Vehicle theft prevention device
The vehicle anti-theft device addresses the ineffectiveness of existing systems by using a valve in the exhaust pipe that can be controlled to close during a theft event, requiring a unique key to reopen, thus effectively preventing vehicle theft.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024573743
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-06-13
- Filing Date
- 2023-04-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle anti-theft systems can be easily bypassed by thieves, rendering them ineffective in preventing vehicle theft.
A vehicle anti-theft device featuring a valve irreversibly assembled to the exhaust pipe, which can be controlled to close during a theft event, and requires a unique mechanical key to reopen, preventing unauthorized operation.
The solution effectively prevents vehicle theft by ensuring the exhaust pipe cannot be reopened without the unique key, thereby immobilizing the vehicle during a theft attempt.
Smart Images
Figure 2025519723000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vehicle anti-theft devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and devices for avoiding vehicle theft.
Background Art
[0002] Vehicle anti-theft systems have conventionally included electronic systems such as those for engine shutdown by either the ignition system or the fuel pump.
[0003] However, these systems can be very easily bypassed by car thieves.
[0004] There has long been a need to provide solutions to the above and other problems of the prior art.
Summary of the Invention
[0005] The vehicle anti-theft device includes a valve removably assembled to the exhaust pipe of the vehicle engine, and the valve can be controlled to close during a theft event.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0006] Embodiments, features, and aspects of the present invention are described herein with the following drawings.
[0007]
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
[0008] The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0009] The present invention will be understood from the following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, which is intended to be descriptive and non-limiting. For the sake of brevity, some well-known features are not described in detail.
[0010] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals are used to indicate the components in the embodiments described and illustrated herein. They are merely illustrative and are intended to be non-limiting. Also, the foregoing embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated together with their systems and methods, which are merely illustrative and are intended to be non-limiting.
[0011] FIG. 1 shows a prior art vehicle engine.
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a vehicle engine provided with an anti-theft device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] The vehicle anti-theft device 10 is assembled to the exhaust pipe 16 of the engine 12 and preferably welded thereto, and includes a valve 18 that prevents a thief from removing the valve 18.
[0014] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of closing the exhaust pipe of Figure 2.
[0015] The flap 34 may be slidable (52) to close the exhaust pipe 16 during theft and to release it to permit operation.
[0016] Figure 4 shows another embodiment of closing the exhaust pipe of Figure 2 when operation is permitted.
[0017] Figure 5 shows the embodiment of Figure 4 when operation is not permitted.
[0018] According to another embodiment, the flap 34 may be rotatable 54 with respect to the pipe 16 to close the exhaust pipe 16 (Figure 5) during theft and to release it to permit operation (Figure 6).
[0019] Figure 6 is a perspective cutaway view of Figure 4 when operation is permitted.
[0020] A pin 30 inserted into a hole 58 (not shown) of a plate 50 fixed to the flap 34 and the axle 56 does not permit rotation of the flap 34.
[0021] Figure 7 is a view of Figure 6 during a theft event.
[0022] When detecting a theft event 57, the controller 66 operates the solenoid 35 to slide the pin 30 out of the plate 50 (62A).
[0023] By sliding the pin 30 out of the hole 58 of the plate 50 at 62A, the torsion spring 24 can rotate the flap 34 to the closed state of Figure 5 shown in Figure 6.
[0024] The controller 66 cannot rotate the flap 34 against the spring 24 to the open state of Figure 4. Therefore, even when controlling the controller 66, a thief cannot operate the vehicle and the theft event 57 is aborted.
[0025] The axle 56 includes the niche 31.
[0026] FIG. 8 shows a first step of opening an exhaust pipe closed due to a theft incident in FIG. 7.
[0027] The opening of the exhaust pipe 16 can be applied by using the mechanical key 25.
[0028] FIG. 9 shows the key of FIG. 8 brought close to the valve of FIG. 2.
[0029] The head 27 of the mechanical key 25 passes through the hole 29 of the package 22 of the valve 18 installed near the engine 12. Only the owner 70 or another authorized person has this unique mechanical key 25 including the unique head 27.
[0030] FIG. 10 is a view of FIG. 7 when performing the process of FIG. 8.
[0031] In the first step shown in FIG. 8, the owner inserts the head 27 of the key 25 into the niche 31.
[0032] In the second step, the owner rotates the key 25 to rotate the axle 56, the flap 34, and the plate 50 against the spring 24 (64).
[0033] In the third step, the owner controls the controller 66 to slide the pin 30 back into the hole 58 of the plate 50 as before (52B).
[0034] In the fourth step, the owner may remove the key 25.
[0035] Thus, in one aspect, the present invention is · A valve (18) irreversibly assembled to an exhaust pipe (16) of a vehicle engine (12), the valve (18) being controllable (59) to close during a theft incident (57) Relates to a vehicle anti-theft device (10) comprising
[0036] The valve (18) is preferably not controllable to open the valve (18), rather a physical operation is required to open the valve.
[0037] The valve (18) may comprise a mechanical spring (24) that biases the valve (18) to close. The control (59) for closing the valve (18) may include a control (59) for releasing the mechanical spring (24) by removing the pin 30 or the like.
[0038] The vehicle anti-theft device (10) · A unique key (25) available for the valve (18) to open the valve (18) May further be provided.
[0039] In the figures and descriptions herein, the following reference numbers (reference symbol list) are mentioned.
[0040] · Number 10 indicates a vehicle anti-theft device according to an embodiment of the present invention. · 12: Vehicle engine · 14: Connection portion of the exhaust pipe 16 to the engine 12 · 16: Exhaust pipe · 18: Valve · 19: Welding or other non-removable assembly · 19: Hole · 22: Package · 24: Spring · 30: Pin · 31: Individually shaped male and / or female member · 34: Flap of the valve 18 · 35: Solenoid · 36: Exhaust flow · 50: Plate · 52: Sliding of the flap 34 · 54: Rotation of the flap 34 for closing ·56: Axle fixed to the flap 34 ·57: Theft incident ·58: Hole for the housing pin 30 ·59: Control by the controller 66 ·62A: Sliding out from the hole 58 ·62B: Sliding into the hole 58 ·64: Rotation of the flap 34 to open the valve 18 ·66: Controller ·68: Vehicle ·70: Owner of the vehicle 68
[0041] The foregoing descriptions and illustrations of embodiments of the present invention are presented for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to any form described above.
[0042] Any term defined above and used in the claims should be interpreted according to this definition.
[0043] The reference numbers in the claims are not part of the claims but are rather used to assist in the interpretation of the claims. These reference numbers should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any way.
Claims
Claim 1 A valve (18) irreversibly assembled to an exhaust pipe (16) of an engine (12) of a vehicle, the valve (18) being controllable (59) to close during a theft event (57) and being openable only by a unique key after the closure A vehicle anti-theft device (10) comprising the valve (18). Claim 2 The vehicle anti-theft device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the valve (18) comprises a mechanical spring (24) that biases the valve (18) to close, and the control (59) for closing the valve (18) includes a control (59) for releasing the mechanical spring (24).