EP1061210B1 - Key with several locking functions - Google Patents

Abstract

The key has a number of electronic locking functions, e.g. for operation of the automobile ignition, the automobile doors, the trunk lid and a glove compartment closure lock, with alteration of the number of available locking functions by selective separation of different parts (1,2) of the key

Description

The invention relates to a key according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Considering the preferred application of the invention, namely in motor vehicles, there is often an interest in making access to the glove box or luggage compartment impossible, for example, during the workshop visit of the vehicle or when the vehicle is used by other persons (for example service personnel in hotels). A known solution to this problem provides for the presence of two keys, one of which is set up as a master key for all required locking functions, while a particular parking or workshop key exercises only such closing functions that are essential for driving the vehicle, ie For example, closing functions in the context of door locks and an ignition lock (DE 44 09 559 A1).

However, this technically satisfactory solution has the operational disadvantage that always two keys must be carried. In addition, especially in modern electronic locking systems of both keys to be driven expenditure on electronic devices.

DE 39 00 494 A1 further proposes a safety device for motor vehicles with an electronic or automatic key, the central function of which is to emit a code signal consisting of two parts, one part for operating an anti-theft device and the other for setting the user individually of operating and user elements of the motor vehicle is used. However, a spatial separation of at least two subkeys with different closing functions is not provided.

The invention has for its object to provide a generic key that allows to make a temporary reduction in the number of locking functions without the expense of an additional workshop key. It is another object of the invention to minimize the effort to be driven on electronic devices.

The achievement of this task is the characterizing features of the main claim, advantageous embodiments of the invention describe the dependent claims.

During normal operation of the vehicle - to remain in the preferred embodiment - the key is known to be formed of at least two key parts, and the key parts are designed so that the key can perform all electronic locking functions only in this assembled state, but otherwise only driving allows.

In principle, it would be possible, as already described above (DE 44 09 559 A1), to design the two key parts in each case as complete keys designed for different electronic locking functions, which are set up only for mechanical coupling. However, this would require a multiple cost of electronic devices in the various key parts, especially in modern locking systems that implement wirelessly transmitted commands from a key after verification in actuation signals.

Cheaper is therefore such a design of the various key parts that as it were a master key forming key part is supplemented by integration of at least one other key part only to an electronic identification that signals an evaluation circuit in the vehicle that given by the master key commands for otherwise suppressed locking functions of Main key to be executed. Although in this preferred embodiment of the invention, the further key part in the context of previous consideration is not a complete key, but functionally includes only one identification, it is still possible to integrate certain locking functions, for example, in a beard of this further key part, so that this key part as it were forms a spare key.

An embodiment of the invention for the preferred application, ie in a motor vehicle, will be explained below with reference to the drawing, the figures represent in perspective the key in different states.

If one first looks at FIG. 1, one recognizes at 1 the first key part forming a slide receptacle for the further key part 2; from the other key part 2, which is in the representation of Figure 1 is pushed parallel to the plane of the right to left in the receptacle of the key part 1, one recognizes only a portion of the handle 3, which protrudes from the receptacle. At the handle 3 joins in the representation in the direction of the left of the recognizable in Figures 2 and 3 key bit 4, so that in the normal operating position, ie during normal driving, forms in the sliding receptacle of the key part 1 inserted part of the further key part 2. This can be releasably locked, for example by resilient detents, as they are known to those skilled in the receptacle 5 (see Figure 3) of the first key part 1 by applying a force.

In Figure 2, the state of the key is shown, in which, for example, during a workshop visit to the vehicle, the number of locking functions of the key is reduced, for example, on the closing functions, as they are required for pure driving. Although the key part 1 gives wireless locking or unlocking commands to an evaluation electronics in a vehicle-side locking system, but missing in the assumed in Figure 2 separation of the two key parts 1 and 2 identification signals that are emitted by a accommodated in the key part 2 transmitting device. Thus, if the transmitter in the vehicle is designed so that it can be effective for certain locking functions of the key part 1 commands only if previously an identification signal has been received from the key part 2, so only those commands of the key part 1 can be performed in the vehicle that enable pure driving; opening, for example, a glove box lid or the hood of a trunk is impossible. Only when the complete key is present by mechanical combination of the two key parts 1 and 2 according to FIG. 1 does it offer the possibility of exercising all locking functions.

In the illustrated embodiment, the further key part 2 thereby also forms a genuine mechanical key that in his beard 4, as indicated at 6 in Figure 2, a mechanical spare key is incorporated, for example, for actuating the door locks and an ignition independently of the first Key part 1 is used.

With the invention, a generic key is thus created, with minimal effort with high ease of use (it only needs to be carried a key) gives the opportunity to reduce the number of its electronic locking functions if necessary. If reference has always been made in the description of the invention to the conditions in a motor vehicle, this does not exclude the use of the invention in other applications. For example, it can be a key that is set up for both opening of rooms and containers in this, but also to be given the opportunity to activate only required to open the rooms locking functions, however, the time required to open the containers locking functions to suppress.

Claims (4)

1. Key having a plurality of electronic locking functions, in particular for an ignition lock, door lock, hood lock and glove compartment lock in motor vehicles for temporarily changing the number of the electronic locking functions, the key being composed of at least two detachably connected key parts (1, 2) with such a configuration that the key is set up for all the locking functions only when all the key parts (1, 2) are present, characterized in that the at least one further key part (2) is provided with an identifier which, when a key part (2) is absent, makes available suppressed, electronic locking functions of the key in an electronic evaluation system and allows commands emitted for specific locking functions of the key part (1) to become active only if an identification signal has previously been received by the key part (2).
2. Key according to Claim 1, characterized in that a first key part (1) contains a housing-like sliding receptacle (5) for the at least one further key part (2).
3. Key according to Claim 2, characterized in that the further key part (2) contains a mechanical key bit (4) which is accommodated by the sliding receptacle (5) and contains a handle (3) protruding out of the sliding receptacle (5) on an end side of said key bit (4).
4. Key according to Claim 3, characterized in that at least one locking function of the first key part (1) is integrated into the key bit (4) as a replacement key.

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