GB2087969A

GB2087969A - Remote control vehicle security system

Info

Publication number: GB2087969A
Application number: GB8037214A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-07-14
Filing date: 1980-11-20
Publication date: 1982-06-03

Abstract

A vehicle security system for use in vehicles and the like having a battery 4, an ignition coil and a key switch 8 connecting the battery and the ignition coil. A switch 20, is coupled to the ignition coil and is responsive to a control signal for assuming a closed condition thereby to electrically connect the key switch and the ignition coil. A receiver unit 24 powered by the battery through the key switch produces the control signal in response to a radio signal and a transmitter unit 28 is adopted to transmit the radio signal to the receiver unit. The vehicle cannot be operated unless current is provided to the ignition coil and this will not occur unless the switch to the ignition coil is closed. Switches 44, 52 responsive to a control signal may also be coupled to a carburation fuel valve 34 and fuel pump 36. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Remote control vehicle security system This invention relates to a security system for preventing unauthorized operation of a vehicle.

Auto theft and systems and methods for preventing such theft have been a concern for some time. A variety of approaches have been suggested ranging from simply better concealing of the vehicle key switch to thus inhibit "hot wiring", to more complicated schemes in which provision is made for production of an audible signal when an unauthorized person attempts to break into or start the vehicle. Although the various approaches have had some measure of success, auto theft is still a major concern. Also, many of the approaches are quite complicated, requiring major modification of a vehicle's existing electrical system. Some of such systems are disclosed in U.S. patent nos. 3,675,035, 4,023,138, 3,834,484 and 3,961,310.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved security system for use in vehicles.

It is another object of the invention to provide a security system which requires very little modification of a vehicle's existing electrical system or fuel system.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a security system which requires very little power to operate.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a security system which requires the use of a portable transmitting device in order to activate the system.

The above and other objects of the present invention are realized in a specific illustrative embodiment thereof which includes a switch device responsive to a control signal for assuming a closed position to thereby electrically connect a key switch with a power delivery system of a vehicle, receiver apparatus coupled through the key switch of the vehicle to the battery for receiving electrical current from the battery when the key switch is closed, and responsive to a certain radio signal for applying the control signal to the switch means, and a portable transmitter device for producing the required radio signal to operate the receiver apparatus. With this arrangement, both the vehicle's key switch and the switch device must be operated in order to actuate the power delivery system of the vehicle.

Further, the receiver apparatus will not draw power unless the key switch is closed so very little power is required by the system. Finally, "hot wiring" around the key switch of a vehicle will not enable the starting of the vehicle since current will not be supplied to the power delivery system unless the switch device is closed and this requires an appropriate transmitter device. The power delivery system might be the ignition coil and breaker points, electrically operated fuel pump, etc.

In the drawing: Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawing of one illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing: The vehicle security system of the present invention is adapted for use in a conventional vehicle ignition system which includes a battery 4, a key operated switch 8 coupled to the battery, and an ignition coil 1 2 coupled to the key switch.

The ignition coil 12 includes a low voltage primary winding coupled to the switch 8 and also via a lead 18 to the breaker points of an ignition distributor and breaker points unit 16, and a high voltage secondary winding which is coupled via lead 14 to the unit 1 6. High voltage pulses are produced on the secondary winding for application to the ignition distributor of the unit 1 6 by operation of the breaker points which successively opens the primary winding of the ignition coil.

This, of course, is all conventional circuitry of vehicle ignition systems. Other circuitry and devices such as a starter motor are coupled to the circuitry shown but because they do not comprise any part of the present invention, they were not included in the drawing. It should be understood that the references contained herein to breaker points, etc., of an ignition system should be interpreted to include their equivalent electronic counterparts of modern ignition systems.

A conventional vehicle also includes a carburetor 32 or equivalent fuel/air mixing device for mixing fuel and air for delivery to an engine, a fuel tank 40, and a fuel pump 36 for pumping fuel from the fuel tank through a fuel line 38 to the carburetor.

In one embodiment of the present invention, provision is made for coupling a switch 20 between the ignition coil 12 and the breaker points of the unit 1 6. The switch 20 is a two position switch having an open position, in which electrical current may not be conducted therethrough, and a closed position, in which electrical current will be conducted from the ignition coil 12 through the switch 20 to the breaker points. A receiver 24 is coupled to the switch 20 to control the operation of the switch, i.e., control the closing of the switch. The receiver 24 is coupled to the ignition coil 12 and in particular to the primary winding input from the key switch 8 so that when the key switch 8 is closed, current from the battery 4 will flow to the receiver. Alternatively, the receiver 24 might be coupled directly to the key switch 8, by a lead 22.

The receiver 24 is a conventional radio receiver adapted to produce a control signal for application to the switch 20 upon receipt of a certain radio signal. The receiver 24 could include a resonant relay which would operate to produce the control signal in response to the radio signal. A portable transmitter 28 is provided to produce the radio signal for causing the receiver 24 to produce the control signal. The transmitter 28 may be any one of a variety of conventional portable transmitters capable of transmitting a distinctive frequency to which the receiver 24 is tuned.

Alternatively, the transmitter 28 could be adapted to produce a distinctive coded signal to which the receiver 24 would be adapted to respond. This, would allow for use in one locality of numerous transmitters and receivers without fear of interference among them.

In operation, a vehicle owner, in order to actuate his ignition system, would close the key switch 8 by inserting and turning his ignition key in the vehicle s key receptacle. This would close the circuit between the battery 4 and the receiver 24 so that current was being supplied to the receiver. The vehicle owner would then operate his portable transmitter 28 to send a radio signal to the receiver 24. Upon receipt of the radio signal, the receiver 24 would generate a control signal which would be applied to the switch 20 causing the switch to close to thereby conduct electrical current from the ignition coil 12 to the breaker points of unit 1 6. This would enable operation of the ignition system.Advantageously, the switch 20 could be a lock-up relay which, after being closed, is maintained in the closed position by the flow of current from the ignition coil to the breaker points. Alternatively, the switch 20 could be a simple relay which would remain closed only so long as the control signal were received from the receiver 24. In this case, the receiver 24 would be adapted to initially produce the control signal in response to the radio signal and thereafter so long as current was received via the key switch 8 from the battery 4. In either case, when the vehicle owner desired to turn off the vehicle engine, he would simply remove the ignition key thereby opening the key switch 8 and this, in turn, would interrupt or open the ignition circuit so that no current could flow either to the receiver 24 or from the ignition coil 12 to the breaker points.The switch 20 would thus open and remain open until closed again by the receiver 24.

The switch 20 should be placed in a fairly inaccessible location, preferably under the dashboard of the vehicle. Thus positioned, it would be exceedingly difficult or at least time consuming to wire around the key switch 8 and also locate and wire around the switch 20 in order to activate the ignition system.

In an alternative embodiment, the switch 20 could be disposed in lead 14 to interconnect the ignition coil 1 2 and the ignition distributor unit 1 6.

This, however, may not be as advantageous because of the large voltage applied to lead 14.

Alternatively, the switch 20 could be disposed between the key switch 8 and the ignition coil 8, with the receiver 24 coupled to the key switch to derive power therethrough when the key switch is closed.

The present invention can be utilized to control the flow of current in other parts of a vehicle's power delivery system. Thus, if the vehicle's fuel pump 36 were electrically operated, a switch 44 could be disposed in a lead 48 interconnecting the key switch 8 and the fuel pump 36. The switch 44 would be of the same type as switch 20 to respond to a control signal from the receiver 24 by closing to conduct current from the key switch 8 to the fuel pump. This would enable operation of the fuel pump 36. Upon opening the key switch 8, the switch 44 would also open and remain open until caused to close by activation of the receiver 24 by the transmitter 28.

In a final embodiment of the invention, a valve 34 is disposed in the fuel line 38 to control the flow of fuel therethrough. The valve 34 may be a conventional electrically operated solenoid valve responsive to electrical current from a switch 52 for opening to allow fuel to flow from the fuel pump 36 to the carburetor 32. The switch 52, again is similar to switch 20 in that it responds to a control signal from the receiver 24 by closing to conduct current from the key switch 8 to the valve 34. So long as current is conducted by the switch 52, the switch remains closed to thereby maintain the valve 34 open.

Although each of the embodiments of the invention has been discussed as though it would be installed by itself in a vehicle, it will be recognized that the embodiments could all be utilized or could be utilized in different combinations to give the security desired.

With the above described arrangements, simple and easy to install vehicle security systems are provided. The system use power only when the vehicle is being operated since power is supplied to the receiver 24 only upon operation of the key switch 8.

Claims

1. A remote control vehicle security system for use in a vehicle comprising a battery, an ignition coil, a key switch having open and closed positions and operable, when in the closed position, to electrically connect the battery to the ignition coil and a unit having an ignition distributor and breaker points, switch means, connected in series with the ignition coil between the key switch and unit, having open and closed positions and responsive to a control signal for operating to the closed position to electrically connect the key switch to the unit, a receiver coupled to the key switch for receiving electrical current from the battery when the key switch is closed and responsive to a certain radio signal for applying the control signal to the switch means and a portable transmitter for producing the certain radio signal.

2. A system as claimed in Claim 1, in which the switch means is adapted to remain in the closed position following operation thereof so long as electrical current is being supplied therethrough.

3. A system as claimed in Claim 1 in which the switch means is operable to electrically connect the ignition coil to the breaker points of the unit.

4. A system as claimed in Claim 1, in which the switch means is operable to electrically connect the ignition coil to the distributor of the unit.

5. A system as claimed in Claim 1, in which switch means is operable to electrically connect the key switch to the ignition coil.

6. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which an electrically operated fuel pump is provided for pumping fuel from a fuel tank to a fuel mixing unit, the switch means being coupled between the key switch and the fuel pump, responsive to a control signal for operating to the closed position to electrically connect the key switch to the fuel pump.

7. A system as claimed in and of Claims 1 to 5, in which a fuel line delivers fuel to a fuel mixing unit, a valve being coupled into the fuel line and responsive to a control current for allowing fuel to flow in the fuel line through the valve, the switch means coupled between the key switch and the valve and responsive to a control signal for operating to the closed position to supply control current from the key switch to the valve.

8. A system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, in which an electrical power delivery system is adapted to receive current from the battery when the key switch is closed, the switch means being coupled into the power delivery system and responsive to a control signal for operating to the closed position to enable the flow of current from the key switch through the power delivery system

9. A remote control vehicle security system for use in a vehicle constructed and arranged to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.