JPH08198057A - Locking device of steering shaft - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent a burglary by providing an inclined surface to the axial direction of the steering shaft, in order to move a receiver member in the axial direction by the function of the torque more than a specific value, and providing an auxiliary lock member to the receiver member which is displaced by the movement in the axial direction. CONSTITUTION: A quilling 11 moves in the axial direction and engaged to an auxiliary ring 41 through teeth 11c and 41c. In this case, since the quilling 11 is engaged to a key 13 through a side surface 11a in the axial direction of a key groove 11 a, it is guided to the engaging position with the auxiliary ring 41 securely. Since the auxiliary ring 41 is supported to the car body side through columns 2, the rotating operation of a steering wheel 5 is blocked in two stages by the key 13, and the anti-theft effect can be improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steering shaft locking device used for preventing theft of a vehicle or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a steering shaft locking device, a device having a key which is engaged by a locking operation in a key groove of a key ring provided in the steering shaft has been conventionally used, and it is possible to prevent the steering shaft from rotating. Anti-theft is attempted (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Sho 5)
7-191149).

[0003]

In the conventional lock device, the key or the key groove is damaged when an excessive torque is applied to the steering wheel, and the steering wheel can be operated. Therefore, theft cannot be sufficiently prevented.

An object of the present invention is to provide a locking device for a steering shaft that can solve the above problems.

[0005]

The present invention is applied to a steering shaft locking device provided with a receiving member provided on a steering shaft and a locking member that engages with the receiving member by a locking operation. , A surface that is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the steering shaft is provided between the lock member that engages with the receiving member and the steering shaft so that the receiving member moves in the axial direction by the action of the torque equal to or greater than a set value. And an auxiliary lock member that engages with the receiving member that is displaced by its axial movement.

In the lock device of the present invention, the steering shaft and the receiving member are arranged so that the receiving member engaging with the lock member moves in the axial direction of the steering shaft such that the receiving member is moved in the axial direction by the action of a torque equal to or more than a set value. It is preferable that an auxiliary lock member is provided which is engaged through a surface inclined with respect to and which engages with a receiving member which is displaced by its axial movement. In this case, the receiving member and the auxiliary lock member are engaged with each other so that the relative rotation and the relative movement in the axial direction are blocked so that the engagement between the receiving member and the steering shaft is maintained during the engagement. Is preferred. Further, the receiving member is an annular shape that is fitted to the steering shaft so as to be relatively rotatable and relatively movable in the axial direction, and the receiving member and the lock member are prevented from rotating relative to each other via a surface along the axial direction. It is preferably engaged so as to be movable in the axial direction. Further, it is preferable to include means for pressing the receiving member against the steering shaft via the inclined surface by an elastic force corresponding to the torque of the set value.

Further, in the lock device of the present invention, the receiving member is fitted to the steering shaft so as to be rotatable and relatively movable in the axial direction, and the receiving member and the locking member are engaged with the locking member. An auxiliary lock member that engages with a receiving member that is engaged via a surface that is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the steering shaft so that the member moves axially by the action of a torque that is equal to or greater than a set value, and that engages with a receiving member that is displaced by the axial movement. Is preferably provided. In this case, it is preferable to provide a means for pressing the receiving member against the steering shaft by an elastic force corresponding to the torque of the set value.

[0008]

According to the structure of the lock device of the present invention, by engaging the lock member with the receiving member, the torque acting on the steering shaft based on the rotational force applied to the steering wheel is axially changed. It is transmitted to the lock member via the surface inclined with respect to the lock member. If the torque applied to the steering wheel is not excessive, that is, if the torque acting on the receiving member is smaller than the set value,
The receiving member does not move in the axial direction. Since the lock member is supported by the vehicle body side, the rotation operation of the steering wheel can be prevented.

When the rotational force applied to the steering wheel becomes excessive, that is, when the torque acting on the receiving member exceeds a set value, the receiving member is excessively increased via the surface inclined with respect to the axial direction of the steering shaft. Axial force acts. As a result, the receiving member moves in the axial direction and engages with the auxiliary lock member. Since the auxiliary lock member is supported by the vehicle body side, it is possible to prevent the steering wheel from rotating. That is, the rotation operation of the steering wheel can be prevented in two stages by the lock member and the auxiliary lock member, and the antitheft effect can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the torque acting on the receiving member exceeds the set value, the receiving member and the steering shaft engage with each other through the surface inclined with respect to the axial direction. Excessive axial force acts on the member. As a result, the receiving member moves in the axial direction and engages with the auxiliary lock member.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the engagement between the receiving member and the steering shaft is maintained when the receiving member and the auxiliary locking member are engaged, so that not only the auxiliary locking member but also the locking member. Can also prevent the steering wheel from rotating.

According to the structure of claim 4 of the present application, the receiving member engages with the lock member via the surface along the axial direction, so that it is reliably guided to the engagement position with the auxiliary lock member. As a result, the rotation preventing force of the steering wheel is increased, so that theft can be more reliably prevented.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the receiving member is pressed against the steering shaft by the elastic force through the inclined surface, the lock member is engaged by the action of the torque of the set value or more corresponding to the elastic force. The receiving member can be moved in the axial direction. Further, since the engagement between the lock member and the receiving member is released by the lock release operation, the elastic force allows the receiving member to move in the axial direction to release the engagement with the auxiliary lock member. Even after the rotational force is applied, the lock device can be reused by appropriately releasing the lock.

According to the structure of claim 6 of the present application, when the torque acting on the receiving member exceeds the set value, the receiving member and the lock member engage with each other through the surface inclined with respect to the axial direction. An excessive axial force acts on the receiving member. As a result, the receiving member moves in the axial direction and engages with the auxiliary lock member.

According to the structure of claim 7 of the present application, by pressing the receiving member against the steering shaft by the elastic force, the receiving member which engages with the lock member by the action of the torque equal to or more than the set value corresponding to the elastic force is provided. It can be moved in any direction. Further, since the engagement between the lock member and the receiving member is released by the lock release operation, the elastic force allows the receiving member to move in the axial direction to release the engagement with the auxiliary lock member. Even after the rotational force is applied, the lock device can be reused by appropriately releasing the lock.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

The steering device 1 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
A tubular column 2 and a steering shaft 4 rotatably supported on the column 2 via bearings (not shown) are provided, and the column 2 is attached to the vehicle body via the column 2. A steering wheel 5 is connected to one end of the steering shaft 4, and the rotation of the steering wheel 5 is transmitted to a tire (not shown) via the steering shaft 4 to steer the vehicle.

A key ring (receiving member) 11 is fitted on the outer periphery of the steering shaft 4 so as to be relatively rotatable and relatively movable in the axial direction. A key groove 11 a is formed in the key ring 11 along the axial direction of the steering shaft 4. A cylinder 12 is attached to the column 2, and the cylinder 12 holds a key (lock member) 13. The key 13 is moved out of the cylinder 13 by the lock operation as shown by the chain double-dashed line in the figure, and the column 2
It enters through the opening 2a and is inserted into the center of the key groove 11a. As a result, the key ring 11 and the key 13
Relative rotation is blocked and axially movably engaged via a surface 11a 'along the axial direction of the key groove 11a. It is preferable that the lock operation is performed in a substantially straight steering state, and that it also functions as a stop operation of an ignition switch of the vehicle, and that the lock release operation also functions as a start operation of the ignition switch.

At one end of the key ring 11, a plurality of teeth 1
1b is formed along the circumferential direction. Each tooth 11b is
The side surface 11b 'is tapered toward the tip so as to be inclined with respect to the axial direction of the steering shaft 4. A plurality of teeth 31b that mesh with the teeth 11b of the key ring 11 are formed at one end of an annular meshing member 31 fitted on the outer periphery of the steering shaft 4 along the circumferential direction. The meshing member 31 is fixed to the steering shaft 4 by a pin 32. Each tooth 31b of the meshing member 31 is tapered toward the tip end so that the side surface 31b 'is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the steering shaft 4. As a result, the steering shaft 4 and the key ring 11 are engaged with each other via the surfaces 11b 'and 31b' inclined with respect to the axial direction of the steering shaft 4.

Between the other end of the key ring 11 and the step 4a formed on the outer periphery of the steering shaft 4, a compression coil spring 35 is attached to the steering shaft 4.
Are fitted. Due to the elasticity of the spring 35, the key ring 11 is fixed to the steering shaft 4 by the inclined surface 11
It is pressed via b ', 31b'.

At the other end of the key ring 11, a plurality of teeth 1
1c is formed along the circumferential direction. Each tooth 11c is tapered toward the tip. This key ring 11
The teeth 11c formed on the other end of the
The number of teeth is smaller than the teeth 11b formed at one end of the. A plurality of teeth 41c facing the teeth 11c at the other end of the key ring 11 and capable of meshing with each other are annular auxiliary rings (auxiliary lock members) fixed to the inner circumference of the column 2.
It is formed at one end of 41 along the circumferential direction. The auxiliary ring 41 is fixed to the column 2 by inserting the caulking portion 2b of the column 2 into a recess 41b formed on the outer periphery of the auxiliary ring 41. The auxiliary ring 41 is engaged with the key ring 11 which is displaced by the axial movement so as to prevent relative rotation and axial relative movement via the teeth 11c and 41c. At the time of the engagement, the engagement between the key ring 11 and the steering shaft 4 via the inclined surfaces 11b 'and 31b' is maintained.

According to the locking device for the steering shaft 4 having the above-described structure, the key 13 is engaged with the key ring 11 through the side surface 11a 'of the key groove 11a by a locking operation, whereby the rotational force applied to the steering wheel 5 is increased. The torque acting on the steering shaft 4 on the basis of the torque is transmitted to the key 13 via the inclined surfaces 11b 'and 31b' and the key ring 11. When the rotational force applied to the steering wheel 5 is not excessive, that is, when the torque acting on the key ring 11 is smaller than the set value, the key ring 11 does not move in the axial direction, and the key 13 is the cylinder 12 and the column 2 The steering wheel 5 can be prevented from rotating because it is supported on the vehicle body side via the.

When the rotational force applied to the steering wheel 5 becomes excessively large, that is, when the torque acting on the key ring 11 exceeds a set value, the key ring 11 and the steering shaft 4 have a surface 1 inclined with respect to the axial direction.
Since they are engaged via 1b 'and 31b', an excessive axial force exceeding the elastic force of the spring 35 acts on the key ring 11. As a result, as shown in FIG.
Moves axially and engages with the auxiliary ring 41 via the teeth 11c and 41c. At this time, since the key ring 11 engages with the key 13 via the side surface 11a 'along the axial direction of the key groove 11a, the key ring 11 is reliably guided to the engagement position with the auxiliary ring 41. Since the auxiliary ring 41 is supported on the vehicle body side via the column 2, the rotation operation of the steering wheel 5 can be prevented. That is, the rotation operation of the steering wheel 5 can be prevented in two steps by the key 13 and the auxiliary ring 41, and the antitheft effect can be improved.

Since the engagement between the key ring 11 and the steering shaft 4 is maintained when the key ring 11 and the auxiliary ring 41 are engaged, the rotation of the steering wheel 5 can be prevented not only by the auxiliary ring 41 but also by the key 13. . As a result, the rotation preventing force of the steering wheel 5 is increased, so that theft can be more reliably prevented. For example, the caulking portion of the column 2 is set such that the elastic force of the spring 35 is set so that the torque required to move the key ring 11 in the axial direction is about 10 kgfm, and the torque required to rotate the auxiliary ring 41 is about 40 kgfm. Two
When the strength of b is set, the rotation of the steering wheel 5 can be prevented until a torque of about 50 kgfm is applied. The rotation blocking force of the steering wheel 5 due to the engagement between the key ring 11 and the auxiliary ring 41 is set to be larger than the rotation blocking force of the steering shaft 4 due to the engagement between the key 13 and the key ring 11. Is preferred.

When the engagement between the key ring 11 and the key 13 is released by the lock release operation, the key ring 11 is released.
Is moved in the axial direction by the elasticity of the spring 35, and the key ring 11
The engagement between the auxiliary ring 41 and the auxiliary ring 41 is released. This allows
Even after an excessive torque is applied to the steering wheel 5, the lock device can be reused by appropriately releasing the lock.

Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
An example will be described.

A steering device 101 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
Is equipped with a cylindrical column 102 and a steering shaft 104 rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) on the column 102, and is attached to the vehicle body via the column 102. That steering shaft 10
The steering wheel 105 is connected to one end of the steering wheel 105, and the rotation of the steering wheel 105 is transmitted to the tire (not shown) via the steering shaft 104 to steer the vehicle.

A key ring (receiving member) 111 is provided on the outer periphery of the steering shaft 104 with a spline 130.
It is fitted so as to be able to transmit rotation via and relatively movable in the axial direction. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, a pair of flat surfaces 104 ′, 10 ′ facing each other on the outer periphery of the steering shaft 104.
4 ″ and a pair of flat surfaces 111 ′ and 111 ″ facing each other on the inner circumference of the key ring 111, even if the key ring 111 is fitted to the outer circumference of the steering shaft 104 so as to be rotationally transmittable and relatively movable in the axial direction. Good.

A key groove 111a is formed in the key ring 111. The key groove 111 a has two side surfaces 11 inclined with respect to the axial direction of the steering shaft 104.
1a ′ and one side surface 111a ″ along the circumferential direction,
The width is reduced toward the tip. A cylinder 112 is attached to the column 102, and the cylinder 112 holds a key (lock member) 113. The key 113 is advanced from the cylinder 112 by a lock operation as shown by the chain double-dashed line in the figure, enters the column 102 through the opening 102a, and is inserted into the center of the key groove 111a. As a result, the key ring 111 and the key 1
13 is engaged via a side surface 111a 'of a key groove 111a inclined with respect to the axial direction of the steering shaft 104. It is preferable that the lock operation is performed in a substantially straight steering state, and that it also functions as a stop operation of an ignition switch of the vehicle, and that the lock release operation also functions as a start operation of the ignition switch.

A stop ring 131 which can be brought into contact with one end of the key ring 111 is a steering shaft 104.
Attached to.

A compression coil spring 135 is fitted on the steering shaft 104 between the other end of the key ring 111 and the step 104a formed on the outer periphery of the steering shaft 104. Its spring 135
The key ring 111 is pressed against the steering shaft 104 via the stop ring 131 by the elastic force of.

At the other end of the key ring 111, a plurality of teeth 111c are formed along the circumferential direction. Each tooth 111
c is tapered toward the tip. A plurality of teeth 141c facing the teeth 111c at the other end of the key ring 111 and capable of meshing with each other are formed at one end of an annular auxiliary ring (auxiliary lock member) 141 fixed to the inner circumference of the column 102 along the circumferential direction. Has been done. Its auxiliary ring 1
41 is provided in the concave portion 141b formed on the outer periphery of the column 2
By inserting the caulking portion 102b, the column 10
It is fixed to 2. The auxiliary ring 141 has teeth 111c and 1c on the key ring 111 which is displaced by axial movement.
It engages so as to prevent relative rotation and relative movement in the axial direction via 41c.

According to the lock device of the second embodiment, the key 113 is engaged with the key ring 111 through the side surface 111a 'of the key groove 111a by the lock operation, so that the rotational force applied to the steering wheel 105 is reduced. Based on the torque acting on the steering shaft 104, the torque is applied to the key 11 through the side surface 111a ′ of the key groove 111a.
3 is transmitted. The rotational force applied to the steering wheel 105 is not excessive, that is, the key ring 11
When the torque acting on No. 1 is smaller than the set value, the key ring 111 does not move in the axial direction, and the key 113 is supported on the vehicle body side via the cylinder 112 and the column 102.
The rotation operation of 5 can be prevented.

When the rotational force applied to the steering wheel 105 becomes excessive, that is, the torque acting on the key ring 111 exceeds a set value, the key ring 111 and the key 113 are inclined with respect to the axial direction.
Since they engage with each other via the side surface 111a 'of 11a, an excessive axial force exceeding the elastic force of the spring 135 acts on the key ring 111. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the key ring 111 moves in the axial direction and engages with the auxiliary ring 141 via the teeth 111c and 141c. Since the auxiliary ring 141 is supported on the vehicle body side via the column 102, the rotation operation of the steering wheel 105 can be prevented. That is, the rotation operation of the steering wheel 105 can be blocked in two steps by the key 113 and the auxiliary ring 141, and the antitheft effect can be improved.

The rotation blocking force of the steering wheel 105 due to the engagement between the key ring 111 and the auxiliary ring 141 is made larger than the rotation blocking force of the steering shaft 4 due to the engagement between the key 113 and the key ring 111. It is preferably set.

When the engagement between the key ring 111 and the key 113 is released by the lock release operation, the key ring 111 is axially moved by the elastic force of the spring 135, and the engagement between the key ring 111 and the auxiliary ring 141 is released.
Accordingly, even after an excessive torque is applied to the steering wheel 105, the lock device can be reused by appropriately unlocking the lock.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the keyway 11a and the keyway 11
Although the keys 13 and 113 to be inserted into the la 1a are lock members, a key may be formed by forming a ridge along the axial direction on the outer periphery of the key ring and having a recess that can be fitted into the ridge.

Further, in the first embodiment, the receiving member and the steering shaft are not limited to those engaging via the teeth, but may be anything engaging via the surface inclined with respect to the axial direction. Further, in the second embodiment, the key and the key ring are not limited to those engaged via the side surface of the key groove, but may be those engaged via the surface inclined with respect to the axial direction. In short, a surface that is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the steering shaft is provided between the lock member that engages with the receiving member and the steering shaft so that the receiving member moves in the axial direction by the action of the torque equal to or greater than the set value. It has to be done.

Further, the receiving member and the auxiliary lock member are not limited to the ones engaging with the teeth, and it is sufficient that the engagement locks the rotation of the steering shaft.
In addition, the lock member is held by the column that rotatably supports the steering shaft in the above-described embodiment so that it cannot rotate relative to the column and can move forward and backward toward the receiving member. Therefore, it may be held so that it cannot rotate relative to the vehicle body and can move back and forth toward the receiving member, and the rotation of the steering shaft can be locked when engaged. Further, although the auxiliary lock member is attached to the column in a relatively non-rotatable manner in the above-mentioned embodiment, it may be attached to a fixed member other than the column, for example, a vehicle body in a non-rotatable manner, and the steering shaft of the steering shaft at the time of engagement is fixed. It should be possible to lock the rotation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a lock device according to a first embodiment of the present invention in an unlocked state.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the lock device according to the first embodiment in a locked state.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a locking device according to a second embodiment of the present invention in an unlocked state.

5 is a sectional view taken along line VV of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the locking device of the second embodiment in a locked state.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a lock device according to a modification of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4,104 Steering shaft 11,111 Key ring (receiving member) 11a 'Key groove side surface (surface along axial direction) 11b', 31b 'Sloping surface 13,113 Key (lock member) 35,135 Spring 41,141 Auxiliary ring ( Auxiliary lock member) 111a 'Key groove side surface (inclined surface)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A locking device for a steering shaft, comprising: a receiving member provided on a steering shaft; and a locking member that engages with the receiving member by a locking operation. A surface that is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the steering shaft is provided between the receiving member and the receiving member so that the receiving member is moved in the axial direction by the action of a torque equal to or more than a set value, and the receiving member engages with the receiving member that is displaced by the axial movement. A lock device for a steering shaft, comprising an auxiliary lock member. 2. A steering shaft locking device, comprising: a receiving member provided on a steering shaft; and a locking member that engages with the receiving member by a locking operation, wherein the steering shaft and the receiving member engage with the locking member. The engaging receiving member is engaged via a surface inclined with respect to the axial direction of the steering shaft so that the receiving member moves axially by the action of a torque equal to or more than a set value, and engages with the receiving member displaced by the axial movement. A lock device for a steering shaft, comprising an auxiliary lock member. 3. The receiving member and the auxiliary lock member are engaged with each other such that relative rotation and axial relative movement are prevented so that the engagement between the receiving member and the steering shaft is maintained during engagement. The locking device for a steering shaft according to claim 2, which is combined. 4. The receiving member has an annular shape that is fitted to the steering shaft so as to be relatively rotatable and axially relatively movable, and the receiving member and the lock member are prevented from rotating relative to each other via a surface along the axial direction. The steering shaft locking device according to claim 3, wherein the locking device is engaged with the steering shaft so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction. 5. The steering shaft lock device according to claim 2, further comprising means for pressing the receiving member against the steering shaft via the inclined surface by an elastic force corresponding to the torque of the set value. 6. A locking device for a steering shaft, comprising: a receiving member provided on a steering shaft; and a locking member that engages with the receiving member by a locking operation. The receiving member is capable of transmitting rotation to the steering shaft and axially relative to the steering shaft. The receiving member and the lock member are movably fitted to each other, and the receiving member and the lock member are inclined with respect to the axial direction of the steering shaft so that the receiving member engaging with the lock member moves in the axial direction by the action of a torque equal to or more than a set value. A locking device for a steering shaft, comprising: an auxiliary lock member that is engaged with a receiving member that is engaged with the receiving surface and is displaced by axial movement thereof. 7. The locking device for a steering shaft according to claim 6, further comprising means for pressing the receiving member against the steering shaft by an elastic force corresponding to the torque of the set value.