JPH063076B2 - Key switch device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a key switch device that uses both mechanical keys and optical code matching.

<Prior Art> By using a key switch device that combines a mechanical lock device such as a cylinder lock and an optical code signal collating device, it becomes difficult to use the duplicate key and the theft prevention. A technique for making it even more reliable has been proposed (see Japanese Patent Application No. 61-271438).

In such a key switch device, it is preferable that the light receiving device is provided in the peripheral portion of the keyhole so that the signal from the light emitting body provided on the key side can be received with the key inserted.

On the other hand, in order to facilitate the operation of the engine key of the automobile at night, various lighting devices for the key insertion port have been proposed (see Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 60-184740). As such an illuminating device, a light guide member is provided so as to surround the key insertion port, and light from a light source provided inside the key switch mounting panel is emitted to the outside through the light guide member. The structure is known.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> By the way, if an illumination device is provided for the key switch device having the above-described light receiving device, it is possible that the key switch device becomes large and the structure becomes complicated.

In view of such problems of the prior art, a main object of the present invention is to provide both a light receiving device for receiving an optical code signal without causing the above-mentioned inconvenience and a lighting device for a key insertion opening. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved key switch device.

<Means for Solving Problems> According to the present invention, a key switch device having a mechanical key switch for opening and closing contacts by a key and an optical code signal collating device is provided. A light source for illumination provided in the vicinity of the insertion port of the key inside the mechanical key switch and a light receiving body for sensing the optical code signal, and a housing portion for the light source and the light receiving body,
The present invention is achieved by providing a key switch device comprising a light guide material having a light incident surface and a light emitting surface opened toward the insertion direction of the key.

<Operation> In this way, the light receiving portion for the light emitting body on the key side,
The light emitting portion for illumination can be provided in the same portion, and the key switch device can be downsized and the structure can be simplified.

<Embodiment> Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a part of an automobile engine control circuit to which a key switch device according to the present invention is applied. The steering column of the vehicle 1 is provided with a cylinder lock type key switch 2 that also serves as a steering lock and an ignition switch. Like the known vehicle key switch, the key body 4 of the key device 3 is used as a key switch. The engine can be started by inserting into 2 and turning to the “ON” position.

A grip portion 5 made of, for example, a synthetic resin material is formed at the base end portion of the key body 4. Inside the grip portion 5, for example, a light emitting body 6 made of an LED, the optical axis of which is directed to the key switch 2 side, and control for causing the light emitting body 6 to emit a pulse signal based on a predetermined code signal. A circuit 7 and a rechargeable battery 8 as a power source are embedded. Further, a pair of fixed terminals 9 connected to the control circuit 7 are fixedly provided on the edge of the base end of the key body 4.

Inside the key switch 2, a pair of movable terminals 10 that can be elastically contacted with both terminals 9 of the key body 4 in the inserted state, and to receive light from the light emitter 6 And a light receiving body 11 formed of, for example, a phototransistor. The movable terminal 10 and the light receiving body 11 are connected to a control unit 12 provided in the vehicle 1. Then, the control unit 12 includes an in-vehicle battery 13 as a power source and “ON” / “ST” of the key switch 2.
The cut-off relays 31 and 32, which connect and disconnect the engine control circuit 14 and the starter circuit 15 which are closed at respective positions, are respectively connected.

2 and 3 show a state in which the key body 4 is inserted into the key switch 2.

The key switch 2 includes the starter circuit 15 described above.
In order to enable the functions of the engine control circuit 14 and each on-vehicle device (not shown), "LOC" shown in FIG.
A rotor switch (not shown) integrally arranged behind the rotor 17 of the key switch 2 is provided at each of the positions of “K”, “OFF”, “ACC”, “ON”, and “ST”.
By rotating together, each circuit is closed, and the key body 4 is inserted at the "LOCK" position.
Is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow A, and when it is set to the "ACC" position, for example, the radio of the vehicle 1 is turned on,
Next, when the "ON" position is set, the engine control circuit 14
Is turned on, and when it is further moved to the “ST” position, the starter circuit 15 is turned on.

As described above, the key switch 2 has a well-known key cylinder structure, and as shown in FIG. 3, the outer cylinder member 16 forming a cylinder lock and a predetermined angle inside the outer cylinder member 16. Rotor 17 received so as to be rotatable over a range
And have. A key hole 18 corresponding to the key body 4 of the key device 3 is formed in the rotor 17.

The outer cylinder member 16 includes a light guide ring 19 made of a transparent acrylic resin or the like provided at an axial end on the side where the key body 4 is inserted, and a holder member 20 provided inside the light guide ring 19 in the axial direction. It consists of The holder member 20 is provided with the key insertion port illuminating valve 21 and the light receiving body 11 and the movable terminal 10 described above.

The movable terminal 10 has a recess 22 formed in the light guide ring 19.
It is rotatably supported inside. The free end portion side of the movable terminal 10 is formed in an arc shape along the inner peripheral surface of the light guide ring 19 in the section from the “ON” position to the “ST” position, and the free end portion thereof is formed. Is elastically urged by a compression coil spring 23 so as to protrude inward in the radial direction from the inner peripheral surface of the light guide ring 19 to some extent. The movable terminal 10 is connected to the control unit 1 via a coil spring 23.
2 is electrically connected.

The outer circumference and the axial end surface of the outer cylinder member 16 are covered with a cover 24 made of stainless steel or the like. The end face of the cover 24 in the axial direction is formed in a shallow mortar shape so that the key body 4 can be easily inserted, and a pair of windows 2 are formed at a portion facing the light receiver 11 and a diagonal position with the portion.
5a and 25b are opened respectively.

The light receiving body 11 is arranged in an intermediate portion between the “ON” position and the “ST” position, and the key device 3 is turned “ON”.
While rotating from the position to the “ST” position, the light emitter 5
It is designed to be able to receive the light incident from.

On the other hand, the fixed terminal 9 provided in the key device 3 is fixed to the base end portion of the key body 4 via the holder 26 made of an insulating material, so that the sliding contact with the movable terminal 10 can be made smooth. , Its edges are rounded.

In this way, the key device 3 is rotated clockwise in FIG.
When is rotated, the fixed terminal 9 of the key device 3 and the movable terminal 10 of the key switch 2 come into contact with each other from the “ON” position to the “ST” position. That is, in the present embodiment, at the “ON” position, both terminals 9 and 10 are in contact with each other, and the vehicle-mounted battery 1 is connected via the control unit 12.
The voltage of 3 is applied to the control circuit 7 and the charging place 8 on the key device 3 side. At this time, the trigger operation in the control circuit 7 causes the light emitting body 5 to emit a code signal composed of a specific optical pulse, and the light receiving body 11 on the key switch 2 side,
The light converted into the code signal is received. Then, only when it is confirmed in the control unit 12 that this code signal and the code stored in the control unit 12 match, the control unit 12 connects / disconnects the engine control circuit 14 and the starter circuit 15 to each other. Cut relay 31
A signal for closing 32 is output, and the engine control circuit 14 and the starter circuit 15 are turned on via the switch circuit of the key switch 2 corresponding to the position of the key device 3.

Now, the light of the illumination bulb 21 emitted from the back side of the light guide ring 19 repeats interface reflection inside the light guide ring 19 and diffuses as a whole. Then, the light emitted from the windows 25a and 25b to the outside illuminates the windows 25a and 25b.

On the other hand, the optical signal emitted from the light emitting body 6 of the key device 3 with its optical axis narrowed is directly incident from the window 25a on the side of the light receiving body 11 when the light emitting body 6 and the light receiving body 11 face each other. When the light is incident from the window 25b at a diagonal position with the reflection surface 27 formed on the inner surface of the light guide ring 19 facing the window 25b.
The light-receiving body 11 is reflected while being reflected in the light guide ring 19.
Incident on.

At this time, the light receiver 11 is also exposed to the light from the illumination bulb 21, but since the regular signal is infrared light and is a pulse code, it cannot cause a malfunction.

In addition, the inner surface 28 of the illumination bulb 21 housing portion of the light guide ring 19
It is possible to attempt to enhance the diffusion effect of the illumination light by forming reflector-like unevenness on the.

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, according to the present invention, since the light guide members for guiding the illumination light and the signal light can be used in common, it is possible to miniaturize the electronic key switch including the lighting device. . Further, even if the light emitting body on the key device side is single, the insertion directionality of the key can be made reversible, and the effect is extremely large.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a vehicle control circuit to which a key switch device according to the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the state where the key body is inserted into the key switch body as seen from a direction orthogonal to the axis. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the same as seen from the direction along the axis. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle, 2 ... Key switch 3 ... Key device, 4 ... Key main body 5 ... Gripping part, 6 ... Light emitting body 7 ... Control circuit, 8 ... Rechargeable battery 9 ... Fixed terminal, 10 ... Movable terminal 11 ... Light receiving body, 12 ... Control unit 13 ... In-vehicle battery, 14 ... Engine control circuit 15 ... Starter circuit, 16 ... Outer cylinder member 17 ... Rotor, 18 ... Key hole 19 ... Light guide ring, 20 ... Holder member 21 ... Illumination bulb, 22 ... Recessed portion 23 ... compression coil spring, 24 ... cover 25a / 25b ... window, 26 ... holder 27 ... reflection surface, 28 ... inner surface 31/32 ... cut relay

Front page continuation (72) Inventor Kazuhiro Sakata 3700 Wadayama, Shimonaka, Sadohara-cho, Miyazaki-gun, Miyazaki Prefecture, inside Honda Lock Co., Ltd. Address: 3700, Honda Lock Co., Ltd. (56) References: Showa 63-125783 (JP, U) Showa 62-52656 (JP, U) Japanese Patent Sho 55-39708 (JP, B2)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A key switch device comprising a mechanical key switch for opening and closing a contact by a key and a collating device for an optical code signal, wherein the key switch device is located in the mechanical key switch in the vicinity of the insertion port of the key. A light source for illumination provided and a light receiving body for sensing the optical code signal are provided, and a housing portion for the light source and the light receiving body has a light incident surface and a light emitting surface opened toward the insertion direction of the key. A key switch device comprising a light guiding material having 2. A reflection surface is formed at a diagonal position of the light receiving body on the inner surface of the housing to guide a light ray incident from the outside to the light receiving body. The key switch device according to item 1.