Electric steering lock

US7151324B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG · DE
• Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Stefan Neuhoff · Essen, DE
• Reiner Buchner · Sinzing, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 1, 2002
• Grant date: Dec 19, 2006
• Expiry date: May 22, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T70/7057
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric steering lock wherein a permanent magnet (20) and two different Hall sensors (21,22) are used to recognise a locking and an unlocking position. The pole transition (23) of the magnet (20) is oriented in the direction of the lift (14). In order to increase efficiency, one sensor (21) is south-pole active and the other (22) is north-pole active. The sensors (21,22) are arranged in an intermediate area (25) between both end positions (10.1, 10.2) of the pole transition (23) of the permanent magnet (20) and are disposed at a defined end distance (38, 39) from both end positions (10.1, 10.2). At said end distance (10.1), the N-active sensor (21) is oriented towards the north pole and the S-active sensor (22) is oriented towards the south pole of the permanent magnet. Said end distance (38, 39) corresponds to the distance at which the magnetic flow density (30.1) of the permanent magnet (20) is at least identical to the threshold value (21.1) required to turn on (28.1, 29.1) the N or-S-active sensor (21) at the highest temperature occurring during the use thereof.