Valet key storage device

• US 8,011,214 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2008
• Issued: 09/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: Seki, Yoshiyuki, Katagiri, Toshiharu
• Primary Examiner(s): GALL, LLOYD A
• Application Number:
  US12/203,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20090064740A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,099 Days
• Field of Search: 702/52, 703/89, 704/29, 704/56.R, 704/59, 702/781, 702/782, 704/14, 703/87, 703/88, 703/90, 70182-186, 206/37.1, 206/38.1, 206/37.5, 307 103- 106, 340/5.72, 340/5.73
• US Class Current: 70/252
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/241 whereby access privileges are related to the identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/248 Electronic key extraction prevention
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/04 in driver or passenger space , e.g. using racks B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/0005 Key safes E05B35/086 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0004 said core being linearly movable
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/026 the bolt moving rectilinearly
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/08 using electromagnets or solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00968 shape of the data carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/04 Access control involving a hierarchy in access rights
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5889 For automotive vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5956 Steering mechanism with switch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7757 Push or pull key operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7763 Key ejecting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7768 Key-removal preventing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8676 Key holders

Abstract

A valet key storage device, includes a valet key storage portion for storing a valet key having an opening, a locking bar for locking the valet key, a driving section for driving the locking bar to be inserted into the opening of the valet key, and a control section for controlling the driving section to insert the locking bar into the opening of the valet key or remove the locking bar therefrom.

Claims

1. A valet key storage system integrated within an automotive vehicle having an engine capable of being started by an engine switch, comprising:

a regular key for unlocking doors of the vehicle and starting the vehicle engine;

a valet key for unlocking doors of the vehicle and starting the vehicle engine, the valet key having an opening;

a valet key storage portion located in the body of the vehicle for storing the valet key;

an electronic control unit (ECU) including a control section that activates the engine switch from an operative state that does not allow the switch to start up the vehicle engine to an inoperative state that does allow the switch to start up the vehicle engine;

a locking bar for locking the valet key in the valet key storage portion;

a driving section for driving the locking bar into insertion with the opening of the valet key to lock the valet key in the storage portion and for removing the locking bar from insertion to unlock the valet key from the storage portion; and

the control section controlling the driving section to insert the locking bar into the opening of the valet key or remove the locking bar therefrom upon the actuation of a valet switch,

wherein both the regular key and the valet key include a transponder that communicates with the ECU to activate the engine switch.

2. The valet key storage system, according to claim 1, wherein:

the valet key storage portion is provided in a main body of the vehicle together with a concave portion for storing the locking bar, the concave portion communicating with the valet key storage portion.

3. The valet key storage system, according to claim 2, wherein:

the main body has an antenna which communicates with the valet key stored in the valet key storage portion.

4. The valet key storage system, according to claim 1, wherein:

the valet key and the control section have an immobilizing function, and the control section communicates with the valet key stored in the valet key storage portion in a predetermined period based on the immobilizing function.

5. The valet key storage system, according to claim 1, wherein:

the control section invalidates the ability of the valet key to start and unlock the vehicle when the valet key is removed from the valet key storage portion in a non-valet mode.

6. The valet key storage system, according to claim 1, wherein:

the locking bar has a columnar shape with a slant formed at a tip end thereof and is forcefully moved into a concave portion by contact of the slant with the valet key.

7. The valet key storage system, according to claim 1, wherein:

the driving section has a plunger rod connected with the locking bar at one end portion that drives the locking bar via an elastic force applied by an elastic member.

8. The valet key storage system, according to claim 7 further comprising a solenoid, wherein:

the plunger rod of the driving section is withdrawn against the force applied by the elastic member and released by the solenoid.

9. The valet key storage system, according to claim 3, wherein:

the valet key storage portion has a stopper supported by an elastic member on a bottom surface of the valet key storage portion, the elastic member being compressed by the stopper when the valet key is stored in the valet key storage portion, and the valet key being locked by the locking bar inserted in the opening of the valet key, while one end of the valet key is projected from the valet key storage portion in accordance with an elastic force of the elastic member when the valet key is unlocked.

10. The valet key storage system, according to claim 3, wherein:

the control section shifts the valet key storage system into a valet mode when the valet switch is turned on to supply a valet switch-on signal to the control section, and an ID possessed by the regular key of the vehicle and an ID of the vehicle are certified by an immobilizing function of the control section.