Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
  • F02P—IGNITION, OTHER THAN COMPRESSION IGNITION, FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES; TESTING OF IGNITION TIMING IN COMPRESSION-IGNITION ENGINES
  • F02P11/00—Safety means for electric spark ignition, not otherwise provided for
  • F02P11/04—Preventing unauthorised use of engines
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
  • B60R25/01—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens
  • B60R25/04—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor

Definitions

• This invention relates to a security system and particularly to a system for reducing the incidence of theft of apparatus powered by internal combustion engines.
• the present invention aims to overcome or alleviate the above disadvantages by providing a security system applicable primarily to vehicles having internal combustion engines which simply and effectively disables such engines and prevents their unauthorised starting.
• the present invention aims in a preferred aspect to provide a system which prevents unauthorised starting of an engine by "hot wiring".
• the present invention is particularly suitable for use with motor vehicles, however it may readily be applied to boats, motor cycles or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine and thus the term "vehicle" used throughout the speci ication includes the aforementioned.
• the present invention also aims in a further preferred aspect to provide a security system which incorporates means to prevent or minimise the risks of "car-jacking". Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent hereunder.
• the present invention thus provides in one aspect a security system for use with a vehicle of the type having an internal combustion engine and a management system for controlling the operation of said engine, said security system including control circuit means having first and second states, said control circuit means in said first state inhibiting operation of said management system so as to prevent operation of said engine, control means for causing said control circuit means to be placed from said first state into said second state, said control circuit means in said second state enabling operation of said management system thereby allowing operation of said engine.
• the management system of the engine normally includes a number of data lines which receive data from various sensors around the engine such as sensors associated with the harmonic balancer and which supply data for control of various engine components including an igniter for providing ignition pulses to the vehicle spark plugs and in the case of a fuel injected vehicle, to fuel injectors for supplying fuel at desired intervals through the injectors.
• the security system of the invention operates on the data lines to either prevent signals being received by the management system, such as timing signals from the harmonic balancer or prevent signals being transmitted to the igniter or fuel injectors.
• the control circuit means includes first switch means which is connected, preferably by DC isolating circuit to one or more of the data lines.
• the switch means when the ignition switch is OFF is normally open but is closed by the control circuit means when the ignition switch is turned ON. This connects the data lines to the main supply via a DC isolating circuit to suppress the data signals by effectively sending back an equal and opposite signal to cancel the data signals.
• the control circuit means also has a third inoperative state, when the engine is not in operation and the ignition switch is OFF, the control circuit means being placed from its third state into its first state upon switching of the ignition switch to an ON position which supplies current to the control circuit means.
• the internal combustion engine includes a starter solenoid and the control circuit means in its third and first states suitably maintains the circuit between the ignition switch and starter solenoid open, the control circuit means closing the circuit between the ignition switch and the solenoid in its second state.
• the control circuit means may include a second switch means in series between the starter solenoid and ignition switch, the second switch means being normally open but being closed when the control circuit means is in its second state.
• an anti-hotwiring circuit is associated with the security system for preventing starting of the engine by hot wiring.
• the anti-hotwiring circuit comprises capacitance means associated with the control circuit means for inhibiting operation of the management system by preventing or corrupting data input thereto or data output therefrom when the circuit means is in its first state.
• the anti-hot wiring circuit may include the first switch means which is connected to one or more of the data input or data output lines of the management system so as to prevent data being supplied to the management system, or transmitted from the management system.
• the capacitance means of the anti-hot wiring circuit is in series with the first switch means and connected to the ignition switch or a supply line supplied by the ignition switch.
• the first switch will close connecting the data lines through the capacitance means to the supply effectively providing an AC short to suppress the data signals.
• the switch means may comprise mechanical switches but preferably the switch means are semiconductor switches such as MOSFET switches.
• control means comprises touch responsive switch means.
• control means comprises remote actuating means.
• the remote actuating means may include infra-red control means.
• control circuit means includes timing circuit means which requires the touch pad to be touched for a predetermined period of time before the control circuit means operates to switch the respective switches and enable the ignition circuit. This thereby prevents operation in the event that the touch pad is inadvertently touched.
• the security system of the invention also suitably includes a circuit which may be actuated to prevent continued engine operation where unauthorised entry to the vehicle has occurred during normal vehicle operation.
• the control circuit means is connected to one or more of the door switches to sense opening thereof.
• a timing circuit is provided so as to cause the control circuit means to be placed in its first state a predetermined time after sensing of opening of the door. This then prevents engine operation.
• the present invention provides a security system for use with a vehicle of the type having an internal combustion engine and a management system for controlling the operation of said engine, said management system having a plurality of data lines, said security system including control circuit means connectable to at least one of said data lines, said control circuit means in a first state suppressing or corrupting information on said at least one of said data lines to prevent operation of said engine, touch sensitive circuit means operable to cause said control circuit means to be placed from said first state into a second state, said control circuit means in said second state permitting data to flow along said data line to thereby permit operation of said engine.
• the present invention provides a security system for use with a vehicle of the type having an internal combustion engine and a management system for controlling the operation of said engine, said security system including control circuit means having first and second states, said control circuit means in said first state inhibiting operation of said management system so as to prevent operation of said engine, said circuit means in said second state enabling operation of said management system thereby allowing operation of said engine, and means for sensing opening of a door of said vehicle to cause said control circuit means to be placed in said first state to prevent operation of said engine.
• a vehicle engine 10 having an associated management system 11 incorporates a computer or microprocessor and which includes a number of data lines comprising input lines 12 which are connected to various sensors and receptors around the engine 10, including for example a sensor connected to a harmonic balancer to provide timing signals.
• the management system 11 also includes data output lines 14 which are connected say to an igniter 15 which generates pulses for application to the engine spark plugs.
• the management system 11 may also be connected through the output data lines 14 to electronic fuel injectors 16 of the engine 10 to control operation thereof.
• Other sensors and receptors around the vehicle engine 10 provide various signals by which the management system 11 controls vehicle operation.
• a starter motor 17 is provided for the starting of the engine 10, the starter motor 17 being controlled by a starter solenoid 18.
• a battery 19 is provided for supplying current to the starter solenoid 18 and motor 17 and other electrical components of the engine, application of current from the battery 19 being controlled by a ignition switch 20 which suitably is key operated.
• the security system 21 of the invention is also adapted to receive supply through the ignition switch 20 and is based around a control circuit 22 which in this embodiment includes a software programmed microprocessor 23.
• the microprocessor 23 may comprise a hardware wired circuit.
• the control circuit 22 includes a first normally opened switch 24 which is arranged to be connected in series between the ignition switch 20 and starter solenoid 18.
• the system additionally includes a further normally open switch 25 which is connected to a DC isolating circuit 26 which may include a capacitor and which may be connected through line 27 to one of the data lines 12 or 14, to or from the management system 11.
• a capacitor 28 is provided between the ignition switch 20 or a supply line connected to the ignition switch 20, and switch 25.
• the switches 24 and 25 are preferably semi conductor switches, such as MOSFETS, whose switching is controlled by the microprocessor 23, the microprocessor 23 to cause switching of the MOSFET switches applying pulses to their gates.
• the microprocessor 23 is also supplied through the ignition switch 24.
• a touch sensitive switch circuit 29 Connected to the microprocessor 23 is a touch sensitive switch circuit 29 which includes a touch pad or terminal 30. Also connected to the microprocessor 23 is a door switch circuit 31 which is connected to one or more door switches 32 of the vehicle, the door switches 32 comprising the normal courtesy or interior light switches mounted on the door pillar.
• a time delay provided by the microprocessor 23 will require the pad 30 to be touched, say for two seconds before the switching pulses are sent to the switches 24 and 25.
• the ignition switch 20 When the ignition switch 20 is then turned to its ignition state, current will flow to the starter solenoid 18 through the closed switch 24 and at the same time the switch 25 being opened will disconnect the data lines 12 or 14 from the control circuit 22 so as to permit data to be received by or transmitted to the management system 11. The engine 10 may thus be started. If, however, the ignition switch 20 is turned OFF, power will be removed from the circuit 22 so that the circuit 22 is deactivated causing the switches 24 and 25 to return to their non-operative attitude with the switches 21 and 22 open. It will thus be apparent, that the engine 10 cannot be started until and unless the above procedure is again adopted.
• the ignition switch 20 is isolated from the starter solenoid 18 by the open switch 24. If one attempts to start the engine by "hot wiring", the ignition switch 20 is usually bypassed so that current can be supplied to the starter solenoid 18 and thus the starter motor. This supply will also be available or provided to the control circuit 22 so that the switch 25 will close.
• the sensors associated with the engine 10 will attempt to send data signals to the management system 11 and the management system 11 will attempt to send data to the fuel injectors 16 and/or the igniter 15.
• the capacitor 28, however, connected to the supply and through the closed switch 25 and isolating circuit 26 to the data lines 12 or 14 will effectively suppress through the switch 22 the data signals transmitted by or received from the management system 11.
• the capacitor 34 thus provides an AC short to cancel the data signals.
• the isolating circuit 26 prevents DC passing to the data lines 12 or 14 and thus the management system 11 from the supply to which the capacitor 28 is connected.
• the touch pad 30 for the touch switch circuit 29 may comprise any metal part of the vehicle which is insulated from earth or alternatively any metal part mounted to the vehicle such as a screw, bolt, or emblem again insulated from earth and the remainder of the vehicle. Such a touch pad 30 may be provided by any conductive element which for example may be mounted to a vinyl panel within the vehicle. Operation of the circuit 29 relies on a circuit being made from the touch pad 30 to earth through the body. This will occur when a person is touching the touch pad 30 at the same time that he is touching the ignition key, the ignition key completing the circuit to earth. If the ignition key is covered with an insulating material such as plastics it may be provided with an exposed metal portion for contact by the user.
• Such an exposed metal portion may comprise a rivet or other fastener.
• one may touch the touch pad 30 and another earth in the vehicle such as a metal trim strip and this will place the circuit 22 in an active mode so as to enable the ignition switch 20 to be operated to start the vehicle engine.
• an earth point or terminal may be located adjacent to the touch pad 30 so that a finger of a user may span both creating the circuit between the touch pad 30 and earth.
• the touch sensitive switch circuit 29 may be provided with an override facility in the form of a switch which will connect the touch pad to earth, furthermore a pair of spaced apart touch pads or terminals 30 may be provided in place of the single touch pad 30. A switch also may be provided to enable selection of the pad 30 which will cause actuation of the circuit.
• the control circuit 22 incorporates in a preferred form a microprocessor and MOSFET switches. The microprocessor however, may be replaced by a hardware wired control circuit with the MOSFET switches replaced by relay operator switches.
• the preferred security system 21 suitably incorporates a touch switch circuit 29 as described and illustrated, the system may include remote actuating means such as an infra red or ultrasonic or radio wave remote actuating system in place of the touch switch circuit 29 so that the system can be operated remotely.
• remote actuating means such as an infra red or ultrasonic or radio wave remote actuating system in place of the touch switch circuit 29 so that the system can be operated remotely.
• the security system 21 may additionally include a door opening sensitive circuit 31 which includes the door switches 32 as normally incorporated in a vehicle door pillar actuated when a door is open to actuate courtesy or interior lights within the vehicle.
• a door opening sensitive circuit 31 which includes the door switches 32 as normally incorporated in a vehicle door pillar actuated when a door is open to actuate courtesy or interior lights within the vehicle.
• the anti-carjacking circuit could of course be used with forms of security systems other than that described above.
• This circuit also preferably includes an override switch which enables the circuit to be disconnected or overridden which can be used at the owners discretion. Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative embodiment of the invention, all such modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein defined in the appended claims.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
• Combined Controls Of Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=3776937

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

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Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 1994
  • 1994-06-02 CA CA002164313A patent/CA2164313A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1994-06-02 WO PCT/AU1994/000293 patent/WO1994028301A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1994-06-02 EP EP94916846A patent/EP0701658A4/de not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (3)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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