Patent Application
20110208413
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for starting the engine of an automobile, and more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for starting the engine of an automobile using a start-button, which allow a proper user to start the engine through a simple operation of the start-button for starting the engine without having a car key.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Generally, an ignition lock device for starting the engine of an automobile is also called a start switch for starting the engine and integrated with a locking device of a steering column in order to prevent the automobile from being stolen.
As shown in
More specifically, the ignition lock device 1 includes an ignition lock body 11 and a key cylinder 12. The ignition lock body 11 is fixed to the steering column 3. The key cylinder 12 is combined with the inside of the ignition lock body 11 through a combining pin P and rotated with the car key being inserted thereinto such that the car key operates. The key cylinder 12 includes the key hole 13 formed at the front side and a cylinder cover 14 for protecting the outer face of the ignition lock body 11. The rotating operation of the car key is composed of four steps of a locking step, an accessory power supply step, a controller and driver on step, and a starting step. The car key is inserted into or ejected from the key hole 13 only in the locking step.
The aforementioned conventional ignition lock device is a mechanical lock device provided near a car door locking unit and the steering column. In this mechanical lock device, a driver inserts the mechanical car key into the key hole 13 of the key cylinder 12 and then rotates it. As well known in the art, the rotation of the key cylinder 12 with the key causes the rotation of a shaft (not shown) connected to the key cylinder 12 and extended in the ignition lock body 11. Then the rotation of the shaft turns on a rotary switch (not shown) in the ignition lock body 11 to energize a starting motor for starting an engine.
However, the conventional mechanical lock device requires the driver to insert the car key thereinto and rotate the car key. Furthermore, after the conventional mechanical lock device is damaged, the engine can be started through an operation of a skilled person. Accordingly, the automobile having the mechanical lock device is easily stolen.
To solve this problem, a smart key is provided to some of recent automobiles on the market. The car using the smart key has modified structures of a key cylinder and a steering column in comparison with a normal automobile using the mechanical key such that the car key cannot be inserted into the key cylinder when normal authentication is not performed. A user can lock/unlock the doors of the car only using the smart key and start the car according to an authentication result without inserting the car key into the key cylinder.
On the other hand, there are market demands for applying smart key technology to normal automobiles employing the mechanical key. In this case, it is difficult to modify the structure of a key cylinder in normal automobiles. Therefore, in order to apply smart key technology to normal automobiles without modifying the key cylinder, the mechanical key should be always inserted into the key cylinder. Since the mechanical key is still required, this case may fail to solve a problem of poor security.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for starting the engine of an automobile using a start-button, which allow a proper user to start the engine through a simple operation of the start-button for starting the engine without having a car key.
Another object of the present invention is to favorably apply smart key technology to a normal automobile requiring a mechanical key.
An apparatus for starting the engine of an automobile using a start-button according to the present invention comprises an ignition lock body, a key cylinder, a start-button, and a controller. The ignition lock body is fixed to a steering column of the automobile. The key cylinder combined with the inside of the ignition lock body is extended into the ignition lock body. The key cylinder includes a motor, a shaft, and a safety member positioned within an inner space of the key cylinder, respectively. The shaft has an end connected to the motor and has a first hole formed on an outer surface of the shaft. The safety member is inserted/separated into/from the first hole. The start-button applies a starting signal for starting the automobile. The controller receives the starting signal from the start-button, performs authentication on a key FOB of the automobile, separates the safety member from the first hole when the key FOB passes authentication and drives the motor to operate the steering column connected to the shaft so as to start the automobile using a driving force generated from the operation of the shaft. The controller inserts the safety member into the first hole to lock the shaft when the automobile is started.
In a method for starting the engine of an automobile using a start-button according to the present invention, it is determined whether a plurality of signals are on when the start-button is on. A key FOB is requested to transmit an ID thereof, receive the ID from the key FOB, and perform authentication on the key FOB using the received ID when the signals are on. Power is provided to a starting motor of the automobile and a driving signal is applied to a motor driver for driving a motor positioned within a key cylinder of an apparatus for starting the automobile when the key FOB passes authentication. The apparatus for starting the automobile comprises an ignition lock body fixed to a steering column of the automobile, and the key cylinder combined with the inside of the ignition lock body and extended into the ignition lock body. The key cylinder includes the motor, a shaft, and a safety member positioned within an inner space of the key cylinder, respectively. The shaft has an end connected to the motor and has a first hole formed on an outer surface of the shaft. The safety member is inserted/separated into/from the first hole. The shaft is driven according to the operation of the motor to operate the starting motor to start the automobile. The safety member is inserted into the first hole of the shaft to block the shaft from moving and rotating when the automobile is started.
According to the present invention, the motor is provided to the inside of the key cylinder and, after authentication on the key FOB, operates without the rotation of the key cylinder by a mechanical car key. Therefore, this invention may eliminate a need to use the mechanical key in an automobile and may also favorably apply smart key technology to a normal automobile with minimized changes in the structure of the key cylinder.
Furthermore, the safety member is inserted into a hole formed at the shaft to block the shaft from moving and rotating when the engine is started, and thus the motor is prevented from rotating due to external impact applied to the car and other noise impacts caused by an uneven surface of road.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth therein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art.
Apparatus for Starting the Engine of an Automobile
Referring to
The ignition lock body 100 is fixed to a steering column of the automobile.
The key cylinder 200 is combined with the inside of the ignition lock body 100. The key cylinder 200 is extended into the ignition lock body 100. The key cylinder 200 includes a motor 21, a shaft 22, and a safety member 25. The key cylinder 200 has an inner space inside thereof. The motor 21, the shaft 22, and the safety member 25 are positioned within the inner space of the key cylinder 200. The shaft 22 is connected at one end thereof to the motor 21 and connected at the other end thereof to a conventional rotary switch 50 located in the ignition lock body 100. The shaft 22 has a first hole 24 formed on an outer surface of the shaft 22, and the safety member 25 is inserted into or separated from the first hole 24.
The start-button 400 applies a starting signal for starting the engine to the controller 300.
The controller 300 is a microprocessor that controls the overall operation of the apparatus for starting the engine of the automobile. The controller 300 receives the starting signal from the start-button 400 and performs authentication on a key FOB 500 of the automobile. When the key FOB 500 passes the authentication, the controller 300 separates the safety member 25 from the first hole 24, In addition, the controller 300 drives the motor 21 to operate the shaft 22. Then the shaft 22 turns on the rotary switch 50 in the ignition lock body 100, so the rotary switch 50 is located at a selected one of lock, accessory power supply (ACC), ignition on (IGN) and start positions. When the rotary switch 50 is located at the start position, an engine starting signal is provided to a starting motor 20 for starting the engine of the automobile through a start relay 304. When the engine is started, the controller 300 inserts the safety member 25 into the first hole 24 to lock the shaft 22.
The apparatus for starting the engine of the automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention now will be described in more detail.
The ignition lock body 100 can have a hollow cylindrical shape. The key cylinder 200 is mechanically combined with the inside of the ignition lock body 100 through a combining member such as a combining pin or bonding. The rotary switch 50 is located in the ignition lock body 100 and connected to the shaft 22 located in the key cylinder 200.
The key cylinder 200 includes the motor 21 with the shaft 22 and the safety member 25. The shaft 22 has the first hole 24 having a predetermined size formed at one end thereof. The motor 21 is driven under the control of the controller 300 to move and rotate the shaft 22. A driving force according to the moving and rotating operation of the shaft 22 is transmitted to the rotary switch 50 connected to the shaft 22. The rotary switch 50 is turned on by the driving force from the shaft 22, thereby energizing the starting motor 20 for starting the engine of the automobile at the start position. The safety member 25 is inserted into or separated from the first hole 24 formed at one end of the shaft 22 according to a control signal of the controller 300. The first hole 24 and the safety member 25 prevents the motor 21 from rotating due to external impact applied to the automobile and other noise impacts caused by an uneven surface of road in an ignition on step after the automobile is started. The key cylinder 200 can be integrated with an ignition knob 110 and a coil antenna 23.
The start-button 400 is connected to the controller 300 and performs a switching function for starting the engine of the automobile. When a driver pushes the start-button 400, a predetermined authentication process is performed and the motor 21 is driven to move and rotate the shaft 22 so that the engine can be started. An automobile has four power mode steps. That is, the power mode of the automobile is changed among lock, accessory power supply (ACC), ignition on (IGN) and start states according to the rotation of the rotary switch 50.
The controller 300 may change the power mode according to the time for which the start-button 400 is pushed or according to the number of times of pushing the start-button 400. For example, the power mode may be changed to accessory power supply state when the start-button 400 is pushed once for shorter than three seconds in lock state and changed to ignition on state when the start-button 400 is pushed twice for shorter than three seconds. The power mode may be changed to the ignition on state when the start-button 400 is pushed once in the accessory power supply state. The power mode may be changed to lock state when the start-button 400 is pushed for longer than three seconds in the accessory power supply state, ignition on state and start state.
Referring to
When the engine is started, the controller 300 inserts the safety member 25 into the first hole 24 of the shaft 22 in order to prevent the motor 21 from being operated by disturbance to move and rotate the shaft 22. That is, the shaft is locked in order to block the shaft 22 from moving and rotating for safety after the engine is started.
Referring to
The body 26 has a second hole 26a into/from which the mobile object 27 is inserted/ejected according to a control signal of the controller 300. The coil 28 is wound in a solenoid form such that the coil 28 includes at least the second hole 26a. The polarity of both ends of the coil 28 is converted by the polarity converter 29 that operates according to a signal of the controller 300. The mobile object 27 is formed of metal and, preferably, it is a magnet. When current is applied to this solenoid coil, the coil 28 becomes an electromagnet. When the mobile object 27 is inserted into the electromagnet, the mobile object 27 moves in the length direction of the solenoid coil according to change of the polarity of the coil 28. In other words, both ends of the electromagnet have magnetism of S-pole or N-pole according to current applied to the coil 28. The polarity is determined by the winding direction of the coil 28 and the direction of current applied to the coil 28. Accordingly, the polarity converter 29 changes the direction of current applied to the coil 28 to convert the polarity of both ends of the coil 28. The mobile object 27 is moved using this principle such that the mobile object is inserted into or ejected from the first hole 24 formed on the outer surface of the shaft 22.
The controller 300 requests the key FOB 500 carried by the driver to transmit its ID and receives the ID through wireless communication with the key FOB 500 when the starting signal is transmitted thereto from the start-button 400. The controller 300 performs authentication on the key FOB 500 using the received ID. The controller 300 receives various signals with respect to the automobile. That is, the controller 300 receives a key FOB docking signal, a driver seat door closing signal, a bake pedal signal, a gearshift parking signal, a parking brake signal, a run/crank signal, a start completion signal, etc. in addition to the starting signal from the start-button 400. The controller 300 receives these signals in order to confirm whether a user who pushes the start-button 400 is a proper user and whether the automobile is in a safe state before the engine is started. When this precondition for safety is satisfied, authentication of the key FOB 500 is carried out. Here, the precondition is an example and can be set in various manners.
The key FOB 500 has its ID that is used to confirm a proper user of the automobile. Furthermore, the key FOB 500 includes a battery (not shown) so that the key FOB 500 can perform wireless communication with the controller 300 when approaching or entering the automobile. That is, the controller 300 can carry out wireless communication with the key FOB 500 through an antenna set in the inside of the automobile.
The key FOB 500 can be combined with a docking unit 600. For example, the docking unit 600 can be provided to a predetermined portion of the driver seat dash panel such that the key FOB 500 and the docking unit 600 can be combined with each other, as shown in
As described above, the controller 300 receives a plurality of external signals and performs a process for starting the automobile engine under a predetermined condition. The controller 300 receives the starting signal from the start-button 400 and a plurality of signals representing the state of the automobile and performs authentication on the key FOB 500 through wireless communication with the key FOB 500. When the key FOB 500 passes authentication, the controller 300 applies power to the motor 21 to move and rotate the shaft 22 so as to start the engine of the automobile.
Referring to
The wireless transmitter 301 and the wireless receiver 302 transmit and receive data through wireless communication with the key FOB 500. The wireless transmitter 301 transmits a radio signal to the key FOB 500 according to an output signal from the MCU 303 to request the key FOB 500 to transmit the ID thereof. Specifically, the MCU 303 transmits an ID request signal to the key FOB 500 through the wireless transmitter 301 when receiving a start-button on signal S0, a brake pedal signal S3, a gearshift parking signal S4 and a parking brake signal S5. The wireless receiver 302 receives the ID from the key FOB 500. For example, the wireless transmitter 301 transmits the ID request signal to the key FOB 500 through low frequency (LF) communication. The wireless receiver 302 receives the ID from the key FOB 500 through radio frequency (RF) communication.
The MCU 303 includes a signal processor 31 and an authentication unit 32. The signal processor 31 receives the start-button on signal S0, a key FOB docking signal S1, a driver seat door closing signal S2, the brake pedal signal S3, the gearshift parking signal S4, the parking brake signal S5, a run/crank signal S6, a start completion signal S7, and a key FOB authentication result signal S8. The signal processor 31 transmits a predetermined control signal to the wireless transmitter 301 when the start-button on signal S0, the brake pedal signal S3, the gearshift parking signal S4 and the parking brake signal S5 among the signals S0 to S8 are input thereto. For example, the signal receiver transmits the ID request signal to the key FOB 500 through the wireless transmitter 301 and receives the ID of the key FOB 500 through the wireless receiver when the brake pedal signal S3, the gearshift parking signal S4 and the parking brake signal S5 are received after the start-button on signal S0 is received.
The authentication unit 32 compares the ID of the key FOB 500, received through the wireless receiver 302, with ID stored therein and determines whether the two IDs correspond to each other to authenticate the key FOB 500.
Here, the signal processor 31 receives the key FOB authentication result signal S8 from the authentication unit 32 and outputs an ON signal to the first relay (A contact) 304 when the key FOB 500 successively passes authentication. The signal processor 31 receives and outputs the start completion signal S7 to the second relay (B contact) 305. The signal processor 31 outputs an ON signal to the motor driver 306 when the key FOB 500 passes authentication. In addition, the signal processor 31 outputs a control signal T2 for operating the safety member 25 in order to prevent the shaft 22 from moving and rotating after the engine is started to eliminate the possibility that the motor 21 is driven due to disturbance such as shaking of automobile and an uneven surface of road after engine has been started.
The first relay 304 receives the run/crank signal S6 and transmits the run/crank signal S6 to a starting motor 20 when the ON signal is output from the signal processor 31. That is, a signal for starting is provided to the starting motor 20.
The second relay (B contact) 305 applies a signal T1 to the motor driver 306 in the initial stage and its contact is off when the start completion signal S7 is input thereto to block the signal T1 from being input to the motor driver 306. This is for the purpose of blocking the signal T1 applied to the motor driver 306 after the engine is started to prevent the motor driver 306 from operating due to disturbance such as noise of electric signals after the engine is started.
The motor driver 306 drives the motor 21 when receiving the key FOB authentication result signal S8 representing that the key FOB passes authentication. When the authentication result signal S8 is received while power is applied to the motor driver 306 according to the second relay 305 in the initial stage, as described above, the motor driver 306 drives the motor 21 to move and rotate the shaft 22. Then, the rotary switch 50 operates according to the moving and rotating operation of the shaft 22 and the engine starting signal is transmitted to the starting motor 20 to start the engine. The motor driver 306 is driven when the key FOB 500 normally passes authentication while the brake pedal signal S3, the gearshift parking signal S4 and the parking brake signal S5 are input after the starting signal is input from the start-button 400.
As described above, the motor driver 306 drives the motor 21 to move and rotate the shaft 22 such that the rotary switch 50 in the ignition lock body 100 is turned on by the driving force from the shaft 22. Accordingly, the automobile engine can be started.
The signal processor 31 outputs a signal T3 for operating the coil antenna 23 included in the ignition lock device if required. By doing so, a voltage is induced to the coil antenna 23 to supply power to the battery of the key FOB 500.
The apparatus for starting the engine of an automobile according to the present invention can further include the coil antenna 23 for supplying power to the battery of the key FOB 500. The controller 300 can apply a driving signal to the coil antenna 23. The coil antenna 23 is used when the batteries of the apparatus for starting the engine of an automobile and the key FOB 500 have insufficient power. The coil antenna 23 can also be used for an immobilizer function of the automobile.
Method for Starting the Engine of an Automobile
A method for starting the engine of an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to
The controller 300 determines whether the start-button 400 for starting the engine of the automobile is pushed in step S800.
When it is determined that the start-button 400 is not pushed in the step S800, the controller 300 waits in the initial state. When it is determined that the start-button 400 is pushed in the step S800, the controller 300 determines whether the brake pedal signal S3, the gearshift parking signal S4 and the parking brake signal S5 are input in step S802.
When it is determined that the three signals are not applied in the step S802, the controller 300 waits in the initial state. When it is determined that the three signals are input in the step S802, the controller 300 requests the key FOB 500 to transmit the ID thereof in step S804 and receives the ID from the key FOB 500 in step S806.
The controller 300 compares the received ID with previously stored ID and performs authentication on the key FOB 500 in step S808.
When the key FOB 500 passes the authentication in step S810, the controller 300 turns on the first relay 304 in step S812 to provide power to the starting motor 20 in step S814. The controller 300 applies a signal to the motor driver 306 in step S816. Then, the motor driver 306 is operated to drive the motor 21 in step S818. The motor 21 moves and rotates the shaft 22 in step S820. The rotary switch 50 connected to the shaft 22 is operated according to the rotation of the shaft 22 in step S822 and, when the rotary switch 50 is located at the start position, an engine starting signal is transmitted to the starting motor 20 to start the engine in step S824. On receipt of the engine starting signal, the starting motor 20 operates to start the engine.
An operation of blocking power provided to the motor driver 306 in the apparatus for starting the engine of an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to
Power is applied to the motor driver 306 in the initial stage in step S900 and the controller 300 determines whether the engine start completion signal S7 is input in step S902.
When it is determined that the engine start completion signal is not input in the step S902, the controller 300 waits in the initial state. When it is determined that the engine start completion signal is input in the step S902, the controller 300 turns off the second relay 305 in step S904. Since the second relay is a B-contact relay, the contact of the second relay 305 is on in the initial stage and it is off when the engine start completion signal is input.
The second relay 305 is off in the step S904, and thus the power applied to the motor driver 306 is blocked in step S906. This operation is performed in order to prevent the motor driver 306 from being operated by predetermined disturbance after the engine is started.
While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2007-0076373 | Jul 2007 | KR | national |
| 10-2007-0077105 | Jul 2007 | KR | national |
This is a Continuation-in-part (CIP) application of application Ser. No. 12/177,611, filed Jul. 22, 2008. This application is based upon and claims the benefits of the priority from the prior Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0076373 filed on Jul. 30, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 12177611 | Jul 2008 | US |
| Child | 13073414 | US |
