Lock apparatus and vehicle using the same

Abstract

A lock apparatus includes a bracket, an engagement module, and an actuation module. The engagement module is supported in the bracket and has an engagement member configured to move to a first position or a second position in a first axial direction along the first axial direction. The actuation module is connected to the bracket and includes a pushing member. The actuation module drives the pushing member to move to a first position or a second position in the second axial direction along the second axial direction. When the pushing member is at the first position in the second axial direction, the engagement member is at the first position in the first axial direction. When the pushing member is at the second position in the second axial direction, the engagement member is at the second position in the first axial direction.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A lock apparatus, comprising:
 a bracket;   an engagement module supported in the bracket and including an engagement member configured to move in a first axial direction relative to the bracket; and   an actuation module connected to the bracket and including a pushing member, the actuation module driving the pushing member to move in a second axial direction,   wherein the pushing member includes a pushing portion configured to engage and move the engagement member in the first axial direction toward the bracket; and   wherein the actuation module is an electromagnetic switch and further comprises:
 a sleeve; 
 a movable rod passing through the sleeve, wherein the pushing member is coupled to an end of the movable rod; 
 an abutting ring mounted to another end of the movable rod away from the pushing member; and 
 a resilient member abutted between the sleeve and the abutting ring. 
   
     
     
         28 . The lock apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the first axial direction is substantially perpendicular to the second axial direction. 
     
     
         29 . The lock apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the pushing portion of the pushing member includes a curved surface. 
     
     
         30 . The lock apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the pushing member includes a step portion adjacent to the pushing portion. 
     
     
         31 . The lock apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the pushing member includes a flat surface. 
     
     
         32 . The lock apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the step portion is positioned between the flat surface and the pushing portion. 
     
     
         33 . The lock apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the first axial direction is substantially perpendicular to the second axial direction, and wherein the pushing portion has a top surface substantially parallel to the flat surface. 
     
     
         34 . The lock apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the top surface of the pushing portion and the flat surface has a height difference in the first axial direction. 
     
     
         35 . The lock apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the step portion is curved. 
     
     
         36 . The lock apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein when the engagement member is moved toward the bracket in the first axial direction, the engagement member is moved from an unlock position to a lock position. 
     
     
         37 . The lock apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein when the engagement member is moved away from the bracket in the first axial direction, the engagement member is moved from a lock position to an unlock position. 
     
     
         38 . The lock apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein when the pushing member is moved toward the bracket in the second axial direction, the engagement member is moved from an unlock position to a lock position. 
     
     
         39 . The lock apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein when the pushing member is moved away from the bracket in the second axial direction, the engagement member is moved from a lock position to an unlock position. 
     
     
         40 . The lock apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein when the pushing portion engages and moves the engagement member in the first axial direction toward the bracket, the engagement member is moved from an unlock position to a lock position. 
     
     
         41 . The lock apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the engagement member is configured to be positioned in an engagement hole of a shaft when the engagement member is in a lock position. 
     
     
         42 . The lock apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the shaft is a steering shaft of a vehicle. 
     
     
         43 . The lock apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the bracket is configured to support and guide the engagement member to move in the first axial direction. 
     
     
         44 . A vehicle, comprising:
 a steering shaft; and   a lock apparatus configured to lock the steering shaft and comprising:
 a bracket; 
 an engagement module supported in the bracket and including an engagement member configured to move in a first axial direction relative to the bracket; and 
 an actuation module connected to the bracket and including a pushing member, the actuation module driving the pushing member to move in a second axial direction substantially perpendicular to the first axial direction, 
   wherein the pushing member includes a pushing portion configured to engage and move the engagement member in the first axial direction toward the bracket; and   wherein the actuation module is an electromagnetic switch and further comprises:
 a sleeve; 
 a movable rod passing through the sleeve, wherein the pushing member is coupled to an end of the movable rod; 
 an abutting ring mounted to another end of the movable rod away from the pushing member; and 
 a resilient member abutted between the sleeve and the abutting ring. 
   
     
     
         45 . The vehicle of  claim 44 , wherein the engagement member is configured to be positioned in an engagement hole of the steering shaft when the engagement member is in a lock position, and wherein the engagement member is configured to be moved by the pushing member to the lock position. 
     
     
         46 . A vehicle, comprising:
 a shaft; and   a lock apparatus configured to lock the shaft and comprising:
 an engagement module including an engagement member configured to move in a first axial direction relative to the shaft; and 
 an actuation module including a pushing member, the actuation module driving the pushing member to move in a second axial direction substantially perpendicular to the first axial direction, 
   wherein the pushing member includes a pushing portion configured to engage and move the engagement member in the first axial direction toward the shaft; and   wherein the actuation module is an electromagnetic switch and further comprises:
 a sleeve; 
 a movable rod passing through the sleeve, wherein the pushing member is coupled to an end of the movable rod; 
 an abutting ring mounted to another end of the movable rod away from the pushing member; and 
 a resilient member abutted between the sleeve and the abutting ring. 
   
     
     
         47 . The vehicle of  claim 46 , wherein the engagement member is configured to be positioned in an engagement hole of the shaft when the engagement member is in a lock position, and wherein the engagement member is configured to be moved by the pushing member to the lock position.