Steering Lock Protector Design for Tamper Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle electric steering lock devices are vulnerable to tampering, as a broken connector allows unauthorized access to the lock bar, compromising the anti-tampering characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A protector is fixedly coupled to a component within the housing, with a bent portion that contacts the housing upon deformation, retaining it in place and blocking tampering attempts, thereby enhancing the anti-tampering features by interfering with physical access to internal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the connector is exposed to the outside for electrical connection, then electrical power and signal supply are enabled, but the housing becomes vulnerable to tampering through connector breakage
Solution Approach 1:
A protector member is introduced as an intermediary element between the external environment and the internal components of the housing. This protector extends from the inner surface of the housing toward the opening, creating a physical barrier that mediates between the connector (which needs to be accessible) and potential tampering attempts. The protector allows electrical connections to pass through while blocking physical access to internal components.
2Reliability
If a protector is fixedly attached to the housing, then anti-tampering characteristics are improved, but the complexity of the device structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protector member is designed as a thin, flexible plate-like structure rather than a rigid complex assembly. This thin film approach provides effective tampering protection while minimizing structural complexity and material usage. The flexible nature allows it to be easily attached to the housing inner surface and provides sufficient barrier function without adding significant weight or complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the protector is positioned to block tampering access, then internal components are protected, but the opening area for component installation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The protector member extends in the depth dimension (from the inner surface toward the opening) rather than blocking the entire opening area. By utilizing the z-dimension (depth) rather than reducing the x-y plane area, the protector creates a three-dimensional barrier that protects internal components while maintaining full access to the opening for component installation and electrical connections. This dimensional approach allows protection without sacrificing opening area.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A steering lock device (1) includes a housing (2), a certain component (18) which includes an inner portion (21) accommodated in the housing (2) and an outer portion (19) outwardly extending through an opening (23) of the housing (2), and a protector (31) arranged inside the housing (2) at a position corresponding to the opening (23). The protector (31) includes a bent portion (35) configured to retain the protector (31) in the housing (2) in an assembled state regardless of deformation and displacement of the protector (31) caused by a tampering impact applied to the certain component (18) from outside the housing (2).