Description:An electronic wireless key fob (10), hereinafter referred to as a ‘key fob (10)’ is disclosed. The key fob (10) may be used as a keyless entry system for a vehicle. The key fob (10) may be used to lock or unlock the vehicle wirelessly. The key fob (10) may have other functionalities as required. For example, in some embodiments, the key fob (10) may have a dedicated button to open dickey of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the key fob (10) may have a dedicated button for switching on air conditioning in the vehicle. Any suitable button and/or functionality may be incorporated in the key fob (10) as desirable.
The key fob (10) as disclosed herein holds a mechanical key (14). The mechanical key can be used to access entry to the vehicle in situations in which the wireless unit of the key fob (10) does not work. The mechanical key (14) is at least partially received in the housing (12), and secured in the housing of the key fob (10). A push button (30) is provided on the key fob (10) for manually pushing the push button (30) for releasing the mechanical key (14). The mechanical key (14) can be extracted from the key fob (10) by pushing the push button (30) in a second direction opposite to the first direction along the first axis (16), and pulling the mechanical key (14) out of the key fob (10) in the first direction. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the mechanical key (14) and push button (30) are configured to move along the same longitudinal axis.
FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a key fob (10) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The key fob (10) has a housing (12) that holds a mechanical key (14). The mechanical key (14) is at least partially received in the housing (12). The mechanical key (14) can be removed from the housing by extracting the mechanical key (14) in a first direction along a first axis (16). The first axis (16) (marked in FIG. 11) may be the longitudinal axis of the key fob (10). FIG. 3 illustrates the mechanical key after removing from the housing (12) of the key fob (10). Whereas FIG. 2 illustrates the key fob (10) with the mechanical key (14) removed from the housing (12) of the key fob (10).
As shown in FIG. 3, the mechanical key (14) has a bow (18), a shoulder (20) and a blade (22). When the mechanical key (14) is inserted into the housing (12), the bow (18) and the shoulder (20) form part of the housing (12) of the key fob (10). The mechanical key (14) may be designed such that upon mating with the remaining housing (12) of the key fob (10), the mechanical key (14) integrates with the overall outer design of the key fob (10). In the embodiment as shown in FIGs. 1-3, when the mechanical key (14) is inserted in the housing (12), the bow (18) and shoulder (20) of the mechanical key (14) form part of the outer housing (12) of the key fob (10).
The bow (18) has a hole (22) which can be used to attach a key ring (not shown) to the key fob (10) or the mechanical key (14). Whereas, as shown in FIG. 1, when the mechanical key (14) is held in the key fob (10), the shoulder (20) of the mechanical key (14) forms part of one top-side corner of the key fob (10). As shown in FIGs. 1-3, the key fob (10) is substantially cuboidal shape with curved outer edges.
As shown in FIGs. 1-2, the bow (18) of the mechanical key (14) is partially received in a top face (26) of the cuboidal key fob (10). As shown, the blade (22) of the mechanical key (14) may be entirely received and concealed in the housing of the key fob (10). The housing (12) may have a sheathe (28) to receive the blade (22) of the mechanical key (14).
FIG. 4 illustrates the mechanism for locking and unlocking the mechanical key (14) from the key fob (10). Once locked, the mechanical key (14) is securely held in the key fob (10), and once unlocked the mechanical key (14) can be separated from the key fob (10). The mechanism may include the mechanical key (14) as shown in FIG. 5, a push button (30) as shown in FIG. 6, a pawl (32) as shown in FIG. 7, and the housing (12) of the key fob (10) that supports the push button (30), the pawl (32) and the mechanical key (14). Configuration and working of different elements of the mechanism is described later herein.
The pawl (32) is movably disposed in the housing (12). The pawl (32) is configured to move along its longitudinal axis, hereinafter referred to as the second axis (34) (marked in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10). The second axis (34) may be orthogonal to the first axis (16). The pawl (32) may be movable between a locking position and an unlocking position. The pawl (32) may have guides to guide the movement of the pawl (32) along the second axis (34). Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, guides may include two lateral guides (36). The lateral guides (36) of the pawl (32) are movably supported in the housing (12) for guiding the movement of the pawl (32) in the housing (12). The guide may further include a vertical guide (38). The vertical guide (38) at the bottom (64) of the pawl (32) is supported movably in the housing (12). FIG. 8 illustrates a cross section view of the upper portion of the key fob (10) along the line 8-8 of FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 8, the guides of the pawl (32) are supported by the housing (12) to restrain any movement in pawl (32) except the linear movement along the second axis (34). The guides slide against the housing (12) to guide the linear movement of the pawl (32) between the lock position and the unlock position. The guides and the housing (12) ensure that there is no movement of the pawl (32) in any direction orthogonal to the second axis (34).
A pawl (32) includes a rail (40) on its top portion. The rail (40) may be in form of an elongated plate extending vertically from the body of the pawl (32) along the second axis (34) as shown in FIG. 7. The rail (40) may be partially received in a corresponding groove (42) in the bow (18) of the mechanical key (14) as described later herein.
As shown in FIG. 7, the pawl (32) has a spring support (44) at its first end (54) along the second axis (34). One end of a coil spring receives the spring support (44) to securely hold the spring against the pawl (32). The pawl (32) further as a spring guide (46) below the spring support (44). The spring guide (46) is in form of an elongated rod along the second axis (34) that abuts and supports a side face the spring to prevent buckling of the spring upon compression. The spring may push the pawl (32) against the housing (12) to bias the pawl (32) towards the lock position.
Further, the rail (40) may have a lug (48) extending from a side surface of the rail (40). The lug (48) is configured to engage a hook (50) in the mechanical key (14) to lock the mechanical key (14) in the key fob (10) as described later herein. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the lug (48) is substantially of an inverted ‘L’ shape. Further, a top right corner of the lug (48) has a first inclined surface (52). The first inclined surface (52) acts as a wedge shaped cam. Due to the cam action of the first inclined surface (52), the pawl (32) moves when the hook (50) approaches the lock position as described later herein.
The second end (56) of the pawl (32) along second axis (34) has a cam slot (58). The cam slot (58) is configured for engaging the push button (30) as shown in FIG. 4. When the push button (30) is pushed, the cam slot (58) converts the direction of motion orthogonally and moves the pawl (32) linearly.
The push button (30) at its bottom (64) is provided with cam ridge (60) corresponding to the cam slot (58). As shown in FIG. 6, the bottom (64) of the push button (30) is provided with cam ridge (60) corresponding to the cam slot (58) of the pawl (32). The bottom (64) of the push button (30) is provided with the cam ridge (60) that is received in the cam slot (58) of the pawl (32). As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the cam ridge (60) and the cam slot (58) are symmetrically provided on either side of the push button (30) and the pawl (32), respectively. The dual working surface along with the cam ridge (60) and the cam slot (58) ensure that the push button (30) and the pawl (32) remain engaged and do not separate during operation. Further, the slot and ridge type wedge cam engagement on the pawl (32) and the push button (30) ensures aligned and smooth operation of the push button (30) with the pawl (32). Further, as the pawl (32) is biased towards the lock position, the pawl (32) also keeps the push button (30) biased upwards towards its normal resting position, i.e. lock position. Therefore, the push button (30) remains upwards until pushed by the user.
The push button (30), as shown in FIG. 6, has a head (62) and the bottom (64). The head (62) is configured for being engaged by a finger of the user for pushing the push button (30). Pushing the push button (30) along the second direction actuates the pawl (32) along the second axis (34). As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the head (62) of the push button (30) is made flush with the outer surface of the housing (12). The outer surface of the housing (12) around the push button (30) is formed by the bow (18), and the housing (12). Thus the push button (30) is placed adjacent to the bow (18) of the mechanical keys (14). Making the head (62) of the push button (30) flush with the surrounding surface makes the overall design of the push button (30) integrate with the other surrounding portions of the housing (12).
The bottom (64) of the is as described hereinbefore. In addition, the bottom (64) has a stopper (66) to limit upward movement of the push button (30). The stopper (66) engages with the housing (12) on the top surface of the stopper (66) to limit upward movement of the push button (30), as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 9-10.
The bow (18) at its bottom portion is provided with required provisions to work with the pawl (32). As shown in FIG. 5, the bow (18) has a spring casing (68), a hook (50), a lug slot (70), and the groove (42). The bow (18) may also have a support slot (72) for receiving an extension (76) of the housing (12) to support on end of the spring against the housing (12). Thus, the spring is supported between the extension (76) (marked in FIG. 2) and the spring support (44) of the pawl (32).
The spring casing (68) is a hald cylindrical surface to support the spring from the upper side. As shown in FIG. 4, the spring casing (68) and the spring guide (46) ensure that the spring remains in position and works as intended to bias the movement of the pawl (32) towards the lock position.
The lug slot (70) is configured to accommodate the lug (48) when the mechanical key (14) along with the bow (18) is inserted into the key fob (10) while the rail (40) is partially received in the groove (42), as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.
The hook (50) extends from the body of the bow (18). The hook (50) extends into the lug slot (70) to engage the lug (48) when the lug (48) enters the lug slot (70). The hook (50) may be a ‘L’ shaped hook (50), that is configured for engagement with the inverted ‘L’ shaped lug (48) of the pawl (32). As shown in FIGs. 4-5, the hook (50) may have a second inclined surface (74) at its bottom portion. The second inclined surface (74) engages and works with the first inclined surface (52) of the lug (48) in a cam action to move the lug (48) and the pawl (32) towards the unlock position when the mechanical key (14) is pushed into the key fob (10), so that the lug (48) moves to unlock position and does not block insertion of the lug (48) into the lug slot (70) when the mechanical key (14) is inserted into the key fob (10). Thus, simple pushing of the bow (18) of the mechanical key (14) into the key fob (10) makes the pawl (32) move towards the release or unlock position, allowing entering the log into the lug slot (70). Then once the hook (50) passes past the lug (48), the pawl (32) along with the lug (48) is moved back to the lock position under the biasing force and the lug (48) locks upward movement of the hook (50) to lock the mechanical key (14) with the key fob (10).
Working of the mechanism is explained hereinafter. FIG. 9 illustrates the mechanism in the lock position, i.e. when the mechanical key (14) is secured into the key fob (10). As illustrated, the lock position, the lug (48) is received in the lug slot (70), and the lug (48) engages the hook (50) to block release of the mechanical key (14) from the key fob (10).
For releasing the mechanical key (14) from the key fob (10), a user may push the push button (30). Upon pushing the push button (30), as shown in FIG. 10, the pawl (32) moves to unlock position and the lug (48) disengages from the hook (50) to release the mechanical key (14) from the key fob (10). While the button is pushed, the user may pull out the mechanical key (14) from the key fob (10) by holding the bow (18) of the mechanical key (14). In an embodiment, a spring may be provided in the housing (12) to bias the mechanical key (14) for release, such that when a user presses the push button (30) the mechanical key (14) moves partially away from the key fob (10) to be grabbed by the user. Upon releasing the push button (30), the push button (30) may return to lock position under spring force acting through the pawl (32).
For securing the mechanical key (14) back into the key fob (10), a user may simply align the blade (22) of the mechanical key (14) with the sheathe (28) formed in the housing (12), and insert the mechanical key (14) into the key fob (10). As the bow (18) approaches the pawl (32) in the key fob (10), the second inclined surface (74) on the hook (50) will engage the first inclined surface (52) of the lug (48) and move the lug (48) towards unlock position. Upon further inward movement of the mechanical key (14), the hook (50) will pass through the lug (48) and the lug (48) will move towards the lock position to engage the hook (50) and lock the mechanical key (14) into the key fob (10).
The key fob (10) as disclosed herein holds the mechanical key (14) securely. The configuration of the mechanism as disclosed herein allows for placement of the push button (30) on the top surface of the key fob (10) leaving the other surfaces of the key fob (10) for placement of other buttons or features. Further, the push button (30) is easy to engage and operate as compared to a slide button. In the key fob (10) as disclosed herein, the mechanical key (14) and the push button (30) move along the same first axis (16) for securing or releasing of the mechanical key (14) from the key fob (10). The mechanical key (14) can be extracted by pulling the mechanical key (14) in a first direction along the first axis (16), and the push button (30) can be pushed in a second direction opposite to the first direction for releasing of the mechanical key (14) from the key fob (10). Further, as the push button (30) can be placed right next to the bow (18) of the mechanical key (14). Thus, the button for removal of mechanical key (14) can be placed separately from other buttons or features on the key fob (10). This makes it less likely that a user will mistake the button for removal of mechanical key (14) with other button or features on the key fob (10). Further, the placement of button to be moved along the longitudinal axis of the key fob (10) also prevents accidental pressing of the push button (30) when the key fob (10) is placed in pocket. Further, the movement of the push button (30) along the direction of release of the mechanical key (12) makes the key release button placement intuitive for the user.
Further, in the mechanism as disclosed herein, the entire mechanism can be concealed inside the housing (12) while leaving only a small button exposed on the outer surface of the key fob (10). The key fob (10) as disclosed herein provides for a compact assembly of key fob (10).
Further, the configuration as disclosed herein allows for placement of the key release button next to the bow (18) of the key while still allowing long lateral length of the bow (18), making the use and operation of mechanical key (14) convenient for a user.
Further, the mechanism as disclosed herein also provides for a tactile and a sound feedback when the push button (30) is operated, improving the overall user experience of removing and securing the mechanical key (14) of the key fob (10).
, C , C , C , Claims:1. A key fob (10) holding a mechanical key (14), the electronic key fob (10) comprising:
a housing (12);
a mechanical key (14) at least partially disposed in the housing (12), the mechanical key (14) removable from the housing (12) by extracting the mechanical key (14) from the housing (12) in a first direction along a first axis (16);
a mechanism for locking and unlocking the mechanical key (14) into the housing (12); and
a push button (30) for actuation of the mechanism for unlocking of the mechanical key (12), wherein the push button (30) is configured to move along the first axis (16) for actuation of the mechanism.

2. The key fob (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the push button (30) is pushed in a second direction opposite to the first direction for extraction of the mechanical key (14).

3. The key fob (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mechanism comprises:
a pawl (32) disposed movably in the housing (12), the pawl (32) movable along a second axis (34) orthogonal to the first axis (16) between a lock position to block movement of the mechanical key (14) in the first direction and an unlock position to unblock the movement of the mechanical key (14) in the first direction; and
the push button (30) for actuation of the pawl (32) from the lock position to the unlock position.

4. The key fob (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the push button (30) actuates the pawl (32) by a wedge cam mechanism.
5. The key fob (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mechanical key (14) comprises a bow (18) partially exposed outside the housing (12) and the push button (30) is positioned adjacent to the bow (18).
6. The key fob (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the pawl (32) is biased towards the lock position.
7. The key fob (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the pawl (32) comprises a lug (48) and the bow (18) comprises a hook (50), and the lug (48) engages the hook (50) in the lock position to retain the mechanical key (14) on the key fob (10).
8. The key fob (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the wedge cam mechanism comprises:
a cam slot (58) on the pawl (32);
a cam ridge (60) on the push button (30); and
wherein the cam ridge (60) engages the cam slot (58) for converting the direction of motion of the push button (30) along the first axis (16) into along the second axis (34) orthogonal to the first axis (16).
9. The key fob (10) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pawl (32) has a spring support (44) and a spring guide (46) to support a spring for biasing the pawl (32) towards the lock position.
10. The key fob (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the housing (12) guides the movement of the pawl (32) along the second axis (34), and restricts any movement of the pawl (32) in any direction orthogonal to the second axis (34).