Electronic key, especially for motor vehicles

Electronic key (10), in particular, for motor vehicles, comprising a housing (20) configured to receive electronic components (11) configured to send or receive signals (15) and to activate a corresponding electronic or electromechanical lock,

• and comprising a mechanical emergency key (30) which is insertable with a key shaft (31) into a receptacle (27) of the housing (20), wherein the receptacle is a blind hole and the key shaft (31) is insertable in an axial direction of the blind hole, and is secured in the insertion situation in the housing, wherein the emergency key (30), when in use, is axially completely removed from the blind hole and is separated from the housing (20), wherein the emergency key (30) is provided with a widened portion (32) located externally to the blind hole in the insertion situation,
• wherein a securing action for the emergency key (30) in the insertion situation is generated by a positive locking action between the widened portion (32) and the housing (20) realized in that
• one housing end (28) has a cutout (40) which is undercut (45, 46) at least over portions thereof and normally, with the emergency key (30) inserted, prevents an axial pulling-out movement (47) of the emergency key (30),
• wherein the key head in the insertion situation is positioned inside the housing (20) in a substantially positive-locking securing position (30),
• and the emergency key in the blind hole of the housing (20) is rotatable is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the key shaft out of the securing position (30) into a release position (30′) in which the positive locking action between the widened portion (32′) and the cutout (40) is released in a direction of the axial pulling-out movement (47) of the emergency key.