EP2808847A1 - Electronic key - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic key (1; 101) having a functional body (6; 106) designed to house electrical and electronic components and shaped like a housing, and at least one key element (5; 105) attached to the functional body (6; 106) , A solution is to be created by the structurally simple way an electronic key is provided, which ensures better comfort and at the same time a simple and flawless operation. This is achieved in that a cover (2, 102) is releasably locked to the functional body (6, 106) by means of a locking mechanism (14, 114) and at least the upper side (7, 107) and / or the lower side (8, 108). the functional body (6, 106) covers the entire surface.

Description

The invention is directed to an electronic key, comprising a functional body which is used to accommodate electrical and electronic components and has a housing-shaped design, and at least one key element which is attached to the functional body.

An electronic key of the type described is, for example, from the DE 101 21 045 A1 known, which refers to an electronic key housing. The housing in this case consists of an upper shell and a lower shell, wherein the upper shell has a recess in which a key element is inserted with individual keys. Inside the housing, electrical and electronic components are arranged on a circuit board. By the key element can be actuated as a switching element component on the board. Such a known electronic key is now commonly used in motor vehicles and is used to make it easier and more comfortable to open or close doors and / or a trunk of the motor vehicle. However, the electronic keys known from the prior art have the disadvantage that they are not user-friendly and have limited comfort. So it is standard, for example, that a battery compartment cover is provided which can be pushed onto the upper shell or lower shell, with a certain effort and a certain dexterity are always required to remove the lid to the battery change the lid of the upper or lower shell of the Move away housing. Although such a lid, which can cover not only a battery compartment but also a mechanical emergency key, is used as standard in electronic keys. However, such a lid does not do justice to the increased comfort demands and the demand for easy handling by a user.

The invention has for its object to provide a solution that provides an electronic key in a structurally simple manner and cost, which ensures better comfort and at the same time a simple and flawless operation.

In an electronic key of the type described, the object is achieved in that a cover by means of a locking mechanism is releasably locked to the functional body and covers at least the top and / or bottom of the functional body over the entire surface.

Advantageous and expedient refinements and developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

By the invention, an electronic key is provided, which is characterized by a simple and compact design with simultaneous operation with a high level of comfort. The cover serves to protect the functional body and attached thereto or components therein from damage. In contrast to known from the prior art covers or battery compartment covers the cover covers the entire surface of the top and / or bottom of the functional body, thereby giving the electronic key according to the invention an exclusive and high-quality appearance. With the help of the locking mechanism beyond the cover is easily removed without much effort from the functional body to get, for example, access to a mounted on the functional body mechanical emergency key or on a battery compartment. But the locking mechanism also allows a comfortable replacement of the cover, which must be desirable not only in the event of damage to the cover. For example, replacement of the cover may also be desired to give the electronic key overall a new and up-to-date visual appearance.

The invention provides in an embodiment of the electronic key, that the cover at least one for full-surface coverage of the top or the bottom serving cover shell or that the cover has a the top of the functional body over the entire surface covering the first cover shell and the underside of the functional body over the entire surface covering the second cover shell. The cover can thus be formed by at least two cover shells, whereby it is possible that only one of the two cover shells is released from the functional body and the other cover shell still covers the top or bottom of the functional body and thus protects. Due to the cup-shaped design, the at least two cover shells at their respective outer edge on a collar which is at least partially adapted to the outer contour of the functional body and this encompasses such that only portions of the longitudinal sides of the functional body are accessible from the outside, the cover shells except for Area of the long sides of the functional body surrounded gapless and sealing.

In an arrangement of the key element on the top and / or bottom of a housing-like key of the prior art, it always comes back to an unwanted operation of a button, especially if the known from the prior art key, for example, in the pocket is transported. Also, the attachment of the key elements in particular is a problem when the battery of the electronic key exchanged or if you want to access an attached in or on the housing element emergency key, because this is in both cases the risk that individual keys can be detached from the housing element , For this reason, in a further embodiment of the electronic key according to the invention, it is provided that the at least one key element is fastened on one of the two longitudinal sides of the functional body connecting the upper side with the underside. Characterized in that a respective key element on the longitudinal sides of the functional body and not as in the prior art on the top and / or bottom of the housing-like functional body is arranged and mounted, an unintentional operation of the keys is avoided. In particular, by the arrangement of the buttons to the Long sides (or even only on one longitudinal side) of the functional body on the top and / or the bottom of the functional body created space that can be used for attaching other elements. The inventive arrangement of the cover shells allows actuation of the at least one key element and releases it so that it is not necessary to remove a cover of the key element prior to actuation of the key element. However, the cover shells abut against the at least one key element in such a way that the functional body as a whole is surrounded gap-free or gap-free and sealingly by the cover shells.

The invention provides in a further embodiment of the electronic key that the locking mechanism comprises at least one arranged on a first end side and / or on at least one longitudinal side of the functional body hooking and at least one arranged on the second end side of the functional body form-fitting connection through which at least one cover shell is releasably attached to the functional body in a tightening manner. According to the invention, the hooking connection between the functional body and the corresponding cover shell is first produced for attaching a respective cover shell, before the cover shell is subsequently locked to the functional body by means of the clamping connection.

With regard to a structurally simple way to design the clamping connection, the invention provides in a further development that the at least one positive connection of at least one arranged on the second end face of the functional body clamping jaw and at least one clamping web is formed, wherein the clamping web in the vicinity of a longitudinal end of at least a cover shell is formed, which is arranged on the second end side of the functional body, and wherein the at least one clamping lug relative to the at least one clamping web against the force of an elastic return element from a locking position, in which the at least one clamping lug is applied to the at least one clamping web and a relative movement between the clamping bar and Clamping approach prevents, in a release position, in which the at least one clamping jaw releases the at least one clamping web, is designed to be movable. In this way, a respective cover shell is locked to the functional body by first the plug neck of the cover shell is brought into engagement with the recess in the functional body before the clamping collar of the functional body presses against the clamping web and pushes it in a direction remote from the plug approach to the cover shell to lock on the functional body.

A structurally particularly simple way of configuring the hooked connection is provided according to the invention in that the at least one hooking connection is formed by at least one locking rib formed on one longitudinal side of the functional body and one receptacle associated with the respective locking rib, the respective associated receptacle being formed on a longitudinal side of the corresponding receptacle Deck shell is formed, and wherein the at least one positive connection, the corresponding cover shell in the direction of the second end side of the functional body urging and thereby the at least one locking rib in the receptacle is designed to be locked pushing.

To solve the clamping connection on the second end face of the functional body, the invention further provides in an embodiment that at least one transversely to the longitudinal side of the functional body operable sliding element is provided on which the at least one clamping lug is formed, wherein the at least one clamping lug and thus at least a sliding member in a receiving recess, which is formed on the second end face of the functional body, housed and slidably formed in the receiving recess against the force of the elastic return element between the locking position and the release position. In the unactuated state of the sliding element this is held in the locking position, so that the clamping jaw presses against the clamping web and a total of a corresponding cover shell in clamped and tightening manner is held on the functional body.

In an electronic key with two cover shells, it is of particular advantage if a first sliding element of the first cover shell and a second sliding element of the second cover shell is assigned, wherein the first and the second sliding element each have a clamping attachment and a sliding button, wherein the clamping attachment of the first Sliding element is arranged in a first, extending from the upper side in the direction of the underside of the functional body receiving recess and is coupled to the outside of the functional body arranged shift key of the first sliding element, and wherein the clamping attachment of the second sliding element in a second, from the bottom in the direction the upper side of the functional body extending receiving recess is arranged and is movably coupled to the outside of the functional body arranged shift key of the second sliding element. In this way, both cover shells are independently detachable from the functional body, so that only a single cover shell can be removed, while the other cover shell is still firmly attached to the functional body and does not dissolve when the other cover shell is dismantled.

With regard to an ergonomic handling of the electronic key for dismantling the cover shells, it is provided in an embodiment of the invention that the first sliding element is arranged in a corner region of the second end side of the functional body and the second sliding element is arranged in a corner region of the functional body opposite the first sliding element, wherein the first and second sliding element are designed to be movable towards each other. The electronic key can thus be conveniently held in the palm of a user, for releasing a cover then the user can operate, for example with the thumb of the same hand, the sliding element and move in the direction of the other sliding element, whereby the motion-coupled with the sliding element clamping attachment out of investment the clamping bar passes, so that the cover shell does not continue braced on the functional body is held, but can be solved and dismantled from the functional body.

An alternative possibility for the design of the hooking, but also structurally particularly simple, according to the invention is that the hooking of at least one formed on the first end face of the functional body recess and at least one plug-neck is formed, wherein the at least one plug-in approach to the first End face is formed on at least one cover shell, and wherein the clamping connection at least one cover shell in the direction of the second end face of the functional body urging and thereby the at least one plug-in projection in the at least one recess is formed oppressive

It is also ergonomically favorable with regard to the handling of the electronic key when a sliding element arranged on the second end side is provided which has the at least one clamping attachment and is displaceable against the force of the elastic restoring element between the locking position and the release position in the direction of the first end side is designed to be movable.

For reasons of cost savings and component reduction can be dispensed according to an embodiment of the invention to a second slider element with two cover shells, when the sliding element is I-shaped, wherein the central web of the I-shaped sliding element, in particular centrally, is motion-coupled with a slide button and are arranged at its respective arranged at the top or bottom of the functional body longitudinal end transversely to this of the clamping collar and to the opposite serving for fixing the sliding element to the functional body latching projection. The sliding element, which is of I-shaped design, engages with its latching lugs formed at the longitudinal ends, as it were, the second front end of the functional body, so that the sliding element with the latching lugs can be releasably secured to the functional body in the manner of a clamp. About the sliding button then the sliding element is manageable to pick up the positive connection for disassembly of a cover shell.

Finally, it is structurally particularly favorable in a further embodiment of the invention when a respective latching lug of the I-shaped sliding element is hook-shaped and engages behind a locking projection formed on the functional body, wherein the clamping lug of the I-shaped sliding element is arranged in a receiving pocket of a corresponding cover shell, wherein a side wall of the receiving exchanges the clamping web of the corresponding cover shell is. The clamping attachment thus corresponds to a form-locking connection produced a kind of latch which is inserted into the receiving pocket and thus fixes the cover shell.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained can be used not only in the particular combination given, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined only by the claims.

• Figur 1 einen erfindungsgemäßen elektronischen Schlüssel gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform in perspektivischer Ansicht,
• Figur 2 eine Einzelteildarstellung des erfindungsgemäßen elektronischen Schlüssels aus Figur 1,
• Figur 3 eine perspektivische Ansicht von oben auf einen Funktionskorpus des elektronischen Schlüssels aus Figur 1,
• Figur 4 eine perspektivische Schnittansicht einer Stirnfläche des Funktionskorpus des elektronischen Schlüssels aus Figur 1,
• Figur 5 eine vergrößerte seitliche Schnittansicht des erfindungsgemäßen elektronischen Schlüssels im Bereich eines ersten Schiebeelements aus Figur 1,
• Figur 6 eine vergrößerte seitliche Schnittansicht des erfindungsgemäßen elektronischen Schlüssels im Bereich eines zweiten Schiebeelements aus Figur 1,
• Figur 7 eine perspektivische Seitenansicht auf den erfindungsgemäßen elektronischen Schlüssel aus Figur 1 für zwei verschiedene Schnittebenen,
• Figur 8 in perspektivischer Ansicht einzelne Montageschritte zur Anbringung von Deckschalen am Funktionskorpus des erfindungsgemäßen elektronischen Schlüssels aus Figur 1,
• Figur 9 einen erfindungsgemäßen, elektronischen Schlüssel gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform in perspektivischer Ansicht,
• Figur 10 eine Einzelteildarstellung des erfindungsgemäßen elektronischen Schlüssels aus Figur 9,
• Figur 11 eine Einzelteildarstellung eines Schiebeelements des erfindungsgemäßen elektronischen Schlüssels aus Figur 9,
• Figur 12 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Deckschale und eines Funktionskorpus des erfindungsgemäßen elektronischen Schlüssels aus Figur 9,
• Figur 13 eine vergrößerte seitliche Schnittansicht des erfindungsgemäßen elektronischen Schlüssels aus Figur 9 mit einer demontierten Deckschale und
• Figur 14 in perspektivischer Ansicht einzelne Montageschritte zur Anbringung von Deckschalen am Funktionskorpus des erfindungsgemäßen elektronischen Schlüssel aus Figur 9.

Further details, features and advantages of the subject matter of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which exemplary preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. In the drawing shows:

• FIG. 1 an electronic key according to the invention according to a first embodiment in perspective view,
• FIG. 2 an itemized view of the electronic key according to the invention FIG. 1 .
• FIG. 3 a perspective view from above of a functional body of the electronic key FIG. 1 .
• FIG. 4 a perspective sectional view of an end face of the functional body of the electronic key FIG. 1 .
• FIG. 5 an enlarged sectional side view of the electronic key according to the invention in the region of a first sliding element FIG. 1 .
• FIG. 6 an enlarged sectional side view of the electronic key according to the invention in the region of a second sliding element FIG. 1 .
• FIG. 7 a side perspective view of the inventive electronic key FIG. 1 for two different cutting planes,
• FIG. 8 in a perspective view of individual assembly steps for attaching cover shells on the functional body of the electronic key according to the invention FIG. 1 .
• FIG. 9 an electronic key according to the invention according to a second embodiment in perspective view,
• FIG. 10 an itemized view of the electronic key according to the invention FIG. 9 .
• FIG. 11 an itemized view of a sliding element of the electronic key according to the invention FIG. 9 .
• FIG. 12 a perspective view of a cover shell and a functional body of the electronic key according to the invention FIG. 9 .
• FIG. 13 an enlarged sectional side view of the electronic key according to the invention FIG. 9 with a disassembled cover shell and
• FIG. 14 in a perspective view of individual assembly steps for attaching cover shells on the functional body of the electronic key according to the invention FIG. 9 ,

In FIG. 1 an inventive electronic key 1 according to a first embodiment is shown in a perspective view, whereas FIG. 2 an individual perspective view of the electronic key 1 shows. The electronic key 1 is used for a keyless activation of a locking device of a motor vehicle and has a cover 2, which is formed for the illustrated first embodiment of a first cover shell 3 and a second cover shell 4. Furthermore, the electronic key 1, as in the Figures 1 and 2 can be seen, in each case on its longitudinal sides 9 an elastic key element 5. The two key elements 5 offer different functions, such as opening and locking a closure device of the motor vehicle or the opening of the trunk. In contrast to known from the prior art keys, the two key elements 5 are arranged laterally on the electronic key 1.

In the single part representation of the FIG. 2 are the first cover shell 3 and the second cover shell 4, which together form the cup-shaped cover 2, of a functional body 6, which is part of the electronic key 1, disassembled. The two cover shells 3 and 4 are of identical construction, so that the in FIG. 2 Given plan view of the first cover shell 3 is synonymous with a plan view of the second cover shell 4. Likewise, the in FIG. 2 given view of the underside of the second cover shell 4 synonymous with a view of the underside of the first cover shell 3. Due to the design similarity is therefore omitted a top view of the second cover shell 4 and a bottom view of the first cover shell 3.

In the illustrated first embodiment, the first cover shell 3 covers the upper side 7 of the functional body 6 over the entire area, whereas the second cover shell 4 covers the underside 8 of the functional body 6 over its entire area. More generally, the cover 2, which is formed by at least one of the cover shells 3 or 4, covering the entire surface of the top 7 and / or the bottom 8 of the functional body 6. A consequence of the identical design of the cover shells 3 and 4 is that the second cover shell 4 could also be fastened on the upper side 7 and the first cover shell 3 on the lower side 9 of the functional body. The functional body 6 is formed housing-shaped and serves to accommodate electrical and electronic components, which are set up for keyless activation of the locking device of the motor vehicle. In addition, the key elements 5 are mounted on the functional body 6 and are operatively connected to switches of the electrics and / or electronics arranged in the interior of the functional body 6, sealing elements, not shown, interspacing between the key elements 5 and the interior of the Seal functional body 6 so that no moisture can penetrate into the interior of the functional body 6. The two key element 5, which extends from a first end face 10 of the functional body 6 to a second end face 11 of the functional body 6, are fastened on a respective longitudinal side 9 of the functional body 6 connecting the upper side 7 with the lower side 8. The key element 5 may alternatively also have a plurality of keys, which may be attached to the longitudinal sides 9 of the functional body 6.

The item view in FIG. 2 shows further that due to the cup-shaped design, the two cover shells 3 and 4 have at their respective outer edge a collar 34 which is at least partially adapted to the outer contour of the functional body 6. This collar 34 surrounds the outer contour of the functional body 6 such that only a section-wise region of the second end face 11 is visible from the outside. For the longitudinal sides 9 are covered by the two key elements 5 and the first end face 10 is completely covered by the respective collar of the cover shells 3, 4, since the collar is formed in this area with a greater extent. Overall, the cover shells 3, 4 surround the functional body 6 except for the region of the longitudinal sides 9 and the second end face 11 substantially gapless and sealing, in particular the top and bottom 7, 8 of the functional body 6 is sealingly surrounded by the cover shells 3, 4 ,

In the FIGS. 5 and 6 the inventive electronic key 1 is shown in each case in a lateral sectional view, wherein the representations each show an enlargement of the area of the second end face 11. Here, the runs in FIG. 5 shown section through a first sliding element 12, whereas the in FIG. 6 section shown by a second sliding element 13 extends. Overall, the representations of the FIGS. 3 to 7 Parts of a locking mechanism 14 (see FIG. 7 ), through which the cover 2 formed by the first cover shell 3 and the second cover shell 4 detachably attached to the functional body 6 of the electronic key 1 according to the first embodiment attached and locked. According to the invention, the locking mechanism 14 comprises at least one hooking connection 15 and at least one positive connection 16, which is designed in the manner of a clamping connection.

In FIG. 7 On the left half is a sectional view in the vicinity of a longitudinal side 9 of the functional body 6 and a longitudinal side 19 of the cover shells 3, 4 shown to more detail the hook connection 15, which is arranged and formed in the first embodiment on the longitudinal sides 9 of the functional body 6. Overall, four hook connections 15 are provided on each longitudinal side 9 of the functional body 6 in the illustrated embodiment, wherein in FIG. 7 only two hook connection 15 can be seen due to the selected sectional view. A respective hooking connection 15 is formed by a locking rib 17 and a receptacle 18. In this case, a respective locking rib 17 is integrally formed on a longitudinal side 9 of the functional body 6 and is laterally from the functional body 6 from. At each one longitudinal side 9 of the functional body 6 thus four locking ribs 17 are formed, as the Figures 2 and 4 can be seen. Each one of the two cover shells 3, 4 has corresponding receptacles 18 for the locking ribs 17, in particular from the FIG. 2 evident. In this case, a respective cover shell 3, 4 on each of its longitudinal sides 19 two receptacles. The locking ribs 17 of the functional body 6 have a first end face 10 sloping inclined locking surface 20 (see FIG. 7 ), which for attachment of the cover shells 3, 4 with the correspondingly shaped in the cover shells 3, 4 receptacles 18, each having a locking surface 21, which is also inclined to the first end 10 to fall down, cooperate. The locking surfaces 20 of the functional body 6 and the locking surfaces 21 of the cover shells 3, 4 are wedged with each other on the functional body 6 fixed cover shell 3 or 4. For fastening a respective cover shell 3, 4 corresponding locking ribs 17 are inserted into the receptacles 18 of the corresponding cover shell 3, 4, as in FIG. 8 in the left illustration is shown. In this case, the first cover shell 3 is placed on the top 7 of the functional body 6, as indicated by the arrow A. The same applies to the second cover shell 4, which is placed from below on the bottom 8 of the functional body 6, as indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 8 is indicated. When placing the cover shells 3, 4 on the functional body 6, the receptacles 18 of the cover shells 3, 4 are aligned such that the locking ribs 17 dive into the associated receptacles 18 and are inserted.

In order then corresponding locking surfaces 20 and associated locking surfaces 21 can be keyed to each other, a corresponding force must act in the direction of the second end face 11, which is effected by the user and by the arrows C and D in FIG. 8 is shown. By the force applied by a user (arrows C and D in FIG FIG. 8 ), the respective clamping lugs 22 come into abutment with the associated clamping webs 3, whereby positive connections 16 are made on the second end face 11, as will be described in more detail below.

The positive connection 16 for fastening the first cover shell 3 to the functional body 6 has a clamping attachment 22, which is arranged on the second end face 11 of the functional body 6, and a clamping web 23, each at the disposed on the second end face 11 longitudinal end 24 of the cover shell 3 is formed on (see, for example FIGS. 5 and 7 ). To lock the first cover shell 3 to the functional body 6, the locking ribs 17 of the functional body 6 are first in the associated receptacles 18 of the corresponding cover shell 3, 4 (see FIGS. 7 and 8th ), as previously described. Subsequently, the first cover shell 3 is moved or pressed in the direction of the second end face 11 of the functional body 6 (see the direction of the arrow C in FIG FIG. 8 ) until the clamping web 23 of the first cover shell 3 rests against the clamping attachment 22 in a clamping manner such that the clamping attachment 22 presses the clamping web 23 of the first cover shell 3 in a direction away from the first end face 10 of the functional body 6. This position of clamping collar 22 and clamping bar 23 corresponds to a locking position.

Due to the clamping effect present between clamping web 23 and clamping jaw 22, which extends over a certain clamping height in the direction of upper side 7 to lower side 8 of functional body 6, it is essentially not possible for first outer shell 3 to be arranged on second end side 11 of functional body 6 can be moved away from the top 7. This is only possible if the clamping web 23 and the clamping collar 22 are disengaged, i. when the clamping collar 22 no longer presses the clamping web 23 in the direction of the second end face 11. In other words, the tension of the cover shell 3 is repealed by the clamping collar 22 is moved transversely to the longitudinal side 6 of the functional body 6 until the clamping web 23 of the cover shell 3 can move in the direction of the first end face 10 and the clamping attachment 22 this movement gets in the way.

So that the clamping attachment 22 no longer rests against the clamping web 23, when the first covering shell 3 is locked to the functional body 6 by a user, the first sliding element 12 has to be provided in a corner region of the second end face 11 of the functional body 6 and attached there to the functional body 6 , be operated. The first sliding element 12 comprises a parallelepiped-shaped body 26 on which the clamping attachment 22 is formed and from which the elastic restoring element 25 protrudes laterally, a sliding button 28 and a connecting web 27 which connects the block-shaped body 26 to the sliding button 28. The individual parts of the multi-part sliding element 12 are assembled only when the sliding element 12 is mounted on the functional body 6 and before the first cover shell 3 is fastened. For the first sliding element 12 is on the functional body 6, a first receiving recess 29 (see, for example FIG. 2 or FIG. 4 ) is provided, which extends from the top 7 in the direction of the bottom 8 of the functional body 6. In the first receiving recess 29 of the cuboid body 26 is used with the elastic return element 25. Then the connecting bar 27 through a first passage opening 31 which is formed in the second end face 11 of the functional body 6, passed and fixedly connected to the cuboid body 26. At the connecting web 27 may already be the sliding button 28 is attached, or it is attached to the connecting web 27. After attachment of the first sliding element 12, this can be moved on the second end face 11 transversely to the longitudinal sides 9 against the force of the elastic return element 25 to attach the first cover shell 3 to the functional body 6. So that now for disassembly of the first cover shell 3 of the clamping collar 22 is no longer applied to the clamping web 23 and thus prevents or blocks movement of the cover shell 3, the user must actuate the first sliding element 12 and move it laterally in the direction of the second sliding element 13, whereby then the clamping jaw 22, which is formed on the first sliding member 12, is moved to a release position in which the clamping jaw 22, the clamping web 23 releases. For this purpose, the first sliding element 12 for disassembling the first cover shell 3 must be moved by the user from the locking position against the force of the elastic return element 25 in the release position. The elastic return element 25 is formed in the illustrated first embodiment as a compression spring and holds the first sliding element 12 in the locking position, as long as no counterforce is applied by the user to release the first cover shell 3 from the functional body 6. As stated above, the first sliding element 12 is in the first receiving recess 29 (see Figures 2 . 4 and 5 ) housed, which is formed on the second end face 11 of the functional body 6. In the first receiving recess 29, the first sliding member 12 is then slidably movable against the force of the elastic return element 25 between the locking position and the release position. Thus, the clamping collar 22 is relative to the clamping web 23 against the force of the elastic return element 25 from the locking position, in which the at least one clamping collar 22 rests against the clamping web 23 and this in the direction of the first End face 10 of the functional body 6 presses, in a release position in which the at least one clamping attachment 22 releases the at least one clamping web 23, is designed to be movable. In locking position, the positive connection 16 ensures that the first cover shell 3 is attached to the functional body 6 in a tensioning manner by the clamping collar 22 presses against the clamping web 23.

The electronic key 1 can only be provided with a single cover shell 3, so that the assembly and disassembly of the (first and) single cover shell 3 can be carried out as described above. In the illustrated embodiment, however, the underside 8 of the functional body 6 is covered over the entire surface, in addition to the top surface 7 covered by the first cover shell 3 over the whole area, for which purpose the second cover shell 4 is used. In order to secure the second cover shell 4 to the functional body 6 and to disassemble it from the functional body 6, it is provided that the locking mechanism 14 of the electronic key 1 of the first embodiment, a further hooking 15 on the first end face 10 and another positive connection 16 at the second end face 11 includes, but now formed between the second cover shell 4 and the functional body 6 on the underside 8, such as for example FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 is apparent. For disassembly of the second cover shell 4, the second sliding element 13 is provided, which is arranged in the other corner region of the second end face 11. The second sliding element 13 is constructed identical to the first sliding element 12, as the FIG. 2 can be seen. Due to the identical design of cover shells 3, 4 and sliding elements 12, 13 results in a cost-effective production of the electronic key 1. In FIG. 2 the second sliding element 13 is compared to the first sliding element 12 only rotated by 180 ° and is literally upside down. Due to the identical construction, the second sliding element 13 is described only briefly and instead refer to the detailed explanations of the first sliding element 13. The cuboid body of the second sliding element 13 is in a second receiving recess 30 is inserted, which in contrast to the first receiving recess 29 now extends from the bottom 8 of the functional body 6 in the direction of the top 7, as in particular in the FIG. 4 can be seen, which shows a section in the region of the second end face 11 of the functional body 6 through the first and second receiving recess 29, 30. Of course, for the connecting web 27 of the second sliding element 13, a second passage opening 32 (see FIG. 2 ) is provided to connect the cuboid body 26 with the outside of the functional body 6 arranged shift key 28. The positive connection 16 between the second sliding element 12 and the second cover shell 4 is formed substantially identical to the positive connection 16 between the first sliding element 11 and the first cover shell 3, wherein also a similar operation for fixing and dismounting the cover shell 4 is given , so that reference can be made to the corresponding explanations for the first cover shell 3. The elastic return element 25 of the second sliding element 13 is likewise designed as a compression spring and holds the second sliding element 13 in the locking position, in which the second cover shell 4 is fastened to the functional body 6. Only when a force is applied by a user against the force of the elastic return element 25, whereby the second slide switch 13 is moved in the direction of the first slide switch 12, the second cover shell 4 can be detached from the functional body 6 and removed. By the force applied by the user counterforce arranged in the second receiving recess 30 cuboid body 26 of the second sliding element 13 is then moved against the force of the elastic return element 25 from the locking position to the release position. Thus, the clamping projection 22 of the second sliding element 13 relative to the clamping web 23 of the second cover shell 4 against the force of the elastic return element 25 from the locking position in which the at least one clamping collar 22 abuts against the clamping web 23 and this in the direction of the first end face 10 of Functional body 6 presses, in a release position, in which the clamping attachment 22 releases the clamping web 23, designed to be movable. After releasing the second cover shell 4 then access to the bottom 8 of the functional body 6 is possible, wherein in the first embodiment on the bottom 8, a battery compartment cover may be provided which is releasably attached to the replacement of a battery to the functional body 6.

When mounted cover shells 3, 4 thus causes the actuation of a corresponding sliding element 12, 13, a movement of the associated clamping attachment 22 of the cuboid body 26 relative to the clamping web 23 of the corresponding cover shell 3, 4. To the cuboid body 26 in its movement between the locking position and release position to guide, a Bewegungsführungsausnehmung 33 is provided which is formed in each of the functional body 6 facing inside of the corresponding cover shell 3, 4 and a lateral movement of the sliding element 12 or 13 transversely to the longitudinal side 6 in the direction of the non-actuated sliding element 12 or 13 quasi leads and during disassembly, a movement of the cover shell 3, 4 in the direction of the first end face 10 allows.

The FIGS. 9 to 14 show an electronic key 101 according to the invention according to a second embodiment and details and individual components of the key 101, which also serves a closing device of a motor vehicle and having a cover 102 which is formed by a first cover shell 103 and a second cover shell 104. The electronic key 101 of the second embodiment has, like the first embodiment, elastic key elements 105 attached to a functional body 106 of the electronic key 101. With regard to conceivable functions of the key elements 105, reference is made to the comments on the first embodiment. The two cover shells 103 and 104 are in turn designed to be identical, so that the in FIG. 10 1, which shows a view onto the top side of the first cover shell 103 and a view onto the underside of the second cover shell 104, completely reveals the technical features of the two cover shells 103 and 104. The first cover shell 103 covers the upper side 107 of the functional body 6 over the entire surface, whereas the second cover shell 104 covers the underside 108 of the functional body 6 over its entire surface. Due to the identical construction of the two cover shells 103, 104 and the first cover shell 103 can be attached to the bottom 108 and the second cover shell 104 at the top 107 of the functional body 106. The key elements 105 further extend from a first end face 110 to a second end face 111 of the housing-shaped functional body 106, wherein the key elements 105 are mounted on a respective longitudinal side 109 of the functional body 106. Also, a respective key element 105 of the second embodiment may alternatively consist of a plurality of keys.

In FIG. 13 the inventive electronic key 101 according to the second embodiment is shown in a perspective sectional view. This view of the electronic key 101 can be seen from a locking mechanism 114, by means of which the cover 102 formed by the first cover shell 103 and the second cover shell 104 is detachably attached and locked to the functional body 106. The locking mechanism 114 includes a hooking connection 115 and a clamping connection 116. The hooking connection 115 is provided on the first end face 110 of the functional body 106 and, in the illustrated embodiment, comprises two recesses 117 (see FIG FIG. 12 ), which are formed on the first end face 110 of the functional body 106, and corresponding to the recesses 117 formed plug lugs 118 (see, for example FIG. 10 or 13 ), which are formed on a first end face 119 of the two cover shells 103 and 104. For locking the cover shells 103, 104, the respective insertion lugs 118 of the cover shells 103, 104 are introduced into the recesses 117 of the functional body 106 in order to produce the hooking connection 115. Quite generally, the hooking connection 115 can be formed by at least one recess 117 formed on the first end side 110 of the functional body 106 and by at least one plug-in projection 118, wherein the at least one plug-in projection 118 on the first End face 119 is formed on at least one cover shell 103, 104.

After production of the hooking connection, the clamping connection 116 is then produced, as by FIG. 14 is clarified. The clamping connection 116 is provided on the second end face 111 of the functional body 106 and designed such that it urges the cover shells 103 and 104 in the direction of the second end face 111 of the functional body 106 and thereby pushes the insertion lugs 118 of the cover shells 103, 104 into the corresponding recess 117 ,

Regarding FIG. 13 For example, the clamping connection 116 has a clamping attachment 120, which is arranged on the second end face 111 of the functional body 106, and a clamping web 121, which is respectively formed on the end face of the cover shells 103 and 104 opposite the first end face 119.

For locking the first and second cover shell 103, 104 on the functional body 106, the respective insertion lugs 118 (see, for example FIG. 13 ) is first introduced into the recesses 117 of the functional body 6, as already described above. Subsequently, the end faces 119 of the respective cover shells 103, 104 opposite the first end faces 119 are pivoted in the direction of the second end face 111 of the functional body 106 (see arrow E in FIG FIG. 14 ), until the respective clamping bar 121 of each cover shell 103, 104 rests on the associated clamping attachment 120 in a clamping manner such that the clamping attachment 120 presses the corresponding cover shell 103, 104 in a direction away from the first end face 110 of the functional body 106. This position of clamping lug 120 and clamping bar 121 corresponds to the locking position. Due to the clamping effect between the clamping web 121 and clamping attachment 120 or cover shell 103 or 104, it is not possible for the cover shells 103, 104 on the second end face 111 of the functional body 106 to be moved away from the upper side 107 or from the lower side 108. This is only possible if the clamping bar 121 and the clamping collar 120 are disengaged, ie when the clamping collar 120 no longer blocks the clamping bar 121. As especially the FIG. 13 can be seen, the clamping collar 120 in a receiving pocket 122 which is formed in each cover shell 103, 104, inserted, wherein a side wall 123 of the receiving exchanges 122 of the clamping bar 121 of the corresponding cover shell 103, 104 is.

In order that the clamping attachment 120 no longer bears against the clamping web 121, a sliding element 124 provided on the second end face 111 of the functional body 106 must be actuated by a user when the first and second cover shell 103, 104 are locked on the functional body 106. The sliding element 124 has the clamping lug 120 and is displaceably movable in the direction of the first end face 110 of the functional body 106 between the locking position and a release position, in which the clamping lug 120 is brought out of engagement with the clamping web 121. The sliding element 124 is substantially I-shaped in cross-section (see, for example FIG. 13 ) and has a central web 125 which is coupled for movement with a shift key 126. Again FIG. 11 it can be seen, the slide button 126 has elastic and hook-shaped coupling arms 140 which engage with the I-shaped slide member 124, wherein the hook-shaped ends of the coupling arms 140 are inserted through an opening 141 of the sliding member 124 and a decoupling of the sliding element 124 prevent. The longitudinal ends 127 and 128 of the central web 125 are arranged on top and bottom 107, 108 of the functional body 106. At a respective longitudinal end 127 or 128 are transverse to the central web 125 of the clamping collar 120 and oppositely directed serving for fixing the sliding member 124 on the functional body 106 locking projection 129 formed. A respective latching projection 129 of the I-shaped sliding element 124 is hook-shaped and engages behind a locking projection 130 formed on the functional body 106, wherein the clamping attachment 120 of the I-shaped sliding element 124 is arranged in the manner of a bolt in the receiving pocket 122 of a corresponding cover shell 103, 104 and prevents the corresponding cover shell 103, 104 from being moved away from the functional body 106.

The sliding button 126 is externally manageable for a user by pushing the sliding button 126 or sliding element 124 toward the first end face 110 of the functional body 106, where the user wants to move the sliding element 124 against the force of an elastic return element 131 solve the positive connections 116 for the first and second cover shell 103, 104 or even for only one of the two cover shells 103 or 104. By pressing the sliding element 124 in the direction of the first end face 110 of the functional body 106, the clamping device 121, which acts in the manner of a bolt, is brought out of engagement with the clamping web 121 and thus passes out of the receiving pocket 122 of the cover shell 103, 104, so that the cover shell 103, 104 can be pivoted away from the functional body 106 for disassembly.

The elastic return element 131 is inserted into an opening in the second end face 111 of the functional body 106 and is arranged in extension of the sliding button 126 and in its operating direction. The sliding button 126 is in any case to operate when disassembling a cover shell 103, 104, because the second embodiment provides only a single slide button 126, with both the first cover shell 103 and the second cover shell 104 (together or separately or only one of both) can be released from the functional body 106. In contrast to the first embodiment, the one single shift key 126 in the second embodiment is no longer arranged in a corner area but centrally on the second end face 111 of the functional body 106.

Of course, the invention described above is not limited to the described and illustrated embodiments. It will be appreciated that numerous modifications which are obvious to a person skilled in the art according to the intended application can be made to the embodiments shown in the drawing without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, more than two cover shells or only a single cover shell the Cover 2, 102 form. It is also conceivable that the hooking connection 15, 115 in the first embodiment instead of at least one of the two longitudinal sides 9 on the first end face 10 and in the second embodiment instead of the first end face 110 at least on one of the two longitudinal sides 109 or for both embodiments is formed both on the first end face 10, 110 and on at least one of the two longitudinal sides 9, 109. It belongs to the invention all that which is contained in the description and / or shown in the drawing, including what, in deviation from the concrete embodiments, obvious to those skilled in the art.

Claims (13)

Electronic key (1; 101), comprising
a functional body (6, 106), which is used to accommodate electrical and electronic components and has a housing-shaped design;
at least one key element (5; 105) attached to the functional body (6; 106),
characterized in that a cover (2; 102) is releasably locked to the functional body (6; 106) by means of a locking mechanism (14; 114) and at least the upper side (7; 107) and / or lower side (8; 108) of the functional body (6, 106) covers the entire surface. Electronic key (1; 101) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (2; 102) comprises at least one cover shell (3, 4; 4) formed to cover the entire surface of the upper side (7; 107) or lower side (8; 103, 104) or that the cover (2, 102) has a first cover shell (3, 103) which covers the entire surface (7, 107) of the functional body (6, 106) and a bottom side (8, 108) of the functional body (6 106) covers the entire surface covering the second cover shell (4; 104). Electronic key (1; 101) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one key element (5; 105) on one of the two the upper side (6; 106) with the underside (7; 109) of the functional body (6; 107) is fixed. Electronic key (1; 101) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the locking mechanism (14; 114) has at least one on a first end face (10; 110) and / or on at least one longitudinal side (9; 109) of the functional body (FIG. 6, 106) arranged Einhakverbindung (15; 115) and at least one on the second end face (11; 111) comprises at least one cover shell (3, 4, 103, 104) on the functional body (6, 106) detachably mounted in a tensioning manner of the functional body (6, 106) arranged positive locking connection (16; Electronic key (1; 101) according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one positive-locking connection (16; 116) of at least one clamping attachment (22; 120) arranged on the second end face (11; 111) of the functional body (6; The clamping web (23, 121) is formed in the vicinity of a longitudinal end (24) of the at least one cover shell (3, 4, 103, 104), that on the second end face (11; 111) of the functional body (6; 106) is arranged, and wherein the at least one clamping attachment (22; 120) relative to the at least one clamping web (23; 121) against the force of an elastic return element (25; Locking position in which the at least one clamping attachment (22, 120) rests against the at least one clamping web (23, 121) and prevents relative movement between the clamping web (23, 121) and clamping attachment (22, 120) into a release position, in which the at least one clamping attachment (22; 120) d at least one clamping web (23; 121) releases, is designed to be movable. Electronic key (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the at least one hooking connection (15) is formed by at least one locking rib (17) integrally formed on each longitudinal side (9) of the functional body (6) and a receptacle associated with the respective locking rib (17) (18) is formed, wherein the respective associated receptacle (18) on a longitudinal side (19) of the corresponding cover shell (3, 4) is formed, and wherein the at least one positive connection (16) the corresponding cover shell (3, 4) in Direction of the second end face (11) of the functional body (6) urging and thereby the at least one Locking rib (17) in the receptacle (18) is formed locking pushing. Electronic key (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that at least one transversely to the longitudinal side (9) of the functional body (6) operable sliding element (12, 13) is provided, on which the at least one clamping lug (22) is formed, wherein the at least one clamping attachment (22) and thus the at least one sliding element (12, 13) are accommodated in a receiving recess (29, 30) which is formed on the second end face (11) of the functional body (6) and in the receiving recess (12). 29, 30) against the force of the elastic return element (25) between the locking position and the release position is designed to be movable in a displaceable manner. Electronic key (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that a first sliding element (12) of the first cover shell (3) and a second sliding element (13) of the second cover shell (4) is assigned, wherein the first and the second sliding element (12 , 13) each have a clamping attachment (22) and a sliding button (28), wherein the clamping attachment (22) of the first sliding element (12) in a first, from the top (7) in the direction of the bottom (8) of the functional body ( 6) and is arranged with the outside of the functional body (6) arranged shift key (28) of the first sliding element (12) is coupled, and wherein the clamping attachment (22) of the second sliding element (12) in a second, from the bottom (8) in the direction of the top (7) of the functional body (6) extending receiving recess (29) is arranged and with the outside of the functional body (6) arranged shift key (28) of the second Schiebeeleme nts (13) is motion coupled. Electronic key (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the first sliding element (12) in a Corner region of the second end face (11) of the functional body (6) is arranged and the second sliding element (13) in a first sliding element (12) opposite corner region of the functional body (6) is arranged, wherein the first and second sliding element (12, 13) are designed to be movable towards each other. Electronic key (101) according to claim 5, characterized in that the hooking connection (115) is formed by at least one recess (117) formed on the first end face (110) of the functional body (106) and by at least one plug-in projection (118) the at least one insertion projection (118) is formed on at least one cover shell (103, 104) on the first end face (119), and wherein the clamping connection (116) at least one cover shell (103, 104) in the direction of the second end face (111) of the Functional body (106) urging and thereby the at least one insertion projection (118) in the at least one recess (117) is formed depressing. Electronic key (101) according to claim 5 or 10, characterized in that on the second end face (111) arranged sliding element (124) is provided, which has the at least one clamping lug (120) and against the force of the elastic return element (131) between the locking position and the release position in the direction of the first end face (110) is formed displaceably movable. Electronic key (101) according to claim 11, characterized in that the sliding element (124) is formed substantially in cross-section I-shaped, wherein the central web (125) of the I-shaped sliding element (124) with a sliding button (126) is coupled for movement and at its respective on the upper or lower side (107, 108) of the functional body (106) arranged longitudinal end (127, 128) transversely to this of the clamping lug (120) and opposite to a for fixing the sliding element (124) on the functional body (106) serving latching projection (129) are integrally formed. Electronic key (101) according to claim 12, characterized in that a respective latching projection (129) of the I-shaped sliding element (124) is hook-shaped and engages behind a functional body (106) formed latching projection (130), wherein the clamping collar (120) of the I-shaped slide element (124) in a receiving pocket (122) of a corresponding cover shell (103, 104) is arranged, wherein a side wall (123) of the receiving exchanges (122) of the clamping web (121) of the corresponding cover shell (103, 104) ,

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