FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a system and a method of detecting and preventing theft of wheels from a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

In the last few decades, alloy wheels are being widely used in vehicles, mostly owing to their aesthetic appeal. Generally, such wheels are formed of Aluminum and are therefore light in weight as well. Such wheels are installed on a wheel hub using multiple lug nuts. The provision of lug nuts along with the light weight of the wheel allows for easy and effective mounting and dismounting of the wheel, for example, in case of replacement of worn-out tires or tire repair. However, this convenience in dismounting the wheel also attracts theft attempts. Therefore, these wheels can easily be stolen thereby rendering the vehicle immovable.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

The present subject matter relates to the aspects of detecting and preventing wheel theft from a vehicle. One of the aspects involves using a sensor that is configured to detect a variation in the magnetic field caused by unauthorized removal of the wheel, which can then be informed to a user to take necessary measures.

In an embodiment, a wheel anti-theft system for wheel mounted on a wheel hub by fasteners of a vehicle is disclosed. The anti-theft system includes a sensor mounted on the wheel hub. The anti-theft system also includes one or more magnets disposed proximate to the sensor. In one example, the magnet may be mounted on at least one of the wheel, the wheel hub, and the fastener, such that magnetic field around the sensor changes in response to dislodgement of one of the wheel and the at least fastener from the wheel hub. The anti-theft system also includes a controller in communication with the sensor and is adapted to receive the signal generated by the sensor and determine an attempted theft of the wheel based on the generated signal. In addition, the controller is adapted to generate an alarm to alert a user of the attempted theft so that an alarm system may generate of an aural feedback, a visual feedback, and a text notification to the user.

In another embodiment, a method for detecting an attempted theft of a wheel by an anti-theft system is disclosed. The method includes receiving, from a sensor mounted on a wheel hub, a signal indicative of a change in magnetic field of a magnet positioned around at least one of the wheel (106), a wheel hub, and at least one fastener mounting the wheel to the wheel hub. In addition, the method includes comparing a value of the signal with a predetermined threshold value. The method also includes generating an alert when the value is more than the predetermined threshold, wherein the alert is indicative of the dislodgement of the wheel from the wheel hub

According to the present subject matter, the sensor is configured to generate a signal in response to any change in the mounting position of either the wheel or the fastener that mounts the wheel to the wheel hub. The generated signal is used to thwart the attempt of theft, for example, by sounding the alarm and/or informing the vehicle owner regarding the attempted theft.

To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic side view of an assembled wheel assembly of the vehicle with a wheel anti-theft system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the wheel assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 3 illustrates a method of generating an alarm in case of unauthorised dismounting of the wheel assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants do not specify an exact limitation or restriction, and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more...” or “one or more element is required.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an anti-theft system for a vehicle is disclosed. The anti-theft system includes a sensor that generates a signal whenever removal of a fastener or a wheel is detected. In order to detect the removal of the fastener and the wheel, magnets are mounted at different locations that can interact with the sensor when the fastener or the wheel removal is attempted. As a result, any attempt made to dislodge the wheel is detected thereby allowing a timely response, such as an alarm or notification to the vehicle owner/ law enforcement agency.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

For the sake of clarity, the first digit of a reference numeral of each component of the present disclosure is indicative of the Figure number, in which the corresponding component is shown. For example, reference numerals starting with digit “1” are shown at least in Figure 1. Similarly, reference numerals starting with digit “2” are shown at least in Figure 2.

Figure 1 and 2 illustrates a wheel assembly 100 that includes a wheel anti-theft system 102, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, Figure 1 illustrates an assembled view of the wheel assembly 100 while Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the wheel assembly 100 of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2, the wheel assembly 100 may include, but is not limited to, a wheel hub 104, a wheel 106, and a plurality of fasteners 108. The wheel 106 may be mounted on the wheel hub 104 through the fasteners 108. In an embodiment, the wheel hub 104 includes a plurality of wheel studs 202 to facilitate the mounting of the wheel 106 on the wheel hub 104.

Further, the wheel anti-theft system 102 may include, but is not limited to, a sensing mechanism 110 and a controller 112 in communication with the sensing mechanism 110. The sensing mechanism 110 may further include a sensor 204 and a plurality of magnets 206, individually referred to as 206-1, 206-2, and 206-3.

As would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, while the illustrated embodiment is shown to include three magnets 206, the scope of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In other embodiments, the number of magnets 206 may vary, for example, depending on constructional and operational requirements of the wheel assembly 100, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. According to the present disclosure, the anti-theft system 100 may require a single magnet 206 mounted either on the wheel hub 104, or on the wheel 106 or on the fastener 108 to detect an attempted theft.

The magnets 206 may be disposed on any of the components of the wheel assembly 100 and the consequent magnetic field may be detected by the sensing mechanism 110. In case of dismounting of any of the components having the magnet 206, for example, to steal the wheel assembly 100, the sensor 204 may detect a change in the magnetic field. Such an event may be communicated to the controller 112, which may then generate an alarm to alert the user. Therefore, the controller 112 processes the signals received from the sensing mechanism 110 to alert the user.

In an embodiment, the controller 112 may include, but is not limited to, a processor, memory, modules, and data. The modules and the memory may be coupled to the processor. The processor can be a single processing unit or several units, all of which could include multiple computing units. The processor may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the processor is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions and data stored in the memory.

The memory may include any non-transitory computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes.

The modules, amongst other things, include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which perform particular tasks or implement data types. The modules may also be implemented as, signal processor(s), state machine(s), logic circuitries, and/or any other device or component that manipulate signals based on operational instructions.

Further, the modules can be implemented in hardware, instructions executed by a processing unit, or by a combination thereof. The processing unit can comprise a computer, a processor, such as the processor, a state machine, a logic array, or any other suitable devices capable of processing instructions. The processing unit can be a general-purpose processor which executes instructions to cause the general-purpose processor to perform the required tasks or, the processing unit can be dedicated to performing the required functions. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the modules may be machine-readable instructions (software) which, when executed by a processor/processing unit, perform any of the described functionalities. Further, the data serves, amongst other things, as a repository for storing data processed, received, and generated by one or more of the modules.

In an embodiment, the controller 112 may be a part of an Electric Control Unit (ECU) (not shown) of the vehicle. The controller 112 may also connect to a mobile application running on an authorized user device of the vehicle’s owner. Although not shown explicitly, the controller 112 may have network capabilities that allows the controller 112 to connect to an infotainment system via a wired network and to the authorized user device via a wireless network. The controller 112 is configured in such a way that the vehicle owner can arm or disarm the controller 112 during the occurrence of certain events, such as during scheduled service check, roadside repair, among other examples. For instance, the vehicle owner can disarm the controller 112 via the infotainment system to prevent the generation of the output during the occurrence of such events. In another instance, the vehicle owner can disarm the controller 112 via a mobile application. In yet another instance, the wheel anti-theft system 102 may include a physical switch installed in vehicle’s interior that allows the vehicle owner to manually override the controller 112.

The controller 112 may generate an output that can be used to inform the vehicle owner about the attempted theft. The controller 112 may be coupled to an alarming system (not shown) that may inform the vehicle owner regarding the attempted theft based on the output from the controller. In one example, the output can be used to generate alarms of different types, such as an aural alarm, a notification to the owner’s registered mobile number via a short message service (SMS), among other examples. The output from the controller 112 may also be used notify a central monitoring server of a law enforcement agency regarding the attempted theft using an appropriate protocol. The output from the controller 112 can be used to generate a visual alarm in addition to the aural alarm, such as activation of hazard lights to alert nearby people of the attempted theft.

In an embodiment, the sensor 204 is installed at a location such that the position of the sensor 204 remains unchanged with respect to the wheel 106. For instance, the sensor 204 can be installed on the wheel hub 104. The sensor 204, in one example, can be a Hall-effect sensor that generates a variation in output signal in response to a change in the magnetic field around the sensor 204. Although the present embodiment shows the sensor 204 as the hall-effect sensor, the sensor 204 may be of any other type that can respond to the change in the magnetic field, such as a reed switch, MEMS magnetic field sensor, among other examples. In one example, the sensor 204 may be configured to send output signal data continuously to the controller 112 and the controller 112 determines any variation in the output signal coming from the sensor 204. In another example, the sensor 204 may send the output signal only when the sensed magnetic field changes.

In another embodiment, the magnet 206-1 is placed inside one of the fasteners 108. Although the present embodiment shows the magnet 206-1 mounted inside one of the fasteners 108, multiple magnets 206-1 can be present in each fastener 108. In another embodiment, another magnet 206-2 can be placed inside the wheel 106 of the vehicle. The wheel 106 is mounted on the plurality of wheel studs 202 and the fastener 108 is fastened over the wheel studs 202 to secure the wheel 106 to the wheel hub 104.

While the wheel 106 and the fastener 108 are secured to the wheel hub 104, a distance between the magnet 206 and the sensor 204 along a direction D1 remains unchanged. On the other hand, when removal of the wheel 119 and/or the fastener 108 is attempted, the fastener 108 is unfastened from the wheel studs 202 along the direction D1 thereby increasing the distance between the magnet 206-1 and the sensor 204. As a result, the sensor 204 may sense the decrease in the magnetic field due to the removal of the fastener 108 and accordingly, the output signal of the sensor 204 changes. The change in the output signal is relayed to the controller 112 (shown in Figure 1) that determines if the change in the output signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. Accordingly, the controller 112 generates the output that can be used to alert the vehicle owner of the attempted threat. Similarly, when the wheel 106 is removed from the wheel studs 202, the distance between the magnet 206-2 and the sensor 204 increases which are sensed as the decrease in the magnitude of the magnetic field of the magnet 206-2 around the sensor 204. Accordingly, sensor 204 generates the variation in the output signal.

Although the foregoing embodiment illustrates sensing a change in the magnetic field of the magnet due to the movement thereof, another embodiment of the present disclosure covers the aspect of sensing the change in the magnetic field of the magnet in presence of another material that affects the magnetic field of the magnet. In said embodiment, another magnet 206-3 may be placed on the wheel hub 104, such that a distance between the magnet 206-3 and the sensor 204 remains constant. However, the magnet 206-3 is placed in such a way that the magnetic field of the magnet 206-3 varies when a ferromagnetic material, such as a steel wheel/ a fastener, or a paramagnetic material, such as an aluminium wheel is removed from the wheel hub 104. Accordingly, sensor 204 may generate a signal when the variation in the magnetic field increases or decreases beyond a predetermined threshold.

Figure 3 illustrates a method 300 to detecting and preventing an attempt of theft of the wheel. The order in which the method steps are described below is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method steps can be combined in any appropriate order to execute the method or an alternative method. Additionally, individual steps may be deleted from the method without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein.

The method 300 can be performed by programmed computing devices, for example, based on instructions retrieved from non-transitory computer readable media. The computer readable media can include machine-executable or computer-executable instructions to perform all or portions of the described method. The computer readable media may be, for example, digital memories, magnetic storage media, such as a magnetic disks and magnetic tapes, hard drives, or optically readable data storage media.

In one example, the method 300 can be performed partially or completely by the wheel anti-theft system 102. The method 300 begins at step 302 at which the controller 112 checks whether the wheel anti-theft system 102 is disabled or not. In one example, the controller 112 check if a disarm command is provided by the vehicle owner through the infotainment system or through the physical button. If the wheel anti-theft system 102 is disabled, the method 300 terminates at step 304. On the other hand, if the wheel anti-theft system 102 is not disabled, the method 304 proceeds to step 306 where the output signal from the sensor 204 is received by the controller 112. In one example, the output signal a signal indicative of a change in magnetic field of the magnet 206 positioned on at least one of the wheel 106, the wheel hub 104, and the fasteners 106. Thereafter, at step 308, the output signal from the sensor 204 is processed by the controller 112.

At step 310, the controller 112 checks if an unauthorized removal is detected. In one embodiment, the controller 112 checks if a value of the variation in the output signal exceeds a predetermined threshold as an indicator of unauthorized removal. In case the controller 112 does not detect an unauthorized removal, the method 300 proceeds back to step 306 where the output signal is received again. However, in case the controller 112 detects the unauthorized removal is detected, the method proceeds to the step 312 at which the alarm is triggered. The alarm can be either aural or visual or both. The method 300 finally proceeds to step 314 at which a message is sent to the vehicle owner’s registered mobile number and a monitoring server of civil authority.

As explained above, removal of either the fastener 108 from the wheel studs 202 or the wheel 106 from the wheel hub 104 is detected and a response is triggered promptly to prevent the theft.

While specific language has been used to describe the present disclosure, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.

WE CLAIMS:

1. An anti-theft system (102) for a wheel (106) mounted on a wheel hub (104) by at least one fastener (106), the anti-theft system (102) comprising:
a sensor (204) mounted on the wheel hub (104);
a magnet (206) mounted on at least one of the wheel (106), the wheel hub (104), and the at least one fastener (106), wherein magnetic field of the magnet (206) around the sensor (204) varies in response to dislodgement of one of the wheel (106) and the at least fastener (106) from the wheel hub (104), and
the sensor (204) is adapted to generate a signal in response to detection of the change in the magnetic field of the magnet.

2. The anti-theft system (102) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a controller in communication with the sensor (204) and adapted to:
receive the signal generated by the sensor (204);
determine an attempted theft of the wheel (106) based on the generated signal; and
generate an alarm to alert a user of the attempted theft.

3. The anti-theft system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic field around the sensor (204) from the magnet (206-3) mounted on the wheel hub (104) changes in response to the change in proximity of one of a ferromagnetic material and a paramagnetic material with respect to the magnet (206) on the wheel hub (104).

4. The anti-theft system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor (204) is a hall-effect sensor (204).

5. The anti-theft system (102) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the ferromagnetic material is a steel wheel (106) and fastener (106), and the paramagnetic material is an aluminium alloy wheel.

6. A method (300) for detecting an attempted theft of a wheel (106) by an anti-theft system (102), the method (300) comprising:
receiving, from a sensor (204) mounted on a wheel hub, a signal indicative of a change in magnetic field of a magnet (206) positioned around at least one of the wheel (106), a wheel hub (104), and at least one fastener (106) mounting the wheel (106) to the wheel hub (104);
comparing a value of the signal with a predetermined threshold value; and
generating an alert when the value is more than the predetermined threshold, wherein the alert is indicative of the dislodgement of the wheel (106) from the wheel hub (104).

7. The method (300) as claimed in claim 6, comprising:
communicating the alert to an alarm system; and
generating one of an aural feedback, a visual feedback, and a text notification to the user.

8. The method (300) as claimed in claim 6, comprising:
determining whether a disarm command is received from a user; and
processing the signal to generate the alert based on the comparison, when the disarm command is not received.

9. The method (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sensor (204) is a hall-effect sensor (204).

10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein magnetic field around the sensor (204) from the magnet (206) mounted on the wheel hub (104) changes in response to the change in proximity of one of a ferromagnetic material and a paramagnetic material with respect to the magnet (206) on the wheel hub (104).