KEY HOLDING DEVICE FOR IN-VEHICLE AUXILIARY KEY

• US 20100073130A1
• Filed: 09/24/2009
• Published: 03/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: TSURUTA, HIROSHI
• Granted Patent: US 8,511,121 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.800
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/241 whereby access privileges are related to the identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/243 with more than one way to gain access
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 11/00 Devices preventing keys from being removed from the lock ; Devices preventing falling or pushing out of keys preventing turning of the key E05B13/00; keyhole guards E05B17/14; E05B35/086 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0004 said core being linearly movable
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/063 with a rectilinearly moveable blocking element
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/00 Vehicle locks characterised by special functions or purposes locks specially adapted for bicycles E05B71/00; locking arrangements for non-fixed vehicle roofs B60J7/185
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5956 Steering mechanism with switch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5982 Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7079 Key rotated [e.g., Eurocylinder]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7102 And details of blocking system [e.g., linkage, latch, pawl, spring]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7136 Key initiated actuation of device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7446 Multiple keys
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7463 Master- and change-key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7768 Key-removal preventing

Abstract

A key holding device includes a key cylinder capable of retaining an auxiliary key which is a vehicle key that is not a master key. A rotor is rotatably arranged in the key cylinder. The auxiliary key is insertable into the rotor. A tumbler is rotatable with the rotor in the key cylinder. The tumbler holds the auxiliary key in a manner irremovable from the key cylinder in accordance with the rotational position of the rotor. A key lock mechanism is capable of locking the rotor in a state in which the tumbler holds the auxiliary key in a manner irremovable from the key cylinder. A control unit selectively switches the rotor between a locked state and an unlocked state by controlling the key lock mechanism so as to permit removal of the auxiliary key when the rotor is in the unlocked state.

Claims

1. A key holding device for an in-vehicle auxiliary key, the key holding device comprising:

a key cylinder capable of retaining the auxiliary key which is a vehicle key that is not a master key;

a rotor rotatably arranged in the key cylinder, in which the auxiliary key is insertable into the rotor;

a tumbler rotatable with the rotor in the key cylinder, in which the tumbler holds the auxiliary key in a manner irremovable from the key cylinder in accordance with the rotational position of the rotor;

a key lock mechanism capable of locking the rotor in a state in which the tumbler holds the auxiliary key in a manner irremovable from the key cylinder; and

a control unit which selectively switches the rotor between a locked state and an unlocked state by controlling the key lock mechanism so as to permit removal of the auxiliary key when the rotor is in the unlocked state.

2. The key holding device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a rotational position detection unit which detects the rotational position of the rotor and generates a detection signal; and

a rotational position checking unit which receives the detection signal of the rotational position detection unit and determines whether the rotational position of the rotor is a key unlock position at which the auxiliary key is removable from the key cylinder or a key lock position at which the auxiliary key is irremovable from the key cylinder.

3. The key holding device according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary key permits use of a vehicle under a restricted condition.

4. The key holding device according to claim 3, further comprising:

a key detection unit which detects whether or not the auxiliary key is inserted into the key cylinder; and

a restriction execution unit which shifts an operation mode of the vehicle to a lending mode that restricts use of the vehicle when the key detection unit detects removal of the auxiliary key from the key cylinder.

5. The key holding device according to claim 3, further comprising:

a restriction setting unit which sets a vehicle function that is usable with the auxiliary key in accordance with the person to whom the auxiliary key is lent.

6. The key holding device according to claim 5, wherein:

the auxiliary key is an electronic key capable of transmitting a wireless signal that includes a unique key code, and use of the vehicle with the auxiliary key is permitted when the key code of the auxiliary key is in conformance with a key code registered beforehand in the vehicle; and

the restriction setting unit registers the key code of the auxiliary key in both the vehicle and auxiliary key and changes the key code of the auxiliary key in accordance with the person to whom the auxiliary key is lent whenever registering the key code, thereby changing the restricted condition of the vehicle function.

7. The key holding device according to claim 5, further comprising:

a verification unit which verifies the master key;

wherein the restriction setting unit allows the auxiliary key to be lent to another person when the master key is verified.

8. The key holding device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a valid period setting unit which sets a valid period for use of the vehicle with the auxiliary key.

9. The key holding device according to claim 6, wherein the restriction setting unit is arranged in the vehicle and manages the key code of the auxiliary key from the vehicle.

10. The key holding device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an accommodation compartment arranged in the vehicle to accommodate the key cylinder and having a lockable lid; and

a verification unit which verifies the master key;

wherein the verification unit unlocks the lid of the accommodation compartment when the master key is verified.

11. The key holding device according to claim 6, wherein the restriction setting unit starts transmitting the wireless signal that includes the key code as soon as the auxiliary key is inserted into the key cylinder.