Electrical transmission or interconnection systems – Vehicle mounted systems – Automobile
Patent
1996-08-08
1997-10-21
Shoop, Jr., William M.
Electrical transmission or interconnection systems
Vehicle mounted systems
Automobile
307 102, 307 104, 307 105, 180287, 34082531, 70256, 361172, B60R 2500
Patent
active
056799845
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to vehicle security systems, and in particular to those including `passive remobilization` which ensures that the vehicle will not remain immobilized if the driver has entered the vehicle and wants to start it using the proper key.
Passive re-mobilization systems are known, for example from EP 0 521 547 and WO 93/02897. WO 93/02897 discloses a security system in which a transmitter unit has an encoder and a transmitter which can be operated manually to transmit codes from the encoder. The transmitter unit also has electrical contacts through which the code from the encoder can be conducted to co-operating contacts near the vehicle ignition switch to re-mobilize the vehicle when the key is in the ignition lock.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved security system which overcomes various problems with the known systems described above.
Accordingly the present invention provides a vehicle security system, comprising: a portable transmitter unit comprising a transmitter for transmitting a coded signal, a power source for the transmitter, and manual actuation means for causing the transmitter to transmit the coded signal; a receiver mounted on the vehicle; control means arranged to enable or disable a component of the vehicle in response to receipt of the coded signal by the receiver; an ignition lock on the vehicle; a key for operating the ignition lock; and means for producing an energy field if the key is used in the ignition lock while said component is disabled, characterized in that the transmitter unit further comprises switch means which can be operated by the energy field to connect the transmitter to the power supply to cause the transmitter to transmit the coded signal for reception by the receiver.
This arrangement can meet the above aim in a simple and cost-effective manner.
Preferably the energy producing means is mounted in the vehicle near to the ignition lock.
The use of the key required to cause transmission of the signal by comprise turning or otherwise moving the key to a particular position in the lock, or simply inserting the key into the lock, or any other similar action depending on the nature of the lock and key system.
Preferably the system further comprises key use detection means for detecting use of the key in the ignition lock wherein the control means is arranged to produce the energy field only if the detection means detects use of the key in the ignition lock.
Preferably the transmitter unit is attached to the key.
Said energy field may comprise an alternating magnetic field or electromagnetic radiation, in which case the means for producing said energy field preferably comprises a coil, and the switch means preferably includes a coil for producing an electromotive force in response to said energy field.
Alternatively the energy field may comprise a magnetic field of substantially constant direction, in which case the source of the magnetic field may be an electromagnet or a permanent magnet. In this case the switch means preferably has first and second electrical contact means at least one of which is made of a ferromagnetic material such that it will become magnetized and be attracted towards the other in the presence of said magnetic field. Such a switch means may comprise a reed switch and said at least one contact may comprise a reed thereof. Alternatively the switch means may comprise a hall effect device or other electronic device operated by a magnetic field.
Preferably the control means is arranged to unlock at least one door of the vehicle in response to receipt of an unlock signal from the transmitter unit if said unlock signal is produced by the manual actuation means, but not if said unlock signal is produced as a result of use of the key in the ignition lock.
Indeed the present invention further provides a vehicle security system comprising an ignition lock and a key for operating the lock, a transmitter for transmitting a coded unlock signal, first actuation means for causing the transmitter to transmit the cod
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Burdock William
Talbot Kevin Trevor
Ganjian Peter
Rover Group Limited
Shoop Jr. William M.
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