JP2002037026A - Steering lock device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve theft preventiveness while avoiding cost increase with simple structure. SOLUTION: A lock shaft 6 is provided with a holding engaging groove 7b, and when a key is inserted, a tip part 12c of a lock link 12 is engaged with the holding engaging groove 7b to hold the lock shaft 6 so that the lock shaft 6 is immobile against impact from the outside.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improved steering lock device for locking a steering shaft during parking to prevent theft.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic views showing an example of a conventional steering lock device. Reference numeral 1 denotes a cylinder inner having a key hole, and reference numeral 2 denotes a cylinder outer that rotatably holds the cylinder inner 1. The cylinder inner 1 and the cylinder outer 2 constitute a well-known cylinder lock 3. Reference numeral 4 denotes a cam member connected to the cylinder inner 1. When a key (not shown) is inserted into the cylinder inner 1 and rotated, the cam member 4 rotates together, and the rotor of the ignition switch 5 provided coaxially is rotated. By rotating, a predetermined switch operation is performed.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a lock bolt, and 8 denotes a slider to which the lock bolt 7 is connected. The lock bolt 7 and the slider 8 form a lock shaft 6. Reference numeral 9 denotes a lock spring for urging the lock shaft 6, 9a denotes a lid used for attaching the spring 9, and 10 denotes a body for accommodating each of the above members. When the key is released at the lock position, the lock bolt 7 is pushed by the spring 9 until the slider 8 comes into contact with the cam member 4, and projects in the direction of the upper steering shaft (not shown) to lock the steering shaft. It is configured.

On the other hand, a housing 11 is formed in the cylinder outer 2 along the axial direction to house a lock link 12, which is swingably supported by a support shaft 12a movable in a radial direction. The lock link 12 has a key sensing end 12b at one end abutting on a key sensing member 1a provided on the cylinder inner 1, and an engaging end 12c at the other end capable of abutting on the lock bolt 7. When the key is inserted into the key 1, the key sensing end 12 against the spring 13
When the key b is pressed, the cam member 4 engages with the slider 8 with the rotation of the key, and the lock bolt 7 is unlocked in the body 10 to unlock the steering wheel. Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, the engagement end 12c of the lock link 12 is engaged with the lock engagement groove 7a of the lock bolt 7, and the lock bolt 7 moves to the steering shaft side to lock unexpectedly. Is prevented.

In the above structure, the locked state of the steering shaft is maintained by the lock bolt 7 being pressed by the spring 9, and the lock bolt 7 and the slider 8 are not fixed. Therefore, the key (unmatched key) is inserted into the key cylinder 1, and the engaging end 12c of the lock link 12 is brought into contact with the side surface of the lock bolt 7 as shown in FIG. By applying an impact to the lock, the lock bolt 7 urged toward the steering shaft by the impact force is moved in a direction of immersing in the body 10 against the urging force of the spring 9, and the lock bolt 7 The lock engagement groove 7a and the engagement end 12c of the lock link 12 are engaged with each other to bring the unlocked state shown in FIG. However, in the conventional structure, there is a problem that the structure becomes complicated and the cost increases in order to reliably prevent theft due to such illegal acts.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of this point, and an object of the present invention is to improve the anti-theft property while avoiding an increase in cost with a simple structure.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, an operation portion formed at an end of a lock shaft is moved by a cam member which rotates in response to a rotation operation of a key to lock the lock member. The shaft is protruded and retracted to the steering shaft side, and when the key is removed at the lock position, the lock shaft is projected to the steering shaft side to lock the steering shaft, and the tip end of the lock link that swings according to the insertion and removal of the key is described above. A steering lock device configured to be engaged with a side surface of a lock shaft to prevent the lock shaft from protruding toward a steering shaft, wherein a tip of the lock link is engaged when a key is inserted. The lock shaft is provided with an engagement groove which is forcibly released when the key is turned.

Further, a taper may be provided on a side surface on the steering shaft side of a distal end portion of the lock link which comes into contact with a side wall of the engagement groove of the lock shaft.

Further, the lock link may be formed by press working, and the sag generated on one surface may be arranged on the steering shaft side.

[0010] Further, a taper may be provided on a side wall on the steering shaft side of the engagement groove of the lock shaft.

[0011]

According to the present invention, when a key (unmatched key) is inserted in the locked state, the lock shaft itself is held. Therefore, even if an external shock is applied to the steering lock, the lock shaft cannot be moved. Cannot be released, and the anti-theft function can be improved without increasing the cost by only slightly changing the structure.

When the key is inserted and rotated from the locked position to release the lock of the steering shaft, the lock of the lock shaft is released during the normal key operation, so that the lock of the steering shaft can be released. .

Further, by providing a taper on the side surface of the distal end portion of the lock link, the holding of the lock shaft can be easily released during a normal key operation.

Furthermore, the lock link is formed by press working, and a so-called sagging side having a rounded taper on one surface is arranged on the steering shaft side, so that the tip of the lock link can be additionally processed. There is no need to separately provide a taper on the side surface.

Further, by providing the side wall of the engagement groove with a taper, the holding of the lock shaft can be released more smoothly during a normal key operation.

[0016]

Next, details will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lock shaft 6 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of the entire apparatus as viewed from an ignition switch side. The lock bolt 7
And the lock link 12
Since the present embodiment is the same as the conventional example except that a rounded tapered surface 12d is formed, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

The lock shaft 6 is, as shown in FIG.
A lock bolt 7 for locking a steering shaft (not shown) and a slider 8 that is in contact with and operates on the cam member 4 that rotates in response to a rotation operation of a key are provided. A holding engagement groove 7b is formed on the side surface at a position corresponding to the engagement end 12c of the lock link 12 when the lock bolt 7 is in a locked state protruding toward the steering shaft. A locking engagement groove 7a is formed on the distal end side of the lock link 12 so as to engage with the engagement end 12c of the lock link 12 when the lock bolt 7 is unlocked in the body 10. Further, a slider 8 is provided at the rear end of the lock bolt 7.
Is provided.

The lock link 12 shown in FIG. 2A is formed by punching of a press working, and at the time of punching, the lock link 12 is formed by so-called sagging formed on one surface.
As shown in (b), the distal end portion 12c of the lock link 12
An R-shaped tapered surface 12d is formed on one side surface (side surface on the steering shaft side).

When the key is inserted, the key sensing member 1a pushes up the key sensing end 12b against the spring 13;
Since the lock link 12 swings so that the engagement end 12c pushes the lock bolt 7, as shown in FIG.
Is engaged with the holding engagement groove 7b, and the lock bolt 7 is held in the locked state. Thus, even if an external impact is applied to the steering lock, the lock bolt 7 does not move.

When the key is turned from the locked position in this state, the lock moves the lock bolt 7 connected to the slider 8 in the direction of immersion into the body 10 by the rotation. At this time, the engagement end 12c that has been engaged with the holding engagement groove 7b is
b, but the engagement end 12c climbs over the side wall 7c by the tapered surface 12d of the side surface, and moves over the side wall 7c by the operating force of the cam member 4 to the lock bolt 7 which is much larger than the external impact. The engagement between the holding engagement groove 7b and the engagement end 12c is released. Then, the lock bolt 7 is immersed in the body 10, and the lock engagement groove 7a and the engagement end 12c engage with each other as shown in FIG.
Hold the steering shaft unlocked,
Hold unlocked state.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a side wall 7c on the steering shaft side of a retaining engagement groove 7b for a lock bolt 7 is tapered. Thus, as in the first embodiment, when the key is turned, the lock link 1
2 engagement end 12c and lock engagement groove 7b for lock bolt 7
When the engagement is released, the engagement end 12c rides over the side wall 7c along the tapered surface of the side wall 7c of the holding engagement groove 7b. Is released smoothly.

When removing the key, the lock link 1
In a steering lock device in which a slider exists at a position corresponding to the second engagement end 12c, the same effect as that of the embodiment can be obtained by providing the holding engagement groove similar to that of the above embodiment. .

Although the slider 8 is connected to the lock bolt 7 in the embodiment, the present invention is provided with other structures such as a lock bolt formed integrally with the slider without being divided into two parts. It can also be implemented in an apparatus.

[0024]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a retaining engagement groove is provided on the side surface of the lock shaft, and when the key (unmatched key) is inserted, the engagement end of the lock link is used for retaining. The engagement with the engagement groove prevents the lock shaft from moving and holds the lock shaft.

Therefore, even if the unmatch key is inserted for the purpose of theft and an external impact is applied to release the lock of the steering shaft, the lock is not released because the lock shaft is held. In addition, the structure is simple and it is only necessary to form the retaining engagement groove in the conventional lock shaft, and the anti-theft property can be improved without increasing the cost so much.

Also, during a normal key operation, the engagement end of the lock link rides over the side wall of the holding engagement groove due to the operating force of the cam member on the lock shaft which is much larger than the external impact, and Since the engagement between the engagement groove and the engagement end is released, the operation of the lock shaft at the time of a normal key operation is not prevented.

Further, by providing a taper on the side surface of the distal end portion of the lock link on the steering shaft side, the engagement between the holding engagement groove and the engagement end can be easily released.

Further, by forming the lock link by press working and arranging the sag generated on one surface on the steering shaft side, it is necessary to separately provide a taper on the side surface of the tip of the lock link by additional processing. There is no cost.

Further, by providing a taper on the side wall of the holding engagement groove of the lock shaft, a smooth key operation can be performed without a feeling of being caught during a normal key operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lock shaft according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a plan view of the lock link of the embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the steering lock device of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the steering lock device of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a steering lock device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing a conventional steering lock device.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of the steering lock device of the related art viewed from another angle.

8A and 8B are cross-sectional views taken along the line BB of FIG. 7, wherein FIG. 8A shows a locked state, and FIG. 8B shows an unlocked state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 4 Cam member 6 Lock shaft 7 Lock bolt 7b Retaining engagement groove (engagement groove) 7c Side wall 8 Slider (operation unit) 12 Lock link 12c Engagement end (tip end of lock link)

Claims (4)

[Claims] An operation portion formed at an end of a lock shaft is moved by a cam member which rotates in response to a rotation operation of a key, so that the lock shaft protrudes and retracts to a steering shaft side, and a key is removed at a lock position. Sometimes, the lock shaft is protruded to the steering shaft side to lock the steering shaft, and the tip of the lock link that swings according to the key insertion / removal is engaged with the side surface of the lock shaft so that the lock shaft is located on the steering shaft side. A steering lock device configured to prevent the lock link from protruding from the lock link, wherein a tip of the lock link is engaged when a key is inserted, and is forcibly released when the key is rotated. A steering lock device wherein a mating groove is provided in a lock shaft. 2. The steering shaft according to claim 1, wherein a tip end portion of the lock link, which is in contact with a side wall of the engagement groove of the lock shaft, has a tapered side surface.
The steering lock device according to claim 1. 3. The steering lock device according to claim 2, wherein the lock link is formed by press working, and a sag side generated on one surface is arranged on a steering shaft side. 4. The steering lock device according to claim 1, wherein a taper is provided on a side wall on a steering shaft side of the engagement groove of the lock shaft.