GB2399391A

GB2399391A - Remote vehicle immobiliser system

Info

Publication number: GB2399391A
Application number: GB0305072A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Wright; Adam Jordan Wright
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-06
Filing date: 2003-03-06
Publication date: 2004-09-15
Also published as: GB0305072D0

Abstract

The invention relates to vehicle theft, it enables a vehicle to be immobilised by the rightful owner/driver or a law enforcement agent. It incorporates a mobile telephone receiver 1, coded for personal use, within the wiring of a vehicle. When called, the receiver 1 runs power from its vibrator alert circuit to a small electrical motor 3, that reels in nylon line 5 attached to a pliable plastic rod 6, which depresses the spring contact on a small relay unit 7. This activates an automotive relay 8, cutting the power to the fuel solenoid or engine management unit and activating the hazard warning lights. Once activated the immobiliser system must be manually reset. This system can be fitted to any vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine, regardless of age or fuel type. In the case of older vehicles, which normally do not have a fuel solenoid, one can be fitted.

Description

REMOTE VEHICLE IMMOBILISER SYSTEM

The invention relates to vehicle theft. Manufacturers have strived to make vehicles more difficult to steal. However, this has led to a rise in opportunist type crimes. In certain cases, people have lost their lives attempting to stop thieves from driving away in their vehicles. The problem is that once the thief is behind the wheel with the engine running, the rightful owner is powerless to prevent them from taking their vehicle.

The objective of this invention is to solve this problem by enabling the rightful driver or police to immobilise the vehicle when someone else has control.

The essential feature of this invention is that a vehicle can be immobilised by means of a telephone call to the vehicle made by the owner/driver, or by Police, where liaison between the two parties has occurred.

The telephone call will be received by a concealed telephone in the vehicle, which will immediately operate a simple electrical device within the vehicle's wiring system. This device will switch power from either the fuel solenoid, or the engine management system, which controls it, to the hazard warning lights. Thus immobilising the engine and giving warning signals to other road users showing that the vehicle may be about to stop.

Where older vehicles are concerned, where there is no fuel solenoid, then one will be fitted.

The phone call to activate the system need only be short. However, due to the nature ofthe system, the 'switch over' which occurs, will remain until it is manually reset.

This immobiliser system can be fitted to any internal combustion engine driven vehicle, regardless of age or fuel type. In the first instance, only the owner/driver would have knowledge of the phone number and security code to activate this system.

It could be envisaged that a database like DVLA could store numbers for liaison with police forces, enabling the police to immobilise a vehicle the subject of pursuit, which had failed to stop on request.

The owner/driver would retain their own sim card and number when renewing vehicles etc. The phone number would be coded to prevent accidental or prank calls.

The wiring for this invention would preferably be concealed to prevent thieves easily overcoming the situation and continuing their journey A non-essential feature could be an automated voice message similar to that heard when commercial vehicles are reversing, but instead saying "this vehicle is stolen" repeatedly. The automated message would be best delayed for a short time, allowing the vehicle to first come to a halt.

INTRODUCTION TO DRAWINGS

FIG 1: Shows all the components necessary with relay carrying normal current to supply fuel solenoid.

FIG 2: shows all the components necessary with relay switched and current transferred to hazard warning lights.

FIG 3: shows side view of the "step-over catch" necessary to lock the "switch- over" in place.

FIG 1: The telephone receiver I is connected by wires 2 running from the receivers vibration alert circuit to a small motor 3. The spindle 4 protruding from the motor is attached to a length of strong nylon line 5. The other end of the line is attached to the end of a thin, pliable plastic rod 6. This end of the plastic rod is free to move. The other end of the rod is fixed, and positioned close to the contact spring of a relay switch 7. The plastic rod 6 is positioned horizontally to the side of the relay 7, thus preventing any possibility of accidental contact pressure due, to the bumping up and down associated with the movement of a vehicle. A 'step-over catch' 14 also prevents such accidental contact. The relay 7 has a potential supply of power from the ignition via wire 9. The normally unused contact 10 is connected to one side of the magnetic coil in an automotive relay 8. The other side of the coil is earthed 13.

The automotive relay 8 normally carries current through feed wire 9, and 12, to the fuel solenoid or engine management system, which controls it. Wire 11 is connected to the hazard warning lights circuit.

FIG 2: When the system is activated by the phone call. The current from the phones 1 vibration alert circuit passes through wires 2 and turns the motor 3. The spindle 4 reels in the nylon line 5, pulling the plastic rod 6. This depresses the spring contact on relay 7. The rod has also passed the 'step-over' catch 14 and is locked in that position. Consequently ignition wire 9 is contacted with wire 10, thus activating the automotive relay 8. This relay is switched. Power is cut from wire 12, and activates wire 11. Therefore the engine is immobilised, while the hazard warning lights circuit is activated. Due to the plastic rod being locked in position, these contacts will remain until the plastic rod is manually returned to its former, free position. This action will return the circuits to normal. The small motor and plastic rod configuration are contained in an insulated plastic box. The capacity of the relays must be compatible with the wiring circuits of the individual vehicle.

FIG 3: Shown here is a side view ofthe 'step-over catch' 14. Plastic rod 6 has been pulled by nylon line 5 and motor 3 over it and cannot return until manually retrieved.

Claims

1) A system, which enables the rightful owner/driver or police to immobilise a vehicle from any distance with a telephone call to a concealed mobile telephone receiver within the vehicle.

2) A system as claimed in claim one, which incorporates the use of a mobile telephone receiver concealed within a vehicle, which, when called, will operate a simple electrical device within the vehicles wiring circuit, to switch offthe power which activates either the fuel solenoid, or the engine management system, which controls it, and switch on the hazard warning lights instead.

3) A system as claimed in previous claims, which when activated, will remain activated, until manually re-set, thus returning the electrical circuits to normal.