Key for a vehicle

• US 7,498,768 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2005
• Issued: 03/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Ahmed, Rizwan, Stoschek, Arne
• Primary Examiner(s): Ullah; Akm E
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAMADAN, RAMY O
• Application Number:
  US11/047,160
• Publication Number:
  US 20050166651A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,492 Days
• Field of Search: 320/101, 320/107, 320/108, 320/138, 290/1.E, 290/1.R, 322/3
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/406 Power supply in the remote key
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/00 Keys; Accessories therefor key modifications or attachments preventing removal from the lock E05B11/005; key rings A44B15/00; key cases A45C11/32; key holders A47G29/10; making keys, see the relevant places, e.g. B21D53/42; milling grooves in keys B23C3/35
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0058 by batteries
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0062 by generator
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0063 Energy transfer from key to lock, e.g. for emergency opening
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00579 Power supply for the keyless data carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00603 by power transmission from lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/65 Central control

Abstract

A key (1, 40) for a vehicle (10, 50), in which the key (1, 40) includes a battery (21) to store electrical power further comprises a generator (23) to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy, wherein the battery (21) is chargeable by means of power generated by the generator (23).

Claims

1. A key for a vehicle, in which the key comprises a battery for storage of electrical power, a generator to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy, an electrical contact to produce a connection with an electrical power supply of the vehicle, and a coupling device for coupling the battery with the generator and the electrical contact for charging the battery by the generator and/or the electrical power supply of the vehicle wherein the coupling device comprises diodes for de-coupling the generator from the electrical contact.

2. The key according to claim 1, wherein the key has a mechanical winding device to convert energy of motion to mechanical energy for the generator.

3. The key according to claim 2, wherein the mechanical winding device includes an energy accumulator to store mechanical energy.

4. The key according to claim 1, wherein the generator is implemented on an MEMS chip.

5. The key according to claim 4, wherein a mechanical winding device is implemented on the MEMS chip.

6. A key for a vehicle, comprising:

a battery for storage of electrical power,

a generator to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy coupled with the battery,

a receiver to produce an inductive connection with an electrical power supply of the vehicle, and

a coupling device for coupling the battery with the generator and the receiver for charging the battery by the generator and/or the electrical power supply of the vehicle wherein the coupling device comprises diodes for de-coupling the generator from the receiver.

7. The key according to claim 6, wherein the key has a mechanical winding device to convert energy of motion to mechanical energy for the generator.

8. The key according to claim 7, wherein the mechanical winding device includes an energy accumulator to store mechanical energy.

9. The key according to claim 6, wherein the generator is implemented on an MEMS chip.

10. The key according to claim 9, wherein a mechanical winding device is implemented on the MEMS chip.