Immobilizer device.
Immobilizer device
It is no secret that not everyone will dare to leave their car unattended for a long time today. More precisely, almost all car owners have to do this, because such is the rhythm of life. But the anxiety does not go away: such a number of thefts committed cannot but frighten. Of course, it is pointless to just be afraid — we must act in the direction of technical equipment and the creation of a high-quality car protection system. Today, such systems include the following: an alarm, mechanical means of car protection, means of notifying the car owner about theft and a standard immobilizer. The idea of this article assumes that the immobilizer device will be considered in more detail. The word «alarm» is on everyone's lips, and almost everyone knows approximately the principle of its operation and the degree of its effectiveness.
The principle of operation of the immobilizer
It becomes clear already when translating the name itself: «immobilizer» is translated as «immobilizer». The immobilizer blocks the engine, preventing the car from moving on its own. Operation of the immobilizerconsists of blocking or breaking all the main vital circuits of the car — ignition, starter, fuel supply. Recently, «microimmobilizers» have been used to break the circuits — special relays that the central unit controls using the car's wiring and high-frequency signals. Speaking about the history of the creation of immobilizers, it should be remembered that the first inventors of these devices are considered to be Soviet car enthusiasts, who installed a «secret button» back in the early 80s. This button was a switch that blocked the engine by breaking one of the electrical circuits. The principle of operation of the immobilizermodern does not differ significantly from Soviet prototypes. Modern immobilizers are supplemented with an electronic unit that takes on control and possibly regulatory functions. Thus, the microprocessor of this unit determines the authenticity of the key and, if necessary, independently closes the necessary circuits. Many companies that produce such devices also offer additional equipment for working with immobilizers, improving their functioning. The most common of them are closing relays and fuel solenoid valves.
Immobilizer operationdiffers in that the immobilizer deactivation and activation must be available only to the owner. For this, an electronic code key is used, which is a chip. Even during production, a unique code is written onto this chip, long enough to make it impossible to pick it in a short time. The chip is placed in a convenient case. Before starting the car, the owner must insert it into a special slot and turn off the immobilizer. If a system with manual code entry is installed, then in order to turn off the immobilizer, you must enter the code set by the owner.
When equipment for working with immobilizers is installedin places where the electrical circuits of the engine are broken, the relays that close the circuits are closed, the microprocessor of the electronic immobilizer unit, having received the correct password from the car owner's key, no longer closes the broken circuits itself, but only sends a certain signal to the electromagnetic relays, which, having received it, will switch on in the closed mode. This method of protection is recognized as one of the most effective. Immobilizer operationtogether with the fuel valve, it is necessary to close the fuel line. In the free state, the electromagnetic valve is in the closed state, and the path of fuel from the tank to the fuel system is blocked. Having received the correct password, the microprocessor of the immobilizer electronic unit will send a certain signal to the fuel valve. Having received the set signal, the valve will open the fuel line.
Many experts recommend installing a fuel valve as one of the first measures to improve the reliability of the immobilizer. Today, the immobilizer device can be connected to shock sensors, swing sensors and sirens, which transforms the immobilizer into a car alarm.
Types of immobilizers
In conclusion, a few words about the types of immobilizers that exist:
- contact immobilizers — they can be controlled using a key that must be inserted into the keyhole or applied to the mating part of the lock. The disadvantage of these immobilizers is that the criminal knows the location of the device in advance. Such types of immobilizers are considered ineffective.
- Contactless immobilizers — the system's receiving antenna is hidden under the interior trim, and the entire immobilizer is controlled by a key fob or card. Contactless immobilizers are divided into short-range and long-range immobilizers. Contactless immobilizers of short range: the range of the receiving antenna of such an immobilizer is small, say, up to 10 cm. When getting into the car, you need to bring the transponder to the hidden antenna, then the system is disarmed and unlocks all circuits. Contactless immobilizers of long range: the range of the immobilizer antenna reaches a meter or even two. In this case, the transponder does not need to be brought anywhere. The driver simply carries it with him, and the system itself recognizes the owner when he gets behind the wheel. Naturally, this is much more convenient to use, since the driver is not required to do anything. In addition, the level of security is greatly increased.