DESC:KNOB OPERATED STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FOR VEHICLE

Field of the invention:

The present invention relates to an automotive lock mechanism and more particularly, to a knob operated steering lock mechanism for automobiles.

Background of the invention:

Conventionally, steering lock/unlock of a vehicle and turning ON/OFF of the ignition of the vehicle requires a mechanical key. Specifically, ignition switch cum steering locks are locked when a key is pushed and rotated counter clockwise.

The conventional technique of using the mechanical key has a number of disadvantages. One of disadvantages of using the mechanical key is that it is cumbersome for the user to take out the key and insert the key in the lock every time the vehicle is to be used.

Another disadvantage is that, the mechanical keys are prone to wear and tear i.e. continuous and excessive use of such keys leads to damage of the profile on the keys, under which condition the user has to get a new key made again.

Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a lock mechanism for an ignition switch and a steering wheel that overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Objects of the invention:

An object of the present invention is to eliminate a keyset for ignition switch cum steering locks.
Another object of the present invention is to reduce number of child parts and probable quality issues in ignition switch cum steering locks.

Summary of the invention:

Accordingly, the present invention provides a knob operated steering lock mechanism for a vehicle. The mechanism comprises of a rotor, a knob, a pin, a stator, a plate support, a lever arm, a retainer plate and a spring. The rotor has a top end, a bottom end and a through hole configured at a middle part therein. The knob is rigidly fixed at the top end of the rotor for operating steering LOCK/UNLOCK and ignition ON/OFF of the vehicle. The pin is inserted in the through hole of the rotor by crimping. The stator has hollow circular part configured for assembling the rotor therein. The pin is assembled in a slot of the stator. The plate support is assembled in the stator. The plate support has a slot configured therein. The lever arm has a lug that is assembled in the slot of the plate support. The plate support along with the lever arm is assembled in the stator using a retainer plate. The spring is assembled at the bottom end of the rotor for supporting the knob against the steering lock housing. When the knob is pushed down in Y direction, the knob pushes the plate support in Z direction, thereby rotating the lever arm to unlock the steering lock. Thereinafter, the knob rotates in pressed condition at the stator for switch ON/OFF operation of the steering lock. During locking of the steering lock, the knob is pushed to return back in the Y direction by force of the spring.

Brief description of the drawings:

The objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in accordance with the accompanying drawings wherein,

Figure 1 shows a knob operated steering lock mechanism for a vehicle, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the mechanism of figure 1;

Figure 3 shows cross sectional view of the mechanism of figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a rotor of the mechanism of figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a knob of the mechanism of figure 1;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a pin of the mechanism of figure 1;

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a stator of the mechanism of figure 1;

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a plate support of the mechanism of figure 1;

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a lever arm of the mechanism of figure 1; and

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a spring of the mechanism of figure 1.

Detailed description of the embodiments:

The foregoing objects of the invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiment.

The present invention provides a knob operated steering lock mechanism for a vehicle. The mechanism eliminates a keyset for ignition switch cum steering locks. Further, the mechanism reduces number of child parts and probable quality issues in ignition switch cum steering locks.

This present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description.

Referring to figures 1 to 10, a knob operated steering lock mechanism (100) (hereinafter ‘the mechanism (100)’) for a vehicle in accordance with the present invention is shown. The mechanism (100) comprises a rotor (70), a knob (10), a pin (20), a stator (40), a plate support (30), a lever arm (50), a retainer plate (55) and a spring (60).

The rotor (70) has a top end (62), a bottom end (64) and a through hole (65) configured at a middle part (66) therein. In an embodiment, the rotor (70) is specifically configured to assemble with the knob (10), the pin (20), the stator (40) and the spring (60) of the mechanism (100).

The knob (10) is assembled in the rotor (70). The knob (10) has circular bottom part (5). In an embodiment, the circular bottom (5) is rigidly fixed with the top end (62) of the rotor (70) using a dowel pin (not shown). The steering lock (not shown) is operated by the knob (10). Specifically, the knob (10) is rotated to operate steering LOCK/UNLOCK and ignition ON/OFF of the vehicle.

The pin (20) is inserted in the through hole (65) of the rotor (70) by crimping. Specifically, the pin (20) is configured to the knob (10) in perpendicular direction.

The stator (40) is a fixed part of the mechanism (100). The stator (40) has hollow circular part (not numbered) configured for assembling the rotor (70) therein by pressing. The pin (20) is press fitted in a slot (not numbered) of the stator (40). The knob (10), the rotor (70) and the pin (20) are assembled in the stator (40) by pressing or press fit. In the embodiment, the stator (40) is specifically configured to assemble the knob (10), the rotor (70), the pin (20), the plate support (30), the retainer plate (55) and the lever arm (50) therein.

The plate support (30) is assembled in the stator (40) in a way that the plate support (30) is operably coupled with the knob (10). The plate support (30) has a slot (25) configured therein. The plate support (30) is assembled with lever arm (50).

The lever arm (50) has a lug (45) configured thereon. The lug (45) is assembled in the slot (25) of the plate support (30).

The retainer plate (55) is rigidly fixed in an upper slot (not numbered) of the stator (40). The retainer plate (55) is used for assembling and holding the plate support (30) along with lever arm (50) on the stator (40).

The spring (60) is assembled at the bottom end (64) of the rotor (70). In the embodiment, the rotor (70) has a means for supporting the spring (60) at the bottom end (64) thereof. Specifically, the spring (60) supports the knob (10) against the steering lock housing.

Again, referring to figures 1 to 10, in an operation, when the knob (10) is pushed, the knob (10) goes down in Y direction. At this time, the pin (20) goes down in the slot of stator (40) and the knob (10) pushes the plate support (30) in Z direction. As the plate support (30) moves in Z direction, the lever arm (50) that is assembled with the plate support (30) rotates and unlocks the steering lock. During unlocking of the steering lock, the spring (60) is in compressed condition. Specifically, the knob (10) rotates in pressed condition at the stator (40) for steering lock switch ON/OFF operation. Further, during locking of the steering lock, the knob (10) is pushed, the knob (10) returns back at Y direction by the spring (60) force. During this, the pin (20) comes back in the slot of the stator (40) and the spring (60) is released condition.

The mechanism (100) uses the knob (10) to unlock and operate the complete ignition switch cum steering lock. In this mechanism (100), the knob (10) is used instead of key to operate the steering lock.

Advantages of the invention:

1. The mechanism (100) provides customer ease.
2. The mechanism (100) increases reliability due to lesser parts involved.
3. The mechanism (100) eliminates keyset.
4. The mechanism (100) reduces number of child parts and probable quality issues.
5. The mechanism (100) has lees child part cost.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention. ,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A knob operated steering lock mechanism (100) for a vehicle comprising:
a rotor (70) having a top end (62), a bottom end (64) and a through hole (65) configured at a middle part (66) therein;
a knob (10) rigidly fixed at the top end (62) of the rotor (70) for operating steering LOCK/UNLOCK and ignition ON/OFF of the vehicle;
a pin (20) inserted in the through hole (65) of the rotor (70) by crimping;
a stator (40) having hollow circular part configured for assembling the rotor (70) therein by pressing, wherein the pin (20) is press fitted in a slot of the stator (40);
a plate support (30) assembled in the stator (40) to operably couple with the knob (10), the plate support (30) having a slot (25) configured therein;
a lever arm (50) having a lug (45) assembled in the slot (25) of the plate support (30);
a retainer plate (55) rigidly fixed in an upper slot of the stator (40) for assembling the plate support (30) along with lever arm (50) on the stator (40) and;
a spring (60) assembled at the bottom end (64) of the rotor (70);
wherein, when the knob (10) is pushed down in Y direction, the knob (10) pushes the plate support (30) in Z direction, thereby rotating the lever arm (50) to unlock the steering lock, thereinafter, the knob (10) rotates in pressed condition at the stator (40) for switch ON/OFF operation of the steering lock, and during locking of the steering lock, the knob (10) is pushed to return back in the Y direction by force of the spring (60).

2. The knob operated steering lock mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the knob has a circular bottom (5) that is rigidly fixed with the top end (62) of the rotor (70) by a dowel pin.
3. The knob operated steering lock mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pin (20) is configured to the knob (10) in perpendicular direction.

4. The knob operated steering lock mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring (60) supports the knob (10) against the steering lock housing.

5. The knob operated steering lock mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein during unlocking of the steering lock, the pin (20) goes down in the slot of stator (40) and the spring (60) is in compressed condition.

6. The knob operated steering lock mechanism (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein during locking of the steering lock, the pin (20) comes back in the slot of the stator (40) and the spring (60) is released condition.

Dated this 29th day of March 2018

Madhavi Vajirakar
(Agent for Applicant)
IN/PA-2337