A key device for opening at least one door of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a key device (10) for opening at least one door of a motor vehicle, the key device (10) including at least one housing (12), at least one opening mechanism (14) for opening the at least one door disposed in the housing (12), a container (16) for storing a liquid disposed outside the housing (12), the container (16) configured to store a disinfectant solution (18) in an interior (20) of the container (16), the container (16) including a push mechanism (22), and a nozzle (24) for spraying the disinfectant solution (18) from the interior (20) around (26) of the key device (10) after the push mechanism (22) is pressed by a user of the key device (10).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, more particularly to a key device for opening at least one door of a motor vehicle according to the independent claims. [Background technology]

[0002] In an automobile, a user of the automobile touches or comes into contact with multiple areas inside and / or outside the automobile with his / her hands. For example, the user may touch the door handle, steering wheel, start button, or door opener. It is not possible to predict which areas will be touched by the user, which is problematic with regard to the risk of the person potentially contracting bacteria or viruses.

[0003] US Patent No. 5,399,633 discloses a car key fob, which consists of a container provided with a closable spray nozzle or head.

[0004] There is a need in the art to provide a key device for reliable disinfection of a user of the key device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] German Utility Model Publication No. 7640210 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a key device for a motor vehicle, in which the risk of infection for the user of the key device is minimized. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This problem is solved by a key device according to the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention relates to a key device for opening at least one door of a motor vehicle, the key device including at least one housing, at least one opening mechanism for opening the at least one door disposed in the housing, and a container for storing a liquid disposed outside the housing.

[0009] In one embodiment, the container is configured to store a disinfectant solution inside the container, the container including a push mechanism, and the container including a nozzle for spraying the disinfectant solution from within around the key device after the push mechanism is pressed by a user of the key device.

[0010] Therefore, a key device is disclosed in which the risk of infection for the user is minimized. In other words, a sterilization mechanism is provided in the key device, so that the user can use the disinfectant whenever he wants to get into or drive the car, and can also spray the disinfectant on areas that may come into contact with the user so that the user is protected from bacteria and viruses. For this purpose, a corresponding device is provided in the key device, which contains the disinfectant, such as a pocket sanitizer, and the user can use the key device anywhere.

[0011] A key device according to an embodiment of the present invention has the advantage that the user is protected from bacteria and viruses, which means that the key device is for health safety.

[0012] In one embodiment, the push mechanism includes a pressing part for a user of the key device to press a predetermined part to compress the container, and the pressing part includes at least one flexible wall for pressing the pressing part. Thus, the container is fluidically separated from the pushing mechanism, thereby minimizing leakage of the disinfectant solution from the container.

[0013] In another embodiment, the container includes a level indicator on an outer wall of the container for indicating to a user the level of the disinfectant liquid contained inside the container. A user of the key device can visually perceive the level of the disinfectant liquid contained inside the container. Thus, the user can refill the container. In particular, the level indicator is an optical level indicator. In particular, the level indicator indicates whether the container is full, to what extent it is filled, or whether the container is empty.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the container includes a fill opening for refilling the container with disinfectant liquid from outside the container, thus making the key device very flexible to use and allowing the user to easily refill the disinfectant liquid container when it is empty.

[0015] In another embodiment, the pusher is fluidly isolated from the interior of the container, this embodiment having the advantage that leakage from the key device is minimized.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the container includes a tube fluidly connected to the pressing part, so that after the pressing part is pressed by the user, the disinfectant solution is delivered from the container to the pressing part and / or to the nozzle.

[0017] In another embodiment, the container includes a ball inside the tube and / or the container includes a sealing member for sealing the tube. According to this embodiment, leakage is avoided.

[0018] In yet another embodiment, the tube includes a spring for supporting the pressing action performed by the user and compressing the tube, according to this embodiment, when the pressing part is pressed, the tube is compressed by the spring and the disinfectant solution is sprayed through the nozzle.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the nozzle is configured as a sprinkler member, so that the disinfectant liquid may advantageously be distributed via the sprinkler, thereby allowing efficient disinfection of the user's hands or parts of the motor vehicle.

[0020] In another embodiment, the opening mechanism is configured to wirelessly open at least one door of the vehicle, such that a user does not need to touch the opening mechanism of the vehicle door, thereby minimizing the risk of the user becoming infected with bacteria or viruses that may be present on the opening mechanism.

[0021] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the accompanying drawings, in which: The features and combinations of features described above and described in the following description of the drawings and / or illustrated only in the drawings can be used not only in the respective combinations shown, but also in any other combination or alone, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0022] The novel features and characteristics of the present disclosure are set forth in the independent claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. In the drawings, like reference characters are used to refer to like features and components throughout the drawings. Some embodiments of systems and / or methods according to embodiments of the present subject matter will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Each diagram illustrates: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a key device. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] 2 is another schematic cross-sectional view according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] In the figures, identical elements or elements having identical functions are designated by the same reference numbers.

[0026] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the inventive subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0027] While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments of such forms have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. It is to be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but rather the disclosure is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0028] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations of these terms are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, apparatus or method that includes a list of components or steps may include not only those components or steps, but also other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or apparatus or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus preceded by "comprises" or "comprise" does not, without more constraints, preclude the presence of other or additional elements in the system or method.

[0029] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the present disclosure may be practiced. The embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the following description should not be construed in a limiting sense.

[0030] 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a key device 10. The key device 10 is configured to open at least one door of a motor vehicle. The key device 10 includes at least one housing 12 having at least one opening mechanism 14 disposed on the housing 12 for opening the at least one door. The key device 10 includes a container 16 for storing a liquid or fluid, the container 16 being disposed outside the housing 12.

[0031] In one embodiment, the container 16 is configured to store a disinfectant solution 18 (see FIG. 2) in an interior 20 of the container 16 (see FIG. 2), the container 16 includes a push mechanism 22, and the container 16 includes a nozzle 24 for spraying the disinfectant solution 18 from the interior 20 around 26 of the key device 10 after the push mechanism 22 is pressed by a user of the key device 10.

[0032] According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the key device 10 comprises a container 16 for containing a disinfectant liquid 18 , the container 16 being integrated into the key device 10 .

[0033] The pushing mechanism 22 may be considered as a top cap for the container 16. Additionally, Figure 1 shows a first cross section AA and a second cross section BB, which are illustrated in more detail in Figures 2 and 3.

[0034] 1, the container 16 includes a level indicator 28 on an exterior wall 30 of the container 16 for indicating to a user the level of disinfectant solution 18 currently contained within the interior 20. Additionally, the illustrated embodiment of the container 16 includes a refill opening 32 for refilling the container 16 with disinfectant solution 18 from the outside, and in particular from the perimeter 26 of the container 16.

[0035] Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the key device 10 according to Fig. 1 in section AA. The embodiment according to Fig. 2 shows that the push mechanism 22 includes a pressing part 34 for the user of the key device 10 to compress the container 16 at a predetermined portion, the pressing part 34 including at least one flexible wall 48 for pressing the pressing part 34. According to this embodiment, the pressing part 34 is fluidically separated from the interior 20 of the container 16. Furthermore, the container 16 may include a tube 36 that is fluidically connected to the pressing part 36. The container 16 according to the illustrated embodiment includes a ball 38 inside the tube 36 and / or the container 16 includes a sealing member 40 for sealing the tube 36. Furthermore, the tube 36 may include a spring 42 for supporting the pressing action performed by the user and for compressing the tube 36.

[0036] The nozzle 24 may be configured as a sprinkler member. Additionally, the opening mechanism 14 is configured to wirelessly open at least one door of the vehicle.

[0037] 2 shows that in this embodiment, a container 16 is integrated into the key device 10. The container 16 comprises an upper cap, which may be a pressing part 34, which, when pressed by a user, causes a tube 36 to be compressed by a spring 42 and the disinfecting liquid 18 to be released via the sprinkler. To avoid leakage, a sealing member 40, which may in particular be a rubber sealing member, is provided inside the spring 42 and a ball 40 is provided inside the tube 36.

[0038] Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the key device 10 according to cross section BB of Figure 1. Figure 3 shows that the refill opening 32 may include a rubber gasket 44 and a refill hole 46. The refill opening 32 may be provided for refilling the disinfectant solution 18 through the refill hole 46 when the container 18 is empty. The refill opening 32 may include a rubber gasket 44 and / or a rubber cap to avoid leakage.

[0039] The embodiment shows a car master key that includes a pocket sanitizer.

Claims

1. A key device (10) for opening at least one door of a motor vehicle, the key device (10) comprising at least one housing (12), at least one opening mechanism (14) for opening the at least one door disposed in the housing (12), and a container (16) for storing a liquid disposed outside the housing (12), The container (16) is configured to store a disinfectant solution (18) in an interior (20) of the container (16), the container (16) including a push mechanism (22), and the container (16) including a nozzle (24) for spraying the disinfectant solution (18) from the interior (20) around (26) of the key device (10) after the push mechanism (22) is pressed by a user of the key device (10); The push mechanism (22) includes a pressing portion (34) for a user of the key device (10) to compress the container (16) at a predetermined portion, The key device (10), wherein the pressing portion (34) is fluidly isolated from the interior (20) of the container (16).

2. the container (16) including a level indicator (28) on an exterior wall (30) of the container (16) for indicating to a user the level of the disinfectant solution (18) contained within the interior (20); 2. The key device (10) according to claim 1,

3. the container (16) includes a refill opening (32) for refilling the container (16) with the disinfectant solution (18) from outside the container (16); A key device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

4. the container (16) includes a tube (36) fluidly connected to the pressing portion (34); 2. The key device (10) according to claim 1,

5. The nozzle (24) is configured as a sprinkler member; A key device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that

6. the opening mechanism (14) is configured to wirelessly open the at least one door of the vehicle; A key device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that

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