Vehicle anti-theft structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle theft prevention structure that can prevent vehicle theft. [Solution] The vehicle anti-theft structure 100 includes a first connector 41 provided on a first wiring 31 connected to a component 10 for starting the engine 12, a second connector 42 provided on a second wiring 32 connected to an ECU 20 that controls the component 10, and shielding parts 50 to 50b that, when the third wiring 33, which has a third connector 43 that is detachable from the first connector 41 and a fourth connector 44 that is detachable from the second connector 42, is removed from the first connector 41 and the second connector 42, shield the connector surface 45 of at least one of the connectors, the first connector 41 and the second connector 42, from the outside and can be locked in a shielded state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle theft prevention structure.

Background Art

[0002] Methods for enabling vehicle theft prevention have been proposed. For example, a method has been proposed in which the way of turning the ignition key is registered in advance, and the engine can be started when the ignition key is turned in the registered way (for example, Patent Document 1). For example, in addition to the main ignition switch, a sub-ignition switch is provided, and a method has been proposed in which the engine can be started by releasing a blocking means that blocks an electrical signal from the main ignition switch when an electrical signal is transmitted from the sub-ignition switch (for example, Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, it is inconvenient because the registered way of turning the ignition key must be remembered. In the method described in Patent Document 2, the engine can be started by operating the sub-ignition key. Therefore, other methods for enabling vehicle theft prevention are required.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to enable vehicle theft prevention.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention provides a vehicle anti-theft structure comprising: a first connector provided on a first wiring connected to a component for starting an engine; a second connector provided on a second wiring connected to an ECU that controls the component; and a shielding portion that, when a third wiring having a third connector detachable from the first connector and a fourth connector detachable from the second connector is removed from the first and second connectors, shields the connector surface of at least one of the first and second connectors from the outside and can be locked in the shielded state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent vehicle theft. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figures 1(a) and 1(b) show the anti-theft structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figures 2(a) to 2(d) show the first connector after the third connector has been removed. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the first and second connectors after the third and fourth connectors have been removed. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [Examples]

[0010] Figures 1(a) and 1(b) show a vehicle anti-theft structure 100 according to an embodiment. Figure 1(a) shows the case where the third wiring 33 is connected between the component 10 and the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 20, and Figure 1(b) shows the case where the third wiring 33 is removed from between the component 10 and the ECU 20.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), a first wire 31 having a first connector 41 is connected to component 10. A second wire 32 having a second connector 42 is connected to the ECU 20. The third wire 33 is detachable from the first connector 41 and the second connector 42. That is, the third wire 33 has a third connector 43 that is detachable from the first connector 41 and a fourth connector 44 that is detachable from the second connector 42.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1(a), when the third connector 43 is connected to the first connector 41 and the fourth connector 44 is connected to the second connector 42, the component 10 and the ECU 20 are electrically connected via the third wiring 33. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 1(b), when the third connector 43 is removed from the first connector 41 and the fourth connector 44 is removed from the second connector 42, the component 10 and the ECU 20 are not electrically connected.

[0013] Component 10 is a component used to start the engine 12. For example, component 10 is at least one of a starter motor, ignition coil, fuel pump, and injector. The ECU 20 is a microcomputer that electronically controls the operation of the engine, equipped with a processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory devices such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), and controls all electronic components related to the engine, such as component 10. For example, the ECU 20 sends a start signal to the starter motor in response to input from the driver to a push-button start switch, and sends operation control signals to the ignition coil, fuel pump, and injector.

[0014] The first wiring 31, the second wiring 32, and the third wiring 33 are, for example, wire harnesses. Therefore, the first wiring 31 has a first connector 41 at one end, and the second wiring 32 has a second connector 42 at one end. The third wiring 33 has a third connector 43 at one end and a fourth connector 44 at the other end.

[0015] The connection points between the first connector 41 and the third connector 43, and the connection points between the second connector 42 and the fourth connector 44, may be located in the engine compartment or inside the vehicle. After the driver has stopped the vehicle, by opening the hood or inside the vehicle, the third connector 43 can be disconnected from the first connector 41 and the fourth connector 44 can be disconnected from the second connector 42, resulting in a state where the part 10 and the ECU 20 are not electrically connected, as shown in Figure 1(b). In this case, the engine 12 cannot be started. In other words, even if a third party tries to start the engine 12, they will not be able to, thus preventing theft of the vehicle.

[0016] The removal of the third connector 43 from the first connector 41 and the removal of the fourth connector 44 from the second connector 42 may be made impossible without the use of a special tool. This prevents the third wire 33 from being removed by a third party without authorization. Furthermore, by making the first connector 41 and the second connector 42 female connectors and the third connector 43 and the fourth connector 44 male connectors, the removal of the third connector 43 and the fourth connector 44 becomes easier. The removed third wire 33 may be taken home and stored there. This prevents a third party from attaching the third wire 33 to the first connector 41 and the second connector 42 without authorization.

[0017] Figures 2(a) to 2(d) show the first connector 41 after the third connector 43 has been removed. As shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), a shielding part 50 is prepared which has an opening / closing part 51 that can be opened and closed and which has a space inside when closed, and a key 52 attached to a protruding ring 53 provided on the opening / closing part 51 to prevent the opening / closing part 51 from opening. The opening / closing part 51 is made of metal, for example. The first connector 41 is covered with the opening / closing part 51 so that the first connector 41 is enclosed in the internal space of the opening / closing part 51. As a result, the connector surface 45 of the first connector 41 is located in the internal space of the opening / closing part 51 and is not exposed to the outside.

[0018] With the closing part 51 closed, a key 52 such as a padlock is attached to the protruding ring 53. This prevents a third party from opening the closing part 51. Thus, by attaching the shielding part 50 to the first connector 41, it is possible to prevent a third party from being able to connect another connector to the first connector 41.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2(c) and 2(d), a shielding part 50a is prepared, which includes a fixing part 54 fixed to the side wall of the first connector 41 and a movable part 55 that rotates relative to the fixing part 54. The fixing part 54 and the movable part 55 are made of, for example, metal. The movable part 55 is rotated relative to the fixing part 54 so that the connector surface 45 of the first connector 41 is covered by the movable part 55. As a result, the connector surface 45 of the first connector 41 is no longer exposed to the outside.

[0020] The shielding part 50a is provided with a keyhole 60. For example, the movable part 55 may rotate when a key is inserted into the keyhole 60 and turned, or conversely, the movable part 55 may become immovable when a key is inserted into the keyhole 60 and locked. In either case, the movable part 55 covering the connector surface 45 of the first connector 41 can be made immovable from this state. Thus, by attaching the shielding part 50a to the first connector 41, it is possible to prevent a third party from being able to connect another connector to the first connector 41.

[0021] As long as the connector surface 45 of the first connector 41 can be covered by the movable part 55, the shielding part 50a may be fixed not to the first connector 41 but to another member.

[0022] In FIGS. 2(a) to 2(d), the first connector 41 is described as an example. However, in addition to or instead of the first connector 41, the same may be done for the second connector 42 after the fourth connector 44 is removed.

[0023] Figure 3 shows the first connector 41 and second connector 42 after the third connector 43 and fourth connector 44 have been removed. As shown in Figure 3, a box-shaped shielding unit 50b having a lower box (body) 56 and an upper box (lid) 57 is prepared. The shielding unit 50b is made of metal, for example. The first connector 41 and second connector 42 are located in the internal space of the shielding unit 50b. Therefore, the removal of the third connector 43 from the first connector 41 and the removal of the fourth connector 44 from the second connector 42 are performed inside the shielding unit 50b. After removing the third connector 43 and fourth connector 44, the upper box 57 of the shielding unit 50b can be closed and the key can be inserted into the keyhole 60 to lock it. As a result, the connector surfaces 45 of the first connector 41 and second connector 42 are located in the internal space of the shielding unit 50b and are not exposed to the outside, thus preventing a third party from connecting other connectors to the first connector 41 and second connector 42.

[0024] The key in Figures 2(b) and 3 may be the same as the physical key inserted inside the car's wireless key for opening the car doors and starting the engine, or it may be a separate key inserted inside the wireless key.

[0025] In the embodiment, as shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the third connector 43 of the third wiring 33 is detachable from the first connector 41 of the first wiring 31 connected to component 10, and the fourth connector 44 of the third wiring 33 is detachable from the second connector 42 of the second wiring 32 connected to the ECU 20. This allows, for example, the driver to remove the third connector 43 and the fourth connector 44 from the first connector 41 and the second connector 42 after stopping the vehicle and take the third wiring 33 with them. With the third wiring 33 disconnected, component 10 and the ECU 20 are electrically disconnected, and therefore the engine 12 cannot be started. In other words, by removing the third wiring 33, the driver can prevent theft of the vehicle.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2(a) to 2(d) and Figure 3, when the third wiring 33 is removed from the first connector 41 and the second connector 42, shielding portions 50 to 50b are provided that can shield the connector surface 45 of at least one of the first connector 41 and the second connector 42 from the outside and lock while it is shielded. This makes it difficult for a third party to connect another connector to at least one of the first connector 41 and the second connector 42, thereby preventing theft of the vehicle.

[0027] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 10...Parts, 12...Engine, 20...ECU, 31...First wiring, 32...Second wiring, 33...Third wiring, 41...First connector, 42...Second connector, 43...Third connector, 44...Fourth connector, 45...Connector surface, 50, 50a, 50b...Shielding part, 51...Opening / closing part, 52...Key, 53...Ring, 54...Fixing part, 55...Movable part, 56...Lower box, 57...Upper box, 60...Keyhole, 100...Vehicle anti-theft structure

Claims

[Claim 1] A first connector is provided on the first wiring connected to a component for starting the engine, A second connector is provided on the second wiring connected to the ECU that controls the aforementioned component, A vehicle anti-theft structure comprising: a third wiring harness having a third connector detachable from the first connector and a fourth connector detachable from the second connector, which is removed from the first and second connectors, and a shielding portion that can be locked while the connector surface of at least one of the first and second connectors is shielded from the outside.

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