Conversion Element for Electric Steering Wheel Lock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric steering wheel locks require extensive design adaptations for different vehicle types and orientations, leading to high design efforts, limited flexibility, and increased costs due to the need for specific components for each installation space.

Innovation Solution

A conversion element that converts gear movement into locking bolt movement, featuring a receiving section and two conversion sections with different orientations, allowing the electric steering wheel lock to be adapted for various installation positions without altering the transmission or drive components, thereby increasing flexibility and reducing design complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electric steering wheel lock is designed specifically for each installation space and orientation, then the locking functionality is optimized for that specific application, but the design effort, manufacturing complexity, and costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking functionalityVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is designed with a universal transmission means that can accommodate different installation spaces and orientations through a single conversion element. The conversion element includes multiple conversion sections (first conversion section for vertical orientation, second conversion section for horizontal orientation) that enable the same basic design to function in multiple configurations, eliminating the need for completely different designs for each application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking device is divided into modular components: a basic locking mechanism, a transmission means, and a conversion element. The conversion element itself is segmented into multiple conversion sections (first conversion section, second conversion section) that can be selectively engaged based on the required orientation. This segmentation allows the same basic design to be adapted to different installations without redesigning the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If different design solutions are created for different vehicle types and orientations, then the steering wheel lock adapts to each specific application, but the number of identical parts decreases and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to installation spaceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A single universal locking device design incorporates multiple conversion sections that enable it to function in different orientations (vertical and horizontal) and adapt to different installation spaces. This universality allows the same components to be used across different vehicle types and model series, significantly increasing the number of identical parts and reducing manufacturing costs through economies of scale.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The conversion element is designed to be adaptable to different orientations through its multiple conversion sections. Rather than creating static different designs for each orientation, the system uses a dynamic configuration where the conversion element can be oriented or configured to match the required installation space, maintaining component standardization while achieving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the conversion element includes multiple conversion sections for different orientations, then the flexibility and universality of the locking device increases, but the complexity of the conversion element itself increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in use positionVSAvoidconversion element complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conversion element is segmented into distinct conversion sections (first conversion section, second conversion section), each optimized for a specific orientation. This segmentation allows the complexity to be distributed across modular sections rather than concentrated in a single complex mechanism. Each section can be independently designed and manufactured, and only the necessary section is activated based on the installation requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The conversion element achieves multi-functionality by incorporating multiple conversion sections that can handle different orientations (vertical and horizontal). While this increases the internal complexity of the conversion element, it eliminates the need for multiple different conversion elements, thereby reducing overall system complexity and enabling a single design to serve multiple applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3243712B1Drive element for an electric steering wheel lock device
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 HUF HÜLSBECK & FÜRST GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3243712B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3243712B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3243712B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a conversion element (10) for an electric steering wheel lock (100) for converting a gear movement of a gear element (122) into a bolt movement of a locking bolt (130), comprising a receiving section (20) for receiving the gear movement from the gear element (122) and a first conversion section (30) for converting the gear movement into a bolt movement of the locking bolt (130) in a first locking direction (SR1) and at least a second conversion section (40) for converting the gear movement into a bolt movement of the locking bolt (130) in a second locking direction (SR2), wherein the first locking direction (SR1) and the second locking direction (SR2) have different orientations.