Rolling away protection after engine switch off and security device

• US 20050266958A1
• Filed: 05/18/2005
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Ehrmaier, Rudolf
• Granted Patent: US 7,496,431 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 477/73
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/10 responsive to conditions relating to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/16 Ratio selector position
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/10 comprising levers

Abstract

In order to satisfy the key interlock regulation in a system for keyless starting of a motor vehicle by an ID transducer carried by the vehicle user and a control element (2) for starting and stopping the engine, a mechanism is provided such that the engine can only be stopped when the gear position “P” for Park is engaged but the engine can be stopped at a vehicle speed (v) equal to or greater than a preset threshold speed (v-threshold) without the gear position “P” for Park being engaged, so that the driver can turn off the engine in emergencies even while driving.

Claims

1. A procedure for preventing a motor vehicle from moving after the engine is turned off,

wherein the motor vehicle is equipped with a keyless starting system, which includes an identification transducer carried by a vehicle user and a control element for starting and stopping an engine,

wherein the motor vehicle has an automatic transmission activated by a selection device and a gear position (“

P”

) for Park can be selected along with other gear positions by a selector device,

wherein the engine cannot be turned off if the gear position (“

P”

) for Park is not engaged, and

wherein the engine can be turned off even if the gear position (“

P”

) for Park is not engaged when the speed of the vehicle is equal to or greater than a preset threshold speed.

2. A. procedure according to claim 1, wherein the threshold speed is greater than 3 kilometers per hour.

3. A procedure according to claim 2, wherein the threshold speed is between 5 and 25 kilometers per hour.

4. A procedure according to claim 3, wherein the threshold speed is between 10 and 20 kilometers per hour.

5. A procedure according to claim 1, wherein the engine can be stopped regardless of a selected gear position and the speed of the vehicle when the vehicle'"'"'s own controls detect an engine problem.

6. A procedure according to claim 1, wherein the ignition cannot be switched off when the gear position “

P”

for Park is not selected.

7. Safety equipment to prevent a motor vehicle from moving after the engine is turned off,

wherein the motor vehicle is equipped with a keyless starting system, which includes an identification transducer carried by a vehicle user and a control element for starting and stopping an engine,

wherein the motor vehicle has an automatic transmission activated by a selection device and a gear position (“

P”

) for Park can be selected along with other gear positions by a selector device,

wherein the engine cannot be turned off when the gear position “

P”

for Park is not selected, and

wherein the safety equipment includes an initial release device which allows the engine to be stopped and which is activated for release for vehicle speeds greater than a preset threshold speed.

8. Safety equipment according to claim 7, wherein the threshold speed is greater than 3 kilometers per hour

9. Safety equipment according to claim 8, wherein the threshold speed is between 5 and 25 kilometers per hour.

10. Safety equipment according to claim 8, wherein the threshold speed is between 10 and 20 kilometers per hour.

11. Safety equipment according to claim 7, further comprising:

a second release device which allows the engine to be stopped and which is activated for release if the vehicle'"'"'s own controls detect an engine problem.