JP4980842B2 - Metal decoration type electronic key - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is a wireless communication type in which a unique identification code held by itself for key authentication is transmitted to a communication target by wireless communication and the key code is collated, and the key body is decorated with metal to have high designability. The present invention relates to a metal decorated electronic key.

  Conventionally, in many vehicle keys, in order to improve the convenience of key operation, a key-specific ID code is skipped from the key to the vehicle by wireless communication, and ID authentication between the electronic key and the vehicle at this time is established. An electronic key that permits or executes vehicle operations such as door locking and unlocking is employed. This type of electronic key includes a wireless key that transmits a key ID code when a switch (such as a lock switch or an unlock switch) provided on the key body is operated, or communication formed around the vehicle. There is a hands-free key that automatically returns an ID code in response to a key entering the area.

  In addition, in this kind of electronic key, the appearance of the electronic key can be used in order to favor the possession of the electronic key while ensuring the wireless communication performance that allows normal wireless communication with the vehicle. In order to ensure the appearance of the electronic key, it is desired to decorate the key by decorating the surface of the key body so that the electronic key has high design. As an example of decoration, for example, metal decoration is used to give the key a sense of quality by creating a glittering design as seen in precious metal products by decorating the surface of the key body with metal plating or the like. There are many cases.

  However, for example, a metal such as aluminum used for metal decoration has a problem that, as one characteristic, for example, radio waves transmitted and received by wireless communication are shielded to prevent normal wireless communication. This radio wave shielding is mainly caused by eddy currents generated in the metal by the radio wave when the metal receives the radio wave. For this reason, when metal decoration is applied to the electronic key for high design, the electronic key having such a design is exchanged at this time when the electronic key performs wireless communication with the vehicle. There is a possibility that radio waves may be shielded by a decorative metal. For example, if a large amount of metal decoration is used to ensure as high a design as possible, this problem becomes more prominent.

However, one characteristic of this type of metal is that the decorative metal has a closed loop shape along the direction of the eddy current generated when transmitting and receiving radio waves, for example, a ring shape in which the decorative metal forms a ring shape, or a flat plate made of a thin plate. If the shape is not taken, the radio wave shielding caused by the decorative metal tends to be relaxed. Therefore, since a technique that makes use of this characteristic is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1, in this type of electronic key, a slit is formed in a decorative metal provided in the electronic key using the technique of Patent Document 1. By forming the decorative metal into an open loop shape, a countermeasure to ensure the wireless communication performance of the electronic key can be considered.
JP 2002-250783 (paragraph numbers [0053], [0054])

  However, depending on the state of use of the electronic key, a situation in which a metal member separate from the electronic key contacts the decorative metal and the metal member connects the slits can be considered. At this time, the decorative metal, which has been in an open loop state by the slit, becomes a closed loop state by the metal member, and when this state is reached, the decorative metal transmits radio waves as described in the background art. It acts as a radio wave shielding member to block and adversely affects wireless communication. Therefore, when metal decoration is applied to the electronic key, there is a problem in ensuring sufficient wireless communication performance simply by forming a slit in the decorative metal.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a metal-decorated electronic key that can ensure high wireless communication performance even if metal decoration is applied while applying high-quality design by applying metal decoration to the key body. There is to do.

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, when a unique identification code of itself is wirelessly transmitted to a communication target, if the verification of the identification code matches with the communication target, the communication target Operation can be permitted or executed, and a metal decoration part is formed on the key body to satisfy the design of its external appearance, and along the eddy current direction that can be generated in the metal decoration part when transmitting and receiving radio waves In the metal decoration type electronic key in which a slit capable of dividing the metal decoration portion is formed in the metal decoration portion , the metal decoration portion includes a mechanically operated key housed as a sub key in the key body. A protrusion projecting outward from the metal arrangement surface on the outer surface is formed on at least one outer surface of the key outer surface, and the protrusion is formed in the machine-operated key and disposed in the slit. Summary .

  According to this configuration, as a characteristic of a general metal used for a metal decoration part, when the metal receives a transmission / reception radio wave when the electronic key transmits / receives a radio wave, an eddy current is circularly formed in the plane direction. It has been known that when an eddy current flows through a metal in this way, the metal acts as a radio wave shielding member that blocks radio wave transmission on the spot due to the generation of this current. Therefore, in an electronic key that communicates wirelessly with a communication target, if such a radio wave shielding occurs in the metal decoration portion, normal wireless communication implementation is affected, which is not preferable. In order to solve this problem, a slit is formed at a predetermined position of the metal so that the metal has an open loop shape that is not continuous along the eddy current direction. However, for example, if another metal member comes into contact with the slit part and the metal decoration part is connected metallically, the slit does not function, and the metal decoration part is a continuous closed loop shape along the eddy current direction This is meaningless.

  Therefore, in the present configuration, since the protrusion that protrudes outward from the metal arrangement surface on the outer surface of the electronic key is formed on the metal decorative electronic key, for example, the metal decorative electronic key is temporarily used as another metal member. Even when in contact with the metal, the metal-decorated electronic key at this time takes a contact state in which the main body portion is lifted around the protrusion. Therefore, if the slit is positioned at the raised portion, the slit does not need to be in contact with another metal member other than the electronic key, and the metal decoration portion is opened at the slit portion. Maintain the loop state. Thus, if the metal decoration part is in an open loop state, even if it receives a radio wave, for example, it is difficult to be in a state of functioning as a radio wave shielding member. Therefore, in this configuration, even if a metal decoration portion is formed on the key body to ensure the design of the electronic key, it is possible to make the electronic key wireless communication performance less likely to be disturbed. Ensuring high performance and ensuring wireless communication performance at a high level.

According to the configuration of this, since the projection is formed in a slit provided in the metal decorative portion so as to metal decorative portion and the open-loop shape, metallically metal decorative part for example in the slit portion In order to connect, it is impossible for the metal member to have a bent shape. Therefore, in a general flat metal member, it is not possible to connect the metal decoration part metallically at the slit portion, so the metal decoration part becomes a continuous metal member by another metal member It becomes possible to make it difficult to produce the wireless communication performance of the metal decorative electronic key.

According to the configuration of this, since the projection in the machine operated key to be housed in the key body is formed, the structure of the metal decoration electronic key is stored mechanical operated key of this kind from the original In this case, it is possible to take measures to deteriorate the wireless communication performance of this configuration without making major design changes to the key body, and without changing the design of the key body used so far, It can be used as it is.

The gist of the present invention is that the projecting portion is formed at an inner position of the metal decoration portion forming an annular shape in the key body.
According to this configuration, since the protrusion that works to prevent the metal decoration portion from being metallically connected by another metal member is formed at the inner position of the annular metal decoration portion, for example, other metal Even if the member is in a state in which it is in partial contact with the portable device, at this time, the decorative metal portion is unlikely to be metallically connected to another metal member. Therefore, it becomes possible to make it harder to produce the wireless communication performance fall of a portable machine.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, sufficient radio | wireless communication performance can be ensured, even if it gives a metal decoration to a key main body and ensures high designability, and also gives a metal decoration.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of a metal decorative electronic key embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 is equipped with a hands-free system 2 that can perform door locking / unlocking and engine starting without actually operating a vehicle key. The hands-free system 2 transmits a request signal Srq from the vehicle 1 and when the portable device 3 receives the request signal Srq, the portable device 3 responds to the ID signal Sid with the ID code on the vehicle 1. In response, when the ID code of the portable device 3 matches the ID code of the vehicle 1, door locking / unlocking and engine starting are permitted or executed. The vehicle 1 corresponds to a communication target, and the portable device 3 corresponds to a metal decoration type electronic key.

  The hands-free system 2 will be described below. The vehicle 1 is provided with a controller 4 that performs overall control of the hands-free system 2. The controller 4 includes an out-of-vehicle LF transmitter 5 that is embedded in a door or the like and can transmit an LF band signal outside the vehicle, and an in-vehicle LF transmitter 6 that is embedded under the floor of the vehicle and that can transmit an LF band signal into the vehicle. And an RF receiver 7 that is embedded in an in-vehicle rearview mirror and can receive an RF band signal. These LF transmitters 5 and 6 can transmit the request signal Srq to the surroundings, and the outside LF transmitter 5 forms an outside communication area of the request signal Srq around the vehicle, and the in-vehicle LF transmitter 6 extends throughout the inside of the vehicle. An in-vehicle communication area for the request signal Srq is formed.

  For example, a touch sensor 8 embedded in a handle knob outside the vehicle is connected to the controller 4. The touch sensor 8 detects an operation of touching the handle knob when the operator releases the locked door lock. For example, a lock button 9 provided on the handle knob is connected to the controller 4. The lock button 9 is pushed when the operator locks the unlocked door lock. The controller 4 is connected to a door lock motor 10 that is a drive source when the door lock is locked and unlocked.

  On the other hand, the portable device 3 includes a wireless communication mechanism 11 that performs wireless communication with the vehicle 1 in accordance with the hands-free system 2. The wireless communication mechanism 11 includes a communication control unit 12 as a control unit of the wireless communication mechanism 11, an LF reception circuit 13 that can receive an LF band signal, and an RF transmission circuit 14 that can transmit an RF band signal. It has been. The LF reception circuit 13 demodulates the received LF band signal and outputs the demodulated signal to the communication control unit 12 as reception data. The RF transmission circuit 14 can transmit an RF band ID signal Sid carrying a unique ID code (identification code) of the portable device 3 in accordance with a command from the communication control unit 12.

  When the vehicle 1 is in a parked state (engine stop and door lock locked state), the controller 4 intermittently transmits a request signal Srq for the LF band from the external LF transmitter 5 to form an external communication area around the vehicle. When the portable device 3 enters the outside communication area and receives the request signal Srq by the LF receiving circuit 13, the portable device 3 responds to the request signal Srq and sends the ID signal Sid carrying its own ID code to the RF transmission circuit. 14 returns with an RF band signal. When the controller 4 receives the ID signal Sid via the RF receiver 7, the controller 4 compares the ID code registered in the controller 4 with the ID code of the portable device 3 and performs ID verification (external vehicle verification). When the vehicle outside verification is established, the controller 4 recognizes the vehicle outside verification establishment by setting a vehicle outside verification establishment flag in an internal memory and activates the standby touch sensor 8. When the touch sensor 8 detects a touch operation on the outside handle knob with the touch sensor 8 under the outside vehicle verification, the controller 4 rotates the door lock motor 10 to one side to release the locked door lock.

  On the other hand, when the vehicle 1 is in a stopped state (engine stopped and door unlocked state), the controller 4 transmits a request signal Srq from the outside LF transmitter 5 when detecting that the lock button 9 is pressed. When the controller 4 receives the request signal Srq and recognizes in the ID signal Sid returned from the portable device 3 that the vehicle exterior verification has been established, the controller 4 rotates the door lock motor 10 to the other side to lock the unlocked door lock. To do.

  Connected to the controller 4 are an engine 15 serving as a driving source for the vehicle 1 and an engine start switch 16 that is operated when the engine 15 (including on-vehicle accessories) is operated. When the controller 4 detects that the door has been opened from, for example, a courtesy switch or the like (not shown) after the vehicle outside verification has been established and the door lock has been released, the controller 4 recognizes that the driver is getting on and recognizes the in-vehicle LF transmitter 6. Transmits a request signal Srq to form an in-vehicle communication area. When the RF signal is received by the RF receiver 7, the controller 4 compares the ID code registered in the mobile device 3 with the ID code of the mobile device 3, and receives the ID signal Sid. Perform verification (in-vehicle verification). When the in-vehicle collation is established, the controller 4 recognizes that the in-vehicle collation is established by setting an in-vehicle collation establishment flag in the internal memory. When the boarding driver depresses the brake pedal and operates the engine start switch 16 to turn on the engine, the controller 4 that detects this operation checks the in-vehicle collation result, and if the in-vehicle collation is established, the ACC relay, IG relay, etc. These relays (not shown) are turned on, and ignition control and fuel injection control are started to start the engine 15.

  Further, the vehicle 1 is provided with an immobilizer system 18 that performs ID verification by wireless communication using a transponder 17 embedded in the portable device 3. The immobilizer system 18 is provided with a transponder key coil 19 that functions as an antenna when performing transponder communication with the portable device 3. The transponder key coil 19 is provided at the insertion port 20 of the portable device 3 located in the vicinity of the steering wheel and is connected to the controller 4. The immobilizer system 18 receives the drive radio wave Sv from the transponder key coil 19 when the portable device 3 is inserted into the insertion slot 20, and the code number in the transponder code signal Str sent back by the transponder 17 driven by this is sent to the vehicle. This is a system that collates IDs on the one side.

  When the controller 4 detects that the driver has turned on the engine start switch 16 while depressing the brake pedal, the controller 4 performs an operation for confirming whether or not the in-vehicle verification is established as an authentication operation before the engine is started. The collation establishment target to be performed is not limited to ID collation according to the hands-free system 2. That is, in order to respond to the battery running out of the portable device 3, the controller 4 at least confirms that ID verification has been established, and at least of two verifications of ID verification according to the hands-free system 2 and ID verification according to the immobilizer system 18. If either of them is established, it is recognized that the in-vehicle verification is established.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an emergency key 22 can be attached to and detached from the portable device body 21 that forms the main body of the portable device 3 as a sub key used in an emergency such as when the portable device 3 runs out of battery. It is stored. The emergency key 22 is a mechanical key that requires an operation of inserting the key into a key cylinder and turning it during operation. The emergency key 22 is made of a resin knob 23 that is held by a finger when the key is operated. It consists of a metal key plate 24 having a keyway. As shown in FIG. 3, a storage concave portion 25 having a predetermined amount of depression at a location where the emergency key 22 is attached is formed on the front side surface 21 a located on the front side of the four side surfaces of the portable device body 21. A housing hole 26 having an opening having a size equivalent to the cross-sectional area of the key plate 24 is formed in the recessed surface 25 a along the front side surface 21 a in the housing recess 25. The emergency key 22 is stored in the portable device main body 21 in an attachment state in which the knob portion 23 is fitted in the storage recess 25 while the key plate 24 is inserted into the storage hole 26. The portable device main body 21 corresponds to a key main body, and the emergency key 22 corresponds to a machine-operated key.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the portable device main body 21 has a thin flat plate shape and a rectangular shape in plan view. The portable device main body 21 has a resin upper case 28 and a lower case 29, and the wireless communication mechanism 11 is located at a position where the emergency key 22 is avoided in an internal storage space 27 (see FIG. 4) formed when these are assembled. It is stored. An upper concave portion 28a is formed in the front side surface position of the upper case 28 so as to form a storage concave portion 25 to be a place where the emergency key 22 is attached, and a similar lower concave portion 29a is formed also in the front side surface position of the lower case 29. Has been.

  When the portable device 3 has a wireless key function, an operation is performed on one surface (upper surface in FIGS. 2 to 4) of the portable device body 21 when the door lock of the vehicle 1 is locked by a button operation on the portable device 3. A lock switch 30 and an unlock switch 31 that is operated when the door lock of the vehicle 1 is unlocked by a button operation on the portable device 3 are also provided. When the communication control unit 12 detects that the lock switch 30 has been pressed, the communication control unit 12 transmits a lock request signal Sa (see FIG. 1) carrying its own ID code and lock request as an RF band signal to the RF transmission circuit 14. The door lock of the vehicle 1 in the unlocked state is set to the locked state. When the communication control unit 12 detects that the unlock switch 31 has been pressed, the communication control unit 12 sends an unlock request signal Sb (see FIG. 1) carrying its own ID code and unlock request to the RF band signal. Is transmitted from the RF transmission circuit 14, and the door lock of the vehicle 1 in the locked state is set to the unlocked state.

  An upper side decorative metal 32 made of a metal material such as aluminum or iron is attached to the surface of the upper case 28. The upper decorative metal 32 is a part that works to bring out a glittering design as seen in precious metal products on the surface of the portable device 3 so that the portable device 3 has a high-class feeling, and the metal surface is plated. ing. The upper side decorative metal 32 is formed such that a thin metal plate is formed in a substantially ring shape against the periphery of the upper case 28. On the surface of the upper case 28, as shown in FIG. 4, a step 34 whose height is one step lower than the central portion 33 of the upper case 28 is annularly recessed along the periphery of the case. The upper side decorative metal 32 is formed to be flush with the central portion 33 by being attached to the step portion 34 on the surface of the upper case 28. The lock switch 30 and the unlock switch 31 are disposed in the central portion 33 on the surface of the upper case 28.

  Further, a lower decorative metal 35 is formed on the back surface of the lower case 29 as a decorative member similar to the upper decorative metal 32. In addition, since the lower side decoration metal 35 of this example has taken the same structure as the upper side decoration metal 32, it abbreviate | omits for details. However, the lock switch 30 and the unlock switch 31 are provided only on the upper case 28 side of the upper case 28 and the lower case 29 as shown in FIGS. The upper side decorative metal 32, the upper case 28, the lower case 29, and the lower side decorative metal 35 are in an assembled state where they are stacked along the thickness direction of the portable device 3. In addition, the upper side decoration metal 32 and the lower side decoration metal 35 comprise a metal decoration part.

  In the upper side decorative metal 32, a slit 36 that cuts the upper side decorative metal 32 in the middle is formed in a notch at a position where the storage concave portion 25 is located. That is, the slit 36 of this example plays a role of cutting the upper side decorative metal 32 in the middle thereof so that the upper side decorative metal 32 does not take an annular shape that draws a circle in the plane direction. Since the slits 36 are one component of the storage recess 25 formed in the portable device body 21, the slits 36 are formed at the same width interval at the position where the storage recess 25 is formed. When the emergency key 22 is stored in the portable device main body 21, the knob portion 23 is fitted in the storage recess 25. At this time, the knob portion 23 is fitted in the slit 36. . A slit 37 similar to the slit 36 of the upper side decorative metal 32 is also cut out in the lower side decorative metal 35.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 (a) and 5 (b), the knob portion 23 of the emergency key 22 is sized to protrude outward from the outer surface (key outer surface) of the portable device body 21. The projecting portion is a projecting portion 38. The protrusion 38 has a pair of cut end portions 36a and 36a (not cut end portions 37a and 37a in the case of the lower decorative metal 35) formed by forming the slit 36 in the upper side decorative metal 32, and other metal members. This is a place that plays a role of making it difficult for a situation in which connection is made by a metal accessory (for example, a metal accessory attached to the portable device 3). As shown in FIG. 2, the protrusion 38 of this example is more outward than the metal placement surface that connects the left and right decorative metal materials on both sides of the slit 36 (the place where the decorative metal is not present). Say the part that popped out. In addition, the protrusion 38 has a shape that protrudes outward on all surfaces where the decorative metal material is present on each surface of the mobile device body 21. In this example, the front surface, the back surface, and the front surface of the mobile device body 21. A gentle curved surface is formed on the front surface and the back surface of the portable device body 21 while projecting outward from the three outer surfaces of the side surfaces.

  By the way, a metal shape such as aluminum used for the decorative metals 32 and 35 is, for example, a member shape that is continuous in a direction of drawing a circle in the plane direction of the metal, that is, a shape in which the decorative metals 32 and 35 form a closed loop. In this case, when the portable device 3 performs hands-free communication or wireless communication with the vehicle 1, considering the situation where the decorative metals 32 and 35 having a closed loop shape receive transmission / reception radio waves, the decorative metals 32 and 35 at this time are used. In the plane direction, an eddy current (see FIG. 5A) flows in the direction of drawing a circle. When an eddy current flows through the decorative metals 32 and 35, the generation of the eddy current causes the decorative metals 32 and 35 to function as a radio wave shielding member that cuts off the transmission of radio waves there. If the decorative metals 32 and 35 block radio waves, even if the wireless communication mechanism 11 mounted on the portable device 3 attempts to perform wireless communication with the vehicle 1, this wireless communication will be adversely affected. This is not preferable from the viewpoint of ensuring wireless communication performance.

  Therefore, the slits 36 and 37 are formed by dividing the decorative metals 32 and 35 at their positions, so that the decorative metals 32 and 35 are not continuous as members, that is, the decorative metals 32 and 35 have an open loop shape. I have a role to take. Therefore, the decorative metals 32 and 35 having such an open loop shape have a characteristic that eddy currents hardly occur in the decorative metals 32 and 35 even if they are in a situation of receiving transmission / reception radio waves. If the slits 36 and 37 are formed, the decorative metals 32 and 35 are difficult to function as radio wave shielding members. For this reason, if the slits 36 and 37 are formed in the decorative metals 32 and 35 even if the mobile device 3 is decorated with the decorative metals 32 and 35 in order to ensure the design of the portable device 3, the decoration is provided. With the suppression of eddy current generation in the metals 32 and 35, sufficient wireless communication performance of the portable device 3 is also ensured.

  By the way, depending on the use situation of the portable device 3, another metal member different from the portable device 3 comes into contact with the decorative metals 32 and 35 at the slits 36 and 37, and the slits 36 and 37 are connected metallically. It can also be a situation that ends up. At this time, the slits 36 and 37 do not perform the function of dividing the decorative metals 32 and 35 into an open loop state, and the decorative metals 32 and 35 function as a radio wave shielding member, adversely affecting the wireless communication performance of the portable device 3. Comes out. In particular, since the portable device 3 of this example has a hands-free function that allows door locking / unlocking and the like without actually operating the portable device 3, the frequency with which the portable device 3 is used while being placed in a pocket of clothes, etc. For example, if a metal member is contained in the pocket, there is a concern that the decorative metal 32, 35 is likely to be connected to the metal by the metal member.

  Therefore, in the portable device 3 of this example, a protrusion 38 is formed on the knob portion 23 of the emergency key 22. Therefore, for example, even if another metal member comes into contact with the slits 36 and 37 of the decorative metals 32 and 35, if the contact metal member is, for example, a metal having a flat plate shape, the portable device 3 has the protrusion 38. This part is brought into a contact state where it floats from the contact metal member at the fulcrum. For this reason, since it becomes difficult to produce the situation where a contact metal member connects notch end part 36a, 36a of the upper side decorating metal 32, and notch end part 37a, 37a of the lower side decorating metal 35, it decorates. Since it becomes easy for the metals 32 and 35 to maintain an open loop state, it becomes possible to make it difficult for the decorative metals 32 and 35 to function as a radio wave shielding member. Therefore, even if metal decoration is applied to the portable device 3 to enhance the design, the sufficient wireless communication performance of the portable device 3 can be ensured.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the protrusion 38 is formed on the emergency key 22 housed in the portable device body 21, even if the portable device 3 comes into contact with other metal members, the portable device 3 at this time does not The contact state that rises to the fulcrum is taken. For this reason, it becomes difficult to produce the situation where another metal member contacts the slits 36 and 37 formed in the decorative metals 32 and 35 so that the decorative metals 32 and 35 do not function as a radio wave shielding member. , 35 are in a metal-closed state due to contact with other metal materials, and it is difficult to cause a situation where they function as radio wave shielding members. Therefore, even if the decorative metals 32 and 35 are attached to enhance the design of the portable device 3, sufficient wireless communication performance can be ensured.

  (2) When the emergency key 22 is housed in the portable device main body 21, the knob portion 23 of the emergency key 22 is fitted into the slits 36 and 37, and the knob portion 23 is attached to the surface of the portable device main body 21. This projecting portion is used as the projecting portion 38 by projecting outward. For this reason, the protrusions 38 of this example that restrict the slits 36 and 37 from being metallically connected by other metal materials are positioned at the slits 36 and 37 that are a cause of concern for deterioration in wireless communication performance. Therefore, when the portable device 3 comes into contact with another metal material, one band of the slits 36 and 37 is lifted by the protrusion 38 and moves away from the other metal material. Therefore, the situation where the slits 36 and 37 are in contact with other metal materials can be made less likely to occur, and the effect of ensuring the wireless communication performance of the portable device 3 can be further satisfied.

(3) Since the protrusion 38 is formed on the knob portion 23 of the emergency key 22, the protrusion 38 of this example for preventing the wireless communication performance of the portable device 3 from deteriorating is located on the emergency key 22 side. Therefore, in the case where the portable device 3 originally has the emergency key 22 stored therein, the structure of this example can be realized by increasing the diameter of the knob portion 23 of the emergency key 22. Therefore, since the portable device main body 21 does not require any special design change or the like, the portable device main body 21 that has been used up to now can be used without any problems of drastically changing the design or adding parts. It is possible to take measures to deteriorate the wireless communication performance of the portable device 3.
(4) The protrusion 38 that prevents the metallic connection of the slits 36 and 37 is the entire surface where the decorative metals 32 and 35 are exposed on the surface of the mobile device body 21 (that is, the front surface, the back surface, and the front side surface of the mobile device body 21). ). For this reason, the situation in which the decorative metals 32 and 35 are metallically connected by other metal members is less likely to occur, and this is highly effective in ensuring further wireless communication performance of the portable device 3.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The second embodiment has a configuration in which only the arrangement location of the protrusions 38 in the first embodiment is changed. Therefore, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof is omitted, and is different. Only the part will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the protrusion 38 of this example is formed not on the emergency key 22 but on the portable device body 21, and an upper side protrusion 38 a formed on the upper case 28 and a lower side formed on the lower case 29. It consists of the protrusion 38b. The upper side protrusion 38a has a substantially arc-shaped cross section that protrudes outward from the front surface and the front side surface of the portable device main body 21, and serves to prevent the upper side decorative metal 32 from contacting other metal members. . Further, the lower side protrusion 38b has a substantially arc shape in cross section that protrudes outward from the back surface and the front side surface of the portable device body 21, and serves to prevent the lower decorative metal 35 from contacting other metal members. Take on.

  A storage hole 40 following the storage hole 26 into which the emergency key 22 is inserted is formed between the upper-side protrusion 38a and the lower-side protrusion 38b. When the emergency key 22 is stored in the portable device body 21, the key plate 24 of the emergency key 22 is inserted into the storage hole 26 of the portable device body 21, and the knob portion 23 of the emergency key 22 is inserted into the storage hole 40. Take the installation state fitted in. The knob part 23 of the emergency key 22 is formed so that the surface thereof is flush with the upper side protrusions 38 a and the lower side protrusions 38 b when the knob part 23 is stored in the portable device body 21.

According to this embodiment, in addition to the effects described in (1), (2), and (4) of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(5) Since the protrusion 38 is formed on the portable device main body 21, the protrusion 38 is always present on the portable device 3 regardless of the presence or absence of the emergency key 22. For this reason, the situation where the slits 36 and 37 of the decorative metals 32 and 35 are metallicly connected by other metal members is less likely to occur, and this is highly effective in ensuring further wireless communication performance of the portable device 3.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, since 3rd Embodiment is an example which further increased the location of the protrusion with respect to 1st and 2nd Embodiment, only a part from which this example also differs is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the portable device main body 21, a protrusion on the portable device main body 21 side having the same function as the protrusion 38 of the first and second embodiments is provided at the center of the upper surface and the lower surface. A portion 41 is formed. The protrusion 41 includes an upper-side center protrusion 41 a formed at the center of the surface of the upper case 28 and a lower-side center protrusion 41 b formed at the center of the surface of the lower case 29. The upper-side central protrusion 41a is formed by raising the entire portion of the upper case 28 where the upper-side decorative metal 32 is absent into a curved surface, and the surface has a rounded shape. Further, the lower side central protrusion 41b is formed by raising the entire portion without the lower side decorative metal 35 on the surface of the lower case 29 into a curved shape, and the surface has a rounded shape.

  In this example, since the protrusions 41 (41a, 41b) are formed not only in the emergency key 22 but also in the central portion of the upper surface and the lower surface of the portable device main body 21, for example, as shown in FIGS. In addition, even if the other metal member 42 gets into (contacts with) the center of the portable device 3, the decorative metals 32 and 35 take a closed loop by the other metal member 42 that takes such a contact state. No situation arises. Therefore, when forming this kind of protrusion for preventing wireless communication degradation on the portable device 3, the protrusion 41 (41a, 41b) is also formed at the center of the upper surface and the lower surface of the portable device 3 as in this example. For example, the situation in which the decorative metals 32 and 35 take a closed loop due to the other metal member 42 is less likely to occur, so that the wireless communication performance degradation (reduction in radio wave performance) of the portable device 3 can be further less likely to occur. It becomes.

  In addition, the shape of the protrusion 41 formed in the center part of the upper surface and the lower surface of the portable device 3 is not necessarily limited to a curved cross-sectional shape. For example, as shown in FIG. Shape may be sufficient. Thus, even when the protrusion 41 has a cross-sectional step shape, the decorative metals 32 and 35 are metallically connected by other metal members 42 in the same manner as when the protrusion 41 has a curved cross-sectional shape. Therefore, it is possible to make the wireless communication performance of the portable device 3 more unlikely to deteriorate. Further, when the protrusion 41 has a stepped shape in cross section, the appearance of the portable device 3 takes a shape based on a straight line, so that the design of the portable device 3 can be made stylish.

According to this embodiment, in addition to the effects described in (1) to (4) of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(6) In addition to forming the protrusion 38 on the emergency key 22 housed in the portable device 3, decorative metals 32 and 35 are placed on the center of the upper surface and the lower surface of the portable device body (case) 21. Since the protrusions 41 that are connected by the member 42 and prevent the closed loop from being formed are also formed in a single zone, the situation in which the decorative metals 32 and 35 take a closed loop due to the contact of the other metal member 42 is less likely to occur. Therefore, the wireless communication performance degradation of the portable device 3 caused by the decoration metal 32, 35 coming into contact with the other metal member 42 and taking a closed loop can be further prevented.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, 4th Embodiment is described according to FIG.11 and FIG.12. In addition, since 4th Embodiment is an example which changed the shape of the protrusions 38 and 41 with the shape change of this portable machine 3, changing the external shape of the portable machine 3 with respect to 3rd Embodiment. In this example, only different parts will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the portable device 3 of this example has a rounded outer shape when the portable device main body 21 has a shape with an elliptical cross section. Thus, the upper case 28 has a curved cross-sectional shape at the wall portion constituting the upper wall of the portable device body 21, and the lower case 29 has a similar curved cross-sectional shape. Moreover, the cross section of the upper side decoration metal 32 has a curved shape in accordance with the shape of the upper case 28 (portable device main body 21), and the lower side decoration metal 35 has the same shape.

  Moreover, in this example, since the portable device main body 21 has an elliptical cross section, the surface portion of the portable device main body 21 (in short, the case) connects the decorative metal materials on the left and right sides as shown in FIG. It protrudes above the metal placement surface. By the way, this protruding portion does not protrude outside the surface of the decorative metals 32 and 35 when viewed on the surface of the portable device body 21, but when viewed from the metal arrangement surface, Since it takes the state which protruded outside rather than it, it acts as a location which controls that the decoration metals 32 and 35 take a closed loop metallically by the contact with the other metal member 42. FIG. Therefore, when the external shape of the portable device main body 21 is an elliptical cross section, the inner portions of the decorative metals 32 and 35 at this time function as the protrusions 41 described in the third embodiment. Note that a part of the knob portion 23 of the emergency key 22 also protrudes above the metal arrangement surface, so that this protruding portion functions as the protrusion 38.

  Also in this example, since the protrusions 38 and 41 protruding above the metal arrangement surface are formed on the surface (upper surface and lower surface) of the portable device 3, as shown in FIG. 3, even if another metal member 42 comes into contact with the top surface (FIG. 12 is the top surface), the projecting portions 38 and 41 work so that the decorative metals 32 and 35 contact the other metal member 42 to form a metallic closed loop. It is difficult for a situation to occur. Thereby, also in this example, it becomes possible to ensure the wireless communication performance of the portable device 3. Moreover, since the external appearance design of the portable device 3 has a curved shape as a whole, the design of the portable device 3 can be improved.

According to this embodiment, in addition to the effects described in (1) to (4) of the first embodiment and the effects described in (6) of the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(7) Since the appearance design of the portable device 3 can be a shape having a curved surface, the design of the portable device 3 can be improved.

Note that the embodiment is not limited to the configuration described so far, and may be modified as follows.
-In 1st-4th embodiment, the accommodation position at the time of accommodating the emergency key 22 in the portable device main body 21 is not limited to the short side among each side of the portable device main body 21, FIG. ), The long side of the portable device main body 21 may be used.

  -In 1st-4th embodiment, the emergency key 22 is not necessarily limited to being accommodated in the portable device main body 21, and as shown in FIG. 13B, a plurality of (for example, two) emergency keys 22 are provided. A key may be stored.

  -In 1st-4th embodiment, the decoration metals 32 and 35 are not necessarily limited to being formed in the front and back both surfaces of the portable device main body 21, but as shown in FIG.13 (c), the portable device main body 21 is shown. The structure by which metal decoration is given only to one side (FIG.13 (c) is an upper surface) among the front and back of this may be sufficient.

  -In 1st-4th embodiment, a metal decorating part is not necessarily limited to the upper and lower 2 board | plate materials which comprise the cyclic | annular shape along the periphery of the portable device main body 21. FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 13 (d), the metal decoration portion of this example may be an integrated all-around metal 51 that surrounds the periphery of the portable device body 21 from the side surface side. In this case, the perimeter metal 51 is formed with a single slit 52 that divides the perimeter metal 51 into an open loop shape at the location where the emergency key 22 is housed, by cutting out this portion. In addition, the all-around metal 51 also comprises a metal decoration part.

  -In 1st-4th embodiment, the accommodation position at the time of accommodating the emergency key 22 in the portable device main body 21 is not limited to the center position in the front side surface 21a of the portable device main body 21, FIG.13 (e). As shown in FIG. 4, the end portion position may be set on the front side surface 21a of the portable device main body 21.

  -In 1st-4th embodiment, the protrusion 38 formed in the knob part 23 of the emergency key 22 is not necessarily limited to the shape where the whole knob part protrudes outward. For example, as shown in FIG. 13 (f), when the slits 36 and 37 have a narrow width, even if a part of the knob portion 23 has a shape protruding outward from the gap between the slits 36 and 37. Good.

  -In 1st-4th embodiment, when forming the protrusion 38 in the emergency key 22, this protrusion 38 is not necessarily formed in three outer surfaces, a case surface, a back surface, and a side surface, For example, in FIG. As shown, it may be formed only on the side surface of the case. That is, the portion protruding outward in the knob portion 23 can be changed as appropriate.

  -In 1st-4th embodiment, the protrusions 38 and 41 are not necessarily arrange | positioned in the position which blocks the slits 36 and 37, but are arrange | positioned in the upper surface of the center part 33 in the portable device main body 21, etc. The arrangement position is not particularly limited.

  -In 1st-4th embodiment, the protrusions 38 and 41 do not necessarily protrude outward in the whole surface where the decorating metals 32 and 35 exist, but at least one surface is outside on these metal existing surfaces. It only has to protrude in the direction.

  -In 1st-4th embodiment, the portable device 3 is not necessarily limited to the structure which accommodates the emergency key 22, The portable device which does not accommodate the emergency key 22 may be sufficient.

  -In 1st-4th embodiment, the portable device 3 does not necessarily need to have both a hands-free function and a remote control function, and should just have one of these both functions.

-In 1st-4th embodiment, all the metal decoration parts are not necessarily limited to being metal, For example, the two-layer structure where a base is resin and a metal exists in the surface may be sufficient.
In the first to fourth embodiments, the hands-free system 2 relates to the door lock locking / unlocking function. When the portable device 3 approaches the door locked vehicle 1, the door lock is automatically unlocked, and the door unlocked state A system in which a door lock is automatically locked when the portable device 3 leaves the vehicle 1 may be used.

  -In 1st-4th embodiment, the protrusions 38 and 41 are not necessarily formed in both the portable main body 21 and the emergency key 22, and should just be formed in one of these. .

  -In 1st-4th embodiment, the shape of the decoration metals 32 and 35 (all the circumference | surroundings metal 51) does not necessarily take the shape extended cyclically | annularly along the periphery of the portable device main body 21, For example, a portable device The main body 21 may have a shape arranged on a part of the surface (for example, a part of the upper surface).

In the first to fourth embodiments, the shape of the slits 36, 37, and 52 is not necessarily limited to a long and narrow shape, and various shapes such as a tapered shape may be employed.
-In 1st-4th embodiment, the magnitude | size of the width direction of the slits 36, 37, 52 is not specifically limited, whether narrow or wide.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the slits 36, 37, 52 are not limited to being formed one by one on each decorative metal, and may be formed in plurality regardless of whether the emergency key 22 can be stored.

  -In 1st-4th embodiment, if the protrusions 38 and 41 have taken the shape where not only the shape which the whole part without a metal material rises in the surface of the portable machine 3 but only at least one part rises. Good.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the electronic key is not necessarily limited to the portable device 3 used as a vehicle key, and may be a key used when operating an apparatus or device by skipping its own ID code by wireless communication. For example, the subject of adoption is not particularly limited.

Next, technical ideas that can be grasped from the above-described embodiment and other examples will be described below together with their effects.
(1) In Claim 1 or 2 , the said protrusion has comprised the shape which protruded outward rather than the surface of the said metal decoration part in all the surfaces in which the said metal decoration part exists. According to this configuration, since the protrusions are formed on all the surfaces where the metal decoration portion exists on each surface of the key body, the slits provided in the metal decoration portion are metallically connected by the other metal member. Therefore, the effect of ensuring the wireless communication performance of the electronic key can be further satisfied.

(2) The metal decoration according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising a machine-operated key housed as a sub key in the key body, wherein the protrusion is formed in the sub key and has an annular shape in the key body. It is formed at the inner position of the part. According to this configuration, the situation in which the metal decorating part comes into contact with another metal member and takes a closed loop is less likely to occur, and the wireless communication performance of the electronic key is less likely to be deteriorated.

The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the hands-free system in 1st Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the external appearance shape of a portable machine. The perspective view of a portable machine when taking out an emergency key from a portable machine. The disassembled perspective view which shows the case structure of a portable machine. (A) is the top view which looked at the portable machine from the surface, (b) is the top view which looked at the portable machine from the back. The perspective view which shows the external appearance shape of the portable machine in 2nd Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the external appearance shape of the portable device in 3rd Embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the portable machine of the state which the other metal member touched the decoration metal. The perspective view of the portable machine of the state which the other metal member touched the decoration metal. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the portable machine from which a protrusion takes another shape. The perspective view which shows the external appearance shape of the portable device in 4th Embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the portable machine of the state which the other metal member touched the decoration metal. (A)-(f) is the perspective view which enumerated the portable machine in another example. The perspective view which shows the external appearance shape of the portable device in another example.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle as communication object, 21 ... Portable machine main body as a key body, 22 ... Emergency key as a machine operation type key, 32 ... Upper side decoration metal which comprises a metal decoration part, 35 ... Metal decoration part Lower side decorative metal, 36, 37... Slit, 38, 41... Projection, 51.

Claims (2)

When the identification code unique to itself is transmitted wirelessly to the communication target, if the verification of the identification code matches with the communication target, the operation of the communication target can be permitted or executed, A metal decoration part is formed on the key body to satisfy the design properties of the key, and the slit capable of dividing the metal decoration part along the eddy current direction that can be generated in the metal decoration part when transmitting and receiving radio waves. In the metal decoration type electronic key formed in the metal decoration part,
A machine-operated key housed as a sub key in the key body,
At least one outer surface of the key outer surface where the metal decoration portion exists is formed with a protrusion protruding outward from the metal arrangement surface on the outer surface, and the protrusion is formed on the machine-operated key and the slit A metal-decorated electronic key characterized by being arranged in 2. The metal decoration type electronic key according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is formed at an inner position of the metal decoration portion forming an annular shape in the key body.

Images