JP2004230973A - Steering lock device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable easy pulling out of a locking rod at a release time of a steering lock even when a large force is applied to a steering shaft, while keeping steering lock performance. <P>SOLUTION: In this steering lock device, the steering lock is operated by engaging the locking rod 6 with a groove 4a of a key lock collar 4 rotatable integrally with the steering shaft. The steering lock device has the groove 4a and a taper 10 at the end of the locking rod 6 engaging with the groove 4a. When abnormal vibration is detected by a vibration sensor 7 during an operation of the steering lock, the locking rod 6 is operated in the pressed direction to the groove 4a of the key lock collar 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a steering lock device that inhibits rotation of a steering shaft of a vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional steering lock device, the rotation of the steering shaft is prohibited by operating the locking rod with an electric motor or an actuator and engaging the locking rod with a groove of a key lock collar that rotates integrally with the steering shaft. An apparatus is known (see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-117624
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional steering lock device, when a rotational force is applied to the steering shaft by a reaction force from the tire in a state where the vehicle is stopped and the steering lock is operated, a side portion of the groove of the key lock collar is formed. A large frictional force acts between the locking rod and the side of the locking rod, making it difficult for the locking rod to come off. Therefore, a large force is required to pull out the locking rod from the groove of the key lock collar, which causes a problem that the actuator becomes large.
[0005]
The present invention provides a steering device capable of easily pulling out a locking rod when releasing a steering lock even when a large force is applied to a steering shaft while suppressing an increase in size of an actuator.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(1) A steering lock device according to the present invention includes a lock member for permitting / prohibiting rotation of a steering shaft by engaging and disengaging with a groove provided in a steering shaft. It is characterized in that a taper is provided at an end of the mating lock member.
(2) A steering lock device according to the present invention includes a lock member for inhibiting rotation of a steering shaft, a lock member operating means for operating the lock member, and a groove for engaging with the lock member. And a rotating member that rotates integrally therewith, wherein a groove of the rotating member and an end of the lock member that engages with the groove are provided with a taper.
[0007]
【The invention's effect】
(1) In the steering lock device according to the present invention, since the lock member and the groove of the steering shaft that engages with the lock member are tapered, even when a large force is applied to the steering shaft while the steering lock is operating. Since the locking rod can be easily pulled out, an increase in the size of the lock member operating means can be suppressed.
(2) In the steering lock device according to the present invention, since the locking member and the groove of the rotating member engaged with the locking member are tapered, even when a large force is applied to the steering shaft while the steering lock is operating. Since the locking rod can be easily pulled out, an increase in the size of the lock member operating means can be suppressed.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a steering system including a steering lock device according to the present invention. The steering shaft 2 is a shaft for transmitting an operating force of a steering wheel (not shown) operated by a driver to a steering gear (not shown). The steering column 1 is a tubular tube that covers the outside of the steering shaft 2. The tilt mechanism 11 is for adjusting the angle of a steering wheel (not shown) according to the physique and the like of the driver.
[0009]
The communication line 13 is a control communication line that connects the steering lock unit 3 and the control unit 12 described later. Since the communication line 13 is an important part in terms of safety of the steering lock mechanism, a communication line 13 that is strong against noise and disconnection is selected and arranged at a position in consideration of shock and vibration. The control unit 12 controls the steering lock unit 3. Further, the control unit 12 has an alarm function and issues an alarm when abnormal vibration is detected by a vibration sensor 7 described later. A door lock sensor 14 connected to the control unit 12 detects whether the vehicle door is locked or unlocked.
[0010]
The steering lock unit 3 prohibits / permits rotation of the steering shaft 2 based on a command from the control unit 12. The detailed configuration of the steering lock unit 3 is shown in FIGS. The steering lock unit 3 includes a key lock collar 4, an electric motor 5, a locking rod 6, and a vibration sensor 7 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The key lock collar 4 covers a part of the steering shaft 2 and can rotate integrally with the steering shaft 2.
[0011]
The key lock collar 4 is provided with a groove 4a. Further, the locking rod 6 is provided with a plurality of teeth, and can engage with the output gear 5a of the electric motor 5 to reciprocate. That is, at the time of steering lock operation, the locking rod 6 moves in the direction of the key lock collar 4 by rotation of the electric motor 5, and the end 6a of the locking rod 6 engages with the groove 4a. When the locking rod 6 is engaged with the groove 4a of the key lock collar 4, the key lock collar 4 cannot rotate. Thus, the steering shaft 2 cannot be rotated. Conversely, when the locking rod 6 is pulled out of the groove 4a of the key lock collar 4, the key lock collar 4 and the steering shaft 2 are rotatable. FIG. 2 shows a state where the locking rod 6 is engaged with the groove 4 a of the key lock collar 4.
[0012]
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the groove 4 a of the key lock collar 4. As shown in FIG. 3, a taper 10 having the same inclination is provided at the groove 4a of the key lock collar 4 and at the end 6a of the locking rod 6 which engages with the groove 4a. That is, the diameter of the locking rod 6 becomes smaller as it goes toward the tip of the end 6a, and the groove 4a of the key lock collar 4 becomes deeper in the groove (towards the center of the key lock collar 4), The width becomes smaller.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 3, by providing the groove 4 a of the key lock collar 4 and the taper 10 at the end 6 a of the locking rod 6, the locking rod 6 is engaged with the groove 4 a of the key lock collar 4, that is, Even when the key lock collar 4 is applied with a rotational force while the steering lock is operating, the locking rod 6 can be easily pulled out when the steering lock is released.
[0014]
However, since the taper 10 is provided in the groove 4a of the key lock collar 4 and the end 6a of the locking rod 6, if the steering wheel (not shown) is forcibly rotated in a state where the steering lock is operated, the engagement may be reduced. Buoyancy is generated in the direction in which the locking rods 6 come out (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4). Therefore, if the steering wheel is rotated with a larger force, the locking rod 6 may fall out of the groove 4 a of the key lock collar 4 due to the buoyancy applied to the locking rod 6.
[0015]
In the steering lock device according to one embodiment, when buoyancy is generated in the locking rod 6 during operation of the steering lock (locked state), torque is generated in the electric motor 5 to cause the electric motor 5 to face the buoyancy (arrow B in FIG. 4). To the locking rod 6 in the direction (1). Thus, even if a third person other than the driver forcibly rotates the steering wheel while the steering lock is operating, the locking rod 6 does not come off, and the operating state of the steering lock is maintained. . The torque generated by the electric motor 5 in order to apply a pressing force to the locking rod is preferably a magnitude corresponding to the buoyancy generated by the locking rod 6, but in the present embodiment, a torque that generates a predetermined torque is used. And
[0016]
Since the above-mentioned pressing force is generated by using the electric motor 5 used for locking / unlocking the locking rod 6, there is no increase in size and cost of the steering lock device.
[0017]
However, when the electric motor 5 is driven to continuously apply the pressing force to the locking rod 6, the power consumption of an on-board battery (not shown) for supplying electric power to the electric motor 5 increases. , Do not give a pressing force. That is, in a state where the locking rod 6 is engaged with the groove 4a of the key lock collar 4 and the steering lock is operated, the steering shaft 2 is not received from the control unit 12 even though the steering lock is unlocked. When a rotational force is generated, a pressing force is applied.
[0018]
Whether or not a rotational force has been generated on the steering shaft 2 is detected by a vibration sensor 7 attached to the locking rod 6 and the key lock collar 4. That is, the vibration sensor 7 detects abnormal vibration that occurs when a rotation-locked steering wheel (not shown) is forcibly rotated or shaken, or when a window glass of a vehicle is broken. The detection signal of the vibration sensor 7 is transmitted to the control unit 12 via the communication line 13.
[0019]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control performed by the steering lock device according to the present embodiment. The process starting from step S10 is performed by the control unit 12. In step S10, it is determined whether the occupant has left the vehicle. This determination is made by performing wireless communication with an electronic key (not shown) owned by the occupant to detect whether the electronic key is inside the vehicle. If it is determined that the electronic key is present in the vehicle and the occupant has not left the vehicle, the process waits in step S10. If it is determined that the electronic key is not present in the vehicle and the occupant has left the vehicle, the process proceeds to step S20.
[0020]
In step S20, based on the signal from the door lock sensor 14, it is determined whether all the doors are locked. If it is determined that all the doors are not locked, the process waits in step S20, and if it is determined that all the doors are locked, the process proceeds to step S30. In step S30, an instruction to start the vibration detection is sent to the vibration sensor 7. The vibration sensor 7 that has received the detection instruction from the control unit 12 starts the vibration detection.
[0021]
In a step S40 following the step S30, it is determined whether or not the door lock of the vehicle is unlocked normally. The occupant operates a door lock release button (not shown) provided near the door handle of the vehicle, or the occupant operates a door lock release button (not shown) provided on the electronic key from outside the vehicle. If it is determined that the door lock of the vehicle has been unlocked normally, the process proceeds to step S130. In step S130, since the door lock has been normally released by the occupant, a command to stop the vibration detection is sent to the operating vibration sensor 7. When a vibration detection stop command is sent to the vibration sensor 7, the control shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 ends.
[0022]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S40 that the door lock of the vehicle is not unlocked normally, the process proceeds to step S50. In step S50, it is determined whether or not the vibration sensor 7 has detected abnormal vibration as described above. If it is determined that abnormal vibration has not been detected, the process returns to step S40. If it is determined that abnormal vibration has been detected, the process proceeds to step S60.
[0023]
In step S60, an operation instruction is issued to the electric motor 5. When the electric motor 5 receives the operation instruction and rotates, the locking rod 6 meshing with the gear 5 a of the electric motor 5 is pressed in the direction of the groove 4 a of the key lock collar 4. As a result, even if a third party who does not have an electronic key for releasing the steering lock forcibly rotates the steering shaft and tries to release the steering lock, the locking rod 6 comes out of the groove 4a of the key lock collar 4. Suppress. When an operation instruction is issued to the electric motor 5, the process proceeds to step S70.
[0024]
In step S70, an alarm is issued by, for example, emitting a predetermined sound by the alarm function of the control unit 12. When the alarm function is activated, the process proceeds to step S80. In step S80, it is determined whether or not the vibration sensor 7 continuously detects abnormal vibration. If it is determined that abnormal vibration is continuously detected, the process returns to step S40. If it is determined that abnormal vibration is not detected, the process proceeds to step S90.
[0025]
In step S90, an alarm history including the time at which the alarm was issued is created, and the process proceeds to step S100. Note that the created alarm history is stored in a memory (not shown) of the control unit 12. In step S100, a stop instruction is issued to the electric motor 5. The electric motor 5 that has received the stop instruction stops rotating. In step S110 following step S100, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the alarm was issued. That is, an alarm is issued in step S70, a timer (not shown) is operated, and it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the timer was operated. If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process waits in step S110 until the predetermined time has elapsed, and if it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S120. In step S120, the alarm is stopped, and the process returns to step S40. After that, the processing after step S40 is repeatedly performed.
[0026]
According to the steering lock device in one embodiment, the taper 10 is provided in the locking rod 6 and the groove 4a of the key lock collar 4 that engages with the locking rod 6, so that the steering lock is operated from the road surface. Even when turning force is applied to the key lock collar 4 via the tire, the locking rod 6 can be easily pulled out when the steering lock is released.
[0027]
Further, when abnormal vibration is detected by the vibration sensor 7 in a state where the steering lock is operating, the locking rod 6 is operated in a direction of pressing the groove 4a of the key lock collar 4 so that the electronic key for releasing the steering lock is released. Even if a third party who does not own the device forcibly rotates the steering shaft to release the steering lock, the locking rod 6 can be prevented from falling out of the groove 4a of the key lock collar 4.
[0028]
Further, when an abnormal vibration is detected by the vibration sensor 7 and the locking rod 6 is actuated in the direction of pressing against the groove 4a of the key lock collar 4, an alarm is issued at the same time, so that the operating state of the steering lock is maintained. In addition, the antitheft property can be further improved.
[0029]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the steering lock device described above, the rotation of the steering shaft is prohibited by engaging the locking rod 6 with the groove 4a of the key lock collar 4 that can rotate integrally with the steering shaft (not shown). However, the steering lock may be activated by providing a groove in the steering shaft itself and engaging the locking rod. In this case, the groove of the steering shaft may be tapered together with the locking rod.
[0030]
Although the control unit 12 has an alarm function and issues an alarm, an alarm device may be provided separately from the control unit 12. Although the control unit 12 is a dedicated unit for controlling the steering lock, the control unit 12 may be used together with a control unit for performing various controls of the vehicle.
[0031]
The timing at which the buoyancy is generated in the locking rod 6 and the locking rod 6 is actuated in the direction of pressing the groove 4a of the key lock collar 4 when the vibration sensor 7 detects abnormal vibration is provided. Alternatively, a third party who does not have an electronic key for opening and closing the door of the vehicle may enter the vehicle without permission. Also, if the steering wheel is forcibly rotated while the steering lock is activated, a counter electromotive force is generated in the electric motor 5, and the back electromotive force is used as a trigger to apply a pressing force to the locking rod 6. If it is added, the vibration sensor 7 becomes unnecessary, and the cost of the system can be reduced.
[0032]
The torque generated by the electric motor 5 in order to apply a pressing force to the locking rod 6 has a predetermined magnitude, but may have a magnitude corresponding to the magnitude of vibration detected by the vibration sensor 7. In addition, as described above, when the back electromotive force generated in the electric motor 5 is used as a trigger to apply a pressing force to the locking rod 6, a torque corresponding to the magnitude of the back electromotive force is generated in the electric motor 5. Then, the vibration sensor 7 becomes unnecessary, and the cost of the system can be reduced.
[0033]
The correspondence between the components of the claims and the components of the embodiment is as follows. That is, the locking rod 6 constitutes the lock member, the key lock collar 4 constitutes the rotating member, the vibration sensor 7 constitutes the vibration detection means, the electric motor 5 constitutes the lock member actuation means, and the control unit 12 constitutes the alarm means. Note that each component is not limited to the above configuration as long as the characteristic functions of the present invention are not impaired.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a steering system including a steering lock device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a steering lock portion. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing buoyancy and pressing force acting on a locking rod. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control contents performed by a steering lock device according to the present embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steering column, 2 ... Steering shaft, 3 ... Steering lock part, 4 ... Key lock collar, 4a ... Groove, 5 ... Electric motor, 5a ... Gear, 6 ... Locking rod, 6a ... End of locking rod, 7 ... Vibration sensor, 10 taper, 11 tilt mechanism, 12 control unit, 13 communication line, 14 door lock sensor

Claims (4)

A steering lock device including a lock member for permitting / prohibiting rotation of the steering shaft by engaging and disengaging with a groove provided in the steering shaft,
A steering lock device, wherein a taper is provided in a groove of the steering shaft and an end of the lock member that engages with the groove. A lock member for inhibiting rotation of the steering shaft;
Lock member operating means for operating the lock member;
A groove for engaging with the lock member, and a rotating member that rotates integrally with the steering shaft;
A steering lock device, wherein a taper is provided in a groove of the rotating member and an end of the lock member that engages with the groove. The steering lock device according to claim 2,
The apparatus further includes a vibration detection unit that detects vibration applied to the steering shaft,
The lock member operating means presses the lock member against the rotating member when the vibration detecting means detects vibration applied to the steering shaft in a state where the lock member is engaged with the groove of the rotating member. A steering lock device, wherein the steering lock device is operated. The steering lock device according to claim 3,
Further comprising alarm means for issuing an alarm,
The steering lock device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm unit issues an alarm when the lock member operating unit operates the lock member in a direction to press the lock member against the rotating member.

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