Anti-theft method and apparatus

• US 6,268,790 B1
• Filed: 03/24/2000
• Issued: 07/31/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Cregeur, Charles Cyril
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/535,296
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/426, 340/438, 340/465, 340/542, 340/543, 340/576, 340/825.31, 340/825.32, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 307/10.4, 307/10.5, 180/443, 180/446, 180/272, 180/287, 361/171, 361/172
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/02 operating on the steering mechanism

Abstract

An anti-theft apparatus (10) for use on a vehicle includes a torque sensor (16) for sensing applied steering torque and providing a signal (24) indicative thereof. A power assist motor (22) steerably connected to steerable wheels (20) of the vehicle. A detector (62) detects whether the vehicle has an authorized user. A controller (26) controls the power assist motor (22) in response to the steering torque signal (24). The controller (26) controls the power assist motor (22) in a first mode responsive to the sensed applied steering torque signal (24) when the detector (62) detects that the vehicle has an authorized user and in a second mode responsive to the sensed applied steering torque signal (24) when the detector (62) detects that the vehicle does not have an authorized user. The detector (62) detects an authorized user by sensing vehicle ignition using an authorized key or authorized entry to the vehicle'"'"'s interior.

Claims

1. An anti-theft apparatus for use on a vehicle, said anti-theft apparatus comprising:

a torque sensor for sensing applied steering torque and providing a sensed applied steering torque signal indicative thereof;

a power assist motor steerably connected to steerable wheels of the vehicle;

detector means for detecting whether the vehicle has an authorized user and providing a signal indicative thereof; and

a controller for controlling said power assist motor in a first mode responsive to the sensed applied steering torque signal when said detector means detects that the vehicle has an authorized user and in a second mode responsive to the sensed applied steering torque signal when said detector means detects that the vehicle does not have an authorized user.

2. The anti-theft apparatus of claim 1 wherein said detector means includes means for determining if the vehicle has been started by an authorized user.

3. The anti-theft apparatus of claim 1 wherein said detector means includes intrusion detecting means for determining if entrance into an interior location of the vehicle is that of an authorized entry thereby indicating an authorized user.

4. The anti-theft device of claim 1 wherein said power assist motor is an electric motor.

5. The anti-theft apparatus of claim 4 further including means for energizing said electric motor in response to said controller when vehicle ignition is in an off condition.

6. An anti-theft apparatus for use on an associated vehicle, the vehicle comprising a steering wheel operatively coupled to vehicle steerable wheels through a torque sensor, said anti-theft apparatus comprising:

an electric motor operatively associated with the steering wheel, said electric motor assisting steering movement of the steerable wheels in response to applied steering torque when said electric motor is controlled in a first mode and opposing steering movement of the steerable wheels in response to applied steering torque when said electric motor is controlled in a second mode;

detecting means for detecting whether the vehicle has an authorized user; and

a controller for controlling said electric motor in said first mode when said detecting means detects that the vehicle has an authorized user and controlling said electric motor in said second mode when said detecting means detects the vehicle does not have an authorized user.

7. A method of preventing the theft of a vehicle having a power assist steering system, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting whether the vehicle has an authorized user;

sensing applied steering torque; and

controlling the power assist steering system when the vehicle does not have an authorized user in response to the sensed applied steering torque so as to oppose the sensed steering torque.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of detecting whether the vehicle has an authorized user includes the step of detecting if the vehicle was started using an authorized vehicle ignition key.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of detecting whether the vehicle has an authorized user includes the step of detecting if entry into an interior location of the vehicle is that of an authorized user.