KR100818223B1 - Steering lock device for coupling electronic identification system and method of manufacturing thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

It is interlocked with the electronic authentication system through the minimum structural change in the existing vehicle structure.It is free and easy to attach and detach, so it is not only excellent in productivity and installability but also useful in preventing theft of the vehicle. A steering lock apparatus and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. After removing the key cylinder from the steering lock body, the mounted actuator is combined with the cam protrusion connected to the lock pin to move the lock pin. The actuator is driven by the electronic authentication device possessed by the driver, and upon receiving the drive signal, the actuator is operated to move the lock pin to selectively fix the steering column. Such a device and a manufacturing method can provide a steering lock device that is easy, efficient, and improved in security.

Steering lock device, anti-theft device, electronic authentication device, smart key

Description

Steering lock device interworking with electronic certification system and its manufacturing method {STEERING LOCK DEVICE FOR COUPLING ELECTRONIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THEREOF}

1 and 2 are cross-sectional views showing a steering lock device shown in the Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 2005-38288.

3 is an exploded perspective view of the steering lock apparatus according to the present invention.

4 is a cross-sectional view of the actuator according to the present invention.

5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a steering shaft is locked by a lock pin.

6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the locking pin is reversed and the steering shaft is unlocked.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: ignition lockbody 100: main body

120: shaft receiving portion 126: locking groove

130: ignition switch receiving groove 140: actuator mounting groove

160: protective cover 200: actuator

220: motor 250: rotating unit

260: slit 340: lock pin

The present invention relates to a steering lock device interworking with the electronic authentication system and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, interlocked with the electronic authentication system through a minimal structural change in the existing vehicle structure, freely removable and easy to remove productivity and mounting The present invention relates to a steering lock apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same, which are not only excellent but also useful for preventing theft of a vehicle and improving security.

The Federal Government of Canada announced that mandatory anti-theft devices will be required for all vehicles released after September 1, 2007. There is also a big change in the industrial market.

The Federal Government of Canada currently requires the Motor Vehicle Safety Act to mandate the use of anti-theft devices designed to prevent the engine from running automatically when an unauthorized user attempts to start a car. Regulations are being amended.

This trend is not only in Canada but also globally. In line with this trend, not only are automobile anti-theft devices being developed in various ways, but the range of their use is spreading and legally mandated. All.

An example of such an anti-theft device is a steering lock device, which is used to prevent theft of a vehicle, and includes a locking groove formed in a steering shaft and a locking pin that can be selectively inserted into or removed from the locking groove. And, it is composed of a locking device for moving the lock pin. The locking device is generally referred to as an ignition lock device, and is composed of a key cylinder having a key groove into which a ignition key is inserted, a cam operating in conjunction with the key cylinder, and a lock pin and an ignition switch operating in conjunction with the cam.

1 and 2 are described in more detail for the conventional steering lock apparatus. 1 and 2 are cross-sectional views showing a steering lock device shown in the Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 2005-38288.

As shown in the drawing, in the locking device of the steering column 1, the cam 12 contacts the outer wall of the cam storage chamber 10 of the lock bar support member 5 in the non-locked state. In the locked state and the engine is also in the operating state (on position of the key), the accessory mode in the on position of the key (17) to stop the engine in the non-locked state of the steering column (1). When the motor is rotated to the LOCK position via the ACC, the cam operating member 11 rotates as the rotor 9 rotates, and the cam 12 moves in the cam storage chamber as the cam operating member 11 rotates. (10) A coil spring (16) detached from the outer wall to release the lock bar support member (5) and provided between the cap (15) and the outer wall of the cam storage chamber (10) of the lock bar support member (5). By sliding the lock bar support member 5 toward the steering column 1 by the elastic restoring force of The bar 6 is inserted into the lock hole 7 formed in the steering column 1 as shown in the virtual lines of FIGS. 2 and 3 to lock the column 1.

That is, when the starter key 17 is inserted into the key cylinder 8 and rotated, the cam 12 rotates in association with the rotor 9, and the ignition switch 14 coupled with the cam 12 also rotates. The starting and stopping of the engine is performed, and at the same time, the locking groove 7 having the locking pin 6 formed on the steering shaft 1 while the locking pin stopper 5 interlocked with the cam 12 performs a linear reciprocating motion. By being inserted into or separated from the steering shaft 1 is to perform a locking or unlocking operation. The key cylinder 8 and the ignition switch 14 constituting the ignition lock device can be separated from the ignition lock body 4 under certain conditions for repair in the event of a failure.

Such a mechanical steering lock device has a problem that is vulnerable to theft as compared to a system that uses both an electronic authentication system or a mechanical and electronic authentication system, by performing the authentication procedure only mechanically. In addition, the driver is inconvenient to carry the ignition key at all times in order to drive the vehicle, there is an inconvenience that must operate the ignition device with the ignition key to unlock the steering lock device.

Recently, there is a smart key system that can be started and operated through an electronic authentication method without a start key. In order to change the existing mechanical steering lock device to the smart key system, there is a problem that a high cost and a lot of time and effort are required. Therefore, it is an urgent time to study the steering lock apparatus that can be operated in conjunction with the smart key through the electronic authentication method.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a steering lock apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same, which are automatically operated without requiring a ignition key in connection with an electronic authentication system such as a smart key of a vehicle. There is this.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a steering lock device and a method of manufacturing the same, which are easy to be mounted after the interlock with the electronic authentication system through a minimum structural change in the existing vehicle structure.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a steering lock device and a method of manufacturing the same that can be installed with a low cost and effort to free detachment and easy, and is useful for preventing theft of a vehicle to improve security.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object of the present invention, the steering lock device of the present invention, in the steering lock device for selectively fixing the steering column of the vehicle in accordance with the movement of the lock pin, forming an appearance And an ignition lock body, an actuator which removes a key cylinder of the ignition lock body, is coupled to the seat, an actuator for moving the lock pin, and a protective cover coupled to an opposite side of the actuator to close the opposite side. The actuator may move the lock pin to lock or unlock the steering column by an electric signal transmitted from the outside of the vehicle. The actuator includes a housing, a motor embedded in the housing and producing a driving force, a gear unit for transmitting a driving force of the motor, and one side of which is coupled to the gear unit, and the other side of which is coupled to a cam protrusion capable of moving the lock pin. And a rotating unit in which slits are formed.

In addition, the present invention further includes an electronic authentication device, and the electronic authentication device automatically transmits the electrical signal by communication when the driver possesses the vehicle and the driver approaches within a predetermined distance.

In the manufacturing method according to the invention in the manufacturing method of the steering lock device for selectively fixing the steering column of the vehicle in response to the movement of the lock pin, providing an actuator driven by an electrical signal transmitted from the outside of the vehicle, Removing the key cylinder and the ignition switch from the ignition lock body of the vehicle, coupling the actuator to the actuator mounting groove to which the key cylinder is coupled, and closing the ignition switch receiving groove to which the key cylinder is mounted. And the actuator moves the lock pin to lock or unlock the steering column by an electric signal transmitted from the outside of the vehicle.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited or limited by the embodiments.

3 is an exploded perspective view of the steering lock apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the ignition lock body 100 is provided with a main body 110, and has a donut shape at the lower side thereof, and the shaft accommodating part 120 through which the steering shaft 125 connected to the handle passes. It is provided in the lower side. In addition, an upper side of the main body 110 is provided with an actuator mounting groove 140 in which the actuator 200 is mounted, and the ignition switch in the direction facing the actuator mounting groove 140 (that is, the opposite side). The removed ignition switch receiving groove 130 is formed. The ignition switch receiving groove 130 may be closed using a stopper 160. By inserting a cylinder formed in a cylindrical shape into the ignition switch receiving groove 130, it is also a good way to prevent other foreign matter from penetrating into the ignition switch receiving groove 130, and to prevent external interference.

The steering shaft 125 will be described in detail later, but is provided with a locking groove and locks or unlocks the lock pin by the actuator 200. That is, the locking groove of the steering shaft 125 is formed in the region of the steering shaft 125 that is wrapped by the shaft receiving portion 120, the locking pin protruding from the main body 110 to the shaft receiving portion 120 is The steering shaft is locked by engaging the locking groove.

The actuator mounting groove 140 is a place where a key cylinder into which a key is inserted and a rotor mounted on a key cylinder are coupled to the actuator mounting groove 140. The steering lock device 100 removes the key cylinder and the rotor so as not to be operated by the key from the outside, and couples the actuator 200 operable by an external signal to the actuator mounting groove 140.

A more detailed description of the actuator is shown in FIG. 4. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the actuator according to the present invention.

As shown therein, the actuator 200 includes a housing 210 having a through hole 270 formed at one side thereof, a motor 220 accommodated in the housing 210 to produce a driving force, A first gear 230 connected to the shaft of the motor 220, a second gear 240 connected to the first gear 230 to change a direction of a driving force vertically, and the second gear 240. It includes a rotation unit 250 connected to.

The motor 220 generates a driving force by using a power source of the vehicle or having a separate battery. The motor 220 is driven by an electrical signal transmitted from the outside of the vehicle. An example of a device for generating a driving electrical signal of the motor is an electronic authentication device of a vehicle such as a smart key.

The first gear 230 and the second gear 240 may be a general worm gear that changes the driving force vertically. One side of the rotation unit 250 is connected to the second gear 240, and the other side is formed with a slit 260 exposed through the through hole 270 of the housing 210. The slit 260 may be formed in a rectangular or elliptical shape whose major and minor axes are distinguished. As will be described later, the slit 260 is coupled to the cam projection connected to the cam to advance or reverse the lock pin.

When the motor 220 rotates, the first gear 230 and the second gear 240 connected thereto rotate so that the rotation unit 250 rotates at an angle. Accordingly, the slit 260 formed in the rotation unit 250 is rotated at a predetermined angle. When the motor 220 transmits the driving force in the forward or reverse direction, the slit 260 is rotated in the forward or reverse direction accordingly.

5 and 6 are presented to illustrate the overall working principle of the invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the steering shaft is locked by the lock pin, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which the steering shaft is unlocked by reversing the lock pin.

As shown in FIG. 5, a lock pin 340 coupled to the locking groove 126 formed in the steering shaft 125 is embedded in the main body 110 of the steering lock apparatus 100. The lock pin 340 is connected to the lock pin stopper 330, and the lock pin stopper 330 is in contact with the cam 320. One end of the lock pin stopper 330 is mounted with a spring 350 to transmit the elastic force. The spring 350 is preferably mounted in a compressed state, and when the actuator 200 does not operate, the lock pin 340 is inserted into the locking groove 126 by pushing the lock pin stopper 330. It's a good idea to keep them intact. When the driving is not performed during parking, etc., the steering shaft 125 is locked by the lock pin 340 as described above to operate to prevent theft.

If the driver is located within a certain distance to the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 6, a driving electric signal of the motor is generated in the electronic authentication apparatus possessed by the driver and transmitted to the motor 220 of the actuator 200. The motor 220 receiving the signal rotates in one direction. The driving force generated in the motor 220 rotates the slit 260 in one direction through the first gear 230 and the second gear 240, and causes the cam protrusion 311 coupled with the slit 260 to rotate. do. When the cam protrusion 311 rotates, the cam 320 connected thereto rotates.

As the cam 320 rotates, the lock pin stopper 330 retreats in a straight line, and the lock pin 340 connected thereto is retracted to move away from the locking groove 126 formed in the steering shaft 125. Therefore, the steering shaft 125 is unlocked so that the steering shaft 125 is rotatable in accordance with the driver's handle operation. Reference numeral 111, which is not described in the drawings, is a spring support wall, and 310 is a cam protrusion mounted at an ignition switch receiving groove.

The manufacturing method of the present invention will be described as follows.

First, the housing 210 is manufactured, the motor 220 and the gears 230 and 240 are assembled therein, and the rotation unit 250 provided with the slit 260 is combined to complete the actuator 200. do.

Next, the key cylinder and the ignition switch are separated from the actuator mounting groove 140 and the ignition switch receiving groove 130 at the ignition lock body in the vehicle. The separation of the key cylinder and the ignition switch is a known technique. For example, when the key cylinder is pressed while the key is inserted into the key groove and returned to the accessory mode (Acc Mode), the key cylinder and the ignition switch are mounted in the ignition lock body. Can be separated.

Next, the actuator 200 is inserted into and coupled to the actuator mounting groove 140 in which the key cylinder exists. At this time, the slit 260 of the actuator 200 is coupled to the cam protrusion 311 to be coupled. In addition, the cylinder is inserted into the ignition switch receiving groove 130 in which the ignition switch existed, and the protective cover 160 is coupled to close the ignition switch receiving groove 130.

As described above, there is an effect that locking and unlocking of the steering can be easily performed by interworking with the electronic authentication device by applying a minimum structural change to the existing vehicle. In addition, it is not only easy to remove and remove the inconvenience of having to carry the ignition key anymore, it is possible to improve the security against theft.

In the present specification, the electronic authentication device refers to any device that can open or close the door of a vehicle without using a key of the vehicle, and for example, the driver's operation or communication when the vehicle and the driver approach within a certain distance. It is a general term for an electronic control device that is automatically operated by. That is, when the driver manually operates the remote start device to generate an electric signal to generate a driving electric signal of the motor, or when the driver is located within a certain distance from the vehicle by using an RFID-embedded device, For example, generating an electrical signal using Bluetooth or infrared communication, and the like. In addition, the driving signal of the motor may be generated in conjunction with a push button for starting.

An operation example of such an electronic authentication device is shown in FIG. 7. 7 is a block diagram showing an application example of the actuator of the present invention. The electronic authentication device 30 receives an electronic signal by the remote starter 31 or the start switch 32. As described above, examples of the remote starter 31 include not only a remote controller operated by the driver, but also an electronic controller that is automatically operated by communication when the vehicle and the driver approach within a certain distance.

The start switch 32 may be in a general form, but is not limited thereto and may be a push button style start switch. The control signal is input to the electronic authentication device 30 according to the ACC / ON / starting state of the start switch, and thus the output control signal of the electronic authentication device 30 may vary.

The electronic authentication device 30 controls the starting 42 and locking / unlocking 43 of the door, and also the steering locking / unlocking 44 using the actuator 200, the order of which can be configured in various ways. Can be. For example, after receiving the signal of the remote starter 31 to release the door 43, the steering switch can be unlocked and started by receiving the signal of the start switch 32. Alternatively, steering locking or unlocking may be controlled according to various modes of the start switch (for example, ACC / ON / START). The starting can be started by igniting an ignition switch through the engine ECU 41.

As described above, according to the present invention can be automatically operated without the need for a start key in conjunction with an electronic authentication device such as a smart key of the vehicle.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of easy post-installation because it is linked with the electronic authentication system through a minimum structural change in the existing vehicle structure.

In addition, it is expected that the economic ripple effect can be easily and easily detachable and can be installed at low cost and effort.

In addition, since the existing mechanical steering lock device can be changed to interoperate with the electronic authentication device in a relatively simple manner, it is useful for preventing theft of the vehicle, thereby improving security.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, but those skilled in the art can variously modify the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. It will be appreciated that it can be changed.

Claims (8)

In the steering lock device for selectively fixing the steering column of the vehicle according to the movement of the lock pin, Ignition lock bodies forming an appearance; An actuator which removes the key cylinder of the ignition lock body and is coupled in place and moves the lock pin; And A protective cover coupled to an opposite side of the actuator to close the opposite side; And steering the locking column by the actuator moving the lock pin by an electrical signal transmitted from the outside of the vehicle. The method of claim 1, The actuator is housing; A motor embedded in the housing and producing a driving force; A gear unit transmitting a driving force of the motor; And One side is coupled to the gear unit, the other side is rotated unit is formed with a slit coupled to the cam projection for moving the lock pin; Steering lock device comprising a. The method of claim 1, And an electronic authentication device, wherein the electronic authentication device automatically transmits the electric signal through communication when the vehicle and the driver approach the vehicle within a predetermined distance. The method of claim 3, wherein And the electronic authentication device controls the actuator according to the ACC / ON / START mode of the start switch to perform steering locking or unlocking, and to control the engine ECU to start the steering lock device. In the manufacturing method of the steering lock device for selectively fixing the steering column of the vehicle according to the movement of the lock pin, Providing an actuator driven by an electrical signal transmitted from the outside of the vehicle; Separating the key cylinder and the ignition switch from the ignition lock body of the vehicle; Coupling the actuator to an actuator mounting groove to which the key cylinder is coupled; And Closing the ignition switch receiving groove in which the key cylinder is mounted; And the actuator moves the lock pin to lock or unlock the steering column by an electric signal transmitted from the outside of the vehicle. The method of claim 5, Providing the actuator Providing a housing; Accommodating a motor in the housing; Coupling a gear unit for transmitting a driving force to the motor; And Providing a rotation unit having one side coupled to the gear unit and the other side having a slit coupled to a cam protrusion capable of moving the lock pin; Method of manufacturing a steering lock device comprising a. The method of claim 5, And providing an electronic authentication device, wherein the electronic authentication device automatically transmits the electric signal by communication when the driver possesses the vehicle and the driver approaches within a predetermined distance. How to make. The method of claim 7, wherein The electronic authentication device may control the actuator according to the ACC / ON / START mode of the start switch to perform steering locking or unlocking, and to control the engine ECU to start the steering lock device. How to make.

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