WO2012046477A1

WO2012046477A1 - Vehicle key and answerback device

Info

Publication number: WO2012046477A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/064461
Authority: WO
Inventors: 岡本　祐介; 丈展黒岩; 裕垂野; 雅晴安藤; プーリナッタプームワサンパス
Original assignee: 株式会社ホンダロック; 本田技研工業株式会社
Priority date: 2010-10-08
Filing date: 2011-06-23
Publication date: 2012-04-12
Also published as: MY168112A; CN103119233A; CN103119233B; CN104554082A; CN104554082B

Abstract

Provided is a vehicle key (60) capable of preventing electric power from being consumed by uselessly operating an operation section. A vehicle key is provided with a holder part (61) comprising a magnet section (63) used for opening and closing a key hole (41a) by engaging with a rotary member (73) coupled to a key shutter (42) on the vehicle side to rotate the rotary member (73) in a predetermined rotation direction, and an operation section (64) for sending out an ID code. A recessed section (66) is formed between the magnet section (63) and the operation section (64). The holder part (61) has an outer shape having a front surface (60A), a back surface (60B), and a side surface (60C), and the operation section (64) and the recessed section (66) are disposed on the front surface (60A) of the holder part (61). The operation section (64) is disposed in a position closer to another corner (C3) located diagonally opposite a corner (C1) from which the magnet section (63) projects.

Description

Vehicle key and answerback device

The present invention relates to a vehicle key, and in particular, has an operation part for sending a signal including a unique code and an engagement part for opening and closing a protective shutter of a key cylinder on the vehicle side. The present invention relates to a vehicle key suitable for improvement.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to an answerback apparatus, and more particularly to an answerback apparatus that performs an answerback in response to a transmission signal transmitted from a vehicle key as a transmission means for transmitting a signal including a unique code.

As a conventional vehicle key, one having an operation unit for transmitting a signal including a unique code is known. Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle key having a finger attachment portion 4 for attaching a thumb to the surface (upper surface) of a case body when the key portion is inserted into a keyhole and twisted. Has been. When using this vehicle key, turn the ignition switch on and off by placing your thumb on the finger attachment part 4 that has a dent and an anti-slip, turning your index finger along the back of the case body and turning it into the keyhole. Do. During this operation, the user naturally has the finger attachment portion 4 with a depression and a slip stopper, so that no other stress is applied to other portions such as the antenna portion and the switch portion.

Further, in Patent Document 2, a magnet lock that closes an ignition key hole with a shutter is provided on the vehicle side, and a magnet key made of a magnet is integrally provided on a knob portion of the ignition key, and the outer shape of the magnet key is described above. A protection device for a cylinder lock for a vehicle is disclosed which is formed in a shape that can be substantially matched with a magnetic key fitting recess of a shutter. In this protection device, the magnet key is set in the magnet key fitting recess and the shutter is rotated to unlock the magnet lock and hold the shutter at the reset position to open the ignition key hole.

On the other hand, as an answerback device, it is known to perform an answerback in response to a signal sent from a transmission means by a user operation. Answerbacks include sounding by sounding bodies and lighting of lighting equipment. Patent Document 3 proposes a method of changing the sound volume by a sounding body as an answer back means. In the sound volume setting, first, the operation mode is shifted to the volume setting mode by pressing two scheduled switches of the matrix switch arranged on the vehicle side. The volume of the buzzer as a sounding body is increased or decreased by pressing another scheduled switch while these two switches are pressed.

Japanese Patent No. 3268743 JP 2000-104426 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-50358

When it is considered that the magnet key described in Patent Document 2 is provided integrally with the vehicle key described in Patent Document 1, the operation unit provided in the vehicle key includes a magnet unit and a finger attachment unit. It will be located between the dent (concave part) which is. Therefore, when the user holds the vehicle key holder part and operates the magnetic lock with the magnet part, there is a possibility that the finger touches the operation part. Depending on the strength of the touch, a signal including a unique code is sent. There is a problem to be solved in that power is wasted for transmission of the data.

The method described in Patent Document 3 is not easy to operate because it shifts to the setting mode and changes the volume by simultaneously pressing a plurality of switches. In addition to the volume setting, a specification for setting the sound pattern can be considered, but in that case, in order to shift to the sound pattern setting mode, etc. separately from the plurality of switches for shifting to the volume setting mode, It becomes necessary to operate another plurality of switches. Therefore, there is a problem to be solved that management of the condition for shifting to the setting mode becomes complicated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular key that prevents an unnecessary consumption of power by pressing an operation unit when there is no need for the above-described problems of the prior art.

Furthermore, a further object of the present invention is to provide an answerback apparatus that can facilitate the operation for shifting to the setting mode and the management of the conditions for shifting to the setting mode.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention engages with a key member and a rotary member connected to a key shutter that covers a key hole of a key cylinder provided on the vehicle side to rotate the rotary member in a predetermined rotational direction. In the vehicular key including a holder part having a magnet part for opening and closing the key hole and an operation part for performing an operation of sending a signal including an ID code, the holder part includes the magnet part There is a first feature in that it has a recess formed between the control portion and the operation portion.

In the present invention, the holder portion has an external shape having a front surface and a back surface and a side surface sandwiched between the front surface and the back surface, and the operation portion and the recess are disposed on the front surface of the holder portion. The point has the second feature.

In the present invention, the holder portion is provided so that the magnet portion protrudes from the side surface of the holder portion to one corner portion of the substantially rectangular shape, and the operation portion includes one corner portion from which the magnet portion protrudes. Has a third feature in that it is arranged on the surface of the holder portion at a position deviated toward another corner portion at a diagonal position.

In the present invention, the concave portion has a substantially triangular shape on the corner portion side where the magnet portion is provided, with a diagonal line connecting two corner portions adjacent to the corner portion on which the magnet portion is provided, on the surface of the holder portion. There is a fourth feature in that it is formed so as to extend in the range.

The present invention has a fifth feature in that a through hole penetrating in the front and back direction of the holder portion is formed in the concave portion.

In the present invention, the through-hole is formed at a position that is biased to one side of the two corners of the recess, and is located at a position closer to the operation portion with respect to the diagonal line. Among these, the sixth feature is that an indicator lamp is provided adjacent to the side opposite to the side where the through hole is formed.

Further, according to the present invention, a signal including an ID code sent from the vehicle key having any one of the first to sixth features is received, and the ID code matches a pre-stored ID code for verification. In an answerback device having an answerback control device that performs answerback in a preset manner, the operation unit provided in the vehicle key is formed as a single operation unit that sends out the ID code. And the answerback control device includes setting mode selection means for shifting to one of a plurality of answerback mode setting modes in accordance with the number of receptions of the ID code transmitted by operating the single operation unit. There is a seventh feature.

According to the present invention, the setting mode selection means detects that a predetermined number of ID codes have been received within a predetermined period, and determines that the predetermined number of ID codes have been received a predetermined number of times. And when it is detected that the predetermined number of ID code receptions are repeated a predetermined number of times, one of a plurality of answerback mode setting modes is selected according to the number of ID code receptions within the predetermined period. There is an eighth feature in that it is configured to shift.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the answerback mode setting mode selected by the setting mode selection unit, there is provided answerback mode setting means for performing detailed setting of the answerback mode in response to reception of the ID code. There are features.

The present invention comprises means for cyclically selecting one of a plurality of setting values in the answerback mode each time the answerback mode setting means receives the ID code, and receives the latest within a predetermined period. The tenth feature is that the setting value selected by the ID code is held as the detailed setting value of the answer back mode.

The eleventh feature of the present invention is that the plurality of answer back modes are sound modes of a sounding body provided in a vehicle, and the detailed setting is a volume level or a sounding pattern of the sounding body. .

The present invention has a twelfth feature in that the predetermined number of ID codes are sent by operating the operation unit when an ignition switch provided on the vehicle is in an ON state.

The present invention has a thirteenth feature in that when the number of ID codes detected by two consecutive receptions is different from each other, the ID code detection operation so far is invalidated.

The present invention has a fourteenth feature in that, during the answer back mode setting mode, an illuminating lamp that illuminates the periphery of a key hole provided in a vehicle is energized.

According to the present invention having the first feature, since the magnet portion and the operation portion are arranged with the recess therebetween, when the user holds the holder portion and uses the magnet portion to open and close the key shutter, It is possible to suppress pressing of the operation unit, and it is possible to suppress wasteful consumption of power for sending the ID code.

In the holder part, the concave part can be provided on the same surface as the surface where the operation part is located or on the opposite side. However, even when the concave part is provided on the surface opposite to the surface where the operation part is provided, the key shutter can be opened and closed. When operating, the user can operate the key shutter while holding the concave portion and the opposite side of the concave portion with, for example, the thumb and forefinger, and thus the same effect as described above can be obtained.

According to the present invention having the second feature, since the operation portion and the concave portion are arranged on the same surface side of the holder portion, the operation of the operation portion by the user and the opening / closing operation of the key shutter by the magnet portion are performed. This can be done without having to change, and operability can be improved.

According to the present invention having the third feature, the magnet part and the operation part can be arranged at positions farther apart from each other in the holder part of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped having a substantially rectangular front surface and back surface. Thus, it is possible to more effectively prevent the operation unit from being pushed when opening and closing the key shutter.

According to the present invention having the fourth feature, it is easy to form a recess with a large area while separating the operation unit from the magnet unit, and thus the user can easily hold the holder unit.

According to the present invention having the fifth feature, for example, the through hole can be used as a hole for attaching a strap or the like, and the through hole can also be used as a part of the concave portion. Space efficiency can also be increased while forming.

According to the present invention having the sixth feature, the indicator lamp can be made difficult to hide with a finger during operation of the operating section, and the indicator lamp is arranged in the vicinity of the operating section, so that Visibility can be improved. Furthermore, the indicator lamp can be efficiently arranged in the space between the operation unit and the recess.

According to the present invention having the seventh, eighth, or eleventh features, it is possible to perform an answerback by operating a single operation unit and transmitting a signal including an ID code to the vehicle, The setting mode selection means on the vehicle side selects one of a plurality of answerback mode setting modes (setting modes such as a buzzer volume and a buzzer sound pattern) according to the number of ID code receptions (that is, the number of operations of the operation unit). Therefore, since the operation for shifting to the answer back mode setting mode can be performed by a single operation unit, the operation is simple.

Similarly, according to the present invention having the ninth feature, the detailed setting of the answer back mode can be easily set by operating the single operation unit in the selected setting mode.

According to the present invention having the tenth feature, the setting value of the answer back mode changes cyclically by repeating the operation of the operation unit, so that detailed setting can be performed with a simple operation. In addition, since the answer back mode setting mode can be selected and the detailed setting can be performed by operating a single operation unit, the operability is improved.

According to the present invention having the twelfth feature, since the mode is shifted to the answer back mode setting mode only by the ID code operated when the ignition switch is in the ON state, it is clearly distinguished from the normal answer back operation.

According to the present invention having the thirteenth feature, it is possible to prevent an unexpected mode shift to an answer back setting mode or a change in answer answer mode due to a user error or a wireless communication error.

According to the present invention having the fourteenth feature, it is possible to easily check whether or not the answer back mode setting mode is in effect using an illuminating lamp that illuminates the key hole.

1 is a side view of a motorcycle to which a vehicle key and an answerback device according to an embodiment of the present invention are applied. It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of an answerback. It is a perspective view of the key for vehicles. It is a front view of the key for vehicles. It is a rear view of the vehicle key. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view at the position AA in FIG. 4. It is a front view of the key cylinder of the state which closed the key hole with the key shutter. It is a front view of the key cylinder of the state which opened the key shutter. It is a timing chart which shows operation | movement of an answerback apparatus. It is a timing chart of key registration setting operation. It is a timing chart of a buzzer volume setting. It is a flowchart of a buzzer volume setting. It is a timing chart which shows the setting operation | movement of a buzzer sound pattern. It is a flowchart of a buzzer sound pattern setting process. It is a timing chart of switching control to a buzzer stop mode. It is a timing chart of switching control to a buzzer sounding mode. It is a timing chart which shows the operation example of the answerback apparatus at the time of an error. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part function which concerns on the setting mode selection means which selects either the setting mode of a buzzer volume and a buzzer sound pattern.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of a motorcycle to which a vehicle key and an answerback apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention are applied. The saddle riding type motorcycle 1 is a scooter type having a low floor. A body frame 3 of the motorcycle 1 includes a pair of left and right front forks 5 that pivotally support a front wheel WF and a head pipe 2 that is connected to the front forks 5. The head pipe 2 rotatably supports the steering shaft 6, and a steering handle 7 is connected to the upper end of the steering shaft 6. Grips 8 are provided at both ends of the steering handle 7 in the vehicle width direction.

The rear lower portion of the vehicle body frame 3 includes an engine 10 having a cylinder 13 directed to the front of the vehicle body, and a swing unit 11 that houses a continuously variable transmission and is supported on the vehicle body frame 3 so as to be movable up and down. Have. The swing unit 11 rotatably supports the rear wheel WR by the axle 12. The front side of the swing unit 11 is supported on the vehicle body frame 3 via the link plate 17. On the other hand, the rear end portion of the swing unit 11 is suspended from the rear end portion of the seat frame 18 via the rear cushion 14. A muffler 15 as a silencer is disposed on the right side of the vehicle body of the swing unit 11 (only the rear end is shown).

A fuel tank 25 and an engine coolant radiator 24 are attached to a down frame 4 extending downward from the head pipe 2 at the front lower part of the body frame 3 and formed vertically long in a side view of the body. A seat frame 18 extending from the center portion to the rear portion of the vehicle body frame 3 supports an occupant seat on which an occupant M is seated and an occupant seat on which an unillustrated passenger is seated. The seat 9 is positioned above a storage space (loading room) such as a helmet indicated by the outline 19 and is attached to the seat frame 18 by a hinge (not shown) so as to be opened and closed so that the user can access the surrounding space. . A taillight device 28 is attached to the rear of the seat frame 18, and a rear fender 29 is attached to the lower rear. Rear blinker devices 27 are provided on the upper left and right of the taillight device 28.

The front portion of the motorcycle 1 is covered with a front cover 21, and a headlight 22 is disposed on the front portion of the front cover 21. Front blinker devices 26 are provided at the lower left and right of the headlight 22.

The front side of the vehicle body of the head pipe 2 is covered with a front cover 21 to which a headlight 22 is attached. A front fender 23 that covers the upper part of the front wheel WF is attached to the front fork 5.

Around the head pipe 2 covered with the front cover 21, a wireless communication receiver 30, an answerback control device 31, and a buzzer 32 as a sound generator for answerback are arranged in this order from the top. The wireless communication receiver 30, answer back control device 31, and buzzer 32 can be attached using, for example, a stay or bracket (not shown) coupled to the head pipe 2.

Around the head pipe 2 (right side in the vehicle width direction), a key cylinder 40 covered with the front cover 21 and a portion of the key cylinder 40 exposed on the surface from the front cover 21 (key shutter) are illuminated. Key shutter illumination lamp 33. In addition, the luggage compartment 19 located below the seat 9 is provided with a luggage compartment illumination lamp 34 that illuminates the interior of the luggage compartment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the answerback system. 2, the answerback system includes an answerback device 100 provided on the motorcycle 1 side, and a vehicle key (transmission means) 60 having an answerback switch that is a remote control switch. The answerback apparatus 100 includes a radio communication receiver (reception means) 30, an answerback control apparatus 31, a buzzer 32, front and

rear blinker apparatuses

26 and 27, a key shutter illumination lamp 33, a luggage compartment illumination lamp 34, and a key cylinder. 40. The key cylinder 40 includes an ignition switch (IGN switch) 41.

The vehicle key 60 includes a holder portion 61, an answerback switch operation portion 64 accommodated in the holder portion 61, and a key portion 68 protruding from the holder portion 61. The shape and the like of the vehicle key 60 will be further described later.

The holder unit 61 of the vehicle key 60 stores a storage unit and a transmission unit (described later), and a unique code (hereinafter referred to as “ID code”) stored in advance in the storage unit pushes the operation unit 64. (Turned on) and sent from the transmitter. This ID code is a code required at least for answerback.

When the wireless communication receiver 30 receives the ID code sent from the transmission unit of the vehicle key 60, the wireless communication receiver 30 inputs the received ID code to the answerback control device 31. The answerback control device 31 has a storage unit that stores a verification ID code in advance, and compares the received ID code with the verification ID code when the ID code is transferred from the wireless communication receiver 30. . If the received ID code matches the ID code for verification, a drive signal is supplied to the

winker devices

26 and 27, the buzzer 32, the key shutter illumination lamp 33, and the luggage compartment illumination lamp 34 which are answer back means. . The drive signal should be supplied by wire. The

blinker devices

26 and 27 can operate as a hazard lamp by flashing at a preset time interval in response to a drive signal. The buzzer 32 sounds in response to the drive signal. Further, the key shutter illumination lamp 33 and the luggage compartment illumination lamp 34 turn on a lamp (for example, LED). The answer back control device 31 can be realized by a microcomputer.

3 is a perspective view of the vehicle key, FIG. 4 is a front view of the vehicle key, FIG. 5 is a rear view of the vehicle key, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view at the position AA in FIG. 3 to 6, the holder part 61 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape has an external shape having a substantially rectangular front surface 60A and a back surface 60B, and a side surface 60C sandwiched between the front surface 60A and the back surface 60B. The substantially rectangular parallelepiped holder portion 61 is provided with a key portion 68 that protrudes from one of the four side surfaces 60C.

On the surface 60A of the holder portion 61, an operation portion 64 having a substantially triangular surface shape is disposed at a position biased toward the side close to the side surface 60C holding the key portion 68. A region adjacent to the operation unit 64 is a recess 66 that is stepped down from the surface. The recess 66 is a plurality of dimples (dents) 67 as a slip stopper so that the user can firmly hold the vehicle key 60. Is formed.

Among the corner portions C1 to C4 of the holder portion 61, the corner portion C1 far from the operation portion 64 is formed as a protrusion having a substantially hexagonal column, and a magnet 63 is provided on the protrusion. The magnet 63 opens and closes a key shutter (described later) of the key cylinder 40 so that the key portion 68 of the vehicle key 60 can be inserted into and removed from the key hole of the key cylinder 40 when opened.

The concave portion 66 is a corner portion where the magnet portion 63 is provided, with a diagonal line 66a connecting two corner portions C2 and C4 adjacent to the corner portion C1 where the magnet portion 63 is provided in the surface 60A of the holder portion 61. It is formed extending in the range of a substantially triangle on the C1 side.

A part of the recess 66 is penetrated in the thickness direction (front and back direction) of the holder part 61 to form a through hole 62 through which a strap or the like can pass. The through-hole 62 is formed at a position biased to one side of the two corners C <b> 2 and C <b> 4 of the recess 66.

Between the operation part 64 and the recessed part 66, the LED display part 65 is arrange | positioned. That is, the LED display unit 65 is provided near the corner C2 on the opposite side to the corner C4 in the recess 66 at the position on the operation unit 64 side with respect to the diagonal line 66a. It is done. The LED display unit 65 responds to an on / off operation of the operation unit 64, and lights up with either green or red selected according to a buzzer sounding / stop mode described later.

As can be understood from the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6, in the holder portion 61, an electronic circuit 74 including a storage portion 74a and a transmission portion 74b is housed, and a battery 75 for operation is provided. In addition, a remote control switch 69 attached on the substrate 76 is disposed below the operation unit 64. The operation unit 64 is provided with an elastic member such as rubber that can also serve as a seal member between the operation unit 64 and the substrate 76 so that the operation unit 64 returns to the original position (off position) when the finger that pressed the operation unit 64 is released.

According to the vehicle key shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, since the recess 66 is formed on the surface between the magnet 63 for operating the key shutter and the operation unit 64, the user can easily press the recess with the touch of a finger. The vehicle key 60 can be operated by searching for 66 and pinching the recess 66 and the back surface of the holder 61. In addition, since the operation unit 64 is disposed at a position away from the magnet 63 with the recess 63 interposed therebetween, an error occurs when the user holds the holder unit 61 and engages the magnet 63 with the key shutter. Thus, the operation unit 64 can be avoided from being pushed down.

7 is a front view of the key cylinder with the key hole closed by the key shutter, and FIG. 8 is a front view of the key cylinder with the key shutter opened to expose the key hole 41a. The key cylinder 40 includes a top cover 70 that covers the front surface of the key cylinder 40, that is, the side where the key hole 41 a of the ignition switch 41 into which the key portion 68 of the vehicle key 60 is inserted. The top cover 70 is provided with a first opening 71 arranged in alignment with the key hole 41a and a second opening 72 arranged in alignment with the substantially hexagonal engagement groove 43 with which the magnet 63 is engaged. It is done. The first opening 71 has a circular shape, and the second opening 72 has a circular portion 72a and a circular arc portion 72b connected to the circular portion 72a. The circular arc portion 72b has an operation knob 44 that can be displaced along the circular arc portion 72b. It is loosely fitted.

The engaging groove 43 is formed at the top of the rotating member 73, and the rotating member 73 and the key shutter 42 are connected via a link (not shown). The magnet 63 of the vehicle key 60 is engaged with the engagement groove 43 of the key cylinder 40 in the state shown in FIG. 7 to connect the magnet 63 to the rotating member 73. Thus, when the vehicle key 60 is rotated clockwise, the rotating member 73 is also rotated clockwise (OPEN side), and the key shutter 42 covering the first opening 72 from the lower surface is opened (state shown in FIG. 8). In this state where the key shutter 42 is open (the second opening 71 is open), the key hole 41a is exposed, and therefore, by inserting the key portion 68 of the vehicle key 60 into the key hole 41a, Key operation can be performed by turning the key cylinder 40.

Rotation positions of the key cylinder 40 by the key section 68 are a lock position (LOCK), an off position (OFF), and an on position (ON) as shown in FIG. Between the ON position and the OFF position, a position (SEAT) where the key portion 68 can be pushed is set, and the lock of the seat 9 is released by pushing the key portion 68. Switching between the lock position and the off position is performed while pressing the key portion 68.

When the operation of the motorcycle 1 is to be ended, the key 68 is turned from the on position to the off position to switch the ignition switch to the off position, and is further turned from the off position to the lock position to extract the vehicle key 60. If the rotating member 73 is turned counterclockwise (SHUT side) using the magnet 63 of the extracted vehicle key 60, the key shutter 42 is closed.

The knob 44 is connected to the rotating member 73 so that the key shutter 42 can be closed without the vehicle key 60. When closing the key shutter 42, the rotary member 73 can be turned by moving the knob 44 from the position shown in FIG. 8 to the position shown in FIG. The knob 44 is configured so that it cannot be operated to open the key shutter 42.

A more specific configuration of the key cylinder 40 having the key shutter 42 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-176239 related to a patent application by the present applicant, and this configuration can be applied to this embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the operation of the answerback apparatus according to the present embodiment. The first stage of FIG. 9 shows the operation of the ignition switch. It is assumed that the ignition switch is turned on at timing t4 and turned off at timing t5.

The second level is an ID code (UHF output) output corresponding to the operation of the vehicle key 60 and the transmission unit 74b in the vehicle key 60, that is, the ON / OFF of the answerback switch of the vehicle key 60. The change and the operation of the LED display unit 65 are shown. When the operation unit 64 of the vehicle key 60 is pressed at the timing t1, the remote control switch is switched from off (H) to on (L). While the operation unit 64 is pressed, the signal of the remote control switch is kept on (L). At the timing t2 when the predetermined time T1 has passed while the signal of the remote control switch is kept on, the transmitter 74b in the vehicle key 60 transmits the UHF signal including the ID code as shown in the third row of FIG. It is transmitted (turned on) for a predetermined time T2. At the same time, as shown in the fourth row of FIG. 9, the LED display unit 65 is lit (turned on) for a predetermined time T3. By turning on the LED display unit 65, the user can recognize that the operation unit 64 has been reliably operated.

In the fifth to seventh stages in FIG. 9, the answerback operation started from timing t3 in response to the UHF signal sent from the transmitter 74b in the vehicle key 60, that is, the answerback control on the vehicle body side. The operation by the device 31 is shown. The operation of the hazard lamp shown in the fifth stage can be realized as one of the functions of the

blinker devices

26 and 27. The operation as a hazard lamp is a blinking operation that turns on the left and

right winker devices

26 and 27 for a predetermined time T4 and turns them off for a predetermined time T5. The sixth row shows the operation of the buzzer 32. The buzzer 32 performs an intermittent operation that is turned on for a predetermined time T6 and turned off for a predetermined time T7.

The seventh row in FIG. 9 shows the operation of the key shutter illumination lamp 33 that illuminates the area around the key shutter and the luggage compartment illumination lamp 34 that illuminates the interior of the cargo compartment. The key shutter lamp 33 and the luggage compartment lamp 34 are turned on at the timing t3 when the operation of the hazard lamp and the buzzer 32 is started, and are lit for a time T8 until the timing t4 when the ignition switch 41 is turned on by the vehicle key 60. To maintain. That is, when the engine start operation is started, the answer back is ended. In this example, the ignition operation ends at timing t5.

Next, registration of the vehicle key 60 will be described. FIG. 10 is a timing chart of the key registration setting operation. The key registration setting means that when the spare vehicle key 60 is owned in addition to the main vehicle key 60 registered in advance, the ID code sent from each spare vehicle key is the answer-back control on the vehicle side. It means storing in the device 31.

In FIG. 10, the ignition signal is turned on at timing t10 by turning the ignition switch 41 to the on position using the main vehicle key 60. While the ignition signal is on, the operation unit 64 of the main vehicle key 60 is operated to send out an ID code. The time during which the ignition signal is on depends on the user's operation, but the time T10 from one ignition on to the next ignition on is, for example, within 5 seconds. If the ignition signal is kept off for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds or more) after the ignition signal is turned off from on, the processing by this key registration operation is reset. While the ignition-on operation is being performed at a plurality of timings (here, timings t10, t20, and t30), the operation unit 64 is turned on, and ID codes a, b, and c are transmitted, respectively. Then, when the ignition-on operation is performed at timing t40, and then the operation unit 64 is turned on and the ID code d is transmitted, the process proceeds to the key registration mode at timing t50.

After the timing t50, when the operation unit 64 of the spare vehicle key 60 is turned on during a key registration mode up to a predetermined time T20 (for example, 10 seconds) or the timing t60 when the ignition signal is turned off, The ID code transmitted from the vehicle key 60 is received by the vehicle-side wireless communication receiver 30 and stored and registered in the answerback control device 31.

A plurality of (for example, three) ID codes that are sent during time T20 and received on the vehicle body side are stored. When the ID code more than the scheduled number (three) is transmitted during the time T20, the latest scheduled number (three) input is registered. In this example, the spare vehicle key 60 stores two ID codes e and f, and two spare vehicle keys 60 are registered.

An answerback is activated to indicate that the mode has been switched to the key registration mode. In this answerback, the hazard lamps (blinker devices) 26 and 27 blink, and the buzzer 32 sounds intermittently. Further, the key shutter illumination lamp 33 and the luggage compartment illumination lamp 34 are continuously turned on from timing t50 to t60.

When the time T20 has passed and the normal mode is returned from the registration mode, the registered spare vehicle key 60 and the main vehicle key 60 can be used in combination. Therefore, it is possible to use the spare vehicle key 60 that sends the ID codes e and f in the normal mode.

Next, answerback mode setting using the registered vehicle key will be described. Here, as the answer back mode, the volume of the buzzer 32 and the buzzer sound pattern (variations in the number of blowing sounds and the blowing interval) are taken up. FIG. 11 is a timing chart for setting the buzzer volume, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart for setting the buzzer volume.

In FIG. 11, the ignition switch 41 is turned on at timings t11, t21, and t31, and the on state is maintained for a time T11. When the ignition switch 41 is on, two ID codes transmitted from the vehicle key 60 are received by the wireless communication receiver 30 and the operation is repeated a predetermined number of times (three times in this example). Preparations for shifting to the volume setting mode can be made at timing t41 when the ignition switch 41 is turned on. Then, at time t51 when the ID code is received once before the time T12 elapses from time t41, the sound volume setting mode is entered. If the ignition signal is kept off for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds or more) after the ignition signal is turned off from on, the processing by this key registration operation is reset.

The volume setting mode is continued until the timing t61 when the ignition switch 41 is turned off, and during this time, the operation unit 64 of the vehicle key 60 is depressed to perform the volume setting operation. First, when shifting to the volume setting mode, the buzzer 32 sounds at a volume of “high” according to the initial setting value, and the user can recognize the current setting value. During the volume setting mode, each time the operation unit 64 is operated and an ID code is received, the volume setting value changes cyclically in the order of “large, medium, small, no sound”. A buzzer sound corresponding to the value is generated. The volume setting mode is continued while the ignition switch 41 is on. However, when the time T13 is exceeded, the volume setting mode ends at that point regardless of whether the ignition switch 41 is on or not. Transition to operation mode. The time T13 is set to 60 seconds, for example.

In FIG. 12, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the ignition switch 41 is on. If the ignition switch 41 is on, the process proceeds to step S2, and it is determined whether or not the ID code is received twice, that is, whether or not the push-down button of the vehicle key 60, that is, the operation unit 64 is pressed twice. If the ID code is received twice in step S2, the process proceeds to step S3, where it is determined whether or not the ignition switch 41 is turned off. If the ignition switch 41 is turned off, the process proceeds to step S4, and it is determined whether or not steps S1 to S3 are repeatedly executed three times.

If step S4 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S5 to determine whether or not the ignition switch 41 is on. If the ignition switch 41 is on, the process proceeds to step S6 to determine whether or not an ID code has been received. If step S6 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S7 to shift to the volume setting mode. At this time, at least one of the key shutter illumination lamp 33 and the luggage compartment illumination lamp 34 can be turned on in order to display the transition to the volume setting mode.

After shifting to the volume setting mode, in step S8, the operation unit 64 of the vehicle key 60 is depressed to set the buzzer volume. Each time the operation unit 64 is pushed down and the ID code is recognized by the answer back control device 31, the buzzer volume is cyclically switched in the order of “large, medium, small, no sound, large,. . For example, the initial value of the set value is “high volume”. The buzzer 32 sounds each time the operation unit 64 is pushed down so that the set volume can be confirmed.

In step S9, it is determined whether or not the time after the ignition switch 41 is turned off or the volume setting mode is reached has passed the scheduled volume setting time. If step S9 is positive, the process proceeds to step S10 to shift from the volume setting mode to the normal operation mode. That is, the mode shifts to a mode in which an answerback is performed in response to the operation of the vehicle key 60.

While the step S9 is negative, the volume setting of the buzzer 32 can be continued by the step S8. The sound volume setting at the time when step S9 becomes affirmative is stored in the storage unit of the answerback control device 31, and when the sound volume setting mode is entered next, the setting is started from the sound volume stored in the storage unit. For example, if the volume setting value of the previous buzzer sound is “medium”, the setting values are switched in the order of “small, no sound, large, medium, small,.

Next, the setting of the buzzer sound pattern will be described. FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing the setting operation of the buzzer sound pattern, and FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the buzzer sound pattern setting process.

In FIG. 13, the ignition switch 41 is turned on at timings t12, t22, and t32, and the on state is maintained for a time T14. When the ID code transmitted from the vehicle key 60 is received three times by the wireless communication receiver 30 while the ignition switch 41 is on (T14), the timing t42 at which the ignition switch 41 is next turned on. Now you are ready to enter the buzzer sound pattern setting mode. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the buzzer sound pattern setting mode at timing t52 when the ID code is received once before the time T15 elapses. If the ignition signal is kept off for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds or more) after the ignition signal is turned off from on, the processing by this key registration operation is reset.

The buzzer sound pattern setting mode is continued until the timing t62 when the ignition switch 41 is turned off. During this time, the operation unit 64 of the vehicle key 60 is depressed to perform the setting operation of the buzzer sound pattern. First, when shifting to the buzzer sound pattern setting mode, the buzzer 32 sounds according to the setting value of the initial setting pattern, and the user can recognize the initial setting pattern of the buzzer sound. When the operation unit 64 is operated and the ID code is received during the volume setting mode, the buzzer sound pattern changes cyclically and a buzzer sound corresponding to the scheduled buzzer sound pattern setting is generated.

The buzzer sound pattern is set according to the time and number of times that the buzzer 32 is blown as shown in FIG. For example, the pattern P1 is a continuous long sound twice, and the pattern P2 is a continuous short sound twice than the pattern P1. In the pattern P3, a short sound having the same length as the pattern P2 is repeated three times. Each time the ID code is received, the patterns P1, P2, and P3 change, for example, as “P1, P2, P3, P1,.

The buzzer sound pattern setting mode is continued until the timing 62 when the ignition switch 41 is turned off. When the time T16 is exceeded, the buzzer sound pattern is set at that time regardless of whether or not the ignition switch 41 is turned on. The setting mode ends and the normal operation mode is entered. The time T16 is, for example, 60 seconds.

In FIG. 14, it is determined in step S10 whether or not the ignition switch 41 is on. If the ignition switch 41 is on, the process proceeds to step S11 to determine whether or not the ID code has been received three times, that is, whether or not the push-down button of the vehicle key 60, that is, the operation unit 64 has been pressed three times. If the ID code is received three times in step S11, it is determined in step S12 whether or not the ignition switch 41 is turned off. If the ignition switch 41 is turned off, the process proceeds to step S13, and it is determined whether or not steps S10 to S12 are repeatedly executed three times.

If step S13 is positive, the process proceeds to step S14 to determine whether the ignition switch 41 is on. If the ignition switch 41 is on, the process proceeds to step S15 to determine whether an ID code has been received. If step S15 is affirmative, it will progress to step S16 and will transfer to a buzzer sound pattern setting mode. At this time, at least one of the key shutter illumination lamp 33 and the luggage compartment illumination lamp 34 can be turned on in order to display the transition to the buzzer sound pattern setting mode.

After shifting to the buzzer sound pattern setting mode, in step S17, the operation unit 64 of the vehicle key 60 is depressed to set a buzzer sound pattern. The buzzer sound pattern is cyclically switched in the order of “pattern P1, pattern P2, pattern P3,...” Each time the operation unit 64 is pushed down and the ID code is recognized by the answerback control device 31. For example, the initial value of the setting value is “pattern P1”. The buzzer 32 sounds each time the operation unit 64 is pushed down so that the set pattern can be confirmed.

In step S18, it is determined whether or not a predetermined pattern setting time has elapsed since the ignition switch 41 is turned off or the mode is changed to the buzzer sound pattern setting mode. If step S18 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S19 to shift from the buzzer sound pattern setting mode to the normal operation mode. That is, the mode shifts to a mode in which an answerback is performed in response to the operation of the vehicle key 60.

While the step S18 is negative, the sound pattern setting of the buzzer 32 can be continued. The buzzer sound pattern at the time when step S19 becomes affirmative is stored in the storage unit of the answer back control device 31, and when the sound volume setting mode is entered next, setting is started from the sound volume stored in the storage unit. For example, in the case of the previous pattern P2, the setting is switched in the order of “pattern P3, pattern P1, pattern P2,.

Next, the operation of blowing and stopping the buzzer 32 will be described. FIG. 15 is a timing chart of switching control to the buzzer stop mode, and FIG. 16 is a timing chart of switching control to the buzzer sounding mode.

In FIG. 15, when the operation unit 64 of the vehicle key 60 is pressed for a long time from the timing t13, the wireless communication receiver 30 detects the carrier wave due to the long press and the ID code included in the carrier wave is registered for the vehicle. It is determined whether the ID code is from the key 60 or not. Then, when the ID code is recognized and the long press is continued for a time T20 (for example, 2 seconds) or longer, the buzzer sounding mode is switched to the buzzer stop mode at timing t23.

If the ID code is sent while the vehicle key 60 is pressed long, the current mode is the buzzer sounding mode, so the LED display unit 65 is lit in green for a predetermined time T21. At the same time, the

blinker devices

26 and 27 blink to perform a hazard display, and the buzzer 32 sounds. Further, when the time T20 has elapsed, the LED display unit 65 lights in red for a predetermined time T21 in order to display the buzzer stop mode. In the buzzer stop mode, when the operation unit 64 of the vehicle key 60 is turned on, the LED display unit 65 is lit in red for a predetermined time T21, and a hazard operation is performed in response to receiving the ID code. The buzzer 32 is not sounded.

Fig. 16 shows the switching control from the buzzer stop mode to the buzzer sounding mode. In FIG. 16, when the operation unit 64 of the vehicle key 60 is pressed for a long time from the timing t14, the wireless communication receiver 30 detects the carrier wave by the long press and the ID code included in the carrier wave is registered for the vehicle. It is determined whether the ID code is from the key 60 or not. When the ID code is recognized and it is determined that the long press is longer than time T20 (for example, 2 seconds), the buzzer stop mode is switched to the buzzer sounding mode at timing t24.

When the ID code is sent while the vehicle key 60 is pressed long, the current mode is the buzzer stop mode, so the LED display unit 65 is lit in red for a predetermined time T21. At the same time, the

blinker devices

26 and 27 blink to perform hazard display. Here, the buzzer 32 is not sounded. When the time T20 has elapsed, the LED display unit 65 is lit in green for a predetermined time T21 to display that the buzzer stop mode has been switched to the buzzer sounding mode. In the buzzer sounding mode, when the operation unit 64 of the vehicle key 60 is turned on, the LED display unit 65 lights in green for a predetermined time T21, and a hazard operation is performed in response to receiving the ID code. The buzzer 32 is sounded.

In the above example, the buzzer volume setting mode is selected when the operation of receiving the predetermined number (2 or 3) of the ID code is repeated the predetermined number of times (3 times) while the ignition switch 41 is on. Alternatively, the buzzer sound pattern setting mode is entered. In this control, it is assumed that the ID code cannot be received regularly. For example, there are a case where the user does not regularly operate the operation unit 64 a predetermined number of times, or a case where a reception error occurs in the wireless communication receiver 30.

An example of operation when such a user error or a radio communication receiver 30 error occurs will be described. FIG. 17 is a timing chart showing an operation example of the answerback apparatus at the time of an error. In FIG. 17, it is assumed that three ID codes are detected when the ignition switch 41 starting from timing t15 is turned on, and two ID codes are detected when the ignition switch 41 starting from timing t25 is turned on. As described above, when the number of ID codes detected in two consecutive receptions is different, the ID code detection operation so far is invalidated (cancelled). Then, the number of detections is determined for the ID code detected thereafter. In this example, two ID codes are obtained as the first detection result while the ignition switch 41 is turned on starting from the timing t35. Then, two ID codes are obtained as the second detection result while the ignition switch 41 is turned on starting from the timing t45. Further, two ID codes are obtained as the third detection result while the ignition switch 41 is turned on starting from the timing t55. Thereby, it is possible to shift to the buzzer sound volume setting mode from the timing t65. Details of the buzzer volume setting mode are as described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the main functions of the answerback control device 31 according to the setting mode selection means for selecting any of the setting modes for setting the buzzer volume and the buzzer sound pattern. In FIG. 18, the ignition switch discriminating unit 45 of the setting mode selection unit 101 detects the on state and the off state of the ignition switch 41, and outputs a switch on signal and a switch off signal according to the detection result. The first counter 46 counts the number of receptions of the ID code sent from the transmission unit 74 b in response to the operation of the operation unit 64 of the vehicle key 60. The number of receptions is counted while the ON signal is being input from the ignition switch determination unit 45 to the first counter 46. When the OFF signal is input from the ignition switch determination unit 45, the first determination unit 47 reads the counter value C1 of the first counter 46, and the counter value C1 is a scheduled value “2” corresponding to the buzzer volume setting. It is determined whether or not.

The off signal from the ignition switch discriminating unit 45 is also input to the second discriminating unit 48, and in response to the off signal, the second discriminating unit 48 determines that the counter value C1 is a predetermined value “ 3 ”is determined.

When the first determination unit 47 and the second determination unit 48 determine that the counter value C1 is the respective scheduled value “2” or “3”, the detection signals d1 and d2 are respectively sent to the answerback mode setting unit 49. input. The answer back mode setting unit 49 includes a buzzer volume setting unit 50 and a buzzer sound pattern setting unit 51, and the detection signal d 1 is input to the buzzer volume setting unit 50, and the detection signal d 2 is the buzzer sound pattern setting unit 51. Is input.

The detection signals d1 and d2 are also input to the second counter 52. The second counter 52 is a counter that counts up (may be counted down from the initial value) every time the detection signal d1 or d2 is input. When the counter value C2 (“3”) of this counter is counted Of the buzzer volume setting unit 50 and the buzzer sound pattern setting unit 51 of the answer back mode setting unit 49, the one that receives the detection signal d1 or d2 operates.

When the buzzer sound volume setting unit 50 and the buzzer sound pattern setting unit 51 receive the count-out signal from the second counter 52 and then the on signal is input from the ignition switch determination unit 45, the buzzer sound setting unit 51 transmits the sound from the vehicle key 60. The ID code received by the wireless communication receiver 30 sets the volume or sound pattern according to the number of times the ID code is received while the ignition switch 41 is on or for a predetermined time (for example, 60 seconds).

The operation part 64 and the concave part 66 of the vehicle key 60 are not limited to being arranged on the surface 60A of the holder part 61. For example, the operation part 64 is arranged on the surface 60A. You may form in the back surface 60B. Also in this case, the operation portion 64 and the recess 66 do not overlap in the plan view of the holder portion 61, that is, the operation portion 64 is closer to the corner C3 and the recess 66 is the corner C1 where the magnet portion 63 is provided. There is no change in placing it closer. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the vehicle key used in the answer back system described above, but can also be employed in a portable electronic key equipped with a system that can unlock the vehicle by wireless communication.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Motorcycle, 19 ... Cargo compartment, 26, 27 ... Winker device, 30 ... Wireless communication receiver, 31 ... Answer back control device, 32 ... Buzzer, 33 ... Key shutter illumination light, 34 ... Cargo compartment illumination light, 40 ... Key cylinder, 41 ... Ignition switch, 42 ... Key shutter, 60 ... Vehicle key, 61 ... Holder part, 63 ... Magnet part, 64 ... Operation part, 66 ... Recessed part, 68 ... Key part, 100 ... Answer back device, 101 ... Setting mode selection means

Claims

The rotary member (73) is engaged with the rotary member (73) connected to the key shutter (42) that covers the key portion (68) and the key hole (41a) of the key cylinder (40) provided on the vehicle side. A magnet portion (63) for opening and closing the key hole (41a) by rotating the keyhole in a predetermined rotation direction, and an operation portion for performing an operation of sending a signal including at least an ID code for an answer back function ( 64) in a vehicle key provided with a holder part (61) having
The vehicle key, wherein the holder part (61) has a recess (66) formed between the magnet part (63) and the operation part (64).
The holder portion (61) has an external shape having a front surface (60A) and a back surface (60B), and a side surface (60C) sandwiched between the front surface (60A) and the back surface (60B),
The vehicle key according to claim 1, wherein the operation portion (64) and the concave portion (66) are disposed on the surface (60A) of the holder portion (61).
The front surface (60A) and the back surface (60B) are each substantially rectangular,
The magnet portion (63) is provided to protrude from the side surface (60C) of the holder portion (61) at one corner of the substantially rectangular shape,
The surface (60A) of the holder part (61) is located at a position where the operation part (64) is biased toward another corner part that is diagonally opposite to one corner part from which the magnet part (63) protrudes. The vehicle key according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle key is disposed in
The recess (66) is a diagonal line connecting two corners (C2, C4) adjacent to the corner (C1) where the magnet part (63) is provided in the surface (60A) of the holder part (61) ( The vehicular key according to claim 3, wherein the vehicular key is formed to extend in a substantially triangular range on the corner (C1) side where the magnet portion (63) is provided, with 66a) as a boundary.
The vehicle key according to claim 4, wherein a through hole (62) is formed in the recess (66) so as to penetrate in the front and back direction of the holder part (61).
The through hole (62) is formed at a position biased to one side of the two corners of the recess (66),
Located near the operating portion (64) with respect to the diagonal line (66a) and adjacent to the opposite side of the concave portion (66) from the side where the through hole (62) is formed. 6. The vehicle key according to claim 5, further comprising an indicator lamp provided.
When a signal including an ID code sent from the vehicle key (60) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is received and the ID code matches a pre-stored ID code for verification In the answerback device having the answerback control device (31) that performs the answerback in a preset manner,
The operation part provided in the vehicle key (60) is formed as a single operation part for sending out the ID code,
Setting mode selection in which the answer-back control device (31) shifts to one of a plurality of answer-back mode setting modes according to the number of receptions of the ID code transmitted by operating the single operation unit (64) An answerback device comprising means (101).
The setting mode selection means (101)
Discrimination means (47, 48) for detecting that a predetermined number of ID codes have been received within a predetermined period;
A discriminating means (52) for detecting that the scheduled number of ID codes have been received a predetermined number of times,
When it is detected that reception of the predetermined number of ID codes has been repeated a predetermined number of times, it is configured to shift to one of a plurality of answer back mode setting modes according to the number of ID code receptions within the predetermined period The answer back apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the answer back apparatus is provided.
In the answerback mode setting mode selected by the setting mode selection means (101), there is provided answerback mode setting means (49) for performing detailed setting of the answerback mode in response to reception of the ID code. The answerback apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
The answer back mode setting means (49)
A means for cyclically selecting one of a plurality of set values in the answer back mode each time the ID code is received;
10. The answer back apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a set value selected by an ID code received most recently within a predetermined period is held as a detailed set value in an answer back mode.
The plurality of answer back aspects are sounding aspects of a sounding body (32) provided in the vehicle,
The answer back apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the detailed setting is a volume level or a sound generation pattern of the sound generator (32).
9. The predetermined number of ID codes are sent by operating the operation unit (64) when an ignition switch (41) provided in a vehicle is in an on state. Answer back device.
The answer back apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein when the number of ID codes detected in two consecutive receptions is different from each other, the ID code detection operation so far is invalidated. .
14. The answerback apparatus according to claim 7, wherein an illumination lamp that irradiates around a key hole provided in the vehicle is energized during the answerback mode setting mode.