GB2309481A

GB2309481A - Central locking system with electronic control circuitry

Info

Publication number: GB2309481A
Application number: GB9601708A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Phillip Chevalier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-01-29
Filing date: 1996-01-29
Publication date: 1997-07-30
Also published as: GB9601708D0; WO1997028338A1; AU1552497A

Abstract

An electronic central locking system comprises locking devices 5 capable of being actuated by electromechanical means 10, each associated with an electrical switch 15, and an electronic control circuitry 20. Each switch 15 is identified by a unique value resistor R or capacitor or transistor, and effecting a change in the position of any of the switches results in a unique value electrical signal capable of being recognised by the control circuitry 20. Upon recognition of the signal, the control circuitry 20 reverses the polarity of the electrical current intended to energise the electromechanical means 10. The system can be associated with a remote control device, the receiver thereof forming an integral part of the control circuitry. In an alternative embodiment, the locking devices may not be associated with a particular switch.

Description

Electronic Central Locking System The present invention relates to an electronic central locking system suitable for motor vehicles and many other arrangements and constructions.

Electronic aid is applied to manage many aspects in motor vehicles, aeroplanes, boats, homes, and various others.

The aim of applying electronic aid is to render more convenient the management of electrical and electromechanical devices. Applying electronic aid to electromechanical locking devices not only facilitates their management but also improves the level of their security and safety. Most of today's central locking systems tend to be sizeable, costly and are designed with little consideration to the aspects of security and safety.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved safety and security electronic central locking system. With the present invention the aspect of safety is given substantial consideration: the risk associated with accidental actuation of the locking devices, e.g. due to a short circuit, electronic or electrical malfunction or defect, is completely eliminated. Each of the locks has, enclosed within its housing, an electrical switch connected with a certain value resistor. Effecting a change in position of any switch induces a certain unique value electrical signal. Upon recognition of the signal by the control circuitry the appropriate actuation of the plurality of locks can be effected. The signal may emanate from a remote control device incorporated with the system. The present invention may easily be associated with any alarm system without the need for any additional wiring and installation of contact points. Any unauthorised opening of the doors will automatically lead to a change in position of a switch and the production of a certain unique electrical signal that can then be analysed by the control circuitry of the alarm system. This particular invention allows a substantial reduction in cabling and in the number of switches normally associated with a motor vehicle door.

Since each position of any switch of the said plurality is identified by a unique value electrical signal a number of distinct functions may also be associated with the system.

And by using a visual display unit any such function may be described. For example, the state and location of each locking device may be identified, the lighting of the passenger compartment may be turned on or off and the sun-roof may be closed, etc.

According to the present invention there is provided an electronic central locking system comprising a plurality of locking devices 5 at least one thereof is capable of being actuated by electromechanical means 10; a plurality of electrical switches 15 at least one thereof is enclosed within the housing of a locking device; and an electronic control circuitry 20, the said plurality of switches is characterised in that each thereof is connected with an electrical component or device capable of inducing or producing a certain unique value electrical quantity and that the change in the position of any of the said switches results in a unique value analogue electrical signal capable of being recognised by the said control circuitry.

The said electrical component or device may be a resistor, a capacitor, a transistor, etc. or any arrangement thereof. The said plurality of switches is continually energised by a feeble tension electrical current.

Such an electrical current alone is incapable of energising any of the locking devices.

Upon recognition of the said unique analogue electrical signal by the said control circuitry, a reversal in the polarity of the electrical current intended to energise the plurality of locking devices is effected and the said plurality of locking devices is energised. The said correct analogue signal may also be produced by a remote control device associated with the said system. The said remote control device may form, in one part thereof an integral part of the control circuitry, or may be placed on the circuitry of the switches. The present invention may be associated with an alarm system. The alarm circuitry may form an integral part of the control circuitry or be linked thereby by any possible manner.

The present invention can now be explained by way of example with reference to the following drawings.

Figure 1 shows in perspective the various elements of the system.

Figure 2 shows in perspective the various elements of the system in one other embodiment thereof.

Referring to Figure 1, the present invention is an electronic central locking system comprising a plurality of locking devices 5 capable of being actuated by electromechanical means 10; a plurality of electrical switches 15 enclosed within the housings of the said plurality of locking devices; and an electronic control circuitry 20.

The said plurality of switches is characterised in that each thereof is identified by a certain unique value resistor R, and in each position thereof. Effecting a change in position of any of the switches results in a unique value analogue electrical signal capable of being recognised by the said control circuitry.

Upon recognition of the said signal by the control circuitry, the polarity of the electrical current intended to energise the said electromechanical means is reversed prior to passing through cables 30 and 35.

The said plurality of switches is continually energised by feeble tension electrical current via cables 25 and 30. The said feeble tension electrical current alone is incapable of energising any of the said electromechanical means. The said electromechanical means are energised for a certain predetermined period of time.

During the period of time required to energise the electromechanical means the plurality of switches will be switched off. Cable 30 is a mutual cable utilised to energise the switches prior to the production of any signal. After the production of a signal, the said cable 30 is utilised to energise the electromechanical means. The electrical current energising the plurality of switches returns instantly back on after the lapse of the predetermined period of time needed to energise the electromechanical means. The present invention may be associated with a remote control device the receiver 40 thereof may form an integral part of the said control circuitry.

Referring to Figure 2, another embodiment of the present invention is an electronic central locking system wherein one single unique value resistor is associated with each switch. And that some of the locking devices may not be associated with a switch at all. The receiver of a remote control device may be placed on the circuitry of the switches.

Claims

1) An electronic central locking system comprising a plurality of locking devices 5 at least one thereof is capable of being actuated by electromechanical means 10; a plurality of electrical switches 15 at least one thereof is enclosed within the housing of a locking device; and an electronic control circuitry 20, the said plurality of switches is characterised in that each thereof is connected with an electrical component or device capable of inducing or producing a certain unique value electrical quantity and that the change in the position of any of the said switches results in a unique value analogue electrical signal capable of being recognised by the said control circuitry.

2) An electronic central locking system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the said electrical component or device may be a resistor, a capacitor, a transistor, etc. or any combination thereof.

3) An electronic central locking system as claimed in Claim 1 and 2, wherein the said plurality of switches is continually energised by a feeble tension electrical current.

4) An electronic central locking system as claimed in Claim 1 and 2, wherein the said feeble tension electrical current energising the plurality of switches may not alone be able to energise any of the said electromechanical means.

5) An electronic central locking system as claimed in Claim 1 and 2, wherein the said feeble tension electrical current energising the plurality of switches may be interrupted during the time needed for the plurality of locking devices to be energised.

6) An electronic central locking system as claimed in Claim 1 and 2, wherein upon recognition of the said unique analogue electrical signal by the said control circuitry, a reversal in the polarity ofthe electrical current intended to energise the plurality of locking devices is effected, and the said plurality of locking devices is then energised thereby.

7) An electronic central locking system as claimed in Claim 1 and 2, wherein an alarm circuitry may in any possible manner be associated.

8) An electronic central locking system as claimed in Claim 1 and 2, wherein a remote control circuitry may in any possible manner be associated.

9) An electronic central locking system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 and 2, of the accompanying drawings.