Patent · US Expired

Electric steering lock apparatus for protecting actuator from overheating

US7187089B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
3References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 7, 2004
Grant dateMar 6, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 6, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T70/7006
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An electric steering lock apparatus that protects an actuator from overheating without enlarging the actuator. The electric steering lock apparatus includes a lock pin engaged with a steering shaft to lock the steering shaft. An actuator moves the lock pin between a lock position in which the lock pin is engaged with the steering shaft and an unlock position in which the lock pin is disengaged from the steering shaft. A control unit controls the actuator. The control unit generates a calculated value related to operation time of the actuator and suspends operation of the actuator when the calculated value is greater than a predetermined operation suspension threshold value.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.