WO1989009319A1

WO1989009319A1 - Door locking system

Info

Publication number: WO1989009319A1
Application number: PCT/AU1989/000114
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joseph Day
Original assignee: Joseph Day
Priority date: 1988-03-23
Filing date: 1989-03-21
Publication date: 1989-10-05
Also published as: GB2234549B; GB2234549A; GB9019954D0

Abstract

The present invention comprises a security locking system for use in the locking of a door or doors of a motor vehicle (2) to prevent unauthorised entry into the vehicle. The system comprises an electrical circuit (1) comprising at least one electrically operable solenoid having a first and second coil (4, 3) located within each of the doors of the vehicle. An energisation source (9) is linked to the solenoid or solenoids. The circuit has momentary switches (8a, 10a) for isolation of said solenoid or solenoids from the energisation source (9). The solenoid or solenoids also has associated with the first and second coils (4, 3) a first and second plunger (5, 6) which are each linked to a locking mechanism in said door so as to enable the locking mechanism to move between an engaged and disengaged position when said plunger is moved between an advanced and retracted position in response to energisation from said energisation source, wherein when said first coil (4) is activated, said plunger (6) advances to lock said door and when said second coil (3) is activated said plunger (5) retracts to unlock said doors; said door or doors having keyway access means eliminated therefrom.

Description

DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM The present invention relates to security devices for vehicles and in particular relates to a vehicle door locking system utilising electrically actuated solenoid mechanisms. Whilst the present invention will be described in relation to its use with vehicle doors it will be appreciated that the system could suitably be adapted for use with doors generally where power access is available for the solenoid mechanisms. The locking system is intended as a substitute for the pre-existing locking systems or, alternatively_/ for use in conjunction with known locking systems in vehicles and in particular for use in vehicles which are adapted with central locking. Vehicle theft is a major problem and results in high community cost. Numerous devices including door locks, alarms and steering locks have been conceived in order to reduce the incidence of vehicle theft, however, each of these devices have inherent disadvantages The conventional door lock comprises a key operable and/or manually actuating spindle which is mounted on the door sill and which is linked to the door latch mechanism. This lock is usually the first prey for the would be thief and can often be prised into the unlocked position by wire access between the door pillar and the door edge.

An alternative means is to insert a wire between the window and frame to gain access to the lock button on the inside of the car, pull the button up and allow the door to be opened.

This form of lock is therefore vulnerable in this situation and also when access can be gained to the vehicle by for instance breaking the glass the security provided by such locks is non existent. The present invention seeks to ameliorate this problem and to optionally facilitate the elimination of the conventional locking systems by the provision of a locking system wholly concealed within the door body. The locking system can be used in conjunction with a known security mechanism or as the main locking system for a vehicle's doors.

The invention provides a system of solenoids concealed in at least the doors of a vehicle operable by remote control means so that conventional key locks may be eliminated from the vehicle doors. The invention is suitable for use with vehicles having a central locking system, however, unlike those locking systems the present system facilitates the elimination of keyways which enable unlocking by conventional means and tampering. Previously, thieves have been able to gain access to vehicles by placing a file or other lock picking device into the keyway of the vehicle. This possibility is now eliminated with the absence of the conventional keyway lock. There are in existence central locking systems which are operable by means of a key lock as well as by remote control. However, due to the failsafe improvements provided by the present invention and the elimination of the keyway, tampering with the locking mechanisms is rendered almost impossible. The prior art systems due to their shortcomings, for instance, ease of access to the lock mechanism via the keyway and use of variable frequency transmitters by thieves to operate switches which are set to operate at predetermined frequencies, do not in themselves provide adequate security.

In its broadest form the present invention comprises: A door locking system for adaption to the door of a vehicle, said system comprising: at least one solenoid having a forward and reverse action core, a power source for actuating said core of said at least one solenoid, a means to enable operational engagement between said solenoid core and a door latch mechanism, a means for activating and de-activating said power of source, wherein, when said power source is activated, said core engages said latch mechanism to thereby effect locking of said latch and when said power source is re-activated said core disengages said latch from the locked position thereby effecting unlocking of said door.

In another broad form the invention comprises a security locking system for use in the locking of a door or doors of a motor vehicle to prevent unauthorised entry into said vehicle, said system comprising an electrical circuit comprising: at least one electrically operable solenoid having a first and second coil located within each of said doors, an energisation source linked to said solenoid or solenoids, a momentary switch for isolation of said solenoid or solenoids from said energisation source, said solenoid or solenoids also having associated with said first and second coils a first and second plunger which are each linked to a locking mechanism in said door so as to enable the locking mechanism to move between an engaged and disengaged position when said plunger is moved between an advanced and retracted position in response to energisation from said energisation source, wherein when said first coil is activated, said plunger advances to lock said door and when said second coil is activated said plunger retracts to unlock said doors; said door or doors having keyway access means eliminated therefrom. In the preferred embodiment the locking system comprises two solenoid coils concealed within the door cavity with both solenoids being in operational engagement with the door latch.

In the preferred form the invention comprises a door locking system for adaption to the door of a vehicle, said locking system comprising a first solenoid and a second solenoid located in either the internal cavity of a vehicle door body or in a door pillar, a power source for actuating the core of each of said solenoids, a means to enable operational engagement between the said first solenoid and a door latch mechanism, a means to enable operational engagement between said second solenoid and said door latch mechanism, a means for activating and de-activating said power source, wherein, when said power source is first activated by said activating means the core of said first solenoid places said door latch mechanism in a locking mode and when said second solenoid is activated by said power source, said door latch mechanism is placed in an unlocked mode.

In the preferred embodiment the means for activating and de-activating said power source comprises one or two switches in series located at pre-selected positions within a vehicle.

The series switches are preferably momentary switches such that operation of one switch is dependent upon operation of the other switch.

The solenoids may comprise a single core having two coils such that upon energisation the coils move the plunger from a retracted to an advanced position to engage or disengage the lock. Alternatively the latch mechanism of each door may be connected to individual solenoids having separate cores which are connected to move the door latch from a locked to an unlocked position.

In one embodiment there is provided an additional circuit energisation source such as a 12 volt battery. It is intended that this battery be activated by a switch located adjacent thereto and preferably in the boot of the vehicle. The conventional lock on the vehicle's boot would be retained so key access can be gained to the auxilliary power source in the event of failure of the vehicle primary battery. In an alternative embodiment, the conventional vehicle door locks may be permanently covered to achieve the same advantage as elimination of the locks as previously described.

The invention will now be described in more detail according to a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the invention and with reference to the accompanying illustrations wherein

Figure 1 shows a schematic layout of the locking system circuitry according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a general schematic layout of the system fitted to a notional vehicle.

Figure 3 shows a circuit layout according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Referring to figures 1 and 2 there is shown a schematic circuit layout for the locking system 1 for adaption to a vehicle body 2. The locking system in its simplest form comprises according to a preferred embodiment, two solenoid coils 3 and 4 having actuating cores 5 and 6 respectively. Alternatively the solenoid may comprise a single core (not shown) with coils 3 and 4 wrapped around. As shown in figure 2 the vehicle door body 11 is also adapted with a conventional latch mechanism 7 which is inter-engaged with each of the solenoids 3 and 4. Previously, the latch mechanism was actuated by a conventional handle mechanism having a lock located therein or remote from it to actuate the latch mechanism into a locked or unlocked mode. The solenoids provide a concealed form of locking such that the door handle or door body can be free of a key locking mechanism.

The first of the solenoids actuate the latch mechanism into the locked position by inter-engagement between the solenoid core and the latch mechanism. Although the solenoids can be comprised of one core having two coils or two coils and two cores, it is the latter which will be described. A momentary switch 8 which is connected to the solenoid in each door and which is hidden in a position remote from the door latch actuates the first solenoid 3 so that the core 5 urges the latch into the locked position. The switch is positioned between the solenoid 3 and the power source 9. The power source 9 preferably comprises a 12 volt battery.

In order to unlock the latch a second switch 10 which is interconnected with the solenoid 4 is turned on. This action withdraws the core 6 of solenoid 4 in a direction away from the door pillar so that the door latch is placed into the unlocked mode. Figure 2 shows one non-limiting possible schematic layout of the circuit configuration the present invention as adapted. The switches 8 and 10 are used in conjunction with series switches and which must be contemporaneously actuated in order to actuate the solenoids.

According to the preferred embodiment three wires lead from each solenoid, two of these being 12 volt positive lines and one is negative. The two positive wires are taken to a hidden position in for instance the boot of a vehicle and each wire is connected to one side of each of the two momentary "ON" switches 8 and 10 which are springloaded. The negative wire is connected to the other side of the switches 8 and 10 which are open circuited until depressed. The circuit is completed to earth as shown in Figure 1. When the operator leaves the car, the boot is opened and switches 8 and 10 which are hidden within the boot are systematically depressed. Firstly, switch 8 activities solenoid 3 and the core of the solenoid is thrust forward and forces the normal latch system 7 into the locked position so that the door cannot be opened. To re-open the vehicle doors, the owner depresses switch 10 and the core 6 of the solenoid 4 is withdrawn and releases the latch system 7 into the unlocked position so that the vehicle doors can be opened by lifting the door handle in the normal manner.

An additional switch located between each of switches 8 and 10 and the respective coils they operate, enable a safeguard against the discovery of switches 8 and 10. These are intended to be actuated contemporaneously with switches 8 and 10 and are designated as figures 8a and 10a. The positioning of these additional switches is optional however they must be placed in series with switches 8 and 10 respectively. In the event that the boot is opened by a thief and the switching system is identified, the optional switches 8a and 10a are hidden in a concealed position elsewhere in the vehicle. These additional switches are connected in series and must be held down whilst depressing the "OPEN" switch. If the switches are manually operable the additional switches should be accessible by the operator at the same time as switches 8 and 10. This action must be carried out as a safety mechanism for without holding down the safety switch and depressing the "OPEN" switch no circuit can be actuated the door of the vehicle will not open. It is envisaged that this method would make it extremely difficult for anyone to discover that the additional safety switch must be held down to complete the system circuit. Each of the aforesaid solenoids are connected in parallel and when one solenoid is activated all of the solenoids operate simultaneously. It is envisaged that an additional solenoid could be placed under the bonnet of the vehicle so that when closed, the bonnet of the car could be kept in a locked position by the action of the additional solenoid. A further protection mechanism to prevent the car being driven away is to include a further toggletop switch in the boot of the car. This switch would be a conventional toggle switch and would be left by the operator of the car in its open position and connected under the bonnet of the vehicle to the ignition system. This switch would have the effect of cutting out the circuitry to the engine and in particular isolating the battery of the vehicle thus disabling the vehicle. As an alternative to the manual operation of the various switches which have been described above it is envisaged that an infra red system would be introduced whereby the operation of all switching mechanisms and therefore operation of the solenoids could be effected by the utilisation of a remote control infra red hand control. Such a remote control would be coded such that momentary opening and closing of the various switches would facilitate opening and closing of the doors of the vehicle.

The operator of the vehicle would merely close the vehicle doors and then press the appropriate button on the infra red transmitter to effect locking. In a similar manner the coded transmitter would facilitate operation of the switches and solenoids to unlock the vehicle. Figure 1 shows a circuit board 13 which would be used in the circuit as a conventional receiving circuit for either infra red or radio waves transmitted from a conventional remote control transmitter. The receiving circuit may be located in any appropriate position in the vehicle. The remote controller is programmed to actuate the momentary switches which must be actuated contemporaneously.

As an alternative the remote control transmittermay comprise a conventional radio wave emitter whereby operation of the switches is facilitated by the receiving circuit 13 receiving radio waves of a predesignated frequency.

In one embodiment the key lock on the boot can be eliminated and the infra red system would be introduced to operate both the switching within the boot and a solenoid connected to the boot lid as well as all of the other operations in the system of the present invention.

Alternatively, the key lock is retained in the boot so that key access can be gained to a switch which isolates and activates an auxiliary power source 15 in the event of failure of power source 9.

It is also envisaged that the infra red system could also be used to control the ignition circuits and thereby enable elimination of the ignition lock and use of the key for the ignition whilst the vehicle is unattended. In another embodiment the use of the infra red control system would eliminate the use of locks and keys on all forms of locking in the vehicle.

The power source for the system in the present invention would be the standard 12 volt car battery and as a safety device an additional battery would be connected in the event of a failure of the first mentioned battery.

As an additional safety feature and in particular, when the car is left running and a driver exits the vehicle there would be provided in conjunction with the operation of the door a switch connecting the ignition wiring such that when the door is opened the ignition would be disengaged such that the engine would cease operating.

One advantage of the present invention is that the would be thief would have great difficulty in determining the nature of the switching systems in order to gain access to the vehicle. Furthermore, it would be impossible for a thief to use a variable frequency transmitter to gain entry to the vehicle as the wave receiving circuits 13 are disabled. There would also be the additional problem once having gained entry to the vehicle of starting the vehicle.

Referring to figure 3 there is shown an alternative circuit configuration wherein there is provided an additional power supply 15 analogous to that shown in figure 1 for use as a back up in the event of a failure in main power source 9. The power supply 15 preferably comprises a battery wherein when the power source 9 fails, a switch 16 enables actuation of the electrical circuit or circuits by energistation of the reverse power supply 15. In one embodiment, the switch 16 is located so as to be accessable from the outside of the vehicle so in the event that the vehicle's main power source fails, (for instance, in the event that the vehicle's headlights are left on) the locking system can still be activated so as to enable access to the vehicle. The switch 16 alternatively may be located for instance in the boot of a vehicle necessitating key access to the boot.

In a further embodiment the solenoids previously described are adapted with metal rods or bars. The activation of the solenoid 3 urges the metal bars into engagement with the locking mechanism so as to freeze the mechanism thereby keeping the doors in a locked position.

The reactivation of the solenoid coil 4 causes disengagement between the bar and the door lock thereby placing the door lock mechanism in the unlocked mode enabling normal opening of the doors.

It would be recognised by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications could be made to the present invention as broadly described herein without departing from the overall spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS :

1. A security locking system for use in the locking of a door or doors of a motor vehicle to prevent unauthorised entry into said vehicle, said system comprising an electrical circuit comprising: at least one electrically operable solenoid having a first and second coil located within each of said doors, an energisation source linked to said solenoid or solenoids, a momentary switch for isolation of said solenoid or solenoids from said energisation source, said solenoid or solenoids also having associated with said first and second coils a first and second plunger which are each linked to a locking mechanism in said door so as to enable the locking mechanism to move between an engaged and disengaged position when said plunger is moved between an advanced and retracted position in response to energisation from said energisation source, wherein when said first coil is activated, said plunger advances to lock said door and when said second coil is activated said plunger retracts to unlock said doors; said door or doors having keyway access means eliminated therefrom.

2. A security locking system according to claim 1, wherein each of said coils is electrically linked to and actuated by at least one momentary isolation switch remotely located from said coils.

3. A security locking system according to claim 2, wherein one or more of the said momentary switches are optionally located in a position in said vehicle which does not necessitate access to the passenger compartment of said vehicle.

4. A security locking system according to claim 3, wherein the circuit comprises in addition to a first momentary switch operationally linked to said first coil and a first momentary switch operationally linked to said second coil, a second momentary switch operationally linked in series with said first coil and a second momentary switch operationally linked in series with said second coil.

5. A security locking system according to claim 4 wherein the said second momentary switch linked to said first coil and said momentary second switch linked to said first coil must each be contemporaneously activated with each corresponding first momentary switch to enable respective activation of each of said first and second coils.

6. A security locking system according to claim 3 wherein the circuit comprises in addition to a first momentary switch operationally linked to said first coil and a first momentary switch operationally linked to said second coil a second momentary switch linked in series to each of said first momentary switches such that when either one of said first switches are to be operated the corresponding said second switch must be contemporaneously activated.

7. A security locking system according to claims 5 or 6 wherein said second switch or switches are located in the boot of said vehicle.

8. A security locking system according to claim 7, wherein each door of said vehicle is adapted with a solenoid having a first and second coil, wherein, when one of said solenoids is activated, each other solenoid operates simultaneously upon actuation of said switches.

9. A security locking system according to claim 8, wherein each of said solenoids are connected to each other in parallel.

10. A security locking system according to claim 9, wherein an additional solenoid is placed in parallel with each other solenoid, said additional solenoid being located so as to effect simultaneous locking and unlocking of the bonnet of said vehicle.

11. A security locking system according to claim 10, wherein the circuit further comprises an additional momentary switch linked to the ignition system of a vehicle which, when placed in the open position isolates the energising source from said ignition system.

12. A security locking system according to claim 11, wherein each of said switches are operable by means of an infra red remote control transmitter.

13. A security locking system according to claim 12, wherein each of said switches are individually operable by individual control buttons on said infra red transmitter.

14. A security locking system according to claim 13, wherein the switches comprise photo diode sensors which close the circuit in response to an infra red wave signal emitted according to the switch selected for operation.

15. A security locking system according to claim 11, wherein each of said switches are operable by means of a high frequency modulated radio signal transmitter.

16. A security locking system according to claim 15, wherein each of said switches operate in response to radio signals which emanate from said transmitter and which have a predetermined frequency for operation of each of said switches.

17. A security locking system according to claim 16, wherein the said circuit further comprises a solenoid located in the boot and adapted to lock and unlock the boot.

18. A security locking system according to any one of the foregoing claims wherein the energisation source for said circuit is isolated following either advancement or retraction of said solenoids.

19. A security locking system according to claim 18, further comprising a switch for isolation of the vehicle ignition system from the energisation source, said switch being operable between its open and closed position by opening and closing of at least one door of the vehicle.

20. A security locking system according to claim 19, wherein the system has an energisation source in addition to a separate from the main energisation source of said vehicle.

21. A security locking system according to claim 4 wherein the said additional energisation source is located in the boot of said vehicle and is operable by means of an isolation switch.

22. A security locking system according to claim 21 wherein said isolation switch is located in a position accessable externally of the vehicle.

23. A security locking system according to claim 21, wherein when said solenoids are set in the locked mode said energisation sources are isolated from said solenoids by an additional switch placed in the open position such that the remainder of the said switches are rendered inoperable either by manual means or by activation of either the infra red or radio wave control devices.

24. A security locking system as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying illustrations.