Patent ID: 6236121
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: B60R,E05B,G07C

Abstract:
Device with a key-actuatable lock cylinder (10) and with a switching device,which, as a function of the rotation (14) of the key, activates or deactivates certain electrical functions in a motor vehicle or the like,especially an ignition starter switch for a motor vehicle,where the lock cylinder (10) consists of a stationary cylinder housing (12) and a cylinder core (11), which is supported in the housing with freedom of rotation,which--starting from an original rotational position (50)--is moved by the turning (14) of the key into one of several defined working positions (51, 52, 53), in which the switching device initiates an electrical function in the motor vehicle or the like, which function is specific to the working position in question;where, in addition to tumblers (13) for blocking the rotation of the cylinder core (11) in the cylinder housing (12), a key channel (16) to accept the key (17) for unlocking the cylinder core (11) is provided in the interior of the cylinder core (11);where permanent magnets (55) are provided on the circumference of the cylinder core (11); andwhere, in addition to at least one locking channel for the tumblers (13), sensors responding to the permanent magnets (55) of the cylinder core are also provided in the cylinder housing (12),whereinthe cylinder housing (12) carries at least two sensors (H1, H2) in zones (58, 59) which are axially offset from each other in the longitudinal direction (29), the sensor outputs (21, 22) of these sensors being connected to a common evaluator (20); in that,in the corresponding axial zones (58, 59), the cylinder core (11) has several permanent magnets (40, 55) at the circumferential points (46, 47, 48, 49)which, in cooperation with the sensors (H1, H2), transmit to the sensor outputs (21, 22) an electrical coding which differentiates the original rotational position (50) and the various working positions (51, 52, 53) of the cylinder core (11); and in thatthe evaluator (20) not only uniquely identifies the original rotational position (50) and the working position (51, 52, 53) of the cylinder core (11) in question by way of the code but also--on the basis of the code which has been determined--initiates the electrical function in the motor vehicle or the like belonging to this working position (51, 52, 53).