Security system for a motor vehicle

• US 4,837,567 A
• Filed: 09/15/1987
• Issued: 06/06/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kiekert AG (Lingyun Industrial Corporation Limited)
• Original Assignee: Kiekert GmbH & Company KG
• Inventors: Bartel, Peter, Brackmann, Horst, Kleefeldt, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Griffin, Robert L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Ralph
• Application Number:
  US07/097,226
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.31, 340/825.3, 340/825.34, 340/825.69, 340/542, 340/572, 340/528, 340/520, 340/63, 340/64, 340/65, 340/825.72, 70/252, 70/237, 70/256, 70/278, 70/257, 180/287, 361/170, 361/171, 361/172, 307/10 AT
• US Class Current: 340/5.72
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/02115 key actuated
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/02126 with linear bolt motion perpendicular to the lock axis
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2063 Ignition switch geometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/248 Electronic key extraction prevention
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00785 by light
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5956 Steering mechanism with switch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5973 Remote control

Abstract

A security system has a key including a transmitter for emitting a coded signal and a receiver for the signal and connected to a latch of the vehicle for unlocking a door secured by the latch only when the coded signal is received. A column bolt is displaceable in a housing fixed around the steering column between a locking position preventing the column from rotating and a freeing position. A barrel rotatable in the housing is formed with an axially open pocket generally complementary to the key. A switch is actuatable in one end position of the barrel for starting the vehicle and a locking pin is displaceable in the barrel and engageable into the pocket and into a lateral recess of the key when same is fitted in the pocket. A lever can engage in the recess of the barrel in the other of the end positions and can also engage in this other end position with the pin to push same into the pocket and into the recess of the key therein. A spring urges the lever into a normal position engaged in the recess and pulled away from the pin, so that, in the normal position of the lever and the other end position of the barrel, the barrel cannot rotate in the housing and the key can be moved axially out of the pocket. A solenoid is connected to the lever and energizable only when the coded signal is received in the other end position of the barrel for pulling the lever out of the barrel recess and pushing the pin into the key recess.

Claims

1. In a motor vehicle having a mechanical door latch and a rotatable steering column, a security system comprising:

a key formed with a laterally open recess and including transmitter means for emitting a coded signal;

means for receiving the signal and connected to the latch for unlocking a door secured thereby only when the coded signal is received;

a housing secured to the steering column;

a column bolt displaceable in the housing between a locking position preventing relative rotation between the column and the housing and a freeing position out of engagement with the column and with the column freely rotatable in the housing;

a barrel rotatable in the housing between end positions and formed with an axially open pocket generally complementary to the key and with a radially open latching recess;

means coupling the barrel to the bolt for displacement of the bolt between its locking and freeing positions on displacement of the barrel between its end positions;

means including a switch actuatable in one end position of the barrel for starting the vehicle;

a locking pin radially displaceable in the barrel and engageable into the pocket and into the recess of the key when same is fitted in the pocket;

a lever having one arm engageable in the recess of the barrel in the other of the barrel end positions and another arm engageable in this other barrel end position with the pin to push same into the pocket and into the recess of the key therein;

spring means for urging the lever into a normal position with the one arm engaged in the barrel recess and the other arm pulled away form the pin, whereby, in the normal position of the lever and the other barrel end position of the barrel, the barrel cannot rotate in the housing and the key can be moved axially out of the pocket;

solenoid means connected to the lever and energizable in the other barrel end position of the barrel for pulling the lever out of the normal position and thereby pulling the one arm out of the barrel recess and pushing the other arm against the pin to push same in turn into the key recess, whereby when the solenoid means is energized the barrel and key can turn in the housing but the key cannot be withdrawn axially from the barrel; and

means in the housing including a receiver and a decoder connected to the solenoid means for receiving the signal from the key in the pocket and for energizing the solenoid means only on receiving the signal.

2. The improved security system defined in claim 1, further comprising

a spring braced between the column bolt and the housing and urging the bolt into locking engagement with the column.

3. The improved security system defined in claim 1 wherein the solenoid means is engageable with one of the arms of the lever.

4. The improved security system defined in claim 1 wherein the switch is an on-of switch and the barrel is formed with a camming groove engaging the switch.

5. The improved security system defined in claim 1, further comprising

means including a link formation on the barrel engaging the column bolt for displacing same out of engagement with the column on displacement of the barrel into the other barrel end position.

6. The improved security system defined in claim 5, further comprising

a spring braced between the column bolt and the housing and urging the bolt into locking engagement with the column.

7. The improved security system defined in claim 1 wherein the housings and barrel are shaped such that the lock pin is held in the locking position except when the barrel is in its one end position.