Catalytic converter tamper detection system and method of use
AssigneeAccelerated Solutions Group, L.L.C.
InventorsCharles Eugene Becht, III, Tabish Anwar
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for detecting tampering with a catalytic converter by using a catalytic converter sensor located outside of the exhaust system that is configured to sense vibrations from vehicle exhaust components and output that to a catalytic converter module. The catalytic converter module activates an alarm system if at least one vibration exceeds a vibration threshold for an amount of time that exceeds a duration threshold. The alarm system may include any combination of activating the integrated vehicle alarm module, an external catalytic converter alarm module, or transmitting a wireless alert to a server or user devices.
Claims18
A tamper detection system for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises at least one vehicle exhaust system and at least one vehicle exhaust component, wherein the at least one vehicle exhaust component is a catalytic converter, the tamper detection system comprising:
- a catalytic converter sensor configured to monitor for at least one vibration from the at least one vehicle exhaust component;
- and
- a catalytic converter module configured to monitor the catalytic converter sensor for when the at least one vibration exceeds a vibration threshold for at least an amount of time that exceeds a duration threshold;
- wherein the catalytic converter sensor is located on the vehicle outside of the vehicle exhaust system;
- wherein the catalytic converter sensor is a knock sensor;
- and
- wherein the knock sensor is mounted directly to an engine block;
- wherein the catalytic converter module is configured to activate an alarm system when the vibrational threshold and the duration threshold are exceeded.
A method for detecting tampering with a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises at least one vehicle exhaust system and at least one vehicle exhaust component, wherein the at least one vehicle exhaust component is a catalytic converter, the method for detecting tampering comprising:
- (a) sensing a vibration using a catalytic converter sensor located on the vehicle outside of the vehicle exhaust system, wherein the catalytic converter sensor is a knock sensor, wherein the knock sensor is mounted directly to an engine block;
- (b) determining, by using a catalytic converter module, that the vibration sensed exceeds a vibrational threshold for at least an amount of time that exceeds a duration threshold;
- and
- (c) triggering an alarm system.
A vehicle comprising:
- at least one vehicle exhaust system;
- at least one vehicle exhaust component, wherein at least one vehicle exhaust component is a catalytic converter, and at least one tamper detection system;
- wherein the tamper detection system further comprises:
- a catalytic converter sensor configured to monitor for at least one vibration from the at least one vehicle exhaust component;
- and
- a catalytic converter module configured to monitor the catalytic converter sensor for at least one vibration that exceeds a vibration threshold for at least an amount of time that exceeds a duration threshold;
- wherein the catalytic converter sensor is located on the vehicle outside of the vehicle exhaust system;
- wherein the catalytic converter sensor is a knock sensor;
- and
- wherein the knock sensor is mounted directly to an engine block;
- wherein the catalytic converter module is configured to activate an alarm system when the vibrational threshold and the duration threshold are exceeded.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.