Vehicle Locking Device Form-Fitting Blocking Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking devices for vehicles, such as those securing steering columns or gearshift levers, are not sufficiently versatile or secure against unauthorized access and theft, as they can be compromised by external forces or jerky movements.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with a locking part that assumes at least two positions, a locking and an unlocking position, where the locking part is held in a form-fitting manner in the locking position to prevent external influences from overriding the securing effect, and can be directly or indirectly secured using additional components or spring forces, ensuring the locking part remains immovable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the locking device uses a simple locking mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the security against unauthorized access and theft is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is divided into functionally independent segments: a locking element for normal operation and a blocking element for security protection. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall system reliability against theft attempts.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element is pre-positioned within the locking device housing, ready to engage with the locking element. In the event of unauthorized access attempts, the blocking element automatically assumes its blocking position form-fittingly, preventing the locking element from being manipulated without requiring additional active components.
2Ease of operation
If the locking element can be easily moved for unlocking, then the ease of operation is improved, but the security against forced entry is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to be easily moved during authorized unlocking operations. However, the blocking element introduces a form-fitting constraint that creates dynamic resistance against external forces, enabling the system to adapt its resistance based on the operation type.
Solution Approach 2:
External forces applied during forced entry attempts are converted into a beneficial security feature. When such forces are detected, they trigger the blocking element to engage form-fittingly with the locking element, transforming the harmful force into a mechanism that secures the locking element in its blocking position, making it impossible to remove without destroying the housing.
3Reliability
If the locking element is held firmly in locking position, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation for unlocking is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the locking element have different quality characteristics. The region interacting with the blocking element is designed for form-fitting engagement to ensure stability in the blocking position, while the region interacting with the control element maintains ease of movement for authorized unlocking operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device significantly enhances security by preventing unauthorized access and theft, as the locking part remains locked even under external impacts or jerking, requiring complete destruction to unlock the functionally essential component.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (16) is arranged between the control element (17) and the locking element (15) so that the locking element (15) is pushed by the spring force into a recess (11.2) of the functionally essential component (11)
Implementation Method 2
the locking part is held in a form-fitting manner in the locking position, so that external (force) effects on the locking device are not sufficient to cancel the form-fitting of the locking part
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b
Figure 3~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to a locking device (10) for locking and/or unlocking a functionally essential component (11) of a vehicle, comprising a housing (12) which serves in particular for attaching the locking device (10) to the functionally essential component (11), and a movable locking element (15) which can assume at least two positions, namely a locking position (Ia) in which the locking element (15) protrudes from the housing (12) through an opening (13) and is in operative connection with the functionally essential component (11), and an unlocking position (Ib) in which the locking element (15) is not in operative connection with the functionally essential component (11), and a detent element (18) which, in a detent position (IIIa), detent the locking element (15) in the locking position (Ia) if the locking device (10) is opened without authorization.According to the invention, the locking element (18) is held in the locking position (IIIa) in a form-fitting manner.