Wheel anti-theft system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9782998-B2
Application number	US-201514836338-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 26, 2015
Priority date	Aug 26, 2015
Publication date	Oct 10, 2017
Grant date	Oct 10, 2017

Abstract

A vehicle wheel anti-theft system is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of lock actuators. Each lock actuator is configured to move between a locked state and an unlocked state. Each lock actuator includes a body portion extending along an axis of wheel rotation and at least one locking member configured to engage a portion of the wheel in a direction perpendicular to the axis of wheel rotation when in the locked state.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A vehicle wheel anti-theft system, comprising:
a wheel hub configured to be connected to a wheel of a vehicle by at least one fastener; and
at least one lock actuator configured to be engaged with the wheel of the vehicle;
wherein the at least one fastener and the at least one lock actuator each extend in an axial direction from the wheel hub and are each configured to be received in at least a portion of the wheel, wherein the at least one lock actuator extends through less than a full thickness of the wheel so as to be covered by an external front portion of the wheel when the wheel hub is fastened to the wheel.

2. The vehicle wheel anti-theft system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one lock actuator is unconnected to and independent of the at least one fastener.

3. The vehicle wheel anti-theft system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of lock actuators and a plurality of fasteners, wherein the lock actuators and fasteners are alternatingly position around a circumference of a central aperture of the wheel hub.

4. The vehicle wheel anti-theft system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one lock actuator comprises at least one locking member configured to extend into one or more corresponding pockets in the wheel.

5. The vehicle wheel anti-theft system of claim 4 , wherein the at least one locking member is configured to move into a position perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the lock actuator.

6. The vehicle wheel anti-theft system of claim 4 , wherein the lock actuator further comprises a shaft configured to retract the at least one locking member from the corresponding pockets when the lock actuator is in an unlocked state.

7. The vehicle wheel anti-theft system of claim 6 , wherein the lock actuator further comprises an actuator to move the shaft to exert a force upon the at least one locking member when the lock actuator is in the unlocked state.

8. The vehicle wheel anti-theft system of claim 6 , wherein the lock actuator further comprises a biasing device configured to urge the shaft to a locked position so the at least one locking member is received in the corresponding pockets.

9. The vehicle wheel anti-theft system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller in signal communication with the lock actuator and configured to control the lock actuator.

10. The vehicle wheel anti-theft system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one lock actuator includes four or more of the lock actuators.

11. A vehicle wheel anti-theft system, comprising:
a plurality of lock actuators each configured to move between a locked state and an unlocked state, each lock actuator comprising a body portion and at least one locking member configured to move from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration to engage a portion of the wheel in a direction perpendicular to the axis of wheel rotation when in the locked state.

12. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a wheel hub, wherein each of the plurality of lock actuators extends through a thickness of the wheel hub in parallel with the axis of wheel rotation.

13. The system of claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of fasteners extending from the wheel hub, wherein each of the plurality of fasteners extends parallel to each of the plurality of lock actuators and is configured to extend through a thickness of the wheel.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of lock actuators is configured to pass through only a portion of a thickness of the wheel, such that each of the plurality of lock actuators is positioned behind an exterior front surface of the wheel.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the at least one locking member of each of the plurality of lock actuators is configured to be received in a locking aperture of the wheel.

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the at least one locking member, when in the retracted configuration, is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body portion of the lock actuator.

17. The system of claim 11 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the at least one locking member changes orientation with respect to a longitudinal axis of the body portion of the lock actuator as the at least one locking member moves between the retracted configuration and extended configuration.

18. A vehicle wheel anti-theft system, comprising:
a wheel hub configured to be connected to a wheel of a vehicle by at least one fastener;
a brake rotor;
a lock actuator configured to be releasably lockingly received in the wheel of the vehicle; and
a controller configured to remotely actuate movement of the lock actuator between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration,
wherein the lock actuator extends from the wheel hub through an actuator hole of in the brake rotor and into a recess within the wheel when the system is assembled.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the lock actuator extends completely through the wheel hub.

20. The system of claim 18 , wherein the lock actuator comprises one or more locking members configured to extend into one or more corresponding pockets in the wheel.

21. The system of claim 20 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the lock actuator extends parallel to an axis of wheel rotation, and where the one or more locking members are configured to move relative to the longitudinal axis of the lock actuator such that a longitudinal axis of the one or more locking members are perpendicular to the axis of wheel rotation when in the locked state.

22. The system of claim 20 , wherein the lock actuator further comprises:
a shaft to which the one or more locking members are movably connected;
a biasing member configured to bias the one or more locking members in a locked position; and
an actuator configured to move the shaft to retract the one or more locking members from the locked position when the lock actuator is in the unlocked state.

23. The system of claim 18 , wherein the controller is in signal communication with the lock actuator and is configured to automatically control the lock actuator.

24. A motor vehicle, comprising:
a wheel hub;
a wheel, wherein at least one fastener connects the wheel to the wheel hub; and
a lock actuator configured to be received in the wheel and to releasably lockingly engage the wheel;
wherein the lock actuator extends from the wheel hub into a portion of a thickness of the wheel, such that the lock actuator is covered by an external portion of the wheel.

25. The motor vehicle of claim 24 , further comprising a brake rotor located between the wheel and the wheel hub, wherein the lock actuator extends through the brake rotor.

26. The motor vehicle of claim 24 , wherein the lock actuator includes at least four lock actuators, and wherein the at least one fastener includes at least four fasteners, wherein the lock actuators and the fasteners are radially spaced from a central aperture of the hub and are alternatingly positioned around a circumference of the central aperture.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Fabian Edgar Salazar
• Castillo Jesus Guadalupe
• Hernandez Ricardo
• QUINTERO PÈREZ Francisco Javier

Classifications

• E05B79/02

  Mounting of vehicle locks or parts thereof · CPC title

• Y10T70/585

  Brake type · CPC title

• B60B7/16 Primary

  Anti-theft devices · CPC title

• E05B77/44

  Burglar prevention, e.g. protecting against opening by unauthorised tools (E05B77/28 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60R25/00

  Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles (locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00) · CPC title