The invention relates to an electronic key for a locking system of a motor vehicle.
Modern locking systems for motor vehicles are often provided with an electronic key, for example a radio key, in order to increase the convenience for the user. After the electronic key has been appropriately actuated by the user, a code, for example a radio code, is exchanged between the key and the locking system so that after this code has been positively evaluated the doors or the lid of the trunk of the motor vehicle can be unlocked or locked remotely and other functions, for example locking of the side windows or of the sunroof, can be triggered.
German Patent Document DE 199 15 969 A1 discloses such a key with a plastic housing part. The housing part has an actuation element for an electronic switch, the actuation element being embodied in the manner of a button which can be deformed elastically for the purpose of actuation and extends, if appropriate, essentially in the surface of the housing part. The actuation element is arranged on a rigid support element which is essentially nondeformable when the actuation element is actuated. Both the actuation element and the support element are prefabricated as semifinished parts. The two semifinished parts are encapsulated by injection molding along at least part of their edge with the plastic for the housing part during the manufacture of the housing part by injection molding. As a result, the actuation element together with the support element is embedded in the housing part in such a way that the actuation element itself serves to seal the opening in the housing part and nevertheless can be moved in order to actuate the switch.
The present invention is concerned with the problem of specifying an improved embodiment for an electronic key of the type discussed above, in which the handling of the electronic key is simplified.
The invention is based on the concept of providing, in an electronic key for a locking system of a motor vehicle which has at least two actuation elements on the same side of a housing, respectively for one electrical switch, a field which cannot be actuated, is at least slightly raised or lowered in relation to the actuation elements and produces a tactile separation, and thus better means of orientation, between the at least two actuation elements.
In each case electrical switches which, when actuated, bring about specific functions such as, for example, opening or closing of the locking system of the vehicle and remote unlocking of the lid of the trunk are respectively assigned to the actuation elements.
In particular at night, the different actuation elements which can be embodied one right next to the other in the manner of a button which can be deformed elastically for the purpose of actuation and extends essentially in the surface of the housing part can be differentiated only with difficulty. As a result, the field which cannot be actuated, is slightly raised or lowered and is arranged between the individual actuation elements, the actuation elements can easily be differentiated from one another by touch, and operated reliably. At the same time, the orientation in relation to the position of the individual actuation elements on a surface of the electronic key is significantly improved. The field which protrudes slightly in relation to the actuation elements and thus in relation to the surface of the electronic key also permits the actuation elements to be located more easily since they are arranged on the same side as the raised or lowered field, thus additionally simplifying the handling of the electronic key.
It is particularly important here that the field itself cannot be actuated, that is to say in particular is not a pushbutton key so that the user can very easily feel the field and orientate himself.
According to one advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the field may bear an emblem or be embodied as one. Such an emblem, for example a trade mark or a logo, gives the surface of the field good grip and thus makes it more comfortable to operate. At the same time, providing an emblem on the field which cannot be actuated, or forming said field as an emblem, provides an additional differentiating feature in relation to other electronic keys. Furthermore, the emblem may be embodied as a design element and thus improve the visual appearance of the electronic key.
The emblem can expediently be highlighted visually with respect to the housing part. The visual highlighting, for example in the form of a chrome plated logo such as, for example, a chrome plated Mercedes star, permits the electronic key to be assigned easily to a specific type of vehicle or a specific make of vehicle. In addition to design advantages, this feature also facilitates orientation in relation to the various actuation elements on the electronic key.
According to one advantageous development of the invention, three actuation elements may be provided, the field which cannot be actuated being arranged centrally in relation to the three actuation elements. As the number of actuation elements provided on the electronic key increases, the greater the difficulty of orientation in relation to said elements, and the more important is a fixed orientation point, which is provided by the field arranged centrally between the actuation elements. It is generally conceivable for different numbers of actuation elements to be provided on the electronic key depending on the equipment level of the vehicle, in which case the field, which cannot be actuated and is slightly raised or lowered, is always arranged in such a way that it permits an easy tactile separation between the individual actuation elements.
Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures with reference to the drawings.
Of course, the features which are specified above and are to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in more detail in the following descriptions, in which identical reference symbols refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The housing 8 has an ergonomically favorable shape which can be handled in a particularly ergonomic way by the user. Furthermore, the housing 8 is favorably manufactured from two housing parts 2 and 2′ which are formed from a hard, impact resistant plastic. At one end of the housing 8, the electronic key 1 has a front part 7 with which it can be plugged into a vehicle lock, for example into an ignition lock (not illustrated).
In order to facilitate orientation between the individual actuating elements 3, 3′ and 3″, the electronic key 1 has a field 4 which cannot be actuated, is at least slightly raised, i.e. protruding, or lowered in relation to the actuating elements 3, 3′ and 3″, and forms a tactile separation between the individual actuating elements 3, 3′ and 3″ (cf. also
According to
From
In contrast to the actuating elements 3, 3′ and 3″, the field 4 cannot be pressed in or actuated. It is generally possible to provide for the field 4 to bear an emblem 5, for example a trademark such as a Mercedes star or to be embodied as one. As a result, additional design advantages can be obtained and at the same time the corporate identity or the assignment of the electronic key 1 to a specific type of vehicle or to a specific make of vehicle can be facilitated. It is also conceivable, in contrast to the illustrations in
The slightly raised or countersunk field 4 is arranged in all the embodiment variants in such a way that it facilitates orientation on the surface 6 or in relation to the individual actuating elements 3, 3′ and 3″ and makes the electronic key 1 easier to handle.
To summarize, the essential features of the invention can be characterized as follows:
The invention provides an electronic key 1 for a locking system of a motor vehicle, which key 1 includes a plastic housing part 2 and at least two actuating elements 3, 3′ on the same side, respectively for one electrical switch. A field 4 is provided which cannot be actuated, is at least slightly raised or lowered in relation to the actuating elements 3, 3′ and forms a tactile separation between the at least two actuating elements 3, 3′ and thus makes the electronic key 1 easier to handle.
The slightly raised or lowered field 4 constitutes an orientation point on a surface 6 of the electronic key 1 and thus makes the individual actuating elements 3, 3′ significantly easier to locate on the surface 6 of the key.
Furthermore it is possible to provide for the field 4 to bear an emblem 5 or be embodied as one, and/or for this emblem 5 to be visually highlighted with respect to the housing part 2. This additionally provides the advantage of using the field 4 or the emblem 5 as a design element and thus enhancing the ability to assign the electronic key 1 to a specific type of vehicle or a specific make of vehicle.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
103 42 663.9 | Sep 2003 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP04/08977 | 8/11/2004 | WO | 1/5/2007 |