Vehicle ignition and remote keyless entry assembly

• US 6,400,040 B1
• Filed: 03/03/2000
• Issued: 06/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Tang, Tom, Scudder, William H., Renuka, Sandyha, Campbell, Douglas L., Ghabra, Riad, King, Ronald O., Nantz, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Stephen W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Deberadinis, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US09/519,400
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 309/9.1, 309/10.2, 309/10.3, 309/10.6, 180/287, 340/425.5, 340/426
• US Class Current: 307/10.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2063 Ignition switch geometry
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture

Abstract

A vehicle ignition and remote keyless entry (RKE) assembly includes a key with an RKE transmitter and a first immobilizer coil. A key cylinder is configured to receive the key. A housing receives the key cylinder. A lightpipe is also received within the housing. An actuator is engageable with the key for connecting the key to a circuit board assembly. An RKE antenna insert molded into the housing or the lightpipe. A second immobilizer coil is insert molded into the housing or the lightpipe.

Claims

1. A vehicle ignition and remote keyless entry (RKE) assembly comprising:

a key including an RKE transmitter and a first immobilizer coil enclosed within a key body;

a key cylinder configured to receive the key;

a housing receiving the key cylinder;

a lightpipe housed within the housing;

an actuator engageable with the key for connecting the key to a circuit board assembly;

an RKE antenna insert molded into one of the housing and lightpipe; and

a second immobilizer coil insert molded into one of the housing and lightpipe.

2. The vehicle ignition and RKE assembly of claim 1, wherein said antenna and said second immobilizer coil are electrically connected with the circuit board assembly.

3. The vehicle ignition and RKE assembly of claim 1, wherein said lightpipe comprises an upper ring, and said second immobilizer coil is insert molded into the upper ring.

4. The vehicle ignition and RKE assembly of claim 1, wherein said housing includes a cylindrical portion and said RKE antenna is insert molded in the cylindrical portion.

5. The vehicle ignition and RKE assembly of claim 2, wherein said circuit board assembly includes ignition switch circuitry, RKE circuitry and immobilizer circuitry.

6. A vehicle ignition and remote keyless entry (RKE) assembly comprising:

a key including an RKE transmitter enclosed within a key body;

a key cylinder configured to receive the key;

a housing receiving the key cylinder;

a lightpipe housed within the housing;

an actuator connecting the key to a circuit board assembly;

an RKE antenna insert molded into one of the housing and lightpipe.

7. The vehicle ignition and RKE assembly of claim 6, wherein said antenna is electrically connected with the circuit board assembly.

8. The vehicle ignition and RKE assembly of claim 6, wherein said housing includes a cylindrical portion and said RKE antenna is insert molded in the cylindrical portion.

9. The vehicle ignition and RKE assembly of claim 7, wherein said circuit board assembly includes ignition switch circuitry and RKE circuitry.

10. The vehicle ignition and RKE assembly of claim 6, further comprising a first immobilizer coil enclosed within the key body and a second immobilizer coil insert molded into one of the housing and lightpipe.

11. A vehicle ignition assembly comprising:

a key including a first immobilizer coil enclosed within a key body;

a key cylinder configured to receive the key;

a housing receiving the key cylinder;

an actuator operative to connect the key to a circuit board assembly; and

a second immobilizer coil insert molded into the housing.

12. The vehicle ignition assembly of claim 11, wherein said second immobilizer coil is electrically connected with the circuit board assembly.

13. The vehicle ignition assembly of claim 11, wherein said circuit board assembly includes ignition switch circuitry and immobilizer circuitry.

14. The vehicle ignition assembly of claim 11, further comprising an RKE transmitter enclosed within the key body and an RKE antenna insert molded into the housing.

15. A vehicle ignition and remote keyless entry (RKE) assembly comprising:

a key assembly including a key, an RKE transmitter, and a first immobilizer coil;

a housing configured to receive the key;

a lightpipe housed within the housing;

an actuator operative to connect the key to a circuit board assembly;

an RKE antenna insert molded into one of the housing and lightpipe; and

a second immobilizer coil insert molded into one of the housing and lightpipe.

16. The vehicle ignition and RKE assembly of claim 15, wherein said key assembly comprises a key with a key body enclosing the RKE transmitter and first immobilizer coil.