Valet key storage device

• US 8,138,887 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2008
• Issued: 03/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: Hirano, Morimichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mehravari, Peter
• Application Number:
  US12/244,682
• Publication Number:
  US 20090091421A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,265 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.22, 340/5.73, 340/5.7, 340/5.6, 340/572.1, 702/52, 703/87, 703/88, 703/89
• US Class Current: 340/5.73
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0073 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/248 Electronic key extraction prevention
• 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 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: E05B 81/08 using electromagnets or solenoids
• 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

Abstract

A valet key storage device includes a valet key storage portion for storing a valet key on which an engaging portion is formed, a locking portion provided with a locking mechanism for locking an ejection of the valet key by engaging with the engaging portion of the valet key, a key cylinder conducting a release operation of the locking mechanism by a mechanical key, and a control section for controlling an unlocking operation of the locking portion based on a release operation of an immobilizing function and the key cylinder by the mechanical key.

Claims

1. A valet key storage device housed in a vehicle having an engine comprising:

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

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

a valet key storage portion for storing the valet key on which an engaging portion is formed;

a locking portion provided with a locking mechanism for locking an ejection of the valet key by engaging with the engaging portion of the valet key;

a key cylinder for conducting a release operation of the locking mechanism by the mechanical vehicle key; and

a control section for controlling an unlocking operation of the locking portion based on the release operation of the locking mechanism by the mechanical vehicle key when an ID possessed by the mechanical vehicle key matches an ID of the vehicle.

2. The valet key storage device according to claim 1, wherein the locking portion has a locking bar provided corresponding to the engaging portion of the valet key so as to lock an ejection of the valet key from the valet key storage portion by entering the engaging portion of the valet key when the valet key is stored in the valet key storage portion, and a driving section for driving the locking bar.

3. The valet key storage device according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion of the valet key comprises a concave portion or an opening portion by which the valet key can be hooked onto an external projection body.

4. The valet key storage device according to claim 2, wherein the control section controls the driving section when the ID possessed by the mechanical vehicle key matches the ID of the vehicle so as to permit the ejection of the valet key from the valet key storage portion.

5. The valet key storage device according to claim 2, wherein the driving section is an actuator in which a solenoid is used.

6. The valet key storage device according to claim 2, wherein the locking bar has a slant which converts a force in a direction to store an end portion of the valet key into a force in a orthogonal direction when the valet key is stored in the storage portion.

7. The valet key storage device according to claim 4, wherein the control section imparts a valet function to the valet key when the ID possessed by the mechanical vehicle key matches the ID of the vehicle.

8. The valet key storage device according to claim 2, wherein the control section controls the driving section such that, when the ID possessed by the mechanical vehicle key matches the ID of the vehicle, a valet key ejection signal is outputted from a cylinder switch of the key cylinder based on the release operation of the locking mechanism by the mechanical vehicle key to displace the locking bar so as to allow the locking bar to release from the engaging portion of the valet key.

9. The valet key storage device according to claim 4, wherein the control section displaces the locking bar in a projecting direction by controlling the driving section when the valet key is taken out from the valet key storage portion and the vehicle is operated.

10. The valet key storage device according to claim 5, wherein the solenoid comprises a rod stored inside the solenoid and a spring arranged around the rod for imparting an spring load in a direction of the locking bar.