Steering Column Anti-Theft Device with Deadlocking Bolt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-theft devices for vehicle steering columns can be vulnerable to deactivation by malicious individuals, lacking robust security measures to prevent unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
An anti-theft device featuring a movable bolt with deadlocking means, including an articulated support that moves through successive displacements to lock the bolt in place, combined with an elastic mechanism and a retainer, making it difficult for unauthorized access by requiring multiple reverse movements to disengage the locking element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple locking mechanism is used, then the device is easier to operate, but the security against deactivation by malicious individuals is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple independent components: a bolt for primary locking, a blocking element for deadlocking, an articulated support for movement control, and a retainer for securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function, maintaining operational simplicity while enhancing security through layered protection against deactivation.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated support is designed as a dynamic component that can move between a retaining position (when the retainer is engaged) and a releasing position (when the retainer is disengaged). This dynamic behavior allows the mechanism to transition from a secured state to a deadlocked state, providing adaptability in response to different operational conditions and enhancing security without compromising ease of operation.
2Reliability
If deadlocking means are added to prevent deactivation, then the security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is merged with the articulated support structure, where the blocking element is integrated into the movable stop of the articulated support. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall assembly, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while still providing the necessary deadlocking functionality to prevent deactivation.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated support serves multiple functions: it supports the blocking element, provides the deadlocking action when moved to the releasing position, and maintains the retaining position when the retainer is engaged. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving enhanced security.
3Reliability
If the blocking element requires two successive movements to engage, then the security against vandalism is enhanced, but the operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is preliminarily positioned within the articulated support structure, ready to engage with the bolt. The articulated support is pre-configured with the blocking element in a retained position during normal operation. When the retainer is disengaged, the blocking element is already in place to immediately engage with the bolt, reducing the time penalty associated with the two-successive-movements deadlocking sequence.
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
Enhances the security of the steering column by preventing unauthorized access through the complex mechanism of successive movements, thereby reinforcing the anti-theft device's robustness and making it more resistant to vandalism attempts.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic means and a retainer whose first end is fixed to the lock stator of the anti-theft device... the elastic means interposed between said locking element and said movable stop so that the movable stop is biased in torsion and said blocking element is biased in torsion and in translation towards the bolt
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5b
Figure 6a~6d
AI summary
An anti-theft device for a steering column of a motor vehicle comprising: . a locking means comprising a bolt (4) movably mounted between an unlocked position and a locked position, . a deadlocking means (15) comprising a locking element (16) designed to lock the bolt (4), an elastic means (20) and a retaining member (17), . a retaining position wherein the retaining member (17) allows the hinged support (19) to keep the locking element (16) at a distance from the bolt (4), and . a releasing position wherein the hinged support (19) guides the locking element (16) towards the bolt (4) in two successive movements in different directions (D1, D2) to lock said bolt (4) in the locked position, following the removal of the retaining member (17).