Electric anti-theft security system

• US 5,654,689 A
• Filed: 03/26/1996
• Issued: 08/05/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Humbert, Arnaud, Demouy, Olivier, Peyre, Jean
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Application Number:
  US08/622,032
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/426, 340/428, 340/438, 340/441, 180/271, 180/287, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 307/10.6
• US Class Current: 340/426.11
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/021 restraining movement of the steering column or steering wheel hub, e.g. restraining means controlled by ignition switch
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor

Abstract

An electrical anti-theft security system for a motor vehicle includes an anti-theft security switch for controlling starting of the engine of the vehicle and for the supply of power to various electrical circuits of the vehicle. This anti-theft switch comprises a key interruptor and a multiple position control interruptor for controlling, in sequence, the power supply to various electrical circuits of the vehicle, including those for the ignition and the starter. The system also includes interruptors for the power supply of the electric motor of the anti-theft system, together with an immobilizing device for preventing the supply of power to at least one electrical circuit of the vehicle when the anti-theft system is not in its unlocked condition.

Claims

1. An anti-theft system for a vehicle having a power supply source, comprising:

an anti-theft security switch for controlling the power supply to various electrical circuits of the vehicle;

a motorised security device comprising a blocking member and an electric drive motor coupled to the blocking member for displacing the latter between a locked position and an unlocked position; and

an electronic central anti-theft unit connected electrically to the said anti-theft security switch and to the said motor, the central anti-theft unit being adapted to control operation of the anti-theft system,

wherein the said anti-theft security switch comprises a key interruptor for detecting simulated introduction of a key into the anti-theft switch, and a multiple position control interruptor for connection to said electrical circuits of the vehicle and for controlling the supply of power to said circuits in sequence, the said multiple control interruptor comprising a movable control contact connected to one polarity of the power supply source, and a set of fixed contacts for connection to respective said circuits of the vehicle, the said set of fixed contacts being so disposed as to be contacted successively by the movable control contact of the multiple position control interruptor as the said movable contact is operated with a view to starting the vehicle, the system further including an immobilising device connected between the multiple position control interruptor and one polarity of the said power source;

a first power supply interruptor and a second power supply interruptor, each coupled to the motor for operation between an open position and a closed position, and arranged to be open when the system is in its locked and unlocked conditions respectively;

and wherein at least one said vehicle circuit is connected to one polarity of the said supply source through the multiple control interruptor and the immobilising device, whereby the supply of power to the said at least one circuit is inhibited except when the system is in its unlocked condition, the key interruptor having a movable contact connected to the said supply source, a first fixed contact connected electrically to the motor through the said first power supply interruptor, for cooperation of the said first fixed contact with the movable contact of the key interruptor in the absence of a key for actuating the key interruptor, and a second fixed contact connected electrically to the motor through the said second power supply interruptor, for cooperation with the said movable contact of the key interruptor in the presence of a said key,

and wherein the said central anti-theft unit has a first input for detection of a change of position of the movable contact of the key interruptor, a second input for detection of the locked condition of the system, and a third input for detection of the unlocked condition of the system, the system further including condition detecting means for detecting the locked or unlocked condition of the system and means connecting the said second and third inputs of the central anti-theft unit to the condition detecting means.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the immobilising device is an immobilising interruptor having a movable contact connected to the said fixed contact of the said multiple position interruptor, and a fixed contact for cooperation with the said movable contact so as to connect the latter to the said vehicle circuit when the system is in its unlocked condition.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the said movable control contact of the multiple position interruptor is connected to the said polarity of the supply source through the said immobilising device.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the immobilising device is an immobilising interruptor having a movable contact connected to one polarity of the said supply source, and a fixed contact connected to the said movable control contact of the multiple position interruptor, the immobilising interruptor being arranged so that its movable contact cooperates with its said fixed contact when the system is in its unlocked condition.

5. A system according to claim 2, further including coupling means coupling the movable contact of the immobilising interruptor with the motor for rotation of the said movable contact by the motor.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the first power supply interruptor comprises a movable contact, means coupling the movable contact permanently to the motor for rotation of the movable contact by the motor, and a first fixed contact connected electrically to the first fixed contact of the key interruptor, for cooperation between the said movable contact and first fixed contact of the first power supply interruptor when the said first power supply interruptor is closed, and wherein the second power supply interruptor comprises a movable contact, means coupling the movable contact permanently to the motor for rotation of the movable contact by the motor, and a second fixed contact connected electrically to the second fixed contact of the key interruptor, for cooperation between the said movable contact and second fixed contact of the second power supply interruptor when the second said power supply interruptor is closed.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein the said first and second fixed contacts are conductive strips offset from each other, the said movable contacts of the first and second power supply interruptors being defined by a single common contact member, the system said coupling means being a single coupling means coupling the said common contact member with the motor for rotation of the said common member by the motor.

8. A system according to claim 1, further including a complementary interruptor having a movable contact and means coupling the movable contacts of the said key interruptor and complementary interruptor together for simultaneous movement, the said first input of the central anti-theft unit being connected to one polarity of the said power supply source through the said complementary interruptor, the latter being such that it is closed in the absence of a key.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the said means for detecting the condition of the system comprise:

a first detection interruptor and a second detection interruptor, for detecting that the system is locked and unlocked respectively, each said detection interruptor having a respective movable contact connected to one polarity of the said power supply source, each of the first and second detection interruptors further having a fixed contact, the said fixed contacts of the first and second detection interruptors being connected to the said second and third inputs, respectively, of the central anti-theft unit, for cooperation with the corresponding said movable contact when the system is in its locked condition and its unlocked condition respectively.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein the movable contact of the said first detection interruptor is connected to the said first fixed contact of the key interruptor, the movable contact of the said second detection interruptor being connected to the said second fixed contact of the key interruptor.

11. A system according to claim 9, wherein the movable contacts of the said first detection interruptor and first power supply interruptor are defined by a single common first movable contact element, the movable contacts of the second detection interruptor and second power supply interruptor being defined by a single common second movable contact element, each said detection interruptor having a fixed contact connected to the said first input of the central anti-theft unit, such that, when the first power supply interruptor and the second power supply interruptor, respectively, is open, its said movable contact element cooperates with the corresponding said fixed contact.

12. A system according to claim 1, further including a power supply unit for controlling the supply of power to the said motor, the said power supply unit having inputs connected to the central anti-theft unit for receiving from the latter command signals for locking and unlocking the system respectively, and further having a first terminal permanently connected to a first polarity of the said power supply source, and a second terminal, the system further including means connecting the said second terminal to a second polarity of the said power supply source through the key interruptor and through a further interruptor selected from the said first and second power supply interruptors.

13. A system according to claim 1, wherein the said anti-theft security switch is a rotary switch.