JP2013124057A - Steering lock device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a structure capable of preventing occurrence of damage such as a crack of a steering column 2b when a steering wheel is rotated with large force while an ignition key is turned off.SOLUTION: A projection wall part 17 for surrounding all around the circumference of a locking through-hole 11a is disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the steering column 2b. A convex part 21 arranged in a lock unit 12a is fit in a concave part 18 arranged on the steering column 2b without backlash.

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement in a steering lock device that disables the operation of a steering wheel of an automobile in order to prevent theft. Specifically, it is intended to realize a structure capable of preventing the steering column from being damaged, such as cracks, when the steering wheel is rotated with a large force with the ignition key turned off.

  For example, a structure as shown in FIG. 8 is widely known as a steering device for giving a steering angle to a steered wheel (usually a front wheel except for a special vehicle such as a forklift). In this steering apparatus, a steering shaft 3 is rotatably supported on the inner diameter side of a cylindrical steering column 2 supported by a vehicle body 1. A steering wheel 4 is fixed to the rear end portion of the steering shaft 3 protruding rearward from the rear end opening of the steering column 2. When the steering wheel 4 is rotated, this rotation is transmitted to the input shaft 8 of the steering gear unit 7 via the steering shaft 3, the universal joint 5a, the intermediate shaft 6, and the universal joint 5b. When the input shaft 8 rotates, a pair of tie rods 9, 9 arranged on both sides of the steering gear unit 7 are pushed and pulled, and a steering wheel according to the operation amount of the steering wheel 4 is turned to a pair of left and right steering wheels. Give a corner. In the case of the structure shown in FIG. 8, telescopic type is used as the steering column 2 and the steering shaft 3 in order to enable adjustment of the front-rear position of the steering wheel 4. The front and back positions of the outer column and inner column that constitute such an extendable steering column, and the outer tube and inner shaft that constitute the steering shaft may be opposite to the illustrated structure.

  On the other hand, in recent years, theft of automobiles is increasing, and various antitheft devices are provided in automobiles. As one type, a steering lock device that disables the operation of the steering wheel unless a regular key is used is widely implemented. FIG. 9 shows an example of the steering lock device described in Patent Document 1. The steering lock device 10 is configured such that the guide unit 13 provided at the distal end portion of the lock unit 12 is disposed inside the lock through hole 11 formed in the intermediate portion in the axial direction of the steering column 2a. The steering column 2a is supported and fixed. Further, a key lock collar 15 having an engagement recess 14 formed in at least one circumferential direction at a position where a phase in the axial direction coincides with the lock unit 12 is partially fitted and fixed at a part of the steering shaft 3a. Yes. Then, by displacing the tip end portion of the lock pin 16 constituting the lock unit 12 toward the inner diameter side of the steering column 2a during operation (at the time of key lock), and engaging with the engagement concave portion 14, The rotation of the steering shaft 3a is substantially disabled. That is, in a state where the ignition key is turned off and the engagement recess 14 and the lock pin 16 are engaged, the steering wheel 4 is rotated with a force greater than a predetermined value (exceeding a value defined by the key lock regulation). In this case, the steering shaft 3a rotates with respect to the key lock collar 15. However, the steering shaft 3a does not rotate with such a force that the steering wheel 4 is operated in a normal driving posture in order to give the steering wheel a desired snake angle.

  In the steering lock device having the conventional structure as described above, the key lock collar 15 and the steering shaft 3a are not damaged even if the steering wheel is rotated with a large force with the ignition key turned off. On the other hand, in response to the trend of energy saving in recent years, it is required to reduce the weight of the steering column 2a by reducing the thickness of the steering column 2a in order to improve the fuel efficiency and reduce the cost. It has been. As a result, the following problems may occur in the case of the conventional structure. That is, if the steering wheel 4 is rotated with a large force in a state where the ignition key is turned off and the engagement recess 14 of the key lock collar 15 and the lock pin 16 are engaged, the steering shaft 3a Before the key lock collar 15 is rotated (based on a static friction force larger than the dynamic friction force), a large force is applied from the lock pin 16 to the peripheral portion of the lock through hole 11 through the guide portion 13. Due to the large force applied to the peripheral edge portion of the lock through-hole 11, damage such as cracks may occur in the steering column 2 a made of a light alloy such as an aluminum alloy or a thin carbon steel pipe. As a result, there is a possibility that the lock through hole 11 and the guide portion 13 are disengaged, and the lock unit 12 rotates around the steering column 2a. In such a state, the engagement recess 14 and the lock pin 16 are easily disengaged, and in this case, the steering shaft 3a rotates on the inner diameter side of the steering column 2a. Function is impaired.

  In order to solve such a problem, in Patent Document 2, a protrusion formed on the abutting surface of the lock unit that comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the steering column is hung on a through hole formed on the steering column. An invention for fitting without any problem is described. According to the structure of the invention described in Patent Document 2 as described above, the force applied from the steering wheel to the steering column can be dispersed, and the steering column can be hardly damaged. However, in the case of the structure of the invention described in Patent Document 2 as described above, a through-hole that penetrates the steering lock column in the radial direction is provided in the peripheral portion of the locking column through-hole. There is a possibility that the strength and rigidity of the peripheral edge portion of the lock through hole may be somewhat lowered. As a result, there is a possibility that a sufficient damage prevention effect may not be obtained, and realization of a different type of structure is desired to prevent damage.

JP 2008-265646 A JP-A-8-295202

  In view of the circumstances as described above, the present invention provides a steering lock device for disabling the operation of a steering wheel of an automobile to prevent theft. In this case, the steering column is not easily damaged such as cracks, and the invention was invented to realize a structure different from the invention described in Patent Document 2.

The steering lock device of the present invention includes a steering column, a steering shaft, a key lock collar, a lock through hole, and a lock unit, similarly to the conventionally known steering lock device.
Among these, the steering column is cylindrical and is supported by the vehicle body.
The steering shaft is rotatably supported on the inner diameter side of the steering column.
The key lock collar is supported by a part of the steering shaft and has an engagement recess on the outer peripheral surface.
The lock through hole is formed in a portion of the steering column facing the key lock collar.
Further, the lock unit has an abutting surface that abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the steering column, and the steering column is arranged in a state in which a guide portion formed on the abutting surface is disposed on an inner portion of the locking through hole. It is supported by. Then, with the ignition key turned off, the key lock pin constituting the lock unit is displaced inward in the radial direction, and the tip end portion of the key lock pin is engaged with the engagement recess, whereby the steering column The rotation of the steering shaft on the inner diameter side is suppressed.
In particular, in the steering lock device of the present invention, a protruding wall portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the steering column, around the lock through-hole, over the entire circumference, or intermittently in the circumferential direction. .

When implementing such a steering lock device of the present invention, preferably, as in the invention described in claim 2, the inner side surface of the outer diameter side end portion of the protruding wall portion is more Separated from the center position of the locking through hole.
Further, when carrying out the invention described in claim 2, preferably, as in the invention described in claim 3, the entire inner surface or the outer-diameter-side half of the projecting wall portion. In addition, an inclined surface portion that is inclined in a direction toward the outside of the protruding wall portion as it goes outward in the radial direction is provided. Then, the thickness of the protruding wall portion is made thicker at the base end portion (inner diameter side end portion) than the distal end portion (outer diameter side end portion).
Alternatively, as in the invention described in claim 4, the inner side surface of the protruding wall portion is a convex curved surface having a partially circular arc shape in which the cross-sectional shape is the most protruding in the radial direction intermediate portion.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes a concave portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the steering column and a convex portion formed on the abutting surface of the lock unit. And this convex part is made to fit in this concave part without rattling.
In carrying out the invention described in claim 5, it is preferable that the concave portion has a bottom as in the invention described in claim 6.

  In the case of the steering lock device of the present invention configured as described above, even if an attempt is made to rotate the steering wheel with a large force with the ignition key turned off, the steering column is prevented from being damaged such as cracks. I can do things. That is, a protruding wall portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the steering column around the lock through hole. Therefore, when the ignition key is turned off and the steering wheel is rotated with a large force in a state where the key lock pin and the engagement recess are engaged, the periphery of the lock through hole, which is a portion to which a large force is applied The strength and rigidity of the part can be increased. As a result, the damage can be suppressed.

The principal part sectional view showing the 1st example of an embodiment of the invention. The figure which abbreviate | omits a lock unit and shows the state seen from the downward direction of FIG. The alpha part enlarged view of FIG. 1 which shows three examples of the shape of a recessed part. The figure similar to FIG. 3 which shows the 2nd example of embodiment of this invention. The figure similar to FIG. 3 which shows the 3rd example. The figure similar to FIG. 3 which shows the 4th example. The figure similar to FIG. 3 which shows the said 5th example. The side view which shows one example of the steering device conventionally known in the state which cut | disconnected a part. Sectional drawing which shows one example of the conventional structure of a steering lock apparatus.

[First example of embodiment]
1 to 3 show a first example of an embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1 and 5 to 6. The steering lock device of the present invention, including this example, is characterized by preventing cracks and other damage to the steering column even if the steering wheel is rotated with a large force with the ignition key turned off. The point is to realize a structure that can be made. Since the structure and operation of the other parts are the same as those of a conventionally known steering lock device including the structure shown in FIG. 9, the illustration and description of the equivalent parts are omitted or simplified. The description will focus on the features of this example.

In the case of this example, a protruding wall portion 17 is provided around the lock through hole 11a around the periphery of the lock through hole 11a in the outer peripheral surface of the steering column 2b. In the illustrated example, the protruding wall portion 17 is provided so as to surround the entire circumference of the locking through hole 11a, but may be provided intermittently in the circumferential direction. In any case, such a projecting wall portion 17 is formed at the same time that the steering column 2b is made of a light alloy such as an aluminum alloy by die casting. Alternatively, after the locking through hole 11a is provided in the steering column 2b made of a light alloy such as an aluminum alloy or a thin carbon steel pipe pipe material, a burring process or a drawing process is performed on the peripheral portion of the locking through hole 11a. It can also be formed by plastic working such as.
Further, among the outer peripheral surface of the steering column 2b, a plurality of locations (examples shown) of the outer portion of the protruding wall portion 17 (the portion located on the opposite side of the protruding wall portion 17 from the locking through hole 11a). In four places, bottomed recesses 18 and 18 are provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the recesses 18 and 18 are formed at the same time as the steering column 2b is formed by die casting a light alloy such as an aluminum alloy. Alternatively, it is formed by subjecting a steering column 2b made of a light alloy such as an aluminum alloy or a thin carbon steel pipe to a drawing press process (see FIG. 3B) or an embossing process (see FIG. 3C).

  Further, a concave groove 20 is provided on the abutting surface 19 of the lock unit 12a, which is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the steering column 2b, surrounding the guide portion 13a over the entire circumference. Further, in a state where the lock unit 12a is assembled to the steering column 2b, convex portions 21 and 21 are provided at portions that are aligned with the concave portions 18 and 18, respectively. In order to assemble such a lock unit 12a to the steering column 2b, first, the guide portion 13a of the lock unit 12a is disposed inside the lock through hole 11a, and at the same time, the projecting wall portion 17 and the concave groove 20 is engaged with the concave portions 18 and 18 and the convex portions 21 and 21, respectively. In this state, the bolt inserted into the through hole (not shown) of the clamp fitting 22 is screwed into the screw holes 23, 23 formed in the lock unit 12a and further tightened, whereby the lock unit 12a is connected to the steering column 2b. Support and fix to.

  In the steering lock device of the present example configured as described above, even when the steering wheel 4 (see FIG. 8) is rotated with a large force with the ignition key turned OFF, the steering column 2b is not cracked. Damage can be prevented from occurring. That is, when the ignition key is turned off and the steering wheel 4 is rotated with a large force in a state where the lock pin 16 and the engagement recess 14 of the key lock collar 15 are engaged, the guide portion A protruding wall portion 17 is provided on the peripheral edge portion of the locking through hole 11a to which a force is applied through 13a. For this reason, the strength and rigidity of the peripheral portion of the lock through hole 11a can be increased, and the steering column 2b is damaged such as cracks before the steering shaft 3a rotates with respect to the key lock collar 15. It can be prevented from occurring.

In the case of this example, the concave portions 18 and 18 of the steering column 2 b are engaged with the convex portions 21 and 21 provided on the abutting surface 19 of the lock unit 12. Therefore, when the steering wheel 4 is rotated with a large force with the ignition key turned off, the force applied from the steering shaft 3a to the steering column 2b can be effectively dispersed.
Furthermore, in the case of this example, portions of the steering column 2b that engage with the convex portions 21 and 21 on the lock unit 12 side are formed as bottomed concave portions 18 and 18, respectively. Therefore, as in the conventional structure described in Patent Document 2 described above, the strength of the steering column 2b compared to the case where the steering column has a through-hole portion that engages with the convex portion on the lock unit side. In addition, the rigidity can be further improved.

[Second Example of Embodiment]
FIG. 4 shows a second example of an embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1 and 2. In the case of this example, the outer diameter side half of the inner side surface of the projecting wall portion 17a is separated from the central position of the locking through hole 11a rather than the inner diameter side portion (the inner dimension of the portion is increased). A gap 24 is provided between the inner surface of the protruding wall portion 17a and the outer surface of the guide portion 13a of the lock unit 12a. That is, by providing the protruding wall portion 17a on the outer side of the peripheral portion of the locking through hole 11a, a step portion 25 is provided between the protruding wall portion 17a and the locking through hole 11a.

According to the structure of this example, when the ignition key is turned OFF and the steering wheel 4 is to be rotated with a large force, the guide portion 13a of the lock unit 12a is moved from the outer diameter side end portion of the protruding wall portion 17a. It can be reduced with or without power. That is, it is possible to prevent a large force from being applied to the tip edge of the protruding wall portion 17a, which is likely to be a starting point of damage such as a crack. For this reason, before the steering shaft 3a (refer FIGS. 1-2) rotates with respect to the key lock collar 15, it can prevent more effectively that damage, such as a crack, generate | occur | produces in the said protruding wall part 17a.
Since the configuration and operation of the other parts are the same as those in the first example of the above-described embodiment, the description regarding the equivalent parts is omitted.

[Third example of embodiment]
FIG. 5 shows a third example of an embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1 to 3. In the case of this example, an inclined surface portion 26 which is inclined in a direction toward the outside of the protruding wall portion 17b as it goes outward in the radial direction is provided on the entire inner surface or the outer diameter side half portion of the protruding wall portion 17b. ing. Further, the thickness of the projecting wall portion 17b is maximized at the base end portion and is made thinner toward the tip end portion.

According to the structure of this example, the force applied to the inner surface of the protruding wall portion 17b can be reduced as it goes outward in the radial direction. Further, by making the thickness of the base end portion of the protruding wall portion 17b the thickest and decreasing toward the tip end portion, the weight of the steering column 2b increases while ensuring the strength and rigidity against the force. Is preventing.
Since the configuration and operation of the other parts are the same as those of the first example of the above-described embodiment and the second example of the above-described embodiment, description of equivalent parts is omitted.

[Fourth Example of Embodiment]
FIG. 6 shows a fourth example of an embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1 to 2 and 4. In the case of this example, the inner side surface of the projecting wall portion 17c is a partially arcuate convex curved surface whose cross-sectional shape protrudes most in the radial direction. The force applied to the inner side surface of the protruding wall portion 17c is received at the radially intermediate portion, and the force applied to the leading edge of the protruding wall portion 17c, which is likely to be the starting point of cracking, is reduced.
Since the configuration and operation of the other parts are the same as those in the first and second examples of the above-described embodiment, the description regarding the equivalent parts is omitted.

[Fifth Example of Embodiment]
FIG. 7 shows a fifth example of the embodiment of the present invention corresponding to the first aspect. In the case of this example, reinforcing ribs 27 are provided at a plurality of locations on the outer surface of the projecting wall portion 17d to further improve the strength and rigidity of the projecting wall portion 17d.
Since the configuration and operation of the other parts are the same as those in the first example of the above-described embodiment, the description regarding the equivalent parts is omitted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Car body 2, 2a, 2b Steering column 3, 3a Steering shaft 4 Steering wheel 5a, 5b Universal joint 6 Intermediate shaft 7 Steering gear unit 8 Input shaft 9 Tie rod 10 Steering lock device 11 Locking hole 12, 12a Lock unit 13, 13a Guide part 14 Engaging concave part 15 Key lock collar 16 Lock pin 17, 17a-17d Projecting wall part 18 Concave part 19 Abutting surface 20 Concave groove 21 Convex part 22 Clamp metal fitting 23 Screw hole 24 Clearance 25 Step part 26 Inclined surface part 27 Reinforcement rib

Claims (6)

A cylindrical steering column, a steering shaft that is rotatably supported inside the steering, and that fixes a steering wheel to a rear end projecting rearward from the steering column, and is supported by a part of the steering shaft. A key lock collar, a locking through-hole formed in a portion of the steering column facing the key lock collar, and an abutting surface that comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the steering column. A lock unit supported by the steering column in a state where the guide portion formed on the inner side portion of the lock through hole is disposed, and a key lock pin constituting the lock unit with the ignition key turned off. Displace radially inward and place the tip of this key lock pin By engaging the engagement recess provided in Kukara, in the steering lock device that substantially prevents rotation of the steering shaft on the inner diameter side of the steering column,
A steering lock device characterized in that a protruding wall portion is provided around the lock through hole on the outer peripheral surface of the steering column.   2. The steering lock device according to claim 1, wherein an inner side surface of an outer diameter side end portion of the projecting wall portion is separated from a central position of the lock through hole than a portion closer to the inner diameter.   The whole or outer half of the inner surface of the projecting wall is provided with an inclined surface portion that is inclined in the direction toward the outer side of the projecting wall as it goes radially outward. The steering lock device according to claim 2, wherein the base end portion is thicker than the tip end portion.   3. The steering lock device according to claim 2, wherein an inner side surface of the protruding wall portion is a convex curved surface having a partial arc shape in which a cross-sectional shape protrudes most at a radial intermediate portion.   A concave portion formed on an outer peripheral surface of the steering column and a convex portion formed on an abutting surface of the lock unit, and the convex portion is fitted into the concave portion without rattling. The steering lock device described in any one of 1-4.   The steering lock device according to claim 5, wherein the recess is bottomed.

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