EP0372791A2 - A vehicle and locking system - Google Patents

A vehicle and locking system Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0372791A2
EP0372791A2 EP89312334A EP89312334A EP0372791A2 EP 0372791 A2 EP0372791 A2 EP 0372791A2 EP 89312334 A EP89312334 A EP 89312334A EP 89312334 A EP89312334 A EP 89312334A EP 0372791 A2 EP0372791 A2 EP 0372791A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vehicle
door lock
actuating means
lock actuating
locking system
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP89312334A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0372791A3 (en
Inventor
John Tidbury
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MG Rover Group Ltd
Original Assignee
MG Rover Group Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by MG Rover Group Ltd filed Critical MG Rover Group Ltd
Publication of EP0372791A2 publication Critical patent/EP0372791A2/en
Publication of EP0372791A3 publication Critical patent/EP0372791A3/en
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
    • G07C9/00174—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys
    • G07C9/00182—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
    • G07C9/00174—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys
    • G07C2009/00753—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys operated by active electrical keys
    • G07C2009/00769—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys operated by active electrical keys with data transmission performed by wireless means
    • G07C2009/00785—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys operated by active electrical keys with data transmission performed by wireless means by light

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a vehicle and locking system therefor and in particular to a vehicle locking system for a vehicle on which the doors may be centrally locked on receipt of a signal from a transmitter held by a user.
  • Vehicles having central door locking rely upon a power source, usually the vehicle battery, to actuate locks on each door. To date, if the power source has failed for any reason, manually operable means adjacent one of the door handles has been necessary to override the central locking actuation and release the door lock to enable the latch to be operated and entry to be gained to the vehicle.
  • a power source usually the vehicle battery
  • a vehicle locking system including central door lock actuating means operable externally of the vehicle only by a signal from a remote transmitter and having a first power source, and auxiliary door lock actuating means operable from a position remote from the doors and having a second power source to unlock, separately from the central door lock actuating means, at least one door of the vehicle.
  • the central door lock actuating means may be operable by any suitable type of signal, for example infra red or a sonic signal.
  • the signal is preferably coded.
  • the auxiliary door lock actuating means may be key operated, for reliability, and preferably by a high security key.
  • a vehicle incorporating a locking system according to the first aspect of the invention.
  • the auxiliary door lock actuating means may be located in a lockable compartment within the vehicle, for example within the boot.
  • the compartment may be unlocked by the same key used to operate the auxiliary door lock actuating means.
  • auxiliary door lock actuating means may also be used for vehicle systems other than door locking; for example a vehicle alarm, a boot interior release or any other security operating system.
  • the second power source may be a second battery which may be kept charged for example by charging means in an electrical system for the vehicle independently of the first power source or main battery.
  • the doors have no keyholes.
  • central door lock actuating means 1 operated by a signal from a hand held transmitter is connnected to a motorised door lock on each door in parallel with auxiliary door lock actuating means 2.
  • the door locks are actuated by the central door lock actuating means 1 by means of a coded infra red signal from the hand held transmitter.
  • the coded infra red signal is received by one or more receivers positioned wherever desired on the vehicle. These may be positioned on the doors, for example, or a single receiver may be positioned in a suitably visible position within the vehicle.
  • the coded infra red signal then passes from the receiver to a transducer where it is converted into a coded electrical signal which passes to a decoder.
  • the decoder is positioned on the vehicle such that it, and a lock control mechanism to which its decoded signal passes, are inaccessible to unauthorised tampering.
  • the positioning and routing is also arranged such that it is made difficult to intercept a signal sent from the control mechanism to the lock.
  • the auxiliary door lock actuating means 2 may be used. Access is gained to the auxiliary means 2 by unlocking the vehicle boot with a high security key 3 and then using the same key 3 to operate the auxiliary means 2.
  • the auxiliary means 2 is powered by an auxiliary battery housed in the boot and kept charged by the vehicle alternator. The auxiliary battery is housed in an accessible position in the boot for charging or for replacement in the event of failure. It will be appreciated that access to the auxiliary battery does not render the auxiliary means 2 non secure as operation is still dependant upon use of the high security key 3.
  • Rotation of the key 3 sends a signal to the auxiliary control mechanism which actuates motorised locks on two front doors of the vehicle to allow entry into the vehicle to be gained.
  • Removal of the key 3 will automatically actuate the motorised locks to re-lock the front doors and render the vehicle secure in case it has not been possible to restore operation of the central door lock actuating means 1.

Abstract

The invention provides a vehicle and locking system therefor. The locking system includes central door lock actuating means (1) operable externally of the vehicle only by a signal from a remote transmitter and having a first power source, eg first battery, and auxiliary door lock actuating means (2) operable from a position remote from the doors, eg in the vehicle boot, and having a second power source, eg second battery, to unlock, separately from the central door lock actuating means (1), at least one door of the vehicle; the second battery being kept charged independently of the first battery.

Description

  • This invention relates to a vehicle and locking system therefor and in particular to a vehicle locking system for a vehicle on which the doors may be centrally locked on receipt of a signal from a transmitter held by a user.
  • Vehicles having central door locking rely upon a power source, usually the vehicle battery, to actuate locks on each door. To date, if the power source has failed for any reason, manually operable means adjacent one of the door handles has been necessary to override the central locking actuation and release the door lock to enable the latch to be operated and entry to be gained to the vehicle.
  • It is a disadvantage with such known systems that the manually operable means on the door or doors reduces security of the vehicle by providing an opportunity for the lock to be forced from outside the vehicle.
  • It is an object of the invention to overcome disadvantages of the prior art.
  • According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle locking system including central door lock actuating means operable externally of the vehicle only by a signal from a remote transmitter and having a first power source, and auxiliary door lock actuating means operable from a position remote from the doors and having a second power source to unlock, separately from the central door lock actuating means, at least one door of the vehicle.
  • Increased vehicle security is thus provided.
  • The central door lock actuating means may be operable by any suitable type of signal, for example infra red or a sonic signal. The signal is preferably coded.
  • The auxiliary door lock actuating means may be key operated, for reliability, and preferably by a high security key.
  • According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle incorporating a locking system according to the first aspect of the invention.
  • For additional security and for reasons of weather protection, the auxiliary door lock actuating means may be located in a lockable compartment within the vehicle, for example within the boot. For simplicity the compartment may be unlocked by the same key used to operate the auxiliary door lock actuating means.
  • It will be appreciated that the auxiliary door lock actuating means may also be used for vehicle systems other than door locking; for example a vehicle alarm, a boot interior release or any other security operating system.
  • The second power source may be a second battery which may be kept charged for example by charging means in an electrical system for the vehicle independently of the first power source or main battery.
  • Preferably the doors have no keyholes.
  • The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying schematic drawing showing the components and procedural steps involved in a vehicle locking system according to the invention.
  • Referring to the drawing, central door lock actuating means 1 operated by a signal from a hand held transmitter is connnected to a motorised door lock on each door in parallel with auxiliary door lock actuating means 2.
  • In normal use the door locks are actuated by the central door lock actuating means 1 by means of a coded infra red signal from the hand held transmitter. The coded infra red signal is received by one or more receivers positioned wherever desired on the vehicle. These may be positioned on the doors, for example, or a single receiver may be positioned in a suitably visible position within the vehicle. The coded infra red signal then passes from the receiver to a transducer where it is converted into a coded electrical signal which passes to a decoder. The decoder is positioned on the vehicle such that it, and a lock control mechanism to which its decoded signal passes, are inaccessible to unauthorised tampering. The positioning and routing is also arranged such that it is made difficult to intercept a signal sent from the control mechanism to the lock.
  • Should the central door lock actuating means 1 be unusable for any reason, for example because of a flat battery or because of component failure, the auxiliary door lock actuating means 2 may be used. Access is gained to the auxiliary means 2 by unlocking the vehicle boot with a high security key 3 and then using the same key 3 to operate the auxiliary means 2. The auxiliary means 2 is powered by an auxiliary battery housed in the boot and kept charged by the vehicle alternator. The auxiliary battery is housed in an accessible position in the boot for charging or for replacement in the event of failure. It will be appreciated that access to the auxiliary battery does not render the auxiliary means 2 non secure as operation is still dependant upon use of the high security key 3.
  • Rotation of the key 3 sends a signal to the auxiliary control mechanism which actuates motorised locks on two front doors of the vehicle to allow entry into the vehicle to be gained.
  • Removal of the key 3 will automatically actuate the motorised locks to re-lock the front doors and render the vehicle secure in case it has not been possible to restore operation of the central door lock actuating means 1.

Claims (6)

1. A vehicle locking system including central door lock actuating means (1) operable externally of the vehicle only by a signal from a remote transmitter and having a first power source, and auxiliary door lock actuating means (2) characterised in that the auxiliary door lock actuating means (2) is operable from a position remote from the doors and has a second power source to unlock, separately from the central door lock actuating means (1), at least one door of the vehicle.
2. A vehicle locking system as in claim 1, wherein the central door lock actuating means (1) is operable by infra red coded signal.
3. A vehicle locking system as in claim 1 or 2, wherein the auxiliary door lock actuating means (2) is key (3) operated.
4. A vehicle incorporating a locking system as in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the auxiliary door lock actuating means (2) is located in a lockable compartment within the vehicle.
5. A vehicle as in claim 4, wherein the second power source is a second battery kept charged independently of the first power source by charging means in an electrical system for the vehicle.
6. A vehicle as in claim 4 or 5, wherein doors thereof have no keyholes.
EP89312334A 1988-12-06 1989-11-28 A vehicle and locking system Ceased EP0372791A3 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8828416A GB2228522B (en) 1988-12-06 1988-12-06 A vehicle and locking system
GB8828416 1988-12-06

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0372791A2 true EP0372791A2 (en) 1990-06-13
EP0372791A3 EP0372791A3 (en) 1990-07-18

Family

ID=10648005

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89312334A Ceased EP0372791A3 (en) 1988-12-06 1989-11-28 A vehicle and locking system

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0372791A3 (en)
JP (1) JPH03115677A (en)
GB (1) GB2228522B (en)

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4404501A1 (en) * 1994-02-12 1995-08-17 Marquardt Gmbh Electronic door-locking system with standby power for motor vehicle
DE4426963A1 (en) * 1994-07-29 1996-02-01 Audi Ag Key with non-contact rechargeable energy storage
FR2857399A1 (en) * 2003-07-10 2005-01-14 Valeo Securite Habitacle Lock arrangement for door of motor vehicle, has electric energy reserve connected to super-capacitor, where connection is controlled such that reserve supplies super-capacitor when user identification is carried out and authorized
US9518408B1 (en) 2015-05-21 2016-12-13 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Alternate backup entry for vehicles
US9909344B2 (en) 2014-08-26 2018-03-06 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Keyless vehicle door latch system with powered backup unlock feature
US10119308B2 (en) 2014-05-13 2018-11-06 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Powered latch system for vehicle doors and control system therefor
US10227810B2 (en) 2016-08-03 2019-03-12 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Priority driven power side door open/close operations
US10267068B2 (en) 2014-05-13 2019-04-23 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Electronic vehicle access control system
US10273725B2 (en) 2014-05-13 2019-04-30 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Customer coaching method for location of E-latch backup handles
US10316553B2 (en) 2009-03-12 2019-06-11 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Universal global latch system
US10323442B2 (en) 2014-05-13 2019-06-18 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Electronic safe door unlatching operations
US10329823B2 (en) 2016-08-24 2019-06-25 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Anti-pinch control system for powered vehicle doors
US10377343B2 (en) 2015-10-12 2019-08-13 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Keyless vehicle systems
US10422166B2 (en) 2013-11-21 2019-09-24 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Piezo based energy harvesting for E-latch systems
US10458171B2 (en) 2016-09-19 2019-10-29 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Anti-pinch logic for door opening actuator
US10494838B2 (en) 2011-11-02 2019-12-03 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Electronic interior door release system
US10604970B2 (en) 2017-05-04 2020-03-31 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Method to detect end-of-life in latches
US10697224B2 (en) 2016-08-04 2020-06-30 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Powered driven door presenter for vehicle doors
US10907386B2 (en) 2018-06-07 2021-02-02 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Side door pushbutton releases

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4409559C2 (en) * 1993-11-26 2001-06-07 Marquardt Gmbh Key for locking system

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1985001980A1 (en) * 1983-11-01 1985-05-09 Universal Photonics, Inc. Apparatus and method for a universal electronic locking system
EP0257212A2 (en) * 1986-08-23 1988-03-02 VDO Adolf Schindling AG Central locking system for a motor vehicle
EP0215291B1 (en) * 1985-09-10 1991-02-27 Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH. & Co. KG Electronic locking device for motor vehicles

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1985001980A1 (en) * 1983-11-01 1985-05-09 Universal Photonics, Inc. Apparatus and method for a universal electronic locking system
EP0215291B1 (en) * 1985-09-10 1991-02-27 Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH. & Co. KG Electronic locking device for motor vehicles
EP0257212A2 (en) * 1986-08-23 1988-03-02 VDO Adolf Schindling AG Central locking system for a motor vehicle

Cited By (29)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4404501C2 (en) * 1994-02-12 2001-07-05 Marquardt Gmbh Electronic door locking system
DE4404501A1 (en) * 1994-02-12 1995-08-17 Marquardt Gmbh Electronic door-locking system with standby power for motor vehicle
DE4426963A1 (en) * 1994-07-29 1996-02-01 Audi Ag Key with non-contact rechargeable energy storage
FR2857399A1 (en) * 2003-07-10 2005-01-14 Valeo Securite Habitacle Lock arrangement for door of motor vehicle, has electric energy reserve connected to super-capacitor, where connection is controlled such that reserve supplies super-capacitor when user identification is carried out and authorized
WO2005014960A1 (en) * 2003-07-10 2005-02-17 Valeo Securite Habitacle (Sas) Electronically openable lock fitting for a motor vehicle
US7804187B2 (en) 2003-07-10 2010-09-28 Valeo Securite Habitacle Electronically openable lock fitting for a motor vehicle
US10563436B2 (en) 2009-03-12 2020-02-18 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Universal global latch system
US10316553B2 (en) 2009-03-12 2019-06-11 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Universal global latch system
US10494838B2 (en) 2011-11-02 2019-12-03 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Electronic interior door release system
US10422166B2 (en) 2013-11-21 2019-09-24 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Piezo based energy harvesting for E-latch systems
US10267068B2 (en) 2014-05-13 2019-04-23 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Electronic vehicle access control system
US10273725B2 (en) 2014-05-13 2019-04-30 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Customer coaching method for location of E-latch backup handles
US11555336B2 (en) 2014-05-13 2023-01-17 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Electronic safe door unlatching operations
US10323442B2 (en) 2014-05-13 2019-06-18 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Electronic safe door unlatching operations
US11466484B2 (en) 2014-05-13 2022-10-11 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Powered latch system for vehicle doors and control system therefor
US10119308B2 (en) 2014-05-13 2018-11-06 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Powered latch system for vehicle doors and control system therefor
US9909344B2 (en) 2014-08-26 2018-03-06 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Keyless vehicle door latch system with powered backup unlock feature
US10526821B2 (en) 2014-08-26 2020-01-07 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Keyless vehicle door latch system with powered backup unlock feature
US9518408B1 (en) 2015-05-21 2016-12-13 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Alternate backup entry for vehicles
US10377343B2 (en) 2015-10-12 2019-08-13 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Keyless vehicle systems
US10584526B2 (en) 2016-08-03 2020-03-10 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Priority driven power side door open/close operations
US10227810B2 (en) 2016-08-03 2019-03-12 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Priority driven power side door open/close operations
US10697224B2 (en) 2016-08-04 2020-06-30 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Powered driven door presenter for vehicle doors
US10934760B2 (en) 2016-08-24 2021-03-02 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Anti-pinch control system for powered vehicle doors
US10329823B2 (en) 2016-08-24 2019-06-25 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Anti-pinch control system for powered vehicle doors
US10458171B2 (en) 2016-09-19 2019-10-29 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Anti-pinch logic for door opening actuator
US11180943B2 (en) 2016-09-19 2021-11-23 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Anti-pinch logic for door opening actuator
US10604970B2 (en) 2017-05-04 2020-03-31 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Method to detect end-of-life in latches
US10907386B2 (en) 2018-06-07 2021-02-02 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Side door pushbutton releases

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2228522B (en) 1992-10-28
GB8828416D0 (en) 1989-01-05
GB2228522A (en) 1990-08-29
JPH03115677A (en) 1991-05-16
EP0372791A3 (en) 1990-07-18

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