Steering Lock Lever Member Prevents Forced Unlocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric steering lock devices are vulnerable to 'soft attacks' where the lock member can be forcibly unlocked through a small opening, allowing thieves to steal parked vehicles.
Innovation Solution
An electric steering lock device featuring a rotating body with first and second cam sections, a lock member, and a lever member that moves between waiting and retention positions to prevent forced unlocking, with the lever member engaging or disengaging with the lock member to block or allow rotation of the steering shaft, and a housing with a through hole for the lock member's insertion to enhance security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lock member is designed to be accessible through a through hole for easy operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the security against soft attacks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lever member acts as an intermediary between the operator and the lock member. It transmits the unlocking force through cam sections while preventing direct access to the lock member through the through hole. The lever member includes a lever body that rotates about a pivot, with a first cam section that engages the lock member and a second cam section that receives external operating force, thereby mediating the interaction between the operator and the locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the lever member with its first and second cam sections, the lock member, and the pivot point. This segmentation allows the second cam section to receive external force while the first cam section controls the lock member, preventing direct access to the lock member itself through the through hole while maintaining operational capability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the lever member is added to prevent forced unlocking, then the security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lever member performs multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits operating force to unlock the lock, provides security against forced unlocking through its cam section engagement, and controls the rotation of the lock member through the first cam section. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving enhanced security.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second cam sections are merged into a single lever member that rotates about a common pivot. This integration allows the lever member to simultaneously control the lock member's rotation and receive external operating force, combining multiple security and operational functions into one component to minimize overall device complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the lock member is blocked at retention position to prevent movement, then the security against theft is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lever member dynamically transitions between different positions: at the retention position, the first cam section blocks the lock member to prevent theft; during normal operation, the lever member rotates to the unlocked position where the cam sections allow free movement. This dynamic behavior provides both security and ease of operation depending on the operational state, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
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 device effectively prevents the lock member from being moved to the unlock position from the outside, thereby securing the vehicle against theft by ensuring the steering shaft remains locked, even when external attempts are made to forcibly unlock it.
Implementation Method 1
a lock member 103 that is urged by a coil spring 101 in a direction of a steering shaft 102 of a vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a lock stopper 109 that is moved in conjunction with the operation of the pin 107 and that is urged by a coil spring 108 in a direction of the lock member 103
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4D
AI summary
An electric steering lock device of the invention includes: a rotating body (worm wheel) that is driven by a motor to rotate in an unlocking direction and a locking direction; a first cam section and a second cam section provided in the worm wheel; a lock member that follows the first cam section to be displaced between a lock position and an unlock position; and a lever member that follows the second cam section and that is positioned, when the lock member is positioned at the unlock position, at a waiting position at which the lock member is allowed to move and that is positioned, when the lock member is moved to the lock position, at a retention position at which the lock member is blocked from moving to the unlock position.