JP4709689B2 - Vehicle with electric steering lock - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle equipped with an electric steering lock, and relates to a technique for realizing a smooth unlocking operation of a steering lock without increasing the size of an electric actuator.

  Automobiles are equipped with a steering lock that fixes the steering shaft in order to prevent theft when parking. As a steering lock, a mechanical type interlocking with an ignition key is the mainstream, but in a car equipped with a smart key system etc., there is also a thing that can start the engine with a starter button without using the ignition key. An electric steering lock that unlocks the steering lock in conjunction with the starter button is often employed. The electric steering lock includes a lock bolt that fits into a slot formed in the steering shaft, an electric actuator that drives the lock bolt to move forward and backward, an electric circuit that drives and controls the electric actuator, and the like (Patent Document 1). , 2). In an automobile equipped with an electric steering lock, when the starter button is pressed by the driver, the engine is started after the electric steering lock is unlocked in order to prevent starting in a state where steering cannot be performed.

On the other hand, in recent automobiles, an electric power steering device is installed instead of the conventional hydraulic power steering device (see Patent Document 3). In the electric power steering device, there is no direct engine drive loss because an in-vehicle battery is used as the power source of the electric motor, and since the electric motor is started only at the steering assist, a decrease in driving fuel consumption can be suppressed, There is a feature that control by an ECU (electronic control unit) can be performed very easily.
JP 2005-343378 A JP 2000-95066 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-81848

  The conventional electric steering lock described above has a problem that the unlocking operation of the steering lock is not smoothly performed depending on the situation when the automobile is parked. Normally, a car is parked with the ground contact surface of the tire being twisted to some extent (a state in which the tire is stationary). Therefore, after the steering lock is applied, the steering shaft gradually rotates due to the restoring force of the tire, and the lock bolt And the slot are often in pressure contact. In addition, when the driver gets off the steering wheel, the steering shaft is locked in a state where the steering wheel (that is, the steering shaft) is rotated by the driver's hand after stopping, A rotational torque that returns the steering shaft to its original position acts, and the lock bolt and the slot are pressed against each other.

  In the electric steering lock, when the lock bolt and the slot are in pressure contact with a pressure contact force exceeding the driving force of the electric actuator, the lock bolt is not pulled out of the slot, and the engine cannot be started. As a method for solving such a problem, it is conceivable to use an electric actuator having a large driving force. However, in that case, the physique and weight of the electric steering lock are increased, and the degree of freedom of installation is reduced. As a result, problems such as an increase in apparatus cost and power consumption occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle equipped with an electric steering lock that realizes a smooth unlocking operation of a steering lock without increasing the size of an electric actuator. .

A vehicle equipped with an electric steering lock according to a first aspect of the invention includes an electric power steering that performs steering assist by an electric motor, an electric power steering that performs steering assist by an electric motor, and an electric actuator in a slot formed in a steering system rotating member. The vehicle is equipped with an electric steering lock that locks a steering bolt by inserting a lock bolt with a driving force of the electric motor, and is an electric motor that locks the steering bolt by inserting the lock bolt into a slot of a steering system rotating member with a driving force of an electric actuator a vehicle equipped with a steering lock, wherein at the time of unlocking the electric steering lock, the order of the lock bolt is moved away from the locking wall of the slot, exchange the steering system rotating member in forward and reverse both directions of rotation Characterized by comprising the unlock drive control means for the drive control of the electric power steering to rotate manner.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electric steering lock-equipped vehicle according to the first aspect, the drive control means at the time of unlocking exceeds an operation time of the electric actuator when the electric steering lock is unlocked. The drive control of the electric power steering is performed only in the case where it is detected.

According to the electric steering lock-equipped vehicle of the first aspect, the unlocking of the electric steering lock can be performed even when the lock bolt is pressed against the locking wall of the slot with a strong pressing force and the gap between the lock bolt and the slot is small. Locking is performed smoothly. Further, according to the electric steering lock fitted vehicle according to claim 2, the locking bolt is in such cases not pressed against the engagement wall of the slot, and unnecessary rotation operation and the power consumption of the steering wheel is suppressed.

Hereinafter, an embodiment and a partial modification of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part showing a front part of a vehicle according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic structure of a steering lock, and FIG. 3 is a view as seen from the axial direction of a steering shaft. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the EPS-ECU and the ESL-ECU according to the embodiment.

[Embodiment]
<< Configuration of Embodiment >>
As shown in FIG. 1, an automobile 1 according to an embodiment is a so-called four-door sedan type passenger car. In addition to a pinion-assisted electric power steering (hereinafter referred to as EPS) 2, an electric steering lock (Electric Steering Lock (hereinafter referred to as ESL) 3 and engine start button 4 are provided. In the automobile 1, an EPS-ECU 5 that controls the EPS 2, an ESL-ECU 6 (drive control means when unlocked) that controls the ESL 3, and an engine ECU 7 that controls the engine (not shown) are installed in the engine room, and the smart key system is installed. A supervising smart ECU 8 is installed in the passenger compartment. Each of these devices is connected via a communication line (not shown) (CAN (Controller Area Network) in the present embodiment), and exchanges signals with each other.

  The EPS 2 includes a rack and pinion type steering gear 11, a steering shaft (steering system rotating member) 12 coupled to the steering gear 11, a steering column 13 that supports the steering shaft 12, and a steering mounted on the rear end of the steering shaft 12. The wheel 14 and the steering gear 11 are constituted by an electric motor 15 that applies assist force to a pinion (not shown). The steering shaft 12 is formed with a plurality of slots 16 that engage with lock bolts 23 of the ESL 3 described later at predetermined angular intervals.

  The ESL 3 is installed between the steering gear 11 and the steering column 13 so as to face the steering shaft 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the ESL 3 protrudes from the main body casing 21, which is an outer shell of the apparatus, a lock bolt 23 that is held in the main body casing 21 through a bolt holder 22 so as to be axially slidable, and a tip of the lock bolt 23. A pair of steel balls 25 interposed between a slide groove 22a formed on the inner peripheral surface of the bolt head 24 and the bolt holder 22 and a cam groove 23a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lock bolt 23, a bolt holder The positions of a worm 26 that meshes with a worm gear 22b formed on the outer peripheral surface of the motor 22, an electric motor (electric actuator) 27 that rotationally drives the worm 26, a spring 28 that biases the lock bolt 23 toward the steering shaft 12, and a position of the lock bolt 23 It consists of a position sensor 29 and the like for detection.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the bolt head 24 of the lock bolt 23 is fitted into the slot 16 of the steering shaft 12 when the ESL 3 is locked. In the state shown in FIG. 3, rotational torque (indicated by an arrow) due to a stationary or the like acts on the steering shaft 12, so that the side surface 24 a of the bolt head 24 is in pressure contact with the locking wall 16 a of the slot 16. .

<EPS-ECU and ESL-ECU>
As shown in FIG. 4, the EPS-ECU 5 outputs a steering assist torque command to the EPS 2 based on input signals from the vehicle speed sensor 31, the steering torque sensor 32, and the like. The ESL-ECU 6 outputs a drive command to the EPS-ECU 5, ESL 3, and engine ECU 7 based on input signals from the engine start button 4, smart ECU 8, and position sensor 29.

<< Operation of Embodiment >>
When a driver carrying a smart key (not shown) approaches the parked automobile 1, wireless communication is performed between the smart key and the in-vehicle device, and the smart ECU 8 includes an ID code transmitted from the smart key, After collating the ID code stored in the ROM, a door lock unlocking permission command, a steering lock unlocking permission command, and an engine start permission command are output to a door lock ECU (not shown), ESL-ECU 6, engine ECU 7, etc. . Thus, the driver can start the engine not only by getting into the automobile 1 by simply pulling the door handle, but also by pressing the engine start button 4.

  When a steering lock unlocking permission command is input from the smart ECU 8, the ESL-ECU 6 executes steering lock unlocking control whose procedure is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 at a predetermined processing interval (for example, 10 ms).

  When the steering lock unlocking control is started, the ESL-ECU 6 determines whether or not the engine start button 4 is pressed in step S1 of FIG. 5, and if this determination is No, the ESL-ECU 6 starts without performing any processing. Return.

  When the driver presses the engine start button 4 and the determination in step S1 becomes Yes, the ESL-ECU 6 determines in step S2 that the ESL3 unlock condition (for example, the parking brake is ON, the select lever is in the P or N range, the brake pedal is in the If the determination is No, the process returns to the start without performing any processing.

  If the determination in step S2 is Yes, the ESL-ECU 6 starts the timer T1 in step S3, and then outputs an unlock driving command to the EPS-ECU 5 in step S4. In step S5, the ESL-ECU 6 sends the unlock command to the ESL3. Output. Here, the unlocking drive command is to alternately supply forward and reverse drive currents to the electric motor 15 of the EPS 2 with a very short period, and the unlock command is to the electric motor 27 of the ESL3. It supplies current in the unlocking direction.

  As a result, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 6, the steering shaft 12 is driven to rotate alternately in the forward and reverse rotational directions within a predetermined angular range, while the lock bolt 23 is driven in the unlocked direction. Become. As a result, even when the side surface 24a of the bolt head 24 is pressed against the locking wall 16a of the slot 16 with a strong pressing force, the engagement between the lock bolt 23 and the slot 16 is released and the ESL 3 is unlocked.

  Next, in step S6, the ESL-ECU 6 determines whether or not the timer T1 has exceeded a predetermined unlock time Tu (for example, 0.5 seconds). If this determination is No, the ESL-ECU 6 determines from the position sensor 29 in step S7. It is further determined whether or not the unlocking of the ESL3 is completed by the signal.

  In the normal case, the ESL3 is instantly unlocked and the determination in step S7 is Yes, so the ESL-ECU 6 outputs a command to the EPS-ECU 5 to stop the operation of the EPS2 in step S8, and in step S9 the ESL3 The operation is stopped, and the timer T1 is reset in step S10. Next, the ESL-ECU 6 outputs an engine start command to the engine ECU 7 in step S11 to start the engine.

  On the other hand, if for some reason the ESL3 is not unlocked (the determination No in step S7 remains No) and the unlock time Tu elapses and the determination in step S6 becomes Yes, the ESL-ECU 6 sends the EPS-ECU 5 to the EPS-ECU 5 in step S12. A command to stop the operation of EPS2 is output, the operation of ESL3 is stopped in step S13, the timer T1 is reset in step S14, and an error display command is output in step S15. As a result, an error message that ESL3 cannot be released is displayed on a display (not shown), and the driver is urged to contact a service factory or the like.

[Partial modification]
Some modified examples have the same device configuration as that of the above-described embodiment, but the procedure of the steering lock unlock control is different. That is, in the embodiment, the EPS 2 is always driven when the engine is started. However, in some modifications, the EPS 2 is driven only when the ESL 3 alone cannot be unlocked, and unnecessary rotation operation of the steering wheel 14 is performed. And reducing power consumption.

≪Operation of some modified examples≫
When the steering lock unlocking permission command is input from the smart ECU 8, the ESL-ECU 6 executes steering lock unlocking control whose procedure is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 at a predetermined processing interval (for example, 10 ms).

  When the steering lock unlocking control is started, the ESL-ECU 6 determines whether or not the engine start button 4 is pressed in step S31 of FIG. 7, and if this determination is No, the ESL-ECU 6 starts without performing any processing. Return.

  When the driver presses the engine start button 4 and the determination in step S31 becomes Yes, the ESL-ECU 6 determines in step S32 whether or not the above-described ESL3 unlock condition is satisfied. It returns to the start without performing any processing.

  If the determination in step S32 is Yes, the ESL-ECU 6 starts the timer T1 in step S33, and then outputs an unlock command to the ESL3 in step S34. As a result, the lock bolt 23 is driven in the unlocking direction by the electric motor 27, and the side 24 a of the bolt head 24 is engaged with the slot 16 as well as the bolt head 24 is loosely fitted in the slot 16. Even when the stop wall 16a is pressed with a relatively small pressing force, the engagement between the lock bolt 23 and the slot 16 is released and the ESL 3 is unlocked.

  Next, in step S35, the ESL-ECU 6 determines whether or not the timer T1 has exceeded a predetermined first unlock time Tu1 (for example, 0.2 seconds). If this determination is No, the position sensor is determined in step S36. It is further determined by the signal from 29 whether or not the unlocking of ESL3 is completed.

  In the normal case, the ESL3 is instantly unlocked and the determination in step S36 is Yes, so the ESL-ECU 6 stops the operation of the ESL3 in step S37 and resets the timers T1 and T2 in step S38. In S39, a start command is output to the engine ECU 7 to start the engine.

  On the other hand, when the ESL3 is not unlocked for some reason (the determination No in step S36 remains No) and the first unlock time Tu1 has elapsed and the determination in step S35 is Yes, the ESL-ECU 6 determines in step S40 that the timer T2 Is activated, an unlocking drive command is output to the EPS-ECU 5 in step S41. As a result, the steering shaft 12 is driven to rotate alternately in the forward and reverse rotational directions within a predetermined angular range, so that the side surface 24a of the bolt head 24 is pressed against the locking wall 16a of the slot 16 with a strong pressing force. Also in this case, the engagement between the lock bolt 23 and the slot 16 is released and the ESL 3 is unlocked.

  Next, in step S42, the ESL-ECU 6 determines whether or not the timer T2 has exceeded a predetermined second unlock time Tu2 (for example, 0.3 seconds). If this determination is No, the position sensor is determined in step S43. It is further determined by the signal from 29 whether or not the unlocking of ESL3 is completed.

  Also in this case, since the ESL3 is instantly unlocked and the determination in step S43 is Yes, the ESL-ECU 6 outputs a command for stopping the operation of the EPS2 to the EPS-ECU 5 in step S44, and then proceeds to step S37. Then, the operation of the ESL3 is stopped, and after the timers T1 and T2 are reset in step S38, a start command is output to the engine ECU 7 in step S39 to start the engine.

  On the other hand, when EPS2 is activated, ESL3 is not unlocked for some reason (No in step S43), and the second unlock time Tu2 has elapsed, and the determination in step S42 is Yes. The ESL-ECU 6 outputs an instruction to stop the operation of the EPS 2 to the EPS-ECU 5 in step S45, stops the operation of the ESL 3 in step S46, resets the timers T1 and T2 in step S47, and then returns an error in step S48. Output a display command. As a result, an error message that ESL3 cannot be released is displayed on a display (not shown), and the driver is urged to contact a service factory or the like.

  This is the end of the description of the specific embodiments, but the aspects of the present invention are not limited to these embodiments and some modifications. For example, in the electric steering lock of the above-described embodiment, the lock bolt is driven by the electric motor and the cam mechanism, but an electromagnetic actuator may be used as the electric actuator, or the electric actuator may be driven by a screw mechanism, a toggle mechanism, or the like. The driving force may be transmitted to the lock bolt. In the above embodiment, when the electric steering lock is unlocked, the electric power steering is driven and controlled to alternately rotate in both forward and reverse rotation directions. However, the direction in which the lock bolt is separated from the locking wall of the slot is controlled. Only the electric power steering may be driven and controlled. In addition, the specific configuration of the electric power steering, the specific procedure of the steering lock unlocking control, and the like can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is a principal part perspective view which shows the front part of the motor vehicle which concerns on embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows schematic structure of a steering lock. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion III in FIG. 2 as viewed from the axial direction of the steering shaft. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of EPS-ECU and ESL-ECU which concern on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the steering lock unlocking control which concerns on embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect | action of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the steering lock unlocking control which concerns on a some modification.

Explanation of symbols

1 Automobile (vehicle)
2 EPS (Electric Power Steering)
3 ESL (Electric steering lock)
4 Engine start button 5 EPS-ECU
6 ESL-ECU (drive control means when unlocked)
12 Steering shaft 15 Electric motor 16 Slot 16a Locking wall 23 Lock bolt 24 Bolt head 27 Electric motor (electric actuator)

Claims (2)

An electric power steering that performs steering assist by an electric motor, and an electric steering lock that locks a steering bolt by inserting a lock bolt by a driving force of an electric actuator into a slot formed in a steering system rotating member,
When the electric steering lock is unlocked, the electric power steering is driven so that the rotating member of the steering system rotates alternately in both forward and reverse rotation directions so that the lock bolt is separated from the locking wall of the slot. A vehicle equipped with an electric steering lock, characterized by comprising an unlocking drive control means for controlling. The drive control means during unlocking performs drive control of the electric power steering only when the operation time of the electric actuator exceeds the predetermined value when the electric steering lock is unlocked. Item 4. A vehicle equipped with the electric steering lock according to Item 1.

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