DESC:FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2005

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
“MULTI-SECTORAL ELECTRONIC LOCKING SYSTEM FOR TWO WHEELERS”

Endurance Technologies Limited
E-92, M.I.D.C. Industrial Area, Waluj,
Aurangabad – 431136, Maharashtra, India

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

Field of Invention

[001] The present invention relates to locking system provided for locking the handlebar of two-wheeled vehicles. It more particularly relates to a remotely operated smart lock for locking the handle of the moped bike at any position of the handlebar.

Background of the Invention

[002] There are many types of locking systems to lock the handlebar of two-wheeled vehicles which protects the vehicle against theft. The handle lock device is generally provided for locking the rotation of a steering wheel when the vehicle is in parked condition in order to prevent the theft of vehicles by turning the mechanical key in the locked/unlocked position.

[003] In a conventional lock system, the steering wheel lock device is composed of a lock cylinder that can be turned by inserting a key, a lock screw that can be moved between a locking position in which it engages a steering shaft by being connected to the lock cylinder, and an unlocking position in which this engagement is released. However, the aforementioned handle lock of the prior art is only applicable for locking the handle at left and right positions and it also requires the proper positioning of the vehicle handle. Further, the conventional handle locks are manually operated through a bike key which requires force to move the lock screw in the lock cylinder and has a complex structure.

[004] Therefore, there is an unmet requirement of providing an anti-theft handle lock for a two-wheeled vehicle that addresses the limitations of two wheeler locking conventional technologies, locks the handle of the two-wheeled vehicle at any angular position, and provides a handle lock that can be operated remotely as well. The present invention as described below overcomes the limitations of two wheeler locking technologies and fulfills the above stated requirements of two wheeler handlebar locking system.

Objectives of the Present Invention

[005] The main objective of the present invention is to provide an anti-theft smart handle lock for two-wheeled vehicles such as a moped, scooters and bikes.

[006] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a smart handle lock for a moped bike that can lock the handle at any angular position in any side with respect to the central line in forward direction of the vehicle.

[007] Further, another objective of the present invention is to provide an optimized design of the anti-theft handle lock for two wheeled vehicles.

[008] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a fob key-operated anti-theft smart handle lock for two wheeled vehicles.

[009] Still another objective of the present invention is to provide anti-theft smart handle lock with alarm system that indicates the locking and unlocking position of the two wheeled vehicles.

[0010] Yet, another objective of the present invention is to provide an economical and maintenance-free anti-theft smart handle lock for the two wheeled vehicles.
Brief Description of Drawings

[0011] This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiment/s herein and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description when read with reference to the drawings, wherein

[0012] Figure 01 discloses an isometric view of the smart handle lock arrangement in the locked condition for a moped bike in accordance with the present invention.

[0013] Figure 02 discloses a cut view of the smart handle lock arrangement in the locking condition for a moped bike in accordance with the present invention.

[0014] Figure 03 discloses an isometric view of the connection of the steering rod (10) and fixed column (20) of the smart handle lock for the moped bike in accordance with the present invention.

[0015] Figure 04a and 04b discloses an isometric view of the top and bottom of the circular bracket (40) having a toothed profile on its half bottom periphery in accordance with the present invention.

[0016] Figure 05 discloses a cut view of the actuator assembly (50) of the smart handle lock in accordance with the present invention.

[0017] Figure 06 discloses an isometric view of the smart handle lock arrangement in unlock condition for a moped bike in accordance with the present invention.

[0018] Figure 07 discloses a cut view of the smart handle lock arrangement in unlock condition for a moped bike in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Present Invention

[0019] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings which must not be viewed as restricting the scope and ambit of the invention. Referring to Figs. 01 and 02, the preferred embodiment of a smart handle lock (100) for two-wheeled vehicles, which overcomes the above mentioned limitations of existing locking systems, comprises a steering rod (10), a fixed central column (20), a nut (30), a circular bracket (40), and an actuator assembly (50).

[0020] Referring to Figs. 01, 02 and 03, the said fixed central column (20) is has a cylindrical hollow profile and is configured to have a top end (20U), a bottom end (20L) and an opening (20H) from said top end (20U). The opening (20H) at the top end (20U) of the fixed central column (20) is configured to receive the steering rod (10). The bottom end (20L) of the fixed central column (20) is non-rotatably mounted on the front fork (not shown), where the said front fork is connected with the wheel axle (not shown) of the two-wheeled vehicle.

[0021] The steering rod (10) is configured to have an upper end (10U) and a lower end (10L) and the upper end (10U) is configured to be fixed with a central portion of the handlebar (not shown) and the lower end (10L) is configured to be rotatably fitted inside the opening (20H) of the fixed central column (20) by using the nut (30). Further, the steering rod (10) is configured to have a circular bracket (40) concentrically sleeved over and fitted by the fastening means over the said steering rod (10) in such a way that the said circular bracket (40) buts on the top end (20U) of the fixed central column (20) in concentric manner. The said circular bracket (40) is concentrically sleeved and fitted over the steering rod (10) by the fastening means selected from welding, threaded joinery, press fit method, adhesive, and like that fulfills the mechanical requirements required for functioning of the lock of the invention.

[0022] Referring to Figs. 04a and 04b, the circular bracket (40) has a profile of a circular plate and is configured to have an upper portion (40U), a lower portion (40L) and a central hole (40H). The lower portion (40L) of the circular bracket (40) is configured to have two circular skirt (40S1 and 40S2) wherein the first circular skirt (40S1) is radially projected downward from the outer periphery of the lower portion (40L) of the circular bracket (40). The said first circular skirt (40S1) has a toothed pattern (40T) on its half peripheral edge so as to lock the handle at any position. The toothed surface (40T) of the circular bracket (40) faces downward and meshes with another toothed segment (52T) of the actuator assembly (50) during locking the handle of the two-wheeled vehicle.

[0023] The second circular skirt (40S2) is radially projected downward from the periphery of the central hole (40H) of the circular bracket (40) and said circular skirt (40S2) provides a sufficient surface for welding the circular bracket (40) on the outer peripheral surface of the steering rod (10). During fixing of the circular bracket (40) on the outer peripheral surface of the steering rod (10), said circular bracket (40) is coaxially positioned over the steering rod (10) through the central hole (40H) of the circular bracket (40) and is fixed with the steering rod (10) so as to get positioned above the top end (20U) of the fixed central column (20) in assembled condition of the locking system of the invention as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
[0024] Referring to Figs. 02 and 05, the actuator assembly (50) comprises a cylindrical casing (51), a motor (M), a torque transmission member (54), a locking sleeve (55), a hollow body (53), and a rack gear (52). The motor (M) is in continuous communication with a battery of the vehicle through/via the electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is suitably placed within the vehicle body so as to be in close proximity with the motor (M) and to ensure its safety. The motor (M) has an output shaft (M1) wherein the distal end of the output shaft (M1) is configured to have a half lap profile (HLP).

[0025] The torque transmission member (54) is configured to have a proximal end (54P) and a distal end (54D) wherein the proximal end (54P) has a half lap profile which is coupled / meshed with the half lap profiled (HLP) end of the output shaft (M1) of the motor (M) to form a half-lap joint of the torque transmission member (54) with the output shaft (M1) of the motor (M). Further, the locking sleeve (55) which is a kind of an adaptor or a coupling member, provided for coupling the output shaft of the motor (M) and proximal end (54P) of the torque transmission member (54) in order to prevent and/or lock the axial and radial movement of said half lap joint. The means and methods of coupling of the output shaft of the motor (M) and proximal end (54P) of the torque transmission member (54) are not limited to the half lap joint. It may be selected from a beam coupling, a cotter joint, and like fulfilling the requirement of seamless power transmission. The distal end (54D) of the torque transmission member (54) has an externally threaded profile (54T) and said threaded profile (54T) is configured to mesh with the threaded profile provided on inner peripheral surface of the the hollow body (53).

[0026] The hollow body (53) is configured to have an opening (53H) at one end and other end is closed. The inner peripheral surface of the hollow body (53) has a threaded profile (53T) and outer peripheral surface of the hollow body (53) is configured to have at least one longitudinal rib (53R). The opening (53H) of the hollow body (53) is configured to receive the externally threaded profile (54T) of the torque transmission member (54) and meshes with the threaded profile (53T) of the hollow body (53). The top surface (TS) of the closed end of the hollow body (53) has a rectangular cavity (53B) for receiving the rack gear (52).

[0027] The rack gear (52) is configured to have a toothed upper end and a rectangular body. The rectangular body of the rack gear (52) is press-fitted inside the rectangular cavity (53B) in the top surface (TS) of the hollow body (53) and the upper end of the rack gear (52) is configured to have a toothed segments (52T). The rack gear (52) is positioned on the top surface (TS) of the hollow body (53) in such a way that it is engaged with the toothed surface (40T) of the circular bracket (40) during locked condition of the handlebar of the two-wheeled vehicle. The toothed segments (52T) of the rack gear (52) can be optimized and profiled according to the toothed profiled surface (40T) of the circular bracket (40).

[0028] The cylindrical casing (51) have a hollow profile and is configured to have an upper end (51U), a lower end (51L) and a longitudinal guiding slot (51S) on its inner peripheral surface. The cylindrical casing (51) is sleeved coaxially over the assembly of the rack gear (52), the hollow body (53) and the torque transmission member (54) in such a way that the longitudinal guiding slot (51S) is slidably positioned over the longitudinal rib (53R) of the hollow body (53). The engagement of the longitudinal guiding slot (51S) of the casing (51) and the longitudinal rib (53R) of the hollow body (53) restricts the radial movement of the hollow body (53). The lower end (51L) of the cylindrical casing (51) is fitted with the body of the motor (M). A protection cap (60) have a profile of a circular washer and is configured to have a central opening (60H) through which the rack gear (52) moves upward and downward to get engaged or disengaged with the toothed profiled surface (40T) of the circular bracket (40). The said protection cap (60) is fixed on the upper end (51U) of the cylindrical casing (51) via a fasteners (F) which are selected from the group of a bolt, screw, rivets, etc.

[0029] Further, the actuator assembly (50) is fixed on the outer surface of the fixed column (20) with sufficient clearance with the top circular bracket (40) by using fastening means (FM) selected from welding, clamping, riveting, and like. Further, the said actuator assembly (50) is in communication with an electronic control unit (ECU) and said ECU is configured to rotate the motor (M) in a clockwise direction and anti-clockwise direction as per instruction from the user through a remote key or a FOB (Free On Board) key. Further, the said ECU is configured to generate an audio (alarm) and/or visual (on the dashboard) output during the locking and unlocking event of the handle of the moped bike indicating the locked and unlocked condition of the vehicle lock.

[0030] In the event of locking of the handle (refer Fig. 01), the user presses the lock button through the FOB key and the ECU receives the command of locking the handle. Further, the ECU give instruction to the motor (M) to rotate in clockwise direction. As the motor (M) start rotating in clockwise direction, the torque of the motor (M) is being transferred to the torque transmission member (54) through the output shaft (M1) of the motor (M). The said torque transmission member (54) starts rotating the hollow body (53) by meshing the threaded profile (54T) of the torque transmission member (54) with the threaded profile (53T) of the hollow body (53) and move the hollow body (53) in upward direction because of the lead-screw mechanism. As the hollow body (53) moves in upward direction, the toothed segments (52T) of the fitted rack gear (52) gets engaged with the toothed profile (40T) of the circular bracket (40). The handle of the two wheeled vehicle is locked after the engagement of the toothed profile (40T) of the circular bracket (40) and the toothed segment (52T) of the rack gear (52). The ECU stops the rotation of motor (M) after locking the handle of the vehicle and generates an audio and/or visual output accordingly to indicate the locked condition of the vehicle.

[0031] In the event of unlocking of the handle (refer Figs. 06 and 07), the user presses the unlock button through the FOB key and the ECU receives the command of unlocking the handle. Further, the ECU gives instructions to the motor (M) to rotate in anti-clockwise direction. As the motor (M) starts rotating in anti-clockwise direction, the torque of the motor (M) is transferred to the torque transmission member (54) through the output shaft (M1) of the motor (M). The said torque transmission member (54) starts rotating the hollow body (53) in anti-clockwise direction and moves the hollow body (53) in the downward direction because of the lead-screw mechanism. As the hollow body (53) moves in the downward direction, the toothed segment (52T) of the fitted rack gear (52) is disengaged with the toothed profile (40T) of the circular bracket (40). The handle of the two-wheeled vehicle is unlocked after the disengagement of the toothed profile (40T) of the circular bracket (40) and the toothed segment (52T) of the rack gear (52). At this moment, the ECU stops the rotation of the motor (M) after unlocking the handle and generates an audio and/or visual output accordingly to indicate the un-lock condition of the handlebar of the two wheeled vehicle.

[0032] The smart handle lock (100) for a moped bike in accordance with the disclosed embodiment provides the following technical advantages that contribute to the advancement of technology:
- It provides a reliable smart handle lock for the two-wheeled vehicle such as a moped bike.
- The smart handle lock of the present invention can lock the handle at any position.
- It provides a remote-controlled locking system for locking the handlebar of the moped bike from a distance.
- The handle lock structure of the present invention has high strength as compared to the earlier locks of the prior art because of the increased surface contact area.
- It is very simple and equally economical solution for remotely locking the two wheeled vehicle.
- It eliminates the manual actuation of the handle lock through a key.
- The handle lock of the present invention also generates a suitable audio/visual output for the user so as to indicate the locked / un-lock condition of the two wheeled vehicle.
- A simple construction of the handle lock of the moped bike leads to ease of assembly and economical handle lock.

[0033] The foregoing description of the specific embodiment of the invention will so fully reveal 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 embodiment/s herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiment, 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. ,CLAIMS:We Claim

1. A multi-sectoral electronic locking system for two wheelers comprising of a steering rod (10), a fixed central column (20), a nut (30), a circular bracket (40), an electronic control unit (ECU), an actuator assembly (50), a Free-On-Board key (FOB), and a battery of a vehicle
wherein,
- the fixed central column (20) is configured to have a cylindrical hollow profile having a top end (20U), a bottom end (20L) and an opening (20H) from said top end (20U); and said opening (20H) at the top end (20U) of the fixed central column (20) is configured to receive the steering rod (10);
- the steering rod (10) having an upper end (10U) and a lower end (10L); and said lower end (10L) is configured to be rotatably fitted inside the opening (20H) of the fixed central column (20) with the help of the nut (30);
- the circular bracket (40) is concentrically sleeved over and fitted by the fastening means over the said steering rod (10) in such a way that the said circular bracket (40) buts on the top end (20U) of the fixed central column (20) in concentric manner;
- the actuator assembly (50) is configured to comprise a cylindrical casing (51), a motor (M), a torque transmission member (54), a locking sleeve (55), a hollow body (53), and a rack gear (52); and said motor (M) of the actuator assembly (50) is in continuous communication with a battery of the vehicle through/via the electronic control unit (ECU); and
- said actuator assembly (50) is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the fixed column (20) maintaining a clearance with the top circular bracket (40) by using fastening means (FM).

2. The multi-sectoral electronic locking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein
- the bottom end (20L) of the fixed central column (20) is non-rotatably mounted on the front fork (not shown); and
- the upper end (10U) of the steering rod (10) is configured to be fixed with a central portion of the handlebar (not shown) of the vehicle.

3. The multi-sectoral electronic locking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein
- the circular bracket (40) has a profile of a circular plate and is configured to have an upper portion (40U), a lower portion (40L) and a central hole (40H);
- the lower portion (40L) of the circular bracket (40) is configured to have two circular skirt (40S1 and 40S2); wherein the first circular skirt (40S1) is radially projected downward from the outer periphery of the lower portion (40L) of the circular bracket (40), and the second circular skirt (40S2) is radially projected downward from the periphery of the central hole (40H) of the circular bracket (40); and
- said circular bracket (40) is coaxially positioned over the steering rod (10) through the central hole (40H) of the circular bracket (40) and is fixed with the steering rod (10) so as to get positioned above the top end (20U) of the fixed central column (20) by the fastening means (FM).

4. The multi-sectoral electronic locking system as claimed in claim 3, wherein
- said first circular skirt (40S1) is configured to have a toothed pattern (40T) on its half peripheral edge so as to lock the handle at any position;
- said toothed pattern surface (40T) of the circular bracket (40) faces downward and is configured to mesh with a toothed segment (52T) of the actuator assembly (50) during locking the handle of the two-wheeled vehicle;
- the fastening means (FM) is selected from welding, threaded joinery, press fit method, adhesive that fulfills the mechanical requirements required for functioning of the lock; and
- the circular skirt (40S2) is configured to provide a sufficient surface for fastening the circular bracket (40) on the outer peripheral surface of the steering rod (10).

5. The multi-sectoral electronic locking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein
- the motor (M) of the actuator assembly (50) has an output shaft (M1) and the distal end of said output shaft (M1) is configured to have a half lap profile (HLP);
- the torque transmission member (54) of the actuator assembly (50) is configured to have a proximal end (54P) and a distal end (54D) wherein said proximal end (54P) has a half lap profile configured to get coupled / meshed with the half lap profiled (HLP) end of the output shaft (M1) of the motor (M) to form a half-lap joint of the torque transmission member (54) with the output shaft (M1) of the motor (M);
- the locking sleeve (55) of the actuator assembly (50) is configured to couple the output shaft of the motor (M) and proximal end (54P) of the torque transmission member (54) in order to prevent and/or lock the axial and radial movement of said half lap joint; and
- the distal end (54D) of the torque transmission member (54) has an externally threaded profile (54T) and said threaded profile (54T) is configured to mesh with the threaded profile provided on inner peripheral surface of the hollow body (53).

6. The multi-sectoral electronic locking system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the coupling of the output shaft of the motor (M) and proximal end (54P) of the torque transmission member (54) is not limited to the half lap joint; and it is selected from a beam coupling, a cotter joint, and like fulfilling the requirement of seamless torque transmission.

7. The multi-sectoral electronic locking system as claimed in claim 5, wherein
- the hollow body (53) of the actuator assembly (50) is configured to have an opening (53H) at one end and other end is closed forming a top surface (TS);
- the inner peripheral surface of said hollow body (53) has a threaded profile (53T) and outer peripheral surface of the hollow body (53) is configured to have at least one longitudinal rib (53R);

- the opening (53H) of the hollow body (53) is configured to receive the externally threaded profile (54T) end of the torque transmission member (54) so as to mesh with the threaded profile (53T) of the hollow body (53); and
- the top surface (TS) of the closed end of the hollow body (53) is configured to have a rectangular cavity (53B) for receiving the rack gear (52).

8. The multi-sectoral electronic locking system as claimed in claim 7, wherein
- the rack gear (52) of the actuator assembly (50) is configured to have a toothed upper end and a rectangular body;
- the rectangular body of the rack gear (52) is press-fitted inside the rectangular cavity (53B) in the top surface (TS) of the hollow body (53) and the upper end of the rack gear (52) is configured to have a toothed segments (52T);
- the rack gear (52) is positioned on the top surface (TS) of the hollow body (53) in such a way that it is configured to engage with the toothed surface (40T) of the circular bracket (40) during locking condition of the handlebar of the two-wheeled vehicle; and
- said toothed segments (52T) of the rack gear (52) can be optimized and profiled according to the toothed profiled surface (40T) of the circular bracket (40).

9. The multi-sectoral electronic locking system as claimed in claim 8, wherein
- the cylindrical casing (51) of the actuator assembly (50) has a hollow profile and is configured to have an upper end (51U), a lower end (51L) and a longitudinal guiding slot (51S) on its inner peripheral surface;
- said cylindrical casing (51) is sleeved coaxially over the assembly of the rack gear (52), the hollow body (53) and the torque transmission member (54) in such a way that the longitudinal guiding slot (51S) is slidably positioned over the longitudinal rib (53R) of the hollow body (53);
- the lower end (51L) of the cylindrical casing (51) is fitted with the body of the motor (M); and
- the upper end (51U) of the cylindrical casing (51) tightly holds a protection cap (60) by the fasteners (F), and said fasteners (F) are selected from the group of a bolt, screw and rivets.

10. The multi-sectoral electronic locking system as claimed in claim 9, wherein
- the engagement of the longitudinal guiding slot (51S) of the casing (51) and the longitudinal rib (53R) of the hollow body (53) is configured to restrict the radial movement of the hollow body (53);
- and the protection cap (60) have a profile of a circular washer and is configured to have a central opening (60H) through which the rack gear (52) moves upward and downward to get engaged or disengaged with the toothed profiled surface (40T) of the circular bracket (40).

Dated this 24th day of March 2024

Sahastrarashmi Pund
Head – IPR
Endurance Technologies Ltd.

To,
The Controller of Patents,
The Patent Office, at Mumbai