JPH0415140B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a steering lock device that can unlock or lock a steering shaft.
This invention relates to a steering lock device that can unlock or lock a steering shaft without using a key.

[Conventional technology]

Incidentally, recently, a keyless entry device has been proposed in which the vehicle door is unlocked and the vehicle can be entered by pressing a plurality of push buttons provided outside the vehicle in a predetermined order.

However, with conventional steering lock devices,
After entering the vehicle without a key as described above, in order to unlock the steering lock and start the engine, the key must be inserted into the steering lock and turned. For this reason, even in automobiles equipped with keyless entry devices, there was a problem in that the driver had to carry the key at all times.

Conventionally, when a number that matches a pre-memorized number is entered by operating a key switch, the rotation of the shaft that moves the rod that locks the steering shaft between the locked and unlocked positions is restricted. For example, a steering lock device that enables a keyless system by energizing a solenoid to release the rotation restriction of the shaft and allowing the shaft to freely rotate to any position using a knob provided on the outside is being used in practical applications. This was proposed in Publication No. 57-68053.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, in this proposed device, when the number entered by operating the key switch matches a pre-stored number, the solenoid is unconditionally energized.

Therefore, even if the knob is rotatable and there is no need to energize the solenoid even if the recitation number is input, the solenoid coil is energized when the recitation number is input. The solenoid becomes unnecessarily energized. Therefore, if this happens frequently, it may deteriorate the electrical and mechanical performance of the solenoid, causing failure, or causing unexpected accidents due to unnecessary solenoid operation. There were problems such as getting bored.

Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a steering lock device that can make the steering lock keyless while eliminating factors that may cause malfunctions and accidents. .

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a steering lock device which has a rod for locking the steering shaft, a knob on the outside, and a knob inside the frame for moving the rod between the locked position and the unlocked position. A rotatably supported shaft, a solenoid that regulates the rotation of the shaft, and a control circuit that energizes the solenoid so as to release the rotation restriction of the shaft by the solenoid when a signal including a recited number is input. a steering lock, wherein a rod for locking the steering shaft is moved to an unlocked position by operating the knob while the solenoid is energized to release rotation restriction of the shaft; In the device, the control circuit includes a lock detection switch that detects that the shaft has moved the rod to the locked position, and the lock detection switch causes the shaft to move the rod to the locked position. The solenoid is energized so as to release the rotation restriction of the shaft by the solenoid only when it is detected that the recited number is in the recited state and a signal including the recited number is input.

[Effect]

In the above configuration, the control circuit energizes the solenoid to release the rotation restriction of the shaft when a signal including the recitation number is input. When operated, the rod that locks the steering shaft is moved to the unlocked position, allowing the steering shaft to be unlocked without a key.

Moreover, only when the lock detection switch detects that the shaft has moved to the locked position, and when a signal containing the recited number is input, the control circuit restricts the rotation of the shaft using the solenoid. Since the solenoid is energized to release the lock, when the lock detection switch does not detect the locked position of the rod, that is, when the rod is in the unlocked position, inputting the PIN number will not work. This eliminates unnecessary energization of the solenoid.

〔Example〕

Referring to the drawings, the steering lock device of the present invention has a frame 3 containing bearings (not shown) for securing the device to a steering shaft 1, as shown in FIG. frame 3
has a cylindrical hole 4 in which the bearing is housed and fixed by caulking. The upper part of the frame 3 has a guide hole 7 communicating with the cylindrical hole 4, a housing cavity 5a communicating with the guide hole 7, an actuator chamber 16a, a control circuit chamber 5b, and an ignition switch housing hole 14a. A locking rod 8 engaged with a hanger 9 is movably accommodated in the guide hole 7 so as to engage and disengage from the groove 1a of the steering shaft 1, and the hanger 9 is pressed downward together with the locking rod 8 by a spring 10.

The shaft 11 is accommodated in the accommodation cavity 5a,
Ignition switch connection end 1 of shaft 11
1b projects into the ignition switch housing hole 14a, and the end 11b of the shaft 11 is inserted into the shaft end housing groove 18 of the ignition switch 14 accommodated in the ignition switch housing hole 14a.

The engagement portion of the shaft 11 accommodated in the accommodation cavity 5a with the hanger 9 is a half-moon-shaped flat portion 11a.
(FIG. 4), the hanger 9 comes into contact with this flat portion 11a, and even when pressed downward by the spring 10, the hanger 9 is held in a predetermined position by the flat portion 11a.

A lock detection switch 19 fixed by a pin 20 is attached to the cap 12 forming the outer wall of the housing cavity 5a of the frame 3, and the cap 12 is fixed to the frame 3 by a pin 13 (FIG. 2). . Accommodation cavities 5b and 1 of frame 3
The assembled control circuit 48 (FIGS. 7 and 8) and the solenoid 16 are accommodated in each of the parts 6a, and the lid 6 is fixed to the upper part of the frame 3 by caulking, so that it cannot be manipulated by unauthorized persons.

The shaft 11 has an axial protrusion 11e that fixes the knob 2 so as to protrude from the cap 12 together with a half-moon shaped part that engages with the hanger 9 and an ignition switch connection end 11b, and a lock detection switch 19 that turns on and off. Radial protrusion 22 to turn off
and a stopper part 1 that restricts rotation by the knob 2.
1d (FIG. 6) and a fan-shaped portion 11c (FIG. 5) for regulating rotation by the plunger of the solenoid 16.

The knob 2 is fixed to the axial protrusion 11e of the shaft 11 by press fitting, and the radial protrusion 22 contacts a movable piece of a lock detection switch 19 attached to the cap 12. The tip of the plunger 16b of the solenoid 16 is in the lock position, ACC
In the on position and the on position, it contacts the shaft 11 in the states shown by A, B and C in FIG. 5, respectively. As is clear from these figures, the fan-shaped portion 11c is located at the rotational position between the lock position A and the ACC position B.
is formed on the shaft 11, and the lock position is
In the ACC position B, the circumferential groove 11f of the shaft 11
Since the solenoid 16 is internally pressed by a spring (not shown), when the knob 2 is rotated between the lock position and the ACC position, the tip of the plunger 16b engages with the sector 11c unless the solenoid 16 is actuated. Therefore, it is prevented.

The solenoid 16 is located in the housing cavity 5b of the frame 3.
It is controlled by a control circuit 48 housed in the. The control circuit 48 is connected to an input section 29 , and the input section 29 is connected to an input circuit 30 that sends an input signal to the control circuit 48 , an ignition switch 14 , and a lock detection switch 19 housed in the frame 3 .
and a vehicle speed sensor 42 which becomes H when the vehicle is stopped. An output circuit 55 of the control circuit 48 that performs predetermined control based on various input signals.
The solenoid 16 is configured to move the plunger to the retracted position so that the shaft 11 can be rotated by the output of the control circuit 48, and the light emitting diode 45 provides an operation indication when the solenoid 16 is energized.

One end of the coil of the solenoid 16 is wired to the power supply, and the other end is wired to the collector of the transistor 43. Diode 47 is connected across the coil of solenoid 16 to reduce surge voltage.

The cathode side of the light emitting diode 45 is wired to a power source via a current limiting resistor 46, and the anode side is wired to the collector of the transistor 44. The light emitting diode 45 is attached to an instrument panel or the like within the visible range of the driver, and notifies the driver that the plunger of the solenoid 16 has moved, and also indicates that the shaft 11 is activated by the knob 2.
informs the driver that it can be rotated. When the driver turns the knob 2, this light emitting diode 4
The knob 2 can be turned to lock/unlock the door by turning the knob 2 when the number 5 lights up. Note that this light emitting diode 45 is
It can also be attached to the knob 2 itself.

To explain the operation of the electronic circuit shown in FIG. 7, the input circuit 30 includes a plurality of manual switches.
The input information generated in is applied to the input signal comparison circuit 49 through the bus 51. Input signal comparison circuit 4
The comparison operation in No. 9 is shown in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 105076/1983, so a detailed explanation will be omitted. Comparison circuit 32 of input signal comparison circuit 49 is connected to input circuit 30 . A case will be described in which the input circuit 30 is configured with a plurality of manual switches. Input circuit 30 is provided with a lock signal generating switch, which is a conventional pushbutton switch, and is connected to line 52. When the manual switches of the input circuit 30 are pressed in a predetermined sequence, the contacts of the switches come into contact with fixed contacts (not shown) disposed on the printed circuit board, and the encoded input signal reaches the output terminal of the printed circuit board.

In this manner, when the manual switch of the input circuit 30 is pressed, the input signals are sent in sequence to the output terminals of the printed circuit board. This sent input signal is applied to the comparison circuit 32, and when the applied input signal and the signal stored in the storage circuit 31 are compared and match, the comparison circuit 32 outputs a short pulse matching signal.
Give to AND gate 33.

One input of AND gate 33 is ON when locked
Since the lock detection switch 19 always provides an output when the lock is locked, the AND gate 3
3 outputs when a match signal is applied, and provides a signal to the S terminal of the RS flip-flop 34. R.S.
The flip-flop 34 latches the signal applied from the AND gate 33 and outputs the OR signal from the output terminal Q.
A signal is applied to the bases of transistors 43 and 44 via gate 37 and OR gate 41.

When a signal is applied to the base of the transistor 43, the transistor 43 turns on, and when the coil of the solenoid 16 is energized, the plunger of the solenoid 16 moves due to the magnetic action of the coil and escapes from the groove 11f, and the shaft 11 is turned on. , rotation by the knob 2 becomes possible, and the transistor 44 is also turned on by a signal given to the base of the transistor 44, and a display device 45 such as a light emitting diode is connected to a current sine resistor 46 connected to a power source.
It is energized through and emits light. On the other hand, the signal output from the RS flip-flop 34 and applied to the OR gate 37 passes through the OR gate 37 and is applied to the CLR terminal of the timer or counter 36.
6 receives this applied signal and counts for a predetermined period of time. That is, the RS flip-flop 34
The plunger of the solenoid 16 is actuated by the output, and the plunger escapes from the rotation regulating sector 11c of the shaft 11, and the shaft 11 becomes rotatable, the light emitting diode 45 lights up, and the counter 36 starts counting.

The driver can rotate the knob 2 using the light-emitting diode 45 as a guide.

Here, if the driver does not rotate the knob 2 even after the knob 2 becomes rotatable, the counter 36 counts for a predetermined period of time, and when the counting is completed, the counter 36
passes through the OR gate 35 and provides a counting completion signal to the R terminal of the RS flip-flop 34. In response to this count completion signal, the RS flip-flop 34 is reset and the signal output from the terminal Q is cut off. When the output signal of the RS flip-flop 34 disappears, the signal applied to the bases of the transistors 43 and 44 through the OR gate 41 also disappears, the transistors 43 and 44 are turned off, and the energization of the solenoid 16 and the light emitting diode 45 is stopped. , the plunger of the solenoid 16 is returned by the spring 16a to the state shown in the cross section c-c shown in FIG.
5, the light goes out. In addition to the counter 36, there is a method for resetting the RS flip-flop 34 when the knob is in the lock position after inputting the recitation number, that is, a method for returning the plunger of the solenoid 16.
When a preset lock switch among the plurality of switches in the input circuit 30 is pressed on the AND gate 50 receiving the output of the vehicle speed sensor 42 which becomes "H" when the vehicle is stopped, the lock signal passes through the line 52. is applied to AND gate 50. AND
The gate 50 receives both the signal from the vehicle speed sensor 42 and the lock signal from the input circuit 30, and outputs the R signal from the RS flip-flop 34 through the OR gate 35.
Give the output signal to the terminal. This AND gate 50
The RS flip-flop 34 is reset by a signal output from the RS flip-flop 34. RS flip flop 3
After 4 is reset, the same operation as described above is performed. These are effective in preventing theft when the driver leaves the vehicle.

After inputting the recitation number and activating the solenoid 16, when the driver turns the knob 2, the shaft 11 and the ignition switch inserted in the end 11b of the shaft 11 rotate as the knob 2 rotates. . On the other hand, as the shaft 11 rotates, the hanger 9 engaged with the flat surface of the half-moon-shaped portion of the shaft 11 moves the spring 1 along the arcuate surface of the half-moon-shaped portion.
0, the locking rod 8 meshing with the hanger 9 also moves, escapes from the groove 1a of the steering shaft 1, and unlocks.

Then, when the ignition switch 14, which rotates as the knob 2 rotates, closes the ACC circuit,
When a signal is output from the ACC terminal 14b and applied to the R terminal of the RS flip-flop 34 via the OR gate 35, the RS flip-flop 3
4 cuts off the signal output from the output terminal Q.
Since the output signal of the RS flip-flop 34 is cut off, the CLR of the counter is output via the OR gate 37.
The signal applied to the terminal and the signal applied to the bases of the transistors 43 and 44 via the OR gate 41 are cut off, and the counter stops counting.
The transistors 43 and 44 are also turned off, the solenoid 16 is returned by the spring 16b as shown in FIG. 5B, and the light emitting diode 45 is turned off. Furthermore,
When turning knob 2 to start the engine,
The start circuit of the ignition switch 14 is closed and the engine starts. Note that a commonly used switch can be used as the ignition switch 14, so a description of its configuration will be omitted.

The car, which is now ready to run, is operated by the driver and runs, but even if the driver turns the knob 2 while driving and presses the lock switch of the input circuit 30 in an attempt to return to the lock position,
A lock signal is given to the input of the AND gate 38, but since the vehicle speed sensor 42 is "L" while the vehicle is running,
AND gate 38 does not output. Therefore, the RS flip-flop 39 is not set while the vehicle is running and does not operate the solenoid, so even if the knob is turned in the lock direction while the vehicle is running, it will be blocked at the ACC position shown in FIG. 5B. Furthermore, the ignition switch (or
When the ACC switch 14 is ON, the RS flip-flop 34 is reset through the OR gate 35.

Also, when the driver finishes driving and locks the car, he presses the lock switch of the input circuit 30, and the signal generated by the press passes through the line 52.
is applied to AND gate 38. AND gate 38
The other signals given to the switch are the lock detection switch signal which is OFF, i.e., L, and then inverted to H, except when the knob 2 is in the lock position as mentioned above, and the signal of the lock detection switch, which is ON, i.e., H, when stopped. Since the signal from the vehicle speed sensor is applied to the AND gate 38, the output of the AND gate 38 is applied to the S terminal of the RS flip-flop 39. This AND
Upon receiving the signal from gate 38, RS flip-flop 39 latches the signal and outputs it from terminal Q. This output signal passes through the OR gate 37 and is connected to the CLR terminal of the counter 36 and the OR gate 41.
through which a signal is applied to the bases of transistors 43 and 44.

The output signal of the RS flip-flop 39 causes the counter to start counting as described above, and the transistors 43 and 44 are turned on, the coil of the solenoid 16 and the light emitting diode 45 are energized, and the solenoid 16 attracts the plunger. , the light emitting diode lights up. As described above, the knob 2 can be rotated within a predetermined period of time based on the lighting of the light emitting diode 45. Here, when the knob 2 is rotated in the locking direction, the lock position is reached and the lock detection switch is turned "ON", that is, H. This H signal is sent to the AND gate 33 and the OR gate 40, and is inverted.
The signal that has become "L" is sent to the AND gate 38. When the AND gate 33 receives this signal and receives the unlock signal, it becomes in an output state, and the AND gate 38
When the vehicle is stopped and the lock switch of the input circuit 30 is pressed, no output is produced. The output of the lock detection switch 19 is the output of the OR gate 4.
0 to the R terminal of the RS flip-flop 39, and the RS flip-flop 39 is reset and the signal output from the terminal Q becomes L, so the transistors 43 and 44 are turned off.

Since the transistors 43 and 44 are turned off, the solenoid 16 and the light emitting diode 45 are deenergized, and the plunger of the solenoid 16 returns to the position shown in FIG. 5A under the pressure of the spring 16a.

On the other hand, the hanger 9 and the locking rod 8 are connected to the shaft 1.
1 rotates to the lock position, the hanger 9 is moved downward by the pressure of the spring 10 against the flat surface of the half-moon-shaped portion of the shaft 11. With this movement, the locking rod 8 engaged with the hanger 9
moves so as to engage with the groove 1a of the steering shaft 1, and is locked.

Here, if the lock switch of the input circuit 30 is pressed and the knob 2 is not rotated in the locking direction, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the state automatically returns to the state before the lock switch was pressed. That is, the solenoid 16 and the light emitting diode 45 are energized until the counter 36 counts a predetermined number, but when the counting is completed, the RS flip-flop 3 passes through the OR gate 35.
A counting completion signal is sent to the R terminal of RS flip-flop 39, and RS flip-flop 39 is reset. Due to this reset, when the signal output from the output terminal Q of the RS flip-flop 39 is cut off, the OR gate 3
7, the signal at the CLR terminal of the counter 36 is also cut off, and the counter 36 is cleared. Also, the signal that was being sent to the bases of transistors 43 and 44 through OR gate 41 is also cut off. As this base signal is cut off, the solenoid 16 and the light emitting diode 45 are de-energized as described above. The purpose of stopping the power supply to the solenoid 16 by the counter 36 is to reduce the heat generation of the solenoid 16 as much as possible. As described above, the steering device of the present invention allows the user to operate a vehicle that is protected from theft without using a key, so there is no need to carry a key, and an accident in which a key is locked in a vehicle does not occur. Moreover, the steering lock can be unlocked and the ignition circuit can be energized by operating the unlock switch.

FIG. 8 shows an example in which only one RS flip-flop is used.

When the lock detection switch 19 is ON, when the code number is input, the one-shot multivibrator (OSM) 140 generates an output from the output of the comparison circuit 32, and the flip-flop 134 is set through the AND gate 133 and the OR gate 141, and the solenoid 16 and The display device 45 is energized and after a certain period of time the flip-flop 134 is reset by the output of a timer or counter 136. When the solenoid 16 is energized, the knob can be rotated to the unlocked position.

Conversely, when the knob is rotated from the unlocked position to the locked position, pressing the lock switch of input circuit 30 is applied to AND gate 50 through line 52.
When stopped, AND gate 50 produces an output with the signal on line 52, and the output is connected to AND gates 143 and 1.
Given to 38. Here, since the lock detection switch is OFF, only the AND gate 138 produces an output, and the solenoid 16 is actuated through the flip-flop 134. The knob can then be rotated to the locked position. After returning to the locked position, input circuit 3 again.
When the 0 lock switch is pressed, AND gate 5
RS flip-flop 134 through 0 and 143
is reset and power to the solenoid is stopped. This energization is stopped by the lock detection switch 19.
OSM1 connected between and OR gate 135
This is also done with 42 outputs. That is, the OSM 142
The lock detection switch 19 detects a rising signal that turns on and generates a short pulse, which is input to the S terminal of the flip-flop 134 through an OR gate 135.

Again, an AND gate 144 is provided to operate the solenoid when rotating the knob from the ACC position to the locked position without depressing the lock switch. AND gate 144 is connected to vehicle speed sensor 42,
Receives input signals from OSM145. OSM1
45 is the ignition switch (ACC switch)
14 and shown in FIG.
When c is made small and the knob can be rotated to the position where the ACC switch is turned off, when the ACC switch is turned off, the falling edge is detected and a short pulse is generated, and this pulse is sent to the S terminal of the flip-flop 134 through the OR gate 141. can be applied to activate the solenoid.

〔effect〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, when a signal including a recitation number is input, by operating the knob of the shaft whose rotation restriction is released, the rod that locks the steering shaft is moved to the unlocked position. Since it can be moved to the front, keyless operation can be achieved.

Moreover, only when it is detected that the shaft has moved the rod to the locked position,
When a signal containing a recited number is input, the solenoid is energized, so if the rod is in the unlocked position rather than the locked position, the solenoid will be unnecessarily energized even if the recited number is input. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate failures and accidents caused by unnecessary energization of the solenoid.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a steering lock device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 1 partially shown in section.
Figure 4 is a sectional view of the shaft, and Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line C-C in Figure 2, where A, B, and C show the knobs in the lock position, ACC position, and ON or START position, respectively. , FIG. 6 is D-D in FIG.
7 is an electronic circuit diagram for operating a solenoid of the steering lock device, FIG. 8 is an electronic circuit diagram showing another example, and FIG. 9 is a front view of the knob. 29...Input section, 19...Lock detection switch, 48...Control circuit, 16...Solenoid, 5
5...Output circuit, 45...Display device, 34,3
9,134...Flip-flop, 36...Timer.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A rod for locking a steering shaft;
A shaft having an external knob and rotatably supported within a frame for moving the rod between a locked position and an unlocked position, a solenoid for regulating rotation of the shaft, and a signal including a recitation number. and a control circuit that energizes a solenoid to release rotation restriction of the shaft by the solenoid when the input is input, and a control circuit that energizes the solenoid so as to release rotation restriction of the shaft by the solenoid, and while the solenoid is energized to release rotation restriction of the shaft, the control circuit In the steering lock device, the rod for locking the steering shaft is moved to the unlocked position by an operation of A lock detection switch is provided to detect the lock, and only when the lock detection switch detects that the shaft is in a state in which the rod is moved to the locked position, when a signal including the recitation number is input. . A steering lock device, characterized in that a solenoid is energized so as to release rotational restriction of the shaft by the solenoid.