KR100649164B1 - Vehicle key module for transmission control - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle key module including a shift control function. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle key module including a vehicle key and a shift lever of an automatic transmission vehicle. The present invention relates to a device incorporating a function to enable a door lock / unlock function.

According to the present invention, a key module including a vehicle start key and a shift button integrally is provided at one end of the key module and inserted into a key slot in a vehicle to start the vehicle, and A plurality of contacts provided at both sides and connected to a plurality of terminals respectively connected to an automatic transmission of the vehicle when the ignition key is inserted, and provided at one side of the key module in a predetermined shift mode according to a user's button input And a plurality of shift buttons for generating an input signal for the shift signal, and an electronic circuit for converting the input signal into a control signal for the shift mode and transferring the control signal to the automatic transmission through at least one of the plurality of contacts. .

Start key, shift lever, door lock / unlock, button type, wireless start

Description

Vehicle key module including a shift control function

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a key module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a perspective view illustrating a shape of the key module when the top cover is opened according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a plan view of a key module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting plane BB ′ of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting plane AA ′ of FIG. 3.

6 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a key module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line C-C 'of FIG. 3.

8 is a view showing the internal structure of the ignition key.

Fig. 9 is a cutaway plan view showing the structure when the ignition key is projected.

Fig. 10 is a cutaway plan view showing the structure when the ignition key is inserted.

11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless start button.

12 is a view showing in more detail the internal structure of the ignition key.

13 is a block diagram showing a signal transmission flow of a key module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10: key module body 11: LCD panel

13a: door lock button 13b: door open button

14: wireless start button 20: top cover

21: release button 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d: shift button

23a, 23b, 23c, 23d: shift stage LED 24: button spring

25 button axis 31 upper projection surface

32: upper settled surface 40a, 40b: ignition key locking means

41: working shaft 42a, 42b: leaf spring

43: main spring 44: three-stage support shaft

45: ignition key locking frame 46a, 46b: first fixing groove

47a, 47b: second fixing groove 50: ignition key

51: signal transmission line 52: contact portion

53: printed circuit board (PCB) 54a, 54b: protrusion

71: digital input unit 72: controller

73, 75, 76: digital output 74: analog output

77: RF module 78: automatic transmission input signal

The present invention relates to a vehicle key module including a shift control function, and more particularly, a device in which a vehicle key and a shift lever of an automatic transmission vehicle are combined. The present invention relates to a device incorporating a function to enable a door lock / unlock function.

The so-called "remote key module" is to drive the engine of the vehicle according to the transmission information of the remote control in the control unit provided in the vehicle when the driver operates the remote control from the outside of the vehicle, or door lock function It is a device that allows wireless operation without having to directly touch the vehicle key, such as to perform the. This remote key module is combined with a manual key so that the user can manually open or start the door and perform this operation wirelessly. In addition, such a remote key module generally includes a control device and a control program so as to remotely control various devices of the vehicle by using radio waves or infrared rays.

By the way, the key module of such a conventional vehicle includes only various control functions for the stationary vehicle as described above, such as door lock, engine start, trunk opening and closing, and heater driving. Therefore, in the related art, the key module is not used for shifting while driving, and the driver can implement shifting of the vehicle only through a separate shift lever. This shift lever is not only separated from the key module, but also transmits the driver's operation intention to the transmission using a mechanical cable, thereby causing inconvenience in operation and space constraints inside the vehicle.

In addition, if the illegal intruder intrudes into the vehicle to allow only some starting, after that, there is no difficulty in driving by using the shift lever, and thus, there is a disadvantage that the vehicle is slightly vulnerable to theft.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above problems, and is designed to control a series of operations required from a parking vehicle to a driving state, that is, a series of operations such as opening / closing a door, starting a vehicle, and shifting a vehicle. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle key module for delivering any command.

In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle key module according to the present invention is a key module that is integrally provided with a vehicle start key and a shift button, which is provided at one end of the key module, and is inserted / rotated in a key slot inside the vehicle. Vehicle start keys for starting the vehicle, a plurality of contacts provided at both side ends of the start key, and connected to a plurality of terminals respectively connected to an automatic transmission of the vehicle when the start key is inserted, and one surface of the key module A plurality of shift buttons which are provided in the and generate an input signal for a predetermined shift mode according to a user's button input, convert the input signal into a control signal for the shift mode, and convert the control signal out of the plurality of contacts; An electronic circuit for transmitting to the automatic transmission via at least one.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, only the embodiments are to make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and the general knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs. It is provided to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a key module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The key module 100 may be broadly divided into a starter key 50, an upper cover 20, and a key module body 10 in appearance. Both side ends of the key module 100 are provided with a plurality of contacts 52 contacting terminals for transmitting a control signal to the transmission when the key-in state becomes a key-in state.

The upper surface of the upper cover 20 is provided with a release button 23, shift buttons 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, and shift stage display LEDs 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, and a rear end of the upper surface. An upper cover handle 29 is formed to open or close the upper cover 20 from the key module body 10.

When the release button 21 is pressed, the ignition key 50 is inserted or protruded. If it is not pressed, the ignition key is fixed in the inserted state or the protruded state.

In addition, the shift buttons 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d are allocated to each of four modes of P (parking), R (reverse), N (neutral), and D (driving), respectively. The vehicle shifts according to the ground mode. The signal input by the shift buttons 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d is converted into a transmission control signal by the PCB 53 to be described later, and is then transferred to an automatic transmission (not shown) through the contact unit 52 in the key-in state. Delivered.

In addition, the shift stage display LEDs 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d are provided between the front shift buttons 22a and 22c and the rear shift buttons 22b and 22d and behind the rear shift buttons 22b and 22d. Display the selected gear. For example, if any shift button 22a is currently pressed, the LED 23a corresponding to the shift button 22a will be turned on.

On the other hand, although the LCD panel 11 displaying the current state of the vehicle (current shift stage, opening and closing the vehicle door, etc.) may be provided on the upper protruding surface 31 of the key module body 10 as shown in FIG. It may be provided at any position on the top cover 20. However, if the PCB 53 is provided in the interior of the key module body 10, it is more preferable that the PCB 53 is provided on the upper protruding surface 31 of the key module body 10 in connection with the terminal.

2 is a perspective view showing the shape of the key module 100 when the top cover is opened.

As shown in FIG. 2, the upper locking surface 32 of the key module body 10 is provided with a door lock button 13a, a door open button 13b, and a wireless start button 14. When the door lock button 13a is pressed, the door is switched from the door open state to the door lock state, and when the door open button 13b is pressed, the door lock button 13a is switched from the door lock state to the door open state. The two buttons 13a and 13b may be configured as one button in the form of a toggle button. In addition, the wireless start button 14 serves to remotely start the vehicle when pressed.

When any one of the door lock button 13a, the door open button 13b, and the wireless start button 14 is pressed, a signal corresponding thereto is input to the PCB 53, and is implemented on the PCB 53. The RF module generates a radio signal according to the input signal and remotely transmits the radio signal to a radio signal receiver (not shown) of the vehicle, and thus an operation may be performed.

3 is a plan view of a key module according to an embodiment of the present invention. After that, cross-sectional views taken along the lines A-A ', B-B', and C-C 'shown in FIG. 3 will be described in the following drawings. Specifically, the cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A 'is shown in FIG. 5, the cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B' is shown in FIG. 4, and the cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C 'is shown in FIG. 7.

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting plane BB ′ of FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, the release button 21 is connected to the lower working shaft 41 and is elastically supported by the button spring 24. Accordingly, when the release button 21 is pressed, the operation shaft 41 is also lowered accordingly. When the release state is released, the release button 21 returns to its original position by the elastic restoring force of the button spring 24.

On the other hand, the PCB 53 is fixed at a predetermined height inside the key module main body 10, especially at the lower position of the upper protruding surface. The PCB 53 is provided with various control modules, signal input / output modules, etc. A detailed description of the PCB 53 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 14.

The PCB 53 is connected by the contact portion 52 of the starter key 50 and the signal transmission line 51. In addition, although not shown, the LCD panel 51, the door lock button 13a, the door open button 13b, the wireless start button 14, the shift buttons 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d, and a shift stage display LED It is electrically connected with 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d.

The starter key 50 is provided with an elastic repulsion force by the main spring 43, and is restored to its original protruding position, unless otherwise specified. The ignition key 50 may be pushed into the key module body 10 when an external force is applied, and in this case, the ignition key 50 may be guided by a three-stage support shaft 44 connected to one end of the ignition key. The three-stage support shaft 44 has a configuration in which three shafts having different diameters (all except hollow shafts are hollow shafts) are connected, and when the axial compressive force is applied, the shaft having a smaller diameter is larger. The entire length can be reduced by entering the hollow interior of the shaft having a diameter.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting plane A-A 'of FIG. 3. The release button 21 is connected to the button shaft 25 to transmit a predetermined movement to the operating shaft 41, and is restored to its original position by the button spring when the external force is released. The operating shaft 41 is connected to the button shaft 25 by passing through the upper subsided surface 32 of the key module body 10, and the lower end is formed in a wedge shape.

6 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a key module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Starting key locking means 40a, 40b are provided on the left and right sides of the operating shaft 41, so that when the operating shaft 41 is lowered by pressing the release button 21, the starting key locking means 40a, 40b is separated. The gap opens and the ignition lock is unlocked. Then, when the release button 21 returns to the original position again, the operating shaft 41 is raised to return to the original position, and thus the start key locking means 40a, 40b also returns to the locked state. The return of the ignition key locking means 40a, 40b to the locked state is due to the elastic repulsive force of the leaf springs 42a, 42b acting on both sides.

On the other hand, one end of the ignition key 50 is fixed by the ignition key locking frame 45, the ignition key locking frame 45 may be locked or unlocked by the ignition key locking means (40a, 40b). have. The signal transmission line 51 connected to the ignition key 50 has a length that is somewhat relaxed so as not to interfere with the movement of the ignition key 50 being inserted.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line C-C 'of FIG. 3. When the operating shaft 41 is lowered (D direction), the wedge part 41a located at the lower end of the operating shaft 41 moves the starter key locking means 40a on the left side to the left side (E direction). 40b is pushed to the right (F direction), and thus, the ignition key locking means 40a, 40b is moved to the left and right directions while being supported by the leaf springs 42a and 42b, respectively, whereby the ignition key locking frame The locked state of 45 is released.

8 is a view showing the internal structure of the ignition key. When in the ignition key locking state, the projections 54a and 54b at the left and right ends of the ignition key locking frame 45 are engaged with the first fixing grooves 46a and 46b located in front of the ignition key locking means 40a and 40b. It is fixed. In this case, the leaf springs 42a and 42b provide elastic repulsion so that the protrusions 54a and 54b are not separated from the first fixing grooves 46a and 46b. Further, second fixing grooves 47a and 47b are similarly provided behind the start key locking means 40a and 40b.

Fig. 9 is a cutaway plan view showing the structure when the ignition key is projected, and Fig. 10 is a cutaway plan view showing the structure when the ignition key is inserted. In the state of locking the ignition key in the state as shown in FIG. 9, the protrusions 54a and 54b and the first fixing grooves 46a and 46b are engaged with each other, so that the ignition key 50 is the key module body even when an external force is applied to the ignition key 50. It is not inserted into the inside of (10).

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10, when the ignition key locking means 40a or 40b is opened as the release button 21 is pressed, the first fixing grooves 46a and 46b are separated from the protrusions 54a and 54b. Thus, the ignition key 50 is in the unlocked state and is inserted into the key module body 10 when the user applies an external force. When the release button 21 is released while the ignition key 50 is inserted in this way, the ignition key locking means 40a, 40b is locked again, and at this time, the protrusion of the ignition key locking frame 45 54a and 54b are engaged with the second fixing grooves 47a and 47b of the ignition key locking means 40a and 40b. The main spring 43 and the three-stage support shaft 44 are in a compressed state. Thereafter, when the release button 21 is pressed again, the locked state is released, and the ignition key 50 is returned to its original position by the elastic repulsive force of the main spring 43.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, the buttons 13a, 13b, 14, 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d electrically connected to the PCB 53 are positioned on two conductive wires 61a and 61b, as shown in FIG. When the button is not pressed, the conductive wires 61a and 61b are in an open state, but when the conductive line button is pressed, the conductive wires 61a and 61b are shorted. Therefore, different signals can be transmitted to the PCB 53 depending on whether the button is pressed.

12 illustrates the internal structure of the ignition key 50 in more detail. As such, the signal transmission lines 51 including the plurality of conductive wires are connected to the corresponding numbers of contact portions 52a to 52f, respectively. In the case where there are six contact points as shown in FIG. 12, if four shift modes (P, R, N, and D) are to be used, the two contacts may be reserved.

When the ignition key 50 is inserted into a key slot (not shown) inside the vehicle and rotated at a predetermined angle, the ignition is started. In addition, when the ignition key 50 is inserted into the key slot, the contact portions 52a to 52f contact each corresponding terminal (not shown), and the terminal is connected to the automatic transmission.

Therefore, a control signal indicating a corresponding shift mode can be transmitted from each contact of the ignition key 50 to the automatic transmission, whereby the automatic transmission can perform movement control of the vehicle.

13 is a block diagram showing a signal transmission flow of a key module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The signal generated as the shift buttons 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d are pressed is input to the digital input unit (D / I) 72 of the electronic circuit implemented by the PCB 53 to the central controller 72. Delivered. The controller 72 outputs a different voltage (analog voltage) to the analog output unit (A / O) 74 according to the shift mode indicated by the shift button, and outputs an output voltage signal 78 (a signal input to an automatic transmission). Can be transmitted to the automatic transmission inside the vehicle through the contact (52a to 52d). For example, 0-4 volts for driving mode (D), 4-6 volts for neutral mode (N), 6-8 volts for reverse mode (R), and 8 to Vcc volts for parking mode ( P) can be shown. Here, Vcc means a bias voltage.

On the other hand, a signal generated as one of the door lock button 13a, the door open button 13b, and the wireless start button 14 is pressed is similarly passed through the digital input unit 71 to the central controller 72. Is delivered. The controller 72 outputs an output signal according to the transmitted signal to the R / F module 77 through the digital output unit 73.

Then, the R / F module 77 generates a radio signal such as an infrared ray or an R / F signal and transmits the generated radio signal to a radio receiver (not shown) of the vehicle through an antenna.

On the other hand, the current vehicle operating state, such as the gear shift stage, the opening and closing of the vehicle door may be displayed on the LCD panel 11 according to the signal output from the controller 72 through the digital output unit 76. In addition, the vehicle operation state may be displayed auxiliary through the shift stage display LEDs 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may implement the present invention in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. I can understand that. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive.

According to the present invention, by combining the function of the shift lever with the vehicle key module, the existing shift lever is unnecessary, thereby increasing the space utilization inside the vehicle. In addition, the shifting is convenient by applying the electronic shifting method to the vehicle key module, and the operation and control of the vehicle can be unified by integrating and adding wireless start and door lock / unlock functions to the vehicle key module. have.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is more convenient for the user to carry without using the key module by enabling the insertion / projection of the ignition key.

Claims (7)

A key module having a vehicle start key and a shift button integrally, A vehicle start key provided at one end of the key module and inserted into a key slot inside the vehicle to start the vehicle; At least one contact portion electrically connected to an automatic transmission of the vehicle when the ignition key is inserted; A plurality of shift buttons provided on one surface of the key module to generate an input signal for a predetermined shift mode according to a user's button input; And And an electronic circuit converting the input signal into a control signal for the shift mode and transferring the control signal to the automatic transmission through at least one of the plurality of contacts. The method of claim 1, A door lock / release button for generating a first input signal for wirelessly transmitting the door lock control signal according to a user's button input; And Further comprising a wireless start button for generating a second input signal for wirelessly transmitting a control signal for starting the vehicle according to the user's button input, And the electronic circuit converts the first input signal and the second input signal into a door lock control signal and a control signal for starting the vehicle, respectively, and transmits the same. delete The method of claim 1, And a LCD panel for displaying the current state of the vehicle. The method of claim 1, And the ignition key is in a locked state and becomes unlocked while pressing a predetermined button so that the key module is inserted therein when an external force is applied. The method of claim 5, wherein the locking state of the ignition key is Vehicle key module that is maintained by engaging the first fixing groove provided in the start key locking means for enclosing both sides of the lock frame to the protrusions provided on both sides of the start key lock frame connected to one end of the start key. The method of claim 6, When the predetermined button is released after the key module is inserted into the inside, the protruding portion is engaged with the second fixing groove provided in the locking means, so that the lock state is inserted with the ignition key inserted into the key module. Vehicle key module.

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