Remote control key unit for small vehicle, remote control key system for small vehicle, and small vehicle

Abstract

 A remote control key unit (40) for small vehicle includes a key (41) to be inserted into a key cylinder (51) that is included in a small vehicle (1), a holder (42) supporting the key (41) and to be gripped by a user, an operation portion (44) held by the holder (42) and to be operated by the user, a transmitter (47), held by the holder (42), for generating, in response to an operation of the operation portion (44), a signal to be transmitted to a receiver (105) that is included in the small vehicle (1), and an antenna (45), held by the holder (42), for radiating radio waves of the signal generated by the transmitter (47). The antenna (45) is disposed at a position in the holder (42) that is not covered by a hand of the user when the user grips the holder (42) and operates the operation portion (44).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a remote control key unit for small vehicle, a remote control key system for small vehicle, and a small vehicle. A small vehicle refers to a vehicle with which, in an ordinary usage state, a key cylinder for starting is put in an externally exposed state. More specifically, it refers to a vehicle without a closed compartment that surrounds the exposed portion of the key cylinder. An example of a compact vehicle is a saddle type vehicle. A saddle type vehicle is a vehicle of a mode with which a rider rides in a straddling manner, and a typical example is a motorcycle. In terms of form, a motorcycle may be of any of a scooter type, moped type, off-road type, on-road type, etc. Also besides motorcycles, motor tricycles, ATVs (all-terrain vehicles), PWVs (personal water vehicles), snowmobiles, etc., also belong to the category of saddle type vehicles. Besides saddle type vehicles, sit-in type vehicles, such as SSVs (side-by-side vehicles) and golf cars, also belong to the category of small vehicles. A sit-in type vehicle is a vehicle having a roof or a door but does not have a window that can be closed and does not have a closed compartment.

2. Description of Related Art

[0002] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-82596 discloses an answerback system that includes an answerback controller provided in a motorcycle and a key for motor vehicle. The key for motor vehicle includes an answerback switch. The key for motor vehicle includes a holder portion, an operation portion of the answerback switch housed in the holder portion, and a key portion projecting from the holder portion. The operation portion is disposed near one corner portion of one surface of the holder portion and has a substantially triangular surface shape. An electronic circuit, including a storage portion storing an ID code and a transmitting portion transmitting the ID code in response to operation of the operation portion, is housed inside the holder portion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] With the prior art of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-82596, the positioning of the operation portion is designed to prevent power consumption due to wasteful operation of the operation portion. However, no consideration is made in regard to the radiation performance of radio waves radiated from the key for motor vehicle. The radiation of radio waves may thus be impeded by a user's hand and the radio waves may thus be shortened in range. A device at the vehicle side may thus become poor in response with respect to the operation of the key for motor vehicle.

[0004] With a focus on such an issue, the present inventors studied remote control key systems for small vehicle with an aim at improving the radio wave radiation performance without compromising operability and thereby arrived at the present invention. A detailed description shall now be provided.

[0005] The answerback function is a function for confirming communication between a remote control unit for motor vehicle and a motor vehicle. The answerback function is a convenient function for finding one' s vehicle in a parking lot. Especially when the function is used in a parking lot of low illumination, a user can readily specify the position of his/her own vehicle. The user who has specified the position of his/her own vehicle using the answerback function then inserts a key into a key hole. Therefore, when operating an operation portion for the answerback function, it is natural for the user to hold the remote control key unit for motor vehicle in an orientation suited for the insertion of the key into the key hole, which is the next operation. The present inventors considered the ordinary manner in which the key for motor vehicle is held, and based thereon, attempted improvement of the radio wave radiation performance of the remote control key unit for motor vehicle.

[0006] Specifically, with the key for motor vehicle described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-82596, it is natural for the user to hold the holder portion with his/her right hand with the key portion being directed toward the front and the operation portion being directed upward and operate the operation portion with his/her right thumb while viewing the operation portion. However, with the arrangement of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-82596, the operation portion is disposed at a front left corner portion and therefore when the user operates the operation portion with the right thumb, the entire holder portion is covered by the user' s hand. The transmitting portion is thus covered by the user's hand and the range of the radio waves generated from the transmitting portion may thus be shortened. Therefore, although preventing wasteful operation of the operation portion, there is still room for improvement in the prior art of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-82596.

[0007] A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a remote control key unit for small vehicle including a key to be inserted into a key cylinder that is included in a small vehicle, a holder supporting the key and to be gripped by a user, an operation portion held by the holder and to be operated by the user, a transmitter, held by the holder, for generating, in response to an operation of the operation portion, a signal to be transmitted to a receiver that is included in the small vehicle, and an antenna, held by the holder, for radiating radio waves of the signal generated by the transmitter, the antenna being disposed at a position in the holder that is not covered by a hand of the user when the user grips the holder and operates the operation portion.

[0008] With this arrangement, the antenna is disposed so as not to be covered by the hand of the user when the user operates the operation portion. The range of the radio waves radiated from the antenna is thus long and the radio waves can be made to reliably reach the receiver included in the small vehicle that is positioned within a predetermined range (design value). A remote control key unit for small vehicle that is capable of making the radio waves reach the predetermined range reliably while securing operability for the user can thus be provided.

[0009] Also, radio waves of a short wavelength region can be used because the antenna is not covered by the hand of the user. In this case, the antenna can be made small in accordance with the radio wavelength used. A leeway is thereby provided in the housing space inside the holder to enable the electronic circuit housed in the holder to be made advanced in function and/or the holder to be made compact in size.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the operation portion and the antenna are disposed side by side in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the key. The antenna can thereby be disposed so as not to be covered by the hand of the user when the operation portion is operated.

[0011] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the antenna is disposed so as to be positioned further to the left than the operation portion as viewed from the user when the user grips the holder with the tip of the key being directed forward and the operation portion being directed upward. Ordinarily when riding onto the motor vehicle, the user grips the holder with the tip of the key being directed forward in order to insert the key into a key cylinder. If in this process, the operation portion is to be operated before inserting the key into the key cylinder, the operation portion is ordinarily directed upward so that it can be recognized visually. Therefore, when the user holds the key unit in the ordinary manner, the hand of the user covers the right side of the holder. Therefore, if the antenna is disposed at the left side of the holder when the user holds the key unit in the ordinary manner, the possibility of the antenna being covered by the user's hand will be low. The radiated radio waves can thereby be made to reliably reach the receiver within the predetermined range.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the operation portion is disposed at a position enabling operation by the right thumb of the user when the user grips the holder with the right hand with the tip of the key being directed forward and the operation portion being directed upward. The operation portion can thus be operated readily by the right thumb when the user holds the key unit in the ordinary manner. Moreover, the antenna is disposed at the left side of the operation portion and therefore, the possibility of the antenna being covered by the user's hand is low. The radio waves radiated from the antenna can thereby be made to reliably reach the receiver within the predetermined range while securing ease of operation.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transmitter is arranged to make radio waves of a 2.4 gigahertz band be radiated from the antenna. By using the radio waves of the 2.4 gigahertz band, the antenna can be made small and a leeway is provided in the housing space inside the holder. It thus becomes possible to house an electronic circuit with advanced functions in the holder and make the holder compact. The receiving side antenna installed in the vehicle body may also be made small, thereby enabling the remote control key system to be constructed by positioning the receiving side antenna without stressing the installation space in the vehicle body.

[0014] A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a remote control key system for small vehicle including a remote control key unit for small vehicle having the features described above, a key cylinder into which the key is to be inserted, and a receiver for receiving a command signal generated by the transmitter and transmitted in the form of radio waves radiated by the antenna. With this arrangement, the radio waves radiated from the remote control key unit can be made to reliably reach the receiver within a predetermined range. A remote control key system for small vehicle can thus be provided with which communication by radio waves can be performed reliably between the remote control key unit and the receiver that are within the predetermined range while securing operability for the user.

[0015] The remote control key system for small vehicle according to a preferred embodiment further includes a control unit for actuating an actuator in accordance with the command signal received by the receiver. With this arrangement, remote control of the actuator by the remote control key unit can be performed.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the actuator includes a notification unit for calling the attention of a user by generating either or both of sound and light. With this arrangement, the notification unit can be actuated by remote control by the remote control key unit. Therefore, if the notification unit is included in the vehicle body, for example, the position of the motor vehicle can be confirmed by operation of the remote control key unit (so-called answerback function).

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the actuator includes a shutter driving unit for opening a shutter that covers the key cylinder. With this arrangement, the shutter can be opened to expose the key cylinder by remote control by the remote control key unit. The user can thus perform the operation of inserting the key into the key cylinder smoothly. That is, there is no need to operate a separate operation portion included in the vehicle body to open the shutter.

[0018] A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a small vehicle including a vehicle body holding the key cylinder and the receiver, a wheel mounted to the vehicle body, a seat mounted to the vehicle body and being for a rider to ride in a straddling manner, and a remote control key system for small vehicle having the features described above. With this arrangement, radio waves can be made to reliably reach the receiver included in the vehicle body that is within a predetermined range from the remote control key unit.

[0019] The above and yet other objects, features, and effects of the present invention shall be made clear by the following description of the preferred embodiments in reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] 

FIG. 1 is a left side view for describing the arrangement of a motorcycle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the motorcycle as viewed by a rider seated on a seat.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view for describing an arrangement of a key unit of the motorcycle.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the key unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing an ordinary manner in which a user holds the key unit.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a key shutter device and a key cylinder included in the motorcycle.

FIG. 7A and 7B are plan views for describing the internal arrangement of the key shutter device.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a portion of the key shutter device in a state where the key shutter is at a closed position.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram for describing the electrical arrangement of a remote control key system installed in the motorcycle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] FIG. 1 is a left side view for describing the arrangement of a small vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention and shows the arrangement of a motorcycle 1 that is an example of a saddle type vehicle.

[0022] The motorcycle 1 according to the present preferred embodiment is a scooter type motorcycle. The motorcycle 1 includes a vehicle body frame 2 and a seat 3 on which a rider sits. In the following description, the respective directions of front/rear, right/left, and up/down, etc., refer to directions as viewed by the rider seated on the seat 3. The vehicle width direction refers to the direction extending to the right and left of the vehicle body. In the figures, the symbol Fr indicates the front of the vehicle body.

[0023] The vehicle body frame 2 includes a head pipe 2a, a front frame 2b, and a rear frame 2c. The front frame 2b extends rearward and downward from the head pipe 2a. The rear frame 2c extends rearward from the front frame 2b. The seat 3 is disposed above the rear frame 2c.

[0024] The motorcycle 1 includes a front wheel 14 and a rear wheel 15 that are respectively disposed at the front side and rear side of the vehicle body. The front wheel 14 is rotatably supported by the lower end portions of a front fork 12. The front fork 12 is rotatably supported by the head pipe 2a. A handle 5 is provided at an upper end of the front fork 12.

[0025] The motorcycle 1 includes a power unit 7. The power unit 7 is disposed lower than the seat 3. The power unit 7 includes an engine 6 as a drive source and a transmission case 8. The transmission case 8 houses a power transmitting mechanism transmitting the power of the engine 6 toward the rear wheel 15 and supports the rear wheel 15. The power unit 7 is of a so-called unit swinging type and swings together with the rear wheel 15 in the up/down direction around a pivot shaft 10s. The power unit 7 is swingably supported by the vehicle body frame 2 via a link mechanism 10.

[0026] The motorcycle 1 includes a cover 11. The cover 11 is connected to a front portion of a foot board 4 and covers the front frame 2b. The cover 11 includes a front cover 16, an inner cover 17, pocket covers 18, a side cover 19, and a handle cover 21. The front cover 16 is mounted so as to cover the front sides of the head pipe 2a and the front frame 2b. The inner cover 17 is mounted so as to cover the rear sides of the head pipe 2a and the front frame 2b and is connected to the front cover 16. The handle cover 21 covers the handle 5 and is positioned above the inner cover 17.

[0027] A leg space 25, which is a space for placement of the legs of the rider seated on the seat 3 is defined between the seat 3 and the head pipe 2a in a side view. More specifically, the leg space 25 is defined behind the front cover 16 that covers the head pipe 2a, etc., and in front of the side cover 19 that covers the vehicle body below the seat 3. The legs of the rider are placed in the leg space 25, that is, behind the front cover 16. The motorcycle 1 includes the foot board 4 on which the rider places his/her feet. The foot board 4 is provided above the rear frame 2c.

[0028] The front cover 16 is provided with a front light unit 30. A headlamp that illuminates the front of the vehicle body is provided inside the front light unit 30. Front flashers 31 are provided at the right and left of the handle cover 21. A tail lamp 32 is provided behind the seat 3 at a tail portion of the side cover 19. A pair of rear flashers 33 are provided at the right and left of the tail lamp 32.

[0029] A remote control receiving unit 36 for remote control and a buzzer unit 37 that generates a buzzer sound are housed inside the front cover 16 and these are mounted on the vehicle body frame 2.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a front view of the motorcycle 1 as viewed by the rider seated on the seat 3.

[0031] The motorcycle 1 includes inner pockets 20. The inner pockets 20 are provided at a periphery of the head pipe 2a. More specifically, the inner pockets 20 are provided at the right and left sides of the head pipe 2a. The pocket covers 18 are connected to the front cover 16, extend rearward from the front cover 16, and define outer walls of the inner pockets 20. Each inner pocket 20 has an opening portion 20b opening upward. Small articles may be housed into the interior of each inner pocket 20 from the opening portion 20b.

[0032] A key shutter device 50 is provided further to the right than the center of the vehicle body and further to the inner side in the vehicle width direction than the right inner pocket 20. In FIG. 2, a key unit 40 is inserted in the key shutter device 50. The key shutter device 50 is a device for protecting a key cylinder included in the motorcycle 1. That is, the key shutter device 50 is arranged to close a key hole of the key cylinder and prevent access to the key hole when the motorcycle 1 is not being used.

[0033] The handle 5 includes a pair of grips 22 at the right and left sides. Of the pair of grips 22, the right side grip 22 is an accelerator grip for adjusting the output of the engine 6. Right and left brake levers 23 are respectively provided in front of the right and left grips 22. The handle cover 21 that covers the handle 5 has a meter unit 24 disposed at its central portion. A pair of rearview mirrors 26 are provided at the right and left of the meter unit 24.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a perspective view for describing the arrangement of the key unit 40. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the key unit 40 and FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing an ordinary manner in which a user holds the key unit.

[0035] The key unit 40 includes a key 41 that is to be inserted into the key cylinder of the motorcycle 1 and a holder 42 that supports the key 41 and is to be gripped by a user. The holder 42 is made up of a resin-molded article and is molded with the key 41 being inserted therein. That is, the key 41 and the holder 42 are made integral by insert molding. The holder has a flat, rectangular parallelepiped shape. The key 41 is coupled to a substantially central portion of the front side of the holder 42. The key 41 extends in a direction perpendicular to the front side and extending along a main surface of the flat holder 42. An operation button 44 is disposed near a corner portion of the front side that is the key 41 side of the holder 42. A penetrating hole 43 that penetrates through the holder 42 is formed in one corner portion of the rear side of the holder 42 opposite to the key 41. The penetrating hole 43 may be used when coupling to a key holder, etc. A magnetic key 46 is provided at the other corner portion of the rear side of the holder 42. The magnetic key 46 is made integral to the holder 42. The magnetic key 46 is used to put the key shutter device 50 in the open state manually. An antenna 45 for irradiation of radio waves is housed in the interior of the holder 42. The operation button 44 and the antenna 45 are disposed side by side along a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the key 41 (longitudinal direction of the key 41). Also in the present preferred embodiment, the antenna 45 is disposed in a band-like region extending in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the key 41.

[0036] The key unit 40 is a remote control key unit according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Also, the operation button 44 is an example of an operation portion to be operated by the user.

[0037] In the ordinary manner of use shown in FIG, 5, the user holds the holder 42 by gripping it with his/her right hand 39 in a state where the tip of the key 41 is directed forward and a main surface at one side of the holder 42 is directed upward as the upper surface. In this state, the antenna 45 is disposed further to the left than the operation button 44. To be more detailed, on the upper surface of the holder 42, the operation button 44 is disposed further to the right than the key 41, and the antenna 45 is disposed further to the left than the key 41. The user can operate the operation button 44 with the thumb 39T of his/her right hand 39. In this state, the antenna 45 is disposed at a position that is not covered by the right hand 39 of the user.

[0038] As best shown in FIG. 4, the holder 42 includes an upper housing 42U that is molded integral to the key 41 and a lower housing 42L that is combined with the upper housing 42U. The upper housing 42U and the lower housing 42L are fixed to each other by a bolt 38 in a mutually fitted state. The bolt 38a is inserted through an insertion hole 38 formed in the lower housing 42L and is fastened to the upper housing 42U. An opening 42a for exposing the operation button 44 is formed in the upper housing 42U. The upper housing 42U and the lower housing 42L define a housing space in the interior of the holder 42. An electronic circuit that makes up a transmitter 47 is housed in the housing section.

[0039] Specifically, a circuit part 47B is mounted on a circuit board 47A, whereby the transmitter 47 is arranged. A conductor pattern making up the antenna 45 is also formed on the circuit board 47A. Also, a switch 47C, operated by the operation button 44, is mounted on the circuit board 47A. The operation button 44 is formed integral to a waterproof cover 44C made, for example, of silicone rubber. The waterproof cover 44C covers the electronic circuit making up the transmitter 47, etc. and protects the electronic circuit from water entering from the opening 42a of the upper housing 42U. The circuit board 47A is further provided with a battery installation portion 49 for installing a battery 48 as a power supply. The battery 48 may be a button cell. A consumed battery 48 may be replaced as necessary by a new battery (unconsumed battery) by removing the bolt 38 and separating the upper housing 42U and the lower housing 42L. The battery installation portion 49 is disposed at a position at which it does not overlap with the antenna 45. That is, the battery installation portion 49 is disposed at a position such that the battery 48 that is installed in the battery installation portion 49 does not overlap with the antenna 45. Specifically, the battery installation portion 49 is disposed at the right side of the antenna 45 in the state where the main surface on which the operation button 44 is disposed is directed upward. Therefore the radio waves radiated from the antenna 45 are not blocked by the battery 48. The radio waves can thereby be made to reach a predetermined range as designed. Further, the radio waves can be made to reach the predetermined range as designed without making the key unit 40 large because the antenna 45 is disposed at the side of the battery installation portion 49.

[0040] The key cylinder that is protected by the key shutter device 50 is positioned in front of the seat 3 and further to the right hand side of the rider than the center of the vehicle body. The key cylinder is disposed lower than the handle 5. The user who intends to insert the key 41 into the key cylinder thus holds the key unit 40 with the right hand with the tip of the key 41 directed forward. Also, the user who intends to operate the operation button 44 holds the holder 42 with the main surface, on which the operation button 44 is disposed, directed upward. Consequently, the key unit 40 is held in the state shown in FIG. 5. In this state, the antenna 45 is not covered by the users hand and the radio waves radiated from the antenna 4 are thus not blocked. The radio waves can thus be made to reach the predetermined range as designed.

[0041] With the present preferred embodiment, when the switch 47C is operated through the operation on the operation button 44 of the key unit 40, the transmitter 47 generates a command signal and radio waves corresponding to the command signal are radiated from the antenna 45. The radio waves are received by the remote control receiving unit 36 provided at the vehicle body side of the motorcycle 1. In response to the receiving of the command signal, the remote control receiving unit 36 executes a so-called answerback operation. In the present preferred embodiment, the answerback operation includes blinking of the flashers 31 and 33, sounding of the buzzer unit 37, shutter opening operation of the key shutter device 50, illumination of the key hole, etc. The flashers 31 and 33 are an example of a notification unit that calls the attention of the user by generating light. Also, the buzzer unit 37 is an example of a notification unit that calls the attention of the user by generating sound.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the key shutter device 50 and the key cylinder 51. Also, FIG. 7A and 7B are plan views of the key shutter device 50. Further, FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the key shutter device 50. The key cylinder 51 has a keyhole 52 into which the key 41 of the key unit 40 is inserted. The key shutter device 50 is fixed to the key cylinder 51 so as to protect the key hole 52. The key shutter device 50 includes a housing 55 fixed to the key cylinder 51, a cover 56 combined with the housing 55, and a key shutter 57 disposed between the housing 55 and the cover 56. The key cylinder 51 has a cylindrical head portion. In FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, illustration of the housing 55 is omitted and the cover 56 is indicated by phantom lines.

[0043] The housing 55 includes a substantially disk-like upper surface portion 61 (see FIG. 8) and a side surface portion 62 (see FIG. 6) extending along the axial direction of the key cylinder 51 from an edge portion of the upper surface portion 61. A circular opening 63 (see FIG. 8), into which the head portion of the key cylinder 51 is inserted, is defined in the center of the upper surface portion 61.

[0044] A magnetic lock rotor 65 is rotatably coupled to a magnetic lock boss (not shown) provided on the housing 55. The magnetic lock boss has a plurality of recesses formed in its upper surface portion for respectively housing pairs of coil springs and cylindrical permanent magnets 67. The magnetic lock rotor 65 is formed to a cylindrical shape and a lower portion thereof is rotatably engaged with the magnetic lock boss. A recess portion 69 for insertion of the magnetic key 46 is formed in an upper portion of the magnetic lock rotor 65.

[0045] The housing 55 further has formed thereon a boss (not shown), which is for the key shutter 57 and projects towards the cover 56. The key shutter 57 is rotatably coupled to this boss. The key shutter 57 is disposed between the housing 55 and the cover 56 and is enabled to rotate in a horizontal direction around the boss between the housing 55 and the cover 56. More specifically, the key shutter 57 is rotatable between a closed position of being positioned above the key cylinder 51 and closing the key hole 52 (see FIG. 7B) and an open position of withdrawing from above the key cylinder 51 to open the key hole 52 and allow access to the key hole 52 (see FIG. 7A). The key shutter 57 is urged toward the open position by an unillustrated spring member.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, the key shutter 57 includes a cylindrical shaft portion 73 that is rotatably coupled to the boss formed on the housing 55 and a shutter plate 74 extending parallel to the upper surface portion 61 of the housing 55 from the shaft portion 73. The key shutter 57 further includes a lever 75 extending parallel to the upper surface portion 61 of the housing 55 from the shaft portion 73 in a direction different from that of the shutter plate 74 and an operation knob 76 provided at the tip of the lever 75. The key shutter 57 can thus be rotated around the shaft portion 73 by operating the operation knob 76. The key shutter 57 can thereby be rotated from the open position shown in FIG. 7A to the closed position shown in FIG. 7B.

[0047] The cover 56 is formed to be substantially circular in a plan view and is coupled to the housing 55 in a state where the key shutter 57 is interposed between the cover 56 and the upper surface portion 61 of the housing 55. In the cover 56, a first opening 81 for exposing the key cylinder 51 is formed at a position aligned with the key cylinder 51. In the present preferred embodiment, the first opening 81 is formed at substantially the center of the cover 56. A second opening 82 for exposing the magnetic lock rotor 65 is formed at a side of the first opening 81. Further, an arcuate slot 83 exposing the operation knob 76 of the key shutter 57 is formed at a side of the first opening 81. The operation knob 76 can be displaced within the slot 83 and the key shutter 57 can thereby be rotated around the shaft portion 73 from the open position (see FIG. 7A) to the closed position (see FIG. 7B).

[0048] As shown in FIG. 8, when the key shutter 57 is at the closed position, the key shutter 57 is positioned between the key cylinder 51 and the first opening 81 to close the first opening 81 and prevent access to the key cylinder 51 from the exterior.

[0049] A key hole illuminating unit 85 that illuminates a vicinity of the upper surface of the key cylinder 51 is provided at a side of the key cylinder 51. The key hole illuminating unit 85 may include a light emitting diode 85 as a light emitting unit. The key hole illuminating unit 85 is disposed so as to penetrate through an opening 86 formed in the upper surface portion 61 of the housing 55 and is mounted on the upper surface portion 61 of the housing 55. The key hole illuminating unit 85 illuminates a space between the upper surface of the key cylinder 51 and the cover 56. When the key shutter 57 is at the open position, a portion of the light emitted from the key hole illuminating unit 85 leaks out from the opening 81 of the cover 56 to a space at the outer side to help the user recognize the position of the key hole 52. The key hole illuminating unit 85 is thus an example of a light emitting unit that generates a light signal for making the position of the key hole 52 be recognized by the user.

[0050] As best shown in FIG. 6, a holding mechanism 90 is provided for holding the key shutter 57 at the closed position. The holding mechanism 90 includes a cam member 91 that is mounted on the side surface portion 62 of the housing 55. A solenoid 97 is coupled to the cam member 91. The cam member 91 is urged toward the key cylinder 51 by an unillustrated spring member. On the other hand, by energizing the solenoid 97, the cam member 91 can be displaced in a direction of separating from the key cylinder 51 against the spring force of the spring member. The solenoid 97 is an example of a shutter driving unit.

[0051] As best shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, a lock portion 77 that engages with a cam element 95 is provided at a tip of the shutter plate 74 of the key shutter 57. When the solenoid 97 is not energized, the cam element 95 is at a lock position (position indicated by solid lines in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B) at which it is engageable with the lock portion 77. On the other hand, when the solenoid 97 is energized, the cam element 95 withdraws from the lock position and moves to an unlock position (position indicated by phantom lines in FIG. 7B) due to displacement of the cam member 91. At the unlock position, the cam element 95 does not engage with the lock portion 77.

[0052] The magnetic lock rotor 65 has, on its outer peripheral surface, a projection 65A projecting in a direction parallel to the upper surface portion 61 of the housing 55. That is, the projection 65A projects in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the magnetic lock rotor 65. By rotating the magnetic lock rotor 65, the projection 65A can be made to contact the cam member 91 and the cam member 91 can further be swung in the direction of separating from the key cylinder 51. The cam element 95 can thereby be displaced from the lock position to the unlock position. The cam member 91 is spring-urged toward the key cylinder 51 and therefore when an external force is not applied to the magnetic lock rotor 65, the cam element 95 is at the lock position. That is, the cam element 95 can be displaced from the lock position to the unlock position by either energizing the solenoid 97 or engaging the magnetic key 46 with the magnetic lock rotor 65 to make the magnetic rotor 65 rotate.

[0053] In the present preferred embodiment, the cam element 95 has an inclined surface 100 as a cam surface on a front end surface (key cylinder 51 side) facing the shaft portion 73 of the key shutter 57. The inclined surface 100 is disposed so as to cross a movement path 101 (see FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B) of the lock portion 77 of the key shutter 57 when the cam element 95 is at the lock position. More specifically, when the key shutter 57 moves from the open position (FIG. 7A) to the closed position (FIG. 7B), the lock portion 77 moves through the arcuate movement path 101 centered around the shaft portion 73. In the movement process, the lock portion 77 contacts the inclined surface 100. That is, the inclined surface 100 is formed such that in regard to the direction of movement of the lock portion 77 when the key shutter 57 is displaced toward the closed position, the distance from the shaft portion 73 becomes shorter the further downstream in the movement direction.

[0054] When the key shutter 57 is rotated further toward the closed position from the state where the lock portion 77 contacts the inclined surface 100, the lock portion 77 moves along the inclined surface 100 and thereby pushes the cam element 95 to the outer side (direction of moving away from the key cylinder 51). The cam member 91 is thereby displaced in the direction of moving away from the key cylinder 51 and the cam element 95 withdraws from the lock position to the unlock position. When the lock portion 77 moves beyond the cam element 95 to the closed position, the engagement of the lock portion 77 and the inclined surface 100 is disengaged and the cam member 91 is displaced in the direction of approaching the key cylinder 51 again by the spring force of the spring member coupled to the cam member 91. A restricting surface 95a of the cam element 95 that is thereby returned to the lock position faces the lock portion 77 and engages with the lock portion 77. Return of the key shutter 57 to the open position is thereby restricted.

[0055] When the solenoid 97 is energized from this state, the cam element 95 is withdrawn from the movement path 101 of the lock portion 77 by the displacement of the cam member 91. The restriction of the lock portion 77 by the cam element 95 is thereby released and the key shutter 57 is rotated toward the open position by the spring force of the spring member coupled to the key shutter 57. The cam member 91 is also similarly displaced and the cam element 95 is withdrawn from the movement path 101 of the lock portion 77 by making the magnetic lock rotor 65 rotate instead of energizing the solenoid 97. The restriction of the lock portion 77 by the cam element 95 is thereby released and the key shutter 57 is rotated toward the open position in this case as well.

[0056] The key shutter device 50 is thus arranged such that it can be put in the closed state by manual rotational operation of the operation knob 76 by the user. The key shutter device 50 is also arranged so that it can be put in the open state by actuation of the solenoid 97 by remote operation by the key unit 40. The key shutter device 50 is arranged such that it can also be put in the open state manually by the user inserting the magnetic key 46 in the magnetic lock rotor 65 and performing a rotational operation.

[0057] FIG. 9 is a block diagram for describing the electrical arrangement of a remote control key system installed in the motorcycle 1. The remote control key system includes the key unit 40, the remote control receiving unit 36, and the key shutter device 50. The remote control receiving unit 36 includes a receiver 105, an antenna 106, and a control unit 107. The remote control receiving unit 36 includes a connector 108 for coupling a harness 110 that is routed inside the vehicle body of the motorcycle 1. The harness 110 is connected to a battery 111 included in the vehicle body and a main switch 112 included inside the key cylinder 51. Further, the harness 110 is connected to actuators such as the key hole illuminating unit 85, the solenoid 97, the buzzer unit 37, the front flashers 31, the rear flashers 33, etc.

[0058] When radio waves expressing the command signal are generated from the antenna 45 of the key unit 50, the radio waves are received by the receiver 105 via the antenna 106. The receiver 105 provides the command signal to the control unit 107. In response thereto, the control unit 107 executes the answerback control for actuating the actuators. Specifically, the control unit 107 may make the front flashers 31 and the rear flashers 33 blink to generate a light signal that notifies the user of the confirmation of the receiving of the signal from the key unit 40 and also notifies the position of the motorcycle 1. Also, the control unit 107 may make the buzzer unit 37 sound to generate a sound signal that notifies the user of the confirmation of the receiving of the signal from the key unit 40 and also notifies the position of the motorcycle 1. Also, the control unit 107 may actuate the solenoid 97 to release the restriction of the key shutter 57 by the cam member 97 and makes the key shutter 57 move to the open position. Yet further, the control unit 107 may energize the key hole illuminating unit 85 to illuminate the key hole 52 of the key cylinder 51. As mentioned above, the light from the key hole illuminating unit 85 leaks outside from the opening 81 of the cover 56 so that the user can thereby recognize the position of the key hole 52.

[0059] The transmitter 47 included in the key unit 40 may be arranged to generate a first answerback command signal when the operation of the operation button 44 is a short pressing operation of within a predetermined time. Also, the transmitter 47 may be arranged to generate a second answerback command signal when the operation of the operation button 44 is a long pressing operation that exceeds the predetermined time.

[0060] In this case, the control unit 107 of the remote control receiving unit 36 may be arranged to actuate the front flashers 31 and the rear flashers 33 and make the buzzer unit 37 sound in response to the first answerback command signal. That is, the remote control receiving unit 36 may be arranged to execute a vehicle position notifying operation of notifying the position of the motorcycle 1 to the user who may be far away from the motorcycle 1 in response to the first answerback command signal. Meanwhile, the remote control receiving unit 36 may be arranged to execute, in addition to the vehicle position notifying operation, a control operation of energizing the solenoid 97 and energizing the key hole illuminating unit 85 in response to the second answerback command signal. That is, the control unit 107 may be arranged to execute, in addition to the vehicle position notifying operation, a key hole access allowing operation of allowing access to the key hole 52 and making the user recognize the position of the key hole 52 in response to the second answerback command signal.

[0061] When looking for one's motorcycle 1 in a bicycle parking lot, the user performs the short pressing operation or the long pressing operation of the operation button 44 of the key unit 40. The front flashers 31 and the rear flashers 33 are thereby actuated and the buzzer unit 37 sounds so that the user can readily know the position of his/her vehicle. Upon arriving at or immediately before arriving at the motorcycle 1, the user performs the long pressing operation of the operation button 44 of the key unit 40. The key shutter 57 is thereby opened and the key hole 52 is illuminated. The user can thus readily access the key hole 52 and start the motorcycle 1 immediately.

[0062] In this series of operations, the user operates the operation button 44 of the key unit 40 and thereafter inserts the key 41 in the key hole 52. The user thus grips the holder 42 with the key 41 being directed forward and the operation button 44 side as the upper surface. Also, the key cylinder 51 is positioned at the right side with respect to the center of the vehicle body of the motorcycle 1 and it is thus ordinary for the user to hold the key unit 40 with the right hand in advance in preparation for the insertion of the key 41. The key unit 40 is thus held in the manner shown in FIG. 5 and in this state, the antenna 45 will not be covered by the user's hand. The range of the radio waves generated from the key unit 40 is thus not shortened and the radio waves can be made to reliably reach the remote control receiving unit 36 of the motorcycle 1 in the predetermined range (design value).

[0063] In the present preferred embodiment, the transmitter 47 of the key unit 40 is arranged to make radio waves of a 2.4 gigahertz band be radiated from the antenna 45. For example, the transmitter 47 makes a signal of a predetermined frequency be radiated repeatedly at predetermined time intervals from the antenna 45. More specifically, the transmitter 47 may make signals of three frequencies f1, f2, and f3 be radiated periodically and cyclically at predetermined time intervals from the antenna 45.

[0064] Radio waves of the 2.4 gigahertz band are short in wavelength and the antenna 45 connected to the transmitter 47 and the antenna 106 connected to the receiver 105 can be made small in size accordingly. A leeway is thereby provided in the internal space of the key unit 40 to enable housing of a circuit with more advanced functions inside the holder 42. Or, the holder 42 can be made compact. In addition, the receiver 105 and the antenna 106 can be made compact and the remote control receiving unit 36 can thereby be arranged compactly to enable the remote control receiving unit 36 to be installed readily using a limited installation section inside the motorcycle 1.

[0065] On the other hand, the 2.4 gigahertz band radio waves of short wavelength are readily blocked by a human body. Therefore with the present preferred embodiment, the antenna 45 in the key unit 40, which is held by the user, is disposed so as not to be covered by the user's hand. The radio waves from the key unit 40 can thereby be made to reach the remote control receiving unit 36 reliably while using the small antenna 45.

[0066] As described above, with the key unit 40 according to the present preferred embodiment, the antenna 45 is disposed inside the holder 42 so as not to be covered by the hand of the user when the user operates the operation button 44. The radio waves radiated from the antenna 45 can thus be made to reliably reach the remote control receiving unit 36 included in the motorcycle 1 that is positioned within the predetermined range (design value).

[0067] Also, the radio waves can be made to reach the predetermined range while using the radio waves in the short wavelength region of the 2.4 gigahertz band because the antenna 45 is not covered by the user' s hand. The antenna 45 can thereby be made small to provide a leeway in the housing space inside the holder 42. The electronic circuit housed in the holder 42 can thus be made advanced in function, and/or the holder 42 can be made compact.

[0068] In particular, in the key unit 40 of the present preferred embodiment, the operation button 44 and the antenna 45 are disposed side by side in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the key 41. More specifically, the antenna 45 is disposed so as to be positioned further to the left than the operation button 44 as viewed from the user when user grips the holder 42 with the right hand with the tip of the key 41 being directed forward and the operation button 44 being directed upward. Ordinarily when riding onto the motorcycle 1, the user grips the holder 42 with the right hand with the tip of the key 41 being directed forward in order to insert the key 41 into the key cylinder 51. Also, ordinarily in operating the operation button 44 before inserting the key 41 into the key cylinder 51, the operation button 44 is directed upward so that it can be recognized visually. Therefore, when the user holds the key unit 40 in the ordinary manner, the hand of the user covers the right side of the holder 42. Therefore with the present preferred embodiment, the antenna 45 is disposed at the left side of the holder 42 when the user holds the key unit 40 in the ordinary manner. The radio waves radiated from the antenna 45 can thereby be made to reliably reach the receiver 105 within the predetermined range.

[0069] Moreover, with the present preferred embodiment, the operation button 44 is disposed at the position at which it can be operated by the right thumb of the user when the key unit 40 is held by the right hand in the ordinary manner. The user can thus readily operate the operation button 44, and the antenna 45, which is disposed at the left side of the operation button 44, is not covered by the user's hand. The radio waves radiated from the antenna 45 can thereby be made to reliably reach the receiver within the predetermined range while securing ease of operation.

[0070] Also with the present preferred embodiment, the transmitter 47 of the key unit 40 makes radio waves of the 2.4 gigahertz band be radiated from the antenna 45 and the radio waves are received by the remote control receiving unit 36. By using the radio waves of the 2.4 gigahertz band, the antenna 45 of the key unit 40 can be made small so that a leeway is provided in the housing space inside the holder 42. It thus becomes possible to house an electronic circuit with advanced functions in the holder 42 and/or make the holder 42 compact. The receiving side antenna 106 installed in the vehicle body of the motorcycle 1 may also be made small, thereby enabling the remote control key system to be constructed by positioning the receiving side antenna 106 without stressing the installation space in the vehicle body of the motorcycle 1.

[0071] With a keyless entry system for a four-wheeled automobile, radio waves of a long wavelength region of approximately 300 megahertz to 500 megahertz are used. This is because radio waves of such a wavelength region is unlikely to be influenced by obstacles and can be made to be received readily by a receiver disposed inside a vehicle body. However, a large antenna is necessary for transmitting and receiving radio waves of a long wavelength. The limited housing space inside a key unit is thus greatly restricted due to the antenna. The antenna installed in the vehicle body is also large. Such a large antenna presents the problem of stressing the limited installation space in a saddle type vehicle, such as a motorcycle. Such a problem is resolved by using radio waves of the 2.4 gigahertz band.

[0072] Also with the present preferred embodiment, the remote control receiving unit 36 actuates the actuators to execute the answerback operation upon receiving the command signal from the key unit 40. Specifically, the remote control receiving unit 36 makes the flashers 31 and 33 blink and makes the buzzer unit 37 sound. The user can thereby make the remote control receiving unit 36 perform the answerback operation by remote control using the key unit 40 at a bicycle parking lot, etc. The user can thereby confirm that the communication between the key unit 40 and the remote control receiving unit 36 is performed normally and can also readily confirm the position of the motorbike 1.

[0073] Further with the present preferred embodiment, when the user performs long pressing of the operation button 44 of the key unit 40, the remote control receiving unit 36 energizes the solenoid 97 to make the key shutter 57 become open in addition to making the flashers 31 and 33 blink and the buzzer unit 37 sound. The key shutter 57 can thus be opened to expose the key cylinder 51 by remote control by the key unit 40. The user can thus perform the operation of inserting the key 41 into the key cylinder 51 smoothly. That is, there is no need to operate a separate operation portion included in the vehicle body to open the key shutter 57.

[0074] Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention may be carried out in yet other modes as well. For example, although with the preferred embodiment described above, a scooter type motorcycle is taken up as an example, the motorcycle to which the present invention is applicable is not restricted to a scooter type motorcycle and may be any of a moped type, off-road type, on-road type, etc. Although a motorcycle typically has two wheels, it may have three or more wheels. Further besides a motorcycle, the present invention may be applied to a saddle type vehicle of another mode, such as an ATV (all-terrain vehicle), etc., or to a sit-in type vehicle, such as an SSV (side-by-side vehicle) or a golf cart.

[0075] Also, although with the preferred embodiment, the motorcycle 1 having the engine 6 as the drive source is taken up as an example, the present invention may be applied to small vehicles having other forms of drive sources. Examples of other forms of drive sources include hybrid type drive sources that make combined use of an engine and an electric motor, and electromotive type drive sources that mainly use an electric motor.

[0076] While a preferred embodiment of the present invention have been described in detail, this is merely a specific example used to clarify the technical contents of the present invention, and the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to the specific example, and the spirit and scope of the present invention shall be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A remote control key unit (40) for small vehicle comprising:

a key (41) to be inserted into a key cylinder (51) that is included in a small vehicle (1);

a holder (42) supporting the key (41) and to be gripped by a user;

an operation portion (44) held by the holder (42) and to be operated by the user;

a transmitter (47), held by the holder (42), for generating, in response to an operation of the operation portion (44), a signal to be transmitted to a receiver (105) that is included in the small vehicle (1); and

an antenna (45), held by the holder (42), for radiating radio waves of the signal generated by the transmitter (47);

wherein the antenna (45) is disposed at a position in the holder (42) that is not covered by a hand of the user when the user grips the holder (42) and operates the operation portion (44).

2. The remote control key unit (40) for small vehicle according to Claim 1, wherein the operation portion (44) and the antenna (45) are disposed side by side in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the key (41).

3. The remote control key unit (40) for small vehicle according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the antenna (45) is disposed so as to be positioned further to the left than the operation portion (44) as viewed from the user when the user grips the holder (42) with the tip of the key (41) being directed forward and the operation portion (44) being directed upward.

4. The remote control key unit (40) for small vehicle according to Claim 3, wherein the operation portion (44) is disposed at a position enabling operation by the right thumb of the user when the user grips the holder (42) with the right hand with the tip of the key (41) being directed forward and the operation portion (44) being directed upward.

5. The remote control key unit (40) for small vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the transmitter (47) is arranged to make radio waves of a 2.4 gigahertz band be radiated from the antenna (45).

6. A remote control key system (40, 36, 50) for small vehicle comprising:

the remote control key unit (40) for small vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 5;

a key cylinder (51) into which the key (41) is to be inserted; and
a receiver (105) for receiving a command signal generated by the transmitter (47) and transmitted in the form of radio waves radiated by the antenna (45).

7. The remote control key system (40, 36, 50) for small vehicle according to Claim 6, further comprising a control unit (107) for actuating an actuator (31, 33, 57, 97) in accordance with the command signal received by the receiver (105).

8. The remote control key system (40, 36, 50) for small vehicle according to Claim 7, wherein the actuator includes a notification unit (31, 33, 57) for calling the attention of a user by generating either or both of sound and light.

9. The remote control key system (40, 36, 50) for small vehicle according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein the actuator includes a shutter driving unit (97) for opening a shutter (57) that covers the key cylinder (51).

10. A small vehicle (1) comprising:

the remote control key system (40, 36, 50) for small vehicle according to any one of Claims 6 to 9;

a vehicle body (2) holding the key cylinder (51) and the receiver (105);
a wheel (14, 15) mounted to the vehicle body (2);and a seat (3) mounted to the vehicle body (2) and being for a rider to ride in a straddling manner.

Drawing