Steering Column Lock Anti-Theft Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle steering wheel locking devices are vulnerable to theft attacks, such as removal or manipulation of the housing and worm gear cover, which can lead to unintended release of the blocking bolt.

Innovation Solution

A latching element and mechanical activation means are integrated into the locking device, where manipulating the housing or worm wheel cover initiates the latching of the blocking bolt, preventing undesired release through a direct mechanical engagement without reliance on electric controls, utilizing a pin and trigger element system for enhanced security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a blocking bolt is used to lock the steering wheel shaft, then the steering wheel can be secured against unauthorized rotation, but the locking device becomes vulnerable to theft attacks such as housing removal or worm gear cover manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidtheft attack vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A latching element is introduced as an intermediary component between the blocking bolt and the housing/worm gear cover. This latching element directly engages with the blocking bolt to prevent its release, while being mechanically activated by manipulation of the housing or cover. The intermediary latching element transfers the mechanical manipulation into a secure latched state, resolving the vulnerability to direct housing attacks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The latching element is pre-configured to automatically engage and latch the blocking bolt when activation means are manipulated. This preliminary anti-action prevents the harmful effect of unauthorized blocking bolt release by establishing a counter-force through the latching mechanism before any theft attack can succeed. The system proactively counteracts potential theft attempts rather than reacting to them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Adaptability or versatility

If electric control circuits are used to control the blocking bolt, then the locking device can be controlled remotely, but the system can be overcome by interrupting electric control circuits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote control capabilityVSAvoidsecurity against circuit interruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The latching element serves as a mechanical intermediary that bypasses electric control circuits entirely. Once activated through mechanical manipulation of the housing or cover, the latching element directly engages the blocking bolt through pure mechanical means. This eliminates the vulnerability to electric circuit interruption while maintaining the ability to control the locking state, as the mechanical activation path remains independent of any electrical system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces electric control with a mechanical activation and latching system. The activation means and latching element form a purely mechanical subsystem that does not depend on electric circuits. This substitution maintains the functional capability of controlling the blocking bolt while eliminating the weakness of electrical system vulnerability to interruption or hacking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If intermediate elements are placed between the latching system and blocking bolt, then the latching system can be designed with more flexibility, but the system becomes vulnerable to destruction of intermediate elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatching system design flexibilityVSAvoidvulnerability to intermediate element destruction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful intermediate elements are extracted from the system by making the latching element engage the blocking bolt directly. The latching element is positioned to contact the blocking bolt without any intervening components that could be destroyed or manipulated. This extraction eliminates the vulnerability chain while preserving the design flexibility achieved through the latching mechanism's geometric configuration and activation geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2964492B1Electric steering column lock system

Publication Date: 2018.10.31 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6

AI summary

A locking device (1) for a motor vehicle, which includes a housing (2) and a worm wheel cover (20), a blocking bolt (3) for locking a steering wheel shaft in a steering wheel column whereby a latching element (5) and a mechanical activation means (6) are provided to activate the latching element (5) if the housing and/or the worm wheel cover (20) is manipulated.