GB2501728A

GB2501728A - Vehicle security during charging of an electric or hybrid vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2501728A
Application number: GB1207685.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Straugheir
Original assignee: Jaguar Cars Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2012-05-02
Filing date: 2012-05-02
Publication date: 2013-11-06
Also published as: GB201207685D0

Abstract

A hybrid or electric vehicle 11 is immobilized whilst connected to a charging station 12 by a charging lead 13. Immobilization may be overridden by activating an override protocol from the driver's human machine interface (HMI), in order to cancel the immobilization and permit the vehicle to be driven away in the event of a threat to the vehicle or occupants during charging.

Description

Vehicle Security

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to improvements in vehicle security, and concerns in particular the prevention of vehicle theft. Aspects of the invention relate to a controller, to a method and to a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

In recent years the ability of thieves to take vehicles without consent has substantially diminished, principally due to sophisticated electronic immobilizers which rely upon the presence or insertion of an enabling device, typically an ignition key'. Thus without the key, drive away of a vehicle is not possible.

As a consequence vehicle theft now relies upon obtaining the ignition key, typically by confronting the vehicle driver at the vehicle. An alert driver in a stationary vehicle may be able to observe the approach of suspicious persons, and take action by driving away.

Electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and other vehicles reliant upon a charging station are however vulnerable since the vehicle is generally adapted to be immobilized whilst connected to the charging station. Immobilization is typically by means of a sensor, which is provided to sense the presence of a connector of a charging lead on the vehicle. Such a sensor may be mechanical or electrical and operate to both immobilize the vehicle and enable transfer of energy via the charging lead.

Vehicle immobilization is typically by preventing engagement of a drive condition of a transmission, but could alternatively directly disable a vehicle propulsion unit.

In certain circumstances it may be possible for a thief to change the state of the sensor and thereby disable the vehicle when not connected to a charging station. For example a thief may disable a vehicle which is parked or temporarily stopped, by shorting an electrical latch or by directly tampering with a mechanical latch.

It is against this background that the present invention has been conceived. Embodiments of the invention may provide a means of countering the theft threat of changing the state of such an immobilization system. Other aims and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, claims and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of overriding from within a vehicle an immobilization command associated with coupling of a charging lead of a hybrid or electric vehicle, the method comprising activating an override protocol from the HMI of the driver to override the immobilization command.

The override protocol may be any action or sequence of actions which result in the immobilization command being overridden. In one embodiment the protocol comprises actions of the hand and leg simultaneously, or action of both hands simultaneously. Such actions arc preferably intuitively associated with engine start procedures, but include an additional movement or motion which distinguishes the override protocol.

The override protocol may require occupation of the vehicle driver's seat, for which a suitable pressure sensor may be provided, for example having a threshold mass for a seat occupant of 20 kg.

In one embodiment the protocol comprises simultaneous application of the footbrake, depression of an engine start button or equivalent thereof, and activation of a vehicle hazard warning system. The first two actions are intuitive for engine start, and the third action is not part of the normal engine start procedure, but is easily associated with a threat, and thus memorable.

The override protocol may have certain consequential effects, for example operation of the vehicle horn, flashing of vehicle headlights, locking the vehicle doors, display of an override' message on the vehicle HMI, contacting emergency services and/or activation of a vehicle camera system.

This aspect of the invention may be embodied in a vehicle control system associated with immobilization as a direct consequence of attachment of a charging lead, and in a vehicle so equipped. The immobilization command may issue from an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle, in which a processor responds to one or more electrical signals associated with coupling of a charging lead. The ECU may be further responsive to HMI electrical signals to override immobilization.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives, and in particular the individual features thereof, set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, may be taken independently or in any combination. For example, features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows schematically a car connected to a charging station; and Fig. 2 illustrates schematically in partial section an exemplar charging socket of a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates a hybrid or electric vehicle 11 having a traction battery for propulsion thereof. In order to re-charge the battery from a distributed electrical supply, for example at home, a charging lead 13 is connected from the vehicle 11 to a charging station 12. The vehicle is generally provided with a charging coupling 14 having a relatively flimsy hinged flap to cover the coupling to prevent tampering and to provide weather protection.

Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplar vehicle coupling for receiving a charging lead. A vehicle body panel 21 has an aperture normally closed by a flap 22 (shown open). A casing 23 is defined within the aperture, and contains a socket comprising a body 24 of insulating material and electrically conductive pins 25 for completing an electrical charging circuit.

In use the flap is opened, and a suitably shaped charging connector is inserted in the direction of arrow 26. Once inserted an actuator of the coupling may retain the charging connector in place, so as to avoid inadvertent disengagement thereof.

The presence of the charging connector is typically sensed by mechanical or electrical means so as to both ensure that the connector is correctly engaged, and to enable the flow of charge to the vehicle battery. Additionally the vehicle transmission and/or vehicle propulsion unit, which may comprise an internal combustion engine and/or an electric motor, is disabled so that the vehicle is immobilized. Immobilization may be required by legislation, but is in any event considered desirable to prevent drive-away whilst the charging lead is connected.

Various kinds of presence sensor may be provided for the connector.

For example an electro-mechanical switch 27 may comprise a plunger 28 having a ramp 29 opposing entry of a connector into the socket body 24. The plunger 28 is spring loaded, and is pushed inwardly against a return spring upon passage of the connector in order to make or break an electrical circuit, and thereby to immobilize the vehicle whilst in the inward condition.

Alternatively an electrical sensor 30 may sense the proximity of a connector when inserted in the socket, and thereby give an electrical signal for immobilizing the vehicle. Such a sensor may be an inductive sensor.

In a third example the resistance of charging circuits may be sensed in order to determine coupling of the socket with a charging lead, and thereby provide an electrical signal for immobilizing the vehicle.

Typically the electrical signal of a presence sensor will be interrogated continually in order to permit a vehicle microprocessor to enable or disable the vehicle propulsion unit. Any suitable vehicle system may be used for this purpose.

The state of a presence sensor of the kind described changes according to the presence or absence of a charging connector. It will be understood that substitutes for a charging connector may have the same effect. For example a dummy connector may cause a change of state of sensors 27, 30, and if filled with an appropriate electrical resistance may give a suitable reading to a resistance measuring circuit. A simple tool, such as a screwdriver, may be used to push back the plunger of switch 27.

Countermeasures may be adopted by the vehicle designer, but nevertheless a determined thief may be able to find a means of defeating a mechanical or electrical shield.

The invention thus empowers the vehicle driver to override an immobilization command in the event that the vehicle is immobilized due to tampering with the presence sensor. Such circumstances may arise if a thief forces open the cover flap and inserts an immobilizing tool or the like. Upon recognizing the threat, the vehicle driver is able to override immobilization, and drive away.

According to the invention an override protocol is activated via the HMI of the driver, for example a sequence of inputs or several simultaneous inputs. In one example the vehicle driver uses a conventional engine start procedure, for example applying the footbrake whilst depressing an engine start button, together with another action, such as activating hazard warning signals.

A microprocessor of an engine control unit may recognize these signals and for example re-enable a disabled transmission to permit drive-away. Any suitable input protocol which is specific to re-enablement may be used.

Claims

Claims 1. A method of overriding from within a vehicle an immobilization command associated with a charging lead of a hybrid or electric vehicle, the method comprising activating an override protocol from the HMI of the driver to override the immobilization command.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the protocol comprises a sequence of hand and/or leg movements.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the protocol comprises simultaneous hand and/or leg movements.
4. A method according to claim 2 or claim 3, and including the step of sensing presence of a vehicle driver in the vehicle driving seat.
5. A method according to any of claims 2-4, and comprising activation of the vehicle footbrake and activation of an engine start device.
6. A method according to claim 5, and further comprising activation of a hazard warning system
7. A method according to any preceding claim, and including the step of automatically performing one or more of the following actions upon activation of said protocol: sounding the vehicle horn; flashing the vehicle headlights; locking the vehicle doors; contacting emergency services; and activating a vehicle mounted camera.
8. A vehicle controller responsive to a signal from a presence sensor of a coupling of a charging lead to immobilize the vehicle, said controller being adapted to recognize an override protocol from the HMI of the driver to cancel immobilization of the vehicle.
9. A controller according to claim 8, and comprising a processor responsive to an electrical signal from a presence sensor, and to a sequence or series of signals from the HMI of the driver.
10. A controller according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein said processor is further responsive to an electrical signal indicative of occupation of the driver's seat of the vehicle.
11. A vehicle incorporating the controller of any of claims 8-10.
12. A method, a controller or a vehicle constructed and/or arranged substantially as described herein with reference to one or more of the accompanying drawings.