Control method and system for controlling vehicle start

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control device and method for controlling the starting of an engine of a vehicle, the control method including verification of an identification code received from a verification device (105). Then, according to the result of the verification, a relay (102) configured to supply power to at least a part of the electrical system of the vehicle is controlled. The part of the electrical system whose power supply is controlled via the relay (102) includes a power supply circuit for supplying power to a starter (101) of the vehicle. The vehicle advantageously includes a starting component (100), the starting component including a contactor of the starter and a contact key, the contact key being non-removably inserted into the contactor such that rotation of the key causes actuation of the starter to start the engine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a system for controlling the starting of a vehicle, in particular of the motorized type. The present invention also relates to a method and a system for controlling the use of one or more vehicles in a vehicle fleet. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, new uses associated with vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, have emerged. For example, car-sharing or self-service car services have developed. Thanks to such services, a group of vehicles, also called a vehicle fleet, is available for the customers of a company or an association that manages this group of vehicles. This means that the same vehicle in a group of vehicles is used by a plurality of different users.

[0003] Similarly, the individual owner of a vehicle may also decide to offer his vehicle for rental or car-sharing.

[0004] In order for a user to benefit from this service and use the vehicle, the user must be able to obtain the contact key that can start the vehicle. Thus, managing access to the contact key becomes expensive.

[0005] Known solutions enable the user to obtain the key without the intervention of a third party. For example, it is known to leave the key of the vehicle in a protected and secured space of the vehicle, such as in the glove box. According to this solution, the user must enter a code or answer one or more questions to be authorized to access the key.

[0006] Despite the installation of a security system, problems such as theft or loss of the key and problems related to the locking of the space for receiving the key may occur. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to improve or facilitate the enabling of a vehicle.

[0008] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a control method for controlling the starting of an engine of a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a starting component, the starting component comprising a contactor of a starter and a contact key, the contact key being non-removably inserted into the contactor such that the rotation of the key causes the actuation of the starter to start the engine, the method comprising the following steps:

[0009] - Verifying an identification code received from a verification device;

[0010] - Controlling, based on the result of the verification, a relay configured to supply at least a part of an electrical system of the vehicle, the at least a part of the electrical system including a power supply circuit for supplying the starter.

[0011] According to a variant, the relay is controlled to:

[0012] - power at least a part of the electrical system when the identification code is verified as corresponding to an identification code associated with a user authorized to start the vehicle; and

[0013] - lock the power supply to at least a part of the electrical system when the identification code is not verified as corresponding to an identification code associated with a user authorized to start the vehicle.

[0014] According to another variant, the method further includes a starting step for starting the engine according to the rotation of the key in the contactor when at least a part of the electrical system is powered via the relay.

[0015] According to a supplementary variant, the starting component includes:

[0016] - the contactor, which includes a stator, in which a cylinder pivots along a rotation axis, and the cylinder opens onto the front face of the stator;

[0017] - the contact key, which includes a rod body that is inserted into the cylinder on the side where the front face of the stator is located, and includes a gripping portion at the end of the rod body that is located outside the cylinder and is capable of actuating the key so that the rotation of the key rotationally drives the cylinder along the rotation axis;

[0018] - a cover body, which includes an internal space that opens onto the insertion face of the cover body and into which the gripping portion of the key is inserted, and the cover body further includes a maintenance interface and a rotational drive component for rotationally driving the gripping portion of the key so that the rotation of the cover body along the rotation axis rotationally drives the key along the rotation axis;

[0019] - a maintenance component for cooperating with the maintenance interface to maintain the cover body, and being fixed to the stator and arranged to lock the translational movement of the cover body parallel to the rotation axis to prevent the cover body from moving away from the stator and to allow the cover body to rotate freely relative to the stator and relative to the cylinder along the rotation axis.

[0020] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a control device for controlling the starting of an engine of a vehicle, the vehicle including a starting component, the starting component including a contactor of a starter and a contact key, the contact key being non-removably inserted into the contactor such that rotation of the key causes actuation of the starter to start the engine, the device including a memory associated with at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to perform the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0021] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a system, the system including the device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the system further including a relay and the starting component coupled to the device.

[0022] According to a variant, the starting component includes:

[0023] - the contactor, the contactor including a stator, in which a cylinder pivots along a rotation axis, the cylinder opening onto a front face of the stator;

[0024] - the contact key, the contact key including a rod, the rod being inserted into the cylinder at a side where the front face of the stator is located, and including a gripping portion at an end of the rod located at an end outside the cylinder and capable of actuating the key so that rotation of the key rotationally drives the cylinder along the rotation axis;

[0025] - a cover body, the cover body including an internal space, the internal space opening onto an insertion face of the cover body and having the gripping portion of the key inserted therein, the cover body further including a retaining interface and a rotational drive member for rotationally driving the gripping portion of the key so that rotation of the cover body along the rotation axis rotationally drives the key along the rotation axis;

[0026] - a retaining member for cooperating with the retaining interface to retain the cover body, fixed to the stator and arranged to lock the translational movement of the cover body parallel to the rotation axis to prevent the cover body from moving away from the stator and to allow the cover body to freely rotate relative to the stator and relative to the cylinder along the rotation axis.

[0027] According to another variant, the system further includes a verification component configured to receive the identification code from the verification device according to a wireless connection.

[0028] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the motorized type, comprising a device as described above in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention or a system as described above in accordance with the third aspect of the present invention.

[0029] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions which, when the computer program is executed by at least one processor, are adapted to carry out the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0030] Such a computer program can be in any programming language and can have the form of source code, object code or intermediate code between source code and object code, for example in a partially compiled form, or in any other desired form.

[0031] According to a sixth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0032] On the one hand, the recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium can include storage components such as a memory ROM, a CD-ROM or a memory ROM of the microelectronic circuit type, or also a magnetic recording component or a hard disk.

[0033] On the other hand, the recording medium can also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal which can be guided via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or Hertzian radio or by a self-directed laser beam or by other means. In particular, the computer program according to the present invention can be downloaded via a network of the Internet type.

[0034] Alternatively, the recording medium can be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated and which is adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the method in question. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent on reading the following non-limiting description and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] - Figure 1 A control system for controlling the starting of a vehicle is schematically shown according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] - Figure 2 A perspective view of a starting component of a system is schematically shown according to a particular embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 ;

[0038] - Figure 3Schematically shown according to a particular embodiment of the present invention is Figure 2 a cross-sectional view of a starting component taken along a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis;

[0039] - Figure 4 Schematically shown according to a particular embodiment of the present invention is Figure 2 an exploded view of the starting component;

[0040] - Figure 5 Schematically shown according to a particular embodiment of the present invention is Figure 1 a device of a system, the device being configured to control the starting of the vehicle;

[0041] - Figure 6 Shown according to a particular embodiment of the present invention is an organizational chart of different steps of a control method for controlling the starting of a vehicle implemented in Figure 5 a device. Detailed Description

[0042] Now, a control method and a control device for controlling the starting of a vehicle will be described in conjunction with Figures 1 to 6 In the following description, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0043] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, a control method for controlling the starting of an engine of a vehicle includes verifying an identification code received from a verification device. Such a verification device corresponds, for example, to a passive device (such as a badge) or to an active communication device (such as a smartphone), the active communication device being configured to store such an identification code in a memory. Then, according to the result of the verification, a relay configured to supply at least a part of an electrical system of the vehicle is controlled, because the part of the electrical system controlled to be powered via the relay includes a power supply circuit for powering a starter of the vehicle. The vehicle advantageously includes a starting component, the starting component including a starter contactor and a contact key, the contact key being non-removably inserted into the contactor such that rotation of the key causes actuation of the starter to start the engine.

[0044] The use of a relay to power the starter of the vehicle based on the verification of an identification code can authorize the use of the vehicle only to a person carrying an identification code for authorizing such a use. Since the contact key is irreversibly inserted into the contactor, the control of the voltage application (energization) to the starter by verifying the identification code can prevent unauthorized persons from using the vehicle, even though the contact key is accessible in the vehicle. Such a system can be safely, simply, and inexpensively enabled for any authorized person to start the vehicle (via an ad hoc identification code).

[0045] Figure 1 A control system 1000 for controlling the starting of an engine of a vehicle is schematically shown according to a particular and non - limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] The vehicle corresponds, for example, to a motor vehicle, such as a heat - engine vehicle or a hybrid vehicle including a heat engine and one or more electric motors.

[0047] The vehicle is not limited to motor vehicles, but extends to any type of land vehicle including a passenger compartment, such as a truck, a bus, a car. The vehicle corresponds to a special vehicle or to a vehicle in a rental or car - sharing vehicle fleet.

[0048] System 1000 advantageously includes a starting component 100, a relay 102, and a device 103 configured to control the starting of the engine by controlling the relay 102.

[0049] According to a variant, system 1000 further includes a starter 101 and a device 104 configured to read or receive an identification code stored in a verification device 105.

[0050] The starting component 100 corresponds to the contactor of the starter, which is used to receive a contact key in the barrel of the contactor. The contact key is irreversibly inserted into the barrel of the contactor so that the key cannot be withdrawn from the contactor. Such a starting component can keep the contact key in the contactor, which simplifies the sharing or rental of the vehicle. Such a starting component is hereinafter referred to with reference to Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4will be described in more detail. The contactor of the starting component can close the electrical circuit of the vehicle, which is powered and controlled by the vehicle's battery. When this electrical circuit is closed, it can supply power to two coils of a solenoid, called the holding and return coils. This solenoid corresponds to an electromagnet that is used to control the starting of the motor of the starter 101, and the starter 101 can start the vehicle's engine. When the contact key inserted into the contactor is actuated, that is, rotated from the rest position towards the starting position, it triggers or initiates the closing of the electrical circuit of the vehicle that supplies power to the solenoid.

[0051] The device 103 corresponds, for example, to the computer of the vehicle's embedded system, such as a UCE (“Unité de Commande Electronique (Electronic Control Unit)”). Such a device will be described in more detail by reference to Figure 5 below.

[0052] The device 103 is connected to the device 104 via a wired connection, such as a CAN (English for “Controller Area Network” or French for “Réseau de ”)、CANFD (English for “Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate” or French for “Réseau de à débit de données flexible”)、FlexRay (according to the ISO17458 standard) or Ethernet (according to the ISO / IEC802.3 standard), type of network.

[0053] According to an implementation variant, the device 103 includes the device 104 to form a single device.

[0054] The device 104 corresponds, for example, to a near-field communication reader or corresponds to or type of radio receiver. The device is configured to receive and / or read the identification code (virtual key) stored in the memory of the authentication device 105. The near-field communication, called CCP (or NFC in English, “Near-Field Communication”), is based on short-distance and high-frequency (e.g., 13.56 MHz) wireless communication technology. Such a technology allows information exchange between peripheral devices at a distance of up to a few centimeters, such as 5 centimeters or 10 centimeters.

[0055] When a user of the vehicle (e.g., a person who has rented the vehicle for a determined duration or a subscriber to a car-sharing service) wishes to use the vehicle, the user presents the authentication device 105 near the device 104 (when the device corresponds to the reader CCP). The authentication device 105 is configured to store an identification code, which is read by the device 104 when the authentication device is close enough.

[0056] The authentication device 105 corresponds, for example, to a passive device, such as a card (document) or a badge, or to an active device, such as a smart object (e.g., a smartphone (in English "smartphone")) and / or a connected object (e.g., a connected watch). The authentication device 105 includes, in a memory space, one or more identification information (also referred to as an identification code in the following description), and the one or more identification information can identify and authenticate the authentication device 105 and thus identify and authenticate the person carrying the authentication device 105. The or the identification information is, for example, stored in a secured or encrypted form, such as within a public key infrastructure framework called PKI (from the English "Public Key Infrastructure").

[0057] The relay 102 (also called a contactor) corresponds, for example, to an electromechanical relay and is, for example, composed of an electromagnet, and the power supply to the electromagnet is controlled or regulated by the device 103. When the electromagnet (e.g., at a very low voltage, such as 12V or 24V) is powered, the electromagnet transmits (acts with) a force to an electrical switching system, which is composed of one or more switches, called contacts. The relay is, for example, of the monostable or bistable type.. According to a variant, the relay 102 corresponds to a static relay.

[0058] The relay 102 is arranged in the electrical circuit of the vehicle to control the power supply to the starter 101. The relay 102 is, for example, arranged between the starting component 100 and the starter 101, or according to another example, is arranged at an electrical circuit position that can supply power to the starter based on the battery of the vehicle. Thus, the relay 102 can separate, for example, the control circuit including the device 103 from the power circuit of the vehicle including the power supply circuit for supplying power to the starter 101.

[0059] Therefore, the relay 102 associated with the device 103 can control the starting of the engine of the vehicle according to a process including operations described below, and these operations are, for example, implemented by the device 103.

[0060] In a first operation, the identification code stored in the authentication device 105 is received, for example, by the device 104, and the device transmits the identification code to the device 103.

[0061] The identification code is received, for example, according to a near-field communication mode compliant with the ISO / CEI 18092 standard and / or compliant with the ISO / CEI 14443 standard, wirelessly connected in a short-distance manner (e.g., less than 10 cm) and a high-frequency manner (e.g., within a frequency range equal to 13.56 MHz). In a variant, the identification code is received according to a wireless communication mode compliant with or a standard (e.g., compliant with the IEEE802.11a / b / g / n standard).

[0062] The identification code received by device 103 is compared, for example, with a list of identification codes stored in the memory of device 103. Each identification code in the list is associated with (e.g., during a determined duration and / or at one or more determined dates) a person authorized to use the vehicle. Such a list is received, for example, from a remote server of "cloud" (or "nuage" in French) according to an OTA (Over-the-Air) type of connection. The OTA type of connection uses, for example, one or more wireless communication protocols, such as (based on IEEE802.11), LTE (Long-Term Evolution or Evolution à long terme in French), LTE-Advanced (or LTE-avancé in French). If the identification code received from device 104 corresponds to an identification code in the list, the verification is successful, which means that the user carrying the verification device 105 is authorized to use the vehicle.

[0063] In the contrary case (otherwise), the verification fails and the process ends, and the user carrying the verification device 105 is unauthorized to use the vehicle.

[0064] In a second operation, relay 102 is controlled by device 103 according to the result of the verification performed in the first operation. Thus, if the verification is affirmative, that is, the verification is successful, then relay 102 is controlled to supply power to all or part of the electrical circuit of the vehicle based on the battery of the vehicle, especially for supplying power to starter 101 based on the battery.

[0065] Conversely, if the verification is negative, that is, the verification has failed, relay 102 is controlled to lock or prevent the power supply to the electrical circuit of the vehicle from the battery, especially for locking the power supply to starter 101 based on the battery.

[0066] According to a variant, the relay 102 is open by default, that is to say the power supply to the electrical circuit of the vehicle or at least to the power supply circuit for powering the starter 101 is locked. Thus, when the verification fails, no control (command) is transmitted to the relay 102, which therefore remains by default with its contacts open. The contacts of the relay 102 are controlled to close only when the verification is successful.

[0067] In a third operation, the starter is actuated after actuation of the contact key in the contactor of the starter. The third operation follows the second operation and the actuation of the starter is effective only when the starter is powered by the battery after being controlled by the relay 102, that is to say only when the verification of the identification code is positive. When the verification has failed, the actuation of the contact key in the contactor is ineffective because the starter 101 of the vehicle is not powered by the battery, which prevents the starting of the engine and any use of the vehicle.

[0068] Thus, even if the contact key remains permanently accessible in the vehicle at the contactor position, such a process can effectively control the use of the vehicle by restricting the vehicle to authorized persons only.

[0069] Figure 2 Perspective view, according to a particular and non - limiting embodiment of the invention, schematically showing the starting component 100.

[0070] Figure 3 , according to a particular and non - limiting embodiment of the invention, schematically showing a cross - sectional view of the starting component 100 taken along a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis 'X'.

[0071] Figure 4 , according to a particular and non - limiting embodiment of the invention, schematically showing an exploded view of the starting component 100.

[0072] Figure 2 Shows a starting component 100 in accordance with the invention, the starting component comprising a starting device 3 as Figure 1 shown, the starting device having a stator 30 in which a cylinder 31 pivots, and a key 2, the shank 21 of which enters into the cylinder 31 and the key comprising a gripping portion 20. The starting component 100 further comprises a cover body 1 which covers the gripping portion 20 of the key 2. The cover body 1 is held at the stator 30 by means of a holding member 4, the holding member cooperating with a holding interface 14 arranged on the cover body 1 (as Figure 3The cooperation (as shown) between the retaining member 4 and the retaining interface 14 can lock the translation of the cover body 1 relative to the stator 30 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis X, so as to prevent the cover body 1 from being implemented to move away from the stator 30 and away from the cylinder body 31, while this cooperation enables the cover body 1 to rotate around this rotation axis X. In the embodiments shown in these drawings, the retaining member 4 is fixed to the stator 30.

[0073] Advantageously, therefore, the cover body is translationally locked by the blocking wall and cannot be withdrawn by pulling at the top to move it away from the stator. The key is thus inaccessible. On the contrary, the cover body can rotate around the rotation axis so as to pivot the key inserted in the cylinder body. Therefore, the key is secured and cannot be withdrawn. By implementing the shoulder to abut against the blocking wall, the blocking is simply implemented.

[0074] As Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the cover body 1 includes an internal space 12 inside, in which the gripped portion 20 of the key 2 shown in dotted lines is inserted. This internal space 12 leads to the insertion surface 13 of the cover body 1, and the gripped portion 20 enters the internal space 12 from this insertion surface. The cover body 1 further includes a blocking member for blocking the rotation of the gripped portion 20 of the key 2 around the rotation axis X so that the rotation of the cover body 1 along this axis X rotationally drives the key 2 inserted in the cylinder body 31. For example, the cross-section of the internal space 12 in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis X has a form complementary to the form of the cross-section of the gripped portion 20 of the key 2 in the same plane, and there is a very small gap, such as less than 1 mm, between the gripped portion 20 and the wall of the main body portion 1 for delimiting the internal space 12. In a variant, the size of the internal space is such that the key 2 is inserted into the internal space 12 under a (force) so that there is no gap between the gripped portion 20 and the main body portion 1 during the rotation of the main body portion 1. In other variants, the internal space 12 may include ribs that can lock the rotation of the gripped portion 20 relative to the cover body 1 along the rotation axis X. Other ways known to those skilled in the art can be applied to lock the rotation of the key 2 relative to the main body portion 1.

[0075] As Figure 3 As shown, the contour of this internal space 12 follows the rotation axis X and decreases starting from the insertion surface 13 and away from this surface 13.

[0076] That is to say, along with moving towards the inside of this internal space 12 and away from the insertion surface 13, at least one of the dimensions of this internal space decreases in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X. For example, as Figure 3As shown, the internal space 12 has a generally trapezoidal form in a cross-section taken along a plane parallel to the rotation axis X. The gripping portion 20 of the key 2 has a form that is substantially complementary to the form of the internal space 12. This arrangement enables the key 2 to be framed in the cover body 1 and prevents the key from being withdrawn by breaking the end of the cover body 1 opposite to the insertion surface 13.

[0077] As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the cover body 1 includes a circular shoulder 14 surrounding the insertion surface 13 and a main body portion 11 that extends from the insertion surface 13 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis X when the cover body 1 is held by the holding member 4. The circular shoulder 14 forms a collarette around the end of the main body portion 11 including the insertion surface 13. When the cover body 1 is held at the cylinder 30 by the holding member 4, the circle defined by the shoulder 14 is centered on the rotation axis X and lies in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis X.

[0078] The holding member 4 includes a ring body 42 that is slipped over a stator 30 having a cylindrical form. The ring body 42 extends beyond the stator 30 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis X, in front of the front face of the stator 30. That is, the ring body spills out in front of the front face of the stator 30. The holding member 4 includes a blocking wall 40 at the end of the ring body 42 that is in front of the front face of the stator 30, and the blocking wall includes a circular opening 41 that faces the front face. The blocking wall 40 is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis X and is spaced from the front face of the stator 30, and the circular opening 41 is centered on the rotation axis X. The diameter of the circular opening 41 is slightly larger than the maximum dimension of the main body portion 11 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X, for example, less than 1 or 2 millimeters, so that the main body portion 11 can pass through the opening 41 and pivot about the rotation axis X without being locked by the edge of the circular opening 41. That is, the cross-section of the main body portion 11 falls within a circle that has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the circular opening 41. In contrast, the diameter of the cover body 1 at the shoulder 14 position is larger than the diameter of the opening 41 but smaller than the diameter of the portion of the ring body 42 that extends beyond the front face of the stator 30. Thus, by the cooperation between the blocking wall 40 of the holding member 4 and the shoulder 14 of the main body 1, the cover body 1 is held relative to the stator 30 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis X, but the main body 1 can pivot about the rotation axis X. The spacing between the blocking wall 40 and the front face of the stator is selected to be slightly larger than the thickness of the shoulder, that is, larger than the dimension of the shoulder parallel to the rotation axis X, in order to limit the friction of the shoulder 14 against the blocking wall 40 and the front face of the stator 30 against the insertion surface 13 of the cover body 1 during the rotation of the cover body 1.

[0079] By placing the gripping portion 20 of the key 2 inside the cover body 1, with the cover body 1 being held at the stator 30 by the retaining member 4 and the rod 21 of the key 2 being inside the cylinder 31, rotation of the cover body 1 about the axis X can pivot the key 2 and thus can pivot the cylinder 31 relative to the stator 30 between a first position and a second position. For example, the first position corresponds to a stop position of the vehicle where the vehicle disconnects the voltage so that no electrical equipment can be activated, and the second position corresponds to a running position of the vehicle where the electrical equipment can be activated. In the case of an electric vehicle, the second position corresponds to a position where the motor of the vehicle can be activated to make the vehicle move forward. In the case of a thermal vehicle, the key 2 and the cylinder 31 can be pivoted to a third position which corresponds to an actuation position of a starter for starting (igniting) the thermal engine.

[0080] In Figure 4 it, the main body portion 11 of the cover body 1 has a cylindrical form which has a generally circular cross-section and has two flat surfaces which extend along the length of the main body portion 11. The two flat surfaces are located on one side and the other side of the axis of rotation X. These two flat surfaces enable better gripping of the cover body 1 to pivot it about the axis of rotation X.

[0081] The flat surfaces may include inscriptions, such as for indicating the operations to be carried out for starting the vehicle, or other inscriptions. In a variant, to improve the gripping force of the cover body, the flat surfaces may include recessed areas.

[0082] The stator 30 includes on its lateral surface hook bodies 32, for example two, which project from the lateral surface 34 of the stator 30 which corresponds to the cylindrical surface of the stator and whose profile forms a slope along a direction parallel to the axis of rotation X which slopes away from the stator 30 in a direction opposite to the front face and forms a step at its end with the lateral surface 34. The ring body 42 includes fixing openings 43 which are face to face with these hook bodies 32. The ring body 42, by translating in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation X from the front face of the stator 30 until the fixing openings 43 of the ring body 42 are made to be face to face with the hook bodies 32, slips around the stator 30. During this slipping of the ring body by sliding on the slope, the form of the profile of the hook bodies 32 allows the spacing of the walls of the ring body 42 until the hook bodies 32 enter into the fixing openings 42 so that, due to the interaction between these hook bodies 32 (and more particularly the steps created by these hook bodies, and the edges of the fixing openings 42), the ring body 32 is locked (prevented) from being withdrawn (extraction) according to a reverse movement.

[0083] In these figures, the stator 30 has a cylindrical form with a circular cross-section. To ensure that the ring body 42 is angularly positioned relative to the stator 30 according to an axis parallel to the rotational axis X of the cylinder formed by the stator 30, the stator 30 includes a pin 33 that projects from the lateral surface 34 of the stator 30, and the ring body 42 includes a groove body 44 that is parallel to the rotational axis X and mates with the pin 33. The ring body 42 can only be sleeved around the stator 30 until the desired position when the pin 33 enters the groove body 44 at the moment when the ring body 42 slides around the stator 30.

[0084] In Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the rotational axis of the barrel 32 and thus the rotational axes of the key 2 and the cover body 1 do not coincide with the axis of the stator 30.

[0085] As long as the ring body 42 is in the form of a cylinder with a circular cross-section and the axis of this cylindrical form coincides with the axis of the cylinder formed by the stator 30, the portion of the retaining member 4 that spills out in front of the front face of the stator 30 has a circular cross-section centered on the rotational axis X. The diameter of the portion of the retaining member 4 that spills out from the front face can be larger than the diameter of the portion of the ring body 32 sleeved on the stator 30 (e.g., the diameter along the shoulder 14 of the cover body 1).

[0086] In a variant, the two axes, namely the axis of the stator and the rotational axis, can coincide.

[0087] As Figure 4 As shown, the stator 30 and the retaining member 4 are arranged behind the interior trim 5 to hide the stator and the retaining member, and an access hole in the interior trim 5 is left only for the cover body 1 to pass through. The size of the access hole can be very close to the size of the opening 41 of the retaining member 4 so that in the case of removing the retaining member 4 from the stator 30, the cover body 1, optionally together with the retaining member 4, is locked by the interior trim 5. In a variant, the portion of the interior trim 5 located around the access hole is brought into contact with the retaining member 4 to enhance safety by making it easier to remove the retaining member 4.

[0088] In a variant, the retaining member 4 is part of the interior trim 5, and this part is fixed to a structural element of the vehicle, such as a steering column support, to which the stator 30 is fixed. In this case, the retaining member 4 is indirectly fixed to the stator 30 via the structural element.

[0089] The cover body 1 is made of plastic or other materials, for example, by three-dimensional printing technology (referred to as 3D printing). Other production methods known to those skilled in the art can also be used.

[0090] The accompanying drawings show the cover body 1, which includes a cylindrical main body portion 11 that extends along the rotation axis X. Other forms of the main body portion 11 can also be applied. For example, the main body portion 11 can have a tapered form that tapers away from the stator 30, or a more complex form. The form can be selected so that the cover body can be inserted through the opening 41 of the holding member 4 before fixing the holding member to the stator 30.

[0091] The installation of the cover body 1 and the holding member 4 is carried out, for example, in the following order:

[0092] - Step A: Insert the key 2 into the cylinder 31

[0093] - Step B: Insert the cover body 1 through the opening 41 until the shoulder 14 abuts against the stop wall 40. The insertion is carried out on the side where the ring body 42 is located.

[0094] - Step C: In the case of the embodiment shown in these drawings, for example, by sliding the ring body 42 over the cylinder 30 until the fixing opening 43 is placed face to face with the hook body 32, the holding member 3 equipped with the cover body 1 is fixed to the cylinder.

[0095] In a variant, Step A may be carried out between Step B and Step C.

[0096] In other variants, the assembly of the starting member 100 may follow the following steps:

[0097] - Step A': Insert the key 2 into the cylinder 31;

[0098] - Step B': Install the cover body 1 on the gripping portion 20 of the key 2;

[0099] - Step C': The holding member slides over the stator 30, and the cover body 1 passes through the opening 41.

[0100] Figure 5 The device 50, which schematically shows a particular and non-limiting embodiment in accordance with the present invention, is configured to control the starting of the engine of a vehicle. The device 50 corresponds, for example, to a device embedded in the vehicle, such as a computer or an assembly combined with a computer.

[0101] The device 50 corresponds, for example, to Figure 1 the device 103 of the system 1000.

[0102] The device 50 is configured, for example, to implement the operations and / or steps of the method described in the reference Figure 1 and / or the reference Figure 6 described. Examples of such a device 50 include, but are not limited to: being embedded in electronic equipment (such as an in-vehicle computer), an electronic computer (such as a UCE), a telematic control unit TCU (short for "Telematic Control Unit"), a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer. The elements of the device 50 can be integrated alone or in combination in a single integrated circuit, in multiple integrated circuits, and / or in discrete components. The device 2 can be implemented in the form of having electronic circuits, or software (or computer) modules, or a combination of electronic circuits and software modules. According to different specific embodiments, the device 50 is coupled, for example, via a communication bus or through a dedicated input / output port, to communicate with other devices or similar systems.

[0103] The device 50 includes one or more processors 500 configured to execute instructions for implementing the steps of the method and / or for executing instructions of one or more embedded software embedded in the device 50. The processor 500 may include the integrated memory, input / output interfaces, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 50 further includes at least one memory 501, which, for example, corresponds to a volatile and / or non-volatile memory and / or includes a memory storage device that may include the volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash memory, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0104] The computer code of this or these embedded software including instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is stored, for example, on the memory 501.

[0105] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 50 includes a board 502 integrated with interface elements for communicating with external devices, such as a remote server or "cloud", embedded sensors, devices (such as a near-field communication reader or a radio receiver). The interface elements of the board 502 include one or more of the following interfaces:

[0106] - A radio frequency interface RF, which is, for example, of the LTE (short for "Long-Term Evolution" or "Evolution à long terme" in French) and / or LTE-Advanced (or "LTE-avancé" in French) type;

[0107] - USB interface (English: "Universal Serial Bus" or French: "Bus Universel en Série");

[0108] - HDMI interface (English: "High Définition Multimedia Interface", or French: "Interface Multimedia Haute Définition");

[0109] - LIN interface (English: "Local Interconnect Network", or French: "Réseauinterconnectélocal"). According to another particular embodiment, the device 50 includes a communication interface 503 that is capable of establishing communication with other devices via a communication channel 530 (e.g., other computers of the embedded system when the device 50 corresponds to a computer of the embedded system). The communication interface 53 corresponds, for example, to a transmitter that is configured to transmit and receive the information and / or the data via the communication channel 530. The communication interface 503 corresponds, for example, to CAN (English: "Controller Area Network" or French: "Réseau de "), CANFD (English: "Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate" or French: "Réseau de àFlow Data Center""), automotive Ethernet (or French: automotive Ethernet), or FlexRay (according to the ISO17458 standard), or Ethernet (according to the ISO / IEC802.3 standard), type of wired network.

[0110] According to a supplementary particular embodiment, the device 50 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen, one or more speakers, and / or other peripheral devices, respectively via an output interface (not shown).

[0111] Figure 6 According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, an organizational chart of different steps of a control method for controlling the starting of a vehicle engine is shown. The method is, for example, implemented by a device embedded in the vehicle, such as by Figure 1 system 1000, by Figure 1 device 103 or by Figure 5 device 50.

[0112] In a first step 61, verification of the identification code received from the verification device is performed.

[0113] In a second step 62, a relay configured to supply at least a part of an electrical system for powering the vehicle is controlled according to the result of the verification, the at least a part of the electrical system including a power supply circuit for powering the starter.

[0114] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but extends to a control method for controlling the use of a vehicle and / or for controlling the starter of a vehicle, and extends to a device configured to implement the method. The present invention also relates to a system including a device 50 which is connected, for example via a wired connection, such as via a multiplexed data bus, to a near-field communication reader and includes a starting component, such as starting component 100. According to a variant, the device 50 is integrated with the near-field communication reader.

[0115] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle, or more generally a land vehicle with an engine, the vehicle including Figure 1 system 1000 or Figure 5 device 50 or the above system.

Claims

1. A control method for controlling the starting of an engine of a vehicle, the vehicle including a starting component (100), the starting component including a contactor of a starter (101) and a contact key (2), the contact key (2) being non-removably inserted into the contactor such that rotation of the key causes actuation of the starter (101) to start the engine, the method comprises the following steps: - verifying (61) an identification code received from a verification device (105); - controlling (62) a relay (102) configured to supply power to at least a part of an electrical system of the vehicle according to the result of the verification (61), at least a part of the electrical system including a power supply circuit for supplying power to the starter (101), wherein the starting component includes: - the contactor, the contactor including a stator (30), in which a cylinder (31) pivots along a rotation axis, the cylinder (31) opening onto a front face of the stator (30); - the contact key (2), the contact key including a rod body (21), the rod body being inserted into the cylinder (31) at a side where the front face of the stator (30) is located, and including a gripping portion (20), the gripping portion being at an end of the rod body (21) at an end located outside the cylinder (31) and capable of actuating the key (2) so that rotation of the key (2) rotationally drives the cylinder (31) along the rotation axis; - a cover body (1), the cover body including an internal space (12), the internal space opening onto an insertion face (13) of the cover body (1) and having the gripping portion (20) of the key (2) inserted therein, the cover body (1) further including a maintenance interface (14) and a rotational drive component for rotationally driving the gripping portion (20) of the key (2) so that rotation of the cover body (1) along the rotation axis rotationally drives the key (2) along the rotation axis; - a maintenance component (4) for cooperating with the maintenance interface (14) to maintain the cover body (1), being fixed to the stator (30) and arranged to lock the translational movement of the cover body (1) parallel to the rotation axis to prevent the cover body (1) from moving away from the stator (30) and to allow the cover body (1) to freely rotate relative to the stator (30) and relative to the cylinder (31) along the rotation axis.

2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein, the relay (102) is controlled to: - supply power to at least a part of the electrical system when the identification code is verified as corresponding to an identification code associated with a user authorized to start the vehicle; and - lock the power supply to at least a part of the electrical system when the identification code is not verified as corresponding to an identification code associated with a user authorized to start the vehicle.

3. The control method according to claim 2, wherein the control method further includes a starting step for starting the engine according to the rotation of the key (2) in the contactor when at least a part of the electrical system is powered via the relay (102).

4. A control device (50) for controlling the starting of an engine of a vehicle, the vehicle including a starting component, the starting component including a contactor of a starter and a contact key, the contact key being non-removably inserted into the contactor such that the rotation of the key causes the actuation of the starter to start the engine, the device including a memory (501) associated with at least one processor (500), the at least one processor being configured to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A system including the device (50) according to claim 4, the system further including a relay (102) coupled to the device (50) and the starting component (100).

6. The system according to claim 5, the system further including a verification component (104) configured to receive the identification code from the verification device (105) according to a wireless connection.

7. A vehicle including the device (50) according to claim 4 or the system according to claim 5 or 6.

8. A computer program product, the computer program including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, are adapted to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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