GB2289723A

GB2289723A - Preventing vehicle theft

Info

Publication number: GB2289723A
Application number: GB9409803A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Eric Spiller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-05-17
Filing date: 1994-05-17
Publication date: 1995-11-29
Also published as: GB9409803D0

Abstract

Ignition or fuel flow is prevented with the engine running by energising a relay R1 in response to a relay R2 being de-energised. The circuit of the relay R2 includes an arming switch 20 and a switch 15 which is opened to de-energise the relay in response to attempted vehicle operation, e.g. by release of the hand brake or operation of the steering wheel, gear lever or a foot pedal. An audible and/or visual alarm may be operated when the relay R2 is de-energised. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Vehicle disabling system Description of Invention This invention relates to a vehicle disabling system and a vehicle having such a system.

It is common practice for the engine of an emergency service vehicle or a breakdown attendance vehicle or delivery vehicle or the like, to be left running while the driver is attending to an emergency or broken down vehicle, or delivering an item, so as to maintain battery charge particularly where hazard warning lights and/or other services within the vehicle, are left running,or simply for convenience.

Hence in such a condition, with the driver absent, such a vehicle is prone to theft.

According to one aspect of the invention I provide a disabling system for a vehicle in which the engine is operational, comprising means to sense operation of a control of the vehicle and to disable operation of the engine in response.

Thus the engine of a vehicle may be left running, but the vehicle will be disabled in the event that the control of the vehicle is actuated by an unauthorised person. Thus theft of the vehicle is prevented.

According to a second aspect of the invention I provide a vehicle having a disabling system according to the first aspect of the invention.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a schematic illustration of an electrical circuit of a vehicle including a disabling system in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawing, where is shown part of an electrical circuit of a vehicle, to which is fitted a disabling system. The system includes a control circuit 10 which is electrically connected into an ignition/fuel "on" circuit of an internal combustion engine of the vehicle, and is electrically connected to a handbrake-on warning lamp circuit, to operate in accordance with the invention.

The vehicle in this example has a diesel engine with an electrical service to the diesel engine to operate a fuel valve 12 or a relay to operate a fuel valve of the engine, through an ignition switch 13. Alternatively the invention could be applied to a petrol engine of a vehicle, in which case, the electrical service to the engine could comprise any desired essential electrical connection to the petrol engine which is essential for proper operation of the petrol engine.

The invention may also be applied to other kinds of engines within vehicles where it is desired to apply a disabling function.

The control circuit 10 of the disabling system comprises a pair of relays which are shown at R1 and R2. In normal operation of the engine, a pair of contacts cl and c2 of relay R1 are closed such that current from a battery of the vehicle passes through the ignition switch 13, via the contacts cl, c2, of relay R1, to the fuel valve 12.

Also, in normal operation, when a handbrake control is activated to apply the handbrake, a circuit is completed through a mechanical handbrake switch 15 which is coupled to the handbrake so that electrical current can pass from the vehicle battery, through a handbrake-on warning lamp 16 through the handbrake switch 15, to earth.

Relay R2 of the circuit 10 of the disabling system has a pair of contacts dl and d2 which are normally closed, but these contacts are normally isolated from the vehicle battery such that no current flows through the relay R2.

Relay R1 is activated by means of a first coil 18 to open the contacts cl, c2 of the relay R1, and close contacts cl and c3.

Relay R2 is activated by means of a coil 19 which when energised open contacts dl and d2, and closes contact dl with a further contact d3 which is entirely isolated. If desired, contact d3 could be utilised to provide an audible and/or visual alarm that theft of the vehicle was being attempted.

The disabling system further includes an arming switch 20 which may conveniently be located within the cab of the vehicle. This might take the form of a key pad, a hidden switch or a key operated switch. Alternatively, the arming switch may be activated by means of a remote infrared, ultrasonic radio or other kind of transmitter.

In each event, when the arming switch 20 is closed, and the handbrake switch 15 is also closed, current from the vehicle battery passes via a fuse 21, through the coil 19 of relay R2, to open contacts dl and d2. The current flows through the coil 19 to earth via the handbrake switch 15, and thus the contacts dl and d2 remain open.

The disabling system also comprises an LED indicator 22 and current also passes from the vehicle battery through the arming switch 20 through the indicator 22 to earth when the arming switch 20 is closed usually to indicate that the vehicle disabling device is in operation.

Coil 18 of relay R1 remains unenergised, and hence contacts cl and c2 of the relay R1 remain closed. Thus the engine of the vehicle can continue to function.

However, in the event that the handbrake control is released, handbrake switch 15 will be opened. Thus coil 19 of relay R2 will become deenergised and contacts dl and d2 of relay R2 will again be closed. Current can then flow from the vehicle battery through coil 18 to ground, via contacts dl and d2, to open contacts c1 and c2 of relay R1. Thus the current through the ignition switch 13 to the fuel valve 12 or other electrical service of the engine, will be disrupted, and the engine will stop.

It will not be possible to restart the engine of the vehicle either until the arming switch 20 is again opened at which time, coil 18 of relay R1 will be deenergised and contacts cl and c2 of relay R1 will again be closed, or until the handbrake switch 15 is again closed. Immediately the handbrake switch 15 is opened again though, when the handbrake is released, coil 18 of relay R1 will again be energised, and the electrical service to the engine will be disrupted.

Various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

In the example described, an indicator lamp comprising an LED is indicated at 22. Any other suitable indicator, or no indicator at all may be provided if desired, to indicate that the disabling device is in operation.

Although the use of a pair of relays R1 and R2 enables a very simple electrical circuit to be provided, variants are of course possible. The relays R1.

R2, could be replaced by solid state devices and/or the entire control circuit 10 of the disabling device could be incorporated into a single solid state component.

In the example shown, there are a pair of diodes 24 and 25 and an electrical resistor 26, all required for proper operation of the system, although in an alternative circuit, such components need not be required, or may be replaced by alternative components.

In the example described, the disabling system is coupled to the handbrake switch 15 of the vehicle which operates the handbrake-on warning lamp 16. The invention could of course be applied to any other switch which is operated by a control of the vehicle necessary for the proper operation and driving of the vehicle. For example, a suitable switch could be provided on a gear stick, or on a foot pedal control, steering wheel or otherwise as desired. The switch may be a switch already provided in the vehicle, such as handbrake switch 15, or may be a switch specifically provided for operation of the disabling device.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the following claims or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combir--tion of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A disabling system for a vehicle in which the engine is operational comprising means to sense operation of a control of the vehicle and to disable operation of the engine in response.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the means to sense operation of a control of the vehicle comprises an electrical switch which is operated in response to the control being operated.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein the switch is physically coupled to the control so that as the control is moved, the switch is actuated.

4. A system according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein when the switch is actuated, the switch is opened.

5. A system according to claim 2 wherein the switch is responsive to an electrical signal generated by the operation of a control.

6. A system according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein when the switch is actuated, the fuel supply to the engine is cut off.

7. A system according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein when the switch is actuated, an electrical connection essential for the operation of the engine is disrupted.

8. A system according to any one of the preceding claims which includes an arming switch which is readily operated by a driver of the vehicle to arm the system.

9. A system according to any one of the preceding claims which includes an indicator means to indicate when the disabling system for the vehicle is in operation.

10. A system according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 9 where dependant upon claim 2 wherein the switch by means of which operation of the control of the vehicle is sensed, comprises a handbrake switch which is otherwise operable to operate a handbrake-on warning lamp within the vehicle.

11. A disabling system for a vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

12. A vehicle having a disabling system according to any one of the preceding claims, fitted thereto.

13. Any novel feature or novel combination of features as herein defined and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.