DE19955895C1 - Lock key for automobile locking system has microwave lock code signal generation and/or evaluation device with key shaft acting as microwave antenna - Google Patents

Abstract

The lock key (1) has a key housing (5) of an electrically non-conductive material and a relatively pivoted electrically conductive key shaft (4) which can be inserted in the lock, for mechanical and/or magnetic operation of the lock mechanism. The key shaft acts a reception antenna for microwave signals, the key housing containing a device (8) for generation and/or evaluation of microwave lock code signals.

Description

The invention relates to a key for a key-lock Locking system, in particular a vehicle, with an elec tric non-conductive key housing and one in one position of the projecting electrically conductive Locking element that can be inserted into an associated lock, to mechanically and / or magnetically with locking devices there to cooperate.

In documents DE 41 17 547 A1 and DE 44 02 853 C1 Key-lock locking systems for a vehicle are described, where the closing element is operated by the lock also has other functions.

A generic key is from DE 39 02 537 C2 knows. The key disclosed therein includes a mechanical we Locking element with an electronic key is partially combined. The mechanical closing element is essentially through a key holder housing swiveling flat key formed. A shaft of the swiveling flat key is in a swiveling Bracket added so that it is between an active position and a rest position can be moved back and forth, he in the active position at a right angle from one end section protrudes from the key holder housing. At the forehead section of the A glass window is arranged behind the key receptacle which is a light emitting diode, which acts as a radiation device  the trained as an infrared transmitter electronic Key part serves. The electronic components of the infra red transmitters are arranged on a circuit board, which in the Key holder housing is mounted. To power the Infrared transmitters are four recessed in the key holder housing Button cells provided.  

Electronic keys that work with LED elements are susceptible to pollution and have a relatively high power consumption need. In addition, such keys must be in the send / receive gear relatively exactly to the target object, e.g. B. a vehicle be judged. So included in the far infrared radiation range working electronic key systems for generating remote infrared radiation LEDs, the radiation of which in the case of ver dirt is severely disturbed. Such LEDs also have Compared to microwave components by a factor of 10 to 200 higher energy consumption. This requires powerful Battery cells, which in turn are sensitive to environmental influences, for example, heat. LEDs are also prone to wac kelkontakte, especially when electrolyte from battery cells exit.

The object of the invention is to provide a key of the beginning to provide named type, the electronic key part has a relatively low power consumption, for Sen the / receiving of signals requires no precise alignment how robust and unaffected by pollution.

This task is solved by a key, in which the Closing element as a transmitting and / or receiving antenna for microwaves len is formed, the housed in the key housing tel for generating and / or evaluating microwave locks code signals are assigned.

In this way, one with one mechanical key part of combined electronic keys created part that reliably in a large angle area works and only a relatively small energy has need. Such combines mechanically electronic Key can be designed robustly and can microwave Receive code signals regardless of the degree of contamination and / or send it out. The function of rely on microwaves the electronic key part is also not by any Cover elements impaired.  

In a development of the invention, this is the means for generation and / or evaluation of microwave lock code signals key housing as a through high-frequency technical ver welded closed housing. In this way a key can be created in which the housing is not who opens without destroying the electronic key part that can.

In a further development of the invention, the closing element is between the active position and a rest position in which it is in the key Housing is included, movable, it is in the active position works in a first microwave operating frequency range and in the rest position in its microwave transmission function remains inactive or in a second microwave work fre frequency range with that of the first different type frequency works. In this way, a key with electronic key part created, in which multiple signal channels for information transmission are available.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is in the shown figure and is described below.

The only figure shows a key for a key- Lock locking system of a vehicle.

The key 1 shown comprises a mechanically acting, L-shaped flat key 3 with a mechanical shaft part 4 which can be inserted into a lock cylinder and which projects in an active position at a right angle from the end of a handle part of a key housing 5, which is not shown in full. On the key housing 5 of the flat key 3 is pivotally supported about an axis. 6 About the axis 6 of the flat key 3 with shaft part 4 between the active position and a rest position indicated by dashed lines, which is identified by the reference numeral 4 ', can be pivoted back and forth by 180 °. For the rest position of flat key 3 and shaft part 4 , a recessed receiving shaft 7 is formed on the key housing 5 along a lateral longitudinal section. The dimensions of the receiving shaft 7 are adapted to the angled length of the flat key 3 . In it, the flat key 3 with the shaft part 4 is positively received in the rest position.

The key housing 5 serves as a handle and is made of elec trically non-conductive material. Arranged in the key housing 5 is an only schematically illustrated electronic key part 8 , which contains means (not shown) for generating and evaluating microwave locking code signals. The electronic key part 8 is electrically connected to the metallic shaft part 4 of the flat key 3 via the axis 6 and electrical connecting lines 9 . The metallic stem part 4 serves as a transmitting and receiving antenna for microwaves.

Thus, by means of the metallic shaft part 4 , as indicated in the figure, 10 microwave locking code signals can be sent to the vehicle 2 via an associated microwave transmission channel in order to effect corresponding locking control functions there, such as opening or closing of a central locking device. Conversely, it is possible to receive microwave signals that are sent from the side of the vehicle 2 through the metallic shaft.

Compared to electronic key systems that work in the far-infrared radiation range, a microwave-based electronic key offers the advantage that contamination does not interfere with the function. In contrast to infrared systems, the reception and transmission units in the key do not have to be precisely aligned to a corresponding transmission or reception unit due to their longer wavelength. The need for precise alignment is comforting and can cause difficulties for larger distances between the transmitter and receiver, e.g. B. if, as usual, the Sen is operated by hand. Since microwaves are emitted from the usual microwave transmission output stages in a relatively large directional angle region, the metallic shaft part 4 designed as a transmitting and receiving antenna for the electronic key part 8 need only be aligned in a certain wide tolerance range with a microwave unit provided in the vehicle 2 to communicate with them.

The dimensions of the metallic shaft part 4 are selected so that, in a microwave frequency range between 0.433 GHz and 25 GHz, the generation and evaluation means for microwaves in the electronic key part 8 are coupled with the correct impedance. The electronic key part 8 is designed for two working frequency ranges. The first operating frequency range speaks to the operative position of the shaft part 4 , in which it projects perpendicularly from the key housing 5 . The second Arbeitsfre frequency range of the electronic key part 8 corresponds to the rest position identified by reference numeral 4 ', in which the shaft part is received in the recessed receiving shaft 7 on the key housing 5 . The active position and the rest position of the flat key 3 with the shaft part 4 correspond to different antenna configurations that couple different microwave types or vibration modes to the generation and evaluation means for microwaves in the electronic key part 8 . In principle, two microwave transmission channels for the transmission of code information to and from the vehicle 2 are therefore available for the key 1 .

The electronic key part 8 is fed by means of a solid electrolyte carbon storage switch component, not shown, of virtually unlimited service life. To encapsulate the electronic key part 8 , the key housing 5 is welded using high-frequency technology. The construction groups in the electronic key part 8 are so connected to the key housing 5 that each attempt to open the key housing 5 leads to the destruction of the electronic key part 8 .

The fact that the electronic key part 8 operates in the microwave frequency range, also offers in principle the possibility of supplying energy from a microwave radiation field. For example, a power supply to the electronic key part 8 is possible within the framework of a "powering on demand" principle, ie the electronic key 8 is supplied with power from a microwave radiation field when signals are received or transmitted. For example, this microwave radiation field can be provided by the motor vehicle 2 to which the key 1 belongs.

Instead of galvanically connecting the electronic key part 8 , as shown in the figure, to the shaft part 4 acting as an antenna, direct capacitive or indirect capacitive coupling of the electronic key part 8 and shaft part 4 is also possible. In addition, it should be noted that the flat key 3 with shaft part 4, in addition or as an alternative to the mechanical active function mentioned, can also be magnetically active.

Claims (3)

1. Key ( 1 ) for a key lock system, in particular a vehicle ( 2 ) with

• - An electrically non-conductive key housing ( 5 ) and
• - An in an active position of the housing ( 5 ) protruding, electrically conductive locking element ( 4 ) which can be inserted into a corresponding lock to mechanically and / or magnetically interact with the locking means there,

characterized in that

• - The locking element ( 4 ) is designed as a transmitting and / or receiving antenna for microwaves, which are assigned to accommodated means ( 8 ) for generating and / or evaluating microwave locking code signals in the key housing ( 5 ).

2. Key according to claim 1, characterized in that the means ( 8 ) for generating and / or evaluating micro wave locking code signals containing key housing ( 5 ) is designed as a closed by high-frequency welding Ge housing. 3. Key according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the closing element ( 4 ) between the active position and a rest position, in which it is accommodated in the key housing ( 5 ), be movable, it being in the active position in a first micro Waves operating frequency range works and remains inactive in its rest position in its microwave transmission function or works in a second microwave operating frequency range with that of the first different operating frequency.