JPH068213Y2 - Key device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] <Industrial field of application> The present invention is based on a key shank for operating a mechanical locking device with a case body containing an electronic circuit for transmitting a specific code signal. The present invention relates to a key device fixed to an end portion.

<Prior Art> Various key devices have been proposed in which a mechanical device (key contour shape) and an electrical device (digital pulse) are used together to operate a lock device. According to this, use of the duplicate key or picking (unauthorized unlocking) becomes difficult, the theft prevention can be further ensured, and the lock device such as the door can be remotely operated.

In such a key device, it is desirable that a mechanical lock device such as a cylinder lock can be locked / unlocked in the same manner as a conventional type key and that it does not interfere with carrying. The electronic circuit is built into the grip of the key.

As a structure that incorporates an electronic circuit in the grip of the key,
For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-207582, a key shank having a key crest is provided with a recess for an electronic circuit accommodating portion, and a key is formed by a cover formed in two. A structure that covers the housing of the electronic circuit together with the base of the shank, or
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 66, there has been proposed a structure in which the base of a key shank is sandwiched by two cases from both sides and an electronic circuit is housed in a space in the case.

<Problems to be solved by the invention> However, according to the above-mentioned structure, since both of them sandwich the base of the key shank between the two split cases, the case is fixed to the base of the key shank. However, there is a problem in that workability is poor, and screw holes are exposed in the grip portion of the key, and the feel and design are impaired. In addition, the sealing property of the joint surface between the two halves of the case formed in two can be a problem.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and its main purpose is to construct a grip portion having excellent assembly workability and sealability, high rigidity, and high designability. An object of the present invention is to provide a key device having a structure of a case body to be obtained.

[Structure of the Invention] <Means for Solving the Problems> According to the present invention, a key for operating a mechanical locking device is a case body having an electronic circuit for transmitting a specific code signal. A key device fixed to a base end portion of a shank, wherein the case body has a flat bottomed cylindrical body having a hollow portion opened at one side, and the key is formed by closing the opening of the cylindrical body. It is achieved by providing a key device comprising a lid body through which a shank is inserted, and a base end portion of the key shank is formed to have a width substantially equal to an inner width of the hollow portion.

<Operation> In this way, by closing the opening of the bottomed cylindrical case body with the lid body through which the key shank is inserted, by closing the opening with the lid body, the case body and the key shank are separated. Since the key shank is integrated, the rigidity of the grip portion of the key is increased in combination with the fact that the base end portion of the key shank is formed to have a width substantially equal to the inner and outer sides of the hollow portion. Also, since the case body has a cylindrical shape, O
It can be easily sealed using a ring or the like. Furthermore, since the screws and the like are not exposed at the grip portion, the feel and design are improved.

<Embodiment> Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 to 3 show a vehicle key device constructed according to the present invention. The key device 1 includes a key shank 2 formed with a predetermined key mountain 2a for locking and unlocking a lock device including a known cylinder lock, and a circuit board 3 provided on a key shank base portion 2b. It comprises a case body 4 for covering the entire surface of the circuit board 3 and a lid body 6 for closing the opening 5 of the case body 4 and at the same time connecting the case body 4 and the key shank 2.

The key shank 2 is made of a metal plate and is basically the same as a conventional mechanical key, but it covers both sides of the key shank base 2b, which is equivalent to the grip of a conventional key.
The circuit board 3 described above is attached.

The circuit board 3 is composed of a flexible film-like printed board on which a code starting circuit 7 composed of an LSI or an IC chip and a push button switch 8 are mounted, and is folded so as to cover both sides of the key shank base portion 2b. . A power supply unit including a chargeable / dischargeable built-in battery 9 is formed on the surface opposite to the cord starting circuit.

The case body 4 has a flat bottomed cylindrical shape and is integrally molded with a synthetic resin material or the like. The opening 5 is exposed at the end of the key shank base 2b to which the circuit board 3 is attached. The entire key shank base portion 2b can be housed inside. Further, a touch portion 10 made of a highly flexible material such as a rubber material is provided in a portion of the peripheral wall of the case body 4 corresponding to the push button switch 8,
The push button switch 8 can be operated from the outer surface of the case body 4.

The lid 6 is made of a light-transmissive resin material, and has a flat hole 11 formed in the central portion through which the key shank 2 can be inserted, and one side of the lid 6 is relatively close to the opening 5 of the case body 4. A mating seal portion 12 is formed, and a pair of leg pieces 13 along the side edge of the key shank 2 are projected on the other side. At the base side of both leg pieces 13 inside the seal part 12 of the lid body 6, recesses 12a are respectively provided so as to be recessed.
A light emitting element 14 such as an LED is embedded in each 2a via a grommet 15 made of a rubber material.

Electrodes 16 having a partially cylindrical shape are attached to the outer peripheral surfaces of both leg pieces 13. A concave groove 17 is formed on the surfaces of the two leg pieces 13 that face each other so that they can engage with a ridge 18 formed on the side edge of the key shank 2 on the base side. The engaging ends A of the groove 17 and the ridge 18 on the free end side of the leg piece 13 are formed at acute angles with each other as shown in FIG. 2, whereby the leg piece 13 is prevented from being deformed outward. It is supposed not to.

When assembling the key device 1 thus formed, the grommet 15 to which the light emitting element 14 is assembled in advance is fitted into the recess 12a. At this time, the optical axis center L of the light emitting element 14 with respect to the axis of the key shank 2 is set to have a certain angle that is directed in the diffusion direction, as indicated by the symbol B in FIG.

Next, the key shank 2 is inserted into the hole 11 of the lid body 6, and the protrusion 18 on the side edge of the key shank is engaged with the concave groove 17 of the leg piece 13. As a result, the relative position between the key shank 2 and the lid 6 is determined, and at the same time, the lead terminal 14 of the light emitting element 14 is determined.
a and the lead terminal 16a of the electrode 16 and the printed pattern 3a on the circuit board 3 are electrically connected to each other.
By soldering in this state, the lead terminals 14a and 16a are fixed on the printed circuit board 3.

Next, after the O-ring 19 is interposed, the seal portion 1 of the lid 6 is placed.
2 Fit the opening 5 of the case body 4 on the outer periphery. At this time, the third
As shown in the figure, the case body 4 and the lid body 6 are coupled to each other by the engagement of the convex portion 4a and the concave portion 6a formed between the case body 4 and the lid body 6.

In this way, the key shank 2 and the case body 4 are integrally coupled via the lid body 6.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a part of a vehicle engine control circuit using the key device 1 described above. The steering column 21 of the vehicle is provided with a key switch 22 as an ignition switch which is integrated with a steering lock.

The key switch 22 is the key shank 2 in the inserted state.
A pair of terminals 23 provided so as to be capable of elastically contacting both electrodes 16 located at the base of the light-receiving element, and a light-receiving element 24 formed of, for example, a phototransistor, for receiving light from the light-emitting element 14. Have The terminal 23 and the light receiving element 24 are the control unit 25 provided in the vehicle.
Respectively connected to. An on-vehicle battery 26 as a power source, a starter circuit 27 for starting the engine, and an ignition circuit 28 for controlling the engine rotation are connected to the control unit 25.

The key switch 22 includes "LOCK", "OFF", and "ACC" in order to operate the starter circuit 27, the ignition circuit 28, and other vehicle-mounted devices (not shown) in the same manner as a known key switch for a vehicle. ]
Each position of "ON" and "ST" is set, and it has a mechanical contact point that is closed according to the rotational position of the key device 1. Further, the light receiving element 24 is arranged, for example, at the “LOCK” position.

When the key device 1 is inserted into the key switch 22 in order to operate the key switch 22 configured as above,
The electrode 16 provided on the leg piece 13 of the lid 6 and the terminal 23 of the key switch 22 come into contact with each other. Then, a light emission command is issued from the control unit 25 to the code transmission circuit 7 provided inside the lid body 6 via the terminal 23 and the electrode 16. As a result, the encoded light emission signal is transmitted to the light emitting element 1.
It is transmitted from 4. The light receiving element 24 receives the code signal, and the control unit 25 compares the code signal with the code stored in the control unit 25. When it is confirmed that these coincide with each other, the control unit 25 outputs an auxiliary ON signal to the starter circuit 27 and the ignition circuit 28. As a result, the key switch 2 corresponding to the position of the key shank 2
Each circuit operates according to the closing of the switch circuit of No. 2, and the engine starts. At this time, if the code signal of the light emitting element 14 and the code stored in the control unit 25 do not match, the auxiliary ON signal is not output and an alarm is issued. The auxiliary ON signal described above is held until the key device 1 is pulled out from the key switch 22.

Further, when the key switch 22 is in the “ON” position, the control unit 2 is contacted by the contact between the electrode 16 and the terminal 23.
The voltage of the battery 26 is applied to the built-in battery 9 on the key device 1 side via 5, and a charging current is supplied to the built-in battery 9.

For a door lock, a trunk lid, or the like, a light receiving element is arranged near the key hole, and a code signal from the light emitting element 14 is output by the signal of the push button switch 8 output by pressing the touch portion 10 of the case body 4. Send
The lock device can be locked / unlocked by an actuator (not shown).

Now, it is desirable that the above-mentioned key device 1 is as small as possible for the convenience of carrying, and at the same time, the coupling strength between the key shank 2 and the case body 4 so as to withstand the torsion torque during use. Is preferably as high as possible. Therefore, in the present invention, the key shank 2 and the lid body 6 are first formed by integrally molding the case body 4 and inserting the key shank 2 into the hole 11 formed in the lid body 6 that closes the opening 5. Are firmly connected to each other, and the lid 6 and the case body 4 are fitted to each other through the O-ring 19 to secure the strength of the case body 4 as the grip portion.
At the same time, by forming the width dimension of the base end portion of the key shank 2 so as to be almost the same as the inner width of the case body 4, the torsional torque when the key is rotated is transmitted through the case body 4 to the key shank 2. , So that the torsional rigidity of the key can be increased.

The pair of light emitting elements 14 of the key device 1 are arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to the axis line.
This is for reversing the direction of insertion of. Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the one having the built-in rechargeable battery has been described, but it goes without saying that the same can be applied to a battery exchange type.

As described above, one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail for operating an ignition switch of a vehicle. However, the present invention may be used as a key switch for other control devices, a house, a storage, etc. It is possible.

<Effect of the Invention> As described above, according to the present invention, the shape of the storage case of the electronic circuit forming the grip portion of the key is a cylindrical body integrally formed, and the key shank is inserted through the opening of the cylindrical body. Since the key shank is closed by the closed lid body and the width dimension of the base end portion of the key shank is formed to be the dimension of the inner width of the case body, high torsional rigidity can be obtained relatively easily. Moreover, since the fitting portion between the case body and the lid body has the seal cage structure, the assembling can be performed easily and the high sealing performance can be obtained. Further, by adopting the configuration shown in the above embodiment, the case body can be attached / detached regardless of the circuit board attached to the key shank base portion, which not only reduces manufacturing man-hours but also facilitates maintenance such as battery replacement. Can be increased.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a key device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial plan view showing the key device by partially cutting it out, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the same. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an application example of the present invention. 1 ... key device, 2 ... key shank 2a ... key crest, 2b ... key shank base 3 ... circuit board, 3a ... print pattern 4 ... case body, 5 ... opening 6 ... lid body, 7 ... Code transmission circuit 8 ... Push button switch, 9 ... Built-in battery 10 ... Touch part, 11 ... Insertion hole 12 ... Inro part, 12a ... Dimple 13 ... Leg piece, 14 ... Light emitting element 14a ...... Lead terminal, 15 ...... Grommet 16 ...... Electrode, 16a ...... Lead terminal 17 ...... Concave groove, 18 ...... Projective shape 19 ...... O ring 21 ...... Steering column 22 ...... Key switch, 23 ...... Terminal 24 ... Light receiving element, 25 ... Control unit 26 ... Battery, 27 ... Starter circuit 28 ... Ignition circuit

Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Nobuyuki Onitsuka 3700 Wadayama, Shimonaka, Sadohara-cho, Miyazaki-gun, Miyazaki prefecture

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A key device in which a case body containing an electronic circuit for transmitting a specific code signal is fixed to a base end portion of a key shank for operating a mechanical lock device, wherein the case body is A flat bottomed tubular body having a hollow portion with one opening, and a lid body that closes the opening of the tubular body and through which the key shank is inserted, and the base end portion of the key shank is generally A key device, wherein the key device is formed to have a full width of the hollow portion.