Steering Column Locking Device with Displaceable Guide Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking devices for vehicle steering columns are either space-consuming or inadequately secured against unintentional locking due to gravity, material fatigue, or unauthorized manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A compact locking device with a base body, locking body, pretensioning spring, gear unit, and guide unit, where the guide unit is displaceable relative to the gear unit, and an electric motor drive for automatic movement between locking and release positions, ensuring reliable and space-efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a helical lifting curve or lifting guide surface with constant or variable gradient is realized via a worm-shaped drive of the bolt, then the locking mechanism is reliable, but the device requires a relatively large amount of space
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is divided into functionally independent modular components: a locking body with locking element, a drive unit with motor, and a guide unit with guide surface. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and assembled in compact configurations, reducing overall device volume while maintaining reliable locking functionality through the preserved helical lifting curve mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide unit is designed to be displaceable relative to the gear unit in the longitudinal direction of the axis of rotation, introducing a new degree of freedom. This dimensional adjustment capability allows the mechanism to achieve the necessary helical lifting action with reduced radial and axial dimensions, thereby decreasing overall device volume while preserving locking reliability.
2Shape
If a flat cam gear is used for converting rotary movement into longitudinal movement of the bolt, then the design is relatively flat, but the bolt is only insufficiently secured against unintentional locking
Solution Approach 1:
A pretensioning spring is introduced that applies a spring force to the locking body in the direction of the locking position. This preliminary action pre-loads the locking mechanism, ensuring that the locking element remains firmly engaged in the locking ring groove and cannot be accidentally disengaged due to gravity, material fatigue, or external forces, thereby significantly improving security against unintentional locking while maintaining the flat design.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide unit is designed to be displaceable relative to the gear unit, allowing adjustment of the geometric parameters of the lifting guide surface. By optimizing the gradient and configuration of this guide surface, the mechanism achieves both the flat design requirement and enhanced reliability, as the adjustable parameters allow for a more effective conversion of rotary to longitudinal movement with greater locking security.
3Device complexity
If the guide unit and gear unit are firmly connected, then the structure is simpler, but the locking device must be built higher or larger by the spacing distance required for force transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the guide unit and gear unit is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The guide unit can be displaced relative to the gear unit in the longitudinal direction, allowing the mechanism to adapt its configuration during operation. This dynamic design enables force transmission with minimal spacing, reducing device volume while maintaining structural simplicity through the controlled mobility of the guide unit.
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 a reliable and space-saving locking mechanism that enhances theft security by reducing the device's size and improving stability, while eliminating the risk of unintentional locking.
Implementation Method 1
The locking device has a pretensioning spring which applies a spring force to the latching body in the direction of the locking position
Implementation Method 2
The rotary movement of the electric motor is converted into a longitudinal movement of the bolt
Implementation Method 3
a lifting guide surface with a constant or variable gradient is realized via a worm-shaped drive of the bolt
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a locking device (1) for locking a steering column (100) of a vehicle (1000), comprising a base body (10), a locking element (20) which is movable into a locking ring groove (111) of a locking ring (110) of the steering column (100) for locking the steering column (100), wherein the locking element (20) is movably mounted in the base body (10) via an actuating movement into a locking position (P1) for locking the steering column (100) and into a release position (P2) for releasing the steering column (100), a preload spring (30) which applies a spring force to the locking element (20) in the direction of the locking position (P1), a gear unit (40) and a guide unit (50) which are rotatably mounted coaxially about a pivot axis (60), wherein the gear unit (40) is rotationally fixed to the guide unit (50) and the guide unit (50) is operatively connected to the detent body (20) to generate the actuating movement,and wherein the guide unit (50) is arranged to be displaceable relative to the transmission unit (40) in the longitudinal direction of the axis of rotation (60). The invention further relates to a steering column (100) with the locking device (1) according to the invention.