The present disclosure relates to structural engineering. In particular, the present disclosure relates to structural engineering in automotive components. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for housing for a lock assembly of a steering column.
Background
Automobiles must be highly efficient in providing higher mileage at lower energy input. One of the various factors that affect the efficiency of an automobile is weight of the automobile. E.g., the power to weight ratio is often determinant of various performance characteristics of an automobile. Efforts are being made in the automotive industry to reduce the weight of the components in an automobile to improve overall performance parameters.
The weight of a component can be reduced in various ways. One of the ways is to use a lighter material. Multiple parts of an automobile, which conventionally were made of heavier materials like metals, are now made of polymeric materials. Although they are lighter in weight, polymeric materials often lack the required structural strength, leading to unexpected part failures. Therefore, yet many components are being made of metals to prevent part failures.
A steering lock assembly is generally configured for mounting on the steering column. For using the assembly, a user inserts a key into the lock and turns the key for switching to different modes of the lock assembly such as lock, unlock, ignition, etc. The operation of the assembly may also include movements such as pushing or drawing the key inside the barrel portion of the housing, rotating the key inside the barrel portion, or any combination of such movements.
The housing supports all the other components of the assembly. As the assembly is mounted on the steering column of the housing, the operation of assembly imparts external forces in the members of the lock assembly, and all such external forces are transferred through the steering column portion of

the housing to the steering column of the vehicle. When the assembly is in the lock position, i.e. when the lock bar is inserted into a cavity in the steering column for locking the handlebar or steering, the housing of the steering lock assembly may get subjected to high external forces in the event of movement of the locked steering or handle, especially in case of an attempt to gain unauthorised access to the vehicle. Moreover, various forces that occur due to vehicle movement may be transferred to the housing of the steering lock assembly. Therefore, the portion of the housing used to mount the steering lock assembly to the steering column may be subjected to many forces that may lead to the failure of the housing. Therefore, the housing of the steering locks is often made of solid materials such as iron, aluminium, zinc and magnesium, etc., which lead to an increase in the overall weight of the lock assembly. Making such parts of metallic material also increases overall man-hours and costs required for casting or machining during the production of such metallic parts.
The present disclosure addresses one or more problems discussed above and other issues associated with the art.
Summary
A housing for a steering lock assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The housing has a barrel portion configured for receiving a lock barrel of the lock assembly, and a steering column portion configured for abutment to a steering column of the vehicle. The steering column portion is made integrally with the barrel portion and adapted to house a lock bar. The housing has a joining portion where the barrel portion overlaps with the steering column portion. A honeycomb structure is made on the joining portion.
In an embodiment, the barrel portion maybe oriented along a first longitudinal axis, and the steering column portion may be oriented along a second longitudinal axis that is oriented substantially orthogonal to the first longitudinal axis.

In an embodiment, the honeycomb structure may be provided on the outer surface of the housing.
In an aspect, the honeycomb structure may have criss-cross ribs, the ribs intersecting orthogonally.
In an embodiment, the steering column portion may have legs for abutment to the steering column for mounting the housing on the steering column, and the honeycomb structure may be provided on the legs.
In an aspect, the honeycomb structure may extend on the outer surface of the legs.
In an embodiment, the ribs of the honeycomb structure may extend from the outer surface and till a plane that is substantially parallel to a first longitudinal axis of the barrel portion.
In an embodiment, the ribs of the honeycomb structure may extend from the outer surface and till a plane substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the steering column portion.
In an aspect, the housing may be made of a polymeric material.
In an aspect, the housing may be made by an injection moulding process.
In an aspect, a mould for manufacturing the housing by an injection moulding process is disclosed.
Further, a steering lock assembly is disclosed. The steering lock assembly has a lock barrel, a lock bar and a housing. The housing has a barrel portion configured for receiving a lock barrel of the lock assembly and a steering column portion configured for abutment to a steering column of the vehicle, The steering column portion may be made integrally with the barrel portion and adapted to house the lock bar . The housing further has a joining portion where the barrel portion overlaps with the steering column portion. A honeycomb structure is made on the joining portion for strengthening the joining portion.

In an embodiment, the lock assembly has a rotor. The barrel portion may be configured to house the rotor.
In an embodiment, the lock assembly may have a rotator. The barrel portion may be adapted to house the rotator.
Brief Description of Drawings
FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a steering lock assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 illustrates a back perspective view of the steering lock assembly shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Description
Referring to FIG. 1-2, a steering lock assembly (10) for vehicles is shown. The steering lock assembly (10), hereinafter referred to as the lock assembly (10), is used for locking the handlebar or a steering wheel of a vehicle. The steering lock has a housing (12), a rotor, a lock bar (16) and a connector (18). The connector (18) may be used for connecting the lock assembly (10) to the other electrical or electronic components of the vehicle. For example, the connector (18) may be connected to an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle to indicate different positions or modes of the steering lock to the ECU. Yet, in an embodiment, the connector (18) maybe connected to other locks in the vehicle for facilitating the operation of locks such as seat lock, glove box lock, fuel tank cap, bonnet lock, etc.
The housing (12) is substantially hollow in construction. The housing (12) has a barrel portion (20) and a steering column portion (22). The barrel portion (20) is substantially cylindrical in shape and oriented along a first longitudinal axis (24). The barrel portion (20) may be configured for housing various components of the lock assembly (10) such as lock barrel (14), rotor, rotator, electric switch assembly, etc.

A rotor may be a component that may be coupled with the lock barrel (14). The rotor may be configured to move angularly along with the rotation of a key in the lock barrel (14). The rotor may impart linear movement in the lock bar (16) on the rotation of the key.
The rotator may be coupled with the rotor to move angularly with the rotor. The rotator may be configured for actuating different electrical switches or terminals of the electric or electronic switch assembly or other such circuitry in the lock assembly (10).
A first end (26) of the barrel portion (20) may be configured for receiving a key for the operation of the lock assembly (10). A second end (28) of the housing (12), which is opposite to the first end (26), is configured for housing components of the assembly such as electric switch assembly, contact plate, etc. A middle portion of the barrel portion (20) houses the lock bar (16), a carrier, etc.
The steering column portion (22) of the housing (12) may be made integrally with the barrel portion (20). The steering column portion (22) may receive the lock bar (16). The lock bar (16) may move linearly in the steering column portion (22) for locking or unlocking the steering of the vehicle. The lock bar (16) may be an elongated bar. The lock bar (16) may be oriented and configured to move linearly along a second longitudinal axis (32) oriented substantially orthogonal to the first longitudinal axis (24). The steering column portion (22) may extend and be oriented along the second longitudinal axis (32).
The steering column portion (22) may be configured for abutting a steering column of the vehicle at one end. For abutment of the steering column portion (22) to a steering column of the vehicle, the steering column portion (22) defines a recess (34) that receives and abuts the steering column of the vehicle. The recess (34) may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the portion of the steering column on which the steering column portion (22) abuts. In the

embodiment as shown, the recess (34) is concave in shape and configured to abut a cylindrical outer surface (42) of a steering column.
In the embodiment, as shown, the steering column portion (22) has two legs (36) extending from the barrel portion (20). The steering column portion (22) is oriented such that when the steering column portion (22) is mounted on the steering column of the vehicle, the barrel portion (20) is appropriately aligned for facilitating access to the barrel portion (20) for the operation of the steering lock by the user.
The legs (36) are configured for mounting the housing (12) on the steering column of the vehicle. In the embodiment as shown, the legs (36) are provided with screw holes for mounting the housing (12) along with the lock assembly (10) on the steering column of the vehicle.
The housing (12) has a joining portion (38) where the steering column portion (22) joins or overlaps with the barrel portion (20). In the embodiment, as shown, the steering column portion (22) is oriented along the second longitudinal axis (32) that is oriented substantially orthogonal to the first longitudinal axis (24) of the barrel portion (20). The joining portion (38) may be between the first end (26) and the second end (28) of the barrel portion (20). In an embodiment, the middle portion of the housing (12) may overlap with the joining portion (38). The joining portion (38) may be subjected to external forces and stress due to the operation of the steering lock or due to the movement of the vehicle. The operation of the lock assembly (10) may exert external forces on the housing (12). Further, the joining portion (38) may bear the external forces when the lock assembly (10) is in a locked condition and a user moves the steering or handlebar. When in the locked state, the lock bar (16) may also exert forces on the housing (12) when the steering is moved while the steering is in the lock position. Accordingly, the joining portion (38) of the housing (12) may be one of the primary stress-bearing zones of the

housing (12). Therefore, the joining portion (38) must have appropriate structural strength and rigidity to withstand various external forces.
A honeycomb structure (40) is made on the joining portion (38) for providing structural strength and rigidity to the joining portion (38). In the embodiment as shown, the honeycomb structure (40) is made on an external or outer surface (42) of the housing (12). The overall size and location of the honeycomb structure (40) may be optimised based on the stress-bearing zones of the housing (12). Further, the dimensions and configuration of the honeycomb structure (40) may also be optimised based on the overall size of the housing (12) and other components of the lock assembly (10). Furthermore, the dimensions and configuration of the honeycomb structure (40) may also be optimised based on the material used for making the housing (12).
The honeycomb structure (40) may be made integrally with the housing (12). In the embodiment, as shown, the honeycomb structure (40) is formed by criss-cross ribs that extend outwards from the external surface of the joining portion (38) of the housing (12). Further, in the embodiment as shown, the criss-cross ribs intersect each other orthogonally. In another embodiment, the criss-cross ribs may be triangular, hexagonal, or of any other such shape or arrangement. A localised honeycomb structure (40) may be provided on the joining portion (38) where the steering column portion (22) joins the barrel portion (20) of the housing (12). The honeycomb structure (40) may further extend on the legs (36) of the steering column portion (22).
The honeycomb structure (40) provides for structural rigidity and strength to the housing (12) to bear and withstand the external forces exerted on the housing (12), thus preventing the failure of the housing (12). The honeycomb structure (40) provides the said benefits without adding unnecessary weight to the housing (12).

In an embodiment, the housing (12) may be made of polymeric material. The housing (12) may be made using manufacturing processes such as injection moulding. The honeycomb structure (40) may be made integrally with the housing (12) by making appropriate provisions in the mould used for manufacturing the housing (12). Required draft angles may be provided for the ribs of the honeycomb structure (40) to ensure easy removal of the finished housing (12) from the mould. Accordingly, the housing (12) may be made economically with a simple manufacturing process. The housing (12) may be made using other suitable manufacturing processes such as 3D printing.
The honeycomb structure (40) on the housing (12) adds to the structural strength and rigidity without adding any substantial weight to the housing (12) or the lock assembly (10). The present disclosure provides a degree of freedom in selecting material for making the housing (12) for steering lock assembly (10). The lock assembly (10) and the housing (12) as disclosed herein may be manufactured economically.
This disclosure incorporates within its scope minor modifications in the assembly and its components described herein, without substantially departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Any minor modifications that may be apparent and obvious for achieving the identical/similar functions of the components described herein without any creative ingenuity are considered within the scope of this disclosure. Moreover, there are several features of the assembly or its components that are shown in the drawings but are not described in detail owing to the understanding of a person skilled in the art based on the common general knowledge in the field of the invention.
List Of Reference Numerals
Steering Lock Assembly (10)
Housing (12)

Lock Barrel (14)
Lock Bar (16)
Connector (18)
Barrel Portion (20)
Steering Column Portion (22)
First Longitudinal Axis (24)
First End (26)
Second End (28)
Second Longitudinal Axis (32)
Recess (34)
Legs (36)
Joining Portion (38)
Honeycomb Structure (40)
Outer Surface (42)

claim:

1. A housing (12) for a steering lock assembly (10) for a vehicle, the housing
(12) comprising:
a barrel portion (20) configured for receiving a lock barrel (14) of the lock assembly (10);
a steering column portion (22) configured for abutment to a steering column of the vehicle, the steering column portion (22) made integrally with the barrel portion (20) and adapted to house a lock bar
(16);
a joining portion (38) where the barrel portion (20) overlaps with the steering column portion (22); and
a honeycomb structure (40) made on the joining portion (38).
2. The housing (12) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the barrel portion (20) is oriented along a first longitudinal axis (24), and the steering column portion (22) is oriented along a second longitudinal axis (32) that is oriented substantially orthogonal to the first longitudinal axis (24).
3. The housing (12) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the honeycomb structure (40) is provided on the outer surface (42) of the housing (12).
4. The housing (12) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the honeycomb structure (40) has criss-cross ribs, the ribs intersecting orthogonally.
5. The housing (12) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the steering column portion (22) has legs (36) for abutment to the steering column for mounting the housing (12) on the steering column, and the honeycomb structure (40) is provided on the legs (36).

The housing (12) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the honeycomb structure (40) extends on the outer surface (42) of the legs (36).
The housing (12) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the ribs of the honeycomb structure (40) extend from the outer surface (42) and till a plane substantially parallel to a first longitudinal axis (24) of the barrel portion (20).
The housing (12) as claimed in claim 3 or claim 6, wherein the ribs of the honeycomb structure (40) extend from the outer surface and till a plane substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the steering column portion (22).
The housing (12) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing (12) is made of a polymeric material.
The housing (12) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 9, wherein the housing (12) is made by an injection moulding process.
A mould for manufacturing the housing (12) as claimed in claim 1 by an injection moulding process.
A steering lock assembly (10) comprising: a lock barrel (14); a lock bar (16); a housing (12) comprising:
a barrel portion (20) configured for receiving a h lock barrel (14) of the lock assembly (10);
a steering column portion (22) configured for abutment to a steering column of the vehicle, the steering column portion (22)

made integrally with the barrel portion (20) and adapted to house the lock bar (16);
a joining portion (38) where the barrel portion (20) overlaps with the steering column portion (22);
a honeycomb structure (40) made on the joining portion (38) for strengthening the joining portion (38).
13. The steering lock assembly (10) as claimed in claim 12, comprises a rotor, wherein the barrel portion (20) is configured to house the rotor.
14. The steering lock assembly (10) as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, comprises a rotator, wherein the barrel portion (20) is adapted to house the rotator.