Alarm system for a motor vehicle

• US 7,046,156 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2000
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Scania CV AB (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Scania CV AB (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Bergsten, Fredrik
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUNG
• Application Number:
  US10/169,298
• Publication Number:
  US 20030058123A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,974 Days
• Field of Search: 340/636.1, 340/455, 340/693.2, 340/636.18, 340/661, 340/662, 307/130, 307/66, 320/21, 320/48, 320/104, 320/136
• US Class Current: 340/636.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1018 Alarm systems characterised by features related to the general power supply

Abstract

Alarm system for motor vehicle, incorporating an alarm control unit which is powered by a main battery of the motor vehicle, a siren unit likewise powered by the main battery, and a back-up battery in the siren unit which is arranged to power the siren unit upon failure of the power supply from the main battery. To simplify and make such an alarm safer, it is proposed inter alia that upon said failure of power supply from the main battery the back-up battery be arranged to automatically power also the alarm control unit.

Claims

1. Alarm system for a motor vehicle, comprising

an alarm control unit connected to and powered by a main battery of the motor vehicle;

a siren unit connected to and powered by the main battery,

a back-up battery connected to and operable to power both the alarm control unit and the siren unit upon failure of the power supply from the main battery,

the siren unit being adapted to detect a power offtake from the back-up battery and the siren unit being operable to deliver an alarm if the detected power offtake exceeds a predetermined level.

2. Alarm system according to claim 1, wherein the alarm control unit is arranged to communicate a power consumption state of the alarm system continuously to the siren unit, and the siren unit is operable to deliver an alarm if the power offtake from the back-up battery deviates from a predetermined operating state of the alarm control unit.

3. Alarm system according to claim 1, wherein the siren unit is also arranged to stop power offtake if the offtake exceeds a predetermined level.

4. Alarm system according to claim 1, further comprising a heating device arranged to deliver heat to the back-up battery at a predetermined ambient temperature.

5. Alarm system according to claim 1, wherein the siren unit is operable to communicate its status continuously to the alarm control unit.

6. Alarm system according to claim 1, wherein the back-up battery is adapted to power the alarm control unit continuously upon a power failure of the power supply from the main battery.

7. Alarm system according to claim 1, wherein the siren unit comprises a siren and the back-up battery is in the siren unit.