Steering Lock Reinforcement Against Sawing Tampering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking devices for motor vehicle steering spindles can be manipulated by unauthorized means, such as sawing or cutting, which damages the security unit and prevents the locking pin from engaging, allowing unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating reinforcement elements, like bolts or wire elements made of hard metal, on or within the housing parts to protect the security unit from mechanical intervention, ensuring it remains functional even if the device is manipulated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the housing parts are made separable for assembly and disassembly, then the ease of manufacture and operation is improved, but the security against unauthorized manipulation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is divided into a first housing part containing the locking pin and a second housing part containing the actuating means, allowing separable assembly while maintaining security through the safety unit that prevents unauthorized access to the locking pin
Solution Approach 2:
A safety unit with a locking element acts as an intermediary between the housing parts and the locking pin, preventing direct access to the locking pin even when housing parts are separated, thus maintaining security while allowing legitimate assembly and disassembly
2Reliability
If the locking element is positioned deep inside the housing part, then the security against unauthorized access is improved, but the ease of manufacture and assembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The safety unit with locking element serves as an intermediary protective structure that can be assembled from the outside, preventing direct access to deeply positioned locking elements while allowing straightforward assembly through the safety unit itself
3Reliability
If the spring wire is made flexible for springback action, then the reliability of the safety unit is improved, but the resistance to cutting and sawing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The safety unit combines a flexible spring wire for springback action with a reinforcement element made of hard metal, creating a composite structure that maintains both flexibility for safety function and hardness for resistance to cutting and sawing attempts
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 reinforcement elements prevent damage to the security unit, maintaining its functionality and ensuring the locking pin remains locked, even if the device is tampered with, thereby enhancing security and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the holding element can have a spring-elastic prestress when the first housing part is arranged on the second housing part
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a locking device (1) for locking a functionally essential component (2) of a motor vehicle, in particular for locking a steering spindle (2), comprising a first housing part (3a) in which a locking bolt (4) is movably received between a locking position (I) for locking the functionally essential component (2) and a release position (II) for releasing the functionally essential component (2), and a second housing part (3b) in which means (11, 12) for moving the locking bolt (4) between the locking position (I) and the release position (II) are received, wherein a locking unit (6, 7) is provided on the first housing part (3a) which, in an engagement position (A), prevents movement of the locking bolt (4) when the first housing part (3a) is changed in its arrangement relative to the second housing part (3b), and, in a retraction position (B), releases movement of the locking bolt (4).when the first housing part (3a) is arranged on the second housing part (3b). According to the invention, a reinforcing element (8) is provided on the first housing part (3a) and/or on the second housing part (3b) to protect the locking unit (6, 7) from tampering.