Steering Lock Fragile Part Auxiliary Lock Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering lock devices may experience a time difference between the breaking of the breaking structure and the functioning of the auxiliary lock mechanism, leading to potential premature movement of the lock body to the lock position before the auxiliary lock member engages, which can compromise the secure functioning of the auxiliary lock structure during separation.
Innovation Solution
A steering lock device design featuring a lock member with a hanger and lock body linked by an L-shaped protrusion, an auxiliary lock mechanism with a biased auxiliary lock member, and a fragile part on the guide part to reduce load resistance, ensuring the auxiliary lock mechanism functions reliably by delaying the disconnection of the linkage portion and allowing additional time for the auxiliary lock member to engage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the breaking structure is designed to break under excessive external force, then driver protection is improved, but the auxiliary lock mechanism may not function reliably due to time delay
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member is preliminarily engaged with the auxiliary lock member to hold it in the stand-by position before the breaking structure actually breaks. This preliminary engagement ensures that when the breaking structure fails, the auxiliary lock member is already positioned and ready to immediately engage with the lock body, eliminating the time delay between breaking and auxiliary lock activation
Solution Approach 2:
The holding member acts as an intermediary mechanism between the breaking structure and the auxiliary lock member. It bridges the time gap by maintaining the auxiliary lock member in a pre-positioned state, ensuring seamless transition from breaking to auxiliary locking without direct causal connection between the two events
2Reliability
If the lock body is allowed to move freely when the breaking structure breaks, then the auxiliary lock mechanism can engage, but the lock body may move to the lock position before the auxiliary lock member engages
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member applies a preliminary constraining force on the auxiliary lock member, preventing it from moving prematurely when the breaking structure fails. This preliminary anti-action counteracts any tendency of the lock body to move to the lock position before the auxiliary lock member is ready to engage, ensuring controlled and timely engagement
3Strength
If the frame is made strong to prevent separation, then structural integrity is improved, but the auxiliary lock mechanism cannot function when separation is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is segmented into a breakable structure that can separate under excessive force, with the breaking structure being a distinct component from the rest of the frame. This segmentation allows the frame to maintain overall strength while having a designated weak point that can separate to trigger the auxiliary lock mechanism when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The breaking structure is designed with local quality differences - it has lower strength at specific locations compared to the rest of the frame. This localized weakness allows the frame to remain strong overall while having a controlled separation point that enables the auxiliary lock mechanism to function when separation occurs
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 design ensures the auxiliary lock mechanism functions certainly by reducing the load required for separation, delaying the disconnection of the linkage, and allowing the auxiliary lock member to move to the auxiliary lock position effectively, thereby enhancing the secure operation of the steering lock device.
Implementation Method 1
an auxiliary lock member (61) arranged on the other of the guide part or the lock body to be biased toward the auxiliary lock receiving part
Data Source
AI summary
A fragile part (15) which is set to have lower load resistance than other positions of a frame (10) is provided on a guide part (12) at a position that overlaps with a linkage portion (50a) between a hanger (52) and a lock body (51) of a lock member (50) positioned in a steering lock release position.