ZA200802896B - Vehicle tracking - Google Patents
Vehicle tracking Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- ZA200802896B ZA200802896B ZA200802896A ZA200802896A ZA200802896B ZA 200802896 B ZA200802896 B ZA 200802896B ZA 200802896 A ZA200802896 A ZA 200802896A ZA 200802896 A ZA200802896 A ZA 200802896A ZA 200802896 B ZA200802896 B ZA 200802896B
- Authority
- ZA
- South Africa
- Prior art keywords
- transponder
- housing
- harness
- vehicle
- settable substance
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims description 38
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 23
- 238000009429 electrical wiring Methods 0.000 claims description 20
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000009969 flowable effect Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 5
- 229910000760 Hardened steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000003822 epoxy resin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000010354 integration Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920000647 polyepoxide Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004593 Epoxy Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000002445 nipple Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000009877 rendering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009420 retrofitting Methods 0.000 description 1
Description
m:2008/02g 96
THIS INVENTION relates to vehicle tracking. It relates more specifically to a method of installing a vehicle tracking transponder, to an installation kit for a vehicle tracking transponder, and to a vehicle including an installed vehicle tracking transponder.
The Applicant has identified several problems relating to currently available vehicle tracking systems and operational aspects thereof.
A first such problem is that vehicle tracking transponders have to be placed in hidden or inaccessible positions to prevent the transponders from being removed and discarded or rendered inoperative — both kinds of situations rendering the transponders useless in respect of their primary function, namely to generate a tracking signal at a current position of the vehicle being protected.
A second such problem is that, at best, only a small number of potentially appropriate positions are available and finding and accessing a transponder is . 15 frequently not a difficult challenge to a thief or hijacker. In this regard, it is significant that transponder boxes are generally secured in a user friendly manner, e.g. by means of screws, which facilitates removal.
A further problem, related to the first and second problems mentioned “above, is that vehicle tracking transponders cannot be fitted as original equipment during manufacture of the vehicle because they will then have to be fitted in a standard way and place, or a limited number of standard ways and places, which will defeat the object of hiding them.
Yet a further, also related, problem is that retro-fitting a transponder is expensive and leads to re-assembly problems, because, to access a hidden or inaccessible position, the vehicle has to be partially dismantled and then re-
assembled. This requires time and is thus expensive, and re-assembly is frequently not to an acceptable standard.
The Applicant is of the opinion that obviating or at least alleviating some or all of these problems would be highly desirous.
In accordance with this invention, there is provided a method of installing a vehicle tracking transponder in a vehicle, including physically integrating the transponder with an electrical wiring harness of the vehicle. . 10
By “physically integrating the transponder with an electrical wiring harness” is meant that the transponder and the electrical wiring harness are inter- secured such that they are practically inseparable, more specifically such that the transponder cannot physically be removed or destroyed without at least damaging the electrical wiring harness. It is to be appreciated that a vehicle cannot be operated, or cannot adequately be operated if its electrical wiring harness has been damaged or destroyed.
It is further to be appreciated that the electrical wiring harness includes a large number of electrical conductors — in the order of hundreds — which are bundled together. Because of the very large number of electrical conductors, the conductors cannot practically individually be identified and if a conductor or several conductors are severed, it becomes a major exercise to re-join them. It is common practice in the motor industry, that if a wiring harness is or becomes faulty, it is easier and less expensive on average to replace the whole of the harness rather than to attempt to trace, identify and fix a fault — even though replacing a harness requires extensive work in dismantling components of the vehicle to liberate and replace the harness which dismantled components have to be re-assembled.
Thus, the Applicant believes that it is not practically possible for thieves or hijackers to replace or fix a damaged harness in time available during a
: A get-away. It is of course to be appreciated that a vehicle cannot be operated or driven with an extensively or even moderately damaged harness.
The method of the invention thus causes the transponder to be protected by a vehicle component i.e. the electrical wiring harness, which is easily accessible; which allows a transponder to be integrated therewith without damaging it in accordance with the method of this invention such as is explained below; which is vulnerable to damage thus enabling such integration of the transponder and the wiring harness in accordance with the invention to be effective in protecting the transponder; and which can neither be repaired nor replaced in the context of a get-away. These features allow the transponder to be placed in a predetermined, easily accessible position, in secure fashion.
Further in accordance with the method of the invention, integrating the transponder with the electrical wiring harness may advantageously be by means of a settable substance such as an epoxy resin or moulding material which, when set, cannot be fractured or broken without major force or effort, which would damage the harness so that access to the transponder cannot be gained without damage to the harness.
The method may include placing the transponder desirably relative to the harness and embedding the transponder and a proximate portion of the harness in the settable substance and causing or allowing the settable substance to set.
The preferred method may include placing the transponder within a container or housing at least partially surrounding part of the harness, and introducing the settable substance into the housing. Advantageously, the housing may close around the harness and may include a charging inlet and a ventilation opening, the method including introducing the settable substance, when flowable, via the charging inlet into the interior of the housing, air being vented out of the vent opening, which can then also serve as a tell-tale feature when the housing has adequately been filled. When the housing is closed over the harness and the transponder, the housing may be locked (e.g. by means of locking pins or interlocking formations) in the closed condition against parting forces which may be generated during charging or setting of the settable substance. 5 The method may include the prior step of providing a shield adjacent to the transponder and placing the transponder and shield in the housing, the shield being configured to inhibit disabling of the transponder by drilling into it.
The method may include at least partially enclosing the transponder in the shield.
The method may include providing a rechargeable electric cell in conjunction with and in the proximity of the transponder, and providing electrical conductors leading to the electrical cell to allow it to be charged in normal use. In the event that the charging wires are disconnected from the cell, the cell will power the transponder sufficiently long to allow tracking of the vehicle.
The method may be carried out as an assembly line operation during manufacture of the vehicle. The Applicant believes that the transponder can be placed and the housing charged in no more than 1% minutes.
In accordance with a second aspect of this invention, there is provided an installation kit for installing a vehicle transponder in a vehicle, the installation kit including a housing having aligned harness openings and a through passage allowing a harness to extend therethrough, the housing being openable and closeable to allow it to be placed over and closed over part of an electrical harness and to receive a transponder therein; and a quantity of settable substance which can be introduced into the housing and allowed to set so as to encase the harness and the transponder.
The housing may have a charge opening to allow the housing to be charged with a settable substance, the settable substance being in flowable form or being capable of rendered in flowable form immediately prior to use.
The settable substance may be in the form of a resin, e.g. a two-part resin or epoxy resin, which can be mixed immediately prior to use. The settable substance may be provided in a container which is suitable for charging the settable substance via the charging opening into the housing.
The aligned harness openings may be provided with seals or gaskets, preferably highly compliant or resilient gaskets to suit harnesses of different diameters and configured to abut sealingly against the harness to prevent or at least limit the flow of settable substance out of the harness openings. Itis to be appreciated that the housing and the gaskets have to remain intact only until the settable substance has set.
The housing may have a locking facility to keep the housing closed during and immediately after charging. The locking facility may include locking or positioning pins, complemental interlocking formations, or the like.
The kit may include a shield which can be positioned in the housing adjacent to the transponder and which is configured to inhibit the disabling of the transponder by drilling through the settable substance into the transponder. The shield may be hollow and configured such that at least part of the transponder is receivable therein. The shield may be configured and/or formed of a material, e.g. hardened steel, such that it is difficult to penetrate with a drill.
In accordance with a third aspect, there is provided a motor vehicle having an electrical wiring harness and which has a vehicle tracking transponder integrated with the harness.
The electrical wiring harness may, at a predetermined position, be embedded, together with the vehicle tracking transponder, into a body of a hardened settable substance.
A shield may be positioned in proximity to the transponder, the shield being configured to inhibit disabling of the transponder by drilling through the
) . hardened settable substance into the transponder. The shield may be hollow with at least part of the transponder being contained within the shield. The shield may be configured and/or formed of a material, e.g. hardened steel, such that it is difficult to penetrate with a drill.
The transponder may have loaded thereon information about the vehicle, e.g. VIN, chassis and engine numbers, registration numbers, the identity of an owner or authorized driver, and the like.
The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings:
Figure 1 shows a transponder assembly in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 shows a section taken at IlI-Il in Figure 1; and
Figure 3 shows, to a smaller scale, the transponder assembly of Figure 1 in position in a motor vehicle.
With reference to the drawings, a transponder assembly in accordance with the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. It comprises a housing 12 positioned over such as to surround an electrical wiring harness 14 of a motor vehicle. A vehicle tracking transponder 20 is shown contained within the housing 12 in the proximity of the electrical wiring harness 14.
The electrical wiring harness 14 is shown to comprise a plurality of electrical conductors 16. It is emphasised that, for ease of drawing, only a relatively small number of electrical wires or conductors 16 are shown. In reality, a typical wiring harness will comprise several hundred electrical wires or conductors.
The housing 12 is, conveniently, in the form of a moulding of ~ synthetic polymeric material. It is emphasised that the housing 12 has a limited function only, and can be of a flimsy, inexpensive material and construction. The housing 12 is split as can best be perceived from Figure 2. Along one side, it has an integral hinge 32, i.e. integral with walls of the housing, and along an opposed end, it has interlocking formations generally indicated by reference numeral 34.
o
The hinge 32 may merely be a bendable portion forming a bend line. Any other convenient and appropriate construction may be used to ensure that the housing can be placed over the harness and can be maintained closed against internal parting forces which may be imparted by the settable substance being charged into the housing. For example, in other embodiments, the housing may be in the form of a tube or sleeve surrounding the harness; it may be in the form of a foldable body folded over or around the harness; or the like. It is envisaged that the structure surrounding the harness may dictate the size and shape of the housing. It is to be kept in mind that the housing must be placed easily, quickly and with high integrity and repeatability to render it suitable as a production line step.
In a bottom or floor of the housing 12 as is illustrated by way of example, it has a charging aperture in the form of a nipple 18. As can be seen in
Figure 1, opposed to the charging opening 18, it has a ventilation opening 19.
More than one opening may be provided.
In front and rear walls of the housing 12, it has aligned openings within which soft seals or grommets 26 are received. The split of the harness runs diametrically through the openings and the seals or grommets are diametrically split, to allow the harness to be received therein and the housing to be closed over the harness.
The vehicle tracking transponder 20 is enclosed and comprises, internally, a transponder PC board and components indicated by reference numeral 21 in Figure 1, and a rechargeable electric cell 22 which is charged via electrical conductors 24. The electronic components will be provided in a shape : and size compatible with the housing and with placing of the housing in relation to the harness, bearing in mind that it may well be a requirement that the electronic components be positioned within the housing prior to positioning of the housing in relation to the harness. Optionally, the transponder 20 can be enclosed within a hollow shield 25, indicated by broken lines in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings,
which may be of hardened steel or another material which is difficult to penetrate with a drill.
In accordance with the invention, the transponder assembly 10 is 5 assembled by opening the housing 12 by releasing the interlocking formations 34 and using the hinge 32, the housing portions being split centrally through the harness openings in the front and rear walls to allow the housing to be positioned at an appropriate position over the electrical wiring harness 14. The transponder 20 has been pre-positioned within the interior of the housing 12 and the charging conductors 24 are arranged to extend out of the housing 12 via one of the harness openings. The housing 12 is then closed and the interlocking formations 34 engaged to keep the housing 12 in closed condition around the harness 14 and the transponder 20.
Further in accordance with the invention, a settable material 30 in flowable form, for example an epoxy or two component resin, a moulding material, or the like is charged into the interior of the housing 12. It is to be appreciated that the charging opening 18 is at a bottom such that the flowable settable substance fills the housing 12 from the bottom upwardly. In a top or roof of the housing 12, there is provided the ventilation opening 19 to allow air to escape and also to serve as a telltale that the interior of the housing has been filled with the settable substance. An appropriate settable substance will be selected bearing in mind the requirements of ease and speed of application, setting characteristics and integrity against unauthorized removal or destruction.
The settable substance is contained within the housing 12 by means of the grommets 26.
It is envisaged that the transponder assembly 10 can be fitted onto a vehicle during manufacture as an assembly line operation. In this regard, it is important to appreciate that it is envisaged that the operation can easily be completed in no more than 1). minutes thus making it practical and feasible as an assembly line operation. It is further to be appreciated that setting of the settable substance need not be completed during the limited time allocated for the assembly line operation, but it can set in due course as the motor vehicle progresses along the assembly line. :
In other cases, the transponder assembly 10 can easily be retro- fitted on a newly manufactured, or even a used vehicle. This is made possible because fitment can be, and is preferably, at a position where the harness is exposed and easily accessible.
Figure 3 shows the transponder assembly 10 fitted within a motor vehicle 40.
As explained above, when the settable substance has set, it is not practically possible to separate the transponder 20 and the electrical wiring harness 14 without damage to the electrical wiring harness, which will then prevent the motor vehicle from being operated. It has also been explained that it is practically impossible to repair or replace the harness if it has been damaged in the context of a getaway situation. Thus, the transponder 20 is rendered safe by the proximity of the wiring harness and the integration of the transponder and the wiring harness, similar to a hostage situation. It is thus preferable that the transponder assembly 10 is in an easily visible and accessible position on a motor vehicle so that it can easily be verified that it has not been tampered with. When use is made of the shield 25, it serves to reduce the risk that the transponder 20 will be disabled by drilling through the hardened settable material into the transponder.
The Applicant envisages loading the transponder, or a data base with which the transponder is associated, with information about the vehicle, such as the vehicle identification number (VIN), the chassis and engine numbers, registration number, make, model, colour and any other identification information of the motor vehicle. If desired, information may even be entered regarding the owner or an authorized user of the motor vehicle. In the event that the motor vehicle is inspected at a road block, is involved in an accident, or in any other such like eventuality, an authorised person, like a traffic policeman, can, by using a cellular phone, obtain the identification information and verify that the information obtained from the transponder or data base tallies with the physical information of the motor vehicle and possibly also the driver.
It is emphasised that the invention provides an easy, inexpensive, quick method and kit to install or fit a transponder assembly in a motor vehicle in such a manner that the transponder cannot practically be damaged or destroyed or rendered inoperative. These features will greatly reduce the cost of installation.
A major advantage is that the transponder can be fitted or assembled into a motor vehicle easily enough and quickly enough to be an assembly line operation, or as a retro-fitment. Expressed otherwise, fitment of the transponder does not entail dismantling or and re-assembly of components.
The Applicant believes that this invention will greatly ameliorate the very serious vehicle theft and hijack situation currently prevalent in South Africa, and potentially also elsewhere.
Claims (19)
1. A method of installing a vehicle tracking transponder in a vehicle, which includes physically integrating the transponder with an electrical wiring harness of the vehicle. :
2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, in which integrating the transponder with the electrical wiring harness is by means of a settable substance such that access to the transponder cannot be gained without damage to the harness.
3. A method as claimed in Claim 2, which includes placing the transponder desirably relative to the harness and embedding the transponder and a proximate portion of the harness in the settable substance and causing or allowing the settable substance to set.
4. A method as claimed in Claim 3, which includes placing the transponder within a container or housing, at least partially surrounding part of the harness, and introducing the settable substance into the housing.
5. A method as claimed in Claim 4, in which the housing closes around the harness and includes a charging inlet and a ventilation opening, the method including introducing the settable substance, when flowable, via the charging inlet into the interior of the housing, air being vented out of the vent opening.
6. A method as claimed in Claim 5, in which when the housing is closed over the harness and the transponder, the housing is locked in the closed condition against parting forces which may be generated during charging or setting of the settable substance.
7. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 6, inclusive, which includes the prior step of providing a shield adjacent to the transponder and embedding the shield and transponder in the settable substance.
8. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 7, inclusive, which includes providing a rechargeable electric cell in conjunction with and in the proximity of the transponder, and providing electrical conductors leading to the electrical cell to allow it to be charged in normal use.
9. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is carried out as an assembly line operation during manufacture of the vehicle.
10. An installation kit for installing a vehicle transponder in a vehicle, the installation kit including: a housing having aligned harness openings and a through passage allowing a : harness to extend therethrough, the housing being openable and closeable to allow it to be placed over and closed over part of an electrical harness and to receive a transponder therein; and a quantity of settable substance which can be introduced into the housing and allowed to set so as to encase the part of the harness and the transponder contained in the housing.
11. An installation kit as claimed in Claim 10, in which the housing has a charge opening, to allow the housing to be charged with a settable substance, the settable substance being in flowable form or being capable of rendered in flowable form immediately prior to use.
12. An installation kit as claimed in Claim 9, in which the settable substance is provided in a container which is suitable for charging the settable substance via the charge opening into the housing.
13. An installation kit as claimed in Claim 12 in which the aligned harness openings are provided with seals or gaskets configured to abut sealingly against the harness.
14 Xd 14 An installation kit as claimed in any one of Claims 11 to 13 inclusive, in which the housing has a locking facility to keep the housing closed during and immediately after charging. “
15. An installation kit as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14, inclusive, which includes a shield which can be positioned in the housing adjacent to the transponder and which is configured to inhibit disabling of the transponder by drilling through the settable substance into the transponder.
16. A motor vehicle having an electrical wiring harness and a vehicle tracking transponder integrated with the harness.
17. A motor vehicle as claimed in Claim 16, in which the electrical wiring harness is, at a predetermined position, embedded, together with the vehicle tracking responder into a body of a hard and settable substance.
18. A motor vehicle as claimed in Claim 17, in which a shield is positioned in proximity to the vehicle tracking responder, the shield being configured to inhibit disabling of the transponder by drilling through the hardened settable material into the transponder.
19. A motor vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 16 to 18, inclusive, in which the transponder has loaded thereon information about the vehicle. Va this 277 day of April 2008 C Wechonztz ADAMS & ADAMS APPLICANTS P ORNEYS
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZA200802896A ZA200802896B (en) | 2007-04-04 | 2008-04-02 | Vehicle tracking |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZA200702834 | 2007-04-04 | ||
| ZA200802896A ZA200802896B (en) | 2007-04-04 | 2008-04-02 | Vehicle tracking |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| ZA200802896B true ZA200802896B (en) | 2009-01-28 |
Family
ID=39683848
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZA200802896A ZA200802896B (en) | 2007-04-04 | 2008-04-02 | Vehicle tracking |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AP (1) | AP2789A (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA200802896B (en) |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5264825A (en) * | 1991-03-14 | 1993-11-23 | Rostra Precision Controls, Inc. | Combined switch and indicator light for electronic vehicle security system |
| GB9320045D0 (en) * | 1993-09-29 | 1993-11-17 | Ventress Jonathan | Sensor security system |
| ZA959074B (en) * | 1995-04-12 | 1996-05-22 | Lo Jack Corp | Vehicle tracking transponder system and transponding method |
| GB2381915B (en) * | 2001-11-07 | 2005-06-01 | Tmc Consultancy Ltd | An identification unit for a tractor unit |
| US6819245B1 (en) * | 2002-05-27 | 2004-11-16 | Emery W. Dilling | Security system |
| GB2417118A (en) * | 2004-08-14 | 2006-02-15 | Tmc Consultancy Ltd | Asset tracking assembly with removable tracking device |
-
2008
- 2008-04-02 ZA ZA200802896A patent/ZA200802896B/en unknown
- 2008-04-04 AP AP2008004423A patent/AP2789A/en active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AP2789A (en) | 2013-10-31 |
| AP2008004423A0 (en) | 2008-04-30 |
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