[0001] The invention relates to a device for keyless locking and unlocking of motor vehicle
doors, comprising a remote control with a transmitter, a control element located in
the motor vehicle, said control element controlling the respective locking mechanism
of the door, and a receiving aerial associated with the control element.
[0002] Already many motor vehicles are equipped with devices of the type mentioned above.
[0003] It is the object of the present invention to create a device of the type mentioned
in the introduction, which comprises a particularly powerful aerial for receiving
ultra high frequency transmission signals.
[0004] In a generic device this object is met in that the receiving aerial is arranged in
at least one of the control stalks of the motor vehicle. The geometry of usual control
stalks makes it possible to accommodate an aerial which is particularly suitable for
the frequency range of interest here.
[0005] According to an advantageous embodiment, preferably a conductive structure present
within the control stalk forms part of a receiving aerial. For example if the control
stalks themselves or their support structure is conductive, they can be used as aerial
elements by galvanic or capacitive coupling. Furthermore it is possible to use already
existing electrical cables within the stalks as an aerial.
[0006] By contrast, where the control stalks are made of plastic, an alternative embodiment
provides for a conductive structure to form a receiving aerial which is embedded therein.
[0007] Below, the invention is explained in detail by means of a drawing showing one embodiment,
as follows:
- Fig. 1
- is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with a device according to the invention;
and
- Fig. 2
- is a diagrammatic front view of a steering wheel with two control stalks arranged
on it.
[0008] Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle equipped with a remote-control device 1 for locking
and unlocking the vehicle doors 2. The battery-operated remote-control device comprises
a transmitter with control electronics and comprises a lock button as well as an unlock
button. The remote control device transmits ultra high frequency signals.
[0009] In the vehicle, a receiving aerial is arranged which receives the transmission signals
of the remote control device 1 and conveys them to a control element. The control
element locks or unlocks the locks of the vehicle doors 2, depending on which button
3 of the remote control device 1 was activated.
[0010] Fig. 2 shows the steering wheel 4 of the vehicle. As shown diagrammatically, the
receiving aerial 5 is arranged in the control stalks 6, 7 which are themselves arranged
on the steering wheel 4. Due to their layout, the control stalks 6, 7 make it possible
to accommodate a powerful receiving aerial for the UHF range.
[0011] The left control stalk 7 serves to activate the turn signal indicator, while the
right control stalk 6 among other things serves to operate the windscreen wipers.
Both control stalks 6, 7 are made of plastic and comprise an aerial conductor 5 which
has been injection moulded into each of them.
[0012] Often, the control stalks also incorporate electrical switches (not shown) such as
e.g. a cruise control switch or an interval switch for the rear windscreen wiper.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrical cables leading
to such switches can be additionally used as aerial elements if required.
1. A device for keyless locking and unlocking of motor vehicle doors, comprising a remote
control with a transmitter, a control element located in the motor vehicle, said control
element controlling the respective locking mechanism of the door, and a receiving
aerial associated with the control element, characterised in that the receiving aerial
(5) is arranged in at least one of the control stalks (6, 7) of the motor vehicle.
2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that a conductive structure present
within the control stalk (6, 7) forms part of a receiving aerial.
3. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the control stalks (6, 7) are
made of plastic, with a conductive structure to form a receiving aerial (5) being
embedded in them.
