JP2003285721A - Vehicle theftproofing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle theftproofing device allowing a thief to flinch from a theft and give it up by achieving consistently hard malpractice with active theftproof measures. <P>SOLUTION: The vehicle theftproofing device comprises security setting means 1 for starting the security operation of a vehicle, security cancelling means 2 for cancelling the security operation of the vehicle, malpractice start detecting means 8 for detecting engine start as malpractice start, when tried during the security operation of the vehicle, and electric attack generating means 9 arranged for applying electric attack to an engine staring malpractitioner in response to the detecting operation of the malpractice start detecting means 8. Special theftproof air bag means can be provided instead of or in addition to the electric attack generating means 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle antitheft device that actively protects a person who attempts to steal a vehicle by illegally starting an engine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional vehicle antitheft device activates various alarms such as headlight blinking and horn ringing when an engine is attempted to be started in a state where the security operation is not released or a door or window is broken. By doing so, the offender's feelings are upset and the crime is abandoned.

[0003]

However, with the recent aggravation of crimes, the conventional vehicle theft prevention device can do so if the engine start can be continued.
It is becoming impossible to prevent vehicle theft. Therefore, the emergence of a more active and more effective vehicle theft prevention device is required.

The present invention aims to prevent the crime from continuing by preventing active theft,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an anti-theft device configured to scare a criminal and abandon the crime.

[0005]

A vehicle theft prevention device according to the invention of claim 1 is a security setting means for starting a security operation of a vehicle; a security releasing means for canceling a security operation of the vehicle; a vehicle during the security operation. When an attempt is made to start the engine, an unauthorized start detection means for detecting this as an unauthorized start; and an arrangement for applying an electric shock to an unauthorized engine start operator in response to the detection operation of the unauthorized start detection means And an electric shock generating means that is provided.

The present invention defines a structure for preventing theft by hitting an unauthorized engine start operator by using an electric shock generating means.

In the present invention and the following inventions, the definitions and technical meanings of terms are as follows unless otherwise specified.

<Regarding Security Setting Means> The security setting means is means for starting a security operation for a vehicle, and includes a vehicle owner or a person who has a right to authorize, and a person who is authorized beforehand (hereinafter,
For the sake of convenience, it is called a "legal driver." It is preferable that the security operation is automatically started in response to the operation of turning off the engine switch, that is, the stop of the engine when the vehicle stops after getting off the engine. However, if necessary, the operation for starting the security operation may be specially performed when the legal driver stops the engine and gets off the vehicle.

<Regarding Security Release Means> The security release means is means for releasing the security operation of the vehicle. Then, when the legal driver drives the vehicle, the security must first be released. When the security operation is automatically set, the security canceling means is preferably configured to cancel the security by operation. A preferred configuration for canceling security is shown below.

That is, it is preferable that the security is released in association with the insertion and rotation of the engine key. In this configuration example, the security release is requested in conjunction with the operation of the engine key or the opening of the door. For example, when the engine key is inserted into the key hole of the vehicle and turned, the electrical switch (ACC)
Is turned on and further rotated, the ignition (IG
N) is turned on, but in conjunction with either, it can be configured such that a message requesting a password is automatically made on the voice and / or display screen. And at this stage, if the password is not entered or the entered password is incorrect,
Request the correct password again. Even if the above process is repeated several times, for example, three times, if the correct password is not input, the security is not released.
On the other hand, if the correct password is entered, the security is released.

Further, the security releasing means may be constructed so as to release the security operation by operating the security releasing means before inserting the engine key into the key hole of the vehicle.

Further, regardless of the configuration of the security setting means, the security can be released automatically or by operation. For example, the security operation may be automatically canceled in response to an IC card or an infrared operation key possessed by a legal driver.

Next, when either one of the security setting means and the security releasing means is operated or detected, the distinction between the legal driver and the other drivers (hereinafter referred to as "illegal driver" for convenience) is made clear. For security purposes, a password can be entered when setting or canceling the security. in this case,
It can be configured such that the passwords of a plurality of legal drivers permitted by the vehicle owner or a person who has the right to permit can be set in advance. The “driver” means a person who has a driving intention. However, instead of a password, a fingerprint or palm print verification means is provided on the steering wheel, and by grasping the handle, the driver's fingerprint or palm print is automatically detected to determine whether the driver is legal or illegal. Then, if it is configured to work with security setting or cancellation,
It is possible to improve security and convenience of operation. Alternatively, the legal driver may be determined by collating any of the iris of the driver's eye, the face image, and the voiceprint. Furthermore, if necessary, it is possible to dramatically improve the detection accuracy by combining an arbitrary plurality of the above collating means. However, even in the case where the legal driver is automatically identified as described above, the password can be further required to be input. As a result, double safety can be achieved.

Further, in the case of a configuration in which security is set or released by an operation, it can be arranged at an appropriate position in the vehicle where the driver can easily operate. For example, the steering wheel, the steering column, the dashboard, the armrest of the door, the center console, and the like can be arranged at a position near the driver's seat that is easy to operate.

<Fraud Detection Means> The fraud detection means is a means for detecting fraudulent activation of the engine of the vehicle, and it is determined fraud by performing the engine activation operation even during the security operation. can do. Further, the detection of the engine starting operation is performed when the engine key is inserted into the key hole of the engine starting switch, or when the engine key is rotated and the electric system switch (ACC) is turned on. , Or when the ignition (IGN) circuit is turned on, it can be configured to detect this. When a fraud is detected, the detection output is output.

<About electric shock generating means> The electric shock generating means is illegal in connection with the detection output of the fraud detecting means in order to make it impossible for an illegal driver to drive the vehicle or take a position for driving. It is a means of applying an electric shock to the driver. That is, it is preferable that the electric shock has a strength that damages the human body of the illegal driver in order not to intimidate the illegal driver but to make it impossible to perform the driving action or the preparatory action thereof. However, it must be appropriately restrained so as not to cause death or serious injury. However, some degree of burn injury is acceptable. It is easy to control the intensity of electric shock in this way, and there is no particular problem.

The part of the human body to which the electric shock is applied may be anywhere, for example, the waist, buttocks, back, palm, legs and the like. That is, it is effective that an electric shock is applied when the illegal driver is seated in the driver's seat or when the driver holds the steering wheel. Therefore, the power generation means is
The high-voltage electrode of the electric shock generating means may be provided on one or more of the steering wheel, the shift lever, the driver's seat, the floor mat, and the like. Alternatively, it is possible to dispose an air bag device exclusively for theft prevention and dispose a high voltage electrode in the air bag so that an electric shock is applied when the air bag is inflated. For the handle
The electric shock generating means can be arranged in the handle lock portion. In this case, it can be driven by a built-in battery, is easy to install, and has an action of preventing destruction because an electric shock is applied if an attempt is made to destroy it. Therefore, the structure does not need to be particularly strengthened, which contributes to weight reduction of the vehicle.

By the way, the electric shock is 25 to 500 k on the human body.
It is generated by applying a high voltage of about V. However, at about 25 kV, the shock from electric shock is weak and the antitheft effect is relatively small. On the other hand, if it is about 200 kV, an electric shock equivalent to that of a commercially available stun gun can be applied. Further, when it reaches about 500 kV, it is the maximum value among the commercially available stun guns, and it becomes immobile for a while due to electric shock. Therefore, the high voltage applied to the electrodes can generally be set in the range of about 25 to 500 kV. However, it is preferably in the range of about 200 to 500 kV. The high voltage for applying the electric shock may be alternating current or direct current. In the case of DC voltage, there is no sound and no light emission, and electric shock occurs only when the electrodes are touched. Also, since one pole is grounded, only a single electrode is required, and the structure is simple. Further, it has low noise and is effective even at a low voltage of about 10 kV.

Next, the high-voltage power source can obtain a DC voltage by using a high-voltage generating circuit having a switching means and a step-up transformer, or a high-voltage generating device having a piezoelectric element and a step-up transformer. The main battery of the vehicle can be used as the DC power supply. However, if there is concern about the power capacity, a dedicated auxiliary battery can be installed. In addition, in order to apply an effective electric shock, a weak current must be configured to flow into the human body when a high voltage is applied to the human body. The impedance may be made sufficiently high, or the high impedance may be interposed in series with the output terminal of the high voltage generation circuit.

An effective mode of applying an electric shock to an illegal driver is when the driver is seated in the driver's seat,
A high voltage is applied to the human body through clothing. In the case of high voltage, it is easily discharged to the human body through clothing. For that purpose, an electrode to which a high voltage is applied can be incorporated in the seat, or an electrode can be incorporated in the seat cover. In the case of the structure in which the electrodes are incorporated in the seat cover, the insulation distance between the seat cover and the vehicle structural member can be increased, so that the high voltage can be easily prevented from leaking to the vehicle.

Furthermore, in the case of a mode in which electric shock is applied via a shift lever, a handle, a floor mat, etc., a high voltage electrode is embedded in them, or an electrode is embedded in a cover attached to them. You can

Further, in the electric shock generating means, the portion functioning to apply a high voltage to the human body can be constituted by a pair of electrodes, but a specific example for disposing the electrodes on the driver's seat or the cover thereof. The specific configuration is not limited. However, when a conductive material such as a pair of flexible fibrous metal wires or conductive fibers is used as an electrode and is woven into a seat or its cover so as to face each other at a distance, the electrodes can be arranged without a sense of discomfort. Further, when disposing the electrodes on the shift knob and the handle, those covers may be configured in the same manner as described above.

Next, although not essential to the present invention,
If desired, one or more (including all) of the following configurations are selected and added to improve the performance of the vehicle antitheft device or add a function.

1 Warning Means The warning means, whether it is a legal driver or an illegal driver, warns the driver to cancel the security operation when the door of the vehicle is opened, or activates the electric shock generating means. It is a means for issuing a warning for a predetermined time before starting. In the former case, a door sensor that detects the opening of the door is provided and the warning means is interlocked with the door sensor. In the latter case, the warning means is activated when the fraud detecting means detects that the illegal driver is driving the vehicle or preparing for driving. By providing the warning means, even if the legal driver does not or cannot cancel the security by mistake, he / she has a chance to perform the avoidance operation, and thus avoids electric shock. It is possible to secure the safety of the system.

The warning can be used by combining one or more of voice, characters, light emission, pronunciation, etc. Further, it may be configured such that the legal driver is guided at the same time as the warning and the procedure of the security release.

2 Engine Starter Stop Relay The engine starter stop relay is a relay that prevents the engine starter from operating, and prevents the engine from starting when the illegal start detecting means detects an illegal engine starting operation. To do.

3 Optical Flash Means The optical flash means is means for dazzling an illegal driver by turning on a flash lamp in synchronization with a security operation of the vehicle. The optical flash means can be provided externally on the dashboard located in front of the driver's seat or incorporated in the instrument panel.

Further, the optical flash means can be synchronized so as to be activated before or at the same time as the activation of the electric shock generating means. In this case, it is preferable to first activate the warning means and then activate the optical flash means.

Further, as the optical flash means, it is effective to use a xenon flash lamp or the like, which has a high brightness and a relatively large amount of light. Then, it is preferable that the optical flash is continuously performed a plurality of times.

4 Other addition means As another addition means, a horn ringing conventionally used,
Means such as flashing headlights can be used in combination if necessary.

Next, the operation of the present invention will be described. According to the present invention, by having the above-described configuration, the security operation of the vehicle is performed by the security setting means when the legal driver stops the engine. If an attempt is made to start the engine by using a counterfeit engine key in an attempt to steal, the illegal start detection means detects this. Then, a detection output is generated. The electric shock generating means operates in response to the detection output, and gives an electric shock to the illegal driver.

As a result, the illegal driver is terrified by the electric shock, is extremely afraid of the crime, and abandons the continuation of the crime, so that the vehicle can be prevented from being stolen.

By arranging the electric shock generating means at a plurality of places, even if an illegal driver tries to remove the high voltage electrode, it becomes difficult to remove it, so that the antitheft effect is enhanced. In particular, if the electric shock generating means is installed in the driver's seat and the electric shock generating means is installed in at least one of the steering wheel, the shift lever, the floor mat and the air bag device dedicated to theft prevention, a remarkable antitheft effect can be obtained.

Further, in addition to the electric shock generating means, an optical flash means is added to perform optical flashing at the time of illegal start-up, thereby making the visual acuity of the illegal driver dazzling and making it difficult to know the position where the electric shock generating means is arranged. , Has the effect of promoting confusion and anxiety.

The vehicle anti-theft device according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a security setting means for instructing the start of the security operation; a security releasing means for setting the release of the security operation; and an attempt to start the engine of the vehicle during the security operation. At times, an unauthorized activation detection unit that detects this as an unauthorized activation; and an antitheft function that expands in response to the detection operation of the unauthorized activation detection unit and is arranged to hit an unauthorized engine activation operator It is characterized in that it is provided with a dedicated airbag means;

The present invention defines a structure for preventing theft by hitting an unauthorized engine start operator by using the dedicated antitheft airbag means.

The dedicated anti-theft airbag means is provided separately from an airbag for collision protection that protects a driver or the like from the impact of a vehicle collision, for example, adjacent to an airbag for collision protection. Is provided to prevent illegal drivers from driving the vehicle. The arrangement may be built in the vehicle in advance or may be attached later.

The anti-theft airbag means operates in response to the detection output of the unauthorized activation detection means. Then, the vehicle is inflated continuously until the security operation is released, or intermittently inflated to intervene between the illegal driver and the windshield to prevent the vehicle from operating. There is.

Furthermore, it is possible to incorporate electric shock generating means into the anti-theft airbag means, or to cause gas or powder of the tearing system to be scattered when the anti-theft airbag means is damaged. .

Further, although not an essential constituent feature of the present invention, the warning means as desired described in claim 1,
By selecting and adding one or more (including all) of the engine starter stop relay, the optical flash means, and other additional means, the performance of the vehicle antitheft device is improved or a function is added. .

Thus, in the present invention, when the illegal activation detecting means detects the movement of illegally starting the engine of the vehicle during the security operation of the vehicle, the anti-theft airbag means is inflated, so that the airbag is Since it is interposed between the illegal driver and the windshield to block the view of the illegal driver, even if the engine can be started, it becomes impossible to drive. Therefore, theft can be prevented.

When an illegal driver destroys the airbag for preventing theft by filling the inside of the airbag with a tearing gas or powder in advance in response to the destruction of the dedicated anti-theft airbag means. Moreover, since the substance is scattered, the illegal driver cannot continue the theft. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent theft.

[0043]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a vehicle theft prevention device according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a system block diagram, FIG. 2 is a flow chart of an antitheft operation, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation. Is. 1 is a security setting means, 2 is a security releasing means, 3 is a door sensor, 4 is a security control circuit, 5 is an auxiliary battery, 6 is a main battery, 7 is a starter stop relay, 8 is an unauthorized start detecting means, and 9 is an electric shock generating means. Reference numeral 10 is an optical flash means.

In FIG. 1, security setting means 1
Responds to the operation of pulling out the engine key from the power switch (not shown), controls the security control circuit 4, and starts the security operation.

The security releasing means 2 controls the security control circuit 4 by inputting the password,
Terminate the security operation.

The door sensor 3 detects the opening and closing of the vehicle door and controls the security control circuit 4.

The security control circuit 4 operates by being supplied with power from the auxiliary battery 5 and controls the electric shock generating means 9 and the optical flash means 10.

The auxiliary battery 5 supplies power to the vehicle antitheft device. It is connected to the main battery 6 and charged by a direct current obtained from a generator (not shown).

The main battery 6 supplies power to necessary parts other than the vehicle antitheft device of the vehicle.

The starter stop relay 7 is a relay for stopping the operation of the engine starter, and is controlled by the security control circuit 4.

If the engine start is turned on by a counterfeit key or the like to turn on the engine switch during the security operation, the unauthorized activation detection means 87 detects that an unauthorized activation has been attempted, and generates a detection output. When the unauthorized activation is detected, the electric shock generation means 9 and the optical flash means 10 are driven via the security control circuit 4 in a predetermined time schedule.

The electric shock generating means 9 comprises a DC-AC converter 9a, a step-up transformer 9b and a pair of electrodes 9c, 9c. The DC-AC converter 9a converts the DC voltage of the auxiliary battery 5 into an AC voltage. Step-up transformer 9b
Obtains the required high voltage by boosting the AC output voltage of the DC-AC converter 9a. The pair of electrodes 9c, 9c are arranged facing each other with a distance of 9 from each other in a required portion of the vehicle, such as a driver's seat, to which the high voltage output of the step-up transformer 8b is applied.

The optical flash means 10 comprises a xenon flash lamp 10a and a flash lighting circuit 10b.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the flow of operation of the vehicle antitheft device according to this embodiment will be described. When the door sensor detects the opening of the door during the security operation, the detection output is control-input to the security control circuit 4. Then, the security canceling means 2 requests the input of the password from the driver who is the person who opens the door via the security control circuit 4 by voice guidance or the like.

When the driver inputs the password in response to the request, if the entered password is correct, the security control circuit 4 determines that the driver is legal and controls the security releasing means 2 to release the security. . On the other hand, if the driver inputs an incorrect password or does not input anything, the security control circuit 4 determines that the driver is an illegal driver and controls the starter stop relay 7 to stop the starter. Therefore, the engine cannot be started. Also, at this stage, the security post-natal circuit 4
Activates the light flash means 10 to generate a strong flash toward the illegal driver. As a result, the illegal driver causes the eyes to be dazzled by the flash of light, which can prolong the time until the theft is resumed. Then, the criminal who wants to work in a short time discourages the crime.

After that, the password is requested again,
If the password entered again is determined to be correct, and if the input is incorrect, then the optical flash means 10 and the electric shock generation means 9 are simultaneously activated. As a result, the illegal driver may be struck by the electric shock generating means 9 due to the strong electric shock and the light flash.
While confirming the placement position of, the crime is completely lost and the person disperses. Therefore, the vehicle is protected from theft.

Further, with reference to FIG. 3, the relationship between the illegal driver's behavior and the antitheft function will be described. The scene changes from 1 to 4 from the left side to the right side of the figure. First, in 1, when an illegal driver (criminal) opens the door, sits in the driver's seat and inserts the engine key into the engine switch, a password input request is made. Next, in 2, when the password is entered and the engine key is rotated,
In No. 3, the strong light flash is directed toward the face, and the starter remains stopped, so the engine cannot be started. Further, in 4, if the engine is continuously started, a strong electric shock is applied.

4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the vehicle theft prevention device of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a system block diagram and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation. In the figure,
The same parts as those in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. The present embodiment is different in that the electric shock generating means 9 is replaced by an anti-theft airbag means 11.

That is, the anti-theft airbag means 1
Reference numeral 1 includes an airbag 11a and an airbag driving device 11b for driving the airbag 11a. And the airbag 11a
The electrode of the electric shock generating means is embedded in the.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the relationship between the illegal driver's act and the antitheft function will be described. The scene changes from 1 to 3 from the left side to the right side of the figure. First, in 1, when an illegal driver (criminal) opens the door, sits in the driver's seat, and inserts the engine key into the engine switch,
A password input request is made. Then in 2,
When the password is entered and the engine key is turned, a strong light flash (not shown) is directed toward the face, and the starter remains stopped, so the engine cannot be started. Further, in 3, when the engine is continuously started, the anti-theft airbag means 11 is activated this time, the airbag 11a is interposed between the illegal driver and the windshield, and the visibility disappears. The electric shock is applied to the illegal driver's face, making it impossible to continue the theft.

[0062]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the security setting means for causing the vehicle to start the security operation, the security canceling means, and the unauthorized activation of the engine of the vehicle during the security operation are attempted. And an electric shock generating means for applying an electric shock to an illegal engine start operator in response to the detection operation of the illegal start detecting means. It is possible to provide a vehicle theft prevention device that makes it impossible to perform a crime continuously with a simple antitheft operation, and as a result frightens the criminal and gives up the crime.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the security setting means for causing the vehicle to start the security operation, the security releasing means, and the attempt to start the engine of the vehicle during the security operation, this is detected as an illegal start. The anti-theft protection is provided by including the unauthorized activation detection means and the dedicated anti-theft airbag means that expands in response to the detection operation of the unauthorized activation detection means and hits an unauthorized engine start operator. It is possible to prevent the crime from being continued by the active antitheft operation by the exclusive airbag means, and as a result, it is possible to provide the vehicle theft prevention device that scares the criminal and gives up the crime.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram showing a first embodiment of a vehicle antitheft device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the theft prevention operation.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the same operation description

FIG. 4 is a system block diagram showing a second embodiment of a vehicle theft prevention device of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the same operation description

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Security setting means, 2 ... Security releasing means, 8 ... Unauthorized start detecting means, 9 ... Electric shock generating means

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. Security setting means for starting a security operation of a vehicle; security releasing means for canceling a security operation of a vehicle; and when an engine start of the vehicle is attempted during the security operation, this is detected as an illegal start. And an electric shock generation means arranged to apply electric shock to an illegal engine start operator in response to a detection operation of the illegal start detection means. Vehicle anti-theft device. 2. Security setting means for starting a security operation of the vehicle; security releasing means for canceling the security operation of the vehicle; and when an attempt is made to start the engine of the vehicle during the security operation, this is detected as an illegal start. An illegitimate activation detecting means; and an anti-theft airbag means which is arranged to expand in response to the detection operation of the illegitimate activation detecting means and hit the unauthorized engine starting operator. Vehicle antitheft device characterized in that