Double-security anti-theft emergency device for batteryless motor vehicles

Abstract

A double-security anti-theft emergency switch, specially suitable for batteryless race motor vehicles comprising a fixed assembly integral with the vehicle and cooperating with a movable key which is tied up to the driver by means of an even partially elastic lace, is disclosed. The double security is bound to the presence of a first normally closed switch whose opening, via the movable key, is necessary to disconnect the ignition circuit of the motorcycle from ground and to allow the engine to start-up, so as to produce the electrical power necessary for an RFID system to monitor a transponder comprised in the movable key. Should the outcome of this transponder test be unsuccessful, a second normally open switch would be closed and would ground the ignition circuit of the engine and lock the motorcycle.

Claims

1. An anti-theft emergency device for vehicles with non-motorized start-up and without electrical battery, comprising: a fixed assembly, integral with the vehicle and functionally cooperating with a movable key connectable to the driver's body, said fixed assembly and said movable key including reciprocal engagement means; said fixed assembly comprises an RFID system, receiving electrical power from the operation of the engine, and comprising at least one identification module which, via at least one antenna, exchanges electromagnetic waves with a transponder associated with said movable key, said identification module also monitors the waves radiated back by said transponder as a response, and grounds the ignition circuit of the engine whenever said transponder is not identified, characterized in that said fixed assembly comprises a normally closed REED switch, whose closing grounds the ignition circuit of the engine, and in that said movable key comprises at least one magnet to open said switch and this way to allow the operation of the engine which generates the electrical power necessary for the operation of said RFID system and to monitor said transponder.

2. An anti-theft emergency device according to claim 1, characterized in that said identification module receives power from a voltage regulator, which in turn supplies power to a microcontroller, the latter interfaces at least to said identification module and to a relay which is capable of grounding the ignition of the engine whenever said transponder is not identified.

3. An anti-theft emergency device according to claim 2, characterized in that said RFID system receives power from a voltage regulator which outputs the correct power values after a short period of time and consequently said monitoring takes place after a short period of time.

4. An anti-theft emergency device according to claim 1, characterized in that said transponder is of a passive type and said movable key does not receive electrical power.

5. An anti-theft emergency device according to claim 4, characterized in that said identification module receives power from a voltage regulator, which in turn supplies power to a microcontroller, the latter interfaces at least to said identification module and to a relay which is capable of grounding the ignition of the engine whenever said transponder is not identified.

6. An anti-theft emergency device according to claim 5, characterized in that said RFID system receives power from a voltage regulator which outputs the correct power values after a short period of time and consequently said monitoring takes place after a short period of time.

7. An anti-theft emergency device according to claim 1, characterized in that the reciprocal engagement means between said movable key and said fixed assembly are of a mechanical and/or magnetic type.

8. An anti-theft emergency device according to claim 1, characterized in that said movable key is connected to the driver via an at least partially elastic thread-like element.

9. An anti-theft emergency device according to claim 1, characterized in that said fixed assembly comprises a LED indicator device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of the anti-theft emergency device according to the present patent application; the figure shows a fixed assembly (1), in this case made integral with the handlebar of a motorcycle, and a movable key (2). The figure shows the trace of the cross-section plane according to FIG. 4 below.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a functional diagram of the fixed assembly (1) inside which there are visible an antenna (7) of an RFID system connected to an identification module (5) which exchanges data with a microcontroller (13), which receives power from the engine via a voltage regulator (12); the microcontroller (13) controls a relay (14) capable of grounding the ignition of the engine should the tag not be identified; a REED switch (4), also capable of grounding the ignition of the engine if not kept open by the magnet contained in the movable key, is also visible.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a top view of the movable key (2) which allows to appreciate the ease of use and displacement of the object, besides an eye (21) for its connection to the driver.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 where it is possible to look at the main elements that make-up the fixed assembly (1) and the movable key (2). Specifically, the latter includes an eye (21) for its connection to an at least partially elastic thread-like element, not shown, and comprises a transponder (3) and a magnet (6) which opens the REED switch.

(5) Inside the fixed assembly a radiofrequency module (5) of the RFID system and the antenna (7) are also visible.

(6) Holding the movable key (2) engaged with the fixed assembly (1) is fostered by the presence in the key (2) of at least one magnet (16) and mechanical engagement means, including for instance a ridge (8) which mates a corresponding cavity (9) of the fixed assembly (1). In the embodiment shown in the figure the case of the fixed assembly (1) is made from an amagnetic material, hence the engagement force of said at least one magnet (16) develops thanks to presence of at least one corresponding ferromagnetic element (11).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(7) A preferred embodiment of the anti-theft emergency device according to the present patent application comprises a fixed assembly (1) made integral with the frame via connection means of a known type and a movable key (2) which can be connected to the driver of the motor vehicle via an eye (21) and an at least partially elastic lace.

(8) In particular the fixed assembly (1) comprises a normally closed switch (4), whose closure grounds the ignition circuit of the engine, and an RFID system, which receives electric power from the operation of the engine, which monitors a transponder (3) contained in the movable key and grounds the ignition circuit of the engine should the transponder not be identified.

(9) The movable key also comprises means for opening said switch (4), the latter can be of different types, even an electromechanical switch or a proximity switch, but in a preferred embodiment of the invention it consists of a REED switch and consequently the means for opening it, integral with said movable key (2), include a magnet (6); the REED switch opening allows to start-up and operate the engine which generates the electric power necessary to supply power to the RFID system and to test the transponder (3).

(10) The RFID system usually receives power from a voltage regulator (12) which outputs the correct power values after a short period of time and consequently the RFID test is also performed after a short initial stabilization time.

(11) In a preferred, but not mandatory, embodiment, the transponder (3) is of the passive type, thus making it unnecessary to equip the movable key (2) with power supply systems.

(12) The RFID system comprises at least one module (5) which generates electromagnetic waves transmitted via an antenna (7); according to a practical and economical embodiment, the latter also receives the waves radiated back by said transponder (3) as a response and forwards them to said identification module (5) which processes them to check whether the transponder is actually that authorized.

(13) In a particularly effective embodiment, internally to said fixed assembly (1) there is located a voltage regulator (12) which supplies power to a microcontroller (13) interfacing at least to the identification module (5) and to a relay (14), the latter capable of grounding the ignition of the engine whenever the transponder (3) is not identified.

(14) The movable key (2) is usually connected to the driver via a string or, more in general, via a thread-like element which can be at least partially elastic. In the embodiment here illustrated the movable key (2) and the fixed assembly (1) include reciprocal engagement means of a mechanical or magnetic type, which contribute to prevent undesired disconnections of the movable key which would cause the engine to switch-off.

(15) Advantageously can the fixed assembly (1) comprise a LED indicator receiving power from the same microcontroller.

(16) In the preferred embodiment here described, the lower face of the movable key (2) also includes a ridge (8) which engages a respective cavity (9) in the fixed assembly (1).

(17) In a preferred embodiment, the magnets are a plurality and, should the container of the fixed assembly (1) be made from an amagnetic material, it can internally comprise at least one element (11) made from a ferromagnetic material, for instance a small plate, which cooperates with the magnetic engagement means.

(18) In the embodiment here described the transponder (3) is located inside the ridge of the movable key (2) so as to be located in proximity of the antenna, also thanks to the corresponding cavity present in the fixed assembly (1).

(19) The features of the switch according to the present patent application make it possible for it to operate both from Direct Current (DC) and from Alternate Current (AC).