Unlock control device

• US 20070018788A1
• Filed: 06/09/2006
• Published: 01/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Taniguchi, Satoru
• Application Number:
  US11/449,804
• Publication Number:
  US 20070018788A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.640
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]

Abstract

An unlock control device has an unlocking mechanism to unlock an opening and closing member on the assumption that a radio signal transmitted by a legitimate portable transmitter has been received. A key cylinder selectively takes one of an unlock position and a lock position by an insertion of a legitimate key, the unlock position for permitting unlocking the opening and closing member, the lock position for limiting unlocking the opening and closing member. A position detector detects a selected position of the key cylinder. A control part limits unlocking by the unlocking mechanism when the selected position detected by the position detector is the lock position.

Claims

1. An unlock control device having an unlocking mechanism to unlock an opening and closing member on the assumption that a radio signal transmitted by a legitimate portable transmitter has been received, the unlock control device comprising:

a key cylinder that selectively takes one of an unlock position and a lock position by an insertion of a legitimate key, the unlock position for permitting unlocking said opening and closing member, the lock position for limiting unlocking said opening and closing member;

a position detector that detects a selected position of said key cylinder; and

a control part that limits unlocking by said unlocking mechanism when the selected position detected by said position detector is said lock position.

2. The unlock control device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a drive mechanism for unlocking said opening and closing member, the drive mechanism being controlled by said control part.

3. The unlock control device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said control part limits an unlocking operation of said drive mechanism.

4. The unlock control device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said control part interrupts a transmission path of said unlocking operation.

5. The unlock control device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said unlocking mechanism includes:

a motor for operating said opening and closing member; and

an electric circuit having a relay that selectively opens or closes an electric path connected to said motor based on a signal supplied by said control part and a signal generated by said key cylinder.

6. The unlock control device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said unlocking mechanism includes:

a motor for operating said opening and closing member; and

a plurality of gears that transmits a power output from said motor to said opening and closing member,

wherein the plurality of gears include a pair of a worm and a worm wheel being engaged with each other when said key cylinder is at said unlock position, and disengaged with each other when said key cylinder is at said lock position.

7. The unlock control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said opening and closing member is a trunk lid of a vehicle.

8. An unlock control device comprising:

a locking mechanism capable of locking a trunk lid by an operation switch provided in a vehicle compartment being operated; and

a key cylinder provided outside said vehicle compartment, the key cylinder selectively taking one of an unlock position and a lock position by an insertion of a legitimate key, the unlock position for permitting unlocking said trunk lid, the lock position for limiting unlocking said trunk lid,

wherein an unlock control for unlocking said trunk lid and a vehicle door is permitted on the assumption that a radio signal transmitted by a legitimate portable transmitter has been received, irrespective of a selected position of said key cylinder, and wherein said unlock control device further comprising;

a position detector that detects the selected position of said key cylinder; and

a control part that limits said unlock control for unlocking said trunk lid when the selected position detected by said position detector is said unlock position.