Springless Motorcycle Steering Lock with Mechanical Position Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing steering lock systems with spring-loaded locking elements face issues such as additional component requirements and disturbing noises due to misalignment, and existing position detection methods require power supply and are prone to failure.

Innovation Solution

A device with a spring-less locking mechanism where the locking member is directly connected to the drive, featuring a mechanical position detection unit with a three-dimensional contour that ensures the locking member only engages when the steering unit is in a defined position, reducing component count and eliminating power dependency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a spring-loaded locking member is used, then material destruction is prevented in case of misalignment, but additional components and disturbing noises are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of material destructionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring element is completely removed from the locking mechanism. The locking member is designed without spring loading, eliminating the need for additional components while maintaining the core locking function through a purely mechanical drive connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The potential harmful effect of misalignment is converted into a beneficial mechanical interlocking effect. The drive's mechanical connection directly to the locking member ensures that misalignment physically prevents locking, providing clear feedback without noise or damage while eliminating the need for springs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Ease of operation

If a spring-loaded locking member is used, then operation is smoothed out, but disturbing noises are generated due to misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmoothing of operationVSAvoiddisturbing noises
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spring element that causes noisy operation is removed. The locking member operates without spring loading, eliminating the source of disturbing noises while maintaining smooth operation through direct mechanical engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring-based mechanical system is replaced with a direct mechanical drive connection. This substitution eliminates the noisy bouncing and bouncing effects of spring-loaded systems while maintaining the locking function through pure mechanical interlocking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If electronic position detection is used, then position accuracy is improved, but power supply requirements and failure susceptibility increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition detection accuracyVSAvoidsusceptibility to failure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The position detection system serves itself through pure mechanical means. The drive's mechanical connection to the locking member and the mechanical interaction between the actuating element and control element provide position information without requiring external power supply or electronic components, eliminating failure susceptibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Electronic position detection systems are replaced with a purely mechanical detection mechanism. The mechanical position detection unit uses the physical interaction between mechanical elements to determine position, eliminating power supply requirements and electronic failure modes while maintaining detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Device complexity

If the locking member is directly connected to the drive without spring loading, then component count is reduced, but the locking member may hit incorrect positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidlocking position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical position detection unit provides immediate mechanical feedback to the actuating element. The three-dimensional contour with effective area and blocking area creates a feedback mechanism that physically guides the actuating element into the correct position, ensuring accurate locking without springs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical position detection unit performs preliminary action by guiding the actuating element into the correct position before the locking member engages. The three-dimensional contour pre-positioning ensures that when the locking member moves, it engages at the correct position without hitting incorrect positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2658749B1Device for activating a locking member without any spring loading
Publication Date: 2015.11.18 HUF HÜLSBECK & FÜRST GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2658749B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2658749B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for activating a locking member (30) without spring loading, in particular for a steering unit (10) of a motor cycle, with a drive (31) which is operatively connected mechanically to the locking member, wherein the locking member can be brought into a locking position (1) and a release position (2), and vice versa, and wherein, in the locking position, the locking member prevents movement of the steering unit. An actuating element (20) which is accessible to the user from the outside and is movable between an inoperative position (3) and an operative position (4) is provided. In the operative position of the actuating element, a movement of the locking member (30) into at least one position can be triggered. A mechanical position sensing unit (50) is provided with a stationary control element (51) which is designed with a three-dimensional contour which interacts with an activating element (21) of the actuating element in such a manner that the actuating element can move into the operating position only when the movable component is in a defined position.