Motorcycle anti-theft device

• US 6,987,446 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2003
• Issued: 01/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Konno, Takeshi, Onozuka, Tadashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T.
• Application Number:
  US10/672,935
• Publication Number:
  US 20040164850A1
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426.1, 340/427, 340/432, 340/825.36, 340/825.49, 340/825.69, 340/518, 340/521, 340/5.72
• US Class Current: 340/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/306 Motorcycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/104 characterised by the type of theft warning signal, e.g. visual or audible signals with special characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user

Abstract

Multiple components of a motorcycle theft-deterrent device are enclosed within a single weather-resistant module, to ensure that wiring thereof is protected from the elements. The theft-deterrent device permits secure starting of the engine with a remotely operated device. The theft-deterrent device includes a CPU 41, a remote control receiver 42 for detecting a locking/unlocking signal from a remote operation device, and a vibration sensor 43 as theft-deterrent equipment in a handlebar lock module 12, including a handlebar lock mechanism. As a result of this inclusion, wiring is protected. The protected wiring sends locking/unlocking signals, which have been received by the remote control receiver 42, to the CPU 41, as well as vibration sense signals from the vibration sensor 43 to the CPU 41, for protecting the vehicle body.

Claims

1. A theft-deterrent device for a vehicle, comprising:

a receiver for receiving at least one lock position signal from a remote operation device;

a processor for determining whether or not an ID included in the lock position matches a stored ID;

a primary lock mechanism for responding to the lock position signal when the IDs match to lock or unlock the vehicle;

an actuator for driving the primary lock mechanism, and

a theft-detection unit detecting movement and rot generating an alarm signal when the vehicle is moved when the receiver has not received an unlocking signal including an ID matching the stored ID;

wherein the receiver, processor, primary lock mechanism, actuator and theft-detection unit are comprised in a module within a single housing.

2. The theft-deterrent device of claim 1, wherein the theft-deterrent device is for a two-wheeled vehicle having a handlebar, and the primary lock mechanism is engageable with a rotating shaft of the handlebar to lock a vehicle, and wherein the module is adapted to be situated near the rotating shaft of the handlebar.

3. The theft-deterrent device of claim 1, wherein the theft-detection unit comprises a vibration sensor, and is configured to detect when the vehicle is moved without a required operation having been performed, and to generate a theft-detection signal in response to such movement.

4. The theft-deterrent device of claim 1, further comprising an alarm buzzer which is capable of being energized in response to the theft-detection signal.

5. The theft-deterrent device of claim 4, wherein the alarm buzzer is separate from a vehicle horn, and is included within said module.

6. The theft-deterrent device of claim 1, further comprising a seat lock, wherein the theft-deterrent device is for a two-wheeled vehicle having a seat, and the seat lock is locked and unlocked in coordination with locking and unlocking of said primary lock mechanism.

7. The theft-deterrent device of claim 1, further comprising a seat lock, wherein the theft-deterrent device is for a two-wheeled vehicle having a seat, and the seat lock is locked and unlocked in coordination with locking and unlocking of said primary lock mechanism.

8. A theft-deterrent device for a vehicle, comprising:

a receiver for receiving at least one lock position signal from a remote operation device;

a processor for determining whether or not an ID included in the lock position matches a stored ID;

a primary lock mechanism for responding to the lock position signal when the IDs match to lock or unlock the vehicle;

an actuator for driving the primary lock mechanism, and

a theft-detection unit detecting movement and for generating an alarm signal when the vehicle is moved when the receiver has not received an unlocking signal including an ID matching the stored ID;

wherein the receiver, processor, primary lock mechanism, actuator and theft-detection unit are comprised in a module within a single housing, and

wherein the theft-detection unit comprises a steering angle sensor and is configured to detect when a handlebar steering angle has been changed by a predetermined amount without a required operation having been performed, and to generate a theft-detection signal in response to such change in the steering angle.

9. A theft-deterrent device for a vehicle, comprising:

a receiver for receiving at least one lock position signal from a remote operation device;

a processor for determining whether or not an ID included in the lock position matches a stored ID;

a lock mechanism for responding to the lock position signal when the IDs match to lock or unlock the vehicle;

an actuator for driving the lock mechanism, and

a theft-detection unit detecting movement and for generating an alarm signal when the vehicle is moved when the receiver has not received an unlocking signal including an ID matching the stored ID;

wherein the receiver, processor, lock mechanism, actuator and theft-detection unit are comprised in a module within a single housing;

and further wherein the primary lock mechanism is engageable with a rotating shaft of a handlebar to lock a vehicle, and the module is situated near the rotating shaft of the handlebar.

10. The theft-deterrent device of claim 9, wherein the theft-detection unit comprises a vibration sensor, and is configured to detect when the vehicle is moved without a required operation having been performed, and to generate a theft-detection signal in response to such movement.

11. The theft-deterrent device of claim 9, further comprising an alarm buzzer which is capable of being energized in response to the theft-detection signal.

12. The theft-deterrent device of claim 11, wherein the alarm buzzer is separate from a vehicle horn, and is included within said module.

13. The theft-deterrent device of claim 9, further comprising a seat lock, wherein the theft-deterrent device is for a two-wheeled vehicle having a seat, and the seat lock is locked and unlocked in coordination with locking and unlocking of said primary lock mechanism.

14. A theft-deterrent device for a vehicle, comprising:

a receiver for receiving at least one lock position signal from a remote operation device;

a processor for determining whether or not an ID included in the lock position matches a stored ID;

a lock mechanism for responding to the lock position signal when the IDs match to lock or unlock the vehicle;

an actuator for driving the lock mechanism, and

a theft-detection unit detecting movement and for generating an alarm signal when the vehicle is moved when the receiver has not received an unlocking signal including an ID matching the stored ID;

wherein the receiver, processor, lock mechanism, actuator and theft-detection unit are comprised in a module within a single housing;

and further wherein the primary lock mechanism is engageable with a rotating shaft of a handlebar to lock a vehicle, and the module is situated near the rotating shalt of the handlebar,

wherein the theft-detection unit comprises a steering angle sensor and is configured to detect when a handlebar steering angle has been changed by a predetermined amount without a required operation having been performed, and to generate a theft-detection signal in response to such change in the steering angle.

15. A theft-deterrent device for a vehicle, comprising:

a receiver for receiving at least one lock position signal from a remote operation device;

a processor for determining whether or not an ID included in the lock position matches a stored ID;

a primary lock mechanism for responding to the lock position signal when the IDs match to lock or unlock the vehicle;

an actuator for driving the lock mechanism, and

a theft-detection unit detecting movement and for generating an alarm signal when the vehicle is moved when the receiver has not received an unlocking signal including an ID matching the stored ID, said theft-detection unit comprising a vibration sensor and being configured to detect when the vehicle is moved without a required operation having been performed, and to generate a theft-detection signal in response to such movement;

wherein the receiver, processor, primary lock mechanism, actuator and theft-detection unit are comprised in a module within a single housing.

16. The theft-deterrent device of claim 15, further comprising an alarm buzzer which is capable of being energized in response tote theft-detection signal.

17. The theft-deterrent device of claim 16, wherein the alarm buzzer is separate from a vehicle horn, and is included within said module.

18. A theft-deterrent device for a vehicle, comprising:

a receiver for receiving at least one lock position signal from a remote operation device;

a processor for determining whether or not an ID included in the lock position matches a stored ID;

a primary lock mechanism for responding to the lock position signal when the IDs match to lock or unlock the vehicle;

an actuator for driving the lock mechanism, and

a theft-detection unit detecting movement and for generating an alarm signal when the vehicle is moved when the receiver has not received an unlocking signal including an ID matching the stored ID, said theft-detection unit comprising a steering angle sensor and being configured to detect when a handlebar steering angle has been changed by a predetermined amount without a required operation having been performed, and to generate a theft-detection signal in response to such change in the steering angle;

wherein the receiver, processor, primary lock mechanism, actuator and theft-detection unit are comprised in a module within a single housing.

19. The theft-deterrent device of claim 18, further comprising an alarm buzzer which is capable of being energized in response to the theft-detection signal.

20. The theft-deterrent device of claim 19, wherein the alarm buzzer is separate from a vehicle horn, and is included within said module.