US 12,221,064 B2
Smart key system for automobile
Koushi Yamada, Odawara (JP); Junichi Sudo, Fujisawa (JP); Kenichiro Sakurai, Nagakute (JP); and Toshio Tanahashi, Susono (JP)
Assigned to TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Toyota (JP)
Filed by TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Toyota (JP)
Filed on Oct. 27, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/050,218.
Claims priority of application No. 2021-197305 (JP), filed on Dec. 3, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0174015 A1, Jun. 8, 2023
Int. Cl. B60R 25/24 (2013.01); B60R 25/20 (2013.01); G07C 9/00 (2020.01)
CPC B60R 25/24 (2013.01) [B60R 25/2072 (2013.01); G07C 9/00309 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A smart key system for an automobile, comprising:
an on-vehicle device configured to transmit and receive a radio signal to and from an electronic key; and
a resin panel through which the on-vehicle device is fixed to and held by a body of the automobile,
wherein the on-vehicle device comprises:
a transmitter configured to transmit a search signal to the electronic key;
a receiver configured to receive a response signal transmitted from the electronic key in response to the search signal;
a control unit configured to control at least the transmission of the search signal;
a resin case configured to house therein the transmitter, the receiver, and the control unit;
an input unit on an end of the resin case that receives an input from a user and communicates with the control unit that the input was performed; and
a surfactant that covers the input unit to remove an electrostatic charge generated by the search signal transmitted from the transmitter from either or both of the resin case and the resin panel.