Electric Steering Lock Actuator Mechanical Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric steering locks for motorized two- and three-wheelers are costly, heavy, and complex due to the need for additional sensors and non-locking gear, which increases production and assembly costs and weight.
Innovation Solution
An electric steering lock with a drive unit, locking bolt, and actuator mechanically coupled to a control link, allowing the locking pin to move only within a specific steering angle range, eliminating the need for additional sensors and non-locking gear, resulting in a weight-optimized, cost-effective, and simplified design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional sensors and non-locking gear are used to detect steering position and control locking, then the steering lock can reliably lock only in certain steering angle ranges, but the device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic sensors and complex control systems with a purely mechanical coupling between the actuator and control link. The control link's geometric design inherently limits actuator movement to specific steering angle ranges, eliminating the need for electronic detection and control components while maintaining reliable locking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical coupling system is self-regulating through its geometric design. The control link automatically prevents actuator movement when the steering angle is outside the lockable range, without requiring external sensors or control units to detect and respond to steering position. The system serves itself through its inherent mechanical constraints.
2Reliability
If additional sensors and control units are installed to detect steering position, then the steering lock can operate reliably, but the weight of the steering lock increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates electronic sensors, control units, and associated wiring by using a mechanical coupling system. The control link's geometric design inherently limits actuator movement to specific steering angle ranges, eliminating the need for electronic detection and control components while maintaining reliable locking functionality.
3Reliability
If a fault-tolerant drive with sufficiently dimensioned gear and electric motor is used to compensate for forces when locking bolt is driven outside receptacle, then the locking device is reliable, but the manufacturing costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical coupling is designed in advance to prevent the actuator from moving outside the locking/unlocking stroke range. The control link's geometric constraints ensure that actuator movement is automatically limited to valid positions, preventing erroneous actuation before it can cause problems. This eliminates the need for fault-tolerant drive components.
4Ease of operation
If the actuator can be moved regardless of control link position, then the installation flexibility is improved, but the steering lock may operate outside valid steering angle ranges reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical coupling design allows the actuator to be attached regardless of the control link position, providing installation flexibility. The control link's geometric design inherently limits actuator movement to specific steering angle ranges, ensuring reliable locking functionality. The system achieves both installation flexibility and operational reliability through its universal mechanical coupling design.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electric steering lock (100) for a vehicle, in particular a motorized two-wheeler or three-wheeler, with a drive unit, a locking pin (5), an actuator (2) and a control slot (3) which is mechanically coupled to the actuator (2) in such a manner that the latter is moveable in a lifting axis only within a certain steering angle range, in particular at a steering angle of = 20 °, in order to lock and in order to release handlebars (1) by means of the locking pin (5). This provides an electric steering lock (100) for a vehicle, which can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively with a high degree of reliability and, in addition, is optimized in terms of weight, and can be fitted simply and securely.