Smart key system for cars

Abstract

The key system of the automobile involved in the present invention comprises: an on-board device that transmits and receives wireless signals to and from an electronic key; and a resin panel that fixes and holds the on-board device on the vehicle body. The on-board device has: a transmitter that transmits a discovery signal to the electronic key; a receiver that receives a response signal from the electronic key to the discovery signal; a control unit that at least controls the discovery signal; and a resin case that contains the transmitter, the receiver, and the control unit. The smart key system of the automobile involved in the present invention removes the charge generated by the discovery signal sent from the transmitter for one or both of the resin case and the resin panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an intelligent key system for a car. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-057627 discloses a smart key system for a car. The smart key system described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-057627 includes a vehicle-mounted device and a portable device capable of wirelessly communicating with the vehicle-mounted device. In the vehicle-mounted device described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-057627, the greater the noise signal of the wireless signal received from the portable device, the greater the strength of the wireless signal sent to the portable device. Summary of the invention

[0003] In the smart key system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-057627, as the wireless signal transmitted by the vehicle-mounted device increases, the resin case of the vehicle-mounted device and the resin panel that fixes the vehicle-mounted device to the vehicle body may become charged. If the resin case of the vehicle-mounted device and the resin panel that fixes the vehicle-mounted device to the vehicle body become charged, the noise signal included in the wireless signal received from the portable device will increase, and the wireless signal transmitted by the vehicle-mounted device will further increase, causing the resin case and the resin panel to become further charged.

[0004] If the amount of charge on the resin case and the resin panel increases, the original driving performance of the vehicle may not be exerted.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a smart key system for a car that can suppress damage to vehicle performance due to static electricity in a resin case of a vehicle-mounted device and a resin panel that fixes and holds the vehicle-mounted device to a vehicle body.

[0006] A smart key system for a car according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a vehicle-mounted device that transmits and receives wireless signals to and from an electronic key; and a resin panel that fixes and holds the vehicle-mounted device to a vehicle body.

[0007] The vehicle-mounted device has:

[0008] a transmitter, which sends a discovery signal to the electronic key;

[0009] a receiver for receiving a response signal from the electronic key in response to the discovery signal;

[0010] a control unit, which at least controls the sending of the discovery signal; and

[0011] A resin housing contains the transmitter, the receiver, and the control unit.

[0012] The charge generated by the search signal transmitted from the transmitter is removed from one or both of the resin case and the resin panel.

[0013] According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of vehicle performance due to static electricity in the resin case of the vehicle-mounted device and the resin panel that fixes and holds the vehicle-mounted device to the vehicle body.

[0014] In the smart key system of a car involved in one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may increase the strength of the exploration signal when the strength of the response signal received by the receiver is below a specified size, or when the strength of the noise signal included in the response signal is above a specified size, or when the strength of the response signal is below a specified size and the strength of the noise signal is above a specified size.

[0015] When the control unit controls the search signal as described above, the resin case and the resin panel are more likely to be charged, so the present invention is particularly effective.

[0016] In the automotive smart key system according to one aspect of the present invention, static electricity may be eliminated by grounding at least one of the resin case and the resin panel to the vehicle body electrically connected to a negative electrode of an auxiliary battery.

[0017] According to such a configuration, static electricity can be efficiently eliminated from the resin case or the resin panel, or both of them.

[0018] In the automotive smart key system according to one aspect of the present invention, static electricity may be eliminated by grounding at least one of the resin case and the resin panel to the vehicle body having a static electricity eliminater.

[0019] According to such a configuration, static electricity can be efficiently eliminated from the resin case or the resin panel, or both of them.

[0020] In the automotive smart key system according to one aspect of the present invention, at least one of the resin case and the resin panel may include a surfactant layer for removing static electricity on an outer surface.

[0021] According to such a configuration, static electricity can be efficiently eliminated from the resin case or the resin panel, or both of them.

[0022] In the automotive smart key system according to one aspect of the present invention, at least one of the resin case and the resin panel may include an elastic film containing a surfactant for removing static electricity on an outer surface.

[0023] According to such a configuration, static electricity can be efficiently eliminated from the resin case or the resin panel, or both of them.

[0024] In the automotive smart key system according to one aspect of the present invention, at least one of the resin case and the resin panel may include an elastic mesh sheet containing a surfactant for removing static electricity on an outer surface.

[0025] According to such a configuration, static electricity can be efficiently eliminated from the resin case or the resin panel, or both of them.

[0026] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a smart key system for an automobile that can suppress deterioration of vehicle performance due to static electricity in a resin case of an onboard device and a resin panel that fixes and holds the onboard device to a vehicle body.

[0027] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description given below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of example only and thus should not be regarded as limiting the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a smart key system according to general technology.

[0029] Figure 2 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of a resin case and a resin panel according to a general technique.

[0030] Figure 3 It is a block diagram showing the configuration of the smart key system according to the first embodiment.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a resin case and a resin panel having an elastic mesh containing a static-eliminating surfactant on the outer surface.

[0032] Figure 5 This is a photograph showing an example of a resin case and a resin panel having an elastic mesh containing a static-eliminating surfactant on the outer surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] (The process leading to the invention)

[0034] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a car key system according to general technology.

[0035] A car key system 9001 according to a general technique allows a user who possesses an electronic key to use various functions of the car by performing predetermined operations.

[0036] Examples of the combination of the predetermined operation and the function of the vehicle include unlocking the door by pressing a button provided on the door of the vehicle and starting the engine by pressing an engine start button.

[0037] A car key system 9001 according to a general technique includes a vehicle-mounted device 901 and an electronic key 902 .

[0038] The vehicle-mounted device 901 includes a transmitter 911 , a receiver 912 , an input unit 913 , a control unit 914 , and a resin case 915 .

[0039] The transmitter 911 transmits a discovery signal as a wireless signal to the electronic key 902 based on the control of the control unit 914 .

[0040] The receiver 912 receives a response signal in response to the discovery signal from the electronic key 902. After receiving the response signal, the receiver 912 outputs the authentication information included in the response signal to the control unit 914.

[0041] The input unit 913 is a device that receives a predetermined operation from a user, such as a door unlocking button or an engine start button. After receiving the predetermined operation from the user, the input unit 913 notifies the control unit 914 of the fact.

[0042] When the control unit 914 is notified from the input unit 913 of information indicating that the user has performed a predetermined operation, the control unit 914 controls the transmitter 911 to transmit a search signal.

[0043] In addition, after obtaining the authentication information included in the response signal sent from the electronic key 902 from the input unit 913, the control unit 914 determines whether the authentication information has been pre-registered. If the authentication information has been pre-registered, the control unit 914 notifies the control device that controls the prescribed function of information indicating that the function corresponding to the prescribed action performed by the user is executed.

[0044] Here, when the strength of the response signal received from the electronic key 902 is below the specified level, or when the strength of the noise signal included in the response signal is above the specified level, or when the strength of the response signal is below the specified level and the strength of the noise signal is above the specified level, the control unit 914 does not make any judgment, but controls the transmitter 911 in a manner of sending a search signal with a higher strength than the last time.

[0045] In addition, the control unit 914 includes, for example, a computing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) not shown, and a storage unit such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing programs and data for controlling the vehicle-mounted device 901. That is, the control unit 914 has a function as a computer and controls the vehicle-mounted device 901 based on the above-mentioned program.

[0046] The resin case 915 is a resin case that contains the transmitter 911, the receiver 912, the input unit 913, and the control unit 914. The resin case 915 is fixed to the vehicle by, for example, a resin panel provided on the vehicle body.

[0047] Figure 2 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a resin case and a resin panel in a case where the input unit 913 is an engine start button.

[0048] The resin panel 903 is a resin panel provided in front of the driver's seat in the vehicle, and has a hole portion processed to fit the vehicle-mounted device 1 .

[0049] The resin case 915 is fixedly held to the vehicle body by being fitted into the resin panel 903 .

[0050] The cable 916 is a cable connecting the control unit 914 of the vehicle-mounted device 901 and the ECU (Engine Control Unit) of the engine. The control unit 914 requests the engine ECU to start the engine via the cable 916.

[0051] The electronic key 902 includes a receiver 921 , a transmitter 922 , and a control unit 923 .

[0052] After receiving the search signal from the vehicle-mounted device 901, the receiver 921 notifies the control unit 923 of the situation.

[0053] The transmitter 922 transmits a response signal as a wireless signal to the vehicle-mounted device 901 based on the control from the control unit 923 .

[0054] After receiving information indicating that the discovery signal has been received from the receiver 921, the control unit 923 controls the transmitter 922 to transmit a response signal including authentication information. Here, the control unit 923 determines the strength of the response signal based on the strength of the received discovery signal. Specifically, the control unit 923 controls the transmitter 922 in such a manner that a response signal with a higher strength is transmitted as the strength of the discovery signal increases.

[0055] The control unit 923 includes, for example, a computing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) not shown, and a storage unit such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing programs and data for controlling the electronic key 902. That is, the control unit 923 functions as a computer and controls the electronic key 902 based on the above-mentioned program.

[0056] As described above, when the strength of the response signal received from the electronic key 902 is below a specified level, or when the strength of the noise signal included in the response signal is above a specified level, or when the strength of the response signal is below a specified level and the strength of the noise signal is above a specified level, the vehicle-mounted device 901 transmits a stronger exploration signal. The higher the strength of the exploration signal, the higher the strength of the response signal transmitted by the electronic key 902. According to such a configuration, the vehicle-mounted device 901 can receive a response signal of appropriate strength.

[0057] However, in the automobile key system 9001 involved in the general technology, as the strength of the exploration signal increases, there is a situation where the resin case 915 and the resin panel 903 are charged. Since the charging of the resin case 915 and the resin panel 903 will become the cause of the noise signal of the response signal received by the vehicle-mounted device 901, it will also become the cause of the further increase in the strength of the exploration signal and the further charging of the resin case 915 and the resin panel 903.

[0058] As a result of intensive research, the inventors have discovered that charging of the resin case 915 and the resin panel 903 may cause a decrease in the processing speed of the vehicle control device, thereby impairing the vehicle performance.

[0059] (Overview of Embodiments)

[0060] As a result of further studies, the inventors have found that when static electricity is removed from the resin case and the resin panel, it is possible to suppress deterioration in vehicle performance.

[0061] Therefore, in the first embodiment, at least one of the resin case and the resin panel is grounded to the vehicle body electrically connected to the negative electrode of the auxiliary battery, thereby removing static electricity from one or both of the resin case and the resin panel.

[0062] In the second embodiment, at least one of the resin case and the resin panel has a static-eliminating surfactant layer on an outer surface, and static electricity is eliminated from at least one of the resin case and the resin panel by the static-eliminating surfactant layer.

[0063] (First Embodiment)

[0064] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle key system according to the first embodiment.

[0065] The automobile key system 1001 according to the first embodiment allows a user who possesses an electronic key to perform a predetermined operation, thereby enabling use of various functions of the automobile.

[0066] Examples of the combination of the predetermined operation and the function of the vehicle include unlocking the door by pressing a button provided on the door of the vehicle and starting the engine by pressing an engine start button.

[0067] The automobile key system 1001 according to the first embodiment includes a vehicle-mounted device 1 , an electronic key 2 , and a resin panel 3 .

[0068] The vehicle-mounted device 1 includes a transmitter 11 , a receiver 12 , an input unit 13 , a control unit 14 , and a resin case 15 .

[0069] The transmitter 11 transmits a discovery signal as a wireless signal to the electronic key 2 based on the control of the control unit 14 .

[0070] The receiver 12 receives a response signal in response to the discovery signal from the electronic key 2. After receiving the response signal, the receiver 12 outputs authentication information included in the response signal to the control unit 14.

[0071] The input unit 13 is a device that receives a predetermined operation from a user, such as a door unlock button or an engine start button. After receiving the predetermined operation from the user, the input unit 13 notifies the control unit 14 of the fact.

[0072] When the control unit 14 is notified from the input unit 13 of information indicating that the user has performed a predetermined operation, the control unit 14 controls the transmitter 11 to transmit the search signal.

[0073] After obtaining the authentication information included in the response signal sent from the electronic key 2 from the input unit 13, the control unit 14 determines whether the authentication information has been pre-registered. If the authentication information has been pre-registered, the control unit 14 notifies the control device that controls the prescribed function of executing the function corresponding to the prescribed action performed by the user.

[0074] Here, when the strength of the response signal received from the electronic key 2 is below the specified level, or when the strength of the noise signal included in the response signal is above the specified level, or when the strength of the response signal is below the specified level and the strength of the noise signal is above the specified level, the control unit 14 does not make any judgment, but controls the transmitter 11 in a manner of sending a search signal with a higher strength than the last time.

[0075] The control unit 14 includes, for example, a computing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) not shown, and a storage unit such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing programs and data for controlling the vehicle-mounted device 1. That is, the control unit 14 has a function as a computer and controls the vehicle-mounted device 1 based on the above-mentioned program.

[0076] The resin case 15 is a case made of resin and contains the transmitter 11, the receiver 12, the input unit 13, and the control unit 14. The resin case 15 is fixed to the vehicle via the resin panel 3.

[0077] The resin case 15 is charged as the intensity of the search signal transmitted by the transmitter 11 increases.

[0078] The electronic key 2 includes a receiver 21 , a transmitter 22 , and a control unit 23 .

[0079] After receiving the search signal from the vehicle-mounted device 1 , the receiver 21 notifies the control unit 23 of the fact.

[0080] The transmitter 22 transmits a response signal as a wireless signal to the vehicle-mounted device 1 based on the control from the control unit 23 .

[0081] After receiving information indicating that the discovery signal has been received from the receiver 21, the control unit 23 controls the transmitter 22 to transmit a response signal including authentication information. Here, the control unit 23 determines the strength of the response signal based on the strength of the received discovery signal. Specifically, the control unit 23 controls the transmitter 22 in such a manner that a response signal with a higher strength is transmitted as the strength of the discovery signal increases.

[0082] The control unit 23 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or other computing unit (not shown), and a storage unit such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and data for controlling the electronic key 2. That is, the control unit 23 functions as a computer and controls the electronic key 2 based on the programs.

[0083] The resin panel 3 is a resin panel for fixing the vehicle-mounted device 1 to the vehicle body. For example, when the input unit 13 is an engine start button, the resin panel 903 is a resin panel provided in front of the driver's seat in the vehicle and has a hole for inserting the vehicle-mounted device 1.

[0084] The resin panel 3 is charged as the intensity of the search signal transmitted by the transmitter 11 increases.

[0085] In the automotive smart key system according to the first embodiment, at least one of the resin case 15 and the resin panel 3 is grounded to the vehicle body electrically connected to the negative electrode of the auxiliary battery.

[0086] The auxiliary battery has the function of removing static electricity from the charged vehicle body, so according to such a configuration, static electricity can be removed from one or both of the resin case 15 and the resin panel 3. As a result, damage to vehicle performance caused by charging of the resin case 15 and the resin panel 3 can be suppressed.

[0087] In the smart key system of the automobile involved in this embodiment, at least one of the resin housing 15 and the resin panel 3 may be grounded to a vehicle body equipped with a static eliminator. The static eliminator is preferably provided on a metal frame such as a vehicle body frame, a brake pedal mounting frame, and a steering column frame. In addition, at least one of the resin housing 15 and the resin panel 3 is preferably directly grounded to a metal frame provided with a static eliminator. As a static eliminator, for example, an air ionization self-discharge type aluminum foil adhesive tape can be cited.

[0088] As described above, in the automotive smart key system according to the first embodiment, the charged resin case 15 and the resin panel 3 are grounded by the vehicle body to remove static electricity from one or both of them. With such a configuration, the automotive key system according to the first embodiment can suppress damage to vehicle performance.

[0089] (Second Embodiment)

[0090] The automotive smart key system according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the automotive key system according to the first embodiment.

[0091] In the first embodiment, the charged resin case 15 and the resin panel 3 are grounded to remove static electricity from at least one of them. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the charged resin case 15 and the resin panel 3 are grounded to remove static electricity from one or both of them by using a surface-destaticizing surfactant layer.

[0092] At least one of the resin case 15 and the resin panel 3 according to the present embodiment has a static-eliminating surfactant layer on the outer surface.

[0093] The static-eliminating surfactant layer can be formed, for example, by spraying the static-eliminating surfactant onto the outer surfaces of the resin case 15 and the resin panel 3 .

[0094] As the static eliminating surfactant, a cationic surfactant, anionic surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant, nonionic surfactant or a mixture thereof can be used, but in particular, a cationic surfactant is preferably used because of the static eliminating performance.

[0095] The static-eliminating surfactant has a hydrophilic group and has a high affinity with water molecules. Therefore, the surface of the static-eliminating surfactant layer is strongly bonded to the water molecules. Since the water molecules bonded to the static-eliminating surfactant remove static electricity, the resin housing 15 and the resin panel 3 are static-eliminating through the static-eliminating surfactant layer.

[0096] In the smart key system of the automobile involved in this embodiment, at least one of the resin shell and the resin panel may have an elastic film containing a static-eliminating surfactant on the outer surface. In addition, in the case of having an elastic film containing a static-eliminating surfactant, the resin shell and the resin panel may have a static-eliminating surfactant layer or may not have a static-eliminating surfactant layer.

[0097] In addition, in the smart key system of the automobile involved in this embodiment, at least one of the resin shell and the resin panel may have an elastic mesh containing a static-eliminating surfactant on the external surface. In addition, in the case of having an elastic mesh containing a static-eliminating surfactant, the resin shell and the resin panel may have a static-eliminating surfactant layer or may not have a static-eliminating surfactant layer.

[0098] Figure 4 It is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a resin case and a resin panel having an elastic mesh containing a static-eliminating surfactant on the outer surface, and is a schematic cross-sectional view when the input unit 13 is an engine start button. However, the elastic mesh 4 is an elastic mesh containing a static-eliminating surfactant, and the cable 16 is a cable connecting the control unit 14 of the vehicle-mounted device 1 to the ECU of the engine.

[0099] in addition, Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example of a resin case and a resin panel having an elastic mesh containing a static-eliminating surfactant on the outer surface, and is a diagram in a case where the input unit 13 is an engine start button.

[0100] Even with such a configuration, the resin case 15 and the resin panel 3 can be statically eliminated.

[0101] As described above, in the smart key system for an automobile according to the second embodiment, at least one of the resin case 15 and the resin panel 3 is de-staticized by using a de-staticizing surfactant layer provided on the outer surface of at least one of the resin case 15 and the resin panel 3. According to such a configuration, the smart key system for an automobile according to the second embodiment can suppress damage to vehicle performance.

[0102] From the disclosure thus described, it is obvious that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be varied in a number of ways. Such variations should not be regarded as departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and all such modifications obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A smart key system for a car, comprising: a vehicle-mounted device for transmitting and receiving wireless signals with an electronic key; and a resin panel for fixing and holding the vehicle-mounted device on a vehicle body, The vehicle-mounted device comprises: a transmitter, which sends a discovery signal to the electronic key; a receiver for receiving a response signal from the electronic key in response to the discovery signal; a control unit, which at least controls the sending of the discovery signal; and A resin housing contains the transmitter, the receiver, and the control unit. The charge generated by the search signal transmitted from the transmitter is removed from one or both of the resin case and the resin panel.

2. The smart key system for a car according to claim 1, The control unit increases the strength of the exploration signal when the strength of the response signal received by the receiver is below a specified level, or when the strength of the noise signal included in the response signal is above a specified level, or when the strength of the response signal is below a specified level and the strength of the noise signal is above a specified level.

3. The smart key system for a car according to claim 1 or 2, The static electricity is eliminated by grounding at least one of the resin case and the resin panel to the vehicle body which is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the auxiliary battery.

4. The smart key system for a car according to claim 1 or 2, Static elimination is performed by grounding at least one of the resin case and the resin panel to the vehicle body provided with a static eliminator.

5. The smart key system for a car according to claim 1 or 2, At least one of the resin case and the resin panel has a surfactant layer for the static elimination on an outer surface.

6. The smart key system for a car according to claim 1 or 2, At least one of the resin case and the resin panel has an elastic film containing the surfactant for removing static electricity on an outer surface.

7. The smart key system for a car according to claim 1 or 2, At least one of the resin case and the resin panel has an elastic mesh sheet containing the static-eliminating surfactant on an outer surface.

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