TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter in general relates to, a steering column of a vehicle but
particularly to an integrated system and a method for locking and controlling a steering
column of a vehicle.
5 BACKGROUND
[0002] Electronics Steering Column Lock (ESCL) is a system or a module which performs
locking and unlocking mechanism on a steering column of a vehicle. The locking mechanism
is initiated when the ignition of the vehicle is turned OFF and hence the rotation of the
steering column comes to a halt. The ESCL system includes a motor and a controller for
10 performing locking and unlocking operations.
[0003] Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) is another system or module which
performs controlling or assisting the steering column for its rotational movements. This is
performed using one or more sensors such as torque sensors which indicates the amount of
torque applied by the driver on the steering column for its rotation. The controller of EPAS
15 system detects the output of torque sensor and reduces the burden of driver exerting the
complete torque by rotating the steering column using a motor. Hence the amount of torque
exerted by the driver on the steering column is minimal.
[0004] Currently the existing vehicles include the ESCL system and EPAS independently
where the EPAS system initiates its functionality only after the ESCL system functionality
20 is completed. This merely makes the EPAS system depend on the ESCL system output.
Sometimes a failure may occur in the ESCL system providing a wrong output. This impacts
the functionality of the EPAS system thereby leading to vehicle improper steering operations
which can lead to accidents. For example, the controller of the ESCL system may indicate
that the ignition is OFF still when the ignition is ON. As the EPAS system depends on the
25 command given by the controller of the ESCL system, the controller of the EPAS system
stops the rotation of the steering column which leads to accident. Hence there is a need to
address one or more of the above problems.
SUMMARY
3
[0005] Disclosed embodiments herein relates to an integrated system and a method for
locking and controlling a steering column of a vehicle. The system comprises a motor which
further comprises a shaft. Further, the system comprises a lock actuation module coupled
with the shaft. Furthermore, the system comprises a controller electrically connected to the
5 motor and the lock actuation module. The controller operates the lock actuation module to
lock a steering column of vehicle. Subsequently, the controller operates the motor for
controlling the steering column of the vehicle.
[0006] Further, the present disclosure relates to a method of locking and controlling a
steering column of a vehicle using an integrated system. The method comprises operating
10 by a controller of the integrated system, a lock actuation module to lock a steering column
of a vehicle. Further, the method comprises operating, by the controller, a motor for
controlling the steering column of the vehicle.
[0007] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way
limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above,
15 further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the
drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0008] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, explain the
20 disclosed principles. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the
figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout
the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or
methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described,
by way of example only, and regarding the accompanying figures, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary architecture overview of an environment for locking
and controlling a steering column of a vehicle in accordance with some embodiments of the
present disclosure;
4
[0010] FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary mechanism of a lock actuation module engaged
with a shaft of a motor for locking a steering column, in accordance with some embodiments
of the present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary mechanism of a lock actuation module disengaged
5 from a shaft of a motor for unlocking a steering column, in accordance with some
embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 3 shows a detailed block diagram of the integrated system of Fig.1 in
accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart illustrating a method of locking and operating the lock
10 actuation module by providing a current lock state info and a steering angle info in
accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 5 shows a flowchart illustrating a method of locking and controlling the steering
column of the vehicle in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; and
[0015] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein
15 represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present
subject matter. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state
transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which may be
substantially represented in computer readable medium and executed by a computer or
processor, whether such computer or processor is explicitly shown.
20 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an
example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present
subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred
or advantageous over other embodiments.
25 [0017] The present disclosure relates to an integrated system and a method for locking and
controlling a steering column of a vehicle. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides
a system with a single controller and a motor configured to perform dual functionality of
both locking and controlling the steering column of the vehicle. Also, the present disclosure
5
reduces the protocols required for communication between the components of the integrated
system.
[0018] In other words, the present disclosure proposes a method for locking and controlling
the steering column of the vehicle using the integrated system. The proposed method
5 comprises operating, by the controller of the integrated system, a lock actuation module to
lock a steering column of the vehicle. Further, the method comprises operating, by the
controller of the integrated system, a motor for controlling the steering column.
[0019] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference
is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by
10 way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These
embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice
the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that
changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The
following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
15 [0020] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary architecture overview of an integrated environment
100 for locking and controlling a steering column of a vehicle in accordance with some
embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0021] The environment 100 comprises an integrated system 101 and a vehicle 102
communicatively connected to and/or interfaced with the integrated system 101. The
20 integrated system 101 may be a hardware equipment comprising multiple hardware
components.
[0022] In an embodiment, the vehicle 102 comprises a steering column 103 attached to a
steering wheel of the vehicle 102 for its rotation.
[0023] In an embodiment, the integrated system 101 comprises a motor 104, a shaft 105
25 attached to the motor 104, a lock actuation module 106 and a controller 107. The motor 104
is configured to control the rotational movements of the steering column 103 of the vehicle
102 using the shaft 105 and control locking and unlocking operations of the steering column
103. Further, the lock actuation module 106 is coupled with the shaft 105 and is configured
to lock the steering column 103 of the vehicle 102 by stopping the motion of the shaft 105.
6
Similarly, the lock actuation module 106 is configured to unlock the steering column 103 of
the vehicle 102 by allowing for motion of the shaft 105. Furthermore, the controller 107 is
configured to operate the lock actuation module 106 to lock the steering column 103 of the
vehicle 102 and operate the motor 104 for controlling the steering column 103.
5 [0024] In an embodiment, the shaft 105 may comprise a mechanical interface 108 for
connecting to the steering column 103. In an embodiment, the mechanical interface 108 may
include at least one of a pinion and a rack.
[0025] FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary mechanism of a lock actuation module engaged
with a shaft of a motor for locking a steering column, in accordance with some embodiments
10 of the present disclosure.
[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the lock actuation module 106 comprises a control unit 201
and a stud 203. In an embodiment, the stud 203 is adapted to couple with the shaft 105, and
the control unit 201 is electrically connected with the controller 107. The control unit 201
is configured to receive a current lock state info from the controller 107 of the integrated
15 system 101 to couple the stud 203 from the shaft 105 to lock the steering column 103 of the
vehicle 102. In an embodiment, when the control unit 201 receives the current lock state info
indicating that an ignition of the vehicle 102 is OFF, the control unit 201 engages the stud
203 to lock with the shaft 105 using known mechanisms such as locking bolt 205 attached
to the stud 203 as illustrated in FIG. 2A. Other mechanisms may be used to lock the stud 203
20 with the shaft 105 and such mechanisms fall under the scope of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary architecture overview of a lock actuation module
106 disengaged from the shaft 105 in accordance with some embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0028] In an embodiment, when the control unit 201 receives the second signal from the
25 controller 107 indicating that the ignition of the vehicle 102 is ON, the control unit 201
disengages the stud 203 from the shaft 105. Further, the control unit 201 is configured to
receive a second signal from the controller 107 of the integrated system 101 to uncouple the
stud 203 from the shaft 105 to unlock the steering column 103 of the vehicle 102.
7
[0029] FIG. 3 shows a detailed block diagram of a controller 107 in accordance with some
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0030] In some implementations, the controller 107 include an I/O interface 301, a
processor 303 and a memory 305. The I/O interface 301 may be communicatively interfaced
5 with the vehicle 102 for collecting various information related to the ignition status of the
vehicle 102. The memory 305 may be communicatively coupled to the processor 303 and
the one or more modules 323 and store data 307. The processor 303 may be configured to
perform one or more functions of the controller for locking and controlling a steering column
103 of the vehicle 102 using the data 307 and one or more modules 323.
10 [0031] In an embodiment, the data 307 stored in the memory 305 may include, without
limitation to, a current lock state info 309, a steering angle info 311, an ignition 313, and
other data 315. In some implementations, the data 307 may be stored within the memory 305
in the form of various data structures. Additionally, the data 307 may be organized using
data models, such as relational or hierarchical data models. The other data 315 may include
15 the intermediate values and temporary data generated during the locking and controlling of
the steering column 103 of the vehicle 102.
[0032] In an embodiment, the one or more modules 323 may include, without limitation to,
a current lock state info module 325, a steering angle info module 327, a lock actuation
module operating module 329, a motor operating module 331 and other modules 335. The
20 other modules 335 may include any component or module used for locking and controlling
the steering column 103 of the vehicle 102.
[0033] In an embodiment, the current lock state info module 325 may be configured to
provide the current lock state info309 to a control unit 201 of the lock actuation module 106
to couple the stud 203 of the lock actuation module 106 to the shaft 105 to lock the steering
25 column 103 of the vehicle 102 and uncouple the stud 203 of the lock actuation module 106
to the shaft 105 to unlock the steering column 103 of the vehicle 102. When the control unit
201 receives the current lock state info indicating that the ignition 313 of the vehicle 102 is
OFF, the control unit 201 is configured to drive the lock actuation module 106 to engage
with the shaft 105 using the locking bolt 205 attached to the stud 203. Similarly, when the
30 control unit 201 receives the current lock state info 309 indicating that the ignition 313 of
8
the vehicle 102 is ON, the control unit 201 is configured to drive the lock actuation module
106 to disengage from the shaft 105 using the locking bolt 205 attached to the stud 203.
[0034] In an embodiment, the steering angle info module 327 may be configured to provide
the steering angle info311 to the motor 104 for controlling the steering column 103 of the
5 vehicle 102. When the motor 104 receives the steering angle info 311 when the ignition of
the vehicle is ON, the motor 104 is configured to control the steering column 103 of the
vehicle 102.
[0035] In an embodiment, the lock actuation module operating module 329 may be
configured to operate the lock actuation module 106 to lock the steering column 103 of the
10 vehicle 102 when the ignition 313 of the vehicle 102 is turned OFF and unlock the steering
column 103 of the vehicle 102 when the ignition 313 of the vehicle is turned ON
[0036] In an embodiment, the motor operating module 331 may be configured to operate the
motor 104 for controlling the steering column 103 of the vehicle 102 when the ignition 313
of the vehicle 102 is ON.
15 [0037] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart illustrating a method of locking and operating the lock
actuation module 106 by providing a current lock state info l 309 and a steering angle info
311 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0038] At block 401, the method 400 includes checking, by the controller 107, whether the
ignition 313 of the vehicle 102 is on or OFF. If the ignition 313 is OFF, the method moves
20 to block 402. If the ignition 313 of the vehicle 102 is on, the method 400 moves to block
404.
[0039] At block 402, the controller 107 provides the current lock state info 309 to the control
unit 201 to couple the stud 203 from the shaft 105. In an embodiment, when the control unit
201 receives the current lock state info309 indicating that the ignition 313 of the vehicle 102
25 is OFF, the control unit 201 drives the lock actuation module 106 to engage with the shaft
105 using the locking bolt 205 attached to the stud 203.
[0040] At block 403, the controller 107 operates the lock actuation module 106 to lock the
steering column 103 of the vehicle 102 when the ignition 313 of the vehicle 102 is OFF upon
providing the current lock state info 309 to the control unit 201.
9
[0041] In an embodiment, when the ignition 313 of the vehicle 102 is ON, the method 400
moves to block 404. At block 404, the controller 107 provides the current lock state info309
to the control unit 201 to uncouple the stud 203 from the shaft 105. In an embodiment, when
the control unit 201 receives the current lock state info309 indicating that the ignition 313
5 of the vehicle 102 is ON, the control unit 201 drives the lock actuation module 106 to
disengage from the shaft 105 using the locking bolt 205 attached to the stud 203.
[0042] At block 405, the controller 107 unlocks the lock actuation module controls the
steering column 103 of the vehicle 102 when the ignition 313 of the vehicle 102 is ON upon
providing the steering angle info 311 to the motor 104. When the motor receives the steering
10 angle info 311 when the ignition of the vehicle is ON, the motor 104 is configured to control
the steering column 103 of the vehicle 102.
[0043] FIG. 5 shows a flowchart illustrating a method of locking and controlling the steering
column of the vehicle in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0044] At block 501, the method 500 includes providing, by the controller 107, the current
15 lock state info309 to the control unit 201 to couple the stud 203 from the shaft 105 to lock
the steering column 103 of the vehicle 102 when an ignition 313 of the vehicle 102 is turned
OFF.
[0045] At block 502, the method 500 includes operating, by the controller 107, the lock
actuation module 106 for locking the steering column 103. This is performed when the
20 ignition 313 of the vehicle 102 is OFF upon providing the current lock state info309 to the
control unit 201.
[0046] At block 503, the method 500 includes providing, by the controller 107, the current
lock state info 309 to the control unit 201 to uncouple the stud 203 from the shaft 105 to
unlock the steering column 103 of the vehicle 102 and providing the steering angle info 311
25 to the motor 104 to control the steering column 103 when the ignition 313 of the vehicle 102
is turned ON
[0047] At block 504, the method 500 includes unlocking, by the controller 107, the lock
actuation module 106 and control the steering column 103 when the ignition 313 of the
vehicle 102 is turned ON.
10
[0048] Advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated herein.
[0049] In an embodiment, the present disclosure helps in locking and controlling a steering
column of a vehicle using a single controller and a motor.
[0050] In an embodiment, the proposed method reduces the number of protocols required
5 for communication between the components of the integrated system.
[0051] Moreover, the method of present disclosure reduces the complexity of the system for
performing the locking and controlling operation of the steering column.
[0052] As stated above, it shall be noted that the integrated system and the method of the
present disclosure may be used to overcome various technical problems related to both
10 locking and controlling the steering column of the vehicle. That is, the aforesaid technical
advancements and practical applications of the proposed method may be attributed to the
aspects of a performing the dual functionality of locking and controlling the steering column
of the vehicle using a single controller and a motor as disclosed in independent claims 1, 6
and 9.
15 [0053] In light of the technical advancements provided by the disclosed integrated system
and the method, the claimed steps, as discussed above, are not routine, conventional, or wellknown aspects in the art, as the claimed steps provide the aforesaid solutions to the technical
problems existing in the conventional technologies. Further, the claimed steps clearly bring
an improvement in the functioning of the system itself, as the claimed steps provide a
20 technical solution to a technical problem.
[0054] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and
embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and
embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be
limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claimsDescription:PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHMENTS. , Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. An integrated system for locking and controlling a steering column of a vehicle, the integrated system comprising:
a motor comprising a shaft;
a lock actuation module coupled with the shaft; and
a controller electrically connected to the motor and the lock actuation module, wherein the controller is configured to:
operate the lock actuation module to lock a steering column of a vehicle; and
operate the motor for controlling the steering column.

2. The integrated system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft comprises a mechanical interface for connecting to the steering column.

3. The integrated system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to:
operate the lock actuation module for locking the steering column when an ignition of the vehicle is turned OFF; and
unlock the lock actuation module and control the steering column when the ignition of the vehicle is turned ON.

4. The integrated system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lock actuation module comprises a control unit and a stud, wherein the stud is adapted to couple with the shaft and the control unit is electrically connected with the controller.

5. The integrated system as claimed in claim 3 and 4, wherein the controller is further configured to:
provide a current lock state info to the control unit to couple the stud from the shaft to lock the steering column of the vehicle when the ignition of the vehicle 102 is turned OFF;
provide a current lock state info to the control unit to uncouple the stud from the shaft to unlock the steering column of the vehicle when the ignition of the vehicle is turned ON; and
provide a steering angle info to the motor to control the steering column of the vehicle when the ignition of the vehicle is turned ON.

6. A method for locking and controlling a steering column of a vehicle, the method comprising:
operating, by a controller, a lock actuation module to lock a steering column of
a vehicle; and
operating, by the controller, a motor for controlling the steering column.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising:
operating, by the controller, the lock actuation module for locking the steering column when an ignition of the vehicle is turned OFF; and
unlocking, by the controller, the lock actuation module and controlling the steering column when the ignition of the vehicle is turned ON.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6 and 7, further comprising:
providing, by the controller, a current lock state info to a control unit of the lock actuation module to couple a stud of the lock actuation module to the shaft to lock the steering column of the vehicle when the ignition of the vehicle is turned OFF;
providing, by the controller, a current lock state info to the control unit to uncouple the stud from the shaft to unlock the steering column of the vehicle when the ignition of the vehicle is turned ON.
Providing, by the controller, a steering angle info to the motor to control the steering column of the vehicle when the ignition of the vehicle is turned ON.

9. A vehicle comprising:
a steering column; and
an integrated system for locking and controlling the steering column comprising:
a motor comprising a shaft;
a lock actuation module coupled with the shaft; and
a controller electrically connected to the motor and the lock actuation module, wherein the controller is configured to:
operate the lock actuation module to lock a steering column of a vehicle; and
operate the motor for controlling the steering column.