic field signal is the code β, it is determined that the code is an immobilizer control code, and the code B generation circuit 33 is connected to the oscillation / modulation / drive circuit 32 by switching to the switching circuit 30.
[0027]
The code A generation circuit 31 outputs the code A stored in advance in the code storage circuit 29 while being connected to the charging circuit 25.
The code B generation circuit 33 outputs the code B stored in advance in the code storage circuit 29 while being connected to the charging circuit 25.
[0028]
The oscillation / modulation / drive circuit 32 modulates the given code A or code B and outputs the modulated code A or code B to the tuning circuit 24. The tuning circuit 24 returns the modulated code A or code B.
[0029]
On the other hand, the above-described code A ′ generating circuit 18 is connected to the output terminal 27b of the switching circuit 27. When the code A ′ generating circuit 18 is connected to the charging circuit 25 through the switching circuit 27, it is determined that a trigger signal is given. The unlock signal is output to the modulation / oscillation / high frequency output circuit 21.
[0030]
Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
The decoding control circuit 3 of the ECU 1 receives a signal from the high frequency demodulation circuit 11 or outputs a first magnetic field signal α from the first transmission coil 8 provided corresponding to the door handle from the demodulation circuit 10. It monitors whether a signal is input.
[0031]
Here, when the vehicle door lock mechanism 13 is unlocked by operating the remote key 17 when getting on the vehicle, the unlock key 20 of the remote key 17 is operated.
[0032]
Then, the code A ′ generation circuit 18 reads the code A ′ stored in the code storage circuit 29 and outputs the code A ′ and the unlock signal to the modulation / oscillation / high frequency output circuit 21. As a result, the code A ′ and the unlock signal are output from the modulation / oscillation / high frequency output circuit 21 to the antenna 22, and the code A ′ and the unlock signal are transmitted by radio waves from the antenna 22 (see FIG. 3). .
[0033]
As a result, since the vehicle-side antenna 12 receives the high frequency signal indicating the code A ′ and the unlock signal, the high frequency demodulation circuit 11 demodulates the code A ′ and the unlock signal included in the received high frequency signal. This is given to the decoding control circuit 3.
[0034]
Accordingly, when the code A ′ is the same as the preset identification number, the decoding control circuit 3 outputs an unlock signal to the door lock mechanism 13 based on the unlock signal. Switch to unlocked state. Therefore, the user can get on with the door open.
[0035]
When the user approaches the vehicle, the first magnetic field signal α transmitted from the first transmission coil 8 is received by the tuning circuit 38 of the remote key 17, so that the charging circuit is generated by the first magnetic field signal α. 25 is charged.
[0036]
At this time, since the user is located in the vicinity of the vehicle (meaning that it is slightly away from the vehicle), the signal level of the first magnetic field signal α received by the remote key 17 is smaller than the reference value. As a result, the magnetic field strength detection circuit 26 determines that the reception is in the vicinity of the vehicle, and switches the switching circuit 27 to apply the charging circuit 25 to the code A ′ generation circuit 18, thereby triggering the code A ′ generation circuit 18. Is output.
[0037]
Then, since the code A ′ generation circuit 18 outputs the code A ′ and the unlock signal to the modulation / oscillation / high frequency output circuit 21, the radio wave A ′ (first signal) indicating the code A ′ and the unlock signal from the antenna 22. Response signal) is transmitted (see FIG. 3). As a result, the decoding control circuit 3 of the ECU 1 outputs an unlock signal to the door lock mechanism 13, so that the door lock mechanism 13 is unlocked.
[0038]
Then, after the user opens the door and gets on, when the remote key 17 is inserted into the ignition switch 15, a key remind signal is output from the ignition switch 15 to the decoding control circuit 3, so that the decoding control circuit 3 By switching the power transmission / reception coil switching circuit 7, the code command generation circuit 2 is instructed to output the code β in a state where the second transmission coil 9 is connected to the power transmission driver circuit 6 and the demodulation circuit 10. The code β means that a magnetic field signal is output over a longer time than the magnetic field signal by the code α as shown in FIG.
[0039]
Then, since the code command generation circuit 2 outputs the code β, the second magnetic field signal β is output from the second transmission coil 9.
As a result, the second magnetic field signal β is received by the tuning circuit 27 of the remote key 17 at the timing when the second magnetic field signal β is transmitted from the second transmission coil 9. The charging circuit 25 is charged.
[0040]
At this time, since the user is located in the vehicle , the signal level of the second magnetic field signal β received by the remote key 17 is higher than the reference value. As a result, the magnetic field strength detection circuit 26 determines that the reception strength is high, and switches the switching circuit 27 to connect the charging circuit 25 to the code A generation circuit 31 and the code B generation circuit 33.
[0041]
On the other hand, when the decoding circuit 28 determines that the second magnetic field signal β has been received based on the reception time of the magnetic field signal received by the synchronization circuit 24, the decoding circuit 28 oscillates the code B generation circuit 33 by switching the switching circuit 30. Connect to modulation / drive circuit 32 As a result, the code B generation circuit 33 outputs the code B stored in the code storage circuit 29 to the oscillation / modulation / drive circuit 32, and the oscillation / modulation / drive circuit 32 drives the tuning circuit 24 based on the code B. Then, the magnetic field signal B (second response signal) indicating the code B is returned from the tuning circuit 24 (see FIG. 3).
[0042]
Then, since the second transmission coil 9 receives the magnetic field signal B returned from the remote key 17, the demodulation circuit 10 gives the code B included in the magnetic field signal to the decoding control circuit 3. Thereby, the decoding control circuit 3 determines whether or not the given code B is registered in advance, and outputs the start permission signal to the engine start control device 14 when it is registered.
Accordingly, when the user rotates the ignition switch 15 to the start position by the remote key 17, the engine is started by the engine start control device 14.
[0043]
By the way, as described above, the remote key 17 receives the first magnetic field signal α from the vehicle when transmitting an unlock signal by radio waves in response to an operation on the unlock key 20, or by approaching the vicinity of the vehicle. When a response signal is sent back by radio wave, the transmission power of the radio wave is relatively large, so the battery 23 as a power source is required. However, when the battery is exhausted, the door lock mechanism is triggered by the radio wave from the remote key 17. 13 cannot be unlocked (see FIG. 3).
[0044]
In such a case, when the remote key 17 is brought close to the door handle, the remote key 17 is turned on at the timing when the decoding control circuit 3 of the control circuit 1 transmits the first magnetic field signal α from the first transmission coil 8 . 1 magnetic field signal α is received.
At this time, since the magnetic field strength of the first magnetic field signal α received by the tuning circuit 24 of the remote key 17 is sufficiently large, the magnetic field strength detection circuit 26 determines that the reception is in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle, and the switching circuit 27 The charging circuit 25 is connected to the code A generation circuit 31 and the code B generation circuit 33.
[0045]
The decoding circuit 28 determines that the received magnetic field signal is the first magnetic field signal α and switches the switching circuit 30 to connect the code A generation circuit 31 to the oscillation / modulation / drive circuit 32. As a result, the code A generation circuit 31 outputs the code A stored in the code storage circuit 29 to the modulation / drive circuit 32, and the modulation / drive circuit 32 drives the tuning circuit 24 based on the code A, and the tuning circuit 24 returns a magnetic field signal A (first response signal) indicating code A (see FIG. 3).
[0046]
Then, since the first transmission coil 8 receives the magnetic field signal A returned from the remote key 17, the demodulation circuit 10 gives the code A indicated by the magnetic field signal A to the decoding control circuit 3. As a result, the decryption control circuit 3 outputs an unlock signal to the door lock mechanism 13 when the given code A matches a pre-registered identification number, so that the door lock mechanism 13 is unlocked. Therefore, the user can get on with the door open.
[0047]
According to the above configuration, a magnetic field signal having the same frequency is generated from the first transmission coil 8 provided corresponding to the door knob of the vehicle and the second transmission coil 9 provided corresponding to the ignition switch 15. In addition to transmitting α and β respectively, the remote key 17 determines whether it is for door lock control or immobilizer control on the basis of the received magnetic field signals α and β, and the corresponding code (identification number) is set to a radio wave or magnetic field. Since the reply is made by a signal, the secrecy of the immobilizer function is lowered only when the remote key 17 is inserted into the ignition switch 15 while simplifying the configuration by providing only one tuning circuit 24 in the remote key 17. Can be prevented.
[0048]
Further, although the same first magnetic field signal α is transmitted from the first transmitting coil 8 for the vicinity of the vehicle and the immediate vicinity of the vehicle, the remote key 17 uses the signal level of the received magnetic field signal based on the signal level of the vehicle. Since it is determined whether the vehicle is in the vicinity or the vehicle is in close proximity and responds by radio waves or magnetic fields, the door lock mechanism 13 can be reliably controlled based on the signal level of the magnetic field signal.
[0049]
FIG. 5 shows the magnetic field signal β in the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the magnetic field signal β is configured by adding a code portion following the power signal.
In this case, the decryption circuit 28 of the remote key 17 determines whether or not the received magnetic field signal includes a code part. If the code part is not included, the code A generation circuit 31 is sent to the switching circuit 30. Is switched to output the code A from the code B generating circuit 33 to the switching circuit 30 when the code portion is included. .
[0050]
According to the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the magnetic field signal α and the magnetic field signal β having the same frequency from the vehicle side are distinguished from each other while only one tuning circuit 24 is provided in the remote key 17. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the secrecy of the immobilizer function from being lowered while simplifying the configuration of the remote key 17.
[0051]
FIG. 6 shows the magnetic field signal β in the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the magnetic field signal β is composed of a continuous predetermined number of magnetic field signals (power signals) α.
In this case, the decryption circuit 28 of the remote key 17 outputs the code A from the code A generation circuit 31 to the oscillation / modulation / drive circuit 32 to the switching circuit 30 when the received magnetic field signal α is only one. In addition, when a predetermined number of magnetic field signals α are continuous, the switching circuit 30 is switched to output the code B from the code B generation circuit 33.
[0052]
According to the third embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the magnetic field signal α and the magnetic field signal β having the same frequency from the vehicle side are distinguished from each other while only one tuning circuit 24 is provided in the remote key 17. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the secrecy of the immobilizer function from being lowered while simplifying the configuration of the remote key 17.
[0053]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified or expanded as follows.
The remote key 17 may be provided with one of door lock control functions based on the magnetic field signal α in addition to the immobilizer function.
The present invention may be applied to a card type transceiver.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the vehicle load control device of the present invention, the control device provided in the vehicle transmits the first magnetic field signal from the first transmission coil to the outside of the vehicle and the vehicle. The transmitter transmits a second magnetic field signal from the second transmitting coil, and when the transmitter / receiver receives the first magnetic field signal, it returns a first response signal and receives the second magnetic field signal. Returns a second response signal, and when the control device receives the first response signal, the control device unlocks the door lock mechanism based on the first response signal and receives the second response signal. Since the engine start is permitted based on the second response signal, the door lock control function and the engine start control function for returning a response signal indicating an identification number in response to the magnetic field signal from the vehicle side are provided. With a simple configuration. An excellent effect that it is possible to improve the confidentiality of the response signal for the emission start control function.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote key in a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control device provided in the vehicle. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing signal transmission. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a comparison between magnetic field signal α and magnetic field signal β. FIG. 5 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4 showing a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 equivalent diagram showing an example [Explanation of symbols]
1 is a control device, 2 is a code command generation circuit (transmission means), 3 is a decoding control circuit (control means), 8 is a first transmission coil, 9 is a second transmission coil, 13 is a door lock mechanism, Reference numeral 17 denotes a remote key (transmitter / receiver).

Claims (2)

A first transmission coil provided to transmit a magnetic field signal outside the vehicle;
A second transmission coil provided to transmit a magnetic field signal in the vehicle;
Transmitting means for transmitting a first magnetic field signal having a predetermined frequency from the first transmitting coil and transmitting a second magnetic field signal having the same frequency as the first magnetic field signal from the second transmitting coil;
When the magnetic field signal received by the receiving coil is the first magnetic field signal and the signal level is smaller than the reference value, the signal is set in advance. A first response signal indicating an identification number is returned as a radio wave. When the signal level is higher than a reference value, the response is returned as a magnetic field. When the received magnetic field signal is a second magnetic field signal, the first response signal is set in advance. A transmitter / receiver for returning a second response signal indicating the identification number by a magnetic field;
When the first response signal is received, the door lock mechanism is unlocked according to the first response signal. When the second response signal is received, the second response is received. A vehicle load control device comprising: control means for permitting engine start in response to a signal. 2. The vehicle load control device according to claim 1, wherein when the first or second magnetic field signal is received, the transceiver generates power for power supply from the magnetic field signal . 3.

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