Vehicle Steering Column Antitheft Bolt with Dual-Angle Cam Slider
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antitheft devices for vehicle steering columns require high torque to unlock, posing difficulties for older or injured individuals and risking key damage under heavy torque.
Innovation Solution
The antitheft device features a bolt design with a cavity having two portions with different ramp angles, allowing a low key torque unlocking mechanism, utilizing a camshaft and rotor to induce a uniform translating movement, reducing the force needed to unlock the steering column.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional locking bolt design is used, then the steering column is securely locked, but high torque is required to unlock which can damage the key or cause injury
Solution Approach 1:
The locking bolt is segmented into two functional portions: a first portion that engages with the steering column for secure locking, and a second portion that interacts with the slider for smooth unlocking. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the torque needed for unlocking while maintaining locking security
Solution Approach 2:
A slider is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the key operation and the locking bolt. The slider translates the rotational key motion into linear motion that acts on the locking bolt, providing a mechanical advantage that reduces the torque required at the key while maintaining effective locking force
2Reliability
If high torque is applied to unlock the steering column, then the locking mechanism is reliably released, but the key may snap causing pain and inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the mechanical parameters of the unlocking system by introducing a slider with a cam profile. This transforms the torque application from direct high-force rotation to a controlled linear translation that gradually moves the locking bolt, reducing peak forces on the key while ensuring reliable unlocking
Solution Approach 2:
The slider mechanism provides a cushioning effect by gradually translating the unlocking force over a distance. The cam profile in the slider controls the motion of the locking bolt, preventing sudden releases that could cause key breakage while ensuring the locking mechanism is reliably disengaged
Data Source
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AI summary
An antitheft device for a steering column of a vehicle, the device comprising: - a locking bolt (12) able to occupy a position for locking the steering column (20) and comprising a cavity (24) comprising two portions (25, 26), - a slider (14) for maneuvering the locking bolt (12) between a lock and an unlocked position by interacting with surfaces of the first and second portions of the cavity of the locking bolt and having a rectilinear movement, wherein: - said surface of the first portion is arranged to that the angle (A1) between the direction of movement of the slider (14) when interacting with said surface and the tangent plane to said surface is smaller than 90°, - said surface of the second portion is arranged to that the angle (A2) between the direction of movement of the slider (14) when interacting with said surface and the tangent plane to said surface is greater than 90°.