DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to locking/unlocking systems of steering handlebars of vehicles.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Presently, for the purpose of protecting vehicles from theft, various kinds of locking system are utilized. Most commonly used locking system includes a lock bar which is configured to engage with a handlebar of the vehicle and thereby facilitate the vehicle to remain in a locked position. The engagement or disengagement of the lock bar is carried out through the use of a dedicated key. A legitimate user is always required to insert the key in a recess of the locking system, to engage or disengage the lock bar. However, a skilled thief can easily unlock the handlebar of the vehicle by using a duplicate key.
In addition to the above problem, it is always a troublesome task for the legitimate user to search keys in their pockets or purse or bag. This task of searching keys leaves the user frustrated when the keys are not found in time, wastes the user’s valuable time and also delays the user’s journey. Furthermore, it is challenging for the user to insert the key in the recess of the locking system, especially, in a dark or a low light environment.
Therefore, there is a need for a system for locking and unlocking a steering handlebar of a vehicle, which alleviates the above mentioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for locking and unlocking a steering handlebar of a vehicle.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for locking and unlocking a steering handlebar of a vehicle that provides increased security against theft.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for locking and unlocking a steering handlebar of a vehicle that eliminates the need of a conventional key to lock/unlock the steering handlebar of the vehicle.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a system for locking and unlocking a steering handlebar of a vehicle. The system comprises an input unit configured to generate an activation signal upon its actuation and a deactivation signal upon its deactuation, and an electronic key having an authentication code configured thereon. A control unit is configured to cooperate with the input unit to receive the activation signal and the deactivation signal therefrom. The control unit is further configured to communicate with the key upon receiving the activation signal or the deactivation signal to receive the authentication code. The control unit is configured to compare the received authentication code with a prestored authentication code, and is further configured to generate a first processed signal corresponding to the first processed signal, or a second processed signal corresponding to the second processed signal, if the received authentication code matches the prestored authentication code. The system further comprises a latch housing and a motor-gear assembly. The latch housing is configured to be engaged with the handlebar in an operative first configuration of the system, and is further configured to be disengaged with the handlebar in an operative second configuration of the system. The motor-gear assembly is connected to the control unit to receive the first processed signal or the second processed signal therefrom. The motor-gear assembly is further to connected to the latch housing, and is configured to facilitate engagement of the latch assembly with the handlebar upon receipt of the first processed signal, or facilitate disengagement of the latch assembly from the handlebar upon receipt of the second processed signal.
In an embodiment, the input unit is a push button.
In another embodiment, the control unit includes a communication module configured to receive the authentication code, a repository configured to store therewithin the prestored authentication code, and a processor. The processor is configured to communicate with the communication module to receive the authentication code therefrom, and with the repository to receive the prestored authentication code therefrom. The processor is configured to compare the authentication code with the prestored authentication code, and is further configured to generate the first processed signal or the second processed signal if the received authentication code matches with the prestored authentication code.
In yet another embodiment, the communication module is selected from a group consisting of cellular communication module, radio module, Bluetooth module, Zigbee module, Wi-Fi module and/ or other wireless modules.
In still another embodiment, communication module is configured to receive the authentication code when the electronic key is within a predefined distance of the control unit.
In an embodiment, the motor-gear assembly includes a motor housing, a motor housed in an operative bottom portion of the motor housing, a worm gear engageably connected to the motor, a pivot pin located in an operative upper portion of the motor housing, and a compound gear pivotably mounted on the pivot pin. The compound gear is configured to engage with the worm gear. The motor is configured to receive the first processed signal, and is further configured to drive the worm gear in the operative first direction, thereby angularly displacing the compound gear in the operative first direction. The motor is further configured to receive the second processed signal, and is further configured to drive the worm gear in the operative second direction, thereby angularly displacing the compound gear in the operative second direction.
In an embodiment, the latch housing includes a latch housing having a first hole and a second hole configured thereon, a cam-ring gear provided in the latch housing, a slide plate provided in the latch housing, and a lock bar mounted on the slide plate. The cam-ring gear has an internal gear ring provided on an operative top surface thereof and configured to mesh with the compound gear such that angular displacement of the compound gear causes angular displacement of the internal gear ring in an operatively opposite direction. The cam-ring gear further has a protrusion leg extending from an operative bottom surface thereof. The slide plate has an elongated slot configured thereon for integrally receiving the protrusion leg therein to enable linear displacement thereof due to the angular displacement of the cam-ring gear in an operative first linear direction or in an operative second linear direction. The slide plate further has a groove configured thereon. An operative first end of the lock bar is configured to be securely received in the second hole through the groove, and an operative second end of the lock bar is configured to be detachably connected to the handlebar. Linear displacement of the slide plate in the operative first linear direction causes linear displacement of the lock bar in the operative first linear direction to facilitate engagement of the lock bar with the handlebar. Conversely, linear displacement of the slide plate in the operative second linear direction causes linear displacement of the lock bar in the operative second linear direction to facilitate disengagement of the lock bar from the handlebar.
In an embodiment, the control unit includes a pair of switches.
In another embodiment, the lock bar includes a pair of pins configured to extend therefrom and configured to pass through the slide plate. The pair of pins is configured to be linearly displaced along with the slide plate, and is further configured to press a switch of the pair of switches.
In still another embodiment, the switch causes the control unit to generate a stop signal when pressed.
In yet another embodiment, the stop signal is received by a prime mover of the vehicle to cut-off power supply to the motor-gear assembly, thereby locking the lock bar in its current position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A system for locking and unlocking a steering handlebar of a vehicle of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a system for locking and unlocking a steering handlebar of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the system shown in Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of a gear motor assembly of the system of Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figures 4a-4b illustrate a sectional view of the system of Figure 1 at steering handlebar lock and unlock position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figures 5a-5b illustrate a sectional view of the system of Figure 1 from top side at steering handlebar lock and unlock position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figures 6a-6b illustrate an isometric view of a cam-ring gear of the system of Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 7 illustrates an exploded view of a gear motor assembly of the system of Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figures 8a-8b illustrate a section view of the system of Figure 1 showing vertical positions of pins, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND DRAWING
1 System
100 Motor-gear assembly
101 Motor housing
102 Motor
102a Worm gear
103 Cover
104 Fasteners
105 Pivot pin
106 Compound gear
107 Retaining plate
201 Latch housing
201a First hole
201b Second hole
202 Lock bar
203 Slide plate
204 Gasket
205 Control unit housing
206 Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
207 Fasteners
208 Cam-ring gear
208a Internal gear ring
208b Protrusion leg
209a/ 209b Pins
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details, are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
Typically, the systems used for locking/unlocking the handlebar of a vehicle include a lock bar which engages with or disengages from the handlebar of the vehicle. The engagement or disengagement of the lock bar is carried out using a dedicated key which is inserted by a user in a recess of the locking system. However, these locking systems not safe as a skilled thief can easily unlock the handlebar of the vehicle by using a duplicate key.
To address the aforementioned problem, the present disclosure envisages a system (hereinafter “system 1”) for automatic locking and unlocking a handlebar of a vehicle. The present invention is now being described in detail with reference to the Figure 1 through Figure 8.
Referring to Figures 1-3, the system 1 for locking/unlocking a handlebar of a vehicle comprises a control unit (not shown in Figures), a motor-gear assembly 100, a cam-ring gear 208, and a latch assembly.
The system 1 is configured to be actuated by a push button and is configured to lock or unlock the handlebar of the vehicle when the push button is pressed in the presence of an authentic electronic key. The push button is placed on the vehicle’s display panel, or at any suitable location on the vehicle, which can be easily accessed by the user.
The control unit includes an electronic control unit (ECU) and a printed circuit board (PCB) 206 configured to mount electronic components thereon. The ECU and the PCB are disposed within a control unit housing 205. The control unit comprises a repository, a processor, and a communication module. The repository is configured to store a unique authentication code associated with the vehicle. The processor is configured to receive an authentication code from an electronic key associated with the vehicle via the communication module. In an operative embodiment, the control unit is configured to receive an activation signal when the push button is pressed by a user. Upon receiving the activation signal, the processor of the control unit is configured to verify the authentication code received from the electronic key by comparing it with the unique authentication code stored in the repository. The communication module is configured to communicate with the electronic key using a method selected from the group consisting of cellular communication, radio, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wi-Fi and/ or other wireless technology that is known.
In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to receive the authentication code from the electronic key when the electronic key is present within a predefined distance from the control unit.
The processor disclosed herein is a general-purpose processor, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or a state machine. The processor is configured to be implemented as a combination of computing systems, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. The repository is, for example, a random-access memory (RAM), a memory buffer, a database, an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a read only memory (ROM), a flash memory, and/or so forth.
Upon verifying the authenticity of the authentication code, the control unit is configured to generate a start signal and send the start signal to a power supply unit. The power supply unit is configured to receive the start signal from the control unit and supply power to the motor-gear assembly 100 upon receiving the start signal.
The motor-gear assembly 100 comprises a motor housing 101, a motor 102, a worm gear 102a, a compound gear 106, a pivot pin 105, a retaining plate 107, a cover 103, and fasteners 104. The worm gear 102a is attached to the motor 102 and is configured to be meshed with the compound gear 106. The compound gear 106 is hinged about the pivot pin 105. The motor housing 101 is configured to house the motor 102, the worm gear 102a, the pivot pin 105, and the compound gear 106. The retaining plate 107 is configured to hold the compound gear 106 and the worm gear attached motor 102 within the housing 101. The cover 103 is secured to the motor housing 101 using fasteners 104. In an operative embodiment, upon receiving the supply power from the power supply unit, the motor 102 rotates, thereby driving the worm gear 102a attached thereto. The rotation of the worm gear 102a in turn results in the rotation of the compound gear 106 meshed with the worm gear 102a.
The cam-ring gear 208 includes an internal gear ring 208a on its top surface and a protrusion leg 208b on its bottom surface. The internal gear ring 208a of the cam-ring 208 is configured to mesh with the gear teeth of the compound gear 106. In an operative embodiment, the rotation of the compound gear 106 causes rotation of the cam-ring gear 208. In an embodiment, the rotation of the motor 102 in one direction causes the ring gear 208 to rotate in an opposite direction.
The latch assembly comprises a slide plate 203, a lock bar 202, and a latch housing 201. The latch housing 201 includes a first hole 201a, to allow the protrusion leg 208b to pass through and is configured to restrict the movement of the protrusion leg 208b. The protrusion leg 208b of the of ring gear 208 forms a cam-follower mechanism with the slide plate 203. The slide plate 203 includes a groove and an elongated slot. The elongated slot is configured to receive the protrusion leg 208b of the ring gear 208. The lock bar 202 is mounted on the slide plate 203. The lock bar 202 includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the lock bar 202 is configured to pass through a second hole 201b within the latch housing 201 and is secured within the groove of the slide plate 203. The second end of the lock bar 202 is configured to engage/disengage with the handlebar of the vehicle. The latch housing 201 is configured to house the slide plate 203 and the lock bar 202. In an operative embodiment, the rotation of the ring gear 208 is converted into a translational motion of the slide plate 203 through the cam-follower mechanism. The translational motion of the slide plate 203 causes the lock bar 202 to perform the desired locking or unlocking action.
The latch housing 201 is further configured to couple with the control unit housing 205, the cam-ring gear 208, and the motor housing 101. The latch housing 201 is coupled with the control unit housing 205 via a gasket 204 protect the control unit and other electronic components from water entry and damages caused by water entry. The latch housing 201, the control unit housing 205, the cam-ring gear 208 and the motor housing 101 is coupled together using fasteners 207.
The first and second position of the lock bar 202 is tracked by pins (209a, 209b). The pins (209a, 209b) is configured to move in a vertical direction within the slide plate 203, in accordance with the position of the slide plate 203 to press a switch in the control unit which indicates the position of the ring gear 208 to the processor of the control unit. When the lock bar 202 reaches a desired position, one of the pins 209a, 209b is configured to press one of the switches in the control unit. Thereafter, the control unit is configured to generate a stop signal and send the stop signal to the power supply unit to stop the supply of power to the motor-gear assembly 100. Thus, the lock bar 202 is retained in the desired position, i.e., either a first position securing the handlebar in an unlocked state or a second position securing the handlebar in a locked state.
In a working example, the user carries the electronic key having the authentication code. The user presses the push button available on the vehicle to start the vehicle. The action of pressing the push button causes generation of the activation signal. The control unit receives the activation signal, communicates with the electronic key to receive the authentication code from the electronic key, and verifies the received authentication code. Upon verifying the authentication code, the control unit signals to start the motor-gear assembly 100. This causes the motor 102 to rotate. The rotational motion of the motor 102 is transferred to the worm gear 102a, which in turn transfers the rotational motion to the compound gear 106 and thereby to the cam-ring gear 208. The rotational motion of the cam-ring gear 208 is converted into a translational motion by allowing the protrusion leg 208b of the cam-ring gear 208 to slide the slide plate 203. This causes the lock bar 202 to move from a first (disengaged) position to a second (engaged) position and simultaneously causes one of the pins 209a/b within the slide plate 203 to press a switch in the control unit to facilitate the control unit to recognize the position of the lock bar 202. The engagement or disengagement of the lock bar 202 with the handlebar facilitates locking or unlocking of the handlebar. The control unit thus retains the lock bar 202 in the second/engaged position until the next activation signal is received in the presence of an authentic electronic code. Advantageously, the user is not required to insert a physical key to lock/unlock the handlebar.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment but are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a system for locking and unlocking a steering handlebar of a vehicle that:
• provides increased security against theft; and
• eliminates the need of a conventional key to lock/unlock the steering handlebar of the vehicle.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation. ,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A system (1) for locking and unlocking a steering handlebar of a vehicle, said system (1) comprising:
• an input unit configured to generate an activation signal upon its actuation and a deactivation signal upon its deactuation;
• an electronic key having an authentication code configured thereon;
• a control unit configured to cooperate with said input unit to receive said activation signal and said deactivation signal therefrom, said control unit further configured to communicate with said key upon receiving said activation signal or said deactivation signal to receive said authentication code, said control unit configured to compare said received authentication code with a prestored authentication code, and further configured to generate:
a first processed signal corresponding to said first processed signal, or
a second processed signal corresponding to said second processed signal,
if said received authentication code matches the prestored authentication code;
• a latch housing (201) configured to be engaged with the handlebar in an operative first configuration of said system (1), and further configured to be disengaged with the handlebar in an operative second configuration of said system (1), and
• a motor-gear assembly (100) connected to said control unit to receive said first processed signal or said second processed signal therefrom, said motor-gear assembly (100) further to connected to said latch housing (201), said motor-gear assembly (100) configured to facilitate engagement of said latch assembly with the handlebar upon receipt of said first processed signal, or facilitate disengagement of said latch assembly from the handlebar upon receipt of said second processed signal.
2. The system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said input unit is a push button.
3. The system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit includes:
o a communication module configured to receive said authentication code;
o a repository configured to store therewithin said prestored authentication code;
o a processor configured to communicate with said communication module to receive said authentication code therefrom, and with said repository to receive said prestored authentication code therefrom, said processor configured to compare said authentication code with said prestored authentication code, and further configured to generate said first processed signal or said second processed signal if said received authentication code matches with the prestored authentication code.
4. The system (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said communication module is selected from a group consisting of cellular communication module, radio module, Bluetooth module, Zigbee module, Wi-Fi module and/ or other wireless modules.
5. The system (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein communication module is configured to receive the authentication code when said electronic key is within a predefined distance of the control unit.
6. The system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said motor-gear assembly (100) includes
o a motor housing (101);
o a motor (102) housed in an operative bottom portion of said motor housing (101);
o a worm gear (102a) engageably connected to said motor (102);
o a pivot pin (105) located in an operative upper portion of said motor housing (101),
o a compound gear (106) pivotably mounted on said pivot pin (105), said compound gear (106) configured to engage with said worm gear (102a),
wherein said motor (102) is configured to receive said first processed signal, and is further configured to drive said worm gear (102a) in said operative first direction, thereby angularly displacing said compound gear (106) in said operative first direction; and
said motor (102) is configured to receive said second processed signal, and is further configured to drive said worm gear (102a) in said operative second direction, thereby angularly displacing said compound gear (106) in said operative second direction.
7. The system (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said latch housing (201) includes:
o a latch housing (201) having a first hole (201a) and a second hole (201b) configured thereon;
o a cam-ring gear (208) provided in said latch housing (201), said cam-ring gear (208) having an internal gear ring (208a) provided on an operative top surface thereof and configured to mesh with said compound gear (106) such that angular displacement of said compound gear (106) causes angular displacement of said internal gear ring (208a) in an operatively opposite direction, said cam-ring gear (208) further having a protrusion leg (208b) extending from an operative bottom surface thereof;
o a slide plate (203) provided in said latch housing (201), said slide plate (203) having an elongated slot configured thereon for integrally receiving said protrusion leg (208b) therein to enable linear displacement thereof due to the angular displacement of said cam-ring gear (208) in an operative first linear direction or in an operative second linear direction, said slide plate (203) further having a groove configured thereon; and
o a lock bar (202) mounted on said slide plate (203), wherein an operative first end of said lock bar (202) is configured to be securely received in said second hole (201b) through said groove, and an operative second end of said lock bar (202) is configured to be detachably connected to said handlebar,
wherein, linear displacement of said slide plate (203) in said operative first linear direction causes linear displacement of said lock bar (202) in said operative first linear direction to facilitate engagement of said lock bar (202) with the handlebar, and
linear displacement of said slide plate (203) in said operative second linear direction causes linear displacement of said lock bar (202) in said operative second linear direction to facilitate disengagement of said lock bar (202) from the handlebar.
8. The system (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit includes a pair of switches.
9. The system (1) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said lock bar (202) includes a pair of pins (209a, 209b) configured to extend therefrom and configured to pass through said slide plate (203), said pair of pins (209a, 209b) being configured to be linearly displaced along with said slide plate (203), and being further configured to press a switch of said pair of switches.
10. The system (1) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said switch causes said control unit to generate a stop signal when pressed.
11. The system (1) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the stop signal is received by a prime mover of the vehicle to cut-off power supply to said motor-gear assembly (100), thereby locking said lock bar (202) in its current position.
Dated this 28th day of July, 2023

_______________________________
MOHAN RAJKUMAR DEWAN, IN/PA – 25
of R.K.DEWAN & CO.
Authorized Agent of Applicant

TO,
THE CONTROLLER OF PATENTS
THE PATENT OFFICE, AT MUMBAI