Patent ID: 7570172

Claim:
The vehicle key capable of being inserted into a key hole of a vehicle including a train, a motorbike and an automobile, and used for starting a prime mover of the vehicle, the key comprising: a key portion having a forward end portion insertable into the key hole of the vehicle; a holder portion for holding a base end portion of the key portion; a breath component detection means for detecting at least one of alcohol and drug contained in a breath of a user; and an insert prevention means comprising a projection member projectable from the holder portion so as to prevent insertion of the key portion into the key hole of the vehicle, the insert prevention means being adapted to accommodate the projection member in the holder portion in accordance with a detection result of the breath component detection means, wherein the insert prevention means includes: the projection member projectable from the holder portion along the key portion; a spring for urging the projection member in a direction of the projection; and a lock mechanism for locking and maintaining the projection member in a projected state, and for unlocking the projection member in accordance with the detection result of the breath component detection means, and wherein the lock mechanism includes: a plunger configured as a member engageable with a depression on a side surface of the projection member, and disposed on the holder portion linearly movably from an engaging position, at which the plunger engages with the depression of the projection member, to an evacuation position, at which the plunger fails to engage with the depression of the projection member; and a drive means for moving the plunger from the engaging position to the evacuation position in accordance with the detection result of the breath component detection means.