GB2228522A

GB2228522A - Vehicle and locking system

Info

Publication number: GB2228522A
Application number: GB8828416A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Tidbury
Original assignee: MG Rover Group Ltd
Current assignee: MG Rover Group Ltd
Priority date: 1988-12-06
Filing date: 1988-12-06
Publication date: 1990-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2008-12-06
Also published as: GB8828416D0; GB2228522B; EP0372791A2; EP0372791A3; JPH03115677A

Description

-I- A VEHICLE AND LOCKING SYSTE1 This invention relates to a vehicle and

locking system therefor and in particular to a vehicle locking system for a vehicle on which the doors may be centrally locked on receipt of a signal from a transmitter held by a user.

Vehicles having central door locking rely upon a power source, usually the vehicle battery, to actuate locks on each door. To date, if the power source has failed for any reason, manually operable means adjacent one of the door handles has been necessary to override the central locking actuation and release the door lock to enable the latch to be operated and entry to be gained to the vehicle.

It is a disadvantage with such known systems that the manually operable means on the door or doors reduces security of the vehicle by providing an opportunity for the lock to be forced from outside the vehicle.

It is an object of the invention to overcome disadvantages of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle locking system including central door lock actuating means operable externally of the vehicle only by a signal from a remote transmitter and having a first power source, and auxiliary door lock actuating means operable from a position remote from the doors and having a second power source to unlock, separately from the central door lock actuating means, at least one door of the vehicle.

Increased vehicle security is thus provided.

The central door lock actuating means may be operable by any suitable type of signal, for example infra red or a sonic signal. The signal is preferably coded.

The auxiliary door lock actuating means may be key operated, for reliability, and preferably by a high security key.

For additional security and for reasons of weather protection, the auxiliary door lock actuating means may be located in a lockable compartment within the vehicle, for example-within the boot. For simplicity the compartment may be unlocked by the same key used to operate the auxiliary door,lock actuating means.

It will be appreciated that the auxiliary door lock actuating means may also be used for vehicle systems other than door locking; for example a vehicle alarm, a boot interior release or any other security operating system.

The second power source may be a second battery which may be kept charged for example by charging means in an electrical system for the vehicle independently of the first power source or main battery.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle incorporating a locking system according to the first aspect of the invention.

Preferably the doors have no keyholes.

The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying schematic drawing showing the procedural steps involved in a vehicle locking system according to the invention.

Referring to the drawing, central door loc'k actuating means 1 operated by a signal from a hand held transmitter is connnected to a motorised door lock on each door in parallel with auxiliary door lock actuating means 2.

In normal use the door locks are actuated by the central door lock actuating means 1 by means of a coded infra red signal from the hand held transmitter. The coded infra red signal is received by one or more receivers positioned wherever desired on the vehicle. These may be positioned on the doors, for example, or a single receiver may be positioned in a suitably visible position within the vehicle. The coded infra red signal then passes from the receiver to the transducer where it is converted into a coded electrical signal which passes to a decoder. The decoder is positioned on the vehicle such that it, and a lock control mechanism to which its decoded signal passes, are inaccessible to unauthorised tampering. The positioning is also arranged such that it is made difficult to intercept a signal sent from the control mechanism to the lock.

Should the central door lock actuating means 1 be unusable for any reason, for example because of a flat battery or because of component failure, the auxiliary door lock actuating means 2 may be used. Access is gained to the auxiliary means 2 by unlocking the vehicle boot with a high security key 3 and then using the same key 3 to operate the auxiliary means 2. The auxiliary means 2 is powered by an auxiliary battery housed in the boot and kept charged by the vehicle alternator. The auxiliary battery is housed in an accessible position in the boot-for charging or for replacement in the event of failure. It will be appreciated-that access to the auxiliary battery does not render the means 2 non secure as operation is still dependant upon use of the high security key 3.

Use of the key 3 in its switch sends a signal to the auxiliary control mechanism which actuates motorised locks on two front doors of the vehicle to allow entry into the vehicle to be Afl i.

gained. Removal of the key 3 from the switcli will automatically actuate the motorised locks to re-lock the front doors and render the vehicle secure in case it has not been possible to restore operation of the central door lock actuating means 1.

1 t.

Claims

A vehicle locking system including central door lock actuating means operable externally of the vehicle only by a signal from a remote transmitter and having a first power source, and auxiliary door lock actuating means operable from a position remote from the doors and having a second power source to unlock, separately from the central door lock actuating means, at least one door of the vehicle.

A vehicle locking system according to claim 1, wherein the central door lock actuating means is operable by infra red coded signal.

A vehicle locking system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the auxiliary door lock actua.ting means is-ke operated.

A vehicle locking system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the auxiliary door lock actuating means is located in a lockable compartment within the vehicle.

41 k_ A vehicle locking system according to anv of the preceding claims, wherein the second power source is a second battery kept charged by charging means in an electrical system for the vehicle independently of the first power source.

6. A vehicle locking system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

A vehicle incorporating a locking system according to any of the preceding claims.

A vehicle according to claim 7, wherein doors thereof have no keyholes.

9. A vehicle substantially as herein described.

Published 1990 at The Patent Office, State Hous, 6671 High Holborn. London WC1R4TP. Further copies maybe obtained Lmin The Patent OfficeSales Branch, St Mary Cray. Orpington. Kent BRS 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd, St Mary Cray. Kent, Con. 187