TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to wheel theft
prevention systems in vehicles, and more particularly but not exclusively to
active wheel theft prevention system in vehicles.
5
BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, a wheel is a significant part of any type of
automobile as the effective mobility of vehicle is ensured by wheels. In any
conventional automobiles, wheels are mounted to the vehicle axles which
10 can be dismantled by any person. Since the wheels are mounted in a
disengageable way, there are more chances for wheel theft. In order to
prevent the wheel theft in vehicles, lot of mechanical screw and nut type
arrangements are made in the wheel so that only the person having a unique
tool can disengage the wheel from the vehicle. However, these unique tools
15 like spanners or screw drivers can be easily duplicated and the wheel can
still be stolen. Following are some of the prior arts for preventing wheel
theft.
[003] In one US prior art US 3668952 A, by Teutsch John H. an
automobile wheel theft prevention device is disclosed which consisting of
20 an automobile lug wrench having an arcuate spring there around, a spring
biased radially movable stud there through and a round lug with a radial
opening therein. The round lug cannot be removed by means of the usual
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lug wrench. To remove a wheel having the round lug thereon, the radially
movable stud on the lug wrench must be engaged in the opening in the
round lug. With the wrench thus locked onto the round lug, the lug may be
removed in the usual manner.
[004] In another US prior art US 3222976 A, by 5 Charles G Holman
discloses a theft prevention device for automobile wheels wherein a novel
theft-proof cover for lug nuts and the like which is particularly useful in
covering the lug nuts employed in the mounting of an automobile wheel to
prevent unauthorized removal of the wheel.
10 [005] Yet another US prior art US 4645397 A by James Padelford
discloses a tamper-proof fastener having a locking cap which engages the
underlying lug bolt and a seal which surrounds the locking cap and the lug
nut of the tire to be secured. The seal rotates freely about the locking cap
and the lug nut so as to prevent anyone from loosening the lug nut without
15 first breaking the seal.
[006] A Chinese prior art CN 201679840 U discloses an automobile
tire antitheft screw and a special socket wrench therefore. The outer surface
of the head of the antitheft screw is machined into a ’T’ shape, so that the
head of the screw is novel and unique in shape to be distinct from standard
20 screws. The inner circular side of a groove of a socket head of the special
socket wrench for unscrewing the antitheft screw is in a shape matched
with that of the outer surface of the head of the screw. The antitheft screw
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cannot be unscrewed without the special socket wrench during unscrewing,
thereby the purpose of automobile tire theft prevention is achieved, and the
antitheft screw and the special socket wrench have the advantages of simple
structure, convenience in use and fine anti theft performance.
[007] There are also other types of wheel theft 5 prevention system
known in the art which uses Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors (TPMS),
ABS or other proximity sensors inside the vehicle wheel, which detect the
wheel disengagement from the vehicle by any stranger and activates the
theft alarm. This kind of proximity sensor arrangement inside a wheel acts
10 as a passive wheel security system. The disadvantage of this system is it
allows the vehicle’s wheel to be disengaged and then based on the sensor
input, it activates the alarm. If there is no person nearby or if the vehicle is
parked in a very remote area, even if the alarm activates there’s nobody to
respond to that situation.
15 [008] Therefore, there exists a need for an active wheel theft
prevention system in vehicles that doesn’t permit disengagement of wheel
from the vehicle by any unauthorized person.
OBJECTS
20 [009] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to
provide an active wheel theft prevention system for a vehicle that doesn’t
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permit disengagement of wheels from the vehicle by any unauthorized
person.
[0010] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to
provide an active wheel theft prevention system for a vehicle that can be
actuated 5 on demand.
[0011] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be
better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the
following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be
understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating
10 preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by
way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications
may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing
from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such
modifications.
15
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[006] This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,
throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the
various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the
20 following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
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[0012] Figure 1 depicts a cross sectional view of the wheel theft
prevention system according to first embodiment of the invention as
disclosed herein;
[0013] Figure 2 depicts a cross sectional view of a housing of wheel
theft prevention system according to first embodiment of 5 the invention as
disclosed herein;
[0014] Figure 3 depicts a front view of the housing assembled with
the retention plate of wheel theft prevention system according to an
embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
10 [0015] Figure 4 depicts a cross sectional view of the wheel theft
prevention system according to second embodiment of the invention as
disclosed herein;
[0016] Figure 5 depicts a cross sectional view of the housing and
solenoid of wheel theft prevention system according to second embodiment
15 of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0017] Figure 6 depicts a front view of a brake disc assembled with
the securing element of the wheel theft prevention system according to an
embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0018] Figure 7 depicts a rear view of a brake disc with the leads of
20 the securing element of the wheel theft prevention system according to an
embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
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[0019] Figure 8 depicts a cross sectional view of the brake disc
showing the leads of the securing element of the wheel theft prevention
system according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The embodiments herein and the various features and
advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the
non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions 5 of wellknown
components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not
unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein
are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the
embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in
10 the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples
should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0021] The embodiments herein achieve an active wheel theft
prevention system for a vehicle that doesn’t permit disengagement of
wheels from the vehicle by any unauthorized person. Referring now to the
15 drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 8, where similar
reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout
the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0022] Figure 1 depicts a cross sectional view of the wheel theft
prevention system according to first embodiment of the invention as
20 disclosed herein. In a first embodiment, the wheel theft prevention system
100 includes a securing element 102, a control switch 104, a plurality of
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brushes 106, a brush holder 108, a spring 110, a retention plate 112 and a
housing 114.
[0023] Figure 6 depicts a front view of a brake disc assembled with
the securing element of the wheel theft prevention system according to an
embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In 5 an embodiment the
securing element 102 is used for securing a wheel 200 of a vehicle (not
shown). In an embodiment the wheel 200 includes a hub 202. In an
embodiment the wheel 200 is made of a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic
material. In an embodiment the securing element 102 is electrically
10 activated. In an embodiment the securing element 102 is an electromagnet.
However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide a solenoid,
an electro permanent magnet or any electrically activated means for
securing the wheel 200 without otherwise deterring the intended function of
the securing element 102 as can be deduced from the description.
15 [0024] Figure 7 depicts a rear view of a brake disc with the leads of
the securing element of the wheel theft prevention system according to an
embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment the
securing element 102 includes a plurality of leads 102a for receiving the
power supply for activation, a plurality of openings 102b for receiving
20 fasteners (not shown) for mounting the securing element 102 with a brake
disc 300 and a plurality of openings 102c for receiving fasteners that are
used for mounting the brake disc 300 with the wheel hub 202. In an
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embodiment the securing element 102 is provided in the front end of the
brake disc 300.
[0025] Figure 8 depicts a cross sectional view of the brake disc
showing the leads of the securing element of the wheel theft prevention
system according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed 5 herein. In
an embodiment the front end of the brake disc 300 is provided with a
groove (not shown) for housing the securing element 102. Further the brake
disc 300 is provided with at least one opening (not shown) for receiving the
leads 102a of the securing element 102 and plurality of openings (not
10 shown) for receiving fasteners for mounting the securing element 102 with
the brake disc 300 and plurality of openings (not shown) for receiving
fasteners for mounting the wheel’s hub 202. The leads 102a of the securing
element 102 pass through the thickness (through openings (not shown) in
the brake disc 300 for receiving the leads 102a of the securing element 102)
15 of the brake disc 300 and are provided in a circular fashion at the rear end
of the brake disc 300.
[0026] In an embodiment the control switch 104 is used for
activating/deactivating the wheel theft prevention system 100. The control
switch 104 is connected with an electric power source 500 and the brushes
20 106. In an embodiment the electric power source is a battery. The control
switch 104 controls the flow of electric current from an electric power
source 500 to the brushes 106, thereby controlling the securing element
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102. In an embodiment the control switch 104 is provided in the dashboard/
control panel of the vehicle. However, it is also within the scope of the
invention to provide the control switch 104 in any other part of the vehicle
without otherwise deterring the intended function of the control switch 104
as can be deduced from 5 the description.
[0027] In an embodiment the plurality of brushes 106 are used
transmitting the power from the electric power source 500 to the leads 102a
of the securing element 102. The plurality of brushes 106 are provided in
the brush holder 108 with the ends of the brushes 106 facing the leads 102a
10 of the securing element 102. Each of the brushes 106 includes a lead 106a
for connecting to the electric power source 500 and the control switch 104.
In an embodiment the brushes 106 are carbon brushes. However, it is also
within the scope of the invention to provide metal brushes without
otherwise deterring the intended function of the brushes 106 as can be
15 deduced from the description.
[0028] In an embodiment the brush holder 108 is used for holding
the plurality of brushes 106. The brushes 106 are provided with insulation
400 in the brush holder 108 and the leads 102a are also provided with
insulation in brake disc 300 to prevent short circuiting. The brush holder
20 108 is held against the spring 110 and provided inside the housing 114.
[0029] In an embodiment the spring 110 is used for loading or
exerting force on the brush holder 108 for establishing contact between the
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brushes 106 and the leads 102a of the securing element 102. The spring 110
is provided inside the housing 114, held against the brush holder 108.
When the brushes 106 gets worn out during function, the pre-compression
of spring 110 reduces and spring 110 expands, so that it ensures proper
contact between brushes 106 and leads 102a of the securing 5 element 102.
[0030] In an embodiment the retention plate 112 is used for holding
the spring 110 and the brush holder 108 within the housing 114. In an
embodiment, the retention plate 112 includes a first opening (not shown)
and a plurality of second openings 112b. In an embodiment the first
10 opening (not shown) is used for receiving the plurality of brushes 106 for
making contact with the leads 102a of the securing element 102. In an
embodiment the plurality of second openings 112b is used for fastening the
retention plate 112 with the housing 114 through fasteners (not shown).
However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide adhesive for
15 fastening the retention plate 112 with the housing 114.
[0031] Figure 2 depicts a cross sectional view of a housing of wheel
theft prevention system according to first embodiment of the invention as
disclosed herein. Figure 3 depicts a front view of the housing assembled
with the retention plate of wheel theft prevention system according to an
20 embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment the
housing 114 is used for holding the spring 110 and the brush holder 108
having the brushes 106. The housing 114 includes a first opening 114a, a
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plurality of second openings 114b and a plurality of third openings (not
shown). The first opening 114a is used for holding the spring 110 and the
brush holder 108. The plurality of second openings 114b is used for
mounting the housing 114 to the vehicle (any stationary component of the
vehicle near brake assembly area) (not shown). 5 The housing 114 is
mounted to vehicle (not shown) in such a fashion that the ends of the
brushes 106 are in contact with the leads 102a of the securing element 102.
The plurality of third openings (not shown) is used for receiving the
fasteners (not shown) for mounting the retention plate 112.
10 [0032] The working of the wheel theft prevention system 100
according to the first embodiment is as follows. It is to be noted that the
wheel theft prevention is required to be activated only during the parked
condition of the vehicle. The hub 202 of the wheel 200 is mounted to the
front end of the brake disc 300 provided with the securing element 102 and
15 the assembled housing 114 is mounted to the vehicle with the brushes 106
in contact with the leads 102a of the securing element 102. The user
activates the wheel theft prevention system 100 by switching on the control
switch 104. Thereafter, the power from electric power source 500 flows to
the brushes 106 through the leads 106a. As the brushes 106 are in contact
20 with the leads 102a of the securing element 102, power flows to the
securing element 102. The energized securing element 102 secures the
wheel 200 by rigidly holding the wheel hub 202, since the securing element
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102 is an electromagnet and the wheel hub 202 is made of a ferromagnetic
or ferrimagnetic material. Thus when an unauthorized person tries to
remove the wheel 200 from the vehicle, the wheel couldn’t be removed or
dismantled by that person. The intended or authorized user can deactivate
the wheel theft prevention system 100 by switching off 5 the control switch
104 so that the power supply from the electric power source 500 to the
brushes 106 is cut off and the securing element 102 is de-energized. Once
the securing element 102 is de-energized the wheel 200 can be
removed/dismantled from the vehicle.
10 [0033] Figure 4 depicts a cross sectional view of the wheel theft
prevention system according to second embodiment of the invention as
disclosed herein. The wheel theft prevention system according to a second
embodiment of the invention includes a securing element 102, a control
switch 104, a plurality of brushes 106, a brush holder 108, a spring 110, a
15 retention plate 112, a housing 114 and a solenoid 116.
[0034] Figure 5 depicts a cross sectional view of the housing and
solenoid of wheel theft prevention system according to second embodiment
of the invention as disclosed herein. In the second embodiment the spring
110 is used for breaking the contact between the brushes 106 and the leads
20 102a of the securing element 102. In the second embodiment the spring 110
is provided in the housing 114 in between the retention plate 112 and the
brush holder 108. The pre-compression force of the spring 110 pushes the
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brush holder 108 backwards, thus breaking the contact between the brushes
106 and the leads 102a of the securing element 102.
[0035] In the second embodiment the solenoid 116 is used for
making contact between the brushes 106 and the leads 102a of the securing
element 102. The solenoid 116 is assembled with the brush 5 holder 108 to
push the brush holder 108 forwards for making contact between the brushes
106 and the leads 102a of the securing element 102. The solenoid 116 is
provided in communication with the electric power source 500 to receive
power for its actuation.
10 [0036] The working of the wheel theft prevention system 100
according to the second embodiment is as follows. The hub 202 of the
wheel 200 is mounted to the front end of the brake disc 300 provided with
the securing element 102 and the housing 114 is mounted to the vehicle
with the brushes 106 close to the leads 102a of the securing element 102.
15 The user activates the wheel theft prevention system 100 by switching on
the control switch 104. Thereafter, the power from electric power source
500 flows to the solenoid 116 and the brushes 106. The solenoid 116 gets
energized and pushes the brush holder 108 towards the leads 102a of the
securing element 102 against the force of the spring 110 and ensures
20 brushes 106 are in contact with leads 102a of the securing element 102. As
the brushes 106 are in contact with the leads 102a of the securing element
102, power flows to the securing element 102. The energized securing
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element 102 secures the wheel 200 by rigidly holding the wheel hub 202,
since the securing element 102 is an electromagnet and the wheel hub 202
is made of a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material. Thus when an
unauthorized person tries to remove the wheel 200 from the vehicle, the
wheel couldn’t be removed or dismantled by that person. 5 The intended or
authorized user can deactivate the wheel theft prevention system 100 by
switching off the control switch 104 so that the power supply from the
electric power source 500 to the solenoid 116 and the brushes 106 is cut
off. As the solenoid 116 gets de-energized the spring 110 pushes back the
10 brush holder 108 breaking the contact between the brushes 106 and the
leads 102a of the securing element 102. As there is no power supply to the
brushes 106 the securing element 102 is de-energized and allows the wheel
200 to be removed/dismantled from the vehicle.
[0037] The technical advantages of the present invention are
better security as compared to the existing wheel theft prevention systems.
Uses lesser number of components used which makes the system simple
and economic. The securing element 102 size and properties can be
adjusted based on the weight of the wheel assembly thus makes this system
applicable for all types of vehicle wheels. The system works on demand
basis, activation and deactivation are possible as and when required by the
user. Easy to assemble even in the existing vehicles as it requires a very
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minimal modification to be done. The maintenance will be easier since
brushes can be replaced which extends the life of the entire system.
[0038] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will
so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can,
by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various
applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic
concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are
intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents
of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or
terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of
limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in
terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that
the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit
and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
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CLAIMS
1. A wheel theft prevention system, said system comprising:
a securing element adapted to secure a wheel, said securing element
having at least one lead for receiving electric power; and
at least one brush adapted to transmit electric power from an electric
power source to said securing element,
wherein
said brush is operatively connected to said lead of said securing element
and said securing element secures the wheel on receiving the electric
power.
2. The wheel theft prevention system as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising a brush holder adapted to hold said brush.
3. The wheel theft prevention system as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising a control switch adapted to control said securing element.
4. The wheel theft prevention system as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising a spring adapted to load said brush holder.
5. The wheel theft prevention system as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising a housing adapted to hold said spring and said brush holder
holding said brush.
6. The wheel theft prevention system as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising a retention plate adapted to hold said spring and said brush
holder holding said brush within said housing.
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7. The wheel theft prevention system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
securing element is an electromagnet.
8. The wheel theft prevention system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
electric power source is a battery.
9. The wheel theft prevention system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
brush is a carbon brush.
10. The wheel theft prevention system as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising a solenoid adapted to operatively connect said brush and said
lead of said securing element.