Patent ID: 8047028
Filing Date: 2011-11-01
Classification: B60R,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A steering shaft lock actuator comprising: a housing; a motor disposed in said housing and having an output shaft; a drive train disposed in said housing and coupled to said output shaft; a locking member coupled to said drive train, said locking member being movable between a locked position wherein said locking member prevents rotation of the steering shaft and an unlocked position wherein said locking member does not prevent rotation of the steering shaft, said locking member being linearly moved to said unlocked position by energizing said motor to drive said locking member through said drive train, said locking member having portions defining a first opening and a second opening therein; and a compression spring having a first end positioned against said housing and a second end positioned against an edge of said first opening of said locking member, whereby energy is stored in said compression spring while said locking member is being moved to said unlocked position, said energy stored in said compression spring driving said locking member toward said locked position after said motor is turned off, wherein said drive train comprises a worm wheel having an eccentric cam disposed in said second opening of said locking member, said eccentric cam contacting said second opening of said locking member to linearly urge said locking member to said unlocked position, and wherein said eccentric cam is configured to move to enable said compression spring to drive said locking member toward said locked position, and wherein a locking lever is coupled to said eccentric cam, said locking lever comprising a longitudinal extension and a locking arm and a projection extending from opposing ends of the longitudinal extension, at least a portion of said longitudinal extension being configured to engage a slot defined in said locking member to lock said locking member in said unlocked position.