JPH1065421A - Keyless signal receiver for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To receive a keyless signal with high sensitivity and a simple structure at a low cost by using a wiper of a vehicle in common for a keyless antenna. SOLUTION: A turning arm 34 is turned by the operation of a wiper motor 32 and wipers 10, 10' are driven synchronously with each other. The one wiper 10 is used in common for a keyless antenna. The wiper 10 is fixed to a wiper shaft while being insulated electrically from the wiper shaft. A connector 40 is fixed in the vicinity of the wiper shaft toward the wiper 10. A keyless signal sent from the outside of the vehicle toward the vehicle is received by the wiper 10. The signal is sent to a reception unit 48, where the signal is processed via a contact terminal in contact with an arm head 16 of the wiper 10, the connector 40 and an electric wire with a protection tube.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyless signal receiving device for a vehicle, which enables a door to be locked and unlocked by remote control.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a keyless system has been developed in which a door can be locked and unlocked remotely without inserting a key into a key cylinder. In order to construct such a system, it is necessary to install a keyless antenna at an appropriate position in the vehicle and to receive a keyless signal transmitted from outside the vehicle using the antenna.

Therefore, conventionally, the following method has been adopted as means for installing the keyless antenna.

A) A keyless antenna is mounted at an appropriate position in a vehicle cabin. For example, the antenna is stored in a room lamp (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-42222) or attached to a front pillar (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-37476).

B) A radio antenna is also used as a keyless antenna (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-152896).

C) The keyless antenna is embedded in the window glass of the vehicle (see Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 62-193308).

[0007]

When the keyless antenna is arranged inside the vehicle as in a), the antenna sensitivity is significantly reduced due to the shield of the body, and there is a possibility that a weak radio wave cannot be reliably received. Further, when an antenna is mounted on a front pillar or the like, there is a disadvantage that a special space must be secured in the vehicle compartment for the mounting. Note that, in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-42222, while the antenna is normally stored in the room lamp, the antenna is automatically protruded from the room lamp when getting off the vehicle to improve the antenna sensitivity. Even if the antenna is protruded in this manner, the sensitivity is still reduced due to the shield of the body, and a disadvantage that a special mechanism needs to be provided for the ingress and egress of the antenna is newly generated.

When the radio antenna is also used as a keyless antenna as in b), an electronic circuit for identifying whether the radio wave received by the antenna is a radio wave or a keyless wave is required. Cost increases accordingly.

In the means (c), if, for example, a glass for a front glass or a side door is selected as a window glass in which the keyless antenna is embedded, there is a disadvantage that the visibility is deteriorated by the antenna. On the other hand, in the back door glass, an antenna other than a heating wire or a keyless antenna (for example, a television antenna) or the like is often embedded, and if it is attempted to further embed a keyless antenna in the back door glass. In addition, the structure inside the glass is significantly complicated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a keyless signal receiving apparatus for a vehicle which can solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0011]

As a means for solving the above problems, the present invention provides a keyless signal receiving apparatus for a vehicle having a keyless antenna for receiving a keyless signal for instructing a locking operation of a vehicle door. In the apparatus, the wiper of the vehicle is also used as the keyless antenna.

In this device, since the wiper existing outside the vehicle is also used as a keyless antenna, high sensitivity can be ensured without being affected by the shield of the body. There is no need for any additional members, and the structure is very simple. In addition, since the keyless antenna is independent of other antennas (radio antennas) and the like, there is no need for an electronic circuit for determining the type of the received wave.

More specifically, to use the wiper as a keyless antenna, at least a part of the wiper is electrically insulated from a vehicle body, and
In this wiper, a portion insulated from the body may be electrically connected to the receiving unit.

In this case, for example, only the tip portion of the wiper may be insulated and an electric wire or the like may be connected thereto. However, in this case, since the movement amount of the tip portion is large, the wiring has to be routed. It becomes difficult. On the other hand, the wiper shaft is electrically insulated from the wiper shaft, and a connector having a contact terminal capable of contacting the wiper shaft is connected to the wiper. Regardless of the position, the signal can be reliably transmitted with a simple structure even when the wiper is operated by disposing it at a position where the rotation base end and the contact terminal are always in contact with each other.

The contact terminal may be brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the turning base end portion of the wiper. However, the contact terminal is inserted inside the turning base end portion and the turning base end portion is inserted. By contacting the inner peripheral surface of the contact terminal, there is obtained an advantage that the contact terminal can be protected by the pivot base end portion.

According to the present invention, there is provided a keyless signal receiving apparatus for a vehicle including a keyless antenna for receiving a keyless signal for instructing a locking operation of the vehicle, wherein the keyless antenna is provided on a wiper of the vehicle. .

Also in this device, since the keyless antenna is attached to the wiper existing outside the vehicle, the antenna sensitivity is good, and there is no need to provide a special antenna installation space in the vehicle interior.

In particular, if the keyless antenna is formed so as to extend along the wiper arm of the wiper, and at least a tip portion of the antenna is fixed on the front side surface of the wiper arm, the visibility is affected. Moreover, higher sensitivity can be ensured than when the antenna is stored in the wiper.

The keyless antenna can be connected to the control means using an electric wire, but in this case, the wiring is difficult because the keyless antenna moves together with the wiper. On the other hand, a terminal contact portion is formed at a base end portion of the keyless antenna and fixed to a turning base end portion of the wiper, that is, a portion whose position hardly changes even when the wiper turns, and If a connector having a contact terminal capable of making contact with the contact portion is disposed at a position where the contact terminal always comes into contact with the rotation base end thereof regardless of the rotation position of the wiper, a reliable signal can be obtained even when the wiper is operated. Can be transmitted.

Here, when the antenna is stored in the wiper, the sensitivity is reduced by the shield effect of the wiper itself. Conversely, when the entire antenna is fixed on the outer surface of the wiper, the terminal contact portion of the antenna and the terminal contact portion thereof come into contact. There is a disadvantage that the contact terminals are exposed to the outside and are easily damaged. On the other hand, the keyless antenna is configured to be flexible, and at least the distal end portion of the keyless antenna is fixed on the front side surface of the wiper, and the antenna base end is inserted into the wiper arm from the middle thereof. ,
If the terminal contact portion of the keyless antenna is fixed to the inner surface of the rotation base end portion of the wiper, the terminal contact portion and the contact terminal are stored in the rotation base end portion while maintaining high antenna sensitivity. And protect it.

[0021]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, one of the pair of wipers 10, 10 'shown in FIG. 1 (left side in FIG. 1) is also used as a keyless antenna, but in the present invention, both wipers are used as antennas. You may make it double.

Each of the wipers 10, 10 'comprises a wiper arm 12 and a wiper blade 14. The wiper arm 12 is composed of an arm head (rotation base end) 16, a retainer 17, and an arm piece 18 in that order from the rotation base end side, and the wiper blade 14 is attached to the tip of the arm piece 18. ing. As shown in FIG. 2, the retainer 17 is relatively rotatable around a rotation axis 19 orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the wiper.
The arm head 16 is connected to a wiper shaft 20 provided on the vehicle body side so as to rotate integrally therewith.

3 (a) and 3 (b) show details of the mounting structure of the antenna / wiper 10. FIG. The wiper shaft 20 has a main body shaft portion 21, a tapered portion 22 whose diameter decreases from the main body shaft portion 21 toward the distal end side, and a small-diameter screw portion 23, which are grounded together with the vehicle body. . On the other hand, the arm head 16 is formed with a cylindrical portion 15 which is slightly larger than the main body shaft portion 21, the tapered portion 22, and the screw portion 23 and is substantially similar to these. Shaft 21, taper 2
A nut 28 is screwed into the screw portion 23 with the cylindrical insulator 26 interposed between the screw member 23 and the screw portion 23 and tightened, so that the wiper shaft 21 and the arm head 16 are fastened. I have. That is, the wiper 10 is fixed to the wiper shaft 21 while being electrically insulated from the wiper shaft 21.

On the other hand, in the wiper 10 'which is not also used as an antenna, the insulator 26 is omitted, and the arm head 16 is directly fixed to the wiper shaft.

From both wiper shafts 21, link connecting pieces 30 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, a wiper motor 32 is fixed to the vehicle body, and the wiper motor 32 has a swivel arm 34 that turns by the operation of the main body. And, this turning arm 34
A link connecting piece 30 on the wiper 10 side is connected to a peripheral portion of the wiper 10 via a link 36, and the link connecting piece 30 is connected to a link connecting piece 30 on the wiper 10 ′ side via a link 38. The wipers 10, 10 'are driven to rotate in synchronization with the turning of the wiper 34.

Further, a connector 40 as transmission means is fixed at a position near the wiper shaft 20 on the wiper 10 side in the vehicle body. The connector 40 has a contact terminal 42 extending upward from its body, and the tip of the contact terminal 42 is inserted from below into the arm head 16 as shown in FIG. A contact portion 44 bulging to one side is formed at the end. on the other hand,
An arc-shaped terminal contact ridge 46 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the arm head 16 over substantially the entire circumference, and the terminal contact ridge 46 and the contact portion 44 are always in contact regardless of the rotational position of the wiper 10. Thus, the position of the contact portion 44 is determined. Further, the connector 40 itself is connected to a receiving unit 48 on the vehicle body side via an unillustrated electric wire with a protective tube which is also a transmission means.

Next, the operation of this device will be described. The keyless signal transmitted from the outside of the vehicle to the vehicle is received by the wiper 10 which is also used as a keyless antenna. This signal is transmitted to the receiving unit 48 via the contact terminal 42 that contacts the arm head 16 of the wiper 10, the connector 40, and the electric wire with the protective tube, and is processed there.

As described above, in this keyless signal receiving apparatus, since the wiper 10 is also used as a keyless antenna, it is not necessary to install an antenna member specially and the installation space is not required. In addition, the structure of the entire apparatus can be greatly simplified and reduced in cost. Further, since the wiper 10 is the keyless antenna itself, there is no possibility that the antenna will obstruct the field of view. Moreover, this keyless antenna is independent of the radio antenna,
There is no need to provide an electronic circuit or the like for identifying radio waves.

Further, since the wiper 10 is located outside the vehicle, high sensitivity can be secured without being affected by the shield of the body. Therefore, even if the keyless signal is a weak radio wave, it can be reliably picked up.

FIGS. 4 to 6 show a second embodiment. In this embodiment, a keyless antenna 50 is mounted on one wiper 10, as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the keyless antenna 50 includes a thin conductor 52 as a main body and a pair of thin insulating layers 54 and 56 sandwiching the conductor 52. Are flexible in the thickness direction.

The conductor 52 integrally has an annular portion 52a and a linear portion 52b extending in one direction from the annular portion 52a. The insulating layer 54 integrally has an annular portion 54a slightly larger than the annular portion 52a and a linear portion 54b slightly larger than the linear portion 52b, and is adhered to the upper surface of the conductor 52. . The insulating layer 56 has a linear shape wider than the linear portion 52b, and is adhered to the lower surface of the linear portion 52b. That is, the annular portion 52a of the conductor 52
And the upper and lower surfaces of the linear portion 54a are covered with insulating layers 54 and 56, and only the lower surface of the annular portion 52a is exposed.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show the mounting structure of the keyless antenna 50. FIG. This keyless antenna 50
The lower surface of the linear portion, that is, the lower insulating layer 56 is
Affixed to the surface. On the other hand, the base end of the keyless antenna 50 is connected to the retainer 17 and the arm head 1.
The ring portion 52a, 54a is fixed to the back surface of the arm head 16 in a state surrounding the cylindrical portion 15 of the arm head 16 in a state in which the ring portion 52a and 54a are also penetrated into the inside of the arm head 16 from a boundary portion with the arm head 16.

On the other hand, near the wiper shaft 21, the first
A connector 40 is provided in the same manner as in the embodiment, and the contact terminal 42 of the connector 40 is inserted into the arm head 16 from below. The tip of the contact terminal 42 is formed as a contact portion 44 ′ having a pointed shape. The contact portion 44 ′ always contacts the lower surface of the annular portion 52 a of the conductor 52 regardless of the rotational position of the wiper 10. The arrangement position of the connector 40 is set so as to perform the operation.

According to this device, the keyless signal transmitted from the outside of the vehicle toward the vehicle is received by the keyless antenna 50 mounted on the wiper 10, and the signal is transmitted to the conductor 52 of the keyless antenna 50. Is transmitted to the receiving unit 48 in the same manner as in the first embodiment via the contact terminal 42, the connector 40, and the electric wire with the protective tube that come into contact with the annular portion 52a.

Therefore, even with this device, a keyless signal can be received with high sensitivity with a simple and inexpensive structure without providing a space for installing an antenna in the vehicle interior. Further, since the antenna 50 is mounted along the wiper 10, there is no possibility that the keyless antenna 50 deteriorates the field of view similarly to the first embodiment.

It should be noted that the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above, and the following form can be taken as an example.

(1) Wiper 1 as in the first embodiment
When the wiper 10 is also used as a keyless antenna, it is not always necessary to electrically insulate the entire wiper 10 from the body. For example, the retainer 17 of the wiper 10 and the arm head 16 are electrically insulated to control the wiper 10 and the retainer 17. You may make it electrically connect with a unit. However, in this case, since the amount of movement of the retainer 17 during the operation of the wiper 10 is large, it is difficult to route the wiring. On the other hand, up to the arm head 16 which is the rotation base end as in the first embodiment. When the arm head 16 is insulated from the body and the contact terminals 42 of the connector 40 are brought into contact with each other, a signal can be transmitted to the receiving unit 48 with a simple structure.

(2) In the first embodiment, the contact terminals 42 may be brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the arm head 16 instead of the inner peripheral surface. However, if the contact terminals 42 are brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the arm head 16 as described above, there is an advantage that the contact terminals 42 can be protected by the arm head 16.

(3) The keyless antenna 50 shown in the second embodiment can be built in the wiper 10. However, the keyless antenna 50 is connected to the wiper 10
If the antenna is completely stored in the inside, the sensitivity is reduced due to the shield effect of the wiper 10. Therefore, it is more desirable to arrange at least the tip portion of the keyless antenna 50 on the outer surface of the wiper 10.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention, the wiper of the vehicle is also used as a keyless antenna for receiving a keyless signal for instructing a door locking operation. With a simple and inexpensive structure that does not require any member, there is an effect that a keyless signal can be received with high sensitivity.

More specifically, the wiper electrically insulates at least a part of the wiper from the vehicle body, and electrically connects the part of the wiper insulated from the body to the control means. It can be used as a keyless antenna with a simple structure.

In this case, the wiper shaft is electrically insulated from the wiper shaft, and a connector having a contact terminal capable of contacting the wiper shaft is connected to the wiper shaft. Regardless of the rotation position, by disposing it at a position where the rotation base end portion and the contact terminal are always in contact with each other, it is possible to obtain an effect that a signal can be reliably transmitted with a simple structure even when the wiper is operated.

Further, if the contact terminal is inserted into the inside of the turning base end to make contact with the inner peripheral surface of the turning base end, the contact terminal can be protected by the turning base end. The effect is obtained.

Also, in the case where the keyless antenna is provided on the wiper of the vehicle, there is no need to provide a space for installing the wiper in the vehicle interior, and the effect of receiving the keyless signal with high sensitivity can be obtained.

In particular, if the keyless antenna is formed so as to extend along the wiper arm of the wiper, and at least the distal end of the antenna is fixed on the front side surface of the wiper arm, the visibility is affected. In addition, the effect of securing higher sensitivity than when the antenna is stored in the wiper is obtained.

Further, a terminal contact portion is formed at the base end portion of the keyless antenna and is fixed to the turning base end portion of the wiper, and a connector having a contact terminal capable of contacting the terminal contact portion is connected to the terminal contact portion. If the terminal is disposed at a position where it is always in contact with the base end of the wiper irrespective of the rotational position of the wiper, it is possible to obtain an effect that a reliable signal can be transmitted even when the wiper is operated.

Further, the keyless antenna is configured to be flexible, and at least a distal end portion of the keyless antenna is fixed on a front side surface of the wiper, and a base end of the antenna is inserted into the wiper arm from the middle of the wiper arm. However, if the terminal contact part of this keyless antenna is fixed to the inner surface of the turning base end of the wiper, the terminal contact part and the contact terminal can be placed inside the turning base end while maintaining high antenna sensitivity. The effect of storing and protecting this is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a wiper according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an attachment structure of the wiper.

FIG. 3A is a plan view showing a rotation base end of the wiper, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a wiper to which a keyless antenna according to a second embodiment is mounted.

FIG. 5A is a bottom view of the keyless antenna,
(B) is a sectional view taken along line BB of (a).

FIG. 6A is a plan view of a rotation base end of a wiper to which the keyless antenna is mounted, and FIG.
It is a C line sectional view.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Wiper 16 Arm head (rotating base end of wiper) 20 Wiper shaft 26 Insulator 40 Connector 42 Contact terminal 46 Terminal contact ridge 48 Receiving unit 50 Keyless antenna

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A keyless signal receiving device for a vehicle comprising a keyless antenna for receiving a keyless signal for instructing a locking operation of a door of a vehicle, wherein a wiper of the vehicle is also used as the keyless antenna. A keyless signal receiving device for a vehicle. 2. The keyless signal receiving device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the wiper is electrically insulated from a body of the vehicle, and a part of the wiper insulated from the body is a receiving unit. A keyless signal receiving device for a vehicle, wherein the signal receiving device is electrically connected to the vehicle. 3. The keyless signal receiving device for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the rotation base end of the wiper is electrically insulated from a wiper shaft and can be in contact with the rotation base end of the wiper. A keyless signal receiving device for a vehicle, wherein a connector having a contact terminal is disposed at a position where the contact terminal is always in contact with a turning base end of the wiper regardless of the turning position of the wiper. 4. The keyless signal receiving device for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the contact terminal is inserted inside a turning base end portion of the wiper to make contact with an inner peripheral surface of the turning base end portion. A keyless signal receiving device for a vehicle. 5. A keyless signal receiving device for a vehicle having a keyless antenna for receiving a keyless signal for instructing a locking operation of a door of a vehicle, wherein the keyless antenna is provided on a wiper of the vehicle. Signal receiving device for keyless vehicles. 6. The keyless signal receiving device for a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the keyless antenna has a shape extending along a wiper arm of the wiper, and at least a tip portion of the antenna is provided on a front surface of the wiper arm. A keyless signal receiving device for a vehicle, wherein the signal receiving device is fixed to a vehicle. 7. The keyless signal receiving device for a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein a terminal contact portion is formed at a base end portion of the keyless antenna, and the terminal contact portion is fixed to a turning base end portion of the wiper. A connector having a contact terminal capable of contacting the terminal contact portion, the contact terminal being disposed at a position where the contact terminal is always in contact with the turning base end thereof regardless of the turning position of the wiper. Keyless signal receiver. 8. The keyless signal receiving device for a vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the keyless antenna is configured to be flexible, and at least a tip portion of the keyless antenna is fixed on a front side surface of a wiper. A keyless signal receiving device for a vehicle, wherein an end of the wiper arm is inserted into the inside of the wiper arm from the middle thereof, and a terminal contact portion of the keyless antenna is fixed to an inner side surface of a turning base end of the wiper. .