A start switch structure connected to a vehicle Anti-theft system

Abstract

A start switch structure connected to a vehicle anti-theft system is designed for vehicles equipped with such systems and serves to activate the vehicle's ignition. It comprises a main body with a coupling section extending along an axis for attaching the main body to the vehicle. A button section is slidably installed at the front end of the main body, and a shaft ring extends axially from the opposite side of the button section. The outer surface of the shaft ring is surrounded by a receiving surface. An antenna unit, formed as a thin sheet, is attached to the receiving surface and is used for wireless communication. The structure also includes a control circuit module. When the button section is pressed, the control circuit module prompts the locking host to issue a command that activates the antenna unit. The antenna unit then emits energy to detect the identification code of the car key, which is fed back to the locking host to determine whether to start the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a start switch structure, and more particularly to a start switch structure for connecting a vehicle anti-theft system that transmits an identification code through a thin-film antenna. Prior Technology

[0002] As for vehicle usage patterns, besides personal ownership or long-term car rental, temporary car rental and car sharing are also included. However, in recent years, car sharing, where multiple users share a vehicle, has developed extensively. Car sharing is particularly convenient for users who only want to use the vehicle for a short period of time or only on specific days. Furthermore, since multiple users share the vehicle, it can be used more effectively, thus increasing utilization efficiency and offering advantages in terms of cost.

[0003] With societal progress and development, car usage has increased significantly, and car theft remains a prominent crime. To prevent theft, car-sharing owners often install anti-theft systems, using chips as the vehicle's starting key. This requires a corresponding terminal device in the starting system. During startup, an antenna connects to the terminal device for chip identification, enabling the car to start. Therefore, the antenna structure and information transmission are crucial. Traditional antenna structures typically consist of multiple coils of antenna wound around an antenna mount, forming a coil-like structure capable of receiving identification codes. However, these coil antennas suffer from weak transmission strength and short reception distance, leading to signal loss. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention relates to a start switch structure, and more particularly to a start switch structure for connecting a vehicle anti-theft system that transmits an identification code through a thin-film antenna.

[0005] This invention discloses a start switch structure for connecting to a vehicle anti-theft system, applicable to a vehicle equipped with an anti-theft system, and used to drive the vehicle to start. The start switch structure includes: a body having a connecting portion extending along an axis to connect the body to the vehicle; a start switch module slidably disposed at the front end of the body; a collar extending along the axis to the other side of the start switch module, the outer surface of the collar having a receiving surface formed around it; and an antenna unit, which is a thin sheet attached to the receiving surface. The antenna unit has an electric field type antenna element for wireless communication; and a control circuit module electrically connected to the start switch module and the antenna unit; wherein, when the start switch module is activated, the control circuit module causes the locking host to issue a command to activate the antenna unit and drive the antenna unit to emit energy to a car key. After the car key receives the energy, it sends back an identification code of the car key to the antenna unit, and then sends the identification code back to a locking host of the vehicle anti-theft system to detect the identification code and determine whether to start the vehicle.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle further includes an ignition device electrically connected to the locking host for driving the vehicle to start.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned body has a receiving space for accommodating the start switch module and the control circuit module.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned body further includes a connecting portion, which is electrically connected to the start switch module through the control circuit module, and electrically connected to the locking host through the control circuit module.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned start switch module is a button that can reciprocate at the front end of the body through a limiting structure to activate the start switch module.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned start switch module is a key cylinder, which is used to insert the car key into the key cylinder and rotate it to activate the start switch module.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned receiving surface is defined as one or more grooves along the periphery of the collar.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the antenna unit is a flexible printed circuit formed on a flexible PCB circuit board.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned electric field type antenna element includes at least one of a dipole antenna, a monopole antenna, a loop antenna, or an antenna on which a reactive structure is mounted.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control circuit module described above drives the antenna unit to emit energy to detect a setting position of the car key.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the locking host starts the vehicle when it determines that the identification code and the setting position are both correct.

[0016] The advantage of this invention is that, by using a start switch structure connected to a vehicle anti-theft system and a thin-film antenna attached to the start switch, when the antenna element is positioned near the start switch structure body containing a portion of conductive material, electromagnetic energy can be suppressed, enabling smooth wireless communication. At the same time, the simple method of attaching the antenna directly to the body provides more flexibility in the manufacturing process and effectively reduces production costs. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0017] Figure 1 shows the architecture of a vehicle anti-theft system in the prior art;

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the start switch structure of a prior art vehicle anti-theft system;

[0019] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a start switch structure for connecting a vehicle anti-theft system according to one of the present invention. Implementation

[0020] To make the above-described features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Besides these detailed descriptions, the present invention can also be widely implemented in other embodiments. Any easy substitutions, modifications, or equivalent changes to the described embodiments are included within the scope of the present invention and are subject to the claims. In the description of the specification, many specific details are provided to give the reader a more complete understanding of the present invention; however, the present invention may still be implemented even if some or all of the specific details are omitted. Furthermore, well-known steps or elements are not described in the details to avoid unnecessarily limiting the present invention. Identical or similar elements in the drawings will be represented by the same or similar symbols. It should be noted that the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the actual size or number of elements. Some details may not be fully drawn for the sake of simplicity, and are described in detail below.

[0021] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2 simultaneously. Figure 1 is the architecture of a vehicle anti-theft system in the prior art; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the start switch structure of a vehicle anti-theft system in the prior art. As shown in Figure 1, when the start switch module 12 senses the insertion of a chip key 11, or when the chip key 11 is inserted and triggers the engine ignition mechanism of the start switch module 12, the start switch module 12 requests the engine start authentication computer 13 to perform chip authentication.

[0022] The central processing unit 131 will activate the data transceiver 133 to send a synchronization signal, which is sent via the connection module 134 connected to the data transceiver 133 in a network connection mode.

[0023] This transponder chip 11 stores the chip serial number (transponder ID) and chip identification code corresponding to the transponder chip 111.

[0024] When the identification chip 111 is within the signal transmission and reception range of the connection module 134, the identification chip 111 will sense the synchronization signal and be driven by the excitation effect to send the chip serial number mentioned above.

[0025] The transceiver 133 receives the chip serial number through the connection module 134 and forwards it to the engine start authentication computer 13.

[0026] When the central processing unit 131 determines that the chip serial number matches the authentication data stored in the memory 132, it outputs a mixed identification code.

[0027] The hybrid identification code is composed of a random code and a cipher code, and is transmitted to the identification chip 111 through the data transceiver 133.

[0028] The identification chip 111 will acquire and parse this hybrid identification code. When it is determined that the hybrid identification code is the data required by the identification chip 111, it will output the chip identification code stored in the identification chip 111.

[0029] The transceiver 133 receives the chip identification code through the connection module 134 and transmits it to the engine start authentication computer 13.

[0030] When the engine starts, the authentication computer 13 will determine if the chip identification code matches the identification code of the previously found authentication data, and then start the engine device.

[0031] If the judgment does not meet the requirements, the engine start authentication computer 13 will not allow the engine to start.

[0032] In the prior art, the start switch module 12 has an antenna base with an antenna 121 formed by winding multiple coil-shaped components to receive the chip serial number, as shown in Figure 2.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a start switch structure for connecting a vehicle anti-theft system according to the present invention. The start switch structure for connecting a vehicle anti-theft system is suitable for a vehicle with a vehicle anti-theft system and is used to drive the vehicle to start. The start switch structure for connecting a vehicle anti-theft system includes: a body 31 having a connecting portion 311, the connecting portion 311 extending along an axis to connect the body 31 to the vehicle; a start switch module 32 slidably disposed at the front end of the body 31; a collar 33 extending along the axis to the other side of the start switch module 32, the outer surface of the collar 33 having a receiving surface formed around it; and an antenna unit 3. 4. A thin sheet is attached to the receiving surface. The antenna unit 34 has an electric field type antenna element for wireless communication; and a control circuit module (not shown) electrically connected to the start switch module 32 and the antenna unit 34. When the start switch module 32 is activated, the control circuit module causes the locking host to send a command to activate the antenna unit 34 and drive the antenna unit 34 to emit energy to a car key. After the car key receives the energy, it sends an identification code of the car key back to the antenna unit 34, and then sends the identification code back to a locking host of the vehicle anti-theft system to detect the identification code and determine whether to start the vehicle.

[0034] The start switch module 32 has contacts, and the control circuit module has contacts. When the start switch module 32 is activated, the contacts of the start switch module 32 come into contact with the contacts of the control circuit module, and the control circuit module causes the locking host to issue a command to activate the antenna unit 34.

[0035] In this embodiment, the vehicle also includes an ignition device electrically connected to the locking host for starting the vehicle.

[0036] In this embodiment, the main body 31 has an accommodating space for accommodating the start switch module 32 and the control circuit module.

[0037] In this embodiment, the main body 31 is cylindrical and is fixedly mounted on the interface of the vehicle.

[0038] In this embodiment, the main body 31 further includes a connecting part that is electrically connected to the start switch module 32 through the control circuit module, and is also electrically connected to the locking host through the control circuit module.

[0039] In this embodiment, the start switch module 32 is a button that can reciprocate at the front end of the body 31 through a limiting structure to activate the start switch module 32.

[0040] The start switch module 32 is slidably disposed at the front end of the body 31 along the axis of the body 31.

[0041] In this embodiment, the start switch module 32 is a key cylinder, which is used to insert the car key into the key cylinder and rotate it to start the start switch module 32.

[0042] In this embodiment, the receiving surface defines one or more grooves along the periphery of the collar 33.

[0043] In this embodiment, the antenna unit 34 is a flexible printed circuit formed on a flexible PCB circuit board.

[0044] In this embodiment, the electric field antenna element includes at least one of a dipole antenna, a monopole antenna, a loop antenna, or an antenna on which a reactive structure is mounted.

[0045] In this embodiment, the control circuit module drives the antenna unit 34 to emit energy to detect a setting position of the car key.

[0046] When the start switch module 32 is the button, the setting location is a car key holder, which is configured in the vehicle and used to place the car key. It has a non-contact sensing module for non-contact sensing of the car key and connecting to obtain the energy of the vehicle, and obtaining the identification code from the car key.

[0047] The car key holder also has a shielding structure that can be used to shield the energy from being transmitted to the car key and the identification code from being transmitted to the antenna unit 34.

[0048] When the start switch module 32 is the key cylinder, the setting position is the key cylinder position, so that the car key is inserted into the key cylinder to contact the car key and connect to obtain the energy of the vehicle, and obtain the identification code from the car key.

[0049] In this embodiment, the locking host starts the vehicle when it determines that the identification code is correct.

[0050] In this embodiment, the locking host starts the vehicle when it determines that the identification code and the setting position are both correct.

[0051] In summary, the advantages of this invention are that, through the start switch structure connected to the vehicle anti-theft system, and by using a thin-film antenna attached to the start switch, when the antenna element is positioned near the start switch structure body containing a portion of conductive material, electromagnetic energy can be suppressed, enabling smooth wireless communication. At the same time, the simple method of attaching the antenna directly to the body provides greater flexibility in the manufacturing process and effectively reduces production costs.

[0052] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications and equivalent substitutions made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention shall still be within the scope of patent protection of the present invention.

[0053] 11: Chip Key

[0054] 111: Identification chip

[0055] 12: Start switch module

[0056] 121: Antenna

[0057] 13: Engine Startup Authentication Computer

[0058] 131: Central Processing Unit

[0059] 132: Storage

[0060] 133: Data transceiver

[0061] 134: Connecting Module

[0062] 31:Ontology

[0063] 311: Joint

[0064] 32: Start switch module

[0065] 33: Collar

[0066] 34: Antenna Unit

Claims

1. A starter switch structure for connecting to a vehicle anti-theft system, applicable to a vehicle having a vehicle anti-theft system, and used to drive the vehicle to start, wherein the starter switch structure for connecting to the vehicle anti-theft system includes: A body having a joint extending along an axis to connect the body to a vehicle; a start switch module disposed at the front end of the body; a collar extending along the axis to the other side of the start switch module, the outer surface of the collar forming a receiving surface; an antenna unit, a thin sheet attached to the receiving surface, the antenna unit having an electric field type antenna element for wireless communication; and a control circuit module electrically connected to the start switch module and the antenna unit; wherein, when the start switch module is activated, the control circuit module causes the locking host to issue a command to activate the antenna unit, driving the antenna unit to emit energy to a car key. After the car key receives the energy, it sends an identification code of the car key back to the antenna unit, and then sends the identification code back to a locking host of the vehicle anti-theft system to detect the identification code and determine whether to start the vehicle.

2. The start switch structure for connecting a vehicle anti-theft system as described in claim 1, wherein the vehicle further includes an ignition device electrically connected to the locking host for driving the vehicle to start.

3. The start switch structure for connecting a vehicle anti-theft system as described in claim 1, wherein the main body has an accommodating space for accommodating the start switch module and the control circuit module.

4. The start switch structure for connecting a vehicle anti-theft system as described in claim 1, wherein the main body further includes a connecting part electrically connected to the start switch module through the control circuit module, and electrically connected to the locking host through the control circuit module.

5. The start switch structure for connecting a vehicle anti-theft system as described in claim 1, wherein the start switch module is a button that can reciprocate at the front end of the body through a limiting structure to activate the start switch module.

6. The start switch structure for connecting a vehicle anti-theft system as described in claim 1, wherein the start switch module is a key cylinder for inserting the car key into the key cylinder and rotating it to activate the start switch module.

7. The start switch structure for connecting a vehicle anti-theft system as described in claim 1, wherein the antenna unit is a flexible printed circuit formed on a flexible PCB circuit board.

8. The start switch structure for connecting a vehicle anti-theft system as described in claim 1, wherein the electric field antenna element comprises at least one of a dipole antenna, a monopole antenna, a loop antenna, or an antenna on which a reactive structure is mounted.

9. The start switch structure for connecting a vehicle anti-theft system as described in claim 1, wherein the control circuit module drives the antenna unit to emit energy to detect a setting position of the car key.

10. The start switch structure for connecting a vehicle anti-theft system as described in claim 9, wherein the locking host starts the vehicle when it determines that the identification code and the setting position are both correct.

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