Electronic key operating device

Abstract

To provide an electronic key operating device which can be used to various forms of electronic keys with minimum design change.SOLUTION: An electronic key operating device 100 of the present invention includes: a housing 110 for housing an electronic key; a pressing member 60 for pressing a button 210 of the electronic key 200 housed in the housing 110; an actuator 40 for providing power to the pressing member 60 to press the button; and a position setting portion 70 for setting a relative position of the actuator 40 and the pressing member 60 and for setting a position of the pressing member 60 to correspond to a position of the button 210.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic key operation device, and more particularly to an electronic key operation device for operating an accommodated electronic key from the outside.

Background Art

[0002] For example, as a form of using a vehicle, there is a form in which a plurality of people share one or a plurality of vehicles. Car sharing and car rental fall under this. Hereinafter, such a usage form will be collectively referred to as "sharing".

[0003] In sharing, the handling of the key for using the vehicle to be shared becomes important. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic key storage case for unmanned transfer of an electronic key in sharing. In the invention of Patent Document 1, communication is performed between a storage case inside the vehicle in which an electronic key is stored and a smartphone or the like from outside the vehicle. Then, by operating the button of the electronic key inside the vehicle from outside the vehicle, the door lock of the automobile can be unlocked and the electronic key inside the vehicle can be received.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The electronic key storage case described in Patent Document 1 needs to change the arrangement of the pressing portion for pressing the button, the actuator, and the shape of the storage space for the electronic key according to the button and the outer shape of the electronic key. Therefore, it is necessary to design and manufacture the storage case respectively according to various forms of electronic keys existing in the world, and / or it is necessary to enlarge the housing portion of the storage case.

[0006] Accordingly, an example of the object of the present invention is to provide an electronic key operating device that can be used with a minimum design change for various forms of electronic keys and can be miniaturized.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, in one aspect of the present invention, an electronic key operating device includes a housing portion that houses an electronic key, a pressing member that presses a button of the electronic key housed in the housing portion, an actuator that gives power for pressing the button to the pressing member, and a position setting portion that sets a relative position between the actuator and the pressing member and sets the position of the pressing member so as to correspond to the position of the button.

[0008] In such an electronic key operating device of the present invention, since the position of the pressing member can be set by the position setting portion while the position of the actuator is fixed, the position of the pressing member and the position of the button of the electronic key can be easily matched. Thereby, the electronic key operating device can be used with a minimum design change for various forms of electronic keys. Also, since it is not necessary to change the position of the actuator according to the position of the button of the electronic key, it is not necessary to change the shape of the housing portion of the electronic key operating device, and it is not necessary to secure space inside for changing the position of the actuator, so that miniaturization is possible.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention will be specifically described by taking the following embodiments as examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto. When there is no particularly detailed reference to each device, mechanism, means, etc. in this specification, those skilled in the art can use well-known mechanical devices, mechanisms, means, etc. Each embodiment can be combined based on the ordinary knowledge of those skilled in the art, and for the configurations not specifically described in each embodiment, they can have the same configuration as other embodiments or a configuration suitable for that embodiment. In the cross-sectional view, the cross-sections of each member are represented by various hatching lines to make it easier to distinguish from other members, but the differences in these hatching lines do not represent differences in the material, shape, etc. of the member. Also, in the perspective view, each member is represented by color or dots to make it easier to distinguish from other members, but these differences also do not represent differences in the material, shape, etc. of the member.

[0011] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a system configuration example of a sharing system using an electronic key operation device according to the present invention.

[0012] The sharing system 3 includes a vehicle 5 to be shared, an electronic key operation device 100 which is an in-vehicle device that houses an original electronic key 200 attached to the vehicle 5, a server system 1100 communicatively connected to the electronic key operation device 100 via a network 9, and a user terminal 1500 used by a user of the sharing target communicatively connected to the electronic key operation device 100 via the network 9. One electronic key operation device 100 is mounted on the vehicle 5. In the actual operation of the sharing system 3, one or more sets of the vehicle 5 and the electronic key operation device 100 are prepared, and a plurality of user terminals 1500 are used.

[0013] The electronic key 200 has an unlock button and a lock button that unlock / lock the locking mechanism provided in the vehicle 5 to be shared. When the unlock button of the electronic key 200 is pressed, a predetermined unlock signal is transmitted, and when the lock button is pressed, a predetermined lock signal is transmitted. The network 9 means a communication path capable of data communication. The communication method may be wired / wireless.

[0014] The server system 1100 performs user registration of the sharing system 3, reservation management, and provision of reservation information to the user terminal 1500 and the electronic key operation device 100. Specifically, the server system 1100 stores a management program 501 and, by executing this, implements (1) a user registration function, (2) a reservation setting function for each vehicle 5, (3) a generation function of reservation information 700 (including, for example, a unique reservation ID, a reserved vehicle ID, a reservation period, a password, etc.), (4) a function of providing a copy (reservation information 700t) of the reservation information 700 to the user terminal 1500, and (5) a function of providing a copy (reservation information 700c) of the reservation information 700 to the electronic key operation device 100.

[0015] The user terminal 1500 is a computer system connectable to the network 9 used by the user, and is realized by, for example, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a wearable computer, etc.

[0016] The user terminal 1500 can store and execute an application program. As the application program, it stores a terminal program 502. The terminal program 502 realizes (1) a function for accessing the server system 1100, (2) a function of making a predetermined unlock request to the electronic key operation device 100 in response to an unlock operation by the user, providing the reservation information 700t, and causing the electronic key operation device 100 to unlock, and (3) a function of communicating with the electronic key operation device 100 in response to a lock operation by the user, making a predetermined lock request, providing the reservation information 700t, and causing the electronic key operation device 100 to lock.

[0017] Note that for the arrow indicating the first direction X, the second direction Y, or the third direction Z, the direction from the base end to the tip of the arrow is the positive direction of the direction indicated by the arrow, and the direction from the tip to the base end of the arrow is the negative direction of the direction indicated by the arrow. The first direction X is parallel to the insertion / removal direction with respect to the electronic key operating device 100 of the electronic key housing case 300. The positive direction of the first direction X is the insertion direction of the electronic key housing case 300. The negative direction of the first direction X is the removal direction of the electronic key housing case 300. The second direction Y is perpendicular to the first direction X and is parallel to the thickness direction of the electronic key operating device 100. The positive direction of the second direction Y is the direction from the bottom to the top of the electronic key operating device 100. The negative direction of the second direction Y is the direction from the top to the bottom of the electronic key operating device 100. The third direction Z is perpendicular to both the first direction X and the second direction Y. The third direction Z is parallel to the depth direction of the electronic key operating device 100. The positive direction of the third direction Z is the direction from the side where the electronic key housing case 300 of the electronic key operating device 100 is mounted to the side opposite to the mounted side. The negative direction of the third direction Z is the direction from the side opposite to the side where the electronic key housing case 300 of the electronic key operating device 100 is mounted to the mounted side. In the drawings, the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z are also referred to as the horizontal direction, the thickness direction, and the vertical direction, respectively.

[0018] Figure 2 conceptually shows the operation of the first embodiment of the electronic key operation device 100. Figures 3 and 4 conceptually show the structure of the first embodiment of the electronic key operation device 100. Figure 5(a) shows only a partial structure of the actuator 40 (hereinafter, when explaining without distinguishing between the first and second actuators 41 and 42, referred to as the actuator 40), the intermediate member 50 (hereinafter, when explaining without distinguishing between the first and second intermediate members 51 and 52, referred to as the intermediate member 50), and the housing portion 10 in a perspective view. Figure 5(b) shows only the structure of the intermediate member 50 and the rotating shaft 53 in a perspective view. Further, Figure 6(a) shows an exploded view of the pressing member 60 (hereinafter, when explaining without distinguishing between the first and second pressing members 61 and 62, referred to as the pressing member 60) and the position setting portion 70 for the first embodiment, and Figure 6(b) shows an assembled view thereof.

[0019] First, referring to Figure 2, the operation of the electronic key operation device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. This electronic key operation device 100 includes an actuator 40, an intermediate member 50 having a rotating shaft 53, a pressing member 60, and a position setting portion 70 that holds the pressing member 60.

[0020] The intermediate member 50, which has received power from the actuator 40, moves around the rotating shaft 53 and can indirectly transmit the power from the actuator 40 to the pressing member 60. The pressing member 60, which has received force from the intermediate member 50, slides within the position setting portion 70 and can press the button 210 of the electronic key 200 (hereinafter, when explaining without distinguishing between the door unlocking button 211 and the door locking button 212, referred to as the button 210).

[0021] Note that after the pressing member 60 presses the button 210 of the electronic key 200 and the power of the actuator 40 stops, the pressing member 60 returns to its original position by a return mechanism, and the intermediate member 50 is pushed by the pressing member 60 and returns to its original position. The movable part of the actuator 40 can be pushed by the intermediate member 50 and / or return to its original position by another return mechanism.

[0022] Next, based on FIGS. 3 to 7, the structure and function of each component of the first embodiment will be described in detail.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the electronic key operation device 100 has an electronic key housing portion 110 and an operation mechanism portion 120.

[0024] The electronic key housing portion 110 is a portion for housing the electronic key 200. The electronic key housing portion 110 houses the electronic key 200 with the button 210 of the electronic key 200 facing the pressing member 60 in the operation mechanism portion 120. In the first embodiment, the electronic key 200 is housed in the electronic key housing portion 110 while being stored in the electronic key housing case 300.

[0025] The operation mechanism portion 120 is a mechanical structure portion for pressing the button 210 of the electronic key 200, and in the housing portion 10, it has a control portion 30, an actuator 40 that receives a signal from the control portion 30, an intermediate member 50 that receives power from the actuator 40, and a pressing member 60 that receives power from the intermediate member 50.

[0026] The control portion 30 includes electronic components and / or various circuits such as a CPU, an IC memory, a wireless communication module, a power control circuit, an interface IC, and an in-vehicle network communication IC, and can integrally control the operation of the electronic key operation device 100. Also, the wireless communication module of the control portion 30 enables the electronic key operation device 100 to connect to the network 9.

[0027] In FIGS. 3 and 4, the control portion 30 extends in the horizontal and vertical directions adjacent to the actuator 40 in the horizontal direction, but the position and direction of the control portion 30 are not particularly limited to this embodiment as long as the control portion 30 can perform its function.

[0028] The actuator 40 is controlled by the control unit 30 and serves as a driving unit that directly or indirectly via an intermediate member 50 applies power to the pressing member 60. Specifically, when an instruction to unlock or lock the electronic key 200 is given to the wireless communication module of the control unit 30 via the network 9, the actuator 40 is controlled by the control unit 30 to push out the movable part 43.

[0029] The actuator 40 may be, for example, an electromagnetic solenoid, and specifically, it is realized by a push-type linear solenoid, and can push out the rod-shaped movable part 43 by electromagnetic force as the driving current is applied.

[0030] In this embodiment, the actuator 40 is composed of first and second actuators 41 and 42, which can push the door unlock button 211 and the door lock button 212 respectively by applying power to the first and second pressing members 61 and 62. When there are three or more buttons on the electronic key 200 to be operated, there may be three or more actuators 40, optional intermediate members 50, and pressing members 60 respectively.

[0031] The first and second actuators 41 and 42 are arranged adjacent to each other in the lateral direction, and together can push out the movable part 43 in the longitudinal direction (the negative direction of the third direction Z) and transmit power to the first and second intermediate members 51 and 52.

[0032] The intermediate member 50 is a member for transmitting the power from the actuator 40 to the pressing member 60. The intermediate member 50 has appropriate rigidity and structure for this purpose. By using the intermediate member 50, it becomes easier to freely set the arrangement of the actuator 40, the pressing member 60, and the position setting unit, thereby facilitating the miniaturization of the electronic key operating device 100. Also, it becomes easier to appropriately transmit the power from the actuator 40 to the pressing member 60, and it becomes easier to operate the pressing member 60 perpendicular to the surface of the button 210 of the electronic key 200.

[0033] The intermediate member 50 is not particularly limited as long as it can transmit the power from the actuator 40 to the pressing member 60 and can return to the initial position after transmitting the power to the pressing member 60. For example, the intermediate member 50 may be configured to move back and forth about the rotation axis 53, or the intermediate member 50 may be configured to be slidable within the housing portion 10.

[0034] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate member 50 can have a plate-like lever shape having a rotation axis 53. Here, the intermediate member 50 can receive a force from the actuator 40 and move so as to fall in the vertical direction (negative direction of the third direction Z). That is, the intermediate member 50 can move circumferentially about the rotation axis 53 in the plane of the thickness direction and the vertical direction. Thereby, the vertical power received from the actuator 40 is transmitted by the intermediate member 50 to the pressing member 60, and the pressing member 60 can operate in the vertical direction.

[0035] When the intermediate member 50 moves about the rotation axis 53 as in this embodiment, the principle of the lever can be applied to the power transmitted from the actuator 40 to the pressing member 60. In this case, the power from the movable part 43 of the actuator 40 can be used as the effort point, the rotation axis 53 can be used as the fulcrum, and the pressing member 60 can be used as the load point. By applying the principle of the lever, although the moving distance of the movable part 43 of the actuator 40 for pushing the pressing member 60 becomes large, the pushing force required for the movable part 43 can be made small. As a result, as the actuator 40, a small-sized actuator with a small output can be adopted, and as a result, the electronic key operation device 100 itself can also be miniaturized.

[0036] However, the intermediate member 50 does not particularly need to exist as long as it can directly transmit the power from the actuator 40 to the pressing member 60. Further, even if the intermediate member 50 exists, it does not need to be limited to the illustrated embodiment, and it may be a member that operates substantially integrally with the movable part 43 of the actuator 40 or the pressing member 60.

[0037] In this embodiment, the intermediate member 50 is composed of the first and second intermediate members 51 and 52, and by applying power to the first and second pressing members 61 and 62 respectively, they can press the door unlocking button 211 and the door locking button 212 respectively.

[0038] The first and second intermediate members 51 and 52 are arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction in which the movable parts 43 of the first and second actuators 41 and 42 operate, and the first and second intermediate members 51 and 52 themselves are arranged adjacent to each other in the lateral direction.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the first and second intermediate members 51 and 52 have rod-shaped pins extending laterally at the lower part in the thickness direction, and these pins serve as the common rotation axis 53 of the first and second intermediate members 51 and 52. The pin serving as the rotation axis 53 needs to have high rigidity and is preferably a rod-shaped pin made of metal.

[0040] The pressing member 60 is a member for pressing the button 210 of the electronic key 200 and has an appropriate shape and rigidity for that purpose. The position of the pressing member 60 can be set by the position setting unit 70. The pressing member 60 is a member different from the movable part 43 of the actuator 40 and can move parallel to the moving direction of the movable part 43. However, as a result of the relative position with the actuator 40 being set by the position setting unit 70, it usually does not move on the same straight line as the moving direction of the movable part 43. The pressing member 60 may be held such that its position can be changed by the position setting unit 70, or may be held such that its position cannot be changed after it is set once.

[0041] The first and second pressing members 61 and 62 can press the button 210 of the electronic key 200 by receiving power from the first and second intermediate members 51 and 52 and being pushed out in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the first and second pressing members 61 and 62 have a columnar pin structure with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction. Also, in this embodiment, although the first and second pressing members 61 and 62 are adjacent in the horizontal direction, they may be adjacent in the thickness direction depending on the manner in which the electronic key 200 is held and the arrangement manner of the buttons.

[0042] The positions of the first and second pressing members 61 and 62 can be set in the position setting portion 70. Thereby, the positions of the first and second pressing members 61 and 62 can be set corresponding to the positions of the buttons of various electronic keys.

[0043] Specifically, the first and second pressing members 61 and 62 are respectively accommodated in any of the plurality of receiving portions 73 of the position setting portion 70. Here, the first and second pressing members 61 and 62 are columnar pins, and the receiving portions 73 of the position setting portion 70 are circular holes into which the pins can be inserted.

[0044] The first and second pressing members 61 and 62 are slidable while being accommodated in the receiving portion 73. One end presses the button of the electronic key, and the power for pressing the button at the other end is provided from the first and second intermediate members 51 and 52.

[0045] By sliding the first and second pressing members 61 and 62 within the position setting portion 70, the movement of the pressing members 61 and 62 can be made substantially perpendicular to the button 210 of the electronic key 200, thereby reliably pressing the button 210.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 6(a), the first and second pressing members 61 and 62 are respectively sandwiched and held by the front portion 71 and the rear portion 72 of the position setting portion 70. In the sandwiched space, the first and second pressing members 61 and 62 respectively having flanges 63 prevent them from coming out of the position setting portion 70.

[0047] The first and second pressing members 61 and 62 can have a return mechanism 64, such as a return spring, within the space sandwiched by the position setting portion 70. As a result, after the button of the electronic key is pressed and the power of the actuator 40 stops, the first and second pressing members 61 and 62 can return to their original positions. In this embodiment, the return mechanism 64 of the first and second pressing members 61 and 62 is sandwiched between the flange 63 and the front portion 71 of the position setting portion 70.

[0048] In this embodiment, the position setting portion 70 has six receiving portions 73 each corresponding to the first and second pressing members 61 and 62 for setting the positions of the pressing members 60. However, the configuration of the receiving portion 73 is not limited to this, and it is only necessary that it can correspond to the positions of buttons of various electronic keys.

[0049] The position setting portion 70 not only sets the position of the pressing member 60 so as to correspond to the position of the button 210 as described above, but also sets the relative position between the actuator 40 and the pressing member 60. "Setting the relative position" means that the positional relationship between the actuator 40 and the pressing member 60 can be changed with respect to each other. For example, even if the position of the actuator 40 is fixed, the position setting portion 70 can change the position of the pressing member 60.

[0050] The position setting portion 70 may be a part of other component members such as the housing portion 10. However, as in this embodiment, it is preferable that the position setting portion 70 is an independent separate part. When the position setting portion 70 is an independent part, the electronic key operating device 100 can be manufactured by incorporating only the position setting portion 70 in the state where the position of the pressing member 60 is set into the electronic key operating device 100.

[0051] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, by assembling the device for the portions other than the position setting unit 70 and the upper portion 11 of the housing unit 10 in advance, and then assembling only the position setting unit 70 and the upper housing unit 11 where the position of the pressing member 60 is set corresponding to a specific electronic key, the electronic key operating device 100 can be completed. Since such a final assembly process is very easy, it can also be performed by the user.

[0052] The configuration of the housing unit 10 is not particularly limited as long as the assembly process is easy and each element can be easily accommodated.

[0053] Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the electronic key operating device 100 can have a housing detection unit 13 for detecting that the electronic key 200 and / or the electronic key housing case 300 is housed in the electronic key housing unit 110. The housing detection unit 13 detects that the electronic key 200 and / or the electronic key housing case 300 is housed in the electronic key housing unit 110 and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 30. The housing detection unit 13 may be, for example, a push switch provided on the side surface on the minus side of the Y axis of the operation mechanism unit 120, an optical sensor, or the like.

[0054] The power required for the electronic key operating device 100 may be supplied, for example, by connecting to the vehicle's electrical wiring harness and receiving power from the vehicle side, or may be supplied from a built-in battery disposed within the housing unit 10.

[0055] FIG. 8 shows the set positions of the first and second pressing members 61, 62 in the position setting unit 70 when the unlock button 211 and the lock button 212 are arranged along the major axis of the electronic key 200. The first pressing member 61 is set in the position setting unit 70 corresponding to the position of the unlock button 211, and the second pressing member 62 is set in the position setting unit 70 corresponding to the position of the lock button 230. In this embodiment, since the unlock button 211 and the lock button 212 are arranged along the major axis of the electronic key, the first and second pressing members 61, 62 are also set in a relationship parallel to the major axis of the electronic key correspondingly.

[0056] On the other hand, FIG. 9 shows the set positions of the first and second pressing members 61 and 62 in the position setting unit 70 when the unlock button 211 and the lock button 212 are arranged obliquely with respect to the long axis of the electronic key 200. In this embodiment, the first and second pressing members 61 and 62 are also set in an oblique relationship with the long axis of the electronic key corresponding to the positions of the unlock button 211 and the lock button 212.

[0057] In this way, even if the unlock button 211 and the lock button 212 of the electronic key 200 have various positional relationships, this electronic key operating device 100 can easily correspond to the electronic key only by setting the position of the pressing member 60.

[0058] (Second Embodiment) The second embodiment relates to an aspect where the position setting unit 70 is present in the intermediate member 50. It can also be said that the second embodiment is a case where the intermediate member 50 does not exist in the first embodiment.

[0059] FIG. 10 specifically shows the second embodiment. In this embodiment, a plurality of receiving portions 73 for the first and second pressing members 61 and 62 exist in each of the first and second intermediate members 51 and 52, and the first and second intermediate members 51 and 52 have the position setting unit 70. In such an embodiment, although the final assembly process as shown in FIG. 7 becomes somewhat more complicated, the number of parts can be reduced, so such an embodiment is also useful.

[0060] In this embodiment, the first and second pressing members 61 and 62 are fixed by the position setting unit 70, and when the first and second intermediate members 51 and 52 having the position setting unit 70 operate, the first and second pressing members 61 and 62 also move together.

[0061] However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 where the position setting unit 70 is supported only on one side, as shown in FIG. 11, when power is transmitted from the actuator 40 and the pressing member 60 tries to press the button 210 of the electronic key 200, a force may not be applied perpendicular to the button 210. This is because when the electronic key operating device 100 is equipped with various switches and sensors, as a result of the increase in the distance from the actuator 40 to the electronic key 200, it becomes particularly difficult for the pressing member 60 to press the button 210 vertically.

[0062] On the other hand, in the first embodiment, since the pressing member 60 can always press the button 210 of the electronic key 200 substantially vertically, from such a perspective, it can be said that the first embodiment is preferable.

[0063] (Third Embodiment) The third embodiment relates to a mode of accommodating the electronic key 200 in the electronic key accommodating portion 110 of the electronic key operating device 100.

[0064] FIG. 12 specifically shows the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the electronic key 200 is inserted into the electronic key accommodating portion 110 in a state of being stored in the electronic key accommodating case 300.

[0065] The electronic key accommodating case 300 has a storage portion 310 for storing the electronic key 200, a key fitter 320, and a lid portion 330 for opening and closing the opening of the storage portion 310, and stores the electronic key 200 in a removable manner. The electronic key accommodating case 300 stores the electronic key 200 with the unlock button 211 and the lock button 212 of the electronic key 200 exposed, so that when the electronic key accommodating case 300 is accommodated in the electronic key accommodating portion 110, the pressing member 60 can press the unlock button 211 and the lock button 212.

[0066] The key fitter 320 can have a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the electronic key 200. For example, the key fitter 320 may be a member formed of a hard sponge or the like with a housing range for the electronic key 200 cut out along the outer shape. The key fitter 320 positions the electronic key 200 so that the unlock button 211 and the lock button 212 of the electronic key 200 are at predetermined positions in the storage section 310. The key fitter 320 is selected and used according to the type of the electronic key 200 of the vehicle to which the electronic key operating device 100 is attached.

[0067] (Fourth Embodiment) The fourth embodiment relates to a mode in which the electronic key 200 is directly stored in the electronic key storage section 110 of the electronic key operating device 100.

[0068] FIG. 14 specifically shows the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the electronic key 200 is directly stored in the openable and closable electronic key storage section 110.

[0069] In the fourth embodiment, the electronic key storage section 110 can swing relative to the operation mechanism section 120 to open and close. When the opening and closing operation section 12 provided on the upper housing section 11 is operated, the connection between the upper housing section 11 and the electronic key storage section 110 is released, and the electronic key storage section 110 becomes openable and closable, changing from the closed state shown in FIG. 14(a) to the open state shown in FIG. 14(b). In the open state, the electronic key storage section 110 opens until it exposes the stored electronic key 200 upward.

[0070] A storage recess 111 is formed in the electronic key storage section 110. The storage recess 111 stores the electronic key 200 with the side having the unlock button 211 and the lock button 212 facing upward.

[0071] Even in such an embodiment, the electronic key operating device 100 can have a housing detection unit 13 for detecting that the electronic key 200 is housed in the electronic key housing unit 110. In this embodiment, the housing detection unit 13 can detect that the electronic key 200 is housed in the closed electronic key housing unit 110 and output a detection signal to the control unit 30.

[0072] The electronic key operating device 100 can have an opening / closing detection unit 14 for the openable / closable electronic key housing unit 110. The opening / closing detection unit 14 detects the open / closed state of the electronic key housing unit 110 and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 30. The opening / closing detection unit 14 may be, for example, a push switch provided on the side surface on the minus side of the Y axis of the operation mechanism unit 120.

[0073] (Embodiment 5) In the fifth embodiment, this electronic key operating device 100 is a device for operating an electronic key other than the vehicle electronic key, for example, a smart lock for a residence. This electronic key operating device 100 is useful in all applications where the delivery of the electronic key poses a security problem.

[0074] According to this specification, the following aspects are provided.

[0075] (Aspect 1) The electronic key operating device 100 of Aspect 1 includes a housing unit 110 for housing the electronic key 200, a pressing member 60 for pressing the button 210 of the electronic key 200 housed in the housing unit 110, an actuator 40 for applying power to the pressing member 60 to press the button 210, and a position setting unit for setting the relative position between the actuator and the pressing member and setting the position of the pressing member 60 so as to correspond to the position of the button 210.

[0076] Such an electronic key operating device 100 can set the position of the pressing member 60 with the position setting unit 70 while fixing the position of the actuator 40. Therefore, the position of the pressing member 60 and the position of the button 210 of the electronic key 200 can be easily matched. Thereby, the electronic key operating device 100 can be used with a minimum of design changes for various forms of the electronic key 200. Also, since it is not necessary to change the position of the actuator 40 according to the position of the button 210 of the electronic key 200, it is not necessary to change the shape of the housing portion 10 of the electronic key operating device 100, and it is not necessary to secure space inside for changing the position of the actuator 40, so miniaturization becomes possible.

[0077] (Aspect 2) In the electronic key operating device 100 of Aspect 2, the position setting unit 70 has a plurality of receiving portions 73 for accommodating the pressing member 60. In such an aspect, it is not necessary to finely adjust the position of the pressing member 60, and it is only necessary to set the position of the pressing member 60 to any of the plurality of positions of the position setting unit 70. Therefore, if it is investigated in advance which position of the position setting unit 70 the pressing member 60 should be set to for the electronic key 200 of a specific vehicle type, the setting of the position of the pressing member 60 can be performed very easily.

[0078] (Aspect 3) In the electronic key operating device 100 of Aspect 3, the pressing member 60 is slidable within the receiving portion 73 of the position setting unit 70, and the button 210 can be pressed at one end of the pressing member 60, and power for pressing the button 210 is applied at the other end. In such an aspect, the pressing member 60 can be made substantially perpendicular to the button 210 of the electronic key 200, thereby reliably pressing the button 210.

[0079] (Aspect 4) The electronic key operating device 100 according to Embodiment 4 further includes an intermediate member 50 for transmitting the power from the actuator 40 to the pressing member 60. In such an embodiment, the arrangements of the actuator 40, the pressing member 60, and the position setting unit can be freely set, thereby facilitating the miniaturization of the electronic key operating device 100.

[0080] (Embodiment 5) In the electronic key operating device 100 according to Embodiment 5, the intermediate member 50 has a rotation axis, and the power from the actuator 40 is transmitted to the pressing member 60 by the circumferential movement of the intermediate member 50. In such an embodiment, the principle of a lever can be applied to the power transmitted from the actuator 40 to the pressing member 60. By applying the principle of a lever, the pressing output required for the movable part 43 can be reduced. As a result, a small-sized actuator with a small output can be adopted as the actuator 40, and as a result, the electronic key operating device 100 itself can also be miniaturized.

[0081] (Embodiment 6) In the electronic key operating device 100 according to Embodiment 6, the position setting unit 70 is a member separate from the intermediate member 50. In such an embodiment, the electronic key operating device 100 can be easily manufactured by incorporating only the position setting unit 70 in a state where the position of the pressing member 60 is set.

[0082] (Embodiment 7) In the electronic key operating device 100 according to Embodiment 7, the electronic key 200 is housed in the housing portion 110 while being fixed by the electronic key housing case 300. In such an embodiment, it is useful because it is not necessary to change the design of the electronic key operating device 100 as long as only the design of the electronic key housing case 300 is changed according to the shape of the electronic key 200.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0083] 3... Sharing system 5... Vehicle 10... Housing portion 11... Upper housing portion 12… Opening / Closing Operation Unit 13… Accommodation Detection Unit 14… Opening / Closing Detection Unit 30… Control Unit 40, 41, 42… Actuator 43… Movable Part 50, 51, 52… Intermediate Member 53… Rotation Axis 60, 61, 62… Pressing Member 63… Flange 64… Return Mechanism 70… Position Setting Unit 71… Front Part 72… Rear Part 73… Receiving Part 100… Electronic Key Operating Device 110… Electronic Key Accommodation Part 120… Operating Mechanism Part 200… Electronic Key 210… Button 211… Unlock Button 212… Lock Button 300… Electronic Key Accommodation Case 310… Storage Part 320… Key Fitter 330… Lid Part

Claims

1. a housing portion for housing an electronic key; a pressing member for pressing a button of the electronic key housed in the housing portion; an actuator for applying power to the pressing member to press the button; a position setting portion for setting a relative position between the actuator and the pressing member and setting the position of the pressing member so as to correspond to the position of the button and; the position setting portion is configured to be able to set the position of the pressing member in any of the width direction of the electronic key housed in the housing portion and a direction intersecting the width direction, an electronic key operating device.

2. The electronic key operating device according to claim 1, wherein the position setting portion has a plurality of receiving portions for housing the pressing member.

3. The pressing member is slidable within the receiving portion of the position setting portion, the button can be pressed at one end of the pressing member, and power for pressing the button is applied at the other end, the electronic key operating device according to claim 2.

4. The electronic key operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an intermediate member for transmitting power from the actuator to the pressing member.

5. The electronic key operating device according to claim 4, wherein the intermediate member has a rotation axis, and power from the actuator is transmitted to the pressing member by movement in the circumferential direction of the intermediate member.

6. The electronic key operating device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the position setting portion is a member separate from the intermediate member.

7. The electronic key operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the electronic key is housed in the housing portion while being fixed by an electronic key housing case.

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