Steering Column Antitheft Device with Orthogonal Deadlocking Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-theft devices for motor vehicle steering columns are reversible and unsuitable for maintenance, as the deadlocking mechanism can be triggered inadvertently, allowing malicious individuals to bypass the lock and posing security risks.
Innovation Solution
An anti-theft device with a deadlocking member mounted in compression along an orthogonal axis, designed to relax and block the bolt when the contact lock is detached, featuring a fusible zone and groove arrangement to maintain the deadlocked position and prevent reactivation, allowing for secure disassembly and reassembly without triggering the deadlocking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a deadlocking mechanism is added to prevent malicious access, then security is improved, but the device becomes irreversible and unsuitable for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The deadlocking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a deadlocking member with a fusible zone, a bolt with a groove, and a contact lock. This segmentation allows the maintenance mode (reversible) and security mode (irreversible) to be independently controlled through the fusible zone design, resolving the contradiction between security and maintainability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fusible zone of the deadlocking member changes its structural parameter (integrity) based on the presence or absence of the contact lock. When the contact lock is present, the fusible zone remains intact allowing reversibility for maintenance. When the contact lock is removed, the fusible zone breaks, making the deadlocking irreversible and securing the device against malicious access.
2Ease of repair
If the contact lock can be removed for maintenance, then ease of maintenance is improved, but the deadlocking mechanism may be triggered inadvertently, worsening security
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary action by designing the deadlocking member with a fusible zone that is sensitive to contact lock removal. This preliminary design ensures that accidental removal triggers the deadlocking, while intentional removal for maintenance is prevented by the requirement to keep the contact lock in place during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact lock acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the bolt and the deadlocking member. Its presence or absence controls the state of the fusible zone, thereby controlling whether the deadlocking mechanism is activated. This intermediary function allows the system to distinguish between maintenance operations and malicious access attempts.
3Reliability
If the deadlocking member is mounted in compression, then the deadlocking effect is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deadlocking member combines multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both a locking element and a spring element (due to its elastic material and compressed mounting). This merging eliminates the need for separate spring components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the deadlocking effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The deadlocking member utilizes elastic parameter changes (compression and relaxation) to achieve its deadlocking function. By mounting the member in compression, it naturally exerts a blocking force on the bolt without requiring additional active components, thereby improving the deadlocking effect while minimizing structural complexity.
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 solution provides an irreversible and secure anti-theft mechanism that prevents unauthorized access while allowing for maintenance without triggering the deadlocking mechanism, enhancing the reliability and security of the anti-theft device.
Implementation Method 1
a deadlocking member of the bolt (13), designed to hold the bolt (13) in the locked position in the event of a break-in attempt, mounted in compression in the support (5) of the anti-theft device along at least one axis substantially orthogonal to the axis of translation of the bolt (13)
Implementation Method 2
The deadlocking member (31) is provided with a fusible zone (53) designed to break the deadlocking member (31) when a tensile force is exerted on the deadlocking member (31)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The present invention relates to an antitheft device (25) comprising: – a support (5), – a bolt (13) capable of translational movement between a steering column locked position and a steering column unlocked position, and – a contact latch (7), secured to the support (5) of the antitheft device and designed to move the bolt (13) beetween the locked and unlocked positions. The antitheft device (25) is notable in that it comprises a deadlock member (31) for deadlocking the bolt, mounted in compression along an axis orthogonal to the axis of translational movement of the bolt, kept compressed by a peripheral wall of the said latch, the deadlock member (31) being designed to relax when the contact latch (7) and the support (5) are disconnected and to block the translational movement of the said bolt in such a way as to define a position in which the antitheft device is deadlocked.