EP1723615B1 - Inductive component for an electronic key - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a locking system with an inductive electrical component according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Such an inductive electrical component is used in particular in an electronic key, an ID transmitter, a chip card or the like (hereafter generally referred to as an electronic key) for keyless entry / go systems in motor vehicles for inside / outside detection. KeylessEntry / Go electronic keys are moved or carried by the user on their own. They are therefore exposed to a constant miniaturization, so that with smaller and smaller components the same functionality is sought. In addition, the electronic key can be equipped with means for inductive energy transmission from the motor vehicle to the key, so that the electronic key is operable with this energy.

From the DE 197 18 423 A1 a device for signal transmission is known, in which a plurality of coils each having a coil body are arranged as inductive components on a printed circuit board. The longitudinal axes of the coils are arranged in mutually different spatial directions, such that the coils have a reception and / or transmission characteristic in the manner of an antenna in these spatial directions. A disadvantage of the known device for signal transmission is their space requirements and the high component and assembly costs. For use in an electronic Key for a motor vehicle, this device therefore seems to be less suitable for signal transmission.

A miniaturized inductive electrical component in the form of an antenna for a device for signal transmission is known from the US 2003/0210198 A1 known. The inductive electrical component has a bobbin on which three coils are arranged as coil windings. The longitudinal axes of the coils are arranged substantially orthogonal to each other on the bobbin, so that the coils have a reception and / or transmission characteristic in all three spatial directions. This allows field measurement for the electromagnetic field to wake up and / or locate the electronic key in keyless entry / go systems with a single inductive electrical component. Nevertheless, an electronic key using such an inductive electric component is still bulky due to the means for inductive power transmission. Such configured inductive electrical components are also from the US 2002/080083 A1 as well as the WO 2005/043679 A1 known.

Finally, out of the EP 1 317 016 A1 named a KeylessEntry locking system for a motor vehicle, in which an antenna is arranged in the door handle. The antenna has a ferrite rod with three coils arranged in different directions, the coils being components of oscillating circuits. An oscillating circuit has an oscillator for exciting the resonant circuit. By means of an additional coupling coil of this oscillator still another resonant circuit is excited. A wireless energy transfer to the antenna for their operation is not provided.

The invention has for its object to provide an inductive electrical device with further reduced space requirements for the same functionality, especially with regard to the inside / outside detection, for an electronic key, the energy transfer to the key to its operation is possible.

This object is achieved in a generic locking system by the characterizing features of claim 1.

Further embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The inventive inductive electrical component is primarily for use in a locking system, in particular for the user-independent access and / or driving authorization in a motor vehicle in the manner of KeylessEntry / Go functionality and / or for the operation-dependent access and / or driving authorization at a Motor vehicle in the manner of a remote / Nahbedienung suitable. Such a locking system comprises at least two conditions owning, designed as a control device first means, such as a control device for unlocking and / or locking the car doors, the ignition, the steering wheel lock, to enable and / or blocking the immobilizer, the engine control unit o. The like. , and an associated, in the manner of an electronic key, an ID transmitter, a smart card o. The like. Formed second device. The two devices have for their intended operation means for transmitting and / or receiving signals. At least one of the signals transmitted between the second device and the first device is, in particular, a coded operating signal for authenticating the second device, so that after a positive evaluation of the transmitted operating signal with an authorized second device, a change in the state of the first device can be effected. In the second device, there is an inductive electrical component serving for awakening and / or locating this device, in which, in addition to the three orthogonally arranged coils for inside / outside detection, a further fourth coil is arranged on the single coil body. This fourth coil is used for energy transmission by means of an electromagnetic field for the operation of the second device for signal transmission. Advantageously, so that all the coils are integrated into a single inductive electrical component in the manner of a multi-dimensional coil, so that instead of a plurality of separate coils on the circuit board only a single component with a correspondingly reduced space requirement is to accommodate. Such a trained second device can be due to their small size particularly comfortable carry and use the user with him.

To increase the efficiency of the signal transmission, it makes sense that the bobbin consists of a ferrite core. The four coil windings are then applied to a common ferrite core.

If necessary, the coils may be differently, for example in the Bewicklungsart, in the winding direction, in the wire thickness, in the wire type o. The like., Designed to be optimally adapted to the particular application. Conveniently, this is useful in the fourth coil, which serves to transfer energy to the electronic key. The energy transmitted by the fourth coil is used to operate the key. In contrast to the only one signal transmission serving three other coils thus the fourth coil for higher performance can be interpreted. The orientation of the fourth coil for energy transmission can take place in one of the directions of the other three coils for the location or in a different direction. The compact arrangement, it is advisable that the fourth coil is arranged substantially parallel and optionally spaced from one of the three coils on the bobbin.

With regard to the miniaturization of the electronic key, the inductive electrical component may be inserted into a recess in the printed circuit board. This is advantageously associated with optimal placement and space utilization, wherein the maximum height for the device can be made larger by the thickness of the circuit board. In this case, the electrical connections are not at the bottom of the component but are preferably attached to the side. Depending on the intended use, the electrical connections for the individual coils on the bobbin can be independent of one another in a differential manner or can also have one or more common ground connections in a single-ended manner.

For protection against mechanical or thermal stress, a winding protection can be provided on the component. This winding protection can be made for example by encapsulation, encapsulation o. The like. By means of plastic.

The advantages achieved by the invention are, in particular, that the inductive electrical component has an extended functionality by several more so far discretely designed components replaced. Nevertheless, the inductive electrical component has a reduced footprint. Likewise, the component costs and the assembly and assembly costs incurred during further processing are reduced. Keyless Entry / Go systems in motor vehicles using such an inductive electrical component are consequently less expensive and also more reliable than conventional systems.

Fig. 1

ein mit einem Schließsystem ausgestattetes Kraftfahrzeug,

Fig. 2

ein schematisches Blockschaltbild für das Schließsystem,

Fig. 3

ein schematisches Blockschaltbild für das Kraftfahrzeug,

Fig. 4

ein schematisches Blockschaltbild der ersten und zweiten Einrichtung mit einem Diagramm zur Übertragung der Signale,

Fig. 5

das in der zweiten Einrichtung befindliche induktive elektrische Bauelement in perspektivischer Ansicht,

Fig. 6

ein schematisches Schaltbild für den elektrischen Anschluß des induktiven elektrischen Bauelements entsprechend einer ersten Ausgestaltung und

Fig. 7

ein schematisches Schaltbild für den elektrischen Anschluß des induktiven elektrischen Bauelements entsprechend einer zweiten Ausgestaltung.

An embodiment of the invention with various developments and refinements is shown in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. Show it

Fig. 1

a motor vehicle equipped with a locking system,

Fig. 2

a schematic block diagram for the locking system,

Fig. 3

a schematic block diagram for the motor vehicle,

Fig. 4

a schematic block diagram of the first and second device with a diagram for transmitting the signals,

Fig. 5

the inductive electrical component located in the second device in a perspective view,

Fig. 6

a schematic diagram of the electrical connection of the inductive electrical component according to a first embodiment and

Fig. 7

a schematic diagram of the electrical connection of the inductive electrical component according to a second embodiment.

In Fig. 1 is a motor vehicle 1 with the authorized user 2 to see. The motor vehicle 1 is provided for access authorization with a locking system 3 as a door closing system, which comprises a first device 4 designed as a control device and an associated second device 5. The second device 5 is in the form of an electronic key, an identification (ID) encoder, a smart card, a smart card o. The like. Formed. The second device 5 is in the possession of the authorized user 2, with which it has access to the motor vehicle 1 independently of operation within an effective range 8.

The first device 4 has at least two states, in the first state a lock and in the second state an unlocking of the car doors 6 is present. The two devices 4, 5 have for their intended operation means for transmitting and / or receiving signals 7. In at least one of these between the second device 5 and the first device 4 transmitted signals 7 is a coded, electromagnetic operating signal 23 (see Fig. 4 ). The coded operating signal 23 is used to authenticate the second device 5, whereby with an authorized second device 5 after positive evaluation of the transmitted operating signal 23, a change in the state of the first device 4 can be effected. The transmission of the coded operating signal 23 takes place when the authorized user 2 actuates the door handle 16 on the car door 6 or approaches the door handle 16. As a result, the unlocking of the car doors 6 is triggered according to the KeylessEntry functionality. Just as well, the transmission of the coded operating signal 23 can also be done automatically without the involvement of the user 2, as soon as it enters the effective range 8, which will not be considered in more detail below. If the user closes the car doors 6 from the outside, an automatic locking of the car doors 6 takes place. Equally, the automatic locking of the car doors 6 can take place after the user has left the effective area 8.

The locking system 3 continues to operate independently of the driving authorization for the motor vehicle 1 fixed. For this purpose, the trained as a control device first means 4 also according to the two states, the unlocking and / or locking of the ignition 9 or the steering wheel lock 10, the in Fig. 3 you can see. Just as well, another functionally-relevant component of the motor vehicle 1 can be driven by the first device 4 accordingly. For example, this can be done by a release and / or blocking an immobilizer, the engine control unit o. The transmission of the coded operating signal 23 for the authentication of the second device 5 takes place when the authorized user 2 is in the motor vehicle 1 and a start / stop switch 11 is actuated. As a result, the start process o. The like. The motor vehicle 1 is triggered according to the KeylessGo functionality.

As based on the Fig. 2 can be seen, with the help of the second device 5, the locking system 3 for access authorization also control-dependent in the manner of a remote control. In the present case, the car doors 6 of the motor vehicle 1 can be remotely operated up to a certain maximum distance from Motor vehicle 1 lock and / or unlock, ie the central lock for the car doors 6 can be operated by the user 2.

For this purpose, a coded remote control signal 12 can be transmitted between the second device 5 and the first device 4. As remote control signals 12 are usually electromagnetic signals, such as RF signals and / or infrared signals o. The like., Used. The transmission of the remote control signal 12 can be triggered by means of the housing 2 of the second device 5, designed as a button actuators 14 by the user 2. After positive evaluation of the transmitted remote control signal 12, ie if it is the authorized second device 5, in turn, a control signal via a bus system 15 to the located in the respective car door control unit 13 for locking and / or unlocking the car doors 6 is transmitted. At the in Fig. 2 shown second device 5, a total of three buttons 14 are present, namely one button 14 for unlocking and locking the car doors 6 and another button 14 for the opening of the boot lid.

In Fig. 2 further shown is the substantially user-dependent driving authorization in the manner of a close-up. For this purpose, the second device 5 is inserted into a receptacle 17 on a located in the dashboard of the motor vehicle 1 ignition 9. Here, a contactless inductive energy transfer from the ignition switch 9 to the second device 5 are turned on, so that the energy required for the normal operation of the second device 5 is supplied from the ignition switch 9. Thus, the operation-dependent driving authorization can be used in particular in an emergency, for example, when the battery of the second device 5 is exhausted and a user-independent operation is then no longer possible. Subsequently, the first device 4 exchanges the coded operating signal 7 with the second device 5 located in the receptacle 17 via the bus system 15, which may be, for example, infrared signals. After positive evaluation of the transmitted operating signal 7, in turn, the release for the immobilizer is activated. After release of the immobilizer, the commissioning of the motor vehicle 1, for example by pressing the start / stop switch 11, by pressing the ignition 9 o. The like. By the user 2, allows.

The operation independent operation of the locking system 3 according to the invention will now be based on the Fig. 4 will be explained in more detail.

First, the first device 4 sends by means of a transmitter / receiver 18 as a means for transmitting and / or receiving signals as a wake-up signal designated electromagnetic signal 20 for the associated second device 5. Thereby, the second device 5 is awakened by this from a rest state with reduced energy requirement is converted into an activated state for normal operation.

Thereafter, the first device 4 transmits at least one further locating electromagnetic signal 21, which is also referred to below as a range cancellation signal. As a result, the associated second device 5 can determine its location with respect to the first device 4. In particular, it is possible to determine whether the second device 5 is located outside the motor vehicle 1 and optionally at which point of the outer space 25 and / or in the interior 24 of the motor vehicle 1 (see also FIG Fig. 3 ) is located.

Preferably, the area delineation signal 21 consists of a plurality of sub-signals. For this purpose, three sub-signals 21a, 21b, 21c are available, these being assigned in each case to a motor vehicle side and to the motor vehicle rear. Thus, the sub-signal 21a of the left side of the motor vehicle sent by the transceiver 18a, the right side of the motor vehicle sent by the transceiver 18b and the sub-signal 21c transmitted by the transceiver 18c are assigned to the vehicle rear end. 3 is referenced. The sub-signals 21a, 21b, 21c are transmitted successively. The location determination is then performed according to the field strength of the respective sub-signal 21a, 21b, 21c received by the second device 5, specifically on the basis of the respective field strengths of the sub-signals 21a, 21b, 21c received in the three spatial directions x, y and z with the aid of one in the second device located microprocessor 34 allows. It is particularly preferred that the wake-up signal 20 and / or the area delineation signal 21 or the sub-signals 21a, 21b, 21c have a frequency lying in the inductive LF range.

Subsequently, the second device 5 then sends, by means of a transmitter / receiver 19, a further signal 22 containing the information on the detected location to the first device 4, which is also referred to below as a response signal. Finally, as already described, the encoded electromagnetic operating signal 23, for example as an RF signal, is transmitted for authentication by means of the transceivers 18, 19 between the first and the second device 4, 5. The signal 23 may in particular consist of a plurality of sub-signals and be transmitted in a bidirectional communication between the two devices 4, 5. With regard to further details of the bidirectional communication itself is also on the DE 43 40 260 A1 directed.

For signal transmission of the inductive signals 20, 21 and 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, the second Eirichtung 5 has an acting in the manner of an antenna inductive electrical component 26. This device 26 has at least two bobbins owning coils 27, 28. The longitudinal axes of the coils 27, 28 are arranged in mutually different spatial directions, such that the coils 27, 28 have a reception and / or transmission characteristic in these spatial directions, which in turn the measurement of pointing in these spatial directions components of the field strength of the transmitted signal 20, 21 and 21a, 21b, 21c allowed. As based on the Fig. 5 it can be seen, the coils 27, 28 are arranged as coil windings on a single bobbin 30. The bobbin 30 is expediently made of a ferrite core in order to ensure a sufficient signal strength.

The arrangement of only two coils 27, 28 on the bobbin 30 is sufficient in some cases, but preferably in the second device 5, the spatial vectorial field strengths of the partial signals 21 a, 21 b, 21 c are determined, including the bobbin 30 three coil windings 27, 28th , 29 are arranged substantially orthogonal to each other by means of their longitudinal axes. The coil 27 is aligned in the x-direction, the coil 28 in the y-direction and the coil 29 in the z-direction. This affects the Receiving and / or transmitting characteristic of the device 26 for field measurement for the awakening and / or locations of the second device 5 in all three spatial directions.

As already mentioned, in the operation-dependent driving authorization, for which purpose the second device 5 is inserted in the ignition lock 9, a contactless inductive energy transfer from the ignition 9 to the second device 5 done to spare the battery and / or to ensure the operation in an emergency. For this purpose, yet another, fourth coil 31 for energy transmission to the bobbin 30 is arranged. According to the desired application, the coils 27, 28, 29, 31 may be configured differently. For example, there may be differences in winding type, winding direction, wire gauge, wire type or the like. This applies in particular to the fourth coil 31 which serves for energy transmission and which must be suitable for higher powers than the coils 27, 28, 29 serving merely for signal transmission. According to the Fig. 5 the fourth coil (31) is arranged substantially parallel to and spaced from one of the three coils (27, 28, 29) on the bobbin (30), in the present case to the coil 28.

As in Fig. 4 is schematically indicated, is located in the second device 5, a printed circuit board 33 on which the electrical / electronic components, such as the device 26, the transmitter / receiver 19, the microprocessor 34 o. The like., Are arranged. The component 26 can be used for optimal placement and space utilization in a recess 32 in the circuit board 33. The not shown electrical connections for the device 26 are then preferably mounted laterally on the bobbin 30. Depending on the structure of the electrical / electronic circuit arrangement for evaluating the measured vectorial field strength, the coils 27, 28, 29, 31 on the bobbin 30 independent electrical connections in a differential manner, as shown schematically in FIG Fig. 6 is shown, or one or more common ground connections in a single-ended manner, as shown schematically in FIG Fig. 7 can be seen own. Finally, the device 26 may have a winding protection as protection against mechanical or thermal loads, but this is also not shown. Such a winding protection can be, for example, by casting, encapsulation o. The like. By Apply plastic when the inductive electrical component 26 is mounted on the circuit board 33.

As described above with reference to a motor vehicle locking system 3, located in the second device 5, an awakening and / or locations of this device 5 serving inductive electrical component 26 according to the invention. Optionally, the inductive electrical component 26 can also be used for another door lock, which is located, for example, on a property or the like. Likewise, use of the inductive electrical component 26 in mobile phones, in other data transmission systems o. The like. Possible.

Reference numeral list:

1:

motor vehicle

2:

(authorized) user

3:

locking system

4:

first device

5:

second device

6:

car door

7:

signal

8th:

effective range

9:

Ignition lock

10:

steering wheel lock

11:

Start / stop switch

12:

remote control signal

13:

Control unit (in the car door)

14:

Actuator / button (on second device)

15:

bus system

16:

door handle

17:

Intake (from ignition lock)

18,18a, b, c:

Transmitter / receiver (in the first device)

19:

Transmitter / receiver (in the second device)

20:

Signal / wake-up signal

21:

Signal / range delineation signal

21a, b, c:

Partial signals (of the area delineation signal)

22:

Signal / response signal

23:

Signal / (coded) operating signal

24:

Interior (from motor vehicle)

25:

Outdoor space (from motor vehicle)

26:

(inductive electrical) component

27:

Coil / coil winding (in x-direction)

28:

Coil / coil winding (in y-direction)

29:

Coil / coil winding (in z-direction)

30:

bobbins

31:

Coil (for energy transfer)

32:

Recess (in the circuit board)

33:

circuit board

34:

microprocessor

Claims (11)

1. A lock system, particularly for the access and/or driving authorization in a motor vehicle (1), independently of the operation, In the form of a Keyless Entry/Go functionality and/or for the access and/or driving authorization in a motor vehicle (1), dependent on the operation, as a remote/short-range operation with a first device (4) possessing at least two states which is designed as a control unit, with a related second device (5) which is designed as an electronic key, an ID transmitter or a chip card, wherein the two devices (4, 5) have means for their normal operation for transmitting and/or receiving signals, and with an inductive electrical component (26) in the form of an antenna for signal transmission, wherein the inductive electrical component (26) has a coil body (30) with three coils (27, 28, 29) arranged on the coil body (30) as coil windings, wherein the longitudinal axes of the coils (27, 28, 29) are arranged essentially orthogonally on the coil body (30) in relation to each other, in such a way that the colis (27, 28, 29) have a reception and/or emission characteristic in all three spatial directions and wherein an additional fourth coil (31), which serves for the transfer of energy by means of an electromagnetic field to the second device (5) for the operation of the second device (5) for the signal transmission, is arranged on the coil body (30), characterized in that the inductive electrical component (26) is located in the second device (5).
2. A lock system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first device (4) is a control unit for the unlocking and/or locking of the car doors (6), the ignition lock (9), the steering wheel lock (10), for releasing and/or locking the immobilizer or the engine control unit.
3. A lock system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coil body (30) of the inductive component (26) consists of a ferrite core.
4. A lock system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the coils (27, 28, 23, 31) are formed differently in the winding type, in the winding direction, in the wire thickness or in the wire type.
5. A lock system according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the fourth coil (31) is arranged essentially parallel to as well as spaced apart from one of the three coils (27, 28, 29) on the coil body (30).
6. A lock system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the component (26) is inserted into a recess (32) in the circuit board (33), and that the electrical connections for the component (26) are installed laterally.
7. A lock system according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the coils (27, 28, 29, 31) on the coil body (30) have electrical connections independent of one another and at least one common ground connection.
8. A lock system according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the component (26) has a winding protection by grouting or overmolding by means of plastic.
9. A lock system according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one of the signals (7) transmitted between the second device (5) and the first device (4) is a coded operating signal (23) for authentication of the second device (5), so that after positive evaluation of the transmitted operating signal (23) in the authorized second device (5) a change in the state of the first device (4) can be effected.
10. A lock system according to claim 9, characterized in that the first device (4) transmits an electromagnetic signal (20) as an reveille signal for the associated second device (5), such that the second device (5) is transferred from an idle state with reduced energy demand into an activated state for the normal operation, that subsequently the first device (4) transmits an electromagnetic signal (21) as an area limitation signal, such that the second device (5) can determine its location in respect to the first device (4), and that afterwards the second device (5) transmits a signal (22) containing information on the detected location as a reply signal to the first device (4).
11. A lock system according to claim 10, characterized in that the reveille signal (20) and/or the area limitation signal (21) has a frequency in the inductive AF range, and that the inductive electrical component (26) serves for the signal transmission of inductive signals (20, 21).

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