JP5646093B2 - Electric steering lock device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric steering lock device for electrically locking the rotation of a steering wheel when a vehicle is parked.

  In recent years, some vehicles are equipped with an electric steering lock device for electrically locking the rotation of a steering wheel during parking for the purpose of preventing theft. The electric steering lock device includes: a lock member that can move between a lock position that engages with a steering shaft of a vehicle and an unlock position that releases the engagement; an electric motor that moves the lock member; A drive mechanism that converts the rotational force of the output shaft of the electric motor into the advance / retreat force of the lock member is provided.

  In such an electric steering lock device, when the driver turns off the engine start switch while the engine is in operation, the host unit of the electric steering lock device that detects this stops the engine and the safety is confirmed. A lock request is made to the electric steering lock device. When the electric steering lock device receives the lock request, the electric motor drives the electric motor, and the electric motor moves the lock member to engage the steering shaft to lock the rotation of the steering wheel.

  On the other hand, when the driver turns on the engine start switch while the engine is stopped, the host unit that has detected this makes an unlock request to the electric steering lock device. Upon receiving this unlock request, the electric steering lock device drives the electric motor, moves the lock member by the electric motor to release the engagement of the lock member with the steering shaft, and unlocks the steering wheel. Steering operation is possible.

  Thus, regarding such an electric steering lock device, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for preventing overheating of an actuator such as an electric motor that moves a lock member. Specifically, it is obtained by adding the counter value when the actuator is operating to the first initial counter value before the actuator is operating and subtracting the counter value when the actuator is at rest. There has been proposed a configuration in which control means is provided for forcibly stopping the actuator when the counter value reached reaches the stop counter value.

JP 2006-111230 A

  By the way, the electric motor that moves the lock member of the electric steering lock device has a limit durability number (the limit movement number of the lock member), and when the electric motor reaches the end of its life and the operation exceeds the limit durability number, the electric motor However, it has been difficult to accurately grasp the replacement timing of the electric motor. If an electric motor that does not operate normally because it has reached the end of its life, it may cause troubles such as the engine not being able to start because the steering wheel is not unlocked by the lock member.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to use an electric motor that has reached its endurance life by promptly replacing the electric motor by accurately grasping the replacement timing of the electric motor. An object of the present invention is to provide an electric steering lock device that can prevent troubles caused by continuing to do so.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1
A lock member movable between a lock position that engages with a steering shaft of a vehicle and an unlock position that releases the engagement;
An electric motor for moving the lock member;
A drive mechanism for converting the rotational force of the output shaft of the electric motor into the advance / retreat force of the lock member;
A detection sensor for detecting that the lock member is at a position corresponding to the lock position and the unlock position;
Control means for controlling the electric motor in accordance with a detection signal from the detection sensor;
In the electric steering lock device with
A counter that counts the number of times the locking member has moved to the locked position or the unlocked position;
Movement number storage means for storing the number of movements counted by the counter;
Endurance count storage means for storing the endurance operation count of the electric motor;
The control means determines whether or not the number of movements stored in the movement number storage means has reached the number of durability times stored in the durability number storage means.

The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, further comprising a notification means for notifying the replacement timing of the electric motor,
The control means performs notification control of the notification means based on a determination as to whether or not the number of times stored in the movement number storage means has reached the durability number stored in the durability number storage means. Features.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the control means includes timer means for counting a time for the locking member to reach the locked position or the unlocked position, and the timer means When the time counted by the above exceeds a predetermined time, a value obtained by adding a predetermined number to the number of movements counted by the counter is set as the number of movements of the lock member.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a fault storage unit is provided in a host ECU connected to the control means via a communication line,
The control means transmits the number of movements counted by the counter to the host ECU.

The invention according to claim 5
A lock member movable between a lock position that engages with a steering shaft of a vehicle and an unlock position that releases the engagement;
An electric motor for moving the lock member;
A drive mechanism for converting the rotational force of the output shaft of the electric motor into the advance / retreat force of the lock member;
A detection sensor for detecting that the lock member is at a position corresponding to the lock position and the unlock position;
Control means for controlling the electric motor in accordance with a detection signal from the detection sensor;
In the electric steering lock device with
A counter that counts the number of times the locking member has moved to the locked position or the unlocked position;
A host ECU connected to the control means via a communication line;
Movement number storage means provided in the host ECU;
The control means transmits the number of movements counted by the counter to the host ECU.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the counter counts the number of times the lock member has moved to the lock position or the unlock position, and the counted number of movements of the lock member (accumulated value stored in the movement number storage means). The replacement time of the electric motor can be accurately grasped by comparing the durability number of the electric motor (value converted to the number of movements of the lock member) stored in the durability number storage means.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of endurance times are set according to the number of movements of the lock member as the number of endurance operations of the electric motor, and notification control by the notification means is performed according to the number of movements (cumulative value) of the lock member By gradually changing the electric motor, it is possible to promote the replacement of the electric motor before it reaches the end of its life, and to prevent troubles caused by continuing to use the electric motor that has reached the end of its life.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, since the lock member is in a state of being engaged in the engagement groove on the steering shaft side (stationary state) in the locked state of the steering wheel, the lock member seems to be overloaded. In this case, the consumption of the electric motor is larger than that at the normal time, and the time for the lock member to reach the unlock position is longer than that at the normal time. When the time exceeds a predetermined time (normal time), a value obtained by adding a predetermined number (for example, 5) to the number of movements counted by the counter is set as the number of movements of the lock member. It is possible to grasp the replacement timing of the electric motor more accurately by synchronizing the consumption and the number of movements (cumulative value) of the lock member.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, it is possible to check the operating state (endurance state) of the electric motor together with other failure states at the time of inspection of the host ECU without removing the electric steering lock device at the time of vehicle inspection or the like.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the number of movements of the lock member counted by the counter and input to the control means is transmitted to the host ECU through the communication line, and the host ECU determines whether the number of movements has reached the endurance number. Therefore, it is possible to accurately grasp the replacement time of the electric motor. s

It is a longitudinal section showing the locked state of the electric steering lock device concerning the present invention. It is a longitudinal section showing the unlocking state of the electric steering lock device concerning the present invention. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electric steering lock device according to the present invention. It is a perspective view of the spring member of the electric steering lock device concerning the present invention. It is a figure explaining the effect | action of the spring member of the electric steering lock apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a control system block diagram of the electric steering lock device concerning the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the electric steering lock apparatus which concerns on this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a locked state of an electric steering lock device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an unlocked state of the electric steering lock device, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the electric steering lock device. 4 is a perspective view of the spring member, and FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the action of the spring member.

  The electric steering lock device 1 according to the present invention locks / unlocks the rotation of a steering shaft (steering wheel) (not shown) by electric drive, and the housing 2 is made of a non-magnetic metal (for example, magnesium). The case 3 is made of an alloy, and the metal lid 4 covers the lower surface opening of the case 3.

  The case 3 is formed in a rectangular box shape, and an arcuate recess 3a is formed in the upper portion thereof. A column tube (not shown) is fitted into the recess 3a, and the column tube is bonded to the case 3. It is fixed to the case 3 by an arc-shaped bracket (not shown). Although not shown, the steering shaft is inserted into the column tube, a steering wheel is connected to the upper end of the steering shaft, and the lower end of the steering shaft is connected to a steering gear box. When the driver rotates the steering wheel, the rotation is transmitted to the steering gear box via the steering shaft, the steering mechanism is driven, and the pair of left and right front wheels are steered to perform the required steering.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a rectangular connector disposition portion 3b is opened in the side portion of the case 3, and pins other than the side surface on which the connector disposition portion 3b is formed are pinned. A circular hole pin hole 3c (only two are shown in FIG. 3) into which 5 is press-fitted is formed.

  On the other hand, the lid 4 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, and on its inner surface (upper surface), there are three block-shaped pinning portions 4A, three columnar cover pressing portions 4B, and a bottomed cylindrical gear holding tube. The part 4C is erected integrally. Here, the three pin fastening portions 4A are formed at locations corresponding to the positions of the pin holes 3c of the case 3, and the circular pin insertion holes 4a (FIG. 3) into which the pins 5 are press-fitted. Is formed with only one).

  Thus, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lid 4 is fitted into the inner periphery of the lower end of the case 3 so as to cover the lower surface opening of the case 3 from below, and is formed on the side portion of the case 3. The pin 5 inserted through the two pin holes 3c (see FIG. 3) is fixed to the case 3 by press-fitting into the pin insertion holes 4a formed in the three pin fastening portions 4A provided upright on the lid 4.

  Incidentally, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 2 is formed with a lock member storage portion 2A and a substrate storage portion 2B. The lock member storage portion 2A and the substrate storage portion 2B are vertically arranged. The long and narrow communication portions 2C communicate with each other.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a lock member 6 is accommodated in the lock member accommodating portion 2A. The lock member 6 is a substantially cylindrical shape having a male screw portion 7a formed on the outer periphery of the lower end portion. And a plate-like lock bolt 8 accommodated in the driver 7 so as to be movable up and down. Here, a long hole 8a which is long in the vertical direction is formed in the lock bolt 8. The lock bolt 8 is connected to the driver 7 by a pin 9 which is inserted in the long hole 8a in the horizontal direction. The pin 9 is inserted and held by being press-fitted into a pin insertion hole 7b that is formed in the driver 7 in a lateral direction.

  The lock bolt 8 is fitted in a rectangular insertion hole 3d formed in the case 3 so as to be movable up and down, and is always attached upward by a spring 10 which is compressed between the partition wall 7c of the driver 7 and this. Normally, the lower portion of the long hole 8 a of the lock bolt 8 is engaged with the pin 9 so that the lock bolt 8 moves up and down together with the driver 7.

  Further, an arm 7A as an engaging portion that extends horizontally and an anti-rotation portion 7B that is long in the vertical direction are integrally formed at opposite locations on the upper outer periphery of the driver 7, and the arm 7A is formed in the housing 2 (case 3). ) Is formed so as to be movable up and down, and the rotation preventing portion 7B engages with an engagement groove 3e formed in the case 3 to prevent the driver 7 from rotating. A magnet housing portion 7d having a rectangular cross section is formed at the tip of the arm 7A, and a quadrangular columnar magnet 11 is housed in the magnet housing portion 7d by press-fitting.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cylindrical gear member 12 is rotatably accommodated in the lock member accommodating portion 2A formed in the housing 2, and a lower outer periphery of the gear member 12 is The lid 4 is rotatably held by the gear holding cylinder portion 4 </ b> C erected on the inner surface (upper surface) of the lid 4. And the worm gear 12a is formed in the lower outer periphery of this gear member 12, and the internal thread part 12b is formed in the inner periphery.

  The lower part of the driver 7 is inserted into the gear member 12, and the male screw part 7 a formed on the outer periphery of the lower part of the driver 7 is the female screw part formed on the inner periphery of the gear member 12. 12b. A spring 13 is compressed between a cylindrical spring receiver 4b formed at the center of the gear holding cylinder 4C of the lid 4 and a partition wall 7c of the driver 7, and the lock member 6 (the driver 7 and the lock 7 are locked). The bolt 8) is always urged upward by the spring 13.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an electric motor 14 is housed in the lock member housing portion 2A formed in the housing 2 in a horizontally placed state, and an output shaft 14a of the electric motor 14 has a small diameter. The worm 15 is meshed with the worm gear 12 a formed on the outer periphery of the gear member 12. Here, the worm 15 and the worm gear 12 a constitute a drive mechanism that converts the rotational force of the output shaft 14 a of the electric motor 14 into the advancing and retracting force of the lock member 6.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the substrate storage portion 2 </ b> B formed in the housing 2 stores the substrate 16 so that the inner surface thereof is parallel to the operating direction of the lock member 6. A hall element (LOCK_SW) 17 and a hall element (UNLOCK_SW) 18 which are detection sensors are provided at positions corresponding to the lock position and the unlock position above and below the inner surface of the substrate 16, respectively. The magnet 11 constitutes an operating position detection mechanism, and the position (lock / unlock position) of the lock member 6 (lock bolt 8) is detected by the operation position detection mechanism as described later.

  Here, the configuration of the control system of the electric steering lock device 1 including the operating position detection mechanism will be described below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a control system configuration diagram of the electric steering lock device 1 according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the hall elements 17 and 18 are electrically connected to a CPU 19 which is a control means for driving and controlling the electric motor 14. The CPU 19 is electrically connected to a host ECU 24 and an engine ECU 25 mounted on the vehicle via a communication interface (communication I / F) 20, a vehicle communication line 21, and communication interfaces (communication I / F) 22 and 23. Has been. As shown in FIG. 3, a connector 26 that functions as the communication interface 20 is attached to the board 16, and an electrical connection line (not shown) extending from the CPU 19 (see FIG. 6) is attached to the connector 26. Are connected, and the Hall elements 17 and 18 are electrically connected to the CPU 19 as described above.

  Here, the Hall element 17 arranged in the vicinity of the lock position detects the magnetic force of the magnet 11 when the center of the magnet 11 provided in the lock member 6 (arm 7A) is located in the detection range near the lock position, and a detection signal. Is transmitted to the CPU 19, the CPU 19 determines that the lock bolt 8 has moved to the lock position. The Hall element 18 arranged near the unlock position detects the magnetic force of the magnet 11 when the center of the magnet 11 provided on the lock member 6 (arm 7A) is located in the detection range near the unlock position. Since the signal is transmitted to the CPU 19, the CPU 19 determines that the lock bolt 8 has moved to the unlock lock position.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the electric motor (M) 14 is electrically connected to a battery 27 mounted on the vehicle via a lock relay 28 and an unlock relay 29. The lock relay 29 is driven by a lock signal and an unlock signal transmitted from the CPU 19, respectively. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, two upper and lower motor power supply terminals 30 protrude from the connector 26, and these motor power supply terminals 30 are connected to the electric motor 14.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 19 includes a counter 31 for counting the number X of times the lock bolt 8 has moved to the lock position or the unlock position, and the lock bolt 8 from the lock position to the unlock position and the unlock position. The timer means 32 for counting the time (movement time) for moving from the position to the lock position is incorporated. Then, the CPU 19 stores movement number storage means (non-volatile memory) 33 that stores the movement number X of the lock bolt 8 counted by the counter 31 while updating it as a cumulative value, and the durable operation number (lifetime) of the electric motor 14. Endurance number storage means (non-volatile memory) 34 for storing the first endurance number Y1 and the second endurance number Y2 (> Y1) as the total number of operation times until reaching to (2), and the movement number X of the lock bolt 8 is the first When the number of endurances Y1 and Y2 is reached, notification means 35 for performing different notification control is connected.

  Here, the first endurance count Y1 and the second endurance count Y2 stored in the endurance count storage means 34 are values converted into the number of movements of the lock bolt 8, and are obtained by the following equations.

Y1 = first durable rotation speed of the electric motor / one rotation speed of the lock bolt Y2 = second durable rotation speed of the electric motor / one rotation speed of the lock bolt By the way, in this embodiment, The CPU 19 counts the number of movements (cumulative value) X of the lock bolt 8 counted by the counter 31 and is stored in the movement number storage means 33 and the first durability number Y1 of the electric motor 14 stored in the durability number storage means 34. The second endurance number Y2 is compared, and when the movement number X of the lock bolt 8 reaches the first endurance number Y1, the notification means 35 notifies the replacement time of the electric motor 14 and the movement number X of the lock bolt 8 When the first endurance count Y1 is exceeded and the second endurance count Y2 is reached, the movement of the lock bolt 8 is stopped and the engine ECU 25 controls the start of the engine. It is to send the issue.

  When the time counted by the timer means 32 exceeds a predetermined time, the CPU 19 sets a value obtained by adding the predetermined number to the number of movements counted by the counter 31 as the number of movements X of the lock bolt 8. ing.

  By the way, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the communication portion 2 </ b> C that connects the lock member storage portion 2 </ b> A formed in the housing 2 and the substrate storage portion 2 </ b> B is an arm 7 </ b> A of the driver 7. The opposing space of the said magnet 11 attached to the board | substrate 16 accommodated in the board | substrate storage part 2B is formed. A resin cover 36 is provided at a position between the lock member 6 and the substrate 16 (a position where the magnet 11 faces the opening of the magnet storage portion 7d of the arm 7A and prevents the magnet 11 from dropping off from the magnet storage portion 7d). The cover 36 closes the communication portion 2C and prevents the magnet 11 from falling off the magnet storage portion 7d.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the cover 36 is composed of a horizontal base portion 36A and a shielding portion 36B standing upright from the base portion 36A. The base portion 36A is connected to the gear member 12. An arc-shaped notch 36a for avoiding interference is formed, and a convex portion 36b for pressing the end of the output shaft 14a of the electric motor 14 is integrally formed.

  Further, a bag-like recess 36c that allows the horizontal arm 7A of the driver 7 to move up and down is formed in the shielding part 36B of the cover 36. The distal end of the arm 7A and the arm 7A are formed in the recess 36c. The magnet 11 housed in the magnet housing portion 7d is inserted.

  Thus, the cover 36 is fitted with a pair of cover insertion grooves (not shown) in which both side edges of the shielding portion 36B are formed opposite to the case 3, and the base portion 36A is formed on the lid 4. By being placed on the pressing portion 4B, it is disposed between the lock member 6 and the substrate 16 as shown in FIGS.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, the spring member 37 is fitted and held in the recess 36 c of the cover 36. This spring member 37 is made of a non-magnetic material such as stainless steel, and is formed in a bifurcated shape (substantially U-shaped) with an upper opening as shown in FIG. A pair of chevron-shaped engaging convex portions 37a facing each other is formed. Here, the distance between the pair of engaging projections 37 a is set smaller than the width of the arm 7 </ b> A formed on the driver 7.

  Next, the operation (lock / unlock operation) of the electric steering lock device 1 configured as described above will be described.

  In a state where the engine (not shown) is stopped, as shown in FIG. 1, the lock bolt 8 of the lock member 6 is at the upper limit lock position, and the upper end portion thereof is recessed from the lock bolt insertion hole 3d of the case 3 to the recess 3a. And is engaged with a steering shaft (not shown). In this state, the rotation of the steering shaft is locked, and in this locked state, a steering wheel (not shown) cannot be rotated, thereby preventing the vehicle from being stolen. At this time, the magnet 11 accommodated in the arm 7A is located in the vicinity of the Hall element 17 provided on the substrate 16, and the CPU 19 detects that the lock bolt 8 is locked by the detection signal transmitted from the Hall element 17. Recognize that

  When the driver turns on an unillustrated engine start switch from the above state, the engine ECU 25 detects this and transmits an unlock request signal to the electric steering lock device 1. Then, the CPU 19 of the electric steering lock device 1 outputs an unlock signal to the unlock relay 29. Then, the unlock relay 29 shown in FIG. 6 is switched to the position indicated by the broken line, and the lock relay 28 is located at the solid line position. Therefore, the current from the battery 27 flows through the path indicated by the solid line in FIG. It is activated.

  When the electric motor 14 is started as described above, the rotation of the output shaft 14a is decelerated by the worm 15 and the worm gear 12a, the direction is changed to a right angle and transmitted to the gear member 12, and the gear member 12 is rotated. Therefore, the driver 7 in which the male screw portion 7 a that is screwed into the female screw portion 12 b formed on the inner periphery of the gear member 12 is moved downward against the biasing force of the spring 13. When the driver 7 moves down in this way, the lock bolt 8 connected to the driver 7 by the arm 7A and the pin 9 formed integrally with the driver 7 moves down.

  As described above, when the arm 7A of the driver 7 moves downward, the arm 7A engages with the engagement protrusion 37a of the spring member 37, and thus a force that restricts the downward movement acts on the arm 7A. Since the restricting force (restraint force) is smaller than the operating force applied to the arm 7A by the electric motor 14, the arm 7A elastically deforms the spring member 37 so as to push open the engaging convex portion 37a, and the engaging convex It can move over the part 37a from the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 5 to the chain line position.

  Thus, when the arm 7A of the driver 7 moves down as described above and the lock bolt 8 reaches the lower limit unlock position as shown in FIG. 2, the upper end of the lock bolt 8 becomes the lock bolt of the case 3. Since the lock bolt 8 is retracted into the insertion hole 3d, the lock bolt 8 is disengaged from the steering shaft, the steering shaft is unlocked and unlocked, and the steering wheel can be rotated by the driver. . At this time, when the center of the magnet 11 provided on the arm 7A of the driver 7 reaches the detection range near the unlock position, the Hall element 18 provided near the unlock position detects the magnetic force of the magnet 11 as described above. In order to transmit the detection signal to the CPU 19, the microcomputer 19 recognizes that the lock bolt 8 has moved to the unlock position, stops driving the electric motor 14, and performs communication I / F 20 and communication shown in FIG. 6. An unlock completion signal is transmitted to the engine ECU 25 on the vehicle body side via the line 21. As a result, the unlocked state shown in FIG. 2 is maintained, and the vehicle can travel.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, when the lock member 6 is in the unlocked position, the arm 7A of the driver 7 is engaged with the engagement convex portion 37a of the spring member 37, so that the lock member 6 is locked. The lock member 6 can be held in the unlocked position with a simple configuration in which the movement to the position is prevented and only the spring member 37 is provided, and the lock bolt 8 of the lock member 6 in the unlocked position is moved when the vehicle is running. The occurrence of a problem that the steering wheel is unexpectedly moved to the lock position due to vibration of the vehicle and the steering wheel is locked is reliably prevented, and high safety of the vehicle is ensured.

  When the vehicle stops and the driver turns off the engine by turning off the engine start switch, the engine ECU 25 detects this and transmits a lock request signal to the electric steering lock device 1. Then, the CPU 19 of the electric steering lock device 1 outputs a lock signal to switch the lock relay 28 shown in FIG. 6 to the broken line position, and the unlock relay 29 is in the solid line position, so the current from the battery 27 is shown in FIG. The electric motor 14 is reversely activated through the path indicated by the broken line, and the output shaft 14a is reversely rotated.

  As described above, when the output shaft 14a of the electric motor 14 is reversed, the rotation is transmitted to the gear member 12 via the worm 15 and the worm gear 12a, and the driver 7 is moved up because the gear member 12 is reversed. The lock bolt 8 connected to the driver 7 by the arm 7A and the pin 9 formed integrally with the driver 7 moves up.

  As described above, when the arm 7A of the driver 7 moves upward, the arm 7A engages with the engagement protrusion 37a of the spring member 37, and thus a force that restricts the upward movement acts on the arm 7A. Since the restricting force (restraint force) is smaller than the operating force applied to the arm 7A by the electric motor 14 (the operating force is larger than the restricting force), the arm 7A causes the spring member 37 to engage with the engaging convex portion 37a. Can be elastically deformed to a position where the engagement with the arm 7A is released, and can move over the engagement projection 37a from the position indicated by the chain line in FIG. 5 to the solid line position.

  Thus, when the arm 7A of the driver 7 moves up as described above and the center of the magnet 11 reaches the detection range near the lock position, the Hall element 17 provided near the lock position detects the magnetic force of the magnet 11. In order to transmit the detection signal to the CPU 19, the CPU 19 recognizes that the lock bolt 8 has moved to the lock position, stops driving the electric motor 14, and connects the communication I / F 20 and the communication line 21 shown in FIG. 6. Via the vehicle body side engine ECU 25 on the vehicle body side. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper end portion of the lock bolt 8 protrudes from the recess 3a of the case 3 and engages with a steering shaft (not shown), so that the steering shaft is locked and locked. Theft of the vehicle is prevented. If the engagement of the lock bolt 8 with the engagement groove of the steering shaft is not performed satisfactorily, the pin 9 can move within the long hole 8a formed in the lock bolt 8. Since the lock bolt 8 moves downward against the urging force of the spring 10, an excessive load does not act on the lock bolt 8.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, as described above, the CPU 19 notifies the replacement timing of the electric motor 14 based on the number of movements X of the lock bolt 8 and stops the movement of the lock bolt 8 when necessary. Control for restricting engine start is performed, and the control procedure will be described below based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the control is started (step S1), the number of movements (cumulative value) X of the lock bolt 8 until the previous time is read from the movement number storage means 33 (step S2), and the first number of the electric motor 14 is stored from the durability number storage means 34. Then, the second endurance times Y1 and Y2 are read (step S3). Then, it is determined whether or not the number of movements X of the lock bolt 8 is greater than the first durability number Y1 (step S4). If the number of movements X is less than the first durability number Y1 (determination in step S4) If the result is No), since the electric motor 14 has not reached the end of its life, the operation of locking / unlocking by the electric steering lock device 1 is started (step S5).

  When the operation of locking / unlocking by the electric steering lock device 1 is started as described above, the lock bolt 8 is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position or from the locked position to the unlocked position as described above. The rotation is locked or unlocked. The movement time of the lock bolt 8 at this time is counted by the timer means 32, and it is determined whether or not the counted time is within a predetermined time, that is, whether or not the time is over. (Step S6). This determination is made while the lock bolt 8 is moving, and during that time, it is determined whether or not the movement of the lock bolt 8 is completed (step S7), and the movement of the lock bolt 8 is completed within a predetermined time ( If the determination result in Step S6 is No and the determination result in Step S7 is Yes), 1 is added to the number of actuations X of the lock bolt 8 and the number of movements X stored in the movement number storage means 33 Is updated to (X + 1) (step S8).

  On the other hand, for example, when the lock bolt 8 is overloaded because the lock bolt 8 is engaged in the engagement groove on the steering shaft side in the locked state (stationary state) or the like, the electric motor 14 is larger than that in the normal state, and the time for the lock bolt 8 to reach the unlocked position from the locked position is longer than that in the normal state. For this reason, in this embodiment, when the time counted by the timer means 32 exceeds a predetermined time (normal time) and a time over occurs (when the determination result in step S6 is Yes). A value (X + 5) obtained by adding a predetermined number (5 in the present embodiment) to the number of movements X counted by the counter 31 is set as the number of movements X of the lock bolt 8 (step S9).

  By the way, when the lock / unlock by the electric steering lock device 1 is repeated and the number of movements X of the lock bolt 8 reaches the first durability number Y1 (when the determination result in Step S4 is Yes), the lock bolt 8 It is determined whether or not the number of movements X exceeds the second endurance number Y2 (> Y1) (step S10). When the number of movements X of the lock bolt 8 exceeds the first endurance number Y1, but has not reached the second endurance number Y2 (when the determination result in Step S10 is No), the notification means 35 A warning that prompts replacement of the electric motor 14 is performed (step S11).

  Here, the warning is displayed on the display unit provided on the instrument panel in the passenger compartment to prompt the replacement of the electric motor 14, or a warning lamp for external display is provided in the electric steering lock device 1 itself. It may be made clear that the electric motor 14 should be replaced at the time of inspection such as vehicle inspection by lighting up. Alternatively, a warning may be performed by voice or a buzzer when starting the engine, and the method is arbitrary. Further, a failure storage unit may be provided in the host ECU 24, and the number X of movements of the lock bolt 8 counted by the counter 31 may be transmitted from the CPU 19 to the failure storage unit. With this configuration, it is possible to check the operating state (endurance state) of the electric motor 14 together with other failure states at the time of inspection of the host ECU 24 without removing the electric steering lock device 1 at the time of vehicle inspection or the like. Note that the CPU 19 may be provided with no storage means, and the number of movements X of the lock bolt 8 counted by the counter 31 may be transmitted to the host ECU 24 at any time by communication.

  Then, when the number X of movements of the lock bolt 8 exceeds the first number of endurances Y1 and reaches the second number of endurances Y2 (when the determination result in Step S10 is Yes), the movement of the lock bolts 8 is stopped. Then, a control signal for restricting engine start is transmitted to the engine ECU 25 (step S12). As a specific method for restricting engine start, in the present embodiment, the lock bolt 8 is not unlocked unless the engine start operation is performed twice or more, so that the engine cannot be started. I did it. When the number X of movements of the lock bolt 8 exceeds the second durability number Y2, the user may be forced to replace the electric motor 14 so that the engine itself cannot be started. Further, the first and second endurance times Y1 and Y2 may be set by calculating the time when the electric motor 14 reaches the end of its life from the number of operations in a predetermined period (for example, one month, half year, one year, etc.). good.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the counter 31 counts the number of times the lock bolt 8 has moved to the lock position or the unlock position, and the counted number of movements of the lock bolt 8 (in the movement number storage means 33). Accumulated stored value) X and the first endurance number Y1 and second endurance number Y2 of the electric motor 14 stored in the endurance number storage means 34 are compared to accurately grasp the replacement time of the electric motor 14. can do. Then, the first endurance count Y1 and a second endurance count Y2 larger than this are set as the endurance operation count of the electric motor 14, and the notification means 35 notifies in accordance with the number of movements (cumulative value) X of the lock bolt 8. Since the control is changed step by step, the electric motor 14 is urged to be replaced before it reaches the end of its life, and troubles caused by continuing to use the electric motor 14 whose end of life has been reached can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, when the number X of movements of the lock bolt 8 counted by the counter 31 reaches the first endurance number Y1, the replacement timing of the electric motor 14 is urged. Can be exchanged properly. Even when the user continues to use the electric motor 14 beyond the first endurance number Y1, when the number X of movements of the lock bolt 8 reaches the second endurance number Y2, the lock bolt 8 is moved. Since the engine is stopped and the start of the engine is restricted, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of troubles such as the engine cannot be started because the lock of the steering wheel by the lock bolt 8 is not released. In particular, in the present embodiment, when the number X of movements of the lock bolt 8 reaches the second endurance number Y2, the engine can be started without releasing the lock of the lock bolt 8 unless the engine is started twice. Since the driver receives information that prompts the user to replace the electric motor 14 each time the engine is started, the engine cannot be started unless the engine is started twice. The driver can be determined to replace the electric motor 14.

  Further, in this embodiment, the lock bolt 8 is overloaded because the lock bolt 8 is in a state of being engaged in the engagement groove on the steering shaft side (stationary state) in the locked state of the steering wheel. In this case, it is noted that the consumption of the electric motor 14 is larger than that in the normal state, and that the time for the lock bolt 8 to reach the unlocked position is longer than that in the normal state. When the counted time exceeds a predetermined time (normal time), a value (X + 5) obtained by adding a predetermined number (for example, 5) to the number X of movements counted by the counter 31 is the number of movements of the lock bolt 8. Since X (= X + 5), the electric motor 14 is synchronized with the consumption of the electric motor 14 and the number of movements (cumulative value) X of the lock bolt 8. It is possible to grasp the exchange time more accurately.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electric steering lock device 2 Housing 2A Housing lock member accommodating portion 2B Housing substrate accommodating portion 2C Housing communicating portion 3 Case 3a Case recess 3b Case connector disposing portion 3c Case pin hole 3d Case lock bolt insertion hole 3e Case engagement groove 3f Case bearing recess 3g Case substrate holding groove 3h Case cover insertion groove 4 Lid 4A Lid pinning part 4B Lid cover pressing part 4C Lid gear holding cylinder 4a Lid pin insertion hole 4b Lid spring receiver 5 Pin 6 Lock member (movable member)
7 Driver 7A Arm of driver 7B Non-rotating portion of driver 7a Male screw portion of driver 7b Driver pin insertion hole 7c Driver partition 7d Arm magnet housing portion 8 Lock bolt 8a Long hole of lock bolt 9 Pin 10 Spring 11 Magnet 12 Gear member 12a Worm gear 12b Female thread portion of gear member 13 Spring 14 Electric motor 14a Output shaft of electric motor 15 Worm 16 Substrate 17, 18 Hall element (detection sensor)
19 CPU (control means)
20 Communication interface (communication I / F)
21 Vehicle Communication Line 22, 23 Communication Interface (Communication I / F)
24 host ECU
25 Engine ECU
26 Connector 27 Battery 28 Lock relay 29 Unlock relay 30 Motor power supply terminal 31 Counter 32 Timer means 33 Movement count storage means 34 Durability count storage means 35 Notification means 36 Cover 36A Cover base part 36B Cover shield part 36a Cover cutout 36b Convex part of the cover 36c Concave part of the cover 37 Spring member 37a Engaging convex part of the spring member X Number of movements of the lock bolt Y1 First endurance number of the electric motor Y2 Second endurance number of the electric motor

Claims (5)

A lock member movable between a lock position that engages with a steering shaft of a vehicle and an unlock position that releases the engagement;
An electric motor for moving the lock member;
A drive mechanism for converting the rotational force of the output shaft of the electric motor into the advance / retreat force of the lock member;
A detection sensor for detecting that the lock member is at a position corresponding to the lock position and the unlock position;
Control means for controlling the electric motor in accordance with a detection signal from the detection sensor;
In the electric steering lock device with
A counter that counts the number of times the locking member has moved to the locked position or the unlocked position;
Movement number storage means for storing the number of movements counted by the counter;
Endurance count storage means for storing the endurance operation count of the electric motor;
And the control means determines whether or not the number of movements stored in the movement number storage means has reached the number of durability times stored in the durability number storage means. apparatus. Informing means for notifying the replacement timing of the electric motor,
The control means performs notification control of the notification means based on a determination as to whether or not the number of times stored in the movement number storage means has reached the durability number stored in the durability number storage means. The electric steering lock device according to claim 1, wherein:   The control means includes timer means for counting a time for the lock member to reach the lock position or the unlock position, and when the time counted by the timer means exceeds a predetermined time, the counter 3. The electric steering lock device according to claim 1, wherein a value obtained by adding a predetermined number to the counted number of movements is set as the number of movements of the lock member. A fault storage unit is provided in a host ECU connected to the control means through a communication line,
The electric steering lock device according to claim 1, wherein the control means transmits the number of movements counted by the counter to the host ECU. A lock member movable between a lock position that engages with a steering shaft of a vehicle and an unlock position that releases the engagement;
An electric motor for moving the lock member;
A drive mechanism for converting the rotational force of the output shaft of the electric motor into the advance / retreat force of the lock member;
A detection sensor for detecting that the lock member is at a position corresponding to the lock position and the unlock position;
Control means for controlling the electric motor in accordance with a detection signal from the detection sensor;
In the electric steering lock device with
A counter that counts the number of times the locking member has moved to the locked position or the unlocked position;
A host ECU connected to the control means via a communication line;
Movement number storage means provided in the host ECU;
And the control means transmits the number of movements counted by the counter to the host ECU.

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