Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a device for starting a motor vehicle with an electronic key. Such devices are conventionally referred to as “electronic ignition lock” or “ignition and steering column lock”. Conventionally, by means of an electronic key, the access to the vehicle is locked and unlocked. For this purpose suitable door locks are provided. When employing these keys in the device of interest in this connection, the key is inserted into a receptacle provided in the motor vehicle. In certain situations a cover provided thereat is pushed out of the way. For controlling different functions within the motor vehicle the inserted key is moved into various key positions within the receptacle. 
     In the known device of this kind (DE 44 34 655 A1), the different functions are selected by means of corresponding rotational positions of the electronic key in the receptacle. For this purpose, the receptacle is comprised of a rotor and a stator and different sensors on the stator which must determine the different rotational positions of the rotor. This is complex with regard to construction and requires a large space. In order to exert the required torque for adjusting the key manually, the key must project sufficiently far out of the opening of the receptacle. A key which projects far however increases the risk of injury in a crash situation of the vehicle. In addition or as an alternative to the rotating movement, a transitory movement of the key may also be performed. 
     In a device of a different kind (DE 198 14 964 A1) the signal for authorizing driving is generated by detection of a fingerprint of the authorized person. In this connection, an authorizing element in the form of a check card is used which is inserted into a slot adjacent to a toggle switch or a rotary switch. The rotary switch or the toggle switch have sensors for the fingerprint and can be pressure-actuated or rotated between different switch positions. Accordingly, different functions of the motor are controlled. In this case, in addition to the insertion movement of the authorizing element, a rotation or push movement of a switch as well as the application of a fingerprint at the location having the sensor are required. This complex actuation is cumbersome. 
     Finally, it is known in regard to a starter switch of a motor vehicle (DE 195 04 991 C1) to provide a shaft in a rotary handle for complete insertion of an identification card. This insertion is possible only in a first position of the rotary handle. Starting from this position, the rotary handle with inserted card can then be moved into different further rotational positions which control different functions of the motor. In this case, aside from the insertion movements, rotational movements of the rotary handle are also required. 
     Moreover, from DE 33 06 863 a device for starting a motor of a motor vehicle by means of an electronic key is known. The electronic key is longitudinally movable between several axially staggered stroke positions, wherein the electrical contacts, in cooperation with a sending-receiving unit, activate different functions in the individual stroke positions. The electronic key is secured in the stroke positions by snap-in locking action or by a manually pivotable locking lever. A disadvantage is that for the sequentially occurring working steps a different stroke position is required, respectively. Moreover, for starting the motor with this device, after insertion of the electronic key up to the end position, the electronic key must be held under pressure in the end position until the motor runs. This manipulation is somewhat cumbersome. The correlation of a working step with a stroke position of the electronic key also leads to this device having a correspondingly large size. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a device of the kind mentioned in the preamble of claim  1  that is reliable and can be actuated comfortably and avoids the aforementioned disadvantages. This is achieved according to the present invention by the features of the characterizing portion of claim  1  which have the following special meaning. 
     According to the invention, the key is not rotated for selecting a function. The key is moved instead upon insertion into the receptacle into three stroke positions which are axially staggered relative to one another. Of these positions, the second stroke position is decisive for the ignition of the motor. In this second stroke position, the key is almost completely inserted into the receptacle. In this second stroke position and in the third, deeper, stroke position, the important functions within the motor vehicle are carried out, for which purpose, as needed, further manual or pedal-type actuators may be used. The motor vehicle operator must not carry out actuations with the key in order to trigger the desired functions within the motor vehicle. The key remains instead substantially immersed in the receptacle so that in a crash situation no risk of injury is to be expected as in the situation with projecting key parts. 
     In its second stroke position, the key is fixed in the receptacle by a directional lock whose positive-locking securing means secure the key relative to an axial spring force. In order to be able to remove the key again, it is sufficient to tap against its end. This transfers the key into its third stroke position. The end of the key can be immersed to any random depth within the receptacle. In this third stroke position, the locking action can be released as needed. The key is then pushed back into its initial position by means of an axial restoring spring action acting indirectly or directly on it. Now only a non-positive connection of a snap-in lock is present. The key can again be removed manually. According to the invention, only axial movements of the electronic key are thus required between at least three stroke positions in order to control the motor or further auxiliary devices within the motor vehicle. This axial movement is oriented in the same direction as the insertion of the key into the receptacle of the motor vehicle. Accordingly, a very obvious manipulation of the key is provided with the device of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     Further measures and advantages of the invention result from the dependent claims, the following description, and the drawings. In the drawings, the invention is schematically illustrated with the aid of two embodiments, and each one has independent inventive importance. The first embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8 and the second embodiment in FIGS. 9 through 14. It is shown in: 
     FIG. 1 an axial section of the device of the first embodiment, along the section line I—I of FIG. 3, wherein the components are in an initial position before insertion of a matching electronic key; 
     FIG. 2 the device of FIG. 1 in an axial section rotated at a right angle relative to FIG. 1, which section is indicated at II—II in FIG. 3, in the same position of the component; 
     FIG. 3 a cross-section of the device, along the section line indicated in FIG. 1 at III—III; 
     FIG. 4 an end view onto the device of FIGS. 1 through 3; 
     FIG. 5 in an illustration corresponding to FIG. 1 a first stroke position of the components which results after an initial insertion of the electronic key; 
     FIG. 6 a second stroke position of the components of the device illustrated in FIG. 1 resulting from a farther axial insertion of the key into the receptacle of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 a stroke position of the inserted key even deeper than that of FIG. 6 in order to move the key from the second stroke position of FIG. 6 into the first stroke position explained in connection with FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 a front view of a printed circuit board provided within the housing of the device, partially in the mounted state in the housing; 
     FIG. 9 in analogy to FIG. 6, a corresponding axial section of the second embodiment of the device according to the invention when the key is in its second stroke position; 
     FIG. 10 the second device according to the invention illustrated in FIG. 9 in the same position of the components but in an axial section of the device staggered relative to FIG. 9 at a right angle; 
     FIG. 11 only a few components of the device illustrated in FIG. 9 in an initial position which results when the key is removed from the device; and 
     FIGS. 12-14 in an illustration corresponding to FIG. 11, the position of the components when the key is in the three different stroke positions, in analogy to the key positions of the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5,  6 , and  7 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In order for the key  50  to cooperate with the device, an insertion movement of the key  50  into the receptacle  11  is required which is illustrated by arrow  59  in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this connection, the key contacts the cover  14 . This is the axial position  50 . 0  as indicated in a dash-dotted line in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this way, the key is immersed with its front piece  58  in a corresponding cutout of the cover  14  which is an additional part of the receptacle  11  arranged downstream in the housing  10 . This position  50 . 0  of the key  50  will be referred to in the following for short as “contact position”. Starting from this position, all further stroke positions of the key will be described with the aid of FIGS. 5 through 7. 
     After an initial insertion movement  59  corresponding to a travel stroke  51  indicated in FIG. 5, the key reaches the first axial stroke position identified in FIG. 5 at  50 . 1 . In this connection, as has already been mentioned, the cover  14  is pushed back and contacts its second end stop  29  in the interior of the slide  20 . The opening  13  of the receptacle is exposed but is now closed by the inserted key  50 . The cover  14  is in its insertion position  14 . 2 . In this stroke position  50 . 1 , the key  50  is secured non-positively in its receptacle  11  for which purpose securing elements  21 ,  22 ,  55  are provided whose configuration can be seen best with the aid of FIG.  1 . The slide  20  is cup-shaped wherein the cup wall comprises, over portions thereof, a radially springy tongue  21  which forms a first securing element. This tongue  21  is initially a first component of the snap-in lock present between the key  50  and the slide  20 . At the end of the tongue  21  a radial projection  22  is provided which represents a further securing element of the snap-in lock. This projection  22  may also provide the already mentioned stop function of the ejection position  14 . 1  of the cover  14 . Upon insertion  59  of the key  50 , the tongue  21  performs for a short period of time a radial spreading movement until the projection  22  seated on the tongue  21  engages non-positively a matching catch recess  55  on the key. This is illustrated in FIG.  5 . The catch recess  55  is also a component of the aforementioned snap-in lock. In the following, this first stroke position  50 . 1  will be referred to for short as the “initial position” of the key. In this initial position  50 . 1  a non-positive securing action of the key in the receptacle  11  is present. 
     The aforementioned spreading movement of the tongue  21  upon insertion  59  of the key is possible even though the tongue  21  has a radial counter projection  23  at its side opposite the snap-active projection  22 . In this area the housing  10  has a radial cutout  16  illustrated in FIG. 1 into which this counter projection  23  can radially deflect upon key insertion  29 . 
     As illustrated in the plan view of FIG. 4, the opening  13  of the receptacle is surrounded by a cover  17  which has guide means  18  for the key  50 . They are comprised of two oppositely arranged stays  18  on the cover  17 . The correlated guide means  54  on the key are comprised of a longitudinal groove, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. These longitudinal grooves  54  on both sides provide a good axial insertion action  59  of the key  50 , even when the outer surfaces of the key are not embodied axis-parallel for style reasons. By the way, the aforementioned securing-active catch recess  55  is arranged in the area of this longitudinal groove  54 . The key  50 , in its initial position  50 . 1  of FIG. 5, can be manually retracted by hand in the direction of arrow  57  of FIG.  5 . Now the cover  14  returns into its ejection position  40 . 1  of FIG.  1 . The key can be inserted also in a position rotated by 180°. 
     The removal  57  of the key is however prevented when the key, starting from its initial position  50 . 1  of FIG. 5, has been moved by a further substantial travel stroke  52  into the second axial stroke position  50 . 2  illustrated in FIG.  6 . Now the key  50  is even positive-lockingly secured in the receptacle  11 . This positive-locking action is realized initially by the same securing elements  21 ,  22 ,  55  as in the case of the snap-in lock which previously provided the non-positive connection of the slide  20  and the key  50 . The counter projection  23  provided on the springy tongue  21  of the slide  20  in this stroke position  50 . 2  will contact a radial support surface  19  in the housing  10  which is illustrated in FIG.  6 . This support surface  19  is located below the radial recess  16  which was previously aligned therewith in the initial position  50 . 1 . In the stroke position  50 . 2  the key  50  is thus positive-lockingly secured in the receptacle  14 . Removal  57  in the direction of the arrow, also indicated in FIG. 6, is not possible. In the following, the second stroke position  50 . 2  of the key will be referred to for short as “center position”. 
     The axial position of the slide  20  of FIG. 5 or  6  is achieved by a further insertion movement  59  of the key  50 . In FIG. 5 the slide  20  is in the initial position identified at  20 . 1  which is the outer position of the slide in the housing  10 . This initial position  20 . 1  is by the way also present in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 where the key  50  has been removed completely or contacts  50 . 0  the cover  14 . The reached stroke position  50 . 2  of the key  50  is initially secured because the slide  20 , in which the key  50  is received, is locked in the corresponding axial position  20 . 2 . For this purpose, a springy pawl  30  in the form of a latch is provided which has a locking arm  31  and a control arm  32  fixedly connected thereto. The latch  30  is stationarily but pivotably supported at  33  in the housing  10  and projects with its locking arm  31  into the movement path of a shoulder  24  which is also moved upon axial movements of the slide  20 . In this embodiment, the shoulder  24  is provided on a cam which is a component of an axial projection  25 , shown in FIG. 5, of the slide  20 . Upon movement of the slide  20  along the travel path  52 , the axial projection  25  penetrates in a telescoping way into a sleeve  45  fixed on the housing. 
     The housing sleeve  45  and the axial projection  25  serve by the way also for receiving a strong restoring spring  40  which has the tendency to secure the slide  20  in its initial position  20 . 1 . For this purpose, it is expedient to embody also the axial projection  25  on the slide  20  of a tubular configuration, and the axial projection has an inner collar  26  on which the upper end of the restoring spring  40  is supported. The upper area of this tubular axial projection  25 , in turn, can serve as a receptacle for the already described cover pressure spring  15  which, in comparison, is much softer. The restoring spring  40  exerts onto the slide  20  a restoring force which is illustrated in FIG. 5 by arrow  41 . In this way, the slide  20  is forced against the end stop  42  fixed on the housing which in this embodiment is formed by the inner surface of the described cover  17 . This stop  42  determines the initial position  20 . 1  of the slide  20 . The cam with the shoulder  24  is still axially above the pawl  30  in the initial position  20 . 1  of the slide  20 . 
     The shoulder  24  acts with the pawl  30  like a so-called “directional lock”. The locking arm  31  is positioned with its locking end in the movement path  27  of the shoulder  24  illustrated by the dotted line  27  in FIG.  5 . Upon insertion movement  59  of FIG. 5, the cam supporting the shoulder  24  moves against the locking arm  31  of the pawl  30  and pushes it away until the shoulder  24  has reached its position illustrated in FIG.  6 . Now the locking arm  31  snaps into place in front of the shoulder  24  and secures the slide  20  against the axial spring load  41  in the axial position  20 . 2 . A return movement of the slide  20  into the preceding axial position  20 . 1  is initially not possible. 
     The axial position  20 . 2  of the slide  20  corresponding to the center position  50 . 2  of the key  50  of FIG. 6 is to be referred to as “working position”. In this center position  50 . 2  an electronic control unit of the device detects first, for example, electrically or electro-magnetically, that the correct key  50  has been inserted. The identification means in the present case is a transponder  43  integrated into the housing  10  which is a component of the electric control device, not illustrated in detail in this context. When it has been determined that the key  50  matches the device, the control unit activates its electrical outputs and/or inputs. A locking function of the vehicle steering mechanism, which has been possibly active up to this point, is released. Primarily, sensors  44  are activated which belong to an actuator  35  which in this case is manually operated. By means of these sensors  44  the desired different functions of the vehicle are selected. 
     The actuator  35  is comprised in the present case of a pushbutton which, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 8, may be integrated into the neighboring area of the same housing  10 . The pushbutton  35 , as a result of an axial guide  34 , can be axially actuated in the direction of the pressure arrow  36  of FIG. 8, and is returned by means of a restoring spring  37  and corresponding end stops into its initial position of FIG.  2 . Which actuations result in which functions within the vehicle depends on programming of the electric control unit. One possibility resides in that for a first pushing action  36  of the pushbutton  35  a radio as well as an electronic device in the vehicle are switched on, for example, the parking light, the drive for the window opener, the motor-driven seat adjustment, and the sliding roof. Also, other generally conventional control members in the vehicle can be part of the functional control of the electronic device, for example, the foot brake. The aforementioned radio adjustment is carried out in this case without actuation of the foot brake. The further functions of the vehicle can be triggered in the following way. 
     As a result of a second pushing action  36  of the pushbutton  35 , without simultaneous actuation of the foot brake, the ignition of the motor is carried out, for example. When the pushbutton  35  is pushed  36  and at the same time the foot brake is activated, the engine is started. When the pushbutton  35  is pushed again  36 , the motor is turned off. The latter action can be performed with or without actuation of the foot brake. 
     These functions can also be indicated optically in the area of the sensor  35 , as can be seen best with the aid of FIG.  8 . By means of the electronic control device, for the function “start” a first diode  46  is activated which illuminates a part of a field  38  with lettering of the pushbutton  35  according to FIG.  4 . Light partitions  39  ensure that a partial illumination at the visible side of the pushbutton  35  is possible. When the function “stop” is present, the control unit, on the other hand, supplies a second diode  46 ′ with current so that in the neighboring field  38 ′ with lettering the illumination is switched on and the inscription at the exposed side of the pushbutton  35  can be read. 
     Locking of the key  50  in the center position  50 . 2  is carried out, as disclosed above, by the locking arm  31  of the pawl  30  which, by means of the shoulder  24 , also secures the slide  20  in its corresponding working position  20 . 2 . The pawl  30 , as a result of a torsion spring load, not illustrated in detail, and the corresponding rotational stops, is normally in its locking position of FIG.  6 . The key  50  is primarily arranged in the receptacle  11  so as to be immersed and projects only with a minimal end piece  56  from the receptacle  11  according to FIG.  6 . In order to be able to release the key  50  from the center position  50 . 2 , the key  50  must first be pushed into a deeper stroke position  50 . 3  according to FIG. 7 in the direction of the shown insertion arrow  59 . This stroke position  50 . 3  is named for short “end position”. In FIG. 7 the preceding stroke positions  50 . 0  to  50 . 2  are also indicated in dash-dotted lines. 
     For the transition from FIG. 6 to FIG. 7, the key  50  is pushed only by a relatively small third travel stroke  53  according to FIG. 7 against the axial spring force  41 . The key then reaches its lowermost third stroke position  50 . 3  which, of course, corresponds also to a matching end position  20 . 3  of the slide  20 . This end position  20 . 3  is detected by a further sensor  47  which belongs to the control unit according to the invention. In the response situation, the control unit switches on a drive  48  which is comprised of an electric lifting magnet in this embodiment. This lifting magnet  48  moves a plunger  49  or the like into a working position in which it impacts on the aforementioned control arm  32  of the pawl  30 . Because the control arm  32  is fixedly connected to the locking arm  31 , this pivot movement according to FIG. 7 moves the locking arm  31  away from its current locking position. The shoulder  24  is released. The blocking of the slide  20  is thus canceled. As a result of the spring force  41  acting thereon, the slide  20  is automatically returned in the direction of movement arrow  57  of FIG.  7 . The locking arm  31  remains in its release position of FIG. 7 as a result of the action of the lifting magnet  48  until the shoulder  24  moveable together with the slide  20  has passed its locking end, i.e., up to a point shortly after the center position  50 . 2  of the key illustrated in FIG.  6 . 
     After the release according to FIG. 7, the axial spring force  41  moves the slide  20  and with it the key  50  until the conditions of FIG. 5 result again. The slide  20  stops first in its initial position  20 . 1  illustrated therein where the spring force  41  is received by the aforementioned end stop  42  for the slide  20 . The key  50  however is still located in its receptacle  11 . However, the key  50  now projects with a larger partial piece  28  from the receptacle  11 . It can be easily gripped by hand and can be completely pulled out manually in the direction of arrow  57 . In the initial position  50 . 1  of FIG. 5, the described non-positive securing action of the key  50  in the slide  20  is again present. 
     If a sudden return movement of the slide  20  from the end position into the initial position  20 . 1  of FIG. 5 occurred, the key  50  could be subjected to acceleration forces which would catapult it out of the receptacle  11 , past its non-positive initial position  50 . 1  of FIG.  5 . This can be prevented easily by a suitable damping device  60 . It is comprised in the present case of a damping wheel  60  which is stationarily but rotatably supported in the housing  10  at  61 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The damping wheel  60  is in tooth engagement via a spur gear  62  with a toothed rack  63  which is moveable together with the slide  50 . The toothed rack  63  can be integrated into the aforementioned axial projection  25  according to FIGS. 1 and 2, where also the cam for the shoulder  24  is located. Inasmuch as the sensor  47  is in the form of a microswitch, the corresponding switching cam  64  can be seated on this projection  25 . 
     The aforementioned control unit is connected by means of plug-in contacts  65  provided on the lower housing end with the electrical components in the interior of the housing  10 . For this purpose, a printed circuit board  66 , illustrated also in FIG. 8, can be used which, by means of suitable intermediate bottoms  67 , can be secured in its position in the interior of the housing according to FIG.  3 . 
     As has been mentioned before, the key  50  is released from its positive-locking engagement in FIG. 6 via FIG. 7 in an electro-mechanical way and is returned automatically into its initial position  50 . 1  of FIG.  5 . The prerequisite for this, which is monitored by the aforementioned electric control unit, is that the motor of the vehicle is turned off. When, with the motor turned on, the key  50  in the center position  50 . 2  is pushed in, the described lifting magnet  48  is not activated; the pawl  30  remains active in the locking sense and catches the key again in the center position  50 . 2  of FIG.  6 . Accordingly, an erroneous operation of the device according to the invention is prevented. 
     An alternative can however be provided in that, for the vehicle at rest where the wheels no longer turn, the motor is still running. This is also registered by the electric control unit. When, in the sense of FIG. 7, the key  50  is again pushed in, the motor can be switched off by means of an impulse circuit breaker. The described positive-locking connection of the key  50  is then again released electro-mechanically and can be removed manually via the non-positive catch from the initial position  50 . 1  in FIG.  5 . 
     As has been mentioned before, FIGS. 9 through 14 show the configuration and operation of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention which has its independent inventive importance. For naming analog components the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used so that in this respect the above description applies. It is sufficient to point out only the differences. In this device, the key  50  has the form of a check card. 
     The opening  13  at the end face of the receptacle  11  provided here is comprised of a slot in the housing  10 . The cover  14 ′ of the opening  13  is in the form of a flap whose open position is illustrated in FIG. 10 in solid lines and whose closed position with removed key is illustrated in FIG. 10 in a dash-dotted lines. Identification means for the key  50  are integrated in the housing  10  and are comprised also in the present case, for example, of a transponder  43 . A slide  20 , as provided in the first embodiment, is not present. The holding means and locking means interact directly with the key  50  whose check card contour  68 , as illustrated best in FIG. 11, is profiled in a suitable way. In this case also, the key  50  can be transferred and positioned within the receptacle  11  in three stroke positions  50 . 1 ,  50 . 2 , and  50 . 3 . These three stroke positions are illustrated in FIG. 9 by horizontal lines and are illustrated together with the cooperating components in FIGS. 12 to  14 . 
     Upon insertion  59  of the key  51  first the initial position  50 . 1  of the key  50 , illustrated in FIG. 12, is reached where the key  50  is non-positively secured in the housing  10  by a snap-in lock  70 . In this case also, the securing element  71  is comprised of a radial springy tongue but, in contrast to the first embodiment, it is stationarily positioned within the interior of the housing. The snap-in lock  70  also includes a catch recess  55  in the key  50  which is generated by a corresponding edge profile of its aforementioned edge contour  68 . A radial projection  75  on the tongue  71  engages from below non-positively a securing edge  76  on the catch recess  55 . 
     Because in this case, as mentioned, a slide is not present, the return forces  41  indicated in FIG. 9 act directly on the key  50 . Playing a decisive role for this purpose are the doubly provided restoring springs  40 ,  40 ′ which can press via a corresponding plunger  74  and  74 ′ on the lower edge  69  of the key contour  68 . In FIG. 12 one of the plungers  74  is exactly in edge contact and exerts only a minimal restoring force  41 . The non-positive securing force of the springy tongue  71  is in any case sufficient in order to ensure the initial position  50 . 1  of the key  50  of FIG. 12. A removal  57  of the key is possible against the action of the snap-in lock  70  in FIG.  12 . 
     In this second embodiment the key  50  can also be moved  59  from the initial position  50 . 1  by a travel stroke  52  into the second center position  50 . 2  in the receptacle  11  of the device, as illustrated in FIG.  13 . In this case also, a positive locking connection results in the center position  50 . 2 . The securing elements  81  provided for this are, in contrast to the first embodiment, not a component of the snap-in lock  70  but belong to a separate lock  80  which fulfills several functions. This lock is comprised in the present case of a pawl  80  which is pivotably supported on a stationary bearing  84  in the housing  10 . A pawl spring load  85  has the tendency to secure the pawl  80  in its position illustrated in FIG. 11 where it acts by means of its control arm  82  on the actuator  73  of the sensor  72  formed as a microswitch. This is the case already for the key being removed according to FIG.  11 . This control arm  82  is fixedly connected with the afore described securing element  81  of this locking device  80 . 
     In the initial position  50 . 1  of the inserted key  50  illustrated in FIG. 12, the securing element  81  of the pawl  80  comes into contact with the profiled area  79  of the circumferential contour  68  by which the pawl  80  is returned against its restoring force  86 . Accordingly, the actuator  73  of the pawl sensor  72  is released by the control arm  82 . This is recognized by an electrical control unit provided in this device to which this pawl sensor  72  is connected. The aforementioned transponder  43  is activated and detects whether the “correct key” is adjusted. Only for the correct key, the first functions in the vehicle are already switched on by the control unit, for example, the current supply for a radio, for the parking light, for a drive of the window opener, a motor-driven seat adjustment, and a sliding roof. 
     Upon pushing  52  the key  50  farther into the aforementioned center position  50 . 2  of FIG. 13, a positive-locking connection is realized in that the securing element  81  has a hook end  87  which engages behind a shoulder  88  of the key  50 . In this way, a removal of the key in the direction of arrow  57  is blocked. By carrying out the movement  52  of the key  50  from FIG. 12 to FIG. 13, stroke work against the restoring force  51  exerted by the restoring spring  40  has been carried out. However, in FIG. 13 the other restoring spring  40 ′ will come to rest with its plunger  74 ′ 0  against the lower edge  69  of the key profile  68 . The shoulder  88  belongs to an edge cutout  89  of the check card contour  68 . As a result of its return pivot force  86  the pawl  80  is thus again in the initial pivot position, already described in FIG. 11, where its control arm  82  pushes on the actuator  73  of the pawl sensor  72 . In this center position  50 . 2  of the key the corresponding electric control unit switches on the ignition of the engine in the vehicle. 
     In the center position  50 . 2  of FIG. 13 the non-positive securing action of the lock  70  is no longer important. A radial projection  75  provided on the springy tongue  71  engages still the aforementioned catch recess  55  of the key  50 , but this projection  75 , in contrast to FIG. 12, is positioned at a spacing from the securing edge  76  providing the non-positive connection of FIG.  12 . 
     Based on FIG. 13, the key  50  can be transferred by a further travel stroke  53  into the end position  50 . 3  illustrated in FIG.  14 . This requires a higher force because the insertion  59  is counteracted not only by the aforementioned restoring spring  40  but also by the second restoring spring  40 ′. The end position  50 . 3  is determined by a further sensor  77 . It is comprised in the present case also of a microswitch whose actuator  78  is pushed on by the lower edge  69  of the key profile. This key sensor  77  is, of course, also connected to the electrical control unit. At the same time, the control unit in FIG. 14 determines the pressed state of the pawl sensor  72 . As a result of its programming, the control unit turns on the starter of the motor. The engine is started. This can be realized in a time-controlled fashion. As a further prerequisite, the electrical control can monitor the pedal actuation of a foot brake. In this way, an accidental start of the engine can be prevented when the foot brake is not suppressed. Moreover, in the present case the end position  50 . 3  of the key is reached only in a pulsed fashion, as can be taken from the following condition in FIG.  14 . 
     The afore described securing arm  81  of the pawl  80  can axially move with its hook end  87  away from the shoulder  88 , which effects locking, within the correspondingly broad edge cutout  89  of the key. Despite the engagement of the pawl  80  in the edge cutout  89 , this locking action  80  of FIG. 13 is a “directional lock” which prevents the removal  57  of the key  50  from the center position  50 . 2  of FIG. 13 but allows a deeper insertion  59  of the key into the end position  50 . 3 . This is a similar action as had to be provided by separate means  30 ,  31 ,  24  in the first embodiment. In this second embodiment, the securing means  81 ,  88 ,  89  of the positive-locking lock device  80  take over simultaneously the function of this “directional lock”. 
     The afore described further downward stroke  59  of the key is also not impaired by the elements of the snap-in lock  70 . As illustrated in FIG. 14, the size of the catch recess  55  allows a corresponding undisturbed movement of the radial projection  75  on the corresponding springy tongue  71 . The free space at  89  in the area of the pawl  80 , on the one hand, and at  55  in the area of the snap-in lock  70 , on the other hand, makes possible that the restoring force  41  exerted by the restoring springs  40 ,  40 ′ returns the key  50  from the position in FIG. 14 again into the center position  50 . 2  of FIG.  13 . This is so because the center position  50 . 2  is secured by the securing element  81  of the pawl  80  which acts as a “locking arm”; the hook end  87  engages again from behind the shoulder  88  of the key  50 . Now the position “ignition” of the motor as already described in connection with FIG. 13, is present again. The motor which has been started according to FIG. 14 continues to run in FIG.  13 . 
     In order to turn off the motor, starting from the center position  50 . 2  of the key  50  in FIG. 13, the key  50  must only be pressed again, a second time, into its end position of FIG.  14 . In this connection, it is not important whether the foot brake is also suppressed or not suppressed. Instead, the electrical control can sense via a sensor the brake contact or the wheel rotation of the vehicle. The electrical control unit however also switches a drive  48  according to FIG. 9 which acts on the pawl  80 . It is comprised in this second embodiment also of a lifting magnet  48  which acts via a plunger  49  on a release arm  83  which is fixedly connected with the pawl  80 . The pawl  80  is transferred into the release position  80 ′ illustrated in dashed lines in FIG.  9 . Now the shoulder  88  is released. Because the restoring spring  40  exerts a restoring force  41 , it moves the key  50  from the center position  50 . 2  of FIG. 13 or  9  again into the initial position  50 . 1  of FIG.  12 . Now the positive locking engagement is canceled. According to FIG. 12, the locking device  80  is unlocked by the described profile area  79 . Accordingly, only the non-positive connection of the snap-in lock  70  is present. The manual removal  57  of the key  50  is possible again without problems in FIG.  12 . The actuator  73  is again in the unsuppressed state at the pawl sensor  72 . 
     Starting from the initial position  50 . 1  of the key  50  in FIG. 12, the key  50 , of course, can also be moved alternatively by a renewed two-step pushing action  59 , via the center position  50 . 2  of FIG. 13 in which the ignition is switched on by the control unit, into the end position  50 . 3  according to FIG. 14 in which the motor is started. An erroneous operation is impossible. 
     In this second embodiment the lifting magnet  48  cooperating with the pawl  80  can be used also in order to remove a “wrong key” from the device. Initially, the securing position  50 . 1  of FIG.  12  and possibly also the end position  50 . 2  of FIG. 13 can be reached with the wrong key. However, at the latest at this point in time, the transponder  43 , or the like, identifies the “wrong key”. Subsequently, the electrical control unit switches on the lifting magnet  48  which, via the plunger  49 , moves the pawl  80  into its described release position  80 ′. The restoring force  41  exerted by the restoring spring  40  forces the wrong key into the initial position  50 . 1  of FIG.  12 . The motor cannot be started with the wrong key. 
     Inasmuch as the vehicle is provided with an “automatic transmission”, the selector shaft must be moved into the position “B” or the position “N” (both idling positions) for removing the key  57  in the initial position  50 . 1  of FIG.  12 . Moreover, in this device, as in the first embodiment, an electrical steering column lock is provided which, when the key is removed, results in a locking of the steering wheel. When the correct key, which is detected by the transponder  43 , is received in the receptacle  11 , the steering wheel lock is then deactivated. Moreover, a sensor in the area of the receptacle  11  is provided, not shown in detail, which, in both embodiments, prevents a locking of the steering wheel as long as the key  50  is in one of its three stroke positions  50 . 1 ,  50 . 2 , or  50 . 3 . Only when the key  57  has been removed completely from the housing  10 , the steering column lock is activated. Also, in all driving positions of an automatic transmission an ejection movement of the key  50  in the center position  50 . 2  is not triggered and the steering column lock is not transferred into the locking position. In this way, erroneous operation can be easily prevented. 
     In the housing an illumination  90  may be provided, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, which, when opening the door, is activated for a certain amount of time. In this way, the insertion slot  13  is illuminated and facilitates the insertion of the card  50 . 
     List of Reference Numerals 
       10  housing 
       11  receptacle 
       12  contour of the instrument 
       13  opening of  11  at the end face 
       14  cover of  11   
       14 ′ cover flap (FIG. 10) 
       14 . 1  ejection position of  14  (FIGS. 1,  2 ) 
       14 . 2  insertion position of  14  (FIGS. 6 through 7) 
       15  cover pressure spring for  14   
       16  radial cutout of  10  for  23   
       17  cover for  13   
       18  axial guide means at  17 , stay 
       19  radial support surface for  23  on  10   
       20  slide 
       20 . 1  first axial position of  20 , initial position (FIGS. 1 through 5) 
       20 . 2  second axial position of  20 , working position (FIG. 6) 
       20 . 3  third axial position of  20 , end position (FIG. 7) 
       21  securing element for  50 , springy tongue 
       22  first end stop for  14 , securing element for  50 , springy projection 
       23  counter projection on  21   
       24  shoulder for  31 , cam (directional lock) 
       25  axial projection of  20   
       26  inner collar in  25  for  40   
       27  dotted line, movement path of  24   
       28  projecting partial member of  50  (FIG. 5) 
       29  second end stop of  14  (FIG. 5) 
       30  latch, pawl (directional lock) 
       31  locking arm of  30  (directional lock) 
       32  release arm of  30   
       33  pivot bearing of  30   
       34  axial guide for  35  (FIG. 8) 
       35  actuator, pushbutton 
       36  pressure actuation arrow for pushbutton actuation of  35  (FIG. 8) 
       37  restoring spring for  35   
       38  part of field with lettering of  35  for  46   
       38  ′ remainder of field with lettering of  35  for  46 ′ 
       39  light partition on  35  (FIG. 8) 
       40  ′restoring spring for  20  (FIGS. 1 through 8) or for  50  (FIGS. 9 through 14) 
       40  further restoring spring for  50  (FIGS. 9 to  14 ) 
       41  arrow of the axial restoring force on  20  or  50 , axial spring load 
       42  end stop on  10  for  20  (FIG. 5) 
       43  transponder for electronic control unit 
       44  sensor for  35  (FIGS. 2,  8 ) 
       45  housing sleeve for  25   
       46  diode for “start” in  35  (FIG. 8) 
       46  diode for “stop” in  35  (FIG. 8) 
       47  sensor for  50 . 3   
       48  drive, lifting magnet 
       49  plunger of  48   
       50  electronic key 
       50 . 0  contact position of  50  (FIGS. 1,  2 ) 
       50 . 1  first axial stroke position of  50 , initial position (FIG. 5) 
       50 . 2  second axial stroke position of  50 , center position (FIG. 6) 
       50 . 3  third axial stroke position of  50 , end position (FIG. 7) 
       51  first travel stroke of  50  (FIG. 5) 
       52  second travel stroke of  50  (FIG. 6) 
       53  third travel stroke of  50  (FIG. 7) 
       54  axial guide means of  50 , longitudinal groove 
       55  holding element, catch recess 
       56  projecting end piece of  50  in  50 . 2  (FIG. 6) 
       57  arrow of return stroke, removal movement of  50  from  11   
       58  front piece of  50   
       59  arrow of insertion movement of  50  in  11   
       60  damping device for  20 , damping wheel 
       61  rotational axis of  60   
       62  spur gear of  60   
       63  tooth rack of  62   
       64  switching cam for  47  (FIG. 2) 
       65  plug-in contact on  10   
       66  printed circuit board 
       67  intermediate bottom (FIG. 3) 
       68  card contour of  50  (FIG.  11 ), key profile 
       69  lower edge of  50   
       70  non-positive snap-in lock 
       71  securing element of  70 , springy tongue 
       72  pawl sensor 
       73  actuator of  72   
       74  plunger for  40   
       74 ′ plunger for  40 ′ 
       75  springy projection on  71   
       76  securing edge of  55  for  50  (FIG. 12) 
       77  key sensor 
       78  actuator of  77   
       79  profile area of  68  for support on  81   
       80  directional lock, pawl (locking position) 
       80 ′ unlocking position of  80   
       81  securing element of  80 , locking arm 
       82  control arm of  80   
       83  release arm of  80   
       84  pivot bearing for  80   
       85  pawl spring load 
       86  return pivot force on  80  by  85   
       87  hook end of  81   
       88  shoulder for  87  on  80   
       89  edge cutout of  68  for  87   
       90  illumination of  11  (FIG. 10)

Technology Category: 4