Vehicle Emergency Mode for Fuel Theft Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas stations face significant monetary losses due to fuel theft, with existing security measures like monitoring cameras being costly and unreliable, especially when dealing with false license plates or stolen vehicles.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an emergency operating mode in vehicles that limits speed until payment is made for refueling or recharging, which can be activated after a warning period and deactivated upon successful payment, using a combination of vehicle systems and communication with the gas station.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If monitoring cameras are installed to detect fuel theft, then the ability to identify offenders is improved, but the cost and reliability are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetheft detection reliabilityVSAvoidsecurity system cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle's own control system is used to enforce payment compliance. The emergency operating mode is activated by the vehicle's control unit based on payment status, making the vehicle self-regulating rather than requiring external surveillance infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The emergency operating mode is activated before theft can occur - specifically when payment is not received or is delayed. This preventive measure restricts vehicle functionality in advance, deterring potential thieves before they can complete the theft act.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If monitoring cameras and license plate tracking are used, then theft detection capability is improved, but the cost and time for tracking down thieves are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetheft prevention effectivenessVSAvoidtime to track and prosecute thieves

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies counter-action in advance by restricting vehicle operation before theft can be completed. The emergency operating mode prevents the thief from using the vehicle to escape, eliminating the need for subsequent tracking and prosecution efforts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful capability of the vehicle (unrestricted mobility) is extracted or removed when payment is not made. The control system takes away the vehicle's normal operating functions, leaving the thief with a non-functional vehicle that cannot be used for escape.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the emergency operating mode limits vehicle speed, then theft likelihood is reduced, but the vehicle usability during refueling is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetheft preventionVSAvoidvehicle usability during refueling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The emergency operating mode applies partial restriction rather than complete immobilization. It limits vehicle speed and performance to the minimum necessary to prevent theft while still allowing the vehicle to remain operational enough for the refueling process to complete.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9169115B2Method and device for reducing the likelihood of theft at a gas station or a charging station for motor vehicles

Publication Date: 2015.10.27 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A method for preventing fuel theft at a gas station or a charging station for motor vehicles is provided. The method includes determining whether a refueling process or recharging process of a motor vehicle is taking place and activating an emergency operating mode of the motor vehicle until a payment for the refueling process or the recharging process has taken place, the emergency operating mode configured to limit vehicle speed.