JPH03261B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an electronic key device for an automobile that has several other functions in addition to engine start/stop functions.

(Prior Art) In recent years, in the automobile field, there has been a trend to electrify and automate various devices inside the car by installing microcomputers in the car. There is a system that stores a number of positions and automatically sets a comprehensive position suitable for a specific person based on a set code.

However, while such a system creates a comfortable interior environment, it has the disadvantage that it increases the number of operation switches, making the operation of the vehicle complicated.

One way to improve these shortcomings and simultaneously ensure a comfortable interior environment and simplify operation is by introducing an ignition system that controls the position settings of various devices inside the vehicle, which must be operated first when driving. Although it is conceivable to automatically set the positions of various equipment devices in conjunction with an ignition switch when the ignition switch is operated, there is currently no known technology that has been developed from this point of view.

An example of a system in which the ignition switch is associated with the operation of other devices is as shown in Japanese Utility Model Application No. 52-106940, in which the door lock is locked when the ignition key is inserted into the key cylinder. There is a device that prevents you from forgetting to remove the ignition key.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention provides an electronic key device for automobiles that can automatically set the positions of various equipment to the optimum state according to each driver simply by inserting the ignition key into the key cylinder. It was made for the purpose of providing.

(Structure of the Invention) The engine electronic key device of the present invention reads a predetermined identification pattern formed individually for each driver on the ignition key by a reading means provided on the ignition switch side. The present invention is characterized in that the positions of various equipment such as seats and room mirrors can be automatically adjusted to optimal positions preset for each identification pattern.

(Embodiment) FIGS. 1 and 2 show an electronic key device for an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention. This electronic key device includes an ignition switch X that starts and stops the engine, and a position adjustment device Y that adjusts the positions of vehicle equipment such as seats and mirrors.

The ignition switch
The switch body 3 includes a key cylinder 2 for turning off, and a switch body 3 rotatably housing the key cylinder 2, and an ignition key for operating the key cylinder 2 is provided in the key cylinder 2. 1
is inserted.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the position adjustment device Y is located inside the mouth end of the switch body 3 of the ignition switch
Head 1 of ignition key 1 inserted inside
a pair of light emitting diodes 5 mounted on one side of opposing positions sandwiching the ignition key 1 in the thickness direction; It has a phototransistor 6 and a second phototransistor 7. The first and second phototransistors 6 and 7 are activated by light reaching from the light emitting diode 5 side through a light passing hole 15 formed in the head of the ignition key 1, as shown in FIG. It outputs a code signal, and its output pattern is determined by the shape, size, and position of the light passing hole 15 formed in the ignition key 1 (i.e., the identification pattern in the claims). is set. That is, in this embodiment, since two phototransistors are used, a total of four code signals can be obtained from these phototransistors 6 and 7.
As shown in FIG.
A small rectangular light passing hole 15 is formed near the tip 1b of the ignition key 1B so that the light from the light emitting diode 5 can reach only the second phototransistor 7 (code signal, 0, 1),
In addition, the third ignition key 1C has the second
Contrary to the case of the ignition key 1B, a small rectangular light passing hole 15 is provided so that the light from the light emitting diode 5 can reach only the first phototransistor 6.
is formed near the head 1a side of the ignition key 1C (code signal, 1, 0), and the light from the light emitting diode 5 is transmitted to the fourth ignition key 1D by the first and second phototransistors. A relatively long rectangular light passing hole 15 is formed in the axial direction of the ignition key 1D so that both of the ignition keys 6 and 7 can be reached at the same time (code signal, 1, 1). By replacing 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D and inserting them into the key cylinder 2, four different code signals can be output to the controller 18 side. In FIG. 1, reference numerals 8 and 9 indicate a noise removal integration circuit;
0 and 11 are comparators.

Further, in this embodiment, the front and back position of the driver's seat 12, the direction of the rearview mirror 13, and the side mirror 14 are controlled by code signals inputted from the first and second phototransistors 6 and 7 to the controller 18. The direction of the image is adjusted simultaneously in four patterns. Therefore, drivers of different heights and sitting heights are divided into four types, and the purchaser of the car is provided with one or more types of ignition keys (if there are multiple drivers) that suit their type. and press each ignition key 1.
The controller 18 determines the optimal seat position, rearview mirror direction, and side mirror direction for each driver for each code signal determined by the light passing holes 15 (i.e., identification patterns) of A, 1B, 1C, and 1D. For example, if the first driver with the first ignition key 1A inserts the first ignition key 1A into the key cylinder 2, the code will be stored in the controller 18. A signal (0,0) is input, and the controller 18
The positions of the seat 12, rearview mirror 13, and side mirror 14 are automatically adjusted to the optimal position for the first driver by appropriate actuators, and the driver is automatically placed in a comfortable and safe driving position. can drive a car. Therefore, there is no need to separately adjust the seat position, mirror direction, etc. each time the driver changes, unlike in the case of conventional automobiles that are not equipped with such a position adjustment device, and driving operability is improved.

(Effects of the Invention) The electronic key device for an automobile of the present invention forms a predetermined identification pattern on the ignition key, reads the pattern by a reading means provided on the ignition switch side, and reads the pattern through the controller. Since the positions of equipment such as seats and mirrors are automatically adjusted to predetermined positions that are set in advance according to the pattern, the driver can use the ignition switch that has been formed with an identification pattern that corresponds to his/her own driving position. By simply inserting the key into the key cylinder, the positions of the seat, mirrors, etc. are automatically set to the optimum position for the user, and a comfortable and highly safe driving environment can be easily and quickly secured.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a control circuit diagram of an electronic key device for an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of an ignition switch section and an identification pattern diagram of an ignition key. 1...Ignition key, 2...Key cylinder, 3...Switch body, 5...Light emitting diode, 6, 7...Phototransistor, 15...Light hole, 18...Controller, A...Reading Means, X...ignition switch, X...position adjustment device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An ignition switch that is constructed by incorporating a key cylinder that operates switch contacts on and off into the switch body and that acts to start and stop the engine, and an ignition switch that is inserted into the key cylinder of the ignition switch and is An ignition key has the function of operating a key cylinder and has an individual identification pattern formed in a suitable place corresponding to each driver, and the ignition key is provided on the switch body of the ignition switch. a reading means for reading the identification pattern when the key is inserted into the key cylinder; and a reading means for reading the identification pattern when the key is inserted into the key cylinder, and a position of an equipment device that is activated in response to a signal from the reading means and is provided inside or outside the vehicle interior to the identification pattern. 1. An electronic key device for an automobile, comprising: a controller that operates to adjust the key to a preset position.