Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ANTI-THEFT DEVICE IN OTClIZCYCLE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an anti-theft device in a motorcycle,
particularly relates to an anti-theft device in which the loss of a remove
control can be prevented and an engine can be started promptly in a
motorcycle of a type that the starting of the engine is allowed using the
remote control.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A vehicular anti-theft device in which the starting of an engine is allowed
by receiving a control signal transmitted from the outside of a vehicle by a
remote control on the side of the vehicle and discriminating the control
signal is known.
In Japanese published utility model application No. 2558117, an anti-theft
device in which an operation unit and a ten key pad are provided to a
motorcycle or a three-wheeled vehicle, a card storing a body registration
number and the password of an engine ignition switch and a lighting
switch is inserted into the operation unit, next the password is input using
the ten key pad and the starting of the engine is allowed only when the
input password is coincident with the password stored in the card is
disclosed.
As the starting of the engine is not allowed if the remote control is not
used according to the anti-theft device adopting; the remote control and
the starting of the engine is not allowed until the card is used and further,
the password is input according to the anti-theft device adopting the card,
the theft of a vehicle can be prevented.
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However, in an anti-theft device only adopting a remote control, a remote
control may be lost because of vibration in running and it may be caused
that the starting of an engine is disabled.
Besides, in the anti-theft device disclosed in the Japanese published utility
model application No. 255811, as a user inserts a card into an operation
unit when the user rides on a motorcycle and further, is required to input
a password using a ten key pad, a burden is imposed on the user. Besides,
there is also a problem that as it takes time to input the password, an
engine cannot be started promptly. It is desirable that steps related to the
starting of an engine are reduced from the viewpoint of marketability.
The invention is made to solve the problem and the object is to provide
an anti-theft device of a type that the starting of an engine is enabled using
a remote control in which the loss of the remote control can be prevented
and the engine can be promptly started in a motorcycle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To solve the problem, the invention is based upon an anti-theft device
provided with a remote control that transmits a release signal by radio, a
receiver that receives the release signal from the remote control and a
controller that judges whether ILK included in the release signal is
coincident with ID registered beforehand or not and permits the starting of
an engine in case the controller judges that they are coincident in a
motorcycle and is first characterized in that a holder that is provided o n
the side of the motorcycle and holds the remote control, detection means
that is provided to the remote control, detects that the remote control is
inserted into the holder and outputs an insertion detection signal and
transmitting means that is provided to the remorte control and transmits
the release signal when the insertion detection signal is input are
provided.
Besides, the invention is second characterized in that the holder is
provided in the vicinity of a main switch.
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Besides, the invention is third characterized in that an indicator for
leading a rider to extract the remote control is provided and the controller
operates the indicator when a main switch is t~~rned off and the remote
control remains inserted into the holder.
Further, the invention is fourth characterized in that the holder is
arranged in the vicinity of the indicator.
According to the first characteristic, the loss of the remote control can be
prevented and the engine can be promptly started.
Besides, according to the second characteristic, the operation of the main
switch required to start the engine can be smoothly performed.
Besides, according to the third characteristic, it is iindicated that the
remote
control is forgotten to be extracted and a user can be led to extract the
remote control.
Further, according to the fourth characteristic, it can be effectively
indicated that the remote control is forgotten to be extracted.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T'HE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings,
wherein:
Fig. 1 is a side view showing the appearance of a scooter-type motorcycle to
which an anti-theft device according to the invention is applied;
Fig. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the vicinity of a
handlebar cover shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing a concrete example of a remote control
key and a remote control holder;
Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a concrete example of circuits built in the
remote control key;
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Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the remote control key;
Fig. 6 is a block circuit diagram showing one example of a controller;
Figs. ~ are schematic diagrams showing one example of a handlebar
locking mechanism and a handlebar locking actuator;
Fig. 8 is a side view showing the appearance of another scooter-type
motorcycle to which the invention can be applied;
Fig. 9 shows a transformed example of a remote control key;
Fig. 10 is a front view showing another example of the configuration of
the vicinity of a handlebar cover;
Figs. 11 are front views showing examples of the configuration of the
vicinity of a handlebar cover including an indicator;
Fig. 12 is a timing chart showing information by voice; and
Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing a transformed example in which the
extraction of a remote control key is informed.
DETAILED DESCRIP'TIOl~T OF 'TIDE PREFERRED I~IVIEODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention will be
described in detail below. Fig. 1 is a side view showing the appearance of a
scooter-type motorcycle to which an anti-theft device according to the
invention is applied. however, a cover of a handlebar locking module is
omitted. As shown in Fig. 1, the front 1 of the body and the rear 2 of the
body are coupled via a low floor 3 and the skeleton of the parts is formed
by a body frame substantially composed of a down tube and a main pipe.
The front 1 of the body, the rear 2 of the body and the floor 3 are covered
with a front cover 4, a body cover 5 and a center c=over 6. In the front 1 of
the body, a handlebar 7 is provided above a steering head with the
handlebar supported by the steering head, a front fork 8 is extended
downward and a front wheel 9F is supported by its lower end. An upper
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part of the handlebar ~ is covered with a handlebar cover 10 that also
functions as an instrument panel. ~'he steering head, the front fork 8 and
the handlebar ~ form steering means.
Grips of the handlebar 7 are protruded from the handlebar cover 10 in a
lateral direction of the body and side mirrors 11L (11I~) are protruded
upward. In relation to the steering means, the handlebar locking module
12 for locking the handlebar ~ is provided. The handlebar locking module
12 will be described further in detail later.
A fuel tank and a housing box are provided with them supported by the
main pipe inside the body cover 5. Besides, a single-cylinder four-cycle
engine is mounted via a swing unit. A belt-type continuously variable
transmission 13 is arranged at the back of the engine and a rear wheel 9IS is
supported by a speed reducing mechanism 14 provided at the back of the
continuously variable transmission via a centrifugal clutch. A rear
cushion 15 is inserted between the upper end of the speed reducing
mechanism 14 and the main pipe.
A seat 16 is provided above the body cover 5 with the seat covering the
housing box. The seat 16 can be lifted and the housing box below the seat
can house a helmet and others. A number plate. fixture 17, loading space
and a tail lamp are provided to the rear of the body cover 5. An intake
pipe, a carburetor and an air cleaner are also arranged in connection with
the engine, however, they are not shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the vicinity of the
handlebar cover 10 shown in Fig. 1 that also funcaions as the speed panel.
The speed panel 21 and switches 22 for a light and a winker are arranged
on the handlebar cover 20, the grips of the hand:iebar 10 are protruded in
the lateral direction of the body and the side mirrors 11L, 11IZ are
protruded upward.
The front panel of the handlebar locking module 12 is located outside an
inner part of the front cover 4, and a main switch 23 and a remote control
holder 24 are integrated here. The remote control holder 24 is configured
so that a remote control (hereinafter called a remote control key) A is
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inserted and held. The remote control holder 24 is in a shape of a slit
into/from which the remote control key A is inserted/extracted for
example.
A controller, a handlebar locking actuator and a handlebar locking
mechanism are built in the handlebar locking module 12 in addition to
the main switch 23 and the remote control holder 24.
The remote control key A is provided with a locking button a, an
electronic circuit and a battery for transmitting a locking signal including
specific ID in case the locking button a is pre,>sed as shown in Fig. 1.
Besides, the remote control key A is provided with transmitting means for
transmitting an unlocking signal when the remote control key is inserted
into the remote control holder 24, however, the details will be described
later.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing a concrete example of the remote control
key A and the remote control holder 24. Inside the remote control holder
24, a remote control setting detection svaitch 31 that detects that the remote
control key A is inserted into the remote controls holder 24 and a magnet
32 are provided. Detection by the remote control setting detection switch
31 is used for displaying forgetting to extract the remote control key A and
in case a state of forgetting to extract the remote control key is not
displayed, the remote control setting detection switch may be also omitted.
The switch 31 is not limited to a contact-type switch and a proximity
switch of another type may be also used.
In the meantime, a magnet switch 33 such as a reed switch and Hall
switch, a transmitting circuit block 34 and a battery 35 are built in the
remote control key A and when the remote control key is inserted into the
remote control holder 24 and the magnet switch 33 is turned on by the
magnet 32, the transmitting circuit block 34 is operated and an unlocking
signal is transmitted outside as a radio signal.
Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing one concrete example of a circuit built i n
the remote control key A. This circuit includes (~PU 41, storage means 42
such as EEPROM storing specific ID, an RF tramsrnitting circuit 43, an
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antenna 44, a tactile switch 45, a power supply circuit 46, the magnet switch
33 and the battery 35. The magnet switch 33 and the battery 35 are
equivalent to the magnet switch 33 and the battery 35 respectively shown
in Fig. 3 and the tactile switch 45 is turned on when the locking button a
shown in Fig. 1 is pressed.
Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the remote control key A.
First, in case it is judged in a step S1 and a step S2 that both the magnet
switch 33 and the tactile switch 45 are not turned on, processing proceeds
to a step S3, CPU 41 is made in a STOP mode and is made in a SLEEP state.
In this state, when the magnet switch 33 or the tactile switch 45 is turned
on, processing proceeds to a step S4, CPU 41 is activated and is made in a
RUN mode.
Next, in a step S5, it is judged whether the magnet switch 33 is turned o n
or not, that is, whether the remote control key A is inserted into the
remote control holder 24 or not. In this case, to eliminate wrong
judgment, in case an ON state is detected in interruption processing
continuously three times, it is judged that the magnetic switch 33 is turned
on.
In the step S5, in case it is judged that the magnet switch 33 is turned on,
processing proceeds to a step S6 and an unlocking signal is transmitted.
The unlocking signal includes ID stored in the storage means 42, the ID is
generated in CPU 41 and is transmitted from th.e antenna 44 via the RF
transmitting circuit 43.
In case the magnet switch 33 is not turned on, it is judged whether the
tactile switch 45 is turned on or not, that is, whether the locking button a
is
pressed or not in a step S7. Also in this c<~se, to eliminate wrong
judgment, in case an ON state is detected in interruption processing
continuous three times, it is judged that the tactile switch 45 is turned on.
In the step S?, in case it is judged that the tactih= switch 45 is turned on,
processing proceeds to a step S8 and a locking si;~nal is transmitted. The
locking signal may also include ID different from ID in an unlocking
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signal, the ID is generated in CPU 41 and is transmitted from the antenna
44 via the RF transmitting circuit 43.
Fig. 6 is a block circuit diagram showing one example of the controller
built in the handlebar locking module 12. The controller 60 includes CPU
61 as a control device, an RF remote control receiver 62 that receives a
locking signal or an unlocking signal transmitted from the remote control
key A, a switch input circuit 63 for inputting detection by a locking
detection switch, an unlocking detection switch, a remote control setting
detection switch 31 and the main switch 23 to CPU 61, storage means 64
such as EEPROM that stores registered ID, an actuator driving circuit 65, a
main relay driving circuit 66, a main relay 67 and a power supply circuit 68
that supplies power from the battery to CPU 61 and the RF remote control
receiver 62.
The actuator driving circuit 65 drives the handlebar locking actuator in
case CPU 61 judges that ID included in an unlocking signal transmitted
from the remote control key A is coincident with the registered ID and
releases the locking of the handlebar. Further, the main relay driving
circuit 66 is operated. The main relay 67 is driven in case the main relay
driving circuit 66 is operated and the main switch 23 is turned on, supplies
power to electric equipment including an igniter and enables the starting
of the engine.
Figs. 7 are schematic diagrams showing one .example of the handlebar
locking actuator and a handlebar locking mechanism built in the
handlebar locking module 12, Fig. 7A shows a si:ate in which the locking of
the handlebar is released and Fig. 7B shows a state in which the handlebar
is locked. When the end of a lock pin 71 is not protruded from an
attachment to a frame ~2, it shows a handlebar locking released state (7A)
and when the end of the lock pin is protruded, it shows a handlebar locked
state (7B).
When a motor 73 as the handlebar locking actuator is rotated, the lock pin
71 is driven laterally in Figs. 7 via a ring gea~.° 24 and an inner
gear ~5
respectively form the speed reducing mechanism. When the lock pin 71 is
released, an unlocking detection switch 76 is operated by its protruded
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piece and in a locked state, a locking detection switch 77 is operated.
Detection by these detection switches 76, 77 is input to CPU 51 shown i n
Fig. 5 to show that the handlebar is locked.
In Figs. 7, the main switch 23 operated with a knob 78 and the remote
control holder 24 in a state in which the remote control key A is inserted
are also shown and these are arranged on the front panel 79 of the
handlebar locking module 12.
Next, the operation of the anti-theft device provided with the handlebar
locking module 12 will be described. Suppose that the vehicle is stopped,
the handlebar 7 is locked by the protrusion of the lock pin 71, the main
relay 67 is turned off and no power is supplied to the electric equipment
such as the igniter. In this state, when a user inserts the remote control
key A into the remote control holder 24 of the handlebar locking module
12, the magnet switch 33 detects magnetism in the magnet 32 and is turned
on, CPU 41 generates an unlocking signal including ID stored in the
storage means 42. The unlocking signal is transmitted outside from the
antenna 44 via the ItF transmitting circuit 43 as a radio signal.
The unlocking signal transmitted from the remote control key A is
received by the RF remote control receiver 62 of the controller 60 in the
handlebar locking module 12 and is input to CPU 61. CPU 61 matches ID
included in the input unlocking signal and the registered ID stored in the
storage means 64 beforehand, operates the actuator driving circuit 65 and
drives the motor 73 in case CPU judges that both are coincident and makes
the protruded lock pin 71 drawn back. Hfereby, the locking of the
handlebar is released and detection by the unlocking detection switch 76 is
input to CPU 61 via the switch input circuit 63.
Further, the main relay driving circuit 56 is operated, when the main
switch 23 is turned on in this state, the main relay 67 is driven, power is
supplied to the electric equipment including the igniter and the starting of
the engine is enabled.
While the vehicle is driven, the remote control key A is held in a state in
which the remote control key is inserted into the remote control holder 24
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and there is no fear that the remote control key A is lost. Besides, if
remote control key A is inserted into the remote control holder 24, the
engine can be immediately started and the starting of the engine is enabled
by easily operation, startability is satisfactory.
When the engine is stopped, first, the main switch 23 is turned off and the
main relay 67 is turned off. Next, when the remote control key A is
extracted from the remote control holder 24 and the locking button a is
pressed, the tactile switch 45 is turned on and a locking signal is
transmitted from the remote control key A.
When the lacking signal from the remote coni;rol key A is received by the
RF receiver 62 of the controller 60 in the handlebar locking module 12, the
actuator driving circuit 65 makes the motor ~'3 rotate counter, makes the
lock pin 71 protruded and makes the handlebar in a locked state.
Fig. 8 is a side view showing the appearance of a scooter-type motorcycle l n
which the locking of a seat 16 is released by pressing a seat opening button
b of a remote control key A and a thing can be put in/extracted from a
housing box and the invention can be also applied to such a scooter-type
motorcycle. The same reference number is allocated to the same part or
the similar part as/to that ShOWIl ixi Fig. 1.
Operation when the remote control key A is inserted into a remote control
holder 24 and operation in case a locking button a is pressed are the same
as those shown in Fig. 1. When the seat opening button b is pressed, the
corresponding switch is turned on and a seat opening signal generated by
built-in CPU 41 is transmitted.
When the seat opening signal from the remote control key A is received
by an RF receiver 62 of a controller 60 in a handlebar locking module 12
and ID included in the received signal is coincident with registered ID, a
seat actuator 81 is driven, the locking of the seat by a seat catcher 82 is
released and the seat 16 can be opened. Hereby, a thing can be put
in/extracted from the housing box below the seat. As the remote control
key A is held in the remote control holder 24 when the vehicle is driven,
the confinement of the remote control key in the housing box is reduced.
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The embodiments of the invention have been described above, however,
in the invention, various variations are allowed. For example, it is
described above that the remote control key A is provided with the locking
button a, however, if a locking signal is automatically transmitted from
the remote control key A when the remote control key A is extracted from
the remote control holder 24 and the magnet switch 33 is turned off, the
locking button a can be omitted.
Besides, as shown in Fig. 9, a cutout 91 is provided to a remote control key
A and a fitting part fitted into the cutout 91 may be also provided to a
remote control holder 24 of a handlebar locking module 12. As described
above, as in the configuration that the cutout 91 is provided to the remote
control key A and the fitting part fitted into the cutout 91 is provided to
the remote control holder 24, the remote control key A can be more firmly
held, the configuration is useful to hold the remote control key A in a
motorcycle the vibration in running of which is particularly large. Fig. 9
shows an example in which only a seat opening button b is provided to
the remote control key A.
The example that the main switch 23 and the remote control holder 24 are
integrated with the handlebar locking module 12 is described above,
according to this configuration, the increase o.f the cost and the size can be
miniaturized and the handlebar locking module can be mounted without
changing fixture on the side of the vehicle or with a minimum change,
however, a location in which the main switch 23 and the remote control
holder 24 are installed is not limited to the handlebar locking module 12
and they can be provided to a suitable location of the body.
Fig. 10 shows an example in which a main switch 23 is provided in the
vicinity of a handlebar grip of a handlebar cover 10 and a remote control
holder 24 is provided in the vicinity of the main switch 23. An advantage
that the operation of the main switch 23 since the remote control key A is
inserted can be smoothed by providing the remote control holder 24 in the
vicinity of the main switch 23 and besides, an engine can be easily started
by providing the remate control key and the remote control holder in the
vicinity of the handlebar grip is acquired.
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Beside, an indicator for informing a user that the remote control key A is
forgotten to be extracted from the remote coyatrol holder 24 may be also
provided on a speed panel 21 and the remote c~~ntrol holder 24 may be also
provided in the vicinity of the speed panel 21 or the in the vicinity of the
indicator on the speed panel.
Fig. 11A shows an example in which a main switch 23 is provided to a
handlebar cover 10, an indicator 111 for informing a user that a remote
control key A is forgotten to be extracted from a remote control holder 24
is provided on a speed panel 21 and further, the remote control holder 24
is provided in the vicinity of the speed parcel 21. Fig. 11B shows an
example in which a main switch 23 is provided to a handlebar cover 10, an
indicator 111 is provided on a speed panel 21 a:nd further, a remote control
holder 24 is provided in the vicinity of the indicator 111.
The indicator 111 indicates that the remote control key A is forgotten to be
extracted and its driving signal can be generate=d by CPU 61 of a controller
60 based upon detection by the main switch 23 and a remote control setting
detection switch 31.
Fig. 12 is a timing chart showing the drive of the indicator 111. CPU 61
receives the output (1) of detection by the remote control setting detection
switch 31 and the output (2) of the main switch 23, outputs indicator
driving output (3) when the output (1) of detection by the remote control
setting detection switch 31 exists and the outp~xt (2) of the main switch 23
does not exist, hereby, operates an indicator driving circuit and instructs to
light or flicker the indicator 111. As described above, if the indicator 111
is
lit or flickered when the main switch 23 is turned off with the remote
control key A inserted into the remote control. holder 24, a user is led to
extract the remote control key A and can be prevented from forgetting to
extract it. It may be also informed by voice that a user forgets to extract
the
remote control key A. Besides, the information by the indicator 111 and
the information by voice may be also used together.
Fig. 13 shows an example in which it is informed by voice that a user
forgets to extract a remote control key A by connecting a voice output
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circuit 131 and a speaker 132 to CPU 61. ~Ihen the remote control key A is
extracted, it can be also informed by voice different from voice in
informing that the remote control key is forgotten to be extracted that the
remote control key A is extracted.
As clear from the above description, according to the invention, as the
remote control is required to be inserted and held into/in the holder to
start the engine, the loss of the remote control .and the confinement in the
housing box can be prevented and in running, the remove control is
never wrongly operated.
Besides, as an unlocking signal is automatically transmitted when the
remote control is inserted into the holder and the engine can be
immediately started, the startability of the engine can be enhanced.
Further, as the remote control holder arid the main switch are arranged i n
each position in which the operability is satisf;~ctory, the startability of
the
engine can be more enhanced.
Further, as it is informed that the remote control key remains inserted
after the main switch is turned off, the remote control key can be
prevented from being forgotten to be extracted.
Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been described herein in detail, it wili be appreciated by those skilled in
the
art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit
of the invention or the scope of the appended <:laims.
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