Y-Shaped Steering Column Antitheft Device with Radial Cam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-theft devices for vehicle steering columns are not adaptable to a 'Y' shape configuration, where the rotor and camshaft axes intersect, making it difficult to efficiently transmit rotational movements into translational movements for the bolt, affecting the ease of locking and unlocking.
Innovation Solution
An anti-theft device with a 'Y' shape configuration featuring a radial cam with a spiral profile, allowing direct and precise transmission of rotational movements from the rotor to the bolt, facilitated by a connecting member that cooperates with the radial cam, enabling easy translation of the bolt between locking and release positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the anti-theft device uses a conventional configuration with parallel or perpendicular axes, then the transmission of rotational movement to translational movement is straightforward, but the device cannot adapt to the 'Y' shape configuration required by certain manufacturing constraints and design needs
Solution Approach 1:
The camshaft is segmented into distinct functional zones: a first cam portion for initial bolt movement, a second cam portion for continued movement, and a radial cam portion for final positioning. This segmentation allows each portion to handle a specific phase of the bolt's translation, making the complex Y-shape transmission manageable through divided functional responsibilities
Solution Approach 2:
The cam profiles are designed with varying radii and curvature that dynamically change during rotation. The radial distance from the camshaft axis to the cam surface varies continuously, creating a dynamic transmission ratio that adapts to the Y-shape geometry while maintaining smooth bolt movement throughout the unlocking cycle
2Ease of operation
If the radial cam is positioned to facilitate easy bolt translation, then the bolt can move smoothly from locking to release position, but the transmission of rotational movement from rotor to camshaft becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting member acts as an intermediary element that transfers motion from the bolt to the radial cam. This mediator allows the bolt to move independently while still engaging the radial cam at the appropriate moment, facilitating smooth translation without directly complicating the rotational transmission path
Solution Approach 2:
The toothing on the rotor and camshaft is positioned to engage in advance, establishing the rotational connection before the bolt begins its translation. This preliminary engagement ensures that the rotational motion is already prepared and synchronized with the bolt's movement sequence, reducing the complexity of coordinating these actions
3Measurement precision
If the toothing is positioned on the second ends of the rotor and camshaft, then direct and precise transmission of rotational movements is achieved, but the radial cam positioning must be carefully coordinated to avoid obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The camshaft has different local qualities along its length: the first end has toothing for precise rotational transmission, while the second end has the radial cam for bolt positioning. This local differentiation allows each portion to optimize its function without interfering with the other, achieving both precision and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The radial cam extends in a direction perpendicular to the camshaft axis, adding a radial dimension to the transmission mechanism. This dimensional change allows the cam to interact with the bolt's connecting member without interfering with the axial toothing engagement, resolving the coordination complexity
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 simplifies and facilitates the passage of the bolt from its locking to release position without obstacles, ensuring direct and precise transmission of rotational movements, enhancing the locking and unlocking process of the steering column.
Implementation Method 1
a radial cam, said radial cam having a general profile of spiral shape... allowing passage of the bolt from its locking position to its release position simplified and facilitated
Implementation Method 2
said second end of the camshaft being extended by a radial cam... the rotor comprising at a second end a toothing meshing with a complementary toothing carried, on a portion of its periphery, by a second end of the camshaft
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an anti-theft device (1) for a steering column, in particular of a motor vehicle, said anti-theft device (1) being generally Y-shaped, a first branch comprising a lock with a rotor (3) mounted rotatably and comprising a first end (31) oriented toward the outside of the "Y", a second branch comprising a camshaft (5) and having a first end (51) oriented toward the outside of the "Y", a third branch comprising a bolt (7), the rotor (3) comprising, at a second end (33) oriented toward the inside of the "Y", a toothing (35) engaged with a complementary toothing (55) supported, on a portion of its periphery, by a second end (53) of the camshaft (5), oriented toward the inside of the "Y", said second end (53) of the camshaft (5) being extended by a radial cam (57) cooperating with a connecting member (73) supported by the bolt (7).