JP2002353713A - Remote control antenna system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control antenna system that can properly transmit/receive a signal to/from an external device without being shaded. SOLUTION: A rim 23 of a core body 21 of a steering wheel 12 is used for a primary antenna and a flange 16 with a coil being a secondary antenna formed thereto is provided to a 2nd operation lever 15 placed near the steering wheel 12. When a mobile telephone transmits an ID code signal, a current flows through the rim 23 of the core body 21 on the basis of the ID code signal to generate a magnetic field around the rib 23, an electromotive force is induced in the coil of the 2nd operation lever 15 through a change in the magnetic flux to transmit a received signal on the basis of an ID code to a control circuit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control antenna device used for operating a device from a remote location.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, operability of automobiles has been improved, and as a typical example, a remote control device for a vehicle capable of remotely controlling various devices provided in the vehicle has been known. For example, a communication control device provided on the vehicle side receives and decodes an ID code signal (electromagnetic wave) transmitted from a portable device owned by a vehicle owner (driver) and locks the door. And the like.

The communication control device includes an antenna for transmitting and receiving signals to and from a portable device. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a mounting position of the antenna, for example, an antenna disposed inside a meter device or an instrument panel is known. And, via the antenna, the communication control device:
Signals were transmitted to and received from portable devices.

[0004]

By the way, the mounting position of the antenna of the communication control device depends on the working distance (that is, the distance at which signals can be exchanged with the portable device) and the directivity of the signals. Affect. When an antenna is provided inside a meter device or an instrument panel as in the related art, the body and other parts disposed in the vicinity of the antenna serve as a shield, and a gap between the portable device and the communication control device. There is a risk that the transmitted / received signal will be shielded. And
Blocking the signal leads to a problem that an appropriate working distance cannot be secured.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a remote control antenna device capable of suitably transmitting and receiving signals to and from a portable device (external device) without being shielded. Is to do.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a primary antenna in which a current flows based on a reception electromagnetic wave of a predetermined frequency or a transmission signal, and a same-order antenna. A secondary antenna that induces electromotive force based on a magnetic field generated by the flowing current and generates a reception signal based on the reception electromagnetic wave, or a transmission electromagnetic wave of a predetermined frequency based on the transmission signal, and an external for remote control. A remote control antenna device that enables communication with the device, wherein one of the two antennas is also used as at least a rim portion of a steering wheel core, and the other is in the vicinity of the steering wheel. And that it is connected to a control unit for remote control.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the antenna provided in the vicinity of the steering wheel is provided on a protruding member that protrudes toward the vehicle interior.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the primary antenna is at least a rim portion of a steering wheel core, the secondary antenna is provided on a projecting member, and the two antennas are The gist of the present invention is that the antenna is a receiving antenna that receives a reception electromagnetic wave and sends a reception signal based on the reception electromagnetic wave to the control unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect, the projecting member is an operating lever for a combination switch arranged near a steering wheel.

(Operation) According to the first aspect of the present invention, when communicating with an external device for remote control,
Received electromagnetic waves of a predetermined frequency, or current flows based on a transmission signal, a secondary antenna, an electromotive force is induced based on a magnetic field generated by the current flowing to the primary antenna, a received signal based on the received electromagnetic waves, or A transmission electromagnetic wave having a predetermined frequency based on the transmission signal is generated. At this time,
One of the two antennas is also used at least in a rim portion of the core of the steering wheel, and the other is provided near the steering wheel. Since the steering wheel protrudes to the driver's seat side, unlike the conventional case where an antenna is provided inside the instrument panel, there is no obstacle in the vicinity, and signals can be transmitted and received appropriately.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the antenna provided near the steering wheel is provided on the protruding member formed to protrude toward the vehicle interior, magnetic flux between the antenna and the steering wheel is provided. There is nothing to block the exchange, and the detection of the magnetic flux is preferably performed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the primary antenna, which is at least the rim portion of the core of the steering wheel, and the secondary antenna provided on the protruding member send a reception signal based on the received electromagnetic wave to the control unit. The antenna is suitably used as a receiving antenna.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the projecting member is an operation lever for a combination switch disposed near the steering wheel, the antenna is suitably provided near the steering wheel.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, a steering column 11 is provided on the driver's seat side of the instrument panel 10 so as to protrude toward the driver's seat side. A steering wheel 12 is rotatably attached to a tip of the steering column 11.

The steering column 11 is provided with a column shift lever 13 for switching gears of a transmission (not shown). In the steering column 11, on the steering wheel 12 side of the shift lever 13, a pair of combination switch operation levers (hereinafter, referred to as "first and second operation levers") 14, formed of synthetic resin, 15 are provided. Both operation levers 14 and 15 are located near the steering wheel 12 and are disposed opposite to each other on the opposite side rotated by 180 degrees about the axis of the steering column 11. The operation levers 14 and 15 protrude toward the vehicle interior. The first operation lever 14 is a lever for switching a turn signal switch, and the second operation lever 15 is a lever for switching a wiper switch. An annular flange 16 is provided on the distal end side of the second operation lever 15. As shown in FIG. 2, the flange 16
Coil 17 wound annularly around second operation lever 15 body
Is coated with a synthetic resin.

The coil 17 is connected to a control circuit 54 for performing predetermined control when receiving a reception signal (ID code signal) including a predetermined ID code.
Note that the second operation lever 15 corresponds to a projecting member, and the control circuit 54 corresponds to a control unit for remote control. The coil 17 corresponds to a secondary antenna, and is a so-called coil antenna.

The steering wheel 12 is formed by covering a core 21 as a base material as shown in FIG. 3 with a synthetic resin. The core body 21 is composed of a boss plate 22, an annular (loop-shaped) rim portion 23 centered on the boss plate 22, and a plurality of spokes 24 connecting the boss plate 22 and the rim portion 23. . In the present embodiment, the annular rim portion 23 is made of Al, Mg, F
The boss plate 22 and the spokes 24 are formed of a conductive metal such as e or Cu, or a conductive fiber such as carbon fiber, and the boss plate 22 and the spokes 24 are formed of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin. The boss plate 22 is connected to a steering shaft (not shown) provided inside the steering column 11. The rim 23 of the loop-shaped core 21 corresponds to a primary antenna.

The coil 17 of the second operation lever 15 and the rim 23 of the core 21 of the steering wheel 12 constitute an antenna for receiving an ID code signal as a received electromagnetic wave.

Next, a remote control device 51 for a vehicle having the antenna (coil 17 and rim portion 23) and a keyless entry function performed by the remote control device 51 for the vehicle will be outlined.

As shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle remote control device 5
1 includes a portable device 52 as an external device possessed by the owner (driver) of the vehicle 50, and a communication control device 53 mounted on the vehicle 50. The portable device 52 has a switch (not shown). When this switch is operated, a predetermined frequency including a predetermined ID code (300 in the present embodiment) for locking and unlocking the door is set.
MHz) is transmitted.

The control circuit 54 of the communication control device 53 stores an ID code set corresponding to the ID code of the portable device 52. Then, the control circuit 54 communicates with the I through the antenna (the coil 17 and the rim 23) disposed on the steering wheel 12 and the second operation lever 15.
A reception signal based on the D code signal is received, the signal is demodulated into a pulse signal, and the ID code of the portable device 52 is compared with the ID code set for itself.

The control circuit 54 outputs a control signal to the door lock driving device 55 on condition that the ID codes match. By this control signal, when the door lock is locked, the door lock is unlocked, and when the door lock is unlocked, the door lock is locked. In this manner, a keyless entry function for locking and unlocking the door without using a mechanical key is exhibited.

Next, the communication control device 53
The operation at the time of receiving the ID code signal from No. 2 will be described. When an ID code signal is transmitted from the portable device 52, first, the conductive rim portion 23 of the core 21 of the steering wheel 12 receives the ID code signal, and as shown in FIG. Arrow A in the figure on the rim 23
Current flows in the direction. Then, due to this current, a magnetic field is generated around the rim portion 23 in the direction indicated by the arrow B.

Then, the magnetic field generated at the rim 23 of the core 21 acts on the coil 17 (flange 16) provided on the second operation lever 15 near the steering wheel 12. That is, a magnetic field as indicated by an arrow C is also generated around the coil 17, and the magnetic flux generated at the rim portion 23 of the core 21 interlinks with the coil 17. Then, the coil 17 is induced, and the control circuit 54
A signal current corresponding to the ID code signal flows as a reception signal.

As described above, the ID code signal transmitted from the portable device 52 is received by the rim 23 as an antenna and the coil 17, and a received signal based on the ID code signal is transmitted to the control circuit 54. Is done.

At this time, since the steering wheel 12 in which the rim portion 23 for receiving the ID code signal from the portable device 52 first protrudes toward the driver's seat side, the steering wheel 12 is provided inside the instrument panel 10 or the like. Unlike the related art, there is no obstacle nearby, and the ID code signal is suitably received. Further, a coil 17 for detecting a change in the magnetic flux of the rim portion 23 also has a second operation lever 1 protruding into the vehicle interior.
5, there is no shield between the column shift lever 13 and the coil 17, and the coil 17 preferably detects a change in magnetic flux.

The core 2 of the steering wheel 12
The rim 23 in 1 is a primary antenna, and unlike the case where an annular conductive member is separately provided on the steering wheel 12, for example, the number of unnecessary parts is not increased. Further, among the members provided on the steering column 11, the largest annular (loop-shaped) portion is used as a primary antenna, and an ID code signal is received with good sensitivity.

Even when the steering wheel 12 is operated to rotate, the steering wheel 12 usually rotates in an imaginary plane parallel to the direction in which the second operation lever 15 extends. The whole is a receiving antenna. For this reason, the steering wheel 1
The strength of the magnetic field does not change with respect to the coil 17 without changing the distance between the second operation lever 15 and the second operation lever 15. Therefore,
The control circuit 54 receives the received signal based on the ID code signal with stable sensitivity without affecting the receiving sensitivity.

The steering wheel 12 and the second
Since the operation lever 15 is provided in every vehicle type, it is not necessary to consider a mounting position for each vehicle type in consideration of an antenna installation space and the like. If the mounting position does not change for each vehicle type, confirmation of various performances including the working distance at which a signal can be received is greatly simplified.

Therefore, according to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) In the above embodiment, when an ID code signal is transmitted from the portable device 52, the signal is first received by the loop-shaped rim portion 23 of the steering wheel 12, and a current flows through the rim portion 23, and the rim portion 23 receives the current. A magnetic field is generated around the part 23. The coil 17 provided on the second operation lever 15 near the steering wheel 12 induces an electromotive force by a change in the magnetic flux, and sends a signal to the control circuit 54. At this time, the rim portion 2 corresponding to the primary antenna
3 is protruded toward the driver's seat side, compared with the case where the antenna of the communication control device 53 is provided inside the instrument panel 10,
There is no blockage of the signal in the vicinity, and the signal can be suitably received.

(2) In the above embodiment, the loop-shaped rim 23 always installed on the steering wheel 12 is
It is also used as a primary antenna for receiving the D code signal first. For this reason, for example, the steering wheel 1
Unlike the case where an antenna for receiving an ID code is newly provided in 2, the number of components does not increase. Further, among the members provided on the steering column 11, the largest annular member is used as a primary antenna, and a favorable ID is obtained.
Code signal can be received.

(3) In the above embodiment, since the rim 23 is a primary antenna, even when the steering wheel 12 is rotated when a signal is received from the portable device 52, the core 21 (rim) of the steering wheel 12 is rotated. The distance between the portion 23) and the coil 17 of the second operation lever 15 does not change. Therefore, the reception sensitivity is not affected, and the control circuit 54 can receive the reception signal with a stable sensitivity.

(4) In the above embodiment, the coil 17 for detecting the change in the magnetic flux generated at the rim 23 of the core 21
Is provided on the second operation lever 15. Since the operation lever 15 also protrudes toward the interior of the vehicle compartment, there is nothing to shield the magnetic field, for example, unlike the case where the coil 17 is provided inside the instrument panel 10. Therefore, the coil 17 can appropriately detect a change in magnetic flux in the vicinity of the rim 23 (the steering wheel 12).

(5) In the above embodiment, since the steering wheel 12 and the second operation lever 15 are provided in every vehicle type, the primary antenna (rim 23) and the secondary antenna for receiving the ID code signal are received. (Coil 1
There is no need to consider the mounting position of 7) for each vehicle model. Therefore, confirmation of various performances can be greatly simplified.

The above embodiment may be modified as follows. In the above embodiment, the coil 17 (flange 16) is provided on the second operation lever 15 for switching the wiper switch, but the coil 17 (flange 16) is provided on the first operation lever 14 for switching the turn signal switch. You may. 5, a coil 17 may be wound around a column shift lever 13 provided on the steering column 11, and the flange 16 may be formed by coating with a synthetic resin. Even in such a case, the same operation and effect as when the coil 17 is provided on the second operation lever 15 can be obtained. The shift lever is not limited to the column shift lever 13, but may be a floor shift lever, an instrument panel shift lever, or the like.

In the above embodiment, the coil 17
Is not provided on protruding members such as the various levers 13, 14, 15, but is located near the steering wheel 12 and at a position where it is linked to the magnetic flux generated in the core 21.
For example, the coil 17 may be built in the steering column 11 or at the position of the spoke 24 of the steering wheel 12.

In the above embodiment, the rim 2 of the core 21
3 and the coil 17 are used as a receiving antenna for receiving an ID code signal from the portable device 52. For example, when a configuration in which a signal is transmitted from the communication control device 53 to the portable device 52 is adopted, It may be used as a transmitting antenna. In this case, a current flows through the coil 17 due to the transmission signal output from the control circuit 54, and a magnetic field is generated as shown by an arrow C in FIG. Then, due to the generation of the magnetic field, an electromotive force is induced in the rim portion 23, a current flows as indicated by an arrow A, and a transmission electromagnetic wave of a predetermined frequency is generated for the portable device 52. In this case, the coil 17 corresponds to the primary antenna, and the core 21
Corresponds to a secondary antenna.

In the above embodiment, the vehicle remote control device 51 is embodied as a device having a smart ignition function that puts the engine into a standby state by transmitting and receiving signals between the portable device 52 and the communication control device 53. Is also good.

In the above embodiment, the spokes 24 and the boss plate 22 of the core body 21 of the steering wheel 12 may be formed of a conductive metal or a conductive fiber similarly to the rim portion 23. By doing so, the core 21
Everything is a primary antenna.

Next, technical ideas that can be grasped from the above-described embodiment and other examples will be described below together with their effects. (1) The remote control antenna device according to any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the projecting member is a shift lever. With this configuration, the antenna can be suitably arranged in the vicinity of the steering wheel by using the projecting member as the shift lever arranged in the vicinity of the steering wheel.

[0041]

As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the present invention, transmission and reception of a signal with an external device can be suitably performed without being shielded.

According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1, the antenna provided in the vicinity of the steering wheel is provided on the protruding member formed to protrude into the vehicle interior. Since there is no shield between the antenna of the steering wheel and the antenna, the exchange of the magnetic flux can be suitably performed.

According to the invention of claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 2, in addition to the primary antenna that also serves as at least the rim portion in the core of the steering wheel, and the secondary antenna provided on the projecting member, It can be suitably used as a receiving antenna for transmitting a received signal based on a received electromagnetic wave to a control unit.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the second or third aspect, the projecting member is an operation lever for a combination switch disposed near the steering wheel, so that the steering can be performed. The antenna can be suitably arranged near the wheel.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of a vehicle interior according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an operation lever.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a core of the steering wheel.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a remote control device for a vehicle.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a shift lever according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 steering wheel, 15 second operation lever (projecting member), 17 coil (secondary antenna), 21
Core body, 23 rim portion (primary antenna), 52 portable device (external device), 54 control circuit (control section).

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masaki Yasuda 3-260 Toyota, Oguchi-cho, Niwa-gun, Aichi Prefecture Inside Tokai Rika Electric Works, Ltd. (72) Inventor Taketoshi Sakurai 3-260 Toyota, Oguchi-machi, Niwa-gun, Aichi Prefecture F-term (reference) 5J046 AA04 AA12 AA18 AB11 MA03 MA07 MA11 QA02 SA00 5J047 AA04 AA12 AA18 AB11 EA01 EA06

Claims (4)

[Claims] A primary antenna through which a current flows based on a reception electromagnetic wave or a transmission signal of a predetermined frequency, and an electromotive force is induced based on a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through the same antenna, and reception based on the reception electromagnetic wave is performed. Signal, or a secondary antenna that generates a transmission electromagnetic wave of a predetermined frequency based on the transmission signal, a remote control antenna device that enables communication to an external device for remote control, An antenna for remote control, characterized in that one of them is used at least as a rim portion of a core of a steering wheel, and the other is provided near the steering wheel, and is connected to a control unit for remote control. apparatus. 2. The remote control antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the antenna provided in the vicinity of the steering wheel is provided on a protruding member formed to protrude toward the vehicle interior. 3. The primary antenna is at least a rim portion of a steering wheel core, the secondary antenna is provided on a projecting member, and the two antennas are
The remote control antenna device according to claim 2, wherein the antenna device is a receiving antenna that receives a reception electromagnetic wave and sends a reception signal based on the reception electromagnetic wave to a control unit. 4. The remote control antenna device according to claim 2, wherein the protruding member is an operation lever for a combination switch disposed near a steering wheel.