JPH0682528B2 - Switch structure for portable electronic devices - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a switch structure for a portable electronic device such as an electronic key device.

<Prior Art> A code signal transmitter using an electronic circuit has been put into practical use as a key for locking and unlocking a vehicle door. By using such a transmitter, it is practically impossible to use the duplicate key, and the theft prevention can be further ensured.

In portable electronic devices such as these transmitters, an electronic circuit and a power source are built in a casing formed to be portable, and a switch for generating a signal can be operated with a fingertip. In addition, the switch operation part is provided on the surface of the casing. From the viewpoint of operability, it is preferable that the operating portion of this switch projects to some extent from the surface of the casing.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, when the operation portion of the switch is projected from the surface of the casing as described above, when carrying in a pocket, the switch may be pushed by coming into contact with another carrying object. Therefore, there is a risk that the electronic circuit will be operated unnecessarily and the battery will be consumed.

In view of such inconvenience, a main object of the present invention is to provide an improved switch structure in a portable electronic device so that the switch does not operate without being caused by an artificial operation. is there.

<Means for Solving Problems> According to the present invention, such an object is a switch structure of a portable electronic device provided on the surface of a built-in electronic circuit to provide a predetermined command signal. A switch structure for a portable electronic device, characterized in that a contact sensor operated by direct contact with a human body and a pressure sensor operated by a predetermined pressure are connected in series with each other. Achieved by

<Operation> With this configuration, the switch can be operated only when the human body is in contact and a predetermined pressing force is applied.

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

1 to 3 show a vehicle key device 1 constructed according to the present invention. The key device 1 includes a lock 2 of a known lock device including a cylinder lock, a key 2 for unlocking, and a grip portion 3 that a user grips with a fingertip. The grip portion 3 is a base portion of the key 2. It is made of synthetic resin so as to cover the entire surface of the integrally formed key blank 4.

Inside the grip 3 and on both sides of the root of the key 20,
A pair of light emitting elements 5 is provided. This light emitting element 5
Is composed of, for example, an LED, and is installed with its optical axis directed toward the tip of the key 2.

A contact 6 is provided at an end edge of the root portion of the key 2 so as to be able to come into contact with a terminal provided on an ignition switch side of a vehicle, which will be described later, when the key 2 is inserted into a key hole (not shown). By this contact 6, power can be supplied from the vehicle side while the key device 1 is being inserted into the keyhole.

A circuit board 9 having a code transmitting circuit 7 and a push button switch 8 mounted thereon is attached to one surface of the key blank 4 housed in the grip portion 3. On the other surface of the key blank 4, a power supply unit including a chargeable / dischargeable built-in battery 10 is formed.

The push button switch 8 described above includes, for example, a pressure sensitive sensor made of conductive rubber or a micro switch having mechanical contacts, and generates a signal by a predetermined pushing force. Further, the push button switch 8 has its surface covered with the electrode 11 of the touch sensor as shown in the second. The contact sensor 11 is of an electrostatic type or a resistance type, for example, and detects a direct contact with a human body to generate a predetermined signal. The push button switch 8 and the electrode 11 of the touch sensor are connected in series to each other, and when they are pressed simultaneously, a command signal to the code transmission circuit 7 is first issued.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which parts corresponding to those of the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, in addition to the push button switch 8, a similar push button switch 8'is provided immediately on the other surface of the grip portion 3, and it is necessary to operate only one of the push button switches. The function is fulfilled, and the certainty of the operation of the key device 1 is improved.

FIG. 5 schematically shows a part of a vehicle engine control circuit using the key device 1 described above. The steering column of the vehicle 21 is provided with a key switch 22 as an ignition switch which is integrated with a steering lock.

The key switch 22 is provided to receive light from the light emitting element 5 and a pair of terminals 23 provided so as to elastically contact both contacts 6 of the key 2 in the inserted state. For example, it has a light receiving element 24 formed of a phototransistor. The terminal 23 and the light receiving element 24 are connected to a control unit 25 provided in the vehicle 21, respectively. Then, the control unit 25 is provided with an in-vehicle battery 2 as a power source.
6, a starter circuit 27 for starting the engine, and an ignition circuit 28 for controlling the engine rotation are connected.

The key switch 22 includes "LOCK", "OFF", and "ACC" in order to operate the starter circuit 27, the ignition circuit 28, and other in-vehicle devices (not shown) in the same manner as a known key switch for a vehicle. "," ON "," ST "positions are set, and mechanical contacts are built in. Further, the light receiving element 24 is arranged, for example, at a substantially intermediate portion between the “ON” position and the “ST” position.

When operating the key switch 22 configured as described above, the inserted key 2 is rotated to first unlock the steering lock as in a normal vehicle. Then "ACC"
When set to the position, the circuit of in-vehicle equipment such as a radio is turned on.

Further, when the push button switch 8 is pressed through the electrode 11 while rotating the key 2 between the "ON" position and the "ST" position, a coded light emitting signal is transmitted from the light emitting element 5. Then, the light receiving element 24 receives the coat signal, and the control unit 25 collates the code signal with the code stored in the control unit 25. When it is confirmed that they match, the control unit 25 outputs an auxiliary ON signal to the starter circuit 27 and the ignition circuit 28. As a result, each circuit operates according to the closing of the switch circuit of the key switch 22 according to the position of the key 2,
The engine starts.

At this time, the contact 6 of the key 2 and the terminal 23 of the key switch 2 contact each other, and the voltage of the battery 26 is applied to the built-in battery 10 on the key 2 side via the control unit 25. The terminal 23 may be used not only for charging, but also as a control terminal for sending and receiving code signals.

The pair of light emitting elements 5 of the key device 1 are arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to the axis, but this is for reversing the inserting direction of the key 2.

Now, it is customary to carry this kind of transmitter in a pocket or the like. Therefore, the switch for activating the signal circuit may be pushed due to contact with other items to be carried, and the internal battery 10 may be uselessly consumed. Therefore, in the present invention, as a command switch for generating a signal, a push button switch 8 operated by a pressing force is used.
And the electrode 11 of the touch sensor are connected in series, and the code signal generation circuit is provided only when the human body is in direct contact with the electrode 11 and the push button switch 8 is pressed by a predetermined value or more. 7 is working.

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the risk of transmitting a signal irrespective of an artificial operation, and there is a great effect in improving the handleability of this type of key device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view showing a key device according to the present invention with a part thereof cut away. FIG. 2 is a side view of the same. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the same. FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing another embodiment of the key device according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an application example of the present invention. 1 ... key device, 2 ... key 3 ... holding part, 4 ... key blank 5 ... light emitting element, 6 ... contact 7 ... code transmission circuit, 8,8 '... pushbutton switch 9 ... circuit Substrate, 10 ... Built-in battery 11 ... Electrode, 21 ... Vehicle 22 ... Key switch, 23 ... Terminal 24 ... Light receiving element, 25 ... Control unit 26 ... Battery, 27 ... Starter circuit 28 ... Ignition circuit

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Kazuhiro Sakata Inventor Kazuhiro Sakata 3700 Wadayama, Shimonaka, Sadohara-cho, Miyazaki-gun, Miyazaki Prefecture (56) Reference JP 62-164488 (JP, A) 62-141745 (JP, U)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A switch structure for a portable electronic device, which is provided on the surface of a built-in electronic circuit to give a predetermined command signal to the built-in electronic circuit, the touch sensor being operated by direct contact with a human body, and the predetermined structure. A switch structure for a portable electronic device, characterized in that a pressure sensor which is operated by the pressure of 1 is connected in series with each other.