JP2007090966A - Steering lock device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering lock device capable of making fraudulent unlocking of a locked state of a steering lock difficult. <P>SOLUTION: An electric power steering 17 to impart operation auxiliary force to a steering wheel by a power steering motor 18 is mounted on a vehicle. An electric steering lock 5 to inhibit the operation of the steering wheel at the time of parking the vehicle is mounted on the vehicle. The electric steering lock 5 is made into a locked state by locking a lock bar 31 on a joint 19 functioning as a locked member provided on a motor shaft 18b of the power steering motor 18. The electric steering lock 5 is arranged so that the lock bar 31 may move in parallel to an axis L1 of the motor shaft 18b (gear shaft 21) of the power steering motor 18. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering lock device that permits or prohibits a turning operation of a steering wheel.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a steering lock that prohibits a turning operation of a steering wheel during parking is mounted on a vehicle. As this type of steering lock, there is a mechanical type in which a lock bar is moved by an operation force when a key inserted in a key cylinder is rotated to an off position, and the steering lock is prohibited by the lock bar. . Further, as a non-mechanical steering lock, there is an electric type that drives a steering lock motor when the vehicle determines that the vehicle is parked, and moves the lock bar by the driving force.

  There is also a vehicle type equipped with a power steering device that applies a driving force of a driving source to the steering shaft as an auxiliary force when the steering wheel is operated. For example, in the case of an electric type in which the drive source is a motor, the power steering device transmits the driving force of the power steering motor to the steering shaft via the reduction gear mechanism, thereby assisting the turning operation force of the steering wheel. Be able to turn the wheel with a little light force.

  For example, Patent Literatures 1 to 4 disclose a steering lock device that is locked when a lock bar is engaged with a motor shaft of a power steering motor when an electric power steering device is used. An example of this type of technology is shown in FIG. 7. A power steering motor 52 of an electric power steering 51 is connected to a steering shaft 54 via a worm gear 53. A locked member 60 for steering lock is attached to the motor shaft 52 a of the power steering motor 52. When the power steering motor 52 is driven, the driving force is transmitted to the steering shaft 54 via the worm gear 53, and the turning operation force is assisted to the steering wheel.

  When an electric steering lock 55 using a motor or the like as a drive source is used, a lock bar 58 is connected to a motor shaft 56a of the steering lock motor 56 via a gear 57 as shown in FIG. The lock bar 58 is attached to an accommodation hole 59 a formed in the lock body 59 of the electric steering lock 55 so as to be relatively movable, and can be slid by the driving force of the steering lock motor 56.

  For example, when the electric steering lock 55 is in the released state, the lock bar 58 moves to the locked member 60 side with the forward rotation of the steering lock motor 56, and the lock bar 58 is engaged with the groove 60 a of the locked member 60. The electric steering lock 55 is locked and the steering wheel operation is prohibited. On the other hand, when the electric steering lock 55 is in the locked state, the lock bar 58 is separated from the locked member 60 with the reverse rotation of the steering lock motor 56, and when the lock bar 58 comes out of the groove 60 a of the locked member 60, the electric steering is performed. The lock 55 is unlocked and the operation of the steering wheel is allowed.

When the electric steering lock 55 that restricts the rotation of the power steering motor 52 by the lock bar 58 and prohibits the rotation of the steering wheel is used, the steering wheel is rotated when the electric steering lock 55 is locked. The operating force is transmitted to the power steering motor 52 via the worm gear 53 that is a reduction gear. Accordingly, since the motor shaft 52a cannot be rotated unless the steering wheel is rotated with a large force, even if the steering wheel is turned while the electric steering lock 55 is locked, the force on the unlocking side acts on the lock bar 58 at that time. This is highly effective in preventing unauthorized release of the steering lock.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-219816 JP 2003-205824 A JP 2003-327082 A JP 2004-216959 A

  However, if the steering wheel is forcibly rotated while the electric steering lock 55 is locked, even if the power steering motor 52 and the steering shaft 54 are connected by a worm wheel, the steering wheel is moved with a large force. If it is turned, the motor shaft 52a will turn. Therefore, when such an operation is performed, the protrusion 60b of the member to be locked 60 may come into contact with the lock bar 58 during the rotation of the motor shaft 52a.

  At this time, a force in the circumferential direction of the locked member 60 (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 8) is applied to the lock bar 58 from the protrusion 60b. (X direction). For this reason, force is applied to the lock bar 58 in the lock bar release direction, and the lock bar 58 moves out of the groove 60a. Therefore, since this leads to unauthorized release of the electric steering lock 55, some countermeasure has been desired to prevent unauthorized release of the electric steering lock 55.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a steering lock device that makes it difficult to illegally release the locked state of the steering lock.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the invention according to claim 1, a locked member is provided on a shaft portion of a motor of an electric power steering for applying an operation assisting force to the steering wheel, and a lock bar is provided on the locked member. In the steering lock device which locks the steering lock and disallows the operation of the steering wheel by locking, the lock bar is arranged to move in parallel to the axis of the shaft portion of the motor It is a summary.

  According to the present invention, when the steering wheel is forcibly rotated when the steering lock is locked, the operating force is transmitted from the steering shaft to the shaft portion of the motor of the electric power steering, and the rotation of the motor shaft portion is performed. With movement, the locked member rotates along the circumferential direction of the motor shaft. At this time, when the member to be locked comes into contact with the lock bar of the steering lock during the operation, a force directed radially outward of the shaft portion acts on the lock bar. However, in the case of this example, even if such a force is applied to the lock bar, the lock bar is not allowed to move radially outward. It is difficult to become a situation. Therefore, even if the steering wheel is rotated while the steering lock is locked, the steering lock is hardly released and the steering lock is not easily released.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the steering lock is changed from the unlocked state to the locked state, the lock bar moves upward from the unlock position to engage the locked member. The gist is that when the steering lock is changed from the locked state to the released state, the lock bar is arranged in a direction to move downward from the lock position and to be detached from the locked member.

  According to the present invention, in addition to the operation of the invention according to the first aspect, for example, it is possible to prevent the lock bar from dropping due to its own weight and the steering lock from being unintentionally locked.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the driving force is transmitted to the lock bar via the worm gear to move the lock bar to the lock position or the unlock position. 2 motors, and the second motor has its own shaft portion with respect to a center line connecting the center point of the gear member on the lock bar side and the center point of the locked member among the gear members constituting the worm gear. The gist is that the angle formed by the axes is arranged in a direction smaller than 90 degrees.

  According to this invention, in addition to the operation of the first or second aspect of the invention, the attachment position state of the second motor is a state in which the main body portion of the second motor is close to the steering shaft side. For this reason, the space can be effectively used as much as the main body portion of the second motor approaches the steering shaft side, the steering lock can be reduced in size, and the overhang amount of the second motor can be reduced. Therefore, it is effective in improving the vehicle mountability of the steering lock.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, an urging member for urging the lock bar toward the locked member is attached to the lock bar. It is the gist.

  According to this invention, in addition to the action of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the steering lock is locked by locking the lock bar, for example, in a groove provided on the peripheral surface of the member to be locked. In this state, when the lock bar moves to the lock position, the lock bar sometimes rides on a protrusion formed between the grooves, and the steering lock may not be locked. However, if the lock bar has a structure with an urging member, even if such a situation occurs, if the steering wheel is turned and the shaft portion of the motor is turned, the position where the groove portion faces the lock bar When this happens, the tip of the lock bar pops out by the urging member and locks into the groove, and the steering lock is locked.

  By the way, when the steering wheel is turned while the steering lock is locked, when the member to be locked comes into contact with the lock bar, a force directed radially outward of the shaft portion acts on the lock bar. Here, for example, when the steering lock is arranged so that the moving direction of the lock bar is a direction orthogonal to the shaft portion of the motor of the electric power steering, and the lock bar has a biasing member, The lock bar is allowed to move to the unlock side by the biasing member. Therefore, when a force toward the outer side in the radial direction of the shaft portion is applied to the lock bar, it cannot be denied that the lock bar moves toward the unlock side and the steering lock is illegally released.

  However, if the steering lock is arranged so that the lock bar moves in parallel with the axis of the motor shaft of the electric power steering, the lock bar will be locked even if a force radially outward of the shaft acts on the lock bar. It is difficult for the bar to move to the unlock side. Therefore, even if the lock bar has a structure with an urging member, it is difficult for the steering lock to be released when the steering wheel is rotated while the steering lock is locked. Highly effective in preventing release.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the motor shaft of the motor includes a gear shaft of a gear mechanism that transmits a driving force of the motor to the steering shaft. Is attached through a joint, and the joint is also used as the locked member.

  According to this invention, in addition to the operation of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, since it is not necessary to prepare the joint and the locked member separately, the number of parts required for the steering lock is reduced. It can be used less, and contributes to the miniaturization of the steering lock.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to make it difficult to illegally release the locked state of the steering lock.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a steering lock device embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 is equipped with an electronic key system 2 that can perform various operations of the vehicle 1 without using an ignition key. The electronic key system 2 performs ID collation between the vehicle 1 and the electronic key 3 by wireless communication. If the ID code of the electronic key 3 matches the ID code of the vehicle 1, various operations of the vehicle 1 are permitted or started. System. Various operations of the vehicle 1 include, for example, locking / unlocking the door lock 4, locking / unlocking the electric steering lock 5, starting the engine 6, unlocking the luggage 7, and the like.

  The vehicle 1 includes a smart ECU (Electronic Control Unit: hereinafter the same) 8 that performs ID verification with the electronic key 3, a door ECU 9 that controls the door lock 4 (including the luggage 7), and an electric motor A steering lock ECU 10 that drives and controls the steering lock 5 is mounted. The vehicle 1 is also equipped with a power supply ECU 11 that controls the power supply system and an engine ECU 12 that controls the drive of the engine 6. The ECUs 8 to 12 are connected to each other via an in-vehicle LAN (Local Area Network) 13 so that they can communicate with each other.

  When the vehicle 1 is parked (when the engine is stopped and the door is locked), the smart ECU 8 constantly transmits a request signal Srq from the outdoor antenna 8a at a predetermined time interval. When the driver (occupant) who owns the electronic key 3 enters the outside communication area of the outdoor antenna 8a, the electronic key 3 receives the request signal Srq via its own antenna 3a. When receiving the request signal Srq, the electronic key 3 transmits an ID signal Sid carrying its own ID code in response thereto.

  When the smart ECU 8 receives the ID signal Sid from the electronic key 3 via the receiver 8b, the smart ECU 8 compares the ID code of the electronic key 3 with the ID code of the electronic key 3, and the ID code matches to establish the outdoor verification. When this happens, the door ECU 9 is notified accordingly. The door ECU 9 enters the door unlock standby state when receiving a notification of the establishment of outdoor verification from the smart ECU 8, and releases the door lock 4 when the touch sensor 13 of the door handle is touched in this state.

  When the smart ECU 8 detects that the driver (occupant) has entered the vehicle 1, the ID verification is switched from the outdoor verification to the indoor verification, and the request signal Srq is transmitted from the indoor antenna 8 c. This is notified to the steering lock ECU 10. The indoor verification is different from the outdoor verification only in that wireless communication is performed using the indoor antenna 8c, and other communication procedures are the same as the outdoor verification. When the steering lock ECU 10 receives a notification that the room verification is established from the smart ECU 8, the steering lock ECU 10 enters an unlock standby state.

  When the engine switch 14 is operated to start the engine, the power supply ECU 11 notifies the steering lock 10 to that effect. When the steering lock ECU 10 receives a notification of an engine start operation in the unlock standby state, the steering lock ECU 10 releases the locked electric steering lock 5. The engine start operation includes a rotation operation of a switch knob for starting the engine and a push operation of a push button. When the steering lock ECU 10 detects that the release of the electric steering lock 5 is completed, the steering lock ECU 10 notifies the engine ECU 12 to that effect. When the engine ECU 12 receives a notification of the completion of the steering lock release, it starts the engine 6.

  On the other hand, when the engine switch 14 is operated from the IG position to the off position, the engine 6 stops. When the driver opens the driver's seat door to get off, the steering lock ECU 10 releases the electric steering lock 5 in the released state on condition that the engine switch 14 is off and the driver's seat door is opened. Lock. The door ECU 9 notifies the smart ECU 8 when detecting that the door lock switch 15 of the door handle is turned on when the engine switch 14 is in the off state and all the doors are in the closed state. When the smart ECU 8 receives the notification, the smart ECU 8 performs outdoor collation. When the outdoor collation is established, the smart ECU 8 notifies the door ECU 9 to that effect. When the door ECU 9 receives the notification that the outdoor verification is established, the door ECU 9 locks the door lock 4 in the released state.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an electric power steering 17 for providing an assisting force to the steering wheel 16 when the steering wheel 16 is rotated is disposed in the steering column (not shown) of the vehicle 1. Has been. The electric power steering 17 of this example is a motor type that uses a power steering motor 18 such as a DC motor as a driving source, and has a motor main body 18a attached to the inner surface of the steering column. The power steering motor 18 corresponds to a motor.

  A gear shaft 21 of a worm gear 20 is connected and fixed to a motor shaft 18 b of the power steering motor 18 via a joint 19. The gear shaft 21 is attached to the joint 19 so as to have the same axis as the motor shaft 18b, and a worm 22 is attached to the peripheral surface thereof. A worm wheel 24 attached to the steering shaft 23 is meshed and locked to the worm 22. When the power steering motor 18 rotates, the rotational force of the power steering motor 18 is converted into a 90-degree axis by the worm gear 20, and this is transmitted to the steering shaft 23 as an auxiliary force when operating the steering wheel at a high reduction ratio. The joint 19 corresponds to a locked member, and the worm gear 20 corresponds to a gear mechanism. Further, the motor shaft 18b and the gear shaft 21 constitute a shaft portion.

  A worm side case 18 c that houses a motor shaft 18 b, a joint 19, a gear shaft 21, and a worm 22 is attached to the power steering motor 18. The worm side case 18c has a large diameter at the base and a small diameter at the other, and a portion facing the worm wheel 24 is partially opened. On the other hand, a worm wheel side case 23 a that accommodates the worm wheel 24 is attached to the steering shaft 23. The worm wheel side case 23a has a substantially disk shape, and a portion facing the worm 22 is partially opened. The worm 22 meshes with the worm wheel 24 in this opening portion.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 is equipped with a power steering ECU 25 that controls the electric power steering 17. In the vehicle 1, a first angle detection sensor 26 that detects the rotation angle of the steering shaft 23 on the steering wheel 16 side with respect to the electric power steering 17, and a second angle that is detected on the wheel side with respect to the electric power steering 17. Each of the detection sensors 27 is provided. As the first angle detection sensor 26 and the second angle detection sensor 27, for example, an optical or magnetic rotation angle sensor is used, and a detection signal corresponding to the rotation angle of the steering shaft 23 is output.

  Based on the detection signal from the first angle detection sensor 26, the power steering ECU 25 calculates the rotation angle θ 1 of the steering shaft 23 on the steering wheel 16 side relative to the electric power steering 17. Similarly, the power steering ECU 25 calculates the rotation angle θ2 of the steering shaft 23 on the wheel side of the electric power steering 17 based on the detection signal from the second angle detection sensor 27. The power steering ECU 25 calculates a difference Δθ (= θ1−θ2) between the rotation angle θ1 and the rotation angle θ2, and the rotation angle θ2 follows the rotation angle θ1 when the difference Δθ is greater than or equal to an allowable value. An electric current is passed through the power steering motor 18 so as to take a value, and an auxiliary force is applied to the steering shaft 23.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the joint 19 is formed in a substantially disc shape, and the motor shaft 18 b extends from the surface on one side (upper surface in FIG. 4) to the center position on the other surface (lower surface in FIG. 4). ) To each of the gear shafts 21. A plurality (four in this example) of groove portions 28 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the joint 19 at substantially equal intervals along the circumferential direction. Further, by forming the groove portion 28 on the outer peripheral surface of the joint 19, a plurality of (four in this example) protrusions 29 are formed between the adjacent groove portions 28. These protrusions 29 have a shape protruding radially outward, and are arranged at substantially equal intervals along the circumferential direction.

  Inside the steering column, an electric steering lock 5 that prohibits the turning operation of the steering wheel 16 when the vehicle 1 is parked is disposed. A lock body 30 of the electric steering lock 5 is attached to the steering column, and a lock bar 31 is attached to the lock body 30 so as to be slidable relative to the lock body 30. The electric steering lock 5 of this example is arranged so that the lock bar 31 moves in parallel to the axis L1 of the motor shaft 18b (gear shaft 21) of the power steering motor 18. For this reason, the lock bar 31 reciprocates between the unlock position and the lock position along the axis L1 (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4).

  A through hole 18d is provided in the worm side case 18c at a position corresponding to the lock bar 31, and the lock bar 31 is movable to a position reaching the joint 19 through the through hole 18d. Further, a guide groove 18e (see FIG. 4) extending along the axis L1 is provided at a position corresponding to the lock bar 31 on the inner peripheral surface of the worm side case 18c. When the lock bar 31 is in the worm side case 18c, the lock bar 31 reciprocates while being guided by the guide groove 18e.

  The power steering motor 18 is attached to the steering column in a state where the motor main body 18a is positioned above the motor shaft 18b. The electric steering lock 5 is attached to the inside of the steering column so that the lock bar 31 moves upward when changing from the unlocked state to the locked state in accordance with the mounting direction of the power steering motor 18. On the other hand, when the electric steering lock 5 changes from the locked state to the unlocked state, the lock bar 31 moves downward.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a steering lock motor 32 serving as a drive source for the electric steering lock 5 is disposed inside the lock body 30. A rotation shaft 34 is connected to a motor shaft 32 a (see FIG. 6) of the steering lock motor 32 via a worm gear 33. That is, the worm 35 is attached to the motor shaft 32 a of the steering lock motor 32, and the worm 35 is engaged with and locked to the worm wheel 36 disposed on the rotating shaft 34. The rotation shaft 34 is supported in a rotatable state inside the lock body 30, and rotates in a direction corresponding to the rotation direction when the steering lock motor 32 rotates. The steering lock motor 32 corresponds to the second motor, and the motor shaft 32a corresponds to the shaft portion.

  A movable member 37 is supported on the rotation shaft 34 so as to be linearly movable with respect to the rotation shaft 34. Further, a gear portion 38 that converts the rotational motion of the rotational shaft 34 into a linear motion and transmits the linear motion to the movable member 37 is disposed between the rotational shaft 34 and the movable member 37. That is, a screw thread 34a oblique to the axis of the rotation shaft 34 is formed on the peripheral surface of the rotation shaft 34, and a screw hole 37a of the movable member 37 is engaged with the screw thread 34a. For this reason, when the steering lock motor 32 rotates and the rotation shaft 34 rotates, this rotation motion is converted into a linear motion by the gear portion 38, and the movable member 37 moves linearly along the axis L1 (see FIG. 3). To do.

  A lock bar 31 is attached to the movable member 37 so as to be movable integrally with the movable member 37. The lock bar 31 has a substantially bar shape, and a locking hole 31a into which the locking piece 37b of the movable member 37 can be locked is recessed at the base end thereof. Between the lock bar 31 and the locking piece 37b, a spring 31b that constantly biases the lock bar 31 toward the lock side while being accommodated in the locking hole 31a is interposed. The lock bar 31 is restricted from moving to the lock side when the locking claw 31c at the base end formed by forming the locking hole 31a contacts the locking piece 37b.

  The lock body 30 is provided with a receiving hole 39 serving as a movement path of the lock bar 31 so as to extend along the axis L1. The lock bar 31 is accommodated in the accommodation hole 39 so as to be slidable, and can be slid in the direction of the axis L1 while being guided by the accommodation hole 39 together with the guide groove 18e in the worm side case 18c. The spring 31b corresponds to the biasing member.

  When the steering lock motor 32 rotates and the movable member 37 slides, the lock bar 31 is attached to the movable member 37, so that the lock bar 31 slides along the axis L1 as the motor rotates. When the steering lock motor 32 rotates forward, for example, the lock bar 31 slides in the locking direction (direction of arrow A1 in FIG. 5), while when the steering lock motor 32 reverses, for example, the lock bar 31 moves in the unlocking direction (FIG. 5). Slide in the direction of arrow A2).

  Here, when the electric steering lock 5 is in the locked state, depending on the position of the protrusion 29 of the joint 19, there may be a state in which the lock bar 31 rides on the protrusion 29. At this time, by rotating the steering wheel 16 and forcibly turning the motor shaft 18b of the power steering motor 18 to shift the position of the protrusion 29, when the groove 28 is in a position facing the lock bar 31, The lock bar 31 is pushed out by the spring 31b, and the lock bar 31 is engaged with the groove 28. Therefore, certainty is ensured when the electric steering lock 5 is in the locked state.

  A magnet 40 is attached to the movable member 37 at a position opposite to the mounting position of the lock bar 31. Inside the lock main body 30, a lock switch 41 and an unlock switch 42 are disposed at positions facing the magnet 40. For example, a magnetoresistive element or the like is used for the lock switch 41 and the unlock switch 42, and the lock switch 41 and the unlock switch 42 are turned on when the magnet 40 is disposed at a facing position. That is, when the lock bar 31 is located at the lock position, the lock switch 41 is turned on, the unlock switch 42 is turned off, and when the lock bar 31 is located at the unlock position, the lock switch 41 is turned off, The unlock switch 42 is turned on.

As shown in FIG. 6, when a straight line connecting the center point O ₂ of the center point O ₁ and the worm wheel 36 of the motor shaft 18b of the power steering motor 18 (the joint 19) to the center line L3, a steering lock motor 32 is itself The angle θ formed by the axis L2 and the center line L3 of the motor shaft 32a is inclined so as to be smaller than 90 degrees. In this example, the angle θ formed by the axis L2 and the center line L3 is set to a value of about 45 degrees, for example. The worm wheel 36 corresponds to a gear member.

Next, the operation of the steering lock device of this example will be described.
First, when the driver opens the driver's seat door to stop the engine 6 and get off, the steering lock ECU 10 sets the electric steering lock 5 to the steering lock motor 32 to lock the electric steering lock 5 in the released state. Apply current in the direction of the side to be locked. Then, the lock bar 31 moves in a path parallel to the motor shaft 18b of the power steering motor 18 (that is, a path along the axis L1) to move from the unlock position to the lock position.

  When the steering lock ECU 10 receives an ON signal from the lock switch 41 and an OFF signal from the unlock switch 42, the steering lock ECU 10 determines that the electric steering lock 5 is in a locked state, and stops energization of the steering lock motor 32. With the above operation, the lock bar 31 is locked in the groove portion 28 of the joint 19, and the rotation of the power steering motor 18, that is, the rotation of the steering shaft 23 is prohibited, and the rotation operation of the steering wheel 16 is prohibited. The

  Here, for example, when the steering wheel 16 is forcibly rotated when the electric steering lock 5 is locked, the operating force is transmitted to the motor shaft 18b of the power steering motor 18 via the worm gear 20, and the motor shaft 18b rotates. At this time, the protrusion 29 of the joint 19 moves to abut against the lock bar 31, and the force in the circumferential direction of the joint 19 (the direction of the arrow B in FIGS. 3 and 4) acts on the lock bar 31. The bar 31 tries to move radially outward (in the direction of arrow X in FIG. 4).

  However, in this example, the electric steering lock 5 is disposed so that the moving direction of the lock bar 31 is in the direction along the motor shaft 18b (that is, the axis L1) of the power steering motor 18. Therefore, the radially outward force acting on the lock bar 31 when the electric steering lock 5 is illegally released does not act on the lock bar 31 as a force in the lock bar releasing direction. Therefore, even if the steering wheel 16 is rotated while the electric steering lock 5 is locked, the lock bar 31 becomes difficult to move to the unlock position side, which is highly effective in preventing unauthorized release of the electric steering lock 5.

  Further, when the electric steering lock 5 is locked, the lock bar 31 is in a position supported by the guide groove 18e. For this reason, even if a radially outward force is applied to the lock bar 31 due to an illegal rotation operation of the steering wheel 16, the lock bar 31 is supported by the inner wall surface (guide surface) of the guide groove 18e. Thus, the movement can be enjoyed on the inner wall surface of the guide groove 18e. Further, when such a force is applied to the lock bar 31, the lock bar 31 maintains a state in which movement is restricted by the accommodation hole 39. Therefore, it is difficult for the lock bar 31 to move to the unlock side, which also contributes to the high unauthorized release prevention effect of the electric steering lock 5.

  Further, when the electric steering lock 5 is arranged in such a direction that the lock bar 31 moves in parallel to the motor shaft 18 b of the power steering motor 18, the electric steering lock 5 is adjacent to the worm 22 of the power steering motor 18. The installation state arrange | positioned in the space S (refer FIG. 4) which can be taken is taken. Therefore, since the electric steering lock 5 is disposed in a state of being closer to the power steering motor 18, it is possible to reduce the amount of extension W of the electric steering lock 5 with respect to the steering column. Therefore, the protruding portion of the steering column is suppressed to be small, and the vehicle mounting property of the steering column is improved.

  Furthermore, if the protruding portion on the steering column is suppressed to be small as the protruding amount W of the electric steering lock 5 is suppressed, it is difficult for the electric steering lock 5 to be destroyed from that portion. That is, if there is a protruding part on the steering column, it is easy to break if it is struck with a hammer or the like, so it is difficult to withstand the destruction of the electric steering lock 5, but in this example the protruding part is Since it can be kept small, it is difficult to perform an action of hitting the protruding portion to destroy the electric steering lock 5, and the effect of preventing vehicle theft is also high.

  Further, in the case where the lock bar 31 has a spring 31b in order to ensure a reliable locking state of the electric steering lock 5 as in this example, the movement of the lock bar 31 to the unlock side is always allowed by the spring 31b. The Here, for example, as shown in a circle in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the electric steering lock 5 is attached to the steering column in such a direction that the moving direction of the lock bar 31 is orthogonal to the motor shaft 18 b of the power steering motor 18. In this case, when the steering wheel 16 is rotated while the electric steering lock 5 is locked, when the protrusion 29 of the joint 19 abuts against the lock bar 31, the lock bar 31 faces radially outward. Therefore, the lock bar 31 is pushed by the protrusion 29 and moves to the unlock position side. Therefore, when the lock bar 31 has the spring 31b and the electric steering lock 5 is arranged as in the above example, the lock bar 31 is easily detached from the groove 28.

  However, if the electric steering lock 5 is disposed in the direction of this example, even if a radially outward force is applied to the lock bar 31, the lock bar 31 is not allowed to move in that direction. The force does not act as a force for moving the lock bar 31 to the unlock position side. Therefore, it is difficult for the electric steering lock 5 to be illegally released. From this point as well, the structure of this example is highly effective in preventing the electric steering lock 5 from being illegally released.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The electric steering lock 5 of this example is arranged so that the moving direction of the lock bar 31 is parallel to the motor shaft 18b of the power steering motor 18. For this reason, even if the steering wheel 16 is rotated when the electric steering lock 5 is locked, and the protrusion 29 of the joint 19 abuts against the lock bar 31, the radially outer side acting on the lock bar 31 at that time This force does not act as a force for moving the lock bar 31 to the unlock position side. Accordingly, it is possible to make it difficult for unauthorized release of the electric steering lock 5 to occur.

  (2) When the electric steering lock 5 is locked, the electric steering lock 5 is attached in such a direction that the lock bar 31 moves upward and engages with the groove 28. Therefore, for example, even if the electric steering lock 5 breaks down while the engine is running and the lock bar 31 falls due to the vibration of the engine or the like, the electric steering lock 5 is unintentionally locked while the engine is running. It doesn't become a situation.

  (3) The steering lock motor 32 is disposed so as to be inclined so that the angle θ formed by the axis L2 and the center line L3 is smaller than 90 degrees. Accordingly, since the motor main body 32b of the steering lock motor 32 is arranged close to the motor shaft 18b side of the power steering motor 18, the electric steering lock 5 is reduced in size by the approach amount, and the electric steering lock 5 The overhang amount W can be further reduced. For this reason, the vehicle mountability of the electric steering lock 5 can be further improved, and when the electric steering lock 5 is arranged along the steering column, the protruding portion by the electric steering lock 5 does not occur in the steering column. Further, it becomes difficult to destroy the electric steering lock 5 for the purpose of vehicle theft.

  (4) When the lock bar 31 has a structure including the spring 31b, the movement of the lock bar 31 toward the unlock side is permitted by the spring 31b. Since the bar 31 moves away from the groove 28, the electric steering lock 5 may be illegally released. However, in this example, the radially outward force acting on the lock bar 31 by the protrusion 29 when the electric steering lock 5 is illegally released does not act as a force for moving the lock bar 31 to the unlock position side. Therefore, it is difficult for the lock bar 31 to move to the unlock position side, and it can be said that the effect of preventing the unauthorized release of the electric steering lock 5 is also high in this respect.

  (5) A protrusion 29 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the joint 19 that connects the motor shaft 18 b of the power steering motor 18 and the gear shaft 21 of the worm gear 20, and this is used as a locking portion of the lock bar 31. 19 is shared as a member to be locked of the electric steering lock 5. Therefore, since it is not necessary to prepare the joint 19 and the member to be locked separately, the number of parts required for the electric steering lock 5 can be reduced, and the electric steering lock 5 can be reduced in size.

  (6) Since the power steering motor 18 is connected to the steering shaft 23 via the worm gear 20, a large force is required when the steering wheel 16 is rotated to rotate the motor shaft 18b of the power steering motor 18. Is required. Therefore, the motor shaft 18b of the power steering motor 18 is unlikely to be illegally rotated, and the effect of preventing unauthorized release of the electric steering lock 5 is high. Further, since the steering lock motor 32 is also connected to the lock bar 31 via the worm gear 33, a high unauthorized release preventing effect of the electric steering lock 5 can be secured from the same meaning.

In addition, this embodiment is not limited to the said structure, You may change into the following aspects.
The condition for the electric steering lock 5 to be locked is not limited to the operation of the engine switch 14 to the OFF position, and may be a condition that the driver gets off, for example. Further, the condition that the electric steering lock 5 is released is not limited to the engine start operation of the engine switch 14, and may be, for example, a condition that the driver gets into the vehicle 1.

The mounting position of the locked member is not limited to the base of the gear shaft 21 (that is, the mounting position of the joint 19 of the embodiment), and may be the tip of the gear shaft 21.
The locking structure between the joint 19 that is the member to be locked and the lock bar 31 is not limited to the structure in which the lock bar 31 is locked to the protrusion 29 on the outer peripheral surface of the joint 19. For example, the lock bar 31 may be locked to the joint 19 by forming a hole in the joint 19 and inserting the lock bar 31 therethrough.

  The steering lock is not limited to an electric type using the steering lock motor 32 as a drive source, and for example, a mechanical type in which the lock bar is moved to the lock position with the rotational force by turning the vehicle key inserted into the key cylinder. Good.

  The mounting direction of the power steering motor 18 with respect to the steering column is not necessarily limited to the motor main body 18a being the upper side and the motor shaft 18b being the lower side. For example, this direction may be reversed. Further, the mounting direction of the electric steering lock 5 with respect to the steering column is not particularly limited as long as the moving direction of the lock bar 31 is parallel to the motor shaft 18b of the power steering motor 18.

The joint 19 is not limited to being used as a locked member, and the joint 19 and the locked member may be provided separately.
The urging member included in the lock bar 31 is not limited to the spring 31b, and may be rubber or the like, for example.

  The mounting destination of the electric steering lock 5 of this example is not necessarily limited to the vehicle 1, and the electric steering lock 5 that locks the lock bar 31 on the motor shaft 18 b of the electric power steering 17 and restricts the turning operation of the steering wheel 16. If it is provided, the mounting destination is not particularly limited.

Next, technical ideas that can be grasped from the above-described embodiment and other examples will be described below together with their effects.
(1) In any one of claims 1 to 5, the electric power steering imparts the operation assisting force to a steering shaft via a reduction gear. In this case, since the electric power steering and the steering shaft are connected via a reduction gear, even if the steering lock is operated by turning the steering wheel while the steering lock is locked, If this is not applied, the shaft portion of the electric power steering motor cannot be turned. Therefore, it is difficult to cause a situation in which the shaft portion of the motor of the electric power steering is forcibly turned and the lock bar is moved to the unlock position side, which is effective in preventing the steering lock from being illegally released.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic key system in one Embodiment. The side view near the steering wheel which shows the structure of electric power steering. The other side view which shows operation | movement of an electric steering lock. The front view which shows the arrangement position of an electric steering lock. Sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of an electric steering lock. The other sectional view showing the internal configuration of an electric steering lock. The front view which shows the arrangement position of the electric steering lock in the past. Explanatory drawing which similarly shows operation | movement of an electric steering lock.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Steering lock, 16 ... Steering wheel, 17 ... Electric power steering, 18 ... Power steering motor as a motor, 18b ... Motor shaft which comprises a shaft part, 19 ... Joint as a to-be-locked member, 20 ... As a gear mechanism Worm gear, 21... Gear shaft constituting shaft part, 23... Steering shaft, 31... Lock bar, 31 b .. spring as urging member, 32... Steering lock motor as second motor, 32 a. , 33 ... Worm gear, worm wheel as a gear member, L1, L2 ... axis, L3 ... center line, O ₁ , O ₂ ... center point, angle ... θ.

Claims (5)

A lock member is provided on the shaft portion of the motor of the electric power steering that applies the operation assisting force to the steering wheel, and the lock bar is locked to the lock member so that the steering lock is in a locked state. In the steering lock device that disallows operation,
The steering lock device, wherein the lock bar is arranged so as to move in parallel with the axis of the shaft portion of the motor.   When the steering lock is changed from the unlocked state to the locked state, the lock bar moves upward from the unlocked position and is locked to the locked member. When the steering lock is changed from the locked state to the released state, the lock bar is 2. The steering lock device according to claim 1, wherein the bar is disposed in a direction in which the bar moves downward from the lock position and separates from the locked member. A second motor that moves the lock bar to a lock position or an unlock position by transmitting a driving force to the lock bar via a worm gear;
The second motor has an angle formed by an axis of its own shaft portion with respect to a center line connecting a center point of the gear member on the lock bar side of the gear member constituting the worm gear and a center point of the locked member. The steering lock device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the steering lock device is arranged in a direction smaller than 90 degrees.   The steering lock device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an urging member that urges the lock bar toward the locked member is attached to the lock bar.   A gear shaft of a gear mechanism for transmitting a driving force of the motor to a steering shaft is attached to the motor shaft of the motor via a joint, and the joint also serves as the locked member. The steering lock device according to any one of Items 1 to 4.

Images