Keyless entry system and sensor therefor

• US 6,191,682 B1
• Filed: 03/09/1998
• Issued: 02/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carl L. Wolfgang
• Original Assignee: Carl L. Wolfgang
• Inventors: Wolfgang, Carl L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHIMIZU, MATSUICHIRO
• Application Number:
  US09/035,272
• Time in Patent Office: 1,079 Days
• Field of Search: 310/311, 340/825.31, 340/5.2, 340/5.51, 200/181, 200/61.45 R, 200/61.62
• US Class Current: 340/5.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2063 Ignition switch geometry
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00206 the keyless data carrier being hand operated
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A keyless entry system and sensor for unlocking the door locks of a vehicle. The sensor, preferably in the form of a piezoelectric crystal, is secured at a discrete location to an inner concealed surface of a body panel of the vehicle and electrically connected to an electronic signal processing module having an output relay. The output relay is electrically connected with the power control relay of the door lock, the sensor being structured to afford entry into a locked vehicle by sharply tapping the outer surface of the body panel at the exact location and limited area where the concealed sensor has been discretely secured. The system and sensor thus provides access to a vehicle that does not require the owner to carry a battery powered transmitter or rely on memorizing a numerical code.

Claims

1. A keyless entry system for actuating a door lock of a vehicle comprising:

a piezoelectric crystal attachable against a selected concealed surface of an outer panel of the vehicle for detecting a tap against only a discrete area of a limited size and for generating an electric output signal in response to each said tap;

actuating means electrically interconnectable between said sensor means and a control means of the door lock responsive to said electrical output signal for electrically activating the door lock for a preselected short time period sufficient to move the door lock from a locked into an unlocked position;

a substantially doughnut shaped vibration insulator and a rigid or semi-rigid flat disc positioned within a central aperture of said vibration isolator and against said piezoelectric crystal, said disc defining said discrete area.

2. A sensor for a keyless entry system which actuates a door lock of a vehicle when attached to a selected concealed surface of an outer panel of the vehicle, said sensor detecting a tap against only a discrete area of limited size which generates an electrical output signal in response to each said tap, said output signal controlling an actuating means which is electrically interconnected between said sensor and a control means of the door lock responsive to said output signal for electrically activating the door lock for a preselected short time period sufficient to move the door lock from a locked into an unlocked position, said sensor comprising:

a substantially flat piezoelectric crystal mounted against a substantially doughnut shaped, flat vibration insulator having a rigid or semi-rigid flat disc positioned within a central aperture of said vibration isolator and against said sensor, said disc defining said discrete area.

3. In an electrically actuated door lock of a vehicle including a lock control means for electrically activating the door lock to move the door lock between a locked into an unlocked position, the improvement comprising:

a sensor attached to a selected concealed surface of an outer panel of the vehicle for detecting a tap against only a discrete area of limited size and for generating an electric output signal in response to each said tap;

actuating means electrically interconnected between sensor means and the lock control means responsive to said electric output signal for opening the door lock;

said sensor including a piezoelectric crystal mounted against a substantially doughnut shaped, flat vibration insulator having a rigid or semi-rigid flat disc positioned within a central aperture of said vibration isolator and against said sensor, said disc defining said discrete area and being capable of transmitting vibration from each tap to said sensor.

4. A keyless entry system for actuating a door lock of a vehicle comprising:

a sensor attachable to a selected concealed inner surface of an outer panel of the vehicle, said sensor capable of generating an electric output signal in response to a tap against only a discrete area of the outer panel of limited size;

said sensor positioned against a vibration isolating layer having an exposed adhesive surface for attachment of said sensor to the outer panel;

a rigid or semi-rigid disc defining said discrete area and smaller in surface area than that of said sensor, said disc positioned within a central aperture of said vibration isolating layer whereby inadvertent and unauthorized activation of said system is substantially reduced;

an actuator electrically interconnectable between said sensor and a control circuit of the door lock responsive to said electrical output signal for electrically activating the door lock for a preselected short time period sufficient to move the door lock from a locked into an unlocked position.