JP3814646B2 - Keyless entry device for automobiles - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to engine start-up control in a keyless entry device for automobiles.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A keyless entry device for an automobile that unlocks the lock device when it is detected that the electronic key is within a predetermined distance from the receiver, and locks the lock device when it is not detected that the electronic key is within the predetermined distance. Is known, and an electronic key is activated in response to an activation signal transmitted by electromagnetic induction from a receiver provided in an automobile, and transmits a response signal including an identification ID code to the receiver. (See, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-125776). The keyless entry device not only operates the door locking device but also prevents theft by checking the ID code when the user gets on the vehicle, for example, when starting the engine. Some have improved sexiness.
[0003]
In such an apparatus having an ID code confirmation function after boarding, means for detecting the boarding of the user so that the engine can be started when the boarding of the user (driver) is detected. For this reason, there has been a problem that the configuration of the apparatus is complicated and the cost is increased.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
This invention pays attention to this point, and an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems by detecting the user's boarding without providing any special detection means.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in the keyless entry device for an automobile having the above-described configuration, when the user's boarding is detected due to depression of a brake pedal or a clutch pedal, the receiver The activation signal for the electronic key is transmitted from the vehicle interior to the vehicle interior, the steering lock is released when the receiver receives a predetermined in-vehicle ID code transmitted from the electronic key in response to the activation signal, and the ignition switch is When the in-vehicle ID code is confirmed again when the start mode is set, the engine can be started.
[0006]
With such a configuration, the user can be detected in the state of the brake pedal or clutch pedal that is always provided in the automobile, and it is not necessary to provide special detection means, so that the configuration of the device is simplified and the cost is reduced. Can be reduced. It is not necessary to keep stepping on the pedals after the depression of these pedals is detected. Further, since the ID code is checked twice by the in-vehicle ID code before starting the engine after the user gets on, separately from when the door is unlocked, a high antitheft effect can be obtained.
[0007]
In addition, when the electronic key is outside the vehicle interior , the above activation signal is a non-modulated activation signal with only a carrier wave, and when the electronic key is inside the vehicle interior, it is a modulated activation signal including a predetermined request code. The reach of the signal can be substantially increased, and the antenna on the receiver side can be shared for use outside the vehicle interior and for the vehicle interior.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the entire apparatus and the electronic key, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a slightly detailed configuration on the receiver side, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the automobile showing the mounting position of the activation antenna, and FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control procedure. In the figure, 1 is a keyless entry device according to the present invention, 2 is an electronic key, and 3 is a receiver.
[0009]
In principle, the electronic key 2 is possessed by the user, 21 is an antenna, 22 is an activation detection unit, 23 is a storage unit, 24 is a transmission circuit, 25 is a power supply unit including a battery 25a, and 26 is a control unit. Reference numeral 27 denotes a transmitting antenna. The antenna 21 is a coil antenna that transmits and receives signals to and from the receiver 3 by electromagnetic induction. When an activation signal is received, the energy is sent to the control unit 26 via the activation detection unit 22 and the control unit 26 is activated. By this activation, for example, a semiconductor switch is turned on, and the battery 25a of the power supply unit 25 is connected to the control unit 26. The storage unit 23 stores a predetermined in-vehicle ID code and an in-vehicle ID code. The ID code is transmitted from the transmission circuit 24 to the antenna 27, and radio waves are transmitted to the receiver 3. The control unit 26 has the control function as described above, and is configured using, for example, a microchip.
[0010]
The receiver 3 is provided in an automobile, 31 is an activation antenna, 32 is an activation signal generation unit, 33 is a reception circuit, 34 is a control unit, and 35 is a reception antenna. The antenna 31 is a coil antenna that exchanges signals with the electronic key 2 by electromagnetic induction, transmits the activation signal generated by the activation signal generation unit 32 to the electronic key 2, and is sent from the electronic key 2. When the ID code is received by the antenna 35, it is input to the control unit 34 via the receiving circuit 33.
[0011]
The control unit 34 has various control functions as will be described later, and is connected to the door lock device 4, the human body detection unit 5, the steering lock device 6, other input / output circuits 7, the engine 8, and the like. Although configured using a microcomputer, a microcomputer provided to control the entire automobile can also be used as the control unit 34.
[0012]
The door lock device 4 is for locking or unlocking by driving a latch portion of the door, and includes a lock sensor 4b for detecting a lock state by a drive lock motor 4a and a lock link switch. The human body detection unit 5 detects whether or not the user carrying the electronic key 2 has got on the vehicle. The stop lamp switch 5a is used for an automatic vehicle, and the clutch switch 5b is used for the manual vehicle. Used as The steering lock device 6 drives the lock shaft to lock or unlock the steering, and includes a drive solenoid 6a, a detection switch portion 6b for detecting the turning state of the ignition switch, and the like.
[0013]
The other input / output circuit 7 includes, for example, a hazard lamp drive circuit 7a, a shift position detection switch 7b, a parking brake switch 7c, and the like. The engine 8 is provided with a starter 8a. The above configuration is an example of equipment and members necessary for carrying out the present invention, and in addition to these, other equipment and members necessary for automobiles are provided as appropriate, but are not directly related to the present invention. Therefore, explanation is omitted.
[0014]
In FIG. 3, 9 is a vehicle body, 91 is a front door on the driver's seat side, 91a is its window glass, 92 is a rear door on the driver's seat side, 92a is its window glass, and 93 is a center pillar. The antenna 31 is housed in an appropriate case, for example, and is attached to the upper portion of the inner surface of the center pillar 93 on the passenger compartment side. That is, the inner surface of the center pillar 93 on the passenger compartment side is not covered with an iron plate, and the upper and lower portions are made of glass, so that electromagnetic waves of electromagnetic induction are hardly disturbed by the iron plate, and the electronic key 2 is used for transmission and reception. This is done without any problems even when outside the car.
[0015]
The reach of the start signal for the outside of the vehicle must be larger than the reach of the start signal for the inside of the vehicle. For this purpose, measures such as providing a dedicated antenna for each are usually implemented. is there. However, in this embodiment, when the activation signal is transmitted from the receiver 3 to the electronic key 2, an unmodulated activation signal is transmitted for the vehicle exterior, and a modulated activation signal is transmitted for the vehicle interior. Like to do. Here, the unmodulated signal is a carrier wave only, and the modulated signal is a signal modulated to include a predetermined request code (ID code transmitted from the receiver to the electronic key side) The modulation method is arbitrary.
[0016]
When the electronic key 2 is outside the passenger compartment, it is not necessary to identify the request code, and it is only necessary to receive an activation signal that is strong enough to activate the control unit 26 first. For this reason, the unmodulated start signal output from the receiver 3 may be very weak, and the reach distance of the start signal for outside the vehicle is substantially increased. It is shared for the interior of the car. Therefore, only one installation space is required, and the center pillar 93 can be secured with a considerably large space for mounting the antenna. Therefore, a relatively large and high output coil antenna is used as the antenna 31. It can be done.
[0017]
Next, the operation and control procedure of the above-described apparatus will be described with reference to the flowcharts in FIG. 4 is a flowchart on the electronic key 2 side, and FIGS. 5 to 7 are flowcharts on the receiver 3 side.
[0018]
As shown in step S11 and step S12 of FIG. 5, in the standby state, the receiver 3 generates an unmodulated start signal for the outside of the vehicle by the start signal generating unit 32, and this is sent from the antenna 31 at intervals of 3 seconds, for example. Outgoing. On the other hand, the control unit 26 of the electronic key 2 is supplied with the power necessary for receiving the activation signal, and the user carrying the electronic key 2 approaches the vehicle as shown in FIG. When the key 2 receives an electromagnetic wave activation signal by electromagnetic induction from the receiver 3 (step S1), the control unit 26 is activated and the power supply unit 25 is connected to the control unit 26 (step S2). As a result, the control unit 26 can operate normally, and if the received activation signal is for a vehicle interior in which the modulated start signal is modulated, a predetermined in-vehicle ID code is transmitted. If there is, a predetermined vehicle ID code is transmitted (step S3). Then, it returns to step S1.
[0019]
FIG. 5 shows a procedure when the door is unlocked, and the receiver 3 is kept in a standby state until receiving the ID code issued by the electronic key 2 as described above (step S11 and step S11). S12) When the ID code is received, it is determined whether or not the ID code matches the vehicle exterior ID code (step S13). If the ID code matches, the process proceeds to step S14, and if not, the process returns to step S11.
[0020]
In step S14, an unlock signal is output to the door lock device 4 for 0.5 seconds, for example, the lock motor 4a is driven in the unlock direction to unlock the door, and the lock sensor 4b releases the lock device 4 from the lock sensor 4b. A signal is sent to the receiver 3 indicating that has changed from the locked state to the unlocked state. In step S15, the hazard lamp 7a is actuated to light or blink for a predetermined time to notify the user that the unlocking has been performed. When the operation is already in the unlocked state, the hazard lamp 7a is not activated.
[0021]
FIG. 6 shows a procedure when the door is opened and closed after the unlocking operation. First, in step S21, it is determined whether or not the door is opened. If the door is opened, the output interval of the unmodulated start signal is, for example, 0.5 seconds (step S22), and whether the ID code matches that for the vehicle exterior. It is determined whether or not (step S23). The reason why the output interval of the activation signal is shortened is to ensure that the electronic key 2 is within the communication area. Then, the process proceeds to step S24 or step S25, and the loop procedure returning to step S22 is repeated until the door is closed. If the door is closed with the codes matched, the user has boarded or is near the door. It is determined that the door is closed in the state, and the process proceeds to the procedure of FIG. 7. If the code is not matched or the door is closed in a state where the code cannot be read, it is determined that a person other than the user has closed the door. Return to the standby state of S11.
[0022]
If the user leaves the vehicle without opening the door in step S21, the process proceeds to step S26. In this case, since the ID code cannot be collated when the electronic key 2 moves away beyond the reachable distance, the process proceeds to step S27 after a predetermined time, for example, 4 seconds elapses, and a lock signal is output, for example, 0.5 seconds, and the lock motor is output. 4a is driven in the locking direction to lock the door again. Further, a signal is issued from the lock sensor 4b that the lock device 4 is in the locked state from the unlocked state. In step S28, the hazard lamp 7a is activated to notify that it has been locked, and the process returns to the standby state in step S11. Note that when the operation is already in the locked state, the hazard lamp 7a is not operated.
[0023]
FIG. 7 shows the subsequent procedure after it is determined in step S24 that the door is closed. First, the human body detection unit 5 detects that the user has boarded, and the signal is input to the receiver 3. (Step S31). This example is an automatic vehicle, and the vehicle is detected by the state of a brake that is always operated when the engine is started. When the stop lamp switch 5a of the human body detection unit 5 is turned on, step S32 is performed. Then, the start signal is continuously output instead of the modulated one for the vehicle interior. At this time, since the electronic key 2 is placed in the chest pocket of the user and located near the antenna 31 of the receiver 3, the modulated start signal for the vehicle interior output from the antenna 31 is surely obtained. Received.
[0024]
Accordingly, since the in-vehicle ID code is transmitted from the electronic key 2 in step S3 of FIG. 4, it is determined in step S33 whether or not this ID code matches the in-vehicle ID code. If they do not match, the process returns to the standby state in step S11. Until the brake is stepped on after the boarding, the loop procedure returning from step S31 to step S31 through step S42 and step S24 is repeated.
[0025]
In step S34, the state of the shift lever and the parking brake is determined by the shift position detection switch 7b and the parking brake switch 7c of the other input / output circuit 7, and the shift lever is in the parking position and the parking brake is applied. Is unlocked by driving the solenoid 6a of the steering lock device 6 (step S35). Subsequently, the turning state of the ignition switch is detected by the switch unit 6b (step S36). When the switch is turned to the start position and is in the start mode, the ID code is confirmed again in step S37. A start permission signal is output from the control unit 34, the starter 8a is driven, and the engine 8 is started. Thus, apart from the time when the ID code is confirmed to be unlocked, when the steering lock is released by the in-vehicle ID code after the user gets on the vehicle and when the ignition switch is operated and the start mode is entered. Since it is performed twice, a high antitheft property is realized. If the ID codes do not match, the process returns to the standby state in step S11.
[0026]
Thus, after the engine 8 is started, a start signal is not necessary and is stopped to prevent malfunction (step S38), and this state is continued until the engine is stopped (step S39). When the engine 8 is stopped, the output of the unmodulated start signal is resumed at intervals of, for example, 0.5 seconds in step S40, and the process returns to step S31 to repeat the subsequent procedures. If the shift lever is not in the parking position in step S34, the parking brake is not applied, or the start mode is not set in step S36, the process proceeds to step S41. If the stop lamp switch 5a is turned on, the process returns to step S34 and the subsequent procedure is repeated. If the stop lamp switch 5a is not turned on, the procedure from step S40 is repeated.
[0027]
Next, when the driving is finished and the user leaves the car, the process proceeds from step S31 to step S42 because the brake is not depressed. Until the door is opened, the loop procedure returning to step S31 through step S42 and step S24 is repeated. When the door is opened, the loop procedure returning from step S24 to step S22 and step S23 to step S24 is performed. Repeated.
[0028]
Here, when the user goes out of the vehicle and closes the door, the loop procedure of returning to step S24 through step S24, step S31, and step S42 continues for a while, but the electronic key 2 moves away with the user and the ID code is displayed. When collation cannot be performed, a predetermined time, for example, 4 seconds elapses, and the process proceeds to step S43, a lock signal is output, the lock motor 4a is driven in the lock direction, and the door is locked. In addition, after the lock sensor 4b issues a signal that the lock device 4 is in the locked state from the unlocked state, it is informed in step S44 that the hazard lamp 7a is activated and locked, and then the standby state in step S11. Return to. Note that when the operation is already in the locked state, the hazard lamp 7a is not operated.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, the keyless entry device according to the present invention activates the electronic key from the receiver into the vehicle compartment when a user's boarding is detected by depressing the brake pedal or clutch pedal. When the signal is transmitted and the receiver receives a predetermined in-vehicle ID code transmitted from the electronic key in response to the start signal, the steering lock is released and the ignition switch is set to the start mode again. When the ID code is confirmed, the engine can be started. Therefore, the brake pedal or clutch pedal that is always provided in the automobile is used for detection of the user, and it is not necessary to provide a special detection means, so that the configuration of the apparatus can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. It becomes. Moreover, since the confirmation of the ID code is performed twice by the in-vehicle ID code before starting the engine after the user gets on, separately from when the door is unlocked, a high antitheft effect can be obtained.
[0030]
In addition, when the electronic key is outside the vehicle compartment , the above-mentioned activation signal is a non-modulated activation signal with only a carrier wave. The start signal reachable distance can be substantially increased, and the antenna on the receiver side can be shared for both outside and inside the vehicle. A large and high output coil antenna can be used.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a keyless entry device and an electronic key according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram on the receiver side of the above apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the automobile showing the mounting position of the starting antenna of the apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of operation of the electronic key in the apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation procedure of the receiver.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation procedure of the receiver.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a part of the procedure of the operation of the receiver.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Keyless entry apparatus for motor vehicles 2 Electronic key 21 Antenna 26 Control part 3 Receiver 31 Start-up antenna 34 Control part 4 Door lock apparatus 5 Human body detection part 5a Stop lamp switch 5b Clutch switch 8 Engine

Claims (2)

When the receiver receives a predetermined ID code transmitted from the electronic key in response to an activation signal transmitted from the receiver, and detects that the electronic key is within a predetermined distance, the lock device is activated. In a keyless entry device for automobiles that is configured to unlock and unlock when it is not detected within a predetermined distance, the user's boarding is detected when the brake pedal or clutch pedal is depressed. Then, an activation signal for the electronic key is transmitted from the receiver to the vehicle interior, and the receiver receives a predetermined in-vehicle ID code transmitted from the electronic key in response to the activation signal. is released, and again the car for the ID code when the ignition switch is set to the start-up mode is confirmed engine start-up Automotive keyless entry apparatus characterized by being configured to be the ability state. The activation signal transmitted from the receiver to the electronic key is a non-modulated activation signal with only a carrier wave when the electronic key is outside the passenger compartment, and a modulated activation signal including a predetermined request code when the electronic key is in the passenger compartment. The keyless entry device for automobiles according to claim 1.

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