JP2006168495A - Steering lock device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering lock device capable of being thinned in the radial direction of a steering shaft. <P>SOLUTION: The steering lock device 1 is equipped with a lock slider 4, a lock bar 5, and a link mechanism 6. The lock slider 4 is reciprocatingly moved in the axial direction of the shaft 3 based on a driving force of an electric motor 2. The lock bar 5 is turned between a locking position where an engaging part 5a is turnably supported around one end side, and the other side is fitted to a steering shaft 3 to disable steering, and an unlocking position where the fitting of the engaging part 5a to the steering shaft 3 is released to enable steering. The link mechanism 6 connects the lock slider 4 and a lock bar 5, and converts the linear motion of the lock slider 4 to the turning motion of the lock bar 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering lock device in which a lock bar fitted to a steering shaft is set to a lock position or an unlock position.

Conventionally, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a vehicle including a steering lock device in which steering lock is performed by an electric actuator such as a motor has been proposed.
As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, this type of steering lock device 51 includes an electric motor 52 controlled by a control unit (not shown), a worm gear 53 connected to a rotating shaft of the electric motor 52, A spur gear 54 that meshes with the worm gear 53 and a lock bar 55 that follows the rotation of the spur gear 54 are provided.

  A lock portion 57 that can be engaged with and disengaged from a recess 56 a that is recessed in the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft 56 is connected to the tip of the lock bar 55 via a spring 58. A plurality of recesses 56a are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft 56. When the lock portion 57 is engaged with one of these recesses 56a, the rotation of the steering shaft 56 is restricted. If the lock portion 57 is not engaged with the concave portion 56a, the unlocked state in which the steering shaft 56 can rotate is set.

  In such a steering lock device 51, when the electric motor 52 is driven and the worm gear 53 is rotated based on the drive signal from the control unit, the lock bar 55 approaches the steering shaft along with the rotation, that is, the lock unit. 57 moves in a direction to engage with the recess 56a. On the other hand, when the worm gear 53 is rotated in the opposite direction, the lock bar 55 moves away from the steering shaft 56 along with the rotation, that is, the lock portion 57 moves away from the recess 56a.

Thus, in the steering lock device 51, the lock bar 55 is reciprocated in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the steering shaft 56 by the driving force of the electric motor 52, and the lock portion 57 is steered via the spring 58. The shaft 56 is engaged with and disengaged from the recessed portion 56a.
JP 2004-217002 A

  However, in the above-described conventional configuration, the lock bar 55 is configured to move in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the steering shaft 56. Therefore, a large space is required in the radial direction of the steering shaft 56. Depending on the arrangement position, there is a risk of interference with the driver's knee.

  In addition, when the rotational force is applied to the steering shaft 56 in the locked state, the engagement state between the lock portion 57 and the concave portion 56a is maintained only by the frictional force between the lock portion 57 and the side surface 56b of the concave portion 56a. It was done by. For this reason, when an excessive rotational force is applied to the steering shaft 56, the lock portion 57 is disengaged from the concave portion 56a against the frictional force, and the steering shaft 56 may be rotated. It has been desired to prevent the lock release more securely than to prevent the lock release only by the frictional force between the lock portion 57 and the steering shaft 56.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a steering lock device that can be thinned in the radial direction of the steering shaft.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a lock slider that is reciprocally moved in the axial direction of the steering shaft based on the driving force of the electric motor, and supported so as to be rotatable about one end side, the end portion on the other end side is supported. Rotating between a locked position where steering is impossible by fitting to the steering shaft and an unlocking position where the fitting of the other end to the steering shaft is released and steering is possible And a conversion means for connecting the lock slider and the lock bar and converting a linear motion of the lock slider into a rotational motion of the lock bar. It is.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the lock slider reciprocates in the axial direction of the steering shaft, the linear motion is converted into the rotation motion of the lock bar by the converting means, and the lock bar rotates around one end side. Is done. And the edge part of the other end side of a lock bar is engaged / disengaged with respect to a steering shaft. For this reason, the lock bar can be arranged along the axial direction of the steering shaft as compared with the case where the lock bar is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the steering shaft. Further, since the moving direction of the lock slider, which is the driving force of the lock bar, is the axial direction of the steering shaft, the steering is compared with the case where the lock bar is reciprocated in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the steering shaft. Space required in the radial direction of the shaft is reduced. Therefore, the steering lock device can be thinned in the radial direction of the steering shaft.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the steering lock device according to the first aspect, the conversion unit includes a biasing unit that biases an end of the other end of the lock bar toward the steering shaft. It is characterized by that.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the converting means includes the urging means that urges the end of the lock bar on the other end side toward the steering shaft. For this reason, even if the lock slider is moved to a position where the lock bar is set to the lock position, when the lock bar cannot be fitted to the steering shaft due to the rotation position of the steering shaft, the tip of the other end of the lock bar is moved to the steering shaft. It is made to contact | abut in the state urged | biased by the outer peripheral surface. For this reason, if the steering shaft rotates from that state and the tip of the other end of the lock bar is in a position where it can be fitted, the lock bar is suitably fitted to the steering shaft. Therefore, the lock bar can be reliably set to the lock position regardless of the rotation position of the steering shaft.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the steering lock device according to the second aspect, the conversion means includes a first connection member connected to the lock slider and a second connection member connected to the lock bar. And the first connecting member and the second connecting member are connected to each other so as to be relatively rotatable, and are urged to be linear by the urging means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the converting means includes a first connecting member connected to the lock slider and a second connecting member connected to the lock bar, the first connecting member and the second connecting member. Are coupled so as to be rotatable relative to each other, and are urged to be linear by urging means. For this reason, even if the lock slider is moved to the position where the lock bar is set to the lock position, if the lock bar cannot be fitted to the steering shaft due to the rotation position of the steering shaft, the difference in rotation amount due to the lock bar cannot be fitted. Is absorbed by the conversion means. For this reason, an unreasonable force is prevented from being applied to the steering shaft and the conversion means regardless of the rotational position of the steering shaft.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the steering lock device according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the steering lock device further includes a regulating member that regulates the rotation of the lock bar from the lock position to the unlock direction. It is characterized by that.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the lock bar is in the lock position, the restricting member restricts the rotation of the lock bar in the unlocking direction. For this reason, the rotation of the portion (lock bar) fitted to the steering shaft is restricted, and the locked state is maintained only by the frictional force with the side surface of the recess where the lock bar is fitted on the steering shaft. Thus, unlocking can be surely prevented.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the steering lock device according to the fourth aspect, the restricting member restricts the rotation of the lock bar by engaging with a part of the converting means. .

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the rotation of the lock bar is restricted when the restricting member engages with a part of the converting means, the lock bar is reliably prevented from turning in the unlocking direction. The

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the steering lock device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the lock bar is in the unlocked position, the movable member that holds the restricting member in the accommodation position that cannot be engaged with the conversion means. And a pressing member that presses the movable member so as to hold the movable member in the storage position when the lock slider is in the unlocking position.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the lock bar is in the unlocked position, the movable member is pressed by the pressing member to be a position for holding the regulating member in the accommodating position where it cannot be engaged with the converting means. . For this reason, when the lock bar is in the locked position, the restricting member is engaged with a part of the converting means to restrict the rotation of the lock bar, and when the lock bar is in the unlocked position, the restricting member is converted. Engagement with the means is prevented, and the lock bar can be rotated. Therefore, the restricting member operates favorably only when the rotation of the lock bar is prohibited, and is otherwise held at the storage position to prevent interference with other members such as the conversion means.

  According to the steering lock device of the present invention, the steering shaft can be thinned in the radial direction of the steering shaft.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the steering lock device 1 includes an electric motor 2, a lock slider 4 that can be moved by the driving force of the electric motor 2, and a steering shaft 3 that rotates. A lock bar 5 that can be engaged with and disengaged from the lock bar 5 and a link mechanism 6 as conversion means for converting the linear motion of the lock slider 4 into the rotational motion of the lock bar 5 are provided.

  The steering shaft 3 is formed with a lock gear portion 7 to which the lock bar 5 is engaged and disengaged. The lock gear portion 7 is formed by a plurality of convex portions 7 a and concave portions 7 b provided so as to extend in the axial direction of the steering shaft 3. It is comprised and formed over the perimeter of the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft 3. FIG.

  Then, the lock bar 5 is engaged with the recess 7b of the lock gear portion 7 to release the steering position, and the lock bar 5 is disengaged from the lock gear portion 7. Thus, it can be rotated between an unlock position (a position indicated by a solid line in the drawing) that enables steering. Further, the steering lock device 1 is provided with a stopper mechanism 8 that restricts the movement of the lock bar 5 in the unlocking direction when the lock bar 5 is in the locked position.

  The lock slider 4 constitutes a ball screw mechanism together with the screw shaft 9 and can reciprocate in the axial direction of the steering shaft 3. Specifically, the lock slider 4 is engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the screw shaft 9 disposed in the axial direction of the steering shaft 3 and is movable along the screw shaft 9. The screw shaft 9 is rotated forward and backward by the driving force of the electric motor 2 controlled by a control unit (not shown). The lock slider 4 includes a sliding portion 10 that is engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the screw shaft 9 and a connecting portion 11 to which a link mechanism 6 that is formed integrally with the sliding portion 10 is connected. Yes. In the present embodiment, when the electric motor 2 is rotationally driven in the forward direction, the lock slider 4 is moved in the direction of the arrow R1 in the figure, and when the electric motor 2 is rotationally driven in the reverse direction, the lock slider 4 is It is assumed that the slider 4 is moved in the direction of arrow R2 in the drawing.

  The lock bar 5 is disposed along the axial direction of the steering shaft 3 and is rotatable about an end portion on one end side (left side in the drawing), and an end portion on the other end side (right side in the drawing). Is configured to engage with and disengage from the lock gear portion 7. Note that an end portion on the other end side that is engaged with and disengaged from the lock gear portion 7 of the lock bar 5 is referred to as an engagement portion 5a.

  The link mechanism 6 includes a first connecting member 12, a second connecting member 13, and a spring 14 as urging means. The 1st connection member 12 and the 2nd connection member 13 are connected so that relative rotation is possible in the 1st fulcrum 15, and it is constituted so that it may become the shape of a convex shape on the upper side in the figure. An end portion of the first connecting member 12 opposite to the first fulcrum 15 is rotatably connected to the connecting portion 11 of the lock slider 4 at the second fulcrum 16. In addition, the surface (surface on the paper surface side in FIG. 1A) on the side where the first connecting member 12 is provided in the connecting portion 11 is an installation surface 11a. Further, the end of the second connecting member 13 opposite to the first fulcrum 15 is rotatably connected to the lock bar 5 at the third fulcrum 17.

  The spring 14 is disposed between the second fulcrum 16 and the third fulcrum 17 while being engaged with the first fulcrum 15, and the first connecting member 12 and the second connecting member 13 are linearly connected to each other. Energize to form. With this configuration, the link mechanism 6 is configured to bias the engaging portion 5a of the lock bar 5 toward the steering shaft 3 with the second fulcrum 16 fixed to the connecting portion 11 as a reference.

  With the above configuration, the lock bar 5 is rotated via the link mechanism 6 as the lock slider 4 reciprocates. Specifically, when the lock slider 4 is moved in the direction of arrow R1, the lock bar 5 is rotated in the direction of arrow F1 in the figure, and when the lock slider 4 is moved in the direction of arrow R2, the lock bar 5 is moved in the direction of arrow R1. It is rotated in the F2 direction.

  2A and 2B, depending on the rotational position of the steering shaft 3, the engaging portion 5a of the lock bar 5 is not fitted into the concave portion 7b of the lock gear portion 7, and the convex portion 7a. Is in a state of being in contact with the vehicle (riding state). In this case, the link mechanism 6 steers the engaging portion 5a of the lock bar 5 by the spring 14 while absorbing the difference in the rotation amount of the lock bar 5 due to the lock bar 5 coming into contact with the convex portion 7a by contracting. It urges toward the shaft 3. That is, the engaging portion 5 a of the lock bar 5 comes into contact with the convex portion 7 a of the lock gear portion 7 while being urged. Therefore, when a rotational force is applied to the steering shaft 3, as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), it is urged by the link mechanism 6 so that the engaging portion 5a of the lock bar 5 is reliably brought into the recess 7b. Mated.

Here, the stopper mechanism 8 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the stopper mechanism 8 can be slidably moved on the regulating member 21 provided on the connecting portion 11 of the lock slider 4 and the installation surface 11 a of the connecting portion 11. A movable member 22 and a pressing member 23 (see FIG. 1B) whose position is fixed in the steering lock device 1 are provided.

  In the present embodiment, when the lock bar 5 is in the locked position, the restricting member 21 is engaged with a part of the first connecting member 12 (link mechanism 6), so that the lock bar 5 is unlocked. It is comprised so that a movement may be controlled (refer FIG.3 (b)). Specifically, the regulating member 21 is accommodated in a recess 11b formed so as to open to the installation surface 11a of the connecting portion 11, and the tip of the regulating member 21 is installed on the installation surface by the spring member 24 installed on the bottom surface of the recess 11b. It is urged to protrude from 11a. The restriction member 21 is configured to protrude from the installation surface 11a when the restriction member 21 or the first connecting member 12 is not present in the opening of the recess 11b.

  The movable member 22 is configured to be able to hold the restricting member 21 at a storage position where it cannot engage with the first connecting member 12 (link mechanism 6). In the present embodiment, the accommodation position is a position where the distal end portion 21a of the regulating member 21 does not protrude from the installation surface 11a in the recess 11b. The movable member 22 includes, on the installation surface 11a, a guide portion 11c (see FIG. 1 (b)) that is formed to protrude from an end of the installation surface 11a, a first connecting member 12 (link mechanism 6), and an installation surface. It is movably disposed in a space surrounded by the sliding portion 10 formed so as to protrude from the surface 11a. The guide portion 11c is formed in an approximately L shape at a position that does not interfere with the operation of the link mechanism 6.

  The pressing member 23 presses the movable member 22 when the lock slider 4 is in a position where the lock bar 5 is in the unlock position (see FIG. 1B). Specifically, the movable member 22 is pressed toward the first connecting member 12 such that the movable member 22 holds the regulating member 21 at the accommodation position. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4B, even if the movable member 22 is moved to a position where the restricting member 21 protrudes from the installation surface 11a, the lock slider 4 is moved, so that FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the movable member 22 is pressed by the pressing member 23, and the regulating member 21 is accommodated in a position where it does not protrude from the installation surface 11a.

  In the stopper mechanism 8 having the above-described configuration, the movable member 22 is shown in the figure when the lock bar 5 is in the locked position without being in the riding state (see FIGS. 2A and 2B). 4 (a) is maintained at a position where the opening of the recess 11b is closed. That is, in this case, the lock bar 5 is set to the lock position while the regulating member 21 is held in the storage position.

  In addition, when the lock bar 5 is in the riding state from the unlock position (see FIGS. 2A and 2B), the first connecting member 12 is centered on the second fulcrum 16 and is more clockwise than the vertical direction in the figure. By rotating in the turning direction, the movable member 22 is pushed in the direction opposite to the first connecting member 12 as shown in FIG. At this time, the 1st connection member 12 rotates, closing the opening part of the recessed part 11b, and the movable member 22 moves to the position which does not block the opening part of the recessed part 11b.

  Thereafter, when the lock bar 5 is brought into the locked position by the rotation of the handle, the first connecting member 12 moves from a position where the opening of the recess 11b is blocked. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4B, since the movable member 22 and the first connecting member 12 are in a position where they do not interfere with each other, the restricting member 21 is urged by the spring member 24, and the tip 21a thereof is the installation surface. Projects from 11a. If the tip 21a of the restricting member 21 protrudes from the installation surface 11a in this way, the tip 21a engages with a part of the first connecting member 12 (link mechanism 6) to restrict its movement, and the lock bar 5 Is prevented from being unlocked with certainty.

  That is, once the lock bar 5 is in the riding state and is in the locked position, the stopper mechanism 8 is in the activated state and the lock bar 5 is reliably prevented from being unlocked. Therefore, as described above, even when the lock bar 5 is in the locked position without being lifted from the unlocked position, when the steering shaft 3 is rotated by applying a high torque to the handle, the lock bar 5 is The stopper mechanism 8 is put into an operating state by being once in the riding state and in the locked position. That is, even in this case, the handle rotates by one pitch of the lock gear portion 7, but the stopper of the restricting member 21 is actuated when the lock bar 5 is once put on, so that the re-unlocking is surely performed. Is prevented.

  The stopper action of the stopper mechanism 8 is released by the movement of the lock slider 4 when the electric motor 2 is driven and the lock slider 4 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction. If the stopper mechanism 8 is in the activated state, the engagement by the restricting member 21 is not released unless the lock slider 4 is moved. Further, when the electric motor 2 is rotated in the reverse direction and the movable member 22 provided on the lock slider 4 is moved to a position pressed by the pressing member 23, the stopper mechanism 8 is returned to the non-operating state.

Next, the operation of the steering lock device 1 configured as described above will be described.
In the present embodiment, the steering lock device 1 performs a regulation operation for regulating the rotation of the steering shaft 3 by causing the steering lock to function, and a regulation release operation for releasing the steering lock and allowing the steering shaft 3 to rotate. To do.

  In the steering lock device 1 in the unlocked state shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, when a drive signal for causing the steering lock to function is input to the electric motor 2 from a control unit (not shown), the electric motor 2 Is driven to rotate in the forward direction, and the steering lock device 1 performs a regulating operation. Specifically, in this restricting operation, the screw shaft 9 is rotated by the forward rotation driving of the electric motor 2, and the lock slider 4 is moved in the direction of the arrow R <b> 1 in the figure by the interaction between the screw shaft 9 and the lock slider 4 ( In the direction toward the tip side of the screw shaft 9). Then, the movement of the lock slider 4 acts on the lock bar 5 via the link mechanism 6, and the lock bar 5 has the engaging portion 5a in the direction of arrow F1 in the figure (the direction in which the engaging portion 5a approaches the lock gear portion 7). ). For this reason, as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1B, the steering lock device 1 is in a steering lock state, and the steering shaft 3 cannot be rotated. When the engaging portion 5a of the lock bar 5 is smoothly fitted into the concave portion 7b without coming into contact with the convex portion 7a of the lock gear portion 7, the movable member 22 moves in the state shown in FIG. Therefore, the lock bar 5 is set to the lock position in a state where the stopper mechanism 8 does not act.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit determines whether or not the lock slider 4 has reached the position where the lock bar 5 is set to the lock position based on an input signal from a position sensor (not shown) that detects the position of the lock slider 4. Whether or not the drive signal can be output is determined. Then, in a state where the lock slider 4 has reached the position where the lock bar 5 is set to the lock position, the control unit stops the output of the drive signal and stops the forward rotation drive of the electric motor 2. If the lock slider 4 is in a position where the lock bar 5 is in the locked state, even if the engaging portion 5a of the lock bar 5 is not fitted in the concave portion 7b of the lock gear portion 7, the control portion can move to the electric motor 2. Is stopped.

  Even if the lock slider 4 is in a position where the lock bar 5 is locked, if the lock bar 5 is not fitted to the lock gear portion 7, the lock bar 5 is shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). It is assumed to be in the riding state. In this case, the difference in the amount of rotation of the lock bar 5 due to the engagement portion 5a of the lock bar 5 being brought into contact with the projection 7a without being fitted into the recess 7b is absorbed by the contraction of the link mechanism 6. . In this state, the engaging portion 5a of the lock bar 5 is urged toward the lock gear portion 7, so that when the rotational force is applied to the steering shaft 3, the engaging portion 5a is preferably fitted into the recess 7b. Is done. That is, the lock bar 5 is preferably in the locked position.

  In the stopper mechanism 8, when the lock bar 5 is put on, the movable member 22 is pushed away from the position where the first connecting member 12 closes the recess 11 b as shown in FIG. 5. Thereafter, when the lock bar 5 is brought into the locked position by the rotation of the steering shaft 3, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the restricting member 21 protrudes from the installation surface 11a to restrict the rotation of the link mechanism 6. Thus, the unlocking operation of the lock bar 5 is reliably prevented. Even when the stopper mechanism 8 is not in the activated state and the lock bar 5 is in the locked position, the lock bar 5 is once put on by turning with a high torque applied to the steering shaft 3. Later, the lock bar 5 is set to the locked position, and the stopper mechanism 8 is similarly activated.

  On the other hand, when a drive signal for releasing the steering lock is input from the control unit to the electric motor 2 in a state where the steering lock is functioning, the electric motor 2 is rotationally driven in the reverse direction to The lock device 1 performs a restriction release operation. Specifically, in this restriction release operation, the screw shaft 9 is rotated by the reverse rotation drive of the electric motor 2, and the lock slider 4 is moved in the direction of the arrow R <b> 2 in the figure by the interaction between the screw shaft 9 and the lock slider 4. It moves in the direction toward the base end side of the screw shaft 9. Then, the movement of the lock slider 4 acts on the lock bar 5 via the link mechanism 6, and the lock bar 5 has the engagement portion 5 a in the direction of arrow F 2 (the direction in which the engagement portion 5 a is separated from the lock gear portion 7). ). Therefore, as indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1B, the steering lock device 1 is in a state in which the steering lock is released, and the steering shaft 3 can be rotated. In the stopper mechanism 8, the lock member 5 is prevented from being unlocked by the restriction member 21, and the movable member 22 is pressed against the pressing member 23, so that the restriction member 21 does not protrude from the installation surface 11 a. 11b.

According to the steering lock device 1 of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the present embodiment, when the lock slider 4 reciprocates in the axial direction of the steering shaft 3, the linear motion is converted into the rotational motion of the lock bar 5 by the link mechanism 6, and the lock bar 5 It is rotated to the center. Then, the engaging portion 5 a on the other end side of the lock bar 5 is engaged with and disengaged from the steering shaft 3. For this reason, the lock bar 5 can be arranged along the axial direction of the steering shaft 3 as compared with the case where the lock bar 5 is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the steering shaft 3. Further, since the movement direction of the lock slider 4 serving as the driving force of the lock bar 5 is the axial direction of the steering shaft 3, the lock bar 5 is reciprocated in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the steering shaft 3. In comparison, the space required in the radial direction of the steering shaft 3 is reduced. Therefore, the steering lock device 1 can be thinned in the radial direction of the steering shaft 3.

  (2) In the present embodiment, the link mechanism 6 includes a spring 14 that biases the engaging portion 5 a of the lock bar 5 toward the steering shaft 3. For this reason, even if the lock slider 4 is moved to a position where the lock bar 5 is set to the lock position, the lock bar 5 is engaged when the lock bar 5 cannot be fitted to the steering shaft 3 due to the rotational position of the steering shaft 3. 5a is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the steering shaft 3 while being biased. For this reason, if the steering shaft 3 rotates from that state and the engaging portion 5a of the lock bar 5 can be fitted, the lock bar 5 is suitably fitted to the steering shaft 3. Therefore, the lock bar 5 can be reliably set to the lock position regardless of the rotational position of the steering shaft 3.

  (3) In the present embodiment, the link mechanism 6 includes a first connecting member 12 connected to the lock slider 4 and a second connecting member 13 connected to the lock bar 5. The second connecting member 13 is connected to the second connecting member 13 so as to be relatively rotatable, and is biased by a spring 14 so as to be linear. For this reason, even if the lock slider 4 is moved to a position where the lock bar 5 is set to the lock position, the lock mechanism 5 is locked by the link mechanism 6 when the lock bar 5 cannot be fitted to the steering shaft 3 due to the rotational position of the steering shaft 3. The difference in the amount of rotation due to the failure to fit is absorbed. For this reason, an unreasonable force is prevented from being applied to the steering shaft 3 and the link mechanism 6 regardless of the rotational position of the steering shaft 3.

  (4) In the present embodiment, when the lock bar 5 is in the locked position, the restricting member 21 restricts the rotation of the lock bar 5 in the unlocking direction. For this reason, the rotation of the portion (lock bar 5) fitted to the steering shaft 3 is restricted, and the locked state is maintained only by the frictional force with the side surface of the recess 7b into which the lock bar 5 is fitted in the steering shaft 3. As compared with the case where the lock is released, the unlocking can be surely prevented.

  (5) In the present embodiment, since the rotation of the lock bar 5 is restricted by engaging the regulating member 21 with a part of the link mechanism 6, the rotation of the lock bar 5 in the unlocking direction is ensured. Is prevented.

  (6) In the present embodiment, when the lock bar 5 is in the unlock position, the movable member 22 is pressed by the pressing member 23 to hold the restricting member 21 in the accommodation position where it cannot be engaged with the link mechanism 6. It is said. For this reason, when the lock bar 5 is in the locked position, the regulating member 21 is engaged with a part of the link mechanism 6 to restrict the rotation of the lock bar 5 and the lock bar 5 is in the unlocked position. Thus, the restricting member 21 is prevented from engaging with the link mechanism 6 and the lock bar 5 can be rotated. Therefore, the restricting member 21 is preferably operated only when the rotation of the lock bar 5 is prohibited, and is held at the accommodation position at other times, and interference with other members such as the link mechanism 6 is prevented.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the above embodiment, the stopper mechanism 8 is provided in the steering lock device 1, but the device in the radial direction of the steering shaft 3 can be thinned without providing the stopper mechanism 8.

  In the above embodiment, the link mechanism 6 is provided as the conversion means for converting the linear motion of the lock slider 4 into the rotational motion of the lock bar 5, but the conversion means may be in another form. For example, the conversion means may be configured by a gear mechanism that converts the linear motion of the lock slider 4 into the rotational motion of the lock bar 5.

  -In above-mentioned embodiment, although the link mechanism 6 as a conversion means was comprised by the 1st connection member 12 and the 2nd connection member 13, you may comprise the conversion means in another aspect. For example, the conversion means may be constituted by one member or may be constituted by three or more members.

  In the above-described embodiment, the lock slider 4 is configured to form a ball screw mechanism together with the screw shaft 9 so as to move linearly. However, the lock slider 4 may be moved linearly by other modes.

  In the above embodiment, the restricting member 21 is moved in conjunction with the movement of the movable member 22 associated with the operation of the lock slider 4 and the link mechanism 6, but the restricting member 21 is moved in another manner. You may comprise as follows. For example, a sensor that detects the position of the lock bar 5 may be provided, and the position of the regulating member 21 may be controlled based on the position of the lock bar 5.

  In the above embodiment, the movement of the link mechanism 6 is restricted by the restriction member 21 so that the rotation of the lock bar 5 is restricted. However, the restriction member is engaged with a part of the lock bar 5. Thus, the rotation of the lock bar 5 may be restricted. Even in that case, unlocking is prevented.

Next, the technical idea that can be grasped from the above embodiment and other examples will be described below.
(A) The steering lock device according to claim 3, wherein the restricting member restricts the rotation of the lock bar by engaging with a part of the lock bar. If comprised in this way, when a lock bar exists in a locked position, a movement in the unlocking direction of a lock bar will be controlled because a regulating member engages with a part of lock bar. For this reason, the rotation of the portion (lock bar) fitted to the steering shaft is restricted, and the locked state is maintained only by the frictional force with the side surface of the recess where the lock bar is fitted on the steering shaft. Thus, unlocking can be surely prevented.

(A) is a block diagram which shows the relationship between the steering shaft and lock bar in the unlocking state of the steering lock device of this embodiment, (b) is the steering shaft and lock bar in the unlocking state of the steering locking device of this embodiment. The side view which shows the relationship. (A) is a block diagram which shows the relationship between the steering shaft and lock bar in the riding state of the steering lock device of this embodiment, (b) is the steering shaft and lock bar in the riding state of the steering lock device of this embodiment. The side view which shows a relationship. (A) is a block diagram which shows the relationship between the steering shaft and lock bar in the locked state of the steering lock device of this embodiment, (b) is the steering shaft and lock bar in the locked state of the steering lock device of this embodiment. The side view which shows a relationship. (A) is a block diagram explaining the non-operation state of the stopper mechanism of this embodiment, (b) is a block diagram explaining the operation state of the stopper mechanism of this embodiment. The block diagram explaining the non-operation state of the stopper mechanism of this embodiment. (A), (b) is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the conventional steering lock apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steering lock apparatus, 2 ... Electric motor, 3 ... Steering shaft, 4 ... Lock slider, 5 ... Lock bar, 5a ... Engagement part as edge part of the other end side, 6 ... Link mechanism as conversion means, 12 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1st connection member, 13 ... 2nd connection member, 14 ... Spring as a biasing means, 21 ... Restriction member, 22 ... Movable member, 23 ... Pressing member.

Claims (6)

A lock slider that reciprocates in the axial direction of the steering shaft based on the driving force of the electric motor;
A lock position that is supported so as to be pivotable about one end side, and the end on the other end is fitted to the steering shaft so that steering is impossible, and the end on the other end is fitted to the steering shaft A lock bar that is pivoted between an unlock position that is released and enables steering steering,
Conversion means for connecting the lock slider and the lock bar, and converting a linear motion of the lock slider into a rotational motion of the lock bar;
A steering lock device comprising:   2. The steering lock device according to claim 1, wherein the conversion unit includes an urging unit that urges an end of the other end of the lock bar toward the steering shaft. 3.   The converting means includes a first connecting member connected to the lock slider and a second connecting member connected to the lock bar, and the first connecting member and the second connecting member are relatively rotatable. The steering lock device according to claim 2, wherein the steering lock device is urged so as to be linear with the urging means.   The steering lock device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a regulating member that regulates rotation of the lock bar from the locked position in an unlocking direction.   5. The steering lock device according to claim 4, wherein the restricting member restricts the rotation of the lock bar by engaging with a part of the converting means.   When the lock bar is in the unlock position, the movable member that holds the restricting member in the accommodation position where it cannot be engaged with the conversion means, and the lock slider is in the position where the lock bar is in the unlock position The steering lock device according to claim 5, further comprising: a pressing member that presses the movable member so as to hold the movable member at the storage position.

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