(51) Int.Cl.4

Patent Claims

1. Arrangement of a distance-safe conspirative detection and checking system for vehicles, preferably with respect to unknown explosive and incendiary objects, characterized in that all of the parts (for example, 35, 39), which are to be opened from the outside by external action, and which are located in the chassis area as well as in the bottom floor area (64), are provided with triggering mechanisms (for example, 21, 41); and the resulting signals are inputted with suitable control lines (for example, 1, 1’, 1”) into a programmable memory and evaluation module (7), upstream of which is a distributor and signal adjusting module (8, 8’), which interacts with a transmitter / receiver module (13) and the following encoding module (14); and the resulting information is transmitted over an emitting unit (72) on a decoding unit (15), receiver / transmitter module (16), to the optical display and input keyboard unit (17), whereby electromagnetic waves are used as the information carrier.

2. Arrangement, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that an optical system (for example, 59) is mounted in the interior or floor area (70) of a vehicle (56), and the resulting signal is transmitted into the signal input (71) of the distributor module (8) on the additional unit (19).

3. Arrangement, as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the switching system (20), which is situation in the vehicle (56), is located in an explosion-proof case.

Arrangement of a Checking and Detection System for Unknown Explosive and Incendiary Objects

Background Art

The invention relates to an arrangement of a checking and detection system, as disclosed in the preamble of claim 1. It is known that there exist security systems that indicate an aggressive intrusion into vehicles by means of alarm signals (DE 3003887). The commercially available alarm systems cannot localize any explosive and incendiary objects and are also not suited for such an application. In the domain of explosive and incendiary objects the ultimate goal is to search conspiratively a vehicle from a safe distance. In this case the approach, opening or even starting of a vehicle may trigger an explosion. Yet this type of search is not possible with the current warning and surveillance systems. Furthermore, a manipulation of a vehicle cannot be conspiratively checked, localized, stored and retrieved by way of a transmitter / receiver system.

The object of the invention is to actively protect persons against health and life-threatening influences in situations, in which explosive and incendiary attacks of vehicles are possible. Moreover, the object is to minimize the damage to property by an exact localization of an unknown explosive and incendiary object and, thus, to make a disarming easier for the responsible persons. In addition, it is possible with an optical system to register persons and uncover manipulations.

This object is achieved with a device that is in conformity with its genre and exhibits the characterizing features disclosed in claim 1.

In a further development of the invention unauthorized persons can be registered, and any manipulation can be uncovered and localized by expanding the system to include an optical

system. In addition, in another embodiment of the invention the switching and registration modules that are located in the vehicle are encased in an explosion-proof case.

The advantages that are targeted by the invention consist, in particular, of the fact that a possible manipulation can be uncovered and localized conspiratively from a safe distance by means of encoded or decoded radio signals in order not to become the victim of an explosive or incendiary attack. It is also possible to uncover the attachment of listening devices and position detectors to vehicles. In this case the checking can occur chiefly under conspirative conditions. The responsible persons are given disarming assistance by the localization of a deposited object. This localization makes it possible to guarantee that the damage to property during a necessary deactivation measure will be minimized. In the event that an explosion should occur, the system is protected by an explosion-proof case; and the recorded information can be retrieved at a later date.

Other advantageous embodiments, improvements and operating mode of the system are explained in detail below with reference to the drawings, which depict one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 depicts a complete diagram of the arrangement of the individual sensors and modules.

Figure 2 is a side view of a vehicle with the sensor system integrated into the fender.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view along the line A - B in Figure 2.

Figure 4 depicts the underbody of a vehicle with the respective panels and sensor segments.

Figure 5 depicts the arrangements of the triggering mechanisms in the chassis area of a vehicle in a side view.

Figure 6 depicts a section of a panel with inlaid signal lines, as well as sensor lines with a capacitive mode of functioning.

Figure 7 depicts an additional advantageous section of a panel with inlaid signal lines.

Figure 8 and

Figure 9 depict embodiments of sensor segments with inlaid or overlaid signal lines.

Figure 10 depicts another embodiment of a sensor element with air or a non-compressible medium.

Figure 11 depicts an optical system, which is mounted under the roof in the interior of a vehicle and its effective radius.

Figure 12 depicts sensors for monitoring the underbody and their geometric propagation.

Figure 1 depicts a possible circuit diagram of the arrangement (20), whose method of operation aims to provide all parts that are to be opened from the outside by means of external action - such as doors (35), headlights (29) or flashers (29), the trunk lid (39), bumpers (38) or hub caps (37) - for example, with triggering mechanisms, like keys (for example, 2, 2' 2"), which close a contact in the event that the respective part is removed and which emit over control lines (for example, 1, 1', 1") control signals to the distributor unit (6). This distributor unit interacts (9) with a programmable evaluation and memory module (7). All in-coming signals are compared here with the inputted desired value (10), and deviations are registered. In this case the time duration of the storage can be set by choice. A transmitter/receiver module (13) and subsequent encoding (14) allow the collected information to be converted on a stationary or mobile transmitter / receiver system (16) with a decoding module (15) into a visual position display with LED display and input keyboard (17). The arrangement (20) of the surveillance and detection system is checked, for example, with a mobile transmitter / receiver unit (16) and an input keyboard (17) from the outside after locking the vehicle (56) that is to be protected in that all triggering mechanism (for example 2, 2') and sensors (for example, 3, 4) are checked for their switching capacity and balanced with respect to a relative zero value (10). Then the system is armed with a switch (not illustrated) of the input keyboard (17). The keys (for example, 2, 2', 2") have a certain contact travel tolerance in order to compensate for the negligence of authorized persons, in the event that a part that is to be opened from the outside is not exactly totally closed. The vehicle (56) exhibits an emergency power supply (6), in order to guarantee the seamless operation of the arrangement in the event that the vehicle power system fails.

Figure 2 and Figure 3 show, for example, a sensor (21), which can be mounted advantageously under a fender (22) and which exhibits a geometrical wave propagation area, which is tailored to the dimensions of the fender (22), in order to be largely protected from interferences, which are triggered, for example, by living things. To this end, it is possible to use a variety of sensors, all of which are based on the fundamental physical principles of acoustic, electric, magnetic and electro-magnetic waves (23), such as microwave detectors, infrared detectors or ultrasound sensors. In addition, the fender area (22) may exhibit panels (24), which are provided with integrated sensor lines (for example, 41, 43, 44, 61). Figure 4 shows the underbody of a vehicle (56), which is protected by a variety of embodiments of sensor segments (for example, 24, 26, 27, 25). Figure 6 and Figure 7 show design details of panels, in which, for example, the electrical conductors (41) are inlaid. In the event that the panels are severed, they allow a closed circuit system with an associated relay to be disabled. Or the capacitive effect is exploited. In this case the conductor (43) acts as the transmitting electrode; the conductor (44) acts as the ground electrode; the conductor (61) acts as the receiver electrode; the layer (40) acts as the insulation having suitable dielectric properties; the layer (62) acts as the shield (ground); and the layer (40) acts as the protective insulating layer, made, for example, of fiber composite materials or thermoplastics. Figure 7 shows the panels, which are configured as a grid and provided with lines (41) for a closed circuit system, in order to be able to dissipate the heat, occurring at the engine compartment (25) or the exhaust system (27). A capacitive design, as depicted in Figure 6, is also possible. The conductors (41) and (41') intersect at the point (42) without making electrical contact. Figure 5 illustrates by way of an example a number of check points of a vehicle (56) in a side view. In this case the following parts are protected: headlights and blinkers (29), sensor in the fender (30),

engine hood (31), wheel case (32), window washer depression (33), underbody (34), doors (35), all ventilation inlets (36), hub caps (37) and bumpers (38). The parts that are to be protected can differ from vehicle model to vehicle model and, hence, have to be compatibilized with the test setup. Therefore, it is necessary to adapt all of the sensor segments (for example, 24, 25, 27, 28) to the vehicle model. Figure 8 shows an additional design detail of a sensor segment (for example, 26), which is used, for example, for magnetic shaped charges on the underbody of a vehicle (56) by means of pneumatics. When shaped charges are pushed against the cover layer (40'), this cover layer distributes the resulting cohesion pressure to the integrated elastomer hoses (for example, 46, 47), in order to convert this cohesion pressure into electric signals by means of a pressure transducer (54) and to feed said signals into the distributor module (8). Downstream of the pressure transducer (54) is a pressure outlet valve (64). The spacer (45) is made of a closed cell elastomer foam and helps to restore the defined distance between the cover layer (40') and the substrate (49) after the removal of the shaped charge. A bonding layer (48) is advantageously applied to the substrate (49). Figure 9 shows an additional example of a segment using pneumatics technology. In this case the elastomer hoses (46, 47) are embedded in a substrate (50) made of suitable elastomer foam. The method of operation is equivalent to the method of operation depicted in Figure 8. Figure 10 shows a segment, which is configured as a pneumatic cushion (51) with connecting lands (52) to the two cover layers, in order to indicate magnetic shaped charges. The pressure P in the pneumatic cushion (51) lies in the low pressure zone and is held constant with a limiter and coupled return valve (53) by means of a pressure valve (65). Upon removal of a shaped charge, the working pressure is restored again, for example, when the system is subsequently checked and armed again.

Figure 8 shows another embodiment, in which additional signal conductors (47') are embedded. These signal conductors consist, for example, of light conducting glass fiber strands, which offer the guarantee that they cannot be severed because they are interrupted and converted into electric signals by means of a converter (8'). Furthermore, all other aforementioned embodiments (for example, Figure 6 with Figure 5) can be advantageously combined from a functional viewpoint. It is also possible to detect shaped charges on a vehicle by means of suitable piezo quartz pressure transducers (4'). In this case there is an electronic adjustment (8') to the respective sigalling system. A suitable cover for the piezo pressure transducers consisting of a protective elastomer layer is installed, for example, against the impact of stones. Furthermore, all suitable physical-chemical checking methods can be used. For example, the gas chromatograph (8') is fed the circulating ambient air from the underbody and the wheel case by means of the connecting lines, and this air is compared with reference samples, comprising the explosive chemical compounds, with respect to its chemical constituents. Then the results are fed over the distributor module (8) into the preprogrammed memory unit (7). Another embodiment of the panels (for example, 25), as depicted in Figure 4, can be used with rubber sleeves for the drive shafts, in which are embedded either the electric conductors (for example, 41) for a closed circuit system or multiple conductors, in order to generate electric fields and to register their field change. In this case the rotational parts receive loop connections, so that the contact to the distributor unit (8) is guaranteed. Analogous to the aforementioned, rubber covers for the shock absorbing legs or other moving parts can be made in the correct geometric design and attached to the distributor module (8). Figure 12 shows a variety of arrangements of the sensors that emit bundled signals over a transmitter (65) and are

received by a receiver (63). Or the signals are fed over prisms (66) from the transmitter (67) to the receiver (63). Or the transmitting and receiving unit (68) can receive the broadcast signals (70) over a reflector (69).

Figure 11 depicts an additional embodiment of the invention, which exhibits an optical system. In this case it is a video camera (59) that exhibits a 360 deg. wide angle lens (58) in the interior of a vehicle (56) in a suitable position under the vehicle roof and can work both in the visible and invisible wave range. The signals of the video camera are fed into the distributor module (8), over the programmed evaluation and memory unit (7) into an additional recording system (19). An additional transmitter (14) can transmit the images encoded or decoded to the monitor (18) with a suitable receiving system (15, 16, 17). The optical system can be activated by means of the aforementioned triggering mechanisms (for example, 2, 3, 4), following arming with the input keyboard (17). For example, it is possible to use optical systems, which switch on their recording system (19) by way of previously set gray scale values, in order to enlarge the surveillance zone (57) of the vehicle (56), to avoid, nevertheless, false alarms, and in order not to have to rely solely on the triggering mechanisms, situated in the vehicle. The video camera can also be equipped with other lens systems, but then is mounted with a rotary motor under the vehicle roof and can, thus, scan the observation area (57) in the direction of rotation (60). In this case the speed of rotation is a function of the duration of time that it takes to detect an object.

The procedure of comparing the stored relative desired values (10) of the sensors (for example, 2, 3) while arming with the actual values during retrieval can localize changes, such as the attachment of an explosive body, and, thus protect the life of authorized persons of the vehicle.

Number: 34 43 401

Int. Cl.⁴: B 60 R 25/10

Filing date: November 28, 1984

Disclosure date: May 28, 1986

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