WO2005082686A1

WO2005082686A1 - Housing for anti-theft module of a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2005082686A1
Application number: PCT/IL2005/000233
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mordechai Ben-Old
Original assignee: Comshir Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-02-26
Filing date: 2005-02-24
Publication date: 2005-09-09

Abstract

The present invention relates to a housing (100) for maintaining an anti-theft security module (14) in proximity to a vehicle solenoid (13), and for preventing access to the module and to at least the solenoid control terminal contact, which comprises: (a) a box portion (10) for accommodating the security module (14) and for surrounding the terminal unit of the solenoid (13); (b) an adapter portion (11) for circumferentially attaching the housing (100) to the body of the solenoid (13), said adapter (11) having an essentially cylindrical, sleeve-like shape; and (c) means for firmly and tightly securing the adapter (11) to the solenoid (13).

Description

HOUSING FOR ANTI-THEFT MODULE OF A VEHICLE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to vehicular anti-theft systems. More

particularly, the invention relates to a rigid housing which contains an

anti-theft module that disables electrical subsystems of a vehicle, therefore

preventing unauthorized use of the vehicle.

Background of the Invention

Anti-theft systems are widely used for preventing unauthorized use of

vehicles. In the prior art, attempts have been made to secure a vehicle by

deactivating the starter solenoid, starter motor and/or the distributor. The

vehicle starting system consists of an electric starter motor and a starter

solenoid. When the ignition key is turned on, the starter motor spins the

engine a few revolutions so that the combustion process is activated. The

starter is provided with a relatively high current, in view of the high power

required to spin a cold engine. The starter motor must overcome different

factors and elements that are associated with the engine, such as the

internal friction caused at the piston rings, the compression pressure of

the cylinders that happens to be in the compression stroke, the energy

required to open and close valves with the camshaft, etc. Because so much

energy is needed, and because a car usually uses a 12- volt electrical battery, hundreds of Amperes of electricity must flow into the starter

motor. The starter solenoid (also commonly called a "starter relay") is an

electromagnetic switch that routes large amount of electric current to the

starter when the ignition switch (some times also referred to as the "key

switch" or the "starter switch") is turned on by the driver. When the

ignition key is turned on, it activates the solenoid, which activates the

starter motor, which in turn causes rotation and activation of the vehicle

engine.

Providing an electrical potential to the windings of a starter solenoid

actuates a plunger which closes a circuit between the vehicle's battery and

the starter motor. Generally, the starter solenoid simultaneously actuates

a shift lifter which forces a pinion gear into meshing engagement with the

vehicle's flywheel to thereby mechanically connect the starter motor to the

engine during the vehicle motor ignition. The starter motor is contained in

a housing typically located beneath the internal combustion engine of the

vehicle. The starter motor includes a rotated armature which engages the

vehicle flywheel. When current is supplied to the starter from the starter

solenoid, the starter motor causes the armature to rotate, thereby rotating

the vehicle flywheel and causing the internal combustion engine to "start".

Meanwhile, the distributor controls the firing sequence of the engine spark

plugs to enable the engine to continue running. Several attempts have been made to deactivate or disable critical

automobile elements or subsystems, therefore preventing unauthorized

use of the vehicle. For example, US 5,548,164 discloses an anti-theft

module which is attached to a port of the vehicle starter solenoid. Said

module includes an internal switch for interrupting power to the starter

solenoid control terminal. Similarly, US 6,026,773 discloses an anti-theft

system which is connected between a vehicle's battery and the vehicle's

starter motor.

US 6,351,209 discloses another anti-theft system for selectively enabling

and disabling the internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The anti-theft

system comprises a security module which selectively interrupts current to

or from crucial vehicle subsystems, which are necessary for the engine

ignition or engine operation. The security module is rigidly attached and

locked to an electrical terminal of a vehicle subsystem so that the security

module cannot be removed from the engine compartment of a vehicle

without removing the entire vehicle subsystem.

WO 2004/78522 discloses still another arrangement for controlling the

supply of current to the solenoid. The arrangement is attached to the front,

circular cross-section of the solenoid by means of additional extending

screws that are extended from the original screws of the solenoid which also serve as contacts for the high current wires that lead high current

from the solenoid to the starter motor.

All of the above prior art references suffer from at least one of the

following drawbacks: (a) US 6,351,209 and US 6,026,773 do not disclose

how exactly the arrangement is attached to the solenoid. US 5,548,164 and

WO 2004/078522 use at least one of the two original screws of the solenoid

which also serve as contacts for the high current wires that lead high

current from the solenoid to the starter motor. Said two latter publications

suggest connecting extensions to said original screws. However, as said

original screws serve also as high-current contacts, the connecting of

extensions to them is not advisable, as the additional connections tend to

become loose, which results in extra heating (in view of the high current)

which in some cases causes damage to the solenoid, and in more severe

cases may result in fire, (b) Moreover, the attachment of the arrangements

of US 5,548,164 and WO 2004/078522 require the disconnection of the

high current wires, and releasing of the screws that secure them, which

causes the task to be more complicated and time consuming.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which enables

easy attachment of the security module to the vehicle solenoid, while overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art, therefore saving time of

installation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for

preventing access to the anti-theft module, and or to the solenoid, and

which is strong, rigid, and which cannot be separated from the solenoid.

It is still another object of the invention to provide said device in a form of

a housing for the anti-theft module, and which envelops the solenoid.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the

description proceeds.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention relates to a housing for maintaining an anti-theft

security module in proximity to a vehicle solenoid, and for preventing

access to the module and to at least the solenoid control terminal contact,

which comprises: (a) a box portion for accommodating the security module

and for surrounding the terminal unit of the solenoid; (b) an adapter

portion for circumferentially attaching the housing to the body of the

solenoid, said adapter having an essentially cylindrical, sleeve-like shape;

and (c) means for firmly and tightly securing the adapter to the solenoid. Preferably, the securing means are one or more screws, a clamp, or an

adhesive material.

Preferably, the one or more screws have a detachable head, and wherein

the heads of the screws are detached from the screw bodies, for eliminating

the separation of the housing from the solenoid body.

Preferably, the anti-theft module is a key or code controlled module, which

selectively connects or disconnects the voltage supply to the control

terminal of the solenoid.

Preferably, the diameter of the adapter portion is adjustable to fit various

diameters of solenoids.

Preferably, the securing means are one or more screws, and the diameter

of the adapter portion is adjustable by means of the rate of closure of the

screws.

Preferably, means for cooling the security module are also provided within

the box portion of the housing. Preferably, the security module is maintained within the box portion by

means of a hard and strong adhesive material, which also isolates bare

contacts of the security module and the control terminal of the solenoid.

Preferably, the box and adapter portions are rigidly connected, forming

one monolithic housing unit.

Preferably, the housing is made from a rigid metal or rigid plastic.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates a housing for maintaining a security module proximate to a solenoid of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention; - Fig. 2 illustrates the housing of Fig. 1 provided with a security module, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3A illustrates a front view of the housing of Fig. 1; Fig. 3B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the housing of

Fig. 1; - Fig. 4 provides a perspective view showing a starter and solenoid as are typically installed within a vehicle; Fig. 5 provides a perspective view of the housing of the present invention, while being attached to the solenoid of Fig. 4, and blocking access to the control terminal of the solenoid; Figs. 6, and 7 provide two variants of the housing of the present invention, each provided with a diameter- adjustable adapter;

Figs 8(a) and 8(b) provide a perspective and front views respectively of a housing with an diameter-adjustable adapter, according to another variant of the present invention; Fig. 9 is an electrical scheme of a typical starter subsystem of a vehicle according to the prior art; and

Fig. 10 is an electrical scheme of a typical starter subsystem of a vehicle which is provided with an anti-theft module, according to the prior art.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Fig. 4 shows a typical arrangement of a starter motor 27 and solenoid 13 of

a vehicle. Typically, both the starter and solenoid are attached to a plate

29, wherein the solenoid 13 is located above the starter motor 27. Two

wires lead voltage to the starter motor as shown. Control terminal 24

controls the activation of the solenoid, which in turn activates the starter

motor. Fig. 9 schematically illustrates a typical structure of a vehicle starting

system. When the vehicle ignition key is turned on, closing switch 23, the

solenoid 13 receives voltage between its contacts 24 and 25, wherein in

this figure contact 24 serves as the control terminal of the solenoid. Said

voltage activates the solenoid internal relay 26, which in turn causes

closure between contacts A and B, thereby causing the vehicle battery

voltage 30 to fall between contacts C and D of the starter motor 27. Having

received the battery voltage, the starter motor 27 is activated, rotating

and starting the vehicle engine (not shown).

Fig. 10 schematically illustrates a typical operation of vehicle starting

system, similar to the one of Fig. 9, but which is further provided with a

code-operated anti-theft electronic module. The anti-theft electronic

module 35 is essentially a code operated relay with a code recognition

circuitry (or an equivalent device), which is controlled by key pad 36,

generally installed within the car, and on which the driver types a secret

code. When the code is recognized as valid by a circuitry within the

module, a switch within the module is closed, providing contacts between

points E and F. As shown, the module is generally installed in series with

the ignition key switch 23, so that only when both the ignition key switch

and the module switch are closed, starting of the vehicle engine can occur.

In order to increase the security against theft, the module 35 is installed very close to the solenoid, a location which is accessible with great

difficulty.

The present invention provides a stiff, rigid housing for the module 35, a

housing which can easily be installed at a location proximate to the

solenoid 13, and which has a structure that prevents access to the module

thereby preventing its neutralization. The housing further prevents access

to the control terminal of the solenoid. The housing may be made from a

rigid plastic or more preferably from a rigid metal material in order to

make it difficult for one to reach the solenoid control terminal.

Fig. 5 illustrates how the access to the control terminal 24 of solenoid 11 is

prevented according to the present invention. According to the present

invention, a housing 100 is provided, which has a portion which surrounds

the solenoid 13, and a portion which contains the anti-theft module and

prevents access to the control terminal 24.

Figs. 1, 2, 3A and 3B illustrate in a schematic manner a housing 100 for

attaching a security module to a solenoid of a vehicle, according to an

embodiment of the present invention. The housing 100 is preferably

monolithic, and comprises two portions, a box 10 for accommodating the

security module 14 (Fig. 2), and an essentially cylindrical adapter 11 for securing the housing to solenoid 13. Adapter 11 can be secured to solenoid

13 by any suitable securing means, such as screws 12a, 12b and 12c (Fig.

3), clamp, or other suitable elements, which essentially prevent easy

separation of the adapter of the housing from the solenoid cylindrical body.

As shown, the solenoid has two high current contacts, A and B, and one

control terminal 24 (which is hardly seen in Figs. 1 and 2). The security

module 24 is provided within space 15, and said space is preferably fully

filled by a very strong adhesive material, such as silicon. As shown in Fig.

2, when the housing 100 is installed, box 10 prevents accesses to the

security module and to the control terminal of the solenoid. It should be

noted again that Figs. 1 and 2 are given herein for illustration only, and

they are not in their real scale. It should also be noted that the access to

said contacts A and B alone cannot activate the solenoid, or cannot fully

activate the starter.

Box 10 is attached to adapter 11 at one end to preferably form a monolithic

body, or at least non-separable body. The adapter 11 is attached to the

solenoid 13 by positioning it on the solenoid 13 body, like a sleeve which

tightly surrounds the solenoid body in a non-separable manner. As said,

according to an embodiment of the invention, the adapter 11 and box 10

are manufactured as a single unit. According to another embodiment of the invention, box 10 may be attached to adapter 11 by any suitable

connecting or securing means (for example, screws).

Security module 14 (Fig. 2) can be any module capable of controlling the

supply of voltage to the control terminal of solenoid 13, in order to create

activation of the starter motor.

The security module 14 may be controlled by any suitable internal

electronics within the car (such as a keypad as in Fig. 10), or by remote

control electronics. In the latter case, the module may be provided with a

receiver for communicating with the remote control.

The housing of the present invention protects the connection area from the

security module 14 to the solenoid control terminal from unauthorized

access. It should be further mentioned that the wire which was originally

connected to the control terminal 24 of the solenoid (which is a low current

terminal) is, according to the invention, detached from the terminal and is

connected to the input of module 14. The output from module 14 is in turn

connected to the control terminal 24. Furthermore, for the sake of

simplicity, the wires that connect module 14 to the key pad at the interior

of the vehicle are not shown. As said, the housing 100 (more specifically its adapter 11) is attached to

the solenoid 13 by means of, preferably, one or more screws; e.g., screws

whose heads are capable of being detached from their body after fastening,

thereby making the separation of the housing from the solenoid an

extremely hard task.

Figs. 6, 7, and 8(a) and 8(b) illustrate three additional embodiments in

which the housing 100 has an adjustable diameter adapter, enabling

adaptation of the housing to solenoids of different diameters. In the

embodiments of Figs. 6 and 7, the adaptation is made by means of the rate

of closure of one or more screws 12. In the embodiment of Figs. 8(a) and

8(b) showing a perspective and front views respectively, the adapter 11 has

an open structure which enables it to fit to bodies of different diameter

solenoids. Preferably, the head portion 17 of each of the screws 12 may be

detachable, in order to make the separation of the adapter, and therefore

of the whole housing, a very difficult task.

As shown, the housing 100 of the present invention provides a casing for

the electronic module 14, a rigid structure for preventing access to said

module, and/or to the solenoid contacts, particularly to the solenoid control

terminal, and means for rigidly attaching the module to the vehicle

solenoid in a manner much stronger than in the prior art. Furthermore, the maintaining of the housing on the solenoid does not involve using the

screws that lead current to the solenoid which are sensitive. Moreover, in

the preferred embodiments, the housing is provided with means for easy

adaptation to different diameters of solenoids. The housing of the present

invention also provides saving of time, as its installation is significantly

simpler in comparison with the prior art. Finally, the various

embodiments of the present invention do not require any use of extending

screws which may be loose due to the vehicle vibrations, resulting in

extensive heating that may cause damage to the solenoid and its

surroundings.

The above examples and description have been provided only for the

purpose of illustration, and are not intended to limit the invention in any

way. As will be appreciated by the skilled person, the invention can be

carried out in a great variety of ways, employing more than one technique

from those described above, all without exceeding the scope of the

invention.

Claims

1. A housing for maintaining an anti-theft security module in proximity to a vehicle solenoid, and for preventing access to the module and to at least the solenoid control terminal contact, comprising: a) a box portion for accommodating the security module and for surrounding the terminal unit of the solenoid; b) an adapter portion for circumferentially attaching the housing to the body of the solenoid, said adapter having an essentially cylindrical, sleeve-like shape ; and c) means for firmly and tightly securing the adapter to the solenoid.

2. Housing according to claim 1, wherein the securing means are one or more screws, a clamp, or an adhesive material.

3. Housing according to claim 2, wherein the one or more screws have a detachable head, and wherein the heads of the screws are detached from the screw bodies, for eliminating the separation of the housing from the solenoid body.

4. Housing according to claim 1, wherein the anti-theft module is a key or code controlled module, which selectively connects or disconnects the voltage supply to the control terminal of the solenoid.

5. Housing according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the adapter portion is adjustable to fit various diameters of solenoids.

6. Housing according to claim 5, wherein the securing means are one or more screws, and the diameter of the adapter portion is adjustable by means of the rate of closure of the screws.

7. Housing according to claim 1, wherein means for cooling the security module are also provided within the box portion of the housing.

8. Housing according to claim 1, wherein the security module is maintained within the box portion by means of a hard and strong adhesive material, which also isolates bare contacts of the security module and the control terminal of the solenoid.

9. Housing according to claim 1, wherein the box and adapter portions are rigidly connected, forming one monolithic housing unit.

0. Housing according to claim 1, made from rigid metal or rigid plastic.