JPH07279510A - Key device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To maintain a sufficient strength and also eliminate the affection of heat and pressure during insert molding on electronic parts installed on a key side. CONSTITUTION:In a key device which is provided with a key cylinder side signal communicating means 6 provided on a key cylinder 3 and a key side signal communicating means 7 provided on a key 1 and identifies whether the key 1 is a regular one or not by communicating a radio signal between these both signal communicating means 6 and 7 when a key 1 is inserted into the key cylinder 3, a holding part 5 provided with a recess 11 is formed by insert-molding the key blank 4a of a key 1, and the key side signal communicating means 7 is arranged in the recess 11. Particularly, it is better if the key side signal communicating means 7 is arranged in the recess 11 through a holding member 12, and the opening of the recess 11 is closed by a cover member after the key side signal communicating means 7 is stored.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key device, and more particularly to a key device configured to prevent the use of a duplicate key.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various anti-theft devices for automobiles have been proposed. For example, as disclosed in Japanese Examined Patent Publication (Kokoku) No. 4-15141, a key for operating an ignition switch and a key provided on the vehicle body side are provided. A coil is provided on both the key cylinder and the key cylinder, and when the key is inserted into the key cylinder, a magnetic circuit is formed between the coils to exchange electric signals, and the key is legitimate. There is known one configured to determine whether or not.

In the key having the above-described conventional structure, the coil on the key side is wound around the shaft-shaped core mounted between the key shank and the grip portion, and when the key is inserted into the key cylinder, The axial core on the key side contacts the annular core of the coil provided on the key cylinder side at two locations to form a magnetic circuit.

[0004]

However, according to this structure, since the key shank and the grip portion are separated by the shaft-shaped core, it is difficult to increase the joint rigidity between the key shank and the grip portion. However, there is a problem in that if the rigidity of the same portion is to be sufficiently secured, the gripping portion becomes large and the assembly of the coil becomes difficult.

Therefore, it is possible to insert-mold the key shank and the coil on the key side with a high-strength synthetic resin material to form the grip portion. Since it must be able to withstand the heat and pressure during injection molding, it is not possible to use electronic components with general specifications, which causes a disadvantage that the manufacturing cost is considerably affected.

The present invention has been devised in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and its main purpose is to provide an electronic component which can secure sufficient strength and is provided on the key side. An object of the present invention is to provide a key device configured so as not to be affected by heat and pressure during insert molding.

[0007]

According to the present invention, such an object has a key cylinder side signal transfer means provided in a key cylinder and a key side signal transfer means provided in a key, In a key device, which is configured to determine whether or not the key is a regular key by transmitting and receiving a radio signal between both signal transmitting and receiving means when the key is inserted in the key cylinder, insert a key blank of the key into an insert mold. This is achieved by forming a grip portion having a recess by arranging the key side signal transmitting / receiving means in the recess. In particular, the key side signal transfer means may be arranged in the recess via the holding member, or the opening of the recess may be closed by the cover member after receiving the key side signal transfer means. .

[0008]

With this configuration, when the grip portion is formed by insert molding, a recess for receiving the key-side signal transfer means can be formed in the grip portion in advance. Therefore, the electronic component that is the signal transmitting / receiving unit can be attached to the grip portion afterwards, so that the electronic component of the key-side signal transmitting / receiving unit need not be affected by heat and pressure during molding. Further, since the key side signal transmitting / receiving means is protected by the holding member or the cover, stress applied to the key side signal transmitting / receiving means can be reduced.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The structure of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a main part of a vehicle key device to which the present invention is applied. In Figure 1, key 1
Is a key cylinder 3 provided on the steering column 2 and configured to operate an ignition switch.
Key shank 4 to be inserted into the key hole 3a, and a grip portion 5 formed by insert molding a key blank 4a integrally formed at one end of the key shank 4.

The key cylinder 3 is, like a known automobile ignition switch, a "LOCK" position for fixing the steering wheel, an "OFF" position where the ignition is off, and an "ACC" for activating a part of the vehicle-mounted device. Position, the "ON" position for turning on the ignition switch, and the "S" for driving the starter motor.
The "T" position is set, and is connected to a mechanical contact that opens and closes according to the rotational position of the key 1 and a lock mechanism that engages with the steering shaft.

In this key device, the key 1 is attached to the key cylinder 3.
When the key is inserted and turned to the “ON” position, a radio signal is transmitted and received between the key cylinder 3 and the key 1, and the code signal emitted from the key 1 side is compared with the secret code stored in advance on the vehicle side. If the codes match with each other, it is determined that the keys are legitimate and the engine is operable. As a means for this, a key cylinder side coil 6 is provided so as to surround the inlet end side of the key hole 3a of the key cylinder 3, and a key for exchanging radio signals with the key cylinder side coil 6 is provided. A transponder 7 as a side signal transmitting / receiving unit is provided in the grip portion 5 of the key 1.

A transponder 7 provided on the key 1 side
2, includes an antenna 7a, a transmission / reception circuit 7b electrically connected to the antenna 7a, and an IC chip 7c connected to the transmission / reception circuit 7b. It is received inside a glass tube (see Figure 4). A controller 8 is connected to the key cylinder side coil 6 provided on the vehicle body side,
In the controller 8, a transmission / reception circuit 8a electrically connected to the key cylinder side coil 6 and a transmission / reception circuit 8a
A control circuit 8b connected to the control circuit 8b and a memory circuit 8c connected to the control circuit 8b are provided. Further, the control circuit 8b is connected to an ON position detection switch SW that is interlocked with the key cylinder 3.

In the key device constructed as described above, when the key shank 4 is inserted into the key hole 3a of the key cylinder 3 and rotated to the "ON" position, the ON position detection switch SW is closed. Is detected by the control circuit 8b, the controller 8 is activated, and radio waves are transmitted from the key cylinder side coil 6 via the transmission / reception circuit 8a. When the antenna 7a in the transponder 7 receives this radio wave, electromotive force is generated in the antenna 7a by the electromagnetic induction effect. This electric power is converted into direct current and the transmitting / receiving circuit 7b
And IC chip 7c to drive both circuits 7b and 7c. Then, a radio wave signal corresponding to the unique code stored in advance in the IC chip 7c is transmitted from the antenna 7a.

When the unique code signal transmitted from the antenna 7a is received by the key cylinder side coil 6, it is input to the control circuit 8b via the transmission / reception circuit 8a. The control circuit 8b compares the personal identification code stored in advance in the memory circuit 8c with the unique code signal from the antenna 7a. If the unique code and the secret code match, the controller 8 outputs a permission signal to an engine control circuit (not shown) to enable the engine to operate. The engine control circuit has a function of turning on the starter circuit, the fuel circuit, the ignition circuit, and the like.

On the other hand, if the codes do not match, the engine is not operated. It should be noted that the engine operable state is valid at least until the key 1 is removed, but it may be held for a certain period of time after the key 1 is removed, or it may be held until the vehicle gets off and the door is locked. Is also good. By doing so, it is not necessary to perform the code comparison and verification process again when the key 1 is removed and then restarted, which is effective for power saving.

As described above, the key blank 4a is insert-molded with a synthetic resin material at one end of the key shank 4 to form a grip portion 5 for facilitating gripping when the key 1 is rotated. However, when the grip portion 5 is formed, a receiving hole 11 as a recess having a stepped opening is basically formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is formed in a central portion of one surface of the grip portion 5. It is preformed. Then, the transponder 7 is attached to the grip portion 5 via a holding member 12 having a shape complementary to the receiving hole 11. A vertically long hole 9 is provided at an end portion of the grip portion 5 opposite to the key shank 4 side so that a metal fitting of a key holder can be passed therethrough.

As shown in FIG. 3, which is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 1, the holding member 12 has a main portion 12a received in the receiving hole 11 and one surface side of the main portion 12a. On the side, there is a collar portion 12b that is projected so as to correspond to the step portion 11a of the receiving hole 11. Main part 1 of this holding member 12
2a has a holding hole 12c through which the transponder 7 can be inserted.
Are formed so as to penetrate the holding member 12 in the longitudinal direction.

On the inner peripheral surface of the holding hole 12c, there are provided ridges 12d along the axis of the holding hole 12c at positions where the circumference is equally divided (for example, into three equal parts). The amount of protrusion of these protrusions 12d is such that the transponder 7 can be elastically supported by the elasticity of the material itself of the holding member 12 when the transponder 7 is inserted into the holding hole 12c (see arrow A in FIG. 4). Has been

In assembling the key 1 having the above-described structure, first, the transponder 7 is moved in the direction of arrow A in FIG.
Is inserted into the holding hole 12c of the holding member 12. As a result, the transponder 7 is held in the holding hole 12c in a press-fitted state by the action of each protrusion 12d. Next, the main portion 12a of the holding member 12 holding the transponder 7
Is inserted in the receiving hole 11 of the grip portion 5 in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 4 with the collar portion 12b side behind. Here, the grip portion 5 and the holding member 12 are adhered by a silicone resin adhesive or are joined by an ultrasonic welding method. The dimensions of the step portion 11a and the flange portion 12b are set so that the surface of the grip portion 5 and the surface of the holding member 12 coincide with each other.

As described above, the transponder 7 is
Since it is held in a state of being floated in the holding member 12 via the protrusion 12d, it is protected from an external force and the impact resistance is increased. Further, the holding member 1 to which the transponder 7 is attached
Since the receiving hole 11 is formed in the grip portion 5 before mounting 2, the heat and pressure resistance of the transponder 7 itself can be designed to be low because it is not necessary to consider the influence of heat and pressure. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the manufacturing cost.

By cutting the central portion of the key blank 4a corresponding to the receiving hole 11, the axis of the transponder 7 can be arranged coaxially with the axis of the key shank 4. With this configuration, the position of the transponder 7 with respect to the key cylinder side coil 6 can be made advantageous in terms of power conversion efficiency by the electromagnetic induction action.

FIG. 5 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment of the key device according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view also corresponding to FIG. 3, showing the first embodiment. The same parts as those in the example are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Also in the second embodiment, the grip portion 5 is integrally molded by insert molding the key blank 4a with a synthetic resin material. In the case of this embodiment, the grip portion 5 is formed.
1 for receiving transponder 7 formed in
The central portion of the key blank 4a is cut into a U-shape so as not to interfere with the key blank 3. The receiving hole 13 is recessed toward the inside of the cutout portion 14 of the key blank 4a so as to form a T-shaped cross section.

The transponder 7 is mounted on the bottom of the receiving hole 13 through a non-curable non-drying resin filler 15. The opening of the receiving hole 13 is closed by joining the cap 16 with a silicone resin adhesive or an ultrasonic welding method. In this way, the transponder 7 is protected by the non-drying resin filler 15 and the cap 16 from the stress applied to the grip portion 5 when the key 1 is rotated.

By the way, in the case of the second embodiment, the receiving hole 13 is arranged on the axis of the key shank 4, and when the transponder 7 is mounted in the receiving hole 13, the antenna 7a is automatically moved to the key. It is arranged to be coaxial with the shank 4. As a result, the coil 6 on the key cylinder side
The position of the transponder 7 with respect to is advantageous in terms of power conversion efficiency due to electromagnetic induction.

7 and 8 show a key 1 according to the invention.
3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the key shank 4 and the key blank 4a intersect in a T shape. The key blank 4a is insert-molded with a synthetic resin material to integrally form the grip portion 5 as in the first and second embodiments, but the receiving hole 17 for mounting the transponder 7 has a key shank. Four
Is formed in parallel with and is opened toward the key shank side. In the case of this embodiment, the transponder 7 is integrally sealed in the grip portion 5 by mounting the transponder 7 in the receiving hole 17 via the non-drying resin filling material 15 and closing the opening with another plug 18. The Rukoto. The opening of the receiving hole 17 and the plug 18 are joined together by a silicone resin adhesive or an ultrasonic welding method, as in the first and second embodiments.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, the recess for receiving the transponder as the key side signal transmitting / receiving means is formed in the grip portion in advance when the grip portion is insert-molded. It is possible to retrofit the electronic component, which is the signal transfer means, to the grip portion. Therefore, since the electronic parts do not have to be affected by heat and pressure during molding, there is no need to specialize the specifications of the electronic parts.
Manufacturing costs are not overwhelmed. Further, since the key side signal transmitting / receiving means is protected by the holding member or the cover, stress applied to the key side signal transmitting / receiving means can be reduced, which is effective in improving strength and durability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a main part of a key device to which the present invention has been applied, partially broken away.

FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of a key device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a key according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a partial front view showing a key according to a third embodiment of the present invention with a part thereof cut away.

8 is a sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Key 2 Steering Column 3 Ignition Key Cylinder 3a Key Hole 4 Key Shank 4a Key Blank 5 Grip Part 6 Key Cylinder Side Coil 7 Transponder 7a Antenna 7b Transmitter / Receiver Circuit 7c IC Chip 8 Controller 8a Transmitter / Receiver Circuit 8b Control Circuit 8c Memory Circuit 9 Hole 11 , 13, 17 Receiving hole 12 Holding member 12a Main part 12b Collar part 12c Holding hole 12d Projection 14 Cutout part 15 Non-drying resin filler 16 Cap 18 Plug

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A key cylinder side signal transmission / reception means provided in a key cylinder and a key side signal transmission / reception means provided in a key, wherein both the signal transmission / reception means when the key is inserted into the key cylinder. A key device for determining whether or not the key is a regular key by transmitting and receiving a radio signal between the keys, wherein a key blank of the key is insert-molded to form a grip portion having a recess. The key device, wherein the key-side signal transfer means is provided in the recess. 2. The key device according to claim 1, wherein the key-side signal transmitting / receiving means is disposed in the recess via a holding member. 3. The key device according to claim 1, wherein the opening of the recess is closed by a cover member after receiving the key-side signal transfer means.