JP3174007B2 - Steering lock device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steering lock device in which an actuator for locking and unlocking a steering shaft is separated from an operation unit such as a key device.

[0002]

Heretofore, a steering lock device has been integrally formed as a unit with a structure in which a key portion and a lock mechanism portion of a steering shaft are mechanically linked. Describing the general structure, a cam member integrally rotating with the key rotor extends between the key rotor and the lock mechanism portion of the steering shaft to the lock mechanism portion coaxially with the key rotor. A locking lever interlocking with insertion / extraction is interposed, and when the key is turned from the “ACC” position to the “LOCK” position, the cam member operates,
On the basis of this, a lock member provided on the lock mechanism on the steering shaft side operates to be locked with the steering shaft. When the key is removed from the "LOCK" position, the locking lever is operated, and based on this, the locking member is operated and fitted into the groove of the steering shaft to lock.

[0003] Then, from the key removal state, the key is set to "LOC".
When the key is inserted into the key rotor in the "K" position and the key is rotated to the operation position ("ACC", "ON", "START" position), the cam member operates to move the lock member to the release position. Things.

However, in this configuration, since the key portion and the lock mechanism portion of the steering shaft are unitized so as to be mechanically linked, the key portion is provided on the instrument panel of the driver's seat. Then, the lock mechanism is located in front of the driver's knee, which may limit the strength and installation position of the lock mechanism.

[0005] As a countermeasure, an operation unit such as a key device,
The actuator is separated from the actuator such as the lock mechanism, and the lock member of the lock mechanism is moved to the lock position by the spring member, and the key is inserted and rotated to the “ACC” position (when the lock is released. For example, it has been considered that the lock member is moved to a lock release position by detecting this by, for example, a detection unit or the like, and driving a drive unit such as a motor based on the detection signal.

By the way, it is necessary to provide a means for maintaining the unlocked state so that the lock operation is not performed carelessly from the unlocked state by the lock member. Conventionally, the key portion and the lock mechanism portion of the steering shaft are provided. Because of the mechanically interlocked configuration, the unlocked state of the lock member is held by the cam member as long as the key rotor is at the predetermined rotational position.

In this case, in the above-described configuration in which the operation unit such as the key device is separated from the actuator unit such as the lock mechanism, it is necessary to newly provide the actuator unit with a means for holding the unlocked state. There is. As a countermeasure, for example, an unlocking holding member is attached to a plunger of a solenoid which is an electric driving means, an electric signal is generated based on the operation of the operation unit, and the solenoid is driven by the electric signal, thereby unlocking. It has been considered that the unlocking state of the lock member is held by the holding member. However, in the case of such a configuration in which the lock release holding member is operated by an electric driving unit such as a solenoid, a malfunction due to an electric trouble may be caused.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to separate an operation section such as a key device and an actuator section from each other to increase the degree of freedom in the arrangement position of the actuator section. Moreover, in order to provide a steering lock device that can be unlocked and held by an unlocking holding member without being affected by an electrical trouble, while the unlocking holding member is operated by an electric driving unit. is there.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises an operation unit such as a key device, and an actuator unit which is separated from the operation unit and locks and unlocks a steering shaft in connection with operation of the operation unit. The actuator unit is provided so as to be movable between a position for locking the steering shaft and a position for unlocking the steering shaft. A lock control mechanism for moving the lock control mechanism to the lock position and the lock release mechanism; an electric drive unit for lock control for driving the lock control mechanism; and a lock release holding engagement portion at the lock release position of the lock member. And is normally urged in the disengagement direction by a disengagement spring member. A lock release holding member that holds the lock member at a lock release position by engaging with the lock release holding engagement portion against the lock release holding member, and the lock release holding member that is operated based on an operation of the operation unit. For releasing the lock release member by the spring force of the disengagement spring member, and disengagement of the lock release holding member when the lock member is to be in the lock release holding state. And an engagement release control member that prevents the operation and allows the engagement release operation of the lock release holding member when the lock member is to be locked, and
A flexibly deformable control wire is provided between the operating portion and the unlocking and holding member of the actuator portion, the bending and deformable control wire operating the unlocking and holding member in the engagement direction based on the operation of the operating portion. However, it has features.

In the above configuration, since the operation section such as the key device and the actuator section are separated from each other, the degree of freedom of the arrangement position of the actuator section is increased. They can also be placed, increasing the effective space. Moreover, as means for operating the lock release holding member in the engagement direction,
Since the control wire is a deformable control wire provided between the operation unit and the lock release holding member of the actuator unit, it does not limit the arrangement position of the above-described actuator unit. Also, the lock release holding member can be operated with a simple configuration.

Further, in a situation where the lock member is to be in the unlocked holding state by the engagement release control member, the engagement release operation of the lock release holding member is prevented. Since the release operation of the lock release holding member is allowed, even if the release electric driving means operates due to, for example, an electrical trouble when the lock member is to be in the lock release holding state, the lock release holding is performed. It is possible to eliminate a situation in which the member does not perform the engagement release operation and the lock release holding state is inadvertently released.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, in FIG. 4, the key device 1 is incorporated in an instrument panel of an automobile, which has a key rotor 3 provided in a key case 2, and a key insertion hole 4 is formed in the key rotor 3. . The key rotor 3 is inserted into the key insertion hole 4 at the “LOCK” position.
The key can be inserted and removed from the "LOCK" position, and "ACC", "ON", "STAR"
T "to each operating position in order.
In these operating positions, the key cannot be removed. The key device 1 includes key insertion / removal detection means 5a (see FIG. 9) for detecting key insertion and removal, and key code reading for reading and collating an electric key code built in the key. A collation device 5b (see FIG. 3) and a key rotation position detecting means 5c for detecting a key rotation position; The key insertion / removal detection means 5a detects a key insertion detection signal Kin when a key is inserted.
And a key removal detection signal Kout is output when the key is removed, and this is supplied to a lock control circuit 24 described later. The key code reading / verifying device 5b determines whether or not the key is a regular key, and outputs a regular key discrimination signal K when the key is a regular key, and outputs an irregular key discrimination signal NG when the key is not a regular key. The key rotation position detecting means 5c determines that the inserted key is "LOC
When the turning operation is performed from the "K" position to the "ACC" position and thereafter, an "ACC" position detection signal Kacc is output, and the "ACC"
"LOCK" when rotated from the "LOCK" position to the "LOCK" position
It outputs the position detection signal Klock. The operation unit 5 includes the key device 1, the key insertion / removal detection unit 5a, the key code reading / collation device 5b, and the key rotation position detection unit 5c.

On the other hand, FIGS. 1 to 3 show an actuator section 6, which is provided at an appropriate position near the steering shaft 7 separately from the operation section 5. The actuator unit 6 will be described. A bracket 8 is provided around the outer periphery of the steering shaft 7, and a substantially prismatic lock member 10 is arranged on a guide portion 9 of the bracket 8 so as to be movable in the vertical direction in FIG. 2. The lock member 10 has a lower end 10a engaged with the lock groove 7a of the steering shaft 7 to perform the steering lock. The lock member 10 has the above-mentioned engagement position, that is, the lock position, and the position at which this engagement is released, that is, the unlock position. Moved between.

A lock groove 10c is formed on the side surface 10b of the lock member 10 as a lock release holding engagement portion. Further, a narrow rod portion 11 extends above the lock member 10, and a wide retaining portion 11a is formed at the upper end of the rod portion 11. The rod portion 11 is provided with a frame-shaped driving body 13 that constitutes a part of the lock control mechanism 12 so as to be vertically movable. Further, inside the driving body 13, the rod 1
1 is provided with a spring receiving member 14 so as to be vertically movable. Further, the upper wall portion 13a of the driving body 13 and the spring receiving member 1
A first spring member 15 made of, for example, a compression coil spring is provided between the first spring member 15 and the upper wall portion 14a.

The retaining portion 11a and the spring receiving member 14
A second spring member 16 which is a lock releasing spring member made of, for example, a compression coil spring for urging the spring receiving member 14 in the direction of arrow A is provided between the second spring member 16 and the lower wall portion 14a. The second spring member 16 is always
Is held at a position where it comes into contact with the retaining portion 11a of the rod portion 11 (a movement limit position in the direction of the arrow A in the driving body 13), and the spring force of the second spring member 16 is equal to the first spring member. It has a spring force stronger than 15 spring forces.

On the other hand, a gear 13b is formed on a side surface of the driving body 13, and a control plate 17 serving as a disengagement control member is provided below the side surface of the driving member 13 so as to hang down toward the side surface 10b of the lock member 10. It is movably provided. The control plate 17 is urged in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 3 by a spring member 18 composed of a torsion coil spring. However, the rotation of the control plate 17 from the position shown in FIG. 3 in the direction of arrow B is prevented by the stopper 13c.
In the state of FIG. 3, only movement in the direction of the arrow B is allowed. Furthermore, the control plate 17 is formed with a notch 19 having a horizontal edge and an arc-shaped edge.

A motor 2 serving as an electric drive unit for lock control
0 is provided on the bracket 8, and the rotating shaft 2
0a has a gear 20b attached thereto.
A gear 20c meshing with the gear 13b is provided between the gear 13b and the gear 13b of the driving body 13. Therefore, the motor 2
When 0 is rotated forward, the driving body 13 is moved in the direction opposite to the arrow A, and when the motor 20 is rotated reversely, the driving body 13 is moved in the direction of the arrow A.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lock release holding member 21 is provided so as to be movable in a direction indicated by an arrow C and in a direction opposite thereto, and is provided with an engaging portion 21a which is engaged with the holding groove 10c of the lock member 10. And a locked portion 21b are formed. The lock release holding member 21 is urged by the engagement release spring member 22 in the direction opposite to the arrow C, that is, in the direction in which the engagement portion 21a moves away from the holding groove 10c (this is the engagement release direction). As shown in FIG. 8, the depth of the holding groove 10c is set to a depth that does not project when the engaging portion 21a is fitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, for example, a solenoid 23, which is an electrical driving means for holding and releasing, is provided on the bracket 8, and a locking portion 23a is provided at the tip of the plunger. 23a is urged in the direction of arrow D by a spring member 24, and is pressed against a side surface 21c continuous with the locked portion 21b of the lock release holding member 21. The solenoid 23 is configured such that when energized, the plunger (locking portion 23a) is attracted in the direction opposite to the arrow D, and when the power is cut off, it protrudes in the direction of the arrow D.

FIG. 1 also shows another part of the operation unit 5. A cam member 25 having a slope 25 a is provided on a rotary rod 24 that rotates integrally with the key rotor 3. An interlocking member 26 is provided to correspond to the cam member 25. The interlocking member 26 moves the key rotor 3 from the “ACC” position to “O”.
When rotated to the "N" position, the slope 25a of the cam member 25
Is moved in the direction of arrow E.

The lock release holding member 21 of the actuator section 6 and the interlocking member 26 of the operation section 5 are connected by a control wire 27, and the control wire 27 can be flexibly deformed.

A lock control circuit 28 serving as a lock control means shown in FIG. 16 is provided with the above-mentioned normal key discrimination signal K of the operation unit 5, the key insertion detection signal Kin and the key removal detection signal Kut, and the "ACC" position detection. A signal Kacc, a “LOCK” position detection signal Klock, and the like are provided, and the motor 20 and the solenoid 23 are controlled according to these signals.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 1 to FIG.
The state of each part corresponding to the situation where a key is not inserted is shown. That is, the lock member 10 has its lower end 10
a is in a locked position where the lock shaft 7a is engaged with the lock groove 7a of the steering shaft 7. The engagement portion 21a of the lock release holding member 21 is connected to the side surface 10b of the lock member 10.
, And the tip of the engaging portion 21a is located in the notch 19 of the control plate 17.

In this state, when a key is inserted, a key insertion detection signal Kin is supplied to the lock control circuit 28, and a normal key discrimination signal K is supplied for a normal key. When the key is turned after "ACC", the "ACC" position detection signal Kacc is output to the lock control circuit 28.
Given to. When these signals are given, the lock control circuit 28 applies a predetermined number of pulses to the motor 20 to rotate the motor 20 forward. Thus, the driving body 13 is moved in the direction opposite to the arrow A via the gears 21, 22 and 13b.

The movement of the driving body 13 causes the lock member 10 to move through the spring receiving member 14 and the second spring member 16.
Are moved in the same direction, so that the lower end 10a of the steering shaft 7 comes out of the lock groove 7a of the steering shaft 7, and the lock member 10 is in the unlocked position (FIGS. 5 to 7).
See).

At the same time, the holding groove 1 of the lock member 10
5c and 7c is opposed to the engaging portion 21a of the lock release holding member 21 (not yet engaged) as shown in FIGS.
Further, in this operation, the control plate 17 also moves together with the movement of the driving body 13, and the notch 19 of the control plate 17 tilts in the direction opposite to the arrow B in FIG.
1 comes out of the engaging portion 21a (see FIG. 7).

In this state, when the key rotor 3 is turned from the "ACC" position to the "ON" position by turning the key (the turning direction is the direction of arrow F in FIG. 5), the cam member 2 is turned on.
5, the interlocking member 26 is moved in the direction of arrow E, whereby the lock release holding member 21 is moved in the direction of arrow C against the spring force of the spring member 22 for disengaging. 21a is a holding groove 10c of the lock member 10.
Then, the control plate 17 rotates in the direction of arrow B to prevent the distal end of the engaging portion 21a from coming off (see FIGS. 8 to 10). Further, when the lock release holding member 21 moves in the direction of arrow C, the locked portion 21b also moves in the same direction, so that the locking portion 23a of the solenoid 23 protrudes in the direction of arrow D by the spring force of the spring member 24 and is locked. Locking part 21
b (see FIG. 8).

However, as described above, the engaging portion 21a of the lock release holding member 21 is
By engaging with c, the unlocked state is maintained. The engaging portion 21a of the lock release holding member 21 is prevented from falling out of the holding groove 10c by the control plate 17. The engagement portion 21a is also prevented from coming off by the engagement of the engagement portion 23a of the solenoid 23 with the engaged portion 21b.

Thereafter, from the state shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the key is moved from the "ON" position to the "AC" position so that the key is removed.
When the turning operation is performed to the “C” position, the cam member 25 is turned in the direction opposite to the arrow F. In this case, since the engaging portion 21a of the lock release holding member 21 is prevented from coming off as described above, the engaging portion 21a remains engaged with the holding groove 10c (see FIG. 11).

Thereafter, the key is moved from the "ACC" position to the "LO" position.
When rotated to the “CK” position, a “LOCK” position detection signal Klock is supplied to the lock control circuit 28. Then, the lock control circuit 28 changes the state of the motor 2 from the state of FIG.
Reverse 0. Thereby, the driving body 13 is moved in the direction of arrow A. In this case, since the lock member 10 is still held in the unlocked state by the lock release holding member 21, only the driving body 13 becomes the first spring member 15.
Move against the spring force. This state is shown in FIG.
2 and FIG. In this case, the notch 19 of the control plate 17 that moves integrally with the driving body 13 reaches a position where the notch 19 can be fitted to the tip of the engaging portion 21 a of the lock release holding member 21. That is, the operation in the direction of the arrow C, which is the operation of releasing the engagement of the lock release holding member 21, is permitted.

When the key is removed at the "LOCK" position, the key removal detection signal Kout is output to the lock control circuit 2.
8 given. Then, the lock control circuit 28
To drive the solenoid 23 to suck the locking portion 23a. Then, the engagement portion 21a of the lock release holding member 21 receiving the spring force of the engagement release spring member 22 comes out of the holding groove 10c while entering into the cutout portion 19 of the control plate 17 by the spring force. To cancel). With this, the first
The lock member 10 is moved by the arrow A due to the spring force of the spring member 15 of FIG.
The steering shaft 7 is locked in the direction shown in FIG.

A case where a handle torque is generated in the lock member 10 when the key is inserted at the "LOCK" position and the key is turned to the "ACC" position will be described. 1 to 3, the key is inserted, the key insertion detection signal Kin and the regular key discrimination signal K are supplied to the lock control circuit 28, and the key is set to "AC".
"C" is rotated and the "ACC" position detection signal Ka
When cc is given to the lock control circuit 28, the lock control circuit 28 applies a predetermined number of pulses to the motor 20 to rotate it forward. Thereby, the driving body 13 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow A. At this time, since the handle torque is acting on the lock member 10, the lock member 10 cannot operate, and as shown in FIGS.
3 and the spring receiving member 14 move against the spring force of the second spring member 16. At this time, the spring force of the second spring member 16 is stored.

Then, after this, the driver sets the key to "AC
When the user attempts to rotate from the “C” position to the “ON” position, the key is turned “ON” because the lock member 10 is not operating.
It cannot move to the position, from which the driver recognizes that the steering wheel torque is acting. Thereafter, when the driver appropriately moves the steering wheel to release the steering wheel torque, the locking member 10 is in a movable state, so that the locking member 10 receiving the accumulated spring force of the second spring member 16 is used.
Moves in the direction opposite to arrow A and moves to the unlocked position.

When the solenoid 23 is turned on due to an electrical trouble, for example, a short circuit or a switch failure in the state shown in FIGS. The locking portion 23a releases the lock to the lock release holding member 21. In the state of FIGS. 8 to 10, the lock release holding member 21 is moved by the cam member 25 of the operation portion 5 to the interlocking member 2.
6, the disengagement operation is blocked, and even when the control wire 27 is cut, the tip of the locking portion 21a of the lock release holding member 21 is controlled by the control member 17. Because the retaining groove 10c is prevented from falling out, that is, the lock release retaining member 2
Reference numeral 1 denotes a state in which the disengagement operation is blocked, so that the lock release is maintained.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the operation section 5 such as a key device and the actuator section 6 are separated, the degree of freedom of the arrangement position of the actuator section 6 is increased. The actuator section 6 can be arranged at the foot of the driver's seat, and the effective space is increased.

Further, a means for operating the lock release holding member 21 in the engagement direction is a flexibly deformable control wire 27 provided between the operation section 5 and the lock release holding member 21 of the actuator section 6. Thus, the lock release holding member 21 can be operated with a simple configuration without restricting the arrangement position of the actuator section 6 and using mechanical means.

Further, the interlocking member 26 is formed by the cam member 25.
In a situation where the lock member 10 is to be in the unlocked holding state by the control plate 17 which is an engagement releasing control member, the engagement releasing operation of the unlocking holding member 21 is prevented, and the lock member 10 is released. In the situation where the lock operation is to be performed, the engagement release operation of the lock release holding member 21 is allowed. Therefore, when the lock member 10 is to be in the lock release holding state, the solenoid 23 operates due to, for example, an electrical trouble. Also, the lock release holding member 21 does not perform the engagement release operation, and it is possible to prevent the lock release holding state from being inadvertently released.

[0038]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention increases the degree of freedom of the position of the actuator unit because the operation unit such as a key device and the actuator unit are separated from each other. The unit can be arranged at the foot of the driver's seat to increase the effective space, and the means for operating the unlocking holding member in the engaging direction includes unlocking and holding of the operating unit and the actuator unit. Since the control wire is a flexibly deformable control wire provided between the lock release member and the member, the lock release holding member does not limit the disposition position of the above-described actuator portion, and has a simple structure in spite of mechanical means. Can be operated. In addition, for unlocking and holding by the unlocking and holding member, the unlocking and holding member can be reliably unlocked and held without being affected by an electrical trouble, while the unlocking and holding member is operated by the holding and unlocking electric drive means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view of an actuator section showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional side view of an actuator unit.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional front view of an actuator unit.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a part of an operation unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an operation;

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation;

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation;

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an operation;

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation;

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an operation;

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an operation;

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the operation;

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an operation;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of an electrical configuration.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a key device, 3 is a key rotor, 5 is an operation section, 6 is an actuator section, 7 is a steering shaft, 7a is a lock groove, 10 is a lock member, 10c is a holding groove (lock release holding engagement section), 12 is A lock control mechanism, 13 is a driving body, 14 is a lock stopper, 15 is a first spring member, 1
6 is a second spring member, 17 is a control plate (disengagement control member), 19 is a notch, 20 is a motor (electrical drive means for lock control), 21 is a lock release holding member, and 22 is disengagement A spring member 23, a solenoid (electrical drive means for holding release), a 25 cam member, 26 an interlocking member, 27 a control wire, and 28 a lock control circuit.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60R 25/02

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An operation unit such as a key device, and an actuator unit that is separated from the operation unit and locks and unlocks a steering shaft in association with the operation of the operation unit, the actuator unit includes: the steering unit Provided to be movable between a position for locking the shaft and a position for unlocking the shaft,
A lock member having a lock release holding engagement portion, a lock control mechanism for moving the lock member to a lock position and a lock release position, a lock control electric drive means for driving the lock control mechanism, The lock release member is provided so as to be able to engage with the lock release holding engagement portion at the lock release position of the lock member, and is normally urged in the release direction by a release spring member. A lock release holding member that holds the lock member at a lock release position by engaging with the lock release holding engagement portion against a spring force of a member; An electrical drive means for releasing the lock release holding member in the engagement release direction by the spring force of the engagement release spring member; and And a disengagement control member that prevents the disengagement operation of the lock release holding member when the lock release member is to be locked when the lock release operation is to be performed. And, between the operating portion and the unlocking holding member of the actuator portion, a flexibly deformable control wire for operating the unlocking holding member in the engagement direction based on the operation of the operating portion is provided. A steering lock device, comprising: