Patterned locking key, key box combined therewith, locking unit having the patterned locking key, and manufacturing method of the patterned locking key

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10196835-B2
Application number	US-201615377246-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 13, 2016
Priority date	Sep 23, 2016
Publication date	Feb 5, 2019
Grant date	Feb 5, 2019

Abstract

A locking key for changing a locked state by being inserted into a key box includes a first base including a metal complex and in which a first pattern groove is formed, and a first pattern provided in the first pattern groove and including a conductive material.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A locking key for changing a locked state by being inserted into a key box or changing an unlocked state by being removed from the key box, comprising:
a first base including a non-conductive material and including a metal complex, in a single layer;
a first pattern groove formed in the first base; and
a first pattern provided in the first pattern groove and including a conductive material.

2. The locking key of claim 1 , wherein, the first base comprises a resin including one or more of Polycarbonate (PC), Polyamide (PA) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), and a metal oxide including one or more of Mg, Cr, Cu, Ba, Fe, Ti and Al.

3. A key box for changing a locked state by a locking key being inserted into the key box or changing an unlocked state by the locking key being removed from the key box, comprising:
an insertion hole into which the locking key is inserted;
a second base laminated on one surface of the insertion hole, the second base including a metal complex, and the second base including a second pattern groove formed thereon; and
a second pattern provided in the second pattern groove and including a conductive material.

4. The key box of claim 3 , wherein, the second base comprises a resin including one or more of Polycarbonate (PC), Polyamide (PA) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), and a metal oxide including one or more of Mg, Cr, Cu, Ba, Fe, Ti and Al.

5. The key box of claim 3 , further comprising a controller electrically connected to the second pattern, wherein the controller receives an input of a signal related to capacitance of the second pattern and determines whether the locking key is registered or not according to the signal.

6. A locking unit for changing a locked state by a locking key being inserted into a key box or changing an unlocked state by the locking key being removed from the key box, comprising:
a first pattern including a conductive material provided on the locking key;
wherein the key box is provided with an insertion hole into which the locking key is inserted, a second pattern including a conductive material, and a controller electrically connected to the second pattern,
wherein the controller receives an input of a signal related to a capacitance or to a frequency between the first pattern and the second pattern, and determines whether the locking key is registered or not based on the signal,
wherein, the locking key further comprises a first base including a metal complex and in which a first pattern groove is formed, wherein the first pattern is provided in the first pattern groove, and
wherein the key box further comprises a second base laminated on one surface of the insertion hole, the second base including a metal complex, the second base including a second pattern groove formed thereon, wherein the second pattern is provided in the second pattern groove.

7. The locking unit of claim 6 , further comprising a guide unit for guiding the locking key so that the locking key is inserted into the insertion hole in a predetermined direction.

8. The locking unit of claim 7 , wherein, the guide unit comprises a guide protrusion protruded on one surface of any one of the locking key or the insertion hole, and the guide unit includes a guide groove recessed on one surface of the other of the locking key or the insertion hole, wherein the guide protrusion is guided along the guide groove.

9. The locking unit of claim 6 , further comprising a stop unit for stopping the locking key so that the locking key is inserted into the insertion hole at a predetermined depth.

10. The locking unit of claim 6 , wherein the second pattern is provided in a unique pattern and the first pattern is provided in a variety of patterns, wherein the locking unit has a unique frequency pattern when the locking key having any one of the plurality of first patterns is inserted into the key box having the second pattern.

11. The locking unit of claim 10 , wherein the controller determines that the locking key corresponds to the key box when a frequency pattern, which is output when the locking key is inserted into the key box, is identical to the unique frequency pattern.

12. A manufacturing method of a locking unit for changing a locked state by
a locking key being inserted into a key box or changing an unlocked state by the locking key being removed from the key box, comprising:
manufacturing the locking key, including:
providing a first base including a metal oxide;
forming a first pattern groove by irradiating laser beams to one surface of the first base; and
forming a first pattern including a conductive material by a plating process or a deposition process on the first pattern groove; and
manufacturing the key box, including:
providing a second base configured to include a metal oxide and provided with an insertion hole into which the locking key is inserted;
forming a second pattern groove by irradiating laser beams to one surface of the second base; and
forming a second pattern including a conductive material by a plating process or a deposition process on the second pattern groove,
wherein the second pattern is provided in a unique pattern and the first pattern is provided in a variety of patterns.

Assignees

• Hyundai Motor Co Ltd

Inventors

• Seok Donghee
• Kwon Gideok
• Lee Jong Bok

Classifications

• B60R25/2063

  Ignition switch geometry · CPC title

• E05B19/24

  Key distinguishing marks {(fluorescent E05B17/106)} · CPC title

• B23K26/362

  Laser etching · CPC title

• E05B49/002

  Keys with mechanical characteristics, e.g. notches, perforations, opaque marks · CPC title

• G07C9/00174

  Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys (mechanical locks with electric permutation E05B49/00; arrangements for sensing or reading record carriers G06K7/00; electronic switching H03K17/00) · CPC title