Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6553802
-
Patent Number
6,553,802
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, June 13, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, April 29, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Knight; Anthony
- Boswell; Christopher
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 070 257
- 070 256
- 070 2781
- 070 2782
- 070 2783
- 070 277
- 070 2791
- 070 283
- 070 2831
- 070 408
- 070 414
- 070 456 R
- 070 459
- 070 460
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
The invention relates to an electronic key comprising electronic components for receiving or transmitting signals. Said components are integrated in a housing (20). A mechanical emergency key (30′) is provided in case of an electronics failure. Said emergency key (30′) can be inserted into a recess (27) in the housing (20) together with its key shaft (31′). The aim of the invention is to produce a key which can be handled easily. To this end, one end of the housing is provided with a recess which is undercut at least in places and which usually prevents the inserted emergency key (30′) from being pulled out. Usually, the key is in a holding position in the housing (20) with an essentially positive fit. However, the emergency key can be turned in the recess (27) of the housing (20) from a holding position to a release position (30′) in which the positive fit between the widening (32′) in the key (30′) and the recess is eliminated in the pull-out direction of the emergency key.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a key, in particular, for motor vehicles, comprising a housing which receives and contains electronic components for sending or receiving signals for activating a corresponding electronic or electromechanical lock, and comprising a mechanical emergency key which is insertable with a key shaft into a receptacle of the housing and is secured in the insertion situation in the housing, wherein the emergency key is provided with a widened portion. It is not only embodied as an electronic key but also comprises a mechanical emergency key. The emergency key serves for mechanically opening the lock if the electronic device fails.
2. Description of the Related Art
In keys known from DE 29722 484 U1, the housing of the electronic key has a receptacle for the emergency key. When it is to be used, the emergency key can be gripped at a widened portion or the like functioning as a key head. A problem resides in that the insertion position of the emergency key in the receptacle is to be secured. However, this securing action should not impair handling of the emergency key during insertion and removal.
DE 44 44 913 A1 discloses a mechanical emergency key which is inserted into the interior of the housing of an electronic key. For securing the insertion position, an additional locking element for the emergency key in the receptacle is shown so that the emergency key is captively secured in the receptacle. In order to remove the key from the receptacle, the locking element, for example, a two-arm lever or a spring tongue, must be manually released beforehand by means of a pushbutton. This securing action of the emergency key is realized by additional locking elements and is thus complex.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a key which can be easily handled and which is secured reliably in the housing in the insertion position. This is achieved according to the invention in that one housing end has a cutout which is undercut at least over portions thereof and normally, with the emergency key inserted, prevents its pulling-out movement, wherein the key head is positioned inside the housing in a substantially positive-locking securing position, and that the emergency key in the receptacle (blind hole) of the housing can be rotated out of this securing position into a release position in which the positive locking action between the widened portion and the cutout is released in the direction of the pulling-out movement of the emergency key.
The widened portion of the key serves expediently also as a grip portion of the emergency key and is, in general, a key head. It is understood that such a widened portion must not have the function of a grip portion of the emergency key. For reasons of simplicity, in the following the widened portion is, however, to be referred to as the key head. With respect to the housing the key head can be moved between two rotationally displaced positions, i.e., a securing position in which it is secured in the housing and a release position in which it can be removed from the housing. In the securing position, a positive-locking securing is provided where the widened portion or the key head is positioned at least partially in a cutout of one housing end. In the securing position it is not possible to pull the emergency key out of the housing. Removal is, however, quickly and easily possible because the key head is not covered by the housing in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the cutout and can be moved into the release position that is rotated relative thereto. This movement is carried out as a rotation about a rotational axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the key shaft. In the release position the key head is no longer positive-lockingly secured. Now a translatory movement of the emergency key in the direction of pulling it out is possible. The pulling out of the emergency key from the housing in the release position is thus carried out in a rotationally displaced plane relative to the position between the housing and the key head provided in the securing position.
This movement of the components during coupling and decoupling can be described as a righting movement. The widened portion of the key or the key head used for handling the key can have a sufficiently large surface without endangering the safety function in the securing position. Accordingly, handling during coupling as well as decoupling and, finally, for actuating the key is facilitated. This holds true especially-when the key head and the housing are plate-like which ensures in the securing position a flush transition of the outer surfaces of these components. Disruptive edges or projections are not present. Accordingly, the storage of the key in pant pockets of the user is particularly comfortable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further measures and advantages of the invention result from the dependent claims, the following description, and the drawings. In the drawings the invention is illustrated in the form of one embodiment. It is shown in:
FIG. 1
a plan view onto the housing of the electronic key with inserted emergency key;
FIG. 2
schematically a longitudinal section of the housing of
FIG. 1
;
FIGS.
3
+
4
two cross sections of the housing of
FIGS. 1 and 2
along the section line III—III and IV—IV, respectively;
FIG. 5
the position of the components of
FIG. 4
in another rotationally displaced position in a representation corresponding to
FIG. 4
;
FIG. 6
a representation corresponding to
FIG. 2
after the emergency key has been removed from the housing;
FIG. 7
in a plan view the emergency key removed from the housing; and
FIG. 8
in a perspective stretched position the flexible circuit board for receiving electronic components which are housed in the housing in a folded state.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The key according to the invention comprises a combination of the actual electronic key
10
and the mechanical emergency key
30
. The electronic key
10
can act across a larger distance onto a lock, not illustrated in detail, arranged on a vehicle by encoded signals
15
. For this purpose, the housing
20
, which can be comprised of several housing parts
21
to
24
, has suitable electronic components
11
and actuating locations
13
,
14
which generate this signal
15
and, optionally in dialogue, conduct it further to the corresponding complementary sending and receiving unit in the vehicle. In the successful situation, i.e., when the code of the signal
15
has been accepted, an electronic or electromechanical lock, not illustrated in detail, is activated. In the area of this actuation location
11
to
14
, micro switches
17
are arranged which have switching members
62
illustrated in FIG.
8
. They are seated, together with the components
11
, on a foil
60
, preferably also comprising electric conductor strips, which foil is illustrated in FIG.
8
. This foil
60
can have at portions thereof depressions
61
in which some of the elements
11
or members
62
can be arranged in a recessed way. The foil
60
can be folded and can be housed in a more or less cylindrical space in the interior of the housing
20
. The housing
20
is configured with longitudinal symmetry relative to the longitudinal center
16
illustrated in FIG.
1
. The housing
20
is plate-shaped as can be seen at
63
in. FIG.
4
and determines a center plane
18
illustrated in
FIG. 4
in a dash-dotted line.
The basic configuration of the emergency key
30
can be taken from FIG.
7
. It comprises a key shaft
31
with profiled cuts or tracks, not illustrated in detail, for corresponding control means in the lock. At its outer end a widened portion is provided which can be a unitary part or a separate part relative to the key shaft
31
. In the present case, it is a key head
32
of plastic material. The key shaft
31
has a flat profile
50
which is preferably comprised of metal. The key head
32
also defines a center plane
38
which is illustrated by the dotted line
38
in FIG.
4
. The flat profile
50
of the key shaft
31
, as can be seen in
FIG. 4
, is rotated relative to the preferably symmetrical cross-sectional profile of the key head
32
, as illustrated by the dash-dotted cross-sectional plane
50
, by an angle
39
relative to this center plane
38
. The contour of the housing
20
as well as that of the key head
32
are plate-shaped
63
,
64
, according to
FIG. 4
, but can also be provided with profiles within. Normally, the emergency key
30
is in its rest position illustrated in
FIGS. 1 through 4
, which in the following is referred to as “securing position” of the emergency key. In this case, the center plane
18
of the housing
20
is substantially at the same level as the center plane
38
of the key head
32
.
As can be seen best in
FIG. 6
, the rearward housing end
28
has a cutout
40
which is formed here as a fork opening. Accordingly, fork legs
41
,
42
result which delimit the cutout
40
. The end wall
26
which delimits the cutout.
40
in the inward direction is provided with a receptacle
27
for the already described key shaft
31
of the emergency key
30
when the securing position
30
according to
FIGS. 1 through 4
is present. The receptacle
27
is formed here by a quiver
25
which is a unitary part of the end wall
26
which forms an inner housing and is positioned in this embodiment in the already aforementioned longitudinal center
16
of the housing
20
. In the holding position according to
FIGS. 1 through 4
, the emergency key
30
is initially secured in an insertion position in the receptacle
27
and cannot be pulled out without effort in the direction of arrow
47
of FIG.
2
. For this purpose, the following measures are proposed.
The cutout
40
is at least partially undercut at
43
,
44
. In the present situation, this is achieved on the two legs
41
,
42
by more or less convergently extending inner surfaces
43
,
44
of the two legs
41
,
42
. By this measure, at least at certain points there is positive locking interaction between the legs
41
,
42
generating an undercut
45
,
46
according to
FIG. 6
, on the one hand, and the key head
32
, on the other hand. In this securing position the key head
32
is in a position as flush as possible relative to the housing
20
which can be seen by the already mentioned coinciding levels of the center planes
18
,
38
of the two plate shapes
63
,
64
of FIG.
4
. As an additional securing action of the securing position of
FIGS. 1 through 4
, interacting locking elements
51
,
52
can be provided at the contact locations of the legs
41
,
42
and in the circumferential area, for example, a projection
51
and a depression
52
, as can be seen in
FIGS. 3 and 5
. This requires a kind of righting connection in order to be able to pull the emergency key
30
out of the housing
20
in the direction of arrow
47
. This will be explained with the aid of
FIG. 5
in more detail.
The cutout
40
in the housing
20
is open in the upward and downward directions so that a rotation of the key head from the securing position in the direction of arrow
49
of
FIGS. 3 through 5
is possible. This rotation is carried out about a rotational axis
19
which in the present case coincides with the aforementioned longitudinal center
16
of the housing. In this way, the other position of the components
20
,
30
′, illustrated in
FIG. 5
, is reached which, in the following, is referred to as the “release position” of the emergency key for very good reasons. In this release position
30
′, the aforementioned positive-locking action is no longer present. The emergency key
30
can now be removed in the direction of the arrow
47
already mentioned several times. A collision of the components
20
,
30
′ can no longer take place. The aforementioned rotation
49
can be limited by end stops
53
,
54
in the interior of the receptacle
27
. In the present case, the rotational angle
39
of
FIG. 4
is approximately half as large as the rotational angle
48
, relative to the center plane
16
of housing
20
.
According to
FIG. 1
, the emergency key
30
is provided with a surprisingly large key head
32
which, for the purpose of clarity, is illustrated with point hatching. This provides a comfortable handling during the aforedescribed removal
47
as well as the later rotational actuation of the emergency key
30
in the lock. The key head
32
can even project with a residual piece
59
in the securing position past the outer limitation of the housing
10
at the ends of the two legs
41
,
42
.
The form locking action between the cutout
40
and the emergency key
40
according to the invention is thus realized by axial support and optionally by radial rotational stops in the area of the key head
32
. Instead of the key head
32
widened portions of the key shaft
31
or the like can be used. It is beneficial in this connection to provide a surface contact for which reasons the aforedescribed inner surfaces
43
,
44
of the two legs
41
,
42
have rounded portions corresponding to the rotation
49
and come to rest with gaps as narrow as possible at a corresponding counter profile at
33
,
44
of the key head
32
. In the present case, the two oppositely positioned side surfaces
33
,
34
of the head taper substantially linearly in the direction toward the free end
37
of the head along the auxiliary lines
35
,
36
of FIG.
7
. This results in a positive-locking action by surface contact between
33
,
43
, on the one hand, and
34
,
44
, on the other hand. As a result of the rotation
49
for decoupling and, as will be demonstrated, also during coupling, the engagement of the components
20
,
30
in the securing position could also be effective at other locations, for example, at the free end
37
of the head. Because of the good engagement, the emergency key
30
positioned in the securing position can also not be removed by large axial forces in the direction of removal arrow
47
. The emergency key is secured in its securing position
30
so reliably in the cutout
40
relative to pulling-out forces that its key head
32
can be provided without problems with a hole.
56
for a key chain or the like.
The described righting movement is carried out in the reverse direction when, starting with a removed emergency key, the key is to be positioned again in the cutout of the housing
20
of
FIG. 6
in the direction of the arrow
58
of
FIG. 6
into the housing
20
. In this case, the emergency key is first in its release position
30
′ external to the housing
20
and is then moved in the direction of arrow
58
of
FIG. 6
into the receptacle
27
until the end position has been reached at axial stops. Now the emergency key is turned in the counter direction relative to the rotation arrow
49
into its securing position
30
of
FIGS. 3 and 4
.
The housing
20
is comprised of, as already mentioned, several housing parts
21
to
24
. They comprise an upper shell
21
and a lower shell
22
in the central area and two side parts
23
,
24
. The side parts are engaged by cams
57
or the like which are seated on the upper and lower shells
21
,
22
and ensure a connection of these housing parts. The cutout
40
is realized by an extension of the housing side parts
23
,
24
past the end of the upper and lower shells
21
,
22
so that the already mentioned fork legs
41
,
42
result. The forward housing end
29
is formed by the combined upper and lower shells
21
,
22
and has a blunt shape at
65
of FIG.
2
. At this forward housing end
29
the two side parts
23
,
24
begin at an axial spacing
66
relative to the blunt front
65
.
List of reference numerals
10
electronic key
11
electronic components
12
first actuation location of
10
13
second actuation location of
10
14
third actuation location of
10
15
signal of
10
16
longitudinal direction of housing, longitudinal center
17
microswitch
18
center plane of
20
, housing plane
19
rotational axis for
30
in
30
′
20
housing, entire housing
21
upper shell of
20
22
lower shell of
20
23
first side part of
20
24
second side part of
20
25
quiver for
31
in
20
26
end wall of
25
between
21
,
22
27
receptacle in
25
for
31
28
rearward housing of
20
29
forward housing of
20
30
emergency key (securing position; secured)
30
′ release position of
30
31
key shaft of
30
(securing position)
31
′ release position of
31
at
30
′
32
key head of
30
(securing position)
32
′ release position of
32
33
counter profile for
43
on
32
(FIG.
7
), first head side surface of
32
34
counter profile for
44
on
32
(
FIG. 7
, second head side surface of
32
35
tapering of
33
36
tapering of
34
37
free head end of
32
38
plane of the key head; center plane of
32
(in securing position,
FIG. 4
)
38
′ release position of
38
(
FIG. 5
)
39
rotational angle between
31
,
38
40
cutout in
28
, fork opening
41
first leg of
23
, fork leg
42
second leg of
24
, fork leg
43
inner surface of
41
44
inner surface of
42
45
angle of undercut of
43
46
angle of undercut of
44
47
translatory pulling-out arrow of
30
′
48
rotational angle between
30
,
30
′
49
rotational arrow of
30
50
flat profile of
31
51
first locking element on
33
,
34
, projection
52
second locking element on
43
,
44
, depression
53
first rotational stop in
27
for
31
54
second rotational stop in
27
for
31
′
55
plane of
50
56
suspending hole in
32
(FIG.
7
).
57
lateral cam on
22
or
21
, for
23
or
24
58
translatory arrow of insertion movement of
30
′
FIG. 6
)
59
projecting remainder piece of
32
(
FIG. 1
)
60
foil in
12
and
17
61
depression in
60
for
17
62
switching member on
17
(
FIG. 8
)
63
plate shape of
20
(
FIG. 4
)
64
plate shape form of
32
(
FIG. 4
65
blunt front of
29
66
axial spacing of
23
,
24
relative to
29
(
FIG. 1
)
Claims
- 1. Electronic key (10), in particular, for motor vehicles, comprising a housing (20) configured to receive electronic components (11) configured to send or receive signals (15) and to activate a corresponding electronic or electromechanical lock,and comprising a mechanical emergency key (30) which is insertable with a key shaft (31) into a receptacle (27) of the housing (20), wherein the receptacle is a blind hole and the key shaft (31) is insertable in an axial direction of the blind hole, and is secured in the insertion situation in the housing, wherein the emergency key (30), when in use, is axially completely removed from the blind hole and is separated from the housing (20), wherein the emergency key (30) is provided with a widened portion (32) located externally to the blind hole in the insertion situation, wherein a securing action for the emergency key (30) in the insertion situation is generated by a positive locking action between the widened portion (32) and the housing (20) realized in that one housing end (28) has a cutout (40) which is undercut (45, 46) at least over portions thereof and normally, with the emergency key (30) inserted, prevents an axial pulling-out movement (47) of the emergency key (30), wherein the key head in the insertion situation is positioned inside the housing (20) in a substantially positive-locking securing position (30), and the emergency key in the blind hole of the housing (20) is rotatable is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the key shaft out of the securing position (30) into a release position (30′) in which the positive locking action between the widened portion (32′) and the cutout (40) is released in a direction of the axial pulling-out movement (47) of the emergency key.
- 2. Key according to claim 1, wherein the widened portion in the emergency key (30) is comprised of the grip for key actuation, such as a key head (32).
- 3. Key according to claim 1, wherein the cutout (40) is delimited at least on one side thereof by a leg (41, 42) and the leg (41, 42) has the undercut (45, 46) at the inner flank (43, 44) facing the cutout (40)and wherein the key head (32) tapers, at least over portions thereof, with its head side surface (33, is 34) facing the inner flank (43, 44) of the housing leg (41, 42) toward the free head end (37) and, in the securing position (30) of the emergency key, is supported at least with portions thereof on the housing leg (41, 42).
- 4. Key according to claim 1, wherein the key head (32) and the housing (20) are plate-shaped (63, 64) wherein the plate-shape defines two center planes (18, 38), respectively,and wherein the center planes (18, 38) are substantially aligned with one another in the securing position but the two planes (18, 38′) are rotationally displaced (48) relative to one another in the release position.
- 5. Key according to claim 1, wherein between the key head (32) and the cutout (40) in the housing (30) locking elements are arranged which secure the securing position (30) with respect to axial rotations (49) of the emergency key (30).
- 6. Key according to claim 1, wherein axial rotational stops (53, 54) are provided in the blind hole of the housing and determine the position of the key shaft in the securing position (31) and/or the release position (31′) and limit the axial rotation (49) of the key shaft between these two positions (31, 31′).
- 7. Key according to claim 1, wherein the key shaft (31) has a flat profile (50),wherein the key head (32) of the emergency key (30) has a preferably symmetrical cross-sectional profile which determines the center plane (38) in the key head (32), and wherein the plane (55) of the flat profile (50) of the key shaft (31) is positioned at a rotational angle (39) relative to the center plane (38) in the key head (32) relative to the rotational axis (19), wherein the rotational angle (39) determines the axial rotation (49) of the emergency key between the securing position (30) and the release position (30′).
- 8. Key according to claim 7, wherein the rotational angle (39) between the flat profile plane (55) of the key shaft (31) and the center plane (38) of the key head (32) is substantially identical to half the rotational angle (48) of the key shaft between its rest position (31) and the release position (31′).
- 9. Key according to claim 1, wherein the blind hole for the key shaft (31) in the housing is comprised of a quiver (25) of an inner housing.
- 10. Key according to claim 9, wherein the inner housing, provided with the quiver (25), is arranged between an upper shell (21) and a lower shell (22) of a multi-part housing (20).
- 11. Key according to claim 1, wherein the leg (41, 42) of the cutout (40) is formed of the end piece of a housing side part (23) or (24) generating the longitudinal edge of the housing (20).
- 12. Key according to claim 11, wherein lateral cams (57) or the like connect the upper and lower shells (21, 22) of the housing (20) with the housing side part or parts (43, 24).
- 13. Key according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle (27) is arranged substantially in the longitudinal center (16) of the housing (20)and that the longitudinal center (16) determines a symmetry axis of the housing (20).
- 14. Key according to claim 1, wherein the rearward housing end (28) is forked (40) andwherein the cutout in the housing (20) is comprised of a fork opening (40) which is surrounded on both sides by two fork legs (41, 42) delimiting it.
- 15. Key according to claim 14, wherein the two fork legs (41, 42) at their facing inner flanks (43, 44) comprise oppositely oriented undercuts (45, 46), respectively, for the key head (32) of the emergency key (30).
- 16. Key according to claim 1, wherein the electronic components (11) are located on a foil (60) serving as a flexible circuit boardand wherein—viewed in cross-section—this foil (60) extends in a C-shaped curvature about the blind hole extending in the longitudinal direction (16) of the housing.
- 17. Key according to claim 16, wherein the foil (60) has depressions (61) at some locations thereof in which micro switches (17) having switching members (62) are positionedand wherein the switching members (62) of the micro switches (17), when the foil (60) is curved, are aligned with the actuating locations (12, 13, 14) on the outer side of the housing (20).
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
198 58 165 |
Dec 1998 |
DE |
|
PCT Information
Filing Document |
Filing Date |
Country |
Kind |
PCT/EP99/09251 |
|
WO |
00 |
Publishing Document |
Publishing Date |
Country |
Kind |
WO00/36252 |
6/22/2000 |
WO |
A |
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A |
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B1 |
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Date |
Country |
4444913 |
Jun 1995 |
DE |
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Jun 1995 |
DE |
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Apr 1998 |
DE |
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DE |