JP2008177813A - Transmitting apparatus and vehicle communication system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transmitter that can perform an accurate and easy operation without an operation mistake about a transmitter to be mainly used for locking/unlocking, and opening/closing a door of a car, or the like and a communication system for vehicle using the same. <P>SOLUTION: In the transmitter 19 and the communication system for vehicle using the transmitter 19, a control means 14 transmits a radio wave signal with a plurality of electric field strengths in accordance with an operated switch 3A, 3B or 3C, a receiver 20 drives a plurality of driving devices in accordance with the radio wave signal to thereby be able to remotely control a front door 7A that is subjected to an unlocking operation from a comparatively remote distance and make a slide door 7B and a trunk door 7C that is subjected to an opening/closing operation operable only from a near position. Therefore, it is difficult to cause an operation mistake such as a pushing error, a complicated operation to change a pressing operation time or the like is unnecessary and a sure and easy operation can be performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a transmission apparatus mainly used for locking / unlocking and opening / closing of a door of an automobile and a vehicle communication system using the same.

  In recent years, in addition to directly operating the locking / unlocking and opening / closing of vehicle doors with mechanical keys, remote operation from a remote location is generally performed by a transmission device carried by the driver, and erroneous operation has been performed. There is a need for a reliable and easy operation.

  Such a conventional transmission apparatus and a vehicle communication system using the same will be described with reference to FIGS.

  3 is a block circuit diagram of a conventional transmission device, and FIG. 4 is a side view of the vehicle communication system. In FIG. 3, 1 is a substantially box-shaped case made of an insulating resin. A plurality of operation units 2A, 2B, and 2C are provided.

  The case 1 houses a wiring board (not shown) having a plurality of conductive patterns formed on the upper and lower surfaces, and a push switch (not shown) and the like are mounted on the upper surface of the wiring board. A plurality of switch contacts 3A, 3B, and 3C are formed to perform electrical contact and separation in accordance with the operation of the plurality of operation units 2A, 2B, and 2C.

  Further, on this wiring board, a transmission means 5 is formed by an electronic component such as a microcomputer by means of a control means 4 or an antenna or a coil. The transmission means 5 and a plurality of switch contacts 3A, 3B, 3C are electrically connected to the control means 4. The transmission device 6 is configured to be connected to.

  Reference numeral 7 denotes an automobile. A front door 7A and a slide door 7B are provided on the side surface, a trunk door 7C is provided on the back surface, and a receiving device 8 is formed on the front side by a microcomputer, an antenna, and the like.

  In addition, the front door 7A is provided with a plurality of driving devices such as a locking device 9A, a sliding door 7B with an electric device 9B, and a trunk door 7C with a door opening device 9C by a motor or solenoid (not shown). These driving devices are electrically connected to the receiving device 8, and the vehicle 7 and the transmitting device 6 constitute a vehicle communication system.

  In the above configuration, when the driver having the transmission device 6 approaches the automobile 7 to some extent and presses the operation portion 2A, for example, the switch contact 3A is electrically connected and disconnected, and the control means 4 responds accordingly. Then, a radio signal including an identification code and a drive code is transmitted from the transmission means 5.

  Then, the radio wave signal is received by the receiving device 8 of the automobile 7, and the driver is confirmed by the identification code, and in accordance with the driving code, for example, the locking device 9A is driven, the lock is released, and the front door 7A is unlocked. A lock operation is performed.

  When the operation unit 2B is pressed, the switch contact 3B is electrically connected / disconnected, and a radio signal corresponding to the switch contact 3B is transmitted from the transmission device 6, and the reception device 8 drives the electric device 9B. The opening operation of the slide door 7B is performed.

  Similarly, when the operation unit 2C is operated, the switch contact 3C is electrically connected / separated, a radio signal corresponding thereto is transmitted, the door opening device 9C is driven, and the door opening device of the trunk door 7C is operated. Is called.

  That is, each door is locked / unlocked and opened / closed directly with a mechanical key when the vehicle is approached, and each door is locked / unlocked even from a predetermined distance by operating the portable transmitter 6. It is configured so that it can be remotely controlled, such as opening and closing.

  In such a vehicle communication system, since the radio wave signal transmitted from the transmission device 6 has the same radio wave intensity, that is, the electric field strength, it is almost the same regardless of which door is remotely operated. It is designed to be operated at a distance.

  In other words, the lock is released, but the door remains closed, and it is difficult for the people around to know that the unlocking has been performed. Easy opening operation of the sliding door 7B and the trunk door 7C is performed at substantially the same distance.

  Therefore, when performing remote operation from a certain distance away, for example, when the operation unit 2A is pressed to unlock the front door 7A, but the operation unit 2B is accidentally pressed and the slide door 7B opens. As an anti-crime measure, the operation unit 2B or 2C for opening the door does not keep pressing for a predetermined time, for example, about 2 to 3 seconds, against the operation unit 2A for unlocking operation. The apparatus 9C is configured not to be driven.

As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.
JP 2005-271664 A

  However, in the conventional transmission device and the vehicle communication system using the same, the electric field strength of the radio signal transmitted from the transmission device 6 is the same according to the operation of the plurality of operation units 2A, 2B, and 2C. In order to prevent an erroneous operation, for example, security measures such as changing the pressing operation time are required, and there is a problem that the operation becomes complicated.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and an object thereof is to provide a transmission device that can be operated reliably and easily without erroneous operation, and a vehicle communication system using the same.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a transmission device is configured to transmit a radio signal with a plurality of electric field strengths according to a switch contact operated by a control means. The front door to be unlocked can be operated remotely from a relatively long distance by transmitting radio signals with different electric field strengths for each remotely operated door according to the operation of the slide door or trunk door to be opened. Since it is possible to operate only from a close position, it becomes difficult to make erroneous operations such as pressing mistakes, and complicated operations such as changing the pressing operation time are unnecessary, and a transmission device capable of reliable and easy operation is obtained. Has the effect of being able to

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a receiving device attached to a vehicle and connected to a plurality of driving devices drives a plurality of driving devices in accordance with radio wave signals transmitted from the transmitting device according to the first aspect. Thus, the vehicular communication system transmitting apparatus is configured, and there is an effect that a vehicular communication system capable of a reliable and easy operation without any erroneous operation can be realized.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that it is possible to realize a transmission device that can be operated reliably and easily without erroneous operation, and a vehicle communication system using the transmission device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part of the structure same as the structure demonstrated in the term of background art, and detailed description is simplified.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram of a transmission apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle communication system. In FIG. 1, 1 is a substantially box-shaped case made of insulating resin. On the upper surface of the case 1, a plurality of operation units 2A, 2B, 2C such as push buttons are provided.

  In the case 1, a wiring board (not shown) having a plurality of conductive patterns formed on the upper and lower surfaces is housed, and a push switch (not shown) is mounted on the upper surface of the wiring board. A plurality of switch contacts 3A, 3B, and 3C are formed to perform electrical contact and separation in accordance with the operation of the plurality of operation units 2A, 2B, and 2C.

  The wiring board is formed with a control means 14 by electronic parts such as a microcomputer and a transmission means 16 by an antenna 15 and a coil. The transmission means 16 and a plurality of switch contacts 3A, 3B, 3C are connected to the control means 14. Electrically connected.

  Further, reference numeral 17 denotes conversion means such as a transistor connected to the control means 14. This conversion means 17 is connected to the antenna 15 via the output limiting resistor 18 to constitute a transmission device 19.

  Reference numeral 7 denotes an automobile. A front door 7A and a slide door 7B are provided on the side surface, a trunk door 7C is provided on the back surface, and a receiving device 20 is formed on the front side by a microcomputer, an antenna, and the like.

  In addition, the front door 7A is provided with a plurality of driving devices such as a locking device 9A, a sliding door 7B is an electric device 9B, and a trunk door 7C is a door opening device 9C by a motor, a solenoid (not shown) or the like. These driving devices are electrically connected to the receiving device 20, and the vehicle 7 and the transmitting device 19 constitute a vehicle communication system.

  In the above configuration, when the driver having the transmission device 19 approaches the automobile 7 to some extent and presses the operation unit 2A, for example, the switch contact 3A is electrically connected / disconnected, and the control means 14 responds accordingly. Then, a radio signal including an identification code and a drive code is transmitted from the transmission means 16.

  At this time, when the operation unit 2A is pressed and the switch contact 3A is electrically connected / separated, the control unit 14 detects this, and the conversion unit 17 is not operated. A radio signal having a strength, that is, an electric field strength of around 50 dBμV / m is transmitted.

  Then, the radio wave signal is received by the receiving device 20 of the automobile 7, and the driver is confirmed by the identification code. For example, the locking device 9A is driven according to the driving code to release the lock and unlock the front door 7A. A lock operation is performed.

  Further, when the operation unit 2B is pressed, the switch contact 3B is electrically connected and separated, and a radio signal corresponding to the switch contact 3B is transmitted from the transmission device 19. At this time, the control means 14 is connected to the switch contact 3B. When the mechanical contact / separation is detected, the conversion means 17 is operated by setting the base side to high.

  Therefore, in this case, a current flows from the conversion means 17 to the ground side via the output limiting resistor 18 and the radio wave transmitted from the antenna 15 is weakened. Therefore, the electric field strength from the antenna 15 is about 30 to 40 dBμV / m. A radio signal is transmitted.

  In general, the relationship between the electric field strength of the radio wave signal and the reach distance is such that, if the electric field strength is around 50 dBμV / m, the receiving device 20 is connected to the radio wave signal even if the transmitter 19 and the receiver 20 are separated by about 10 m. However, when the electric field strength is about 30 to 40 dBμV / m, it is difficult to receive the radio signal unless the transmission device 19 is close to the reception device 20 until about 1 m.

  That is, when the operation unit 2A is pressed for the unlocking operation of the front door 7A, remote operation is possible even from a location about 10 m away from the automobile 7, but when the operation unit 2B is pressed, Remote control cannot be performed unless the vehicle 7 is approached to about 1 m.

  Then, when approaching the automobile 7 to about 1 m and pressing the operation unit 2B as described above and a weak radio wave signal is transmitted from the transmission device 19, the reception device 20 receives this and receives the electric device 9B. Driven to open the sliding door 7B.

  Similarly, when the operation unit 2C is operated and the switch contact 3C is electrically connected / separated, the control means 14 detects this and operates the conversion means 17 to transmit a weak radio signal. Receiving device 20 drives door opening device 9C, and trunk door 7C is opened.

  That is, each door is locked / unlocked and opened / closed directly by a mechanical key when the vehicle is approached, and each door is locked / unlocked even from a predetermined distance by operating the portable transmitter 19. The distance that can be remotely operated is configured to be different for each operation unit to be pressed.

  That is, when the switch contact 3A is electrically connected / separated, the control means 14 detects this and transmits a strong radio signal without operating the conversion means 17, and the switch contacts 3B and 3C are electrically connected. When the close / contact operation is performed, by operating the conversion means 17 to transmit a weak radio signal, the front door 7A to be unlocked can be remotely operated from a relatively long distance of about 10 m and opened. The sliding door 7B and the trunk door 7C for operating the door can be operated only from close positions of about 1 m.

  Therefore, even if the operation unit 2A is pressed and the front door 7A is operated to be unlocked at a place about 10 m away from the automobile 7, for example, even if the operation units 2B and 2C are accidentally pressed, the weak radio signal is received. Since the device 20 cannot receive, the sliding door 7B and the trunk door 7C are not opened, and it is difficult to cause an erroneous operation such as a pressing error, and a complicated operation such as changing the pressing operation time is also unnecessary.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a radio signal is transmitted with a plurality of electric field strengths in response to the switch contacts 3A, 3B, and 3C operated by the control means 14, and the receiving device 20 responds to the radio signal. By driving a plurality of driving devices, the front door 7A for unlocking can be remotely operated from a relatively long distance, and the slide door 7B and trunk door 7C for opening the door can be operated only from close positions. As a result, it becomes difficult to cause erroneous operations such as pushing mistakes, and complicated operations such as changing the pressing operation time are unnecessary, and a transmission device 19 capable of reliable and easy operation and a vehicle communication system using the transmission device 19 are provided. It can be obtained.

  In the above description, a radio signal with an electric field strength of about 50 dBμV / m is transmitted when the operation unit 2A is pressed, and an electric field strength of about 30 to 40 dBμV / m is transmitted when the operation unit 2B or 2C is pressed. Although described as a configuration, it is preferable to set a strong radio signal to 50.5 to 54 dBμV / m, and a weak radio signal to 40 to 50 dBμV / m when remote control is desired from a slightly further position.

  In addition, when the operation units 2B and 2C are pressed, a radio signal having the same electric field strength is transmitted. However, for example, the trunk door 7C is a distance of about 1 m, and the slide door 7B is a little further away. A plurality of conversion means 17 and output limiting resistor 18 may be provided so that radio signals can be transmitted with different electric field strengths so that remote control from a position is possible.

  However, when the electric field strength is 30 dBμV / m or less, it is easy to be affected by various surrounding noises. Therefore, even the weakest radio signal is preferably set to 30 dBμV / m or more.

  In the above description, the transistor is used as the conversion unit 17. However, an electromagnetic relay is used as the conversion unit 17, and the control unit 14 operates to convert a current from the output limiting resistor 18 to the ground side. The present invention can also be implemented by a configuration in which the current flows or the configuration in which the conversion unit 17 is eliminated and the current is branched to the output limiting resistor 18 in the control unit 14 instead.

  Further, a so-called keyless system that transmits a radio signal from the transmission device 19 to the reception device 20 has been described. However, both the transmission device 19 and the reception device 20 are provided with transmission means and reception means. The present invention can also be implemented as a so-called smart entry system that communicates with each other.

  The transmission device according to the present invention and the vehicle communication system using the same can be obtained with no erroneous operation and can be reliably and easily operated, and are mainly useful for locking / unlocking and opening / closing the door of an automobile.

1 is a block circuit diagram of a transmission device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Side view of the vehicle communication system Block circuit diagram of conventional transmitter Side view of the vehicle communication system

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 2A, 2B, 2C Operation part 3A, 3B, 3C Switch contact 7 Car 7A Front door 7B Sliding door 7C Trunk door 9A Locking device 9B Electric device 9C Door opening device 14 Control means 15 Antenna 16 Transmission means 17 Conversion means 18 Output Limiting resistor 19 Transmitting device 20 Receiving device

Claims (2)

A plurality of switch contacts that perform electrical contact / separation according to the operation of a plurality of operation units, and a control unit that transmits a radio signal from the transmission unit according to the electrical contact / separation of the switch contacts. A transmission device that transmits a radio signal with a plurality of electric field strengths according to the switched contact. A transmitting device according to claim 1 and a receiving device mounted on a vehicle and connected to a plurality of driving devices, wherein the receiving device drives a plurality of driving devices in accordance with radio wave signals transmitted from the transmitting device. Vehicle communication system.

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