[0001] The present invention relates to a mechanism for protecting a vehicle occupant from
a key that is inserted into a key cylinder when, for example, a collision occurs.
[0002] JP S61-80971 U describes a jackknife type vehicle key including a key case and a key plate that
may be folded into the key case. Since the jack knife key is formed to accommodate
the key plate in the key case, the key case is enlarged, that is, the size of the
jack knife key is increased. Thus, when the driver is driving a vehicle under a situation
in which the jackknife key is inserted into the key cylinder that is located near
the driver seat, precautions should be taken so that the jackknife key does not produce
a strong impact when the driver's knee or the like hits the jackknife key. For example,
a known structure includes grooves formed in opposite surfaces of the key plate. In
this structure, the key plate breaks at the grooves to absorb the load applied to
the key.
[0003] When forming grooves in the key plate as described above, the grooves serve to aid
breakage of the key plate. However, the grooves also lower the strength of the key
plate. Thus, there is a demand for a key that absorbs the load applied to the key
when a vehicle occupant hits the key that is inserted in the key cylinder, while also
obtaining sufficient strength for the key plate. Such a demand is not limited to jackknife
keys and also applies to other types of keys.
[0004] EP 2 071 105 A1 relates to a key according to the preamble of claim 1.
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism that protects a vehicle
occupant from the key when excessive load is applied to the key, while ensuring sufficient
strength for the key plate during normal usage.
[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a key according to claim 1 for protecting
a vehicle occupant from the key when the key is inserted into a key cylinder of a
vehicle. The key includes a key body and a key plate, and the key plate includes a
key plate body and a basal end fixed to the key body. A separation mechanism is arranged
in at least a portion of the basal end of the key plate. The separation mechanism
is thinner than the key plate body.
[0007] In this structure, when the key is inserted into the key cylinder, for example, if
a vehicle occupant hits the key and applies excessive load to the key, the separation
mechanism separates the key plate from the key body so that only the key plate remains
in the key cylinder. This reduces the impact produced when the vehicle occupant hits
the key body and protects the vehicle occupant from the key body. Further, the key
plate and the key body may be separated without forming grooves in the key plate.
This obtains sufficient strength for the key plate during normal usage. In this manner,
the mechanism protects a vehicle occupant from the key when the vehicle occupant hits
the key, while ensuring sufficient strength for the key plate during normal usage.
[0008] The separation mechanism includes a thin portion that is thinner than the key plate
body and located at the basal end of the key plate. Vehicle occupant protection and
sufficient key plate strength are both obtained with the simple structure of the thin
portion.
[0009] Preferably, the key plate body includes a groove that aids bending of the key plate
and is located proximal to the basal end of the key plate. In this structure, if an
excessive load is applied to the key when, for example, a vehicle occupant hits the
key that is inserted into the key cylinder, the key plate is first bent at where the
groove is formed. After the key plate is bent, the key plate is separated from the
key body. Thus, the key plate remaining in the key cylinder bends at the portion of
the grooves. This reduces the projection amount from the key cylinder. Thus, subsequent
to the separation of the key body, the key plate remaining in the key cylinder is
not an obstacle.
[0010] The thin portion includes a protrusion engaged with an engaged portion of the key
body. In this structure, the protrusion is engaged with the engaged portion, which
is located in the key body. This obtains sufficient coupling strength for the key
plate.
[0011] The protrusion is formed to deform and disengage from the engaged portion when load
is applied to the key. In this structure, the application of excessive load to the
key deforms only the key plate. This allows for smooth separation of the key plate
from the key body.
[0012] Preferably, the mechanism is applied to a jackknife type key in which the key plate
is pivotal about a pivot axis of the key body between a retracted position where the
key plate is accommodated in the key body and a projected position where the key plate
is projected from the key body. The jackknife key accommodates the key plate in the
key body and thus has a relatively large size. Thus, when the vehicle is being driven,
the knee of the like of a vehicle occupant (driver) may hit the jackknife key. The
application of this mechanism to the jackknife key increases the effect for protecting
the vehicle occupant when driving the vehicle even if a part of the vehicle occupant's
body hits the jackknife key.
[0013] When the key is inserted into the key cylinder that is located near the driver seat
of a vehicle, the present invention protects the vehicle occupant when excessive load
is applied to the key, while obtaining sufficient strength for the key plate strength
during normal usage.
[0014] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the
following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating
by way of example the principles of the invention.
[0015] The invention and referenced objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood
by reference to the following description of the presently preferred embodiments together
with the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1A is a plan view showing a jackknife key when a key plate is located at a retracted
position;
Fig. 1B is a plan view showing the jackknife key when the key plate is located at
a projected position;
Fig. 2 is a side view of the jackknife key;
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a basal end of a key plate;
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 3;
Figs. 5A to 5C are diagrams showing how the key plate is separated from a key case
when load is applied to the jackknife key that is inserted into a key cylinder; and
Fig. 6 is a partially enlarged view showing deformation at the basal end of the key
plate that has been separated from the key case.
[0016] One embodiment of a mechanism for protecting a vehicle occupant from a key will now
be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6.
[0017] As shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, a jackknife key 1 (folding key) includes a key case
2, a key plate 3, and a support 4. The key case 2 serves as a handle of the jackknife
key 1. The key plate 3 is flat and provided with grooves. The support 4, which is
a generally U-shaped coupling, pivotally couples the key plate 3 to the key case 2.
The key plate 3 is pivotal about an axis of the support 4 in the directions of arrows
A shown in Fig. 1A. More specifically, the key plate 3 is pivotal by approximately
180 degrees in the clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 1A. The jackknife
key 1 includes an operation button 5 arranged on the key case 2 and operated by the
driver to pivot and project the key plate 3 out of the key case 2. The jackknife key
1 is one example of a key. The key case 2 and the support 4 form one example of a
key body that is an element of the key.
[0018] As shown in Fig. 2, the key case 2 includes a key plate retainer 6, which is located
in one side of the key case 2. The key plate retainer 6 is slit-shaped and accommodates
the key plate 3. When the key plate 3 is accommodated in the key plate retainer 6,
operation of the operation button 5 causes the urging force of an urging mechanism
such as a spring in the key case 2 to pivot the key plate 3 and the support 4 by approximately
180 degrees about the axis of the support 4. This projects the key plate 3 out of
the key case 2. When the key plate 3 is projected, the key plate 3 may be manually
pivoted and folded in the opposite direction to return the key plate 3 to its original
retraction position.
[0019] Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the jackknife key 1 includes a vehicle occupant protection
structure that protects a vehicle occupant from the jackknife key 1, for example,
when the vehicle occupant strongly hits the jackknife key 1 that is inserted into
a key cylinder 7 (refer to Fig. 1B), which is located near the driver seat. The vehicle
occupant protection structure of the present example is formed so that the key plate
3 is separated from the key case 2 when the vehicle occupant strongly hits the jackknife
1. Further, the vehicle occupant protection structure is formed so that the projection
amount K (refer to Fig. 5C) of the key plate 3 remaining in the key cylinder 7 after
separation of the key case 2 is less than or equal to a specified amount. The key
cylinder 7 is an ignition cylinder arranged near the driver seat in the passenger
compartment.
[0020] Referring to Fig. 3, the support 4 includes a key plate socket 9. The key plate 3
includes a basal end 8, which is fitted into and fixed to the key plate socket 9,
and a key plate body 10, which includes the grooves. The basal end 8 has a smaller
width in the Y axis direction shown in Fig. 3 than the key plate body 10. A fastening
pin 11 fixes the key plate 3, which is fitted into the key plate socket 9, to the
support 4. The fastening pin 11 extends through the support 4 in the thicknesswise
direction of the support 4 (Z axis direction in Fig. 3). The fastening pin 11 is one
example of an engaged portion.
[0021] Referring to Fig. 4, the basal end 8 of the key plate 3 includes a seat 12 and a
thin portion 13. The seat 12 is accommodated in the key plate socket 9 without forming
any gaps with the key plate socket 9. The thin portion 13 is formed integrally with
the seat 12 but has a thickness Wb that is less than that of the seat 12 (key plate
body 10). The seat 12 is accommodated in the key plate socket 9 in close contact with
the walls of the key plate socket 9, and the seat 12 has a thickness Wa that is equal
to that of the key plate body 10. The thin portion 13 is located at the basal end
of the key plate 3 to facilitate removal of the key plate 3 from the support 4. The
axis of the thin portion 13 is aligned with the axis of the key plate body 10 (seat
12). The thin portion 13 is one example of a separation mechanism.
[0022] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the thin portion 13 includes a generally arcuate protrusion
14, which is engaged with the fastening pin 11. The protrusion 14 includes a generally
circular recess 15, which is proximal to the seat 12. The seat 12 of the basal end
8 is fitted into the key plate socket 9 and the protrusion 14 is engaged with the
fastening pin 11 to fix the key plate 3 to the support 4.
[0023] As shown in Fig. 4, the key plate 3 includes two grooves 16 formed in opposite surfaces
of the key plate body 10 proximal the basal end 8 of the key plate body 10. The two
grooves 16 aid the bending of the key plate 3. The grooves 16 each have a depth Wc
that allows the key plate 3 to be bent but resists breakage of the key plate 3.
[0024] The operation of the vehicle occupant protection structure will now be described
with reference to Figs. 5 and 6.
[0025] Referring to Fig. 5A, when the jackknife key 1 is inserted into the key cylinder
7, a predetermined load may be applied to the key case 2 from above. Referring to
Fig. 5B, the load bends the key plate body 10 at the portion where the two grooves
16 are formed. Then, referring to Fig. 5C, the bending of the key plate body 10 deforms
the thin portion 13 (protrusion 14). When the protrusion 14 is disengaged from the
fastening pin 11, the key case 2 is separated from the key plate 3.
[0026] The Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) includes an internal protrusion restriction
requirement to protect the driver. For example, when the jackknife key 1 is fitted
into the key cylinder 7 located near the driver seat and a predetermined load is applied
to the jackknife key 1, the ECE requires that the projection amount K of the key plate
3 remaining in the key cylinder 7 decrease to the specified value or less when the
key plate 3 is broken. In the present example, when excessive load is applied to the
key case 2, the key plate 3 is bent at where the grooves 16 are located. Thus, after
the key case 2 is separated, the projection amount K of the key plate 3 remaining
in the key cylinder 7 is decreased to less than or equal to the specified amount.
[0027] Fig. 6 shows the deformed shape of the thin portion 13 (protrusion 14) of the key
plate after separation of the support 4. The load deforms the protrusion 14 at the
tip of the thin portion 13 and disengages the protrusion 14 from the fastening pin
11. This separates the key case 2 that includes the support 4 from the key plate 3
and reduces the impact when the vehicle occupant hits the jackknife key 1.
[0028] The mechanism for protecting a vehicle occupant from a key in the present embodiment
has the advantages described below.
- (1) The basal end 8 of the key plate 3 fixed to the key plate socket 9 of the support
4 includes the thin portion 13 that is thinner than the key plate body 10. This facilitates
separation of the key case 2, which includes the support 4, from the key plate 3.
Thus, for example, if a vehicle occupant hits the jackknife key 1 when the jackknife
key 1 is inserted into the key cylinder 7 and applies excessive load to the jackknife
key 1, the thin portion 13 (protrusion 14) is deformed and disengaged from the fastening
pin 11. The key case 2 is separated from the key plate 3 so that only the key plate
3 remains in the key cylinder 7. This reduces the impact produced when the vehicle
occupant hits the jackknife key 1 and protects the vehicle occupant from the jackknife
key 1. Further, deep grooves are not used to break the key plate 3 and separate the
key case 2 from the key plate 3. This obtains sufficient strength for the key plate
3 during normal usage. In this manner, the mechanism for protecting a vehicle occupant
from a key in the present embodiment protects a vehicle occupant while ensuring sufficient
strength for the key plate 3.
- (2) The basal end 8 of the key plate 3 includes the seat 12 and the thin portion 13,
which is thinner than the seat 12. This facilitates the separation of the key case
2 from the key plate 3. Thus, vehicle occupant protection and sufficient strength
of the key plate 3 are both obtained through the simple structure that decreases the
thickness at a portion of the basal end 8 of the key plate 3.
- (3) If an excessive load is applied to the jackknife key 1 when a vehicle occupant
hits the jackknife key 1 that is inserted into the key cylinder 7, the key plate 3
is first bent at where the grooves 16 are formed. After the key plate 3 is bent, the
thin portion 13 is deformed. This separates the key case 2 from the key plate 3. In
this manner, the key plate 3 remaining in the key cylinder 7 is separated at the portion
of the thin portion 13. This reduces the projection amount K from the key cylinder
7. Thus, subsequent to the separation of the key case 2, the key plate 3 remaining
in the key cylinder 7 is not an obstacle. This also keeps the projection amount K
of the key plate 3 remaining in the key cylinder 7 to less than or equal to the specified
value and thereby satisfies the ECE requirement.
- (4) The arcuate protrusion 14 at the basal end (thin portion 13) of the key plate
3 is engaged with the fastening pin 11 of the support 4. This keeps the key plate
3 engaged with the support 4 and obtains sufficient coupling strength for the key
plate 3 and the support 4.
- (5) When excessive load is applied to the jackknife key 1 that is inserted into the
key cylinder 7, the shape of the fastening pin 11 remains the same. Only the thin
portion 13 (protrusion 14) of the key plate 3 is deformed when the key plate 3 is
separated from the support 4. This smoothly separates the key plate 3 and the support
4.
- (6) The jackknife key 1 accommodates the key plate 3 in the key case 2 and thus has
a relatively large size. Thus, when the vehicle is being driven, the knee of the like
of a vehicle occupant (driver) may hit the jackknife key 1. By using the vehicle occupant
protection structure of the present example for the jackknife key 1, the vehicle occupant
may be protected from the relatively large jackknife key 1 when driving the vehicle
even if a part of the vehicle occupant's body hits the jackknife key 1.
[0029] It should be understood that the present invention may be embodied in the following
forms.
[0030] In the above embodiment, voids are formed between the thin portion 13 and the walls
of the key plate socket 9. Instead, the support 4 may include a thick portion that
fills such voids.
[0031] The groove 16 may be formed in only one surface of the key plate 3. The grooves 16
may also be omitted.
[0032] The protrusion 14 does not have to be shaped as shown in the illustrated embodiment.
The protrusion 14 may have any of a variety of shapes as long as the fastening pin
11 may be engaged.
[0033] The engaged portion is not limited to the fastening pin 11 and may be any member
shaped to allow for engagement with the protrusion 14.
[0034] The thin portion 13, for example, may occupy the entire basal end 8.
[0035] The fastening structure that engages the protrusion 14 of the key plate 3 with the
fastening pin 11 of the support 4 may be omitted.
[0036] The separation mechanism may be located in the basal end 8 of the key plate 3 where
the width is less than that of the key plate body 10.
[0037] A pivotal portion may be replaced by any of a variety of couplings other than the
support 4.
[0038] The jackknife key 1 may be formed so that the operation for projecting the key plate
3 and the operation for retracting the key plate 3 are both performed manually.
[0039] The key does not have to be of a type (jackknife key 1) that pivots the key plate
3 when projecting and retracting the key plate 3 out of and into the key case 2. For
example, the key may be of a type that linearly moves the key plate 3 back and forth
when projecting and retracting the key plate 3 out of and into the key case 2.
[0040] The key does not have to be of a type that projects and retracts the key plate 3
out of and into the key case 2. For example, the key may be of a type in which the
key plate 3 is accommodated beforehand in the key case 2 like a wireless key.
[0041] The present examples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not
restrictive.
[0042] A mechanism that protects a vehicle occupant from a key when excessive load is applied
to the key while obtaining sufficient strength for a key plate during normal usage.
A support 4 pivotally couples a key plate 3 to a key case 2. The key plate 3 includes
a basal end 8 fitted into and fixed to a key plate socket 9 in the support 4. The
basal end 8 includes a thin portion 13 that is thinner than the key plate body 10
to facilitate separation of the key plate 3 from the support 4. The key plate body
10 includes two grooves 16 located proximal to the basal end to aid bending of the
key plate 3. When a jackknife key is inserted into a key cylinder and a vehicle occupant
hits and applies excessive load to the jackknife key, the key plate 3 first bends
along the grooves 16 and the thin portion 13 then deforms 13 thereby separating the
key plate 3 from the key case 2.
1. Schlüssel mit einer Schlüsselabstützung (4) und einer Schlüsselplatte (3), wobei die
Schlüsselplatte (3) einen Schlüsselplattenkörper (10) und ein basales Ende (8) aufweist,
das an der Schlüsselabstützung (4) fixiert ist, und der Schlüssel einen Trennmechanismus
aufweist, der in zumindest einem Abschnitt des basalen Endes (8) der Schlüsselplatte
(3) angeordnet ist, um einen Fahrzeuginsassen vor dem Schlüssel zu schützen, wenn
der Schlüssel in einen Schlüsselzylinder eines Fahrzeugs eingesetzt ist, wobei der
Trennmechanismus dünner ist als der Schlüsselplattenkörper (10),
wobei der Trennmechanismus einen dünnen Abschnitt (13) aufweist, der dünner als der
Schlüsselplattenkörper (10) ist und sich an dem basalen Ende (8) der Schlüsselplatte
(3) befindet,
wobei der dünne Abschnitt (13) einen Vorsprung (14) aufweist, der mit einem in Eingriff
stehenden Abschnitt (11) der Schlüsselabstützung (4) in Eingriff steht, wobei der
Schlüssel dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass
der Vorsprung (14) ausgebildet ist, um sich zu deformieren und sich von dem in Eingriff
stehenden Abschnitt (11) zu lösen, wenn eine Last auf den Schlüssel aufgebracht wird.
2. Schlüssel nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schlüsselplattenkörper (10) eine Nut (16) aufweist, die beim Biegen der Schlüsselplatte
(3) hilft, wobei sich die Nut (16) proximal zu dem basalen Ende (8) der Schlüsselplatte
(3) befindet.
3. Schlüssel nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schlüssel ein Klappschlüssel ist, in den die Schlüsselplatte (3) um eine Schwenkachse
der Schlüsselabstützung (4) herum zwischen einer zurückgezogenen Position, an der
die Schlüsselplatte (3) in dem Schlüsselgehäuse (2) beherbergt ist, und einer vorragenden
Position schwenkbar ist, an der die Schlüsselplatte (3) von dem Schlüsselgehäuse (2)
vorragt.