JP5231375B2 - 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. In this electric steering lock device, for example, when the driver turns off the engine start switch in an engine operating state, this is detected and the electric motor is driven, and the electric motor moves the lock member to engage the steering shaft. The rotation of the steering wheel is locked by the driver, and when the driver turns on the engine start switch while the engine is stopped, this is detected and the electric motor is driven, and the lock member is moved by the electric motor to steer the lock member. The steering is released by releasing the engagement with the shaft and unlocking the steering wheel.

  By the way, in order to electrically lock and unlock the steering wheel in such an electric steering lock device, it is necessary to detect whether or not the lock member is in the lock position or the unlock position and to drive and control the electric motor. For this purpose, a lock member position detection mechanism is provided. As this position detection mechanism, for example, a magnet is attached to a lock member, and magnetic detection elements such as Hall elements are respectively arranged at locations corresponding to the lock position and the unlock position, and the magnetic force of the magnet is detected by these magnetic detection elements. Therefore, a device that detects whether the lock member is in the lock position or the unlock position is used.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a magnet is provided in a lock stopper that supports a lock bar, which is a lock member, and a hall element is provided at a position corresponding to the lock / unlock of a substrate disposed opposite to the lock stopper. A configuration is disclosed in which these Hall elements magnetically detect whether the lock bar is in the locked position or the unlocked position. In this configuration, an inner case is disposed between the lock stopper and the substrate, and a guide recess cut out along the moving direction of the lock stopper is provided through the inner case. And it is comprised by this guide recessed part so that a magnet may penetrate an inner case and may oppose a Hall element.

JP 2008-049908 A

  However, in the configuration proposed in Patent Document 1, since the guide recess is provided so as to penetrate from the lock stopper side to the substrate side, the grease applied to the worm or the like that operates the lock stopper is not generated on the substrate side when the motor is operated. May cause problems in electrical operation of the board (for example, a short circuit due to metal pieces adhering to the grease on the board or a problem such as melting of the coating on the board may occur). .

  In Patent Document 1, as a structure for fixing a magnet to a lock stopper, a metal part such as a lock bar is arranged on the side opposite to the direction in which the magnet is detached, and the magnet is attracted to the metal part by its own magnetic force. Discloses a configuration for fixing the magnet to the lock stopper.

  However, according to the fixing structure, since the magnet is fixed to the lock stopper only by its own magnetic force, there is a possibility that the magnet may fall off the lock stopper due to a large vibration during traveling of the vehicle. In addition, according to the above-described fixing structure, it is conceivable that the magnetic field of the magnet is pulled by the metal part that attracts the magnet, and the position detection accuracy by the Hall element is lowered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to eliminate the electrical problems of the substrate due to the scattering of grease, and to reliably prevent the magnet from falling off and to always accurately position the lock member. It is another object of the present invention to provide an electric steering lock device that can be detected.

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 operating the locking 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 magnet fixed to the lock member;
A substrate provided opposite to the magnet and provided with a magnetic detection element capable of detecting the magnetic force of the magnet;
A housing for housing the lock member, the electric motor, the magnet and the substrate;
In the electric steering lock device with
A lock member storage portion that stores the lock member and the drive mechanism, a substrate storage portion that stores the substrate, and the lock member storage portion and the substrate storage portion in communication with the housing and the magnet and the substrate. Forming a communication part that forms a facing space with
A resin cover for closing the communication portion is provided between the lock member and the substrate.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the lock member is provided with a magnet storage portion that opens on the substrate side and stores the magnet.
The cover is disposed at a position that faces the opening of the magnet housing portion and prevents the magnet from dropping off from the magnet housing portion.

  According to the present invention, since the lock member storage portion formed in the housing and the substrate storage portion are in communication with each other and the communication portion that forms the opposed space between the magnet and the substrate is closed by the cover, the grease applied to the drive mechanism is Since it does not scatter to the substrate through the communication part and the cover is made of a non-magnetic resin, even if this cover is interposed between the magnet and the magnetic detection element, the magnet of the magnetic detection element There is no hindrance to magnetic detection. And since the cover is arrange | positioned in the position which prevents the fall of the magnet from the locking member, a magnet does not fall from the locking member by the vibration at the time of vehicle travel.

  As described above, since the grease is prevented from being scattered on the substrate, the electrical failure of the substrate is solved, and the falling off of the magnet from the lock member is reliably prevented by the cover. The position (lock / unlock position) of the steering wheel can always be accurately detected, and the electric motor is driven and controlled based on this detection, so that the rotation of the steering wheel can always be reliably locked / unlocked.

  In addition, since the cover for preventing the grease from splashing on the substrate is also used for preventing the magnet from falling off, simple fixing means (for example, only press-fitting or bonding) can be used as a means for fixing the magnet to the magnet housing portion of the lock member. For example, it is possible to adopt a method in which an adhesive or an adhesive is applied, and a dedicated fixing member is omitted, thereby reducing the number of parts and the manufacturing cost.

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 cover of the electric steering lock device concerning the present invention. It is a bottom view of the case of the electric steering lock device concerning the present invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the case of the electric steering lock device concerning the present invention from the bottom side. It is a bottom view which removes a lid and shows the state before the cover assembly of the electric steering lock device concerning the present invention. It is a bottom view which shows the state after the cover assembly | attachment of the electric steering lock apparatus which concerns on this invention, removing a lid.

  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 cover, FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the case, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the case viewed from the bottom side, and FIG. 7 is a state of the electric steering lock device before the cover is assembled with the lid removed. FIG. 8 is a bottom view showing the electric steering lock device after the cover is assembled, with the lid removed.

  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 metal (for example, magnesium alloy). The case 3 and the resin lid 4 that covers the lower surface opening of the case 3 are configured.

  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 connected to the case 3. It is fixed to the case 3 by an arcuate bracket (not shown) to be worn. 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, the front wheels are steered, and the required steering is performed.

  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.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, 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 arranged in the vertical direction. 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 has a substantially cylindrical shape in which a male screw portion 7a is engraved on the outer periphery of the lower end portion. The driver 7 and a plate-like lock bolt 8 accommodated in the driver 7 so as to be movable up and down are constituted. 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, a horizontally extending arm 7A and a vertically long anti-rotation portion 7B are integrally formed at opposite locations on the upper outer periphery of the driver 7, and the arm 7A is formed on the housing 2 (case 3). The communicating portion 2C is accommodated in a vertically movable manner, and the rotation preventing portion 7B engages with an engaging 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 is engaged. 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 FIG. 7, an electric motor 14 is housed in the housing 2 in a horizontally placed state, and a small-diameter worm 15 is formed on the output shaft 14 a of the electric motor 14. The worm 15 is housed in the lock member housing portion 2 </ b> A formed in the housing 2, and meshes 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. As shown in FIG. 7, the free end of the output shaft 14 a of the electric motor 14 is rotatably supported by a bearing recess 3 f formed in the case 3.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 7 and 8, a substrate 16 is accommodated in the substrate accommodating portion 2 </ b> B formed in the housing 2, and this substrate 16 is relative to the inner surface of the case 3. The both ends of the substrate holding groove 3g (see FIG. 5 and FIG. 6) formed in the facing portion are fixed and held in the case 3.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, first and second Hall elements 17 and 18 as magnetic detection elements are provided at positions corresponding to the upper and lower lock and unlock positions on the inner surface of the substrate 16. Further, a connector 19 is attached to the board 16, and a connector (not shown) extending from an ECU (not shown) built in the vehicle body is connected to the connector 19, and the first and second hall elements 17, 18 are connected. Is electrically connected to the ECU. The connector 19 is provided with two upper and lower motor power supply terminals 20 which are connected to the electric motor 14, and the motor connection terminal 20 is connected to the electric motor 14 from a battery (not shown). After that, power is supplied. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the connector 19 is incorporated in the connector arrangement portion 3 b formed on the side portion of the case 3.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, the communication portion 2C that connects the lock member storage portion 2A and the substrate storage portion 2B formed in the housing 2 is provided with the magnet 11 attached to the arm 7A of the driver 7 and the substrate storage. A space facing the substrate 16 accommodated in the portion 2B is formed. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the position between the lock member 6 and the substrate 16 (the opening of the magnet housing portion 7d of the arm 7A is opposed to the magnet housing portion 7d to prevent the magnet 11 from falling off from the magnet housing portion 7d). The resin cover 21 is disposed at the position where the communication portion 2C is closed, and the fall of the magnet 11 from the magnet storage portion 7d is prevented.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the cover 21 is composed of a horizontal base portion 21A and a shielding portion 21B standing upright from the base portion 21A. The base portion 21A is connected to the gear member 12. An arc-shaped notch 21a for avoiding interference is formed, and a convex portion 21b for pressing the end of the output shaft 14a of the electric motor 14 is integrally formed.

  Further, a bag-like recess 21c that allows the horizontal arm 7A of the driver 7 to move up and down is formed in the shielding part 21B of the cover 21, and the tip of the arm 7A and the arm 7A are formed in the recess 21c. The magnet 11 housed in the magnet housing portion 7d is inserted.

  Thus, the cover 21 is fitted with a pair of cover insertion grooves 3h formed opposite to the case 3 shown in FIG. 5 at both side edges of the shielding portion 21B, and the base portion 21A is formed on the lid 4. By being placed on the cover pressing portion 4B, it is disposed between the lock member 6 and the substrate 16 as shown in FIGS.

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

  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. The steering shaft is locked by being engaged with a steering shaft (not shown), and the steering wheel (not shown) cannot be rotated in this locked state. Is prevented. At this time, the magnet 11 accommodated in the arm 7 </ b> A is positioned in the vicinity of the upper first hall element 17 provided on the substrate 16.

  When the driver turns on an unillustrated engine start switch from the above state, the ECU detects this and transmits an unlock signal to the electric steering lock device 1. Then, the control part provided in the board | substrate 16 of the electric steering lock apparatus 1 supplies electric power to the electric motor 14, and starts this.

  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.

  Thus, when the lock bolt 8 moves down as described above and reaches the lower unlock position as shown in FIG. 2, the upper end of the lock bolt 8 is placed in the lock bolt insertion hole 3d of the case 3. In order to retract, the engagement of the lock bolt 8 with the steering shaft is released, the steering shaft is unlocked and unlocked, and the steering wheel can be turned by the driver.

  When the arm 7A of the driver 7 moves down, the magnet 11 accommodated at the tip thereof approaches the second hall element 18 below the substrate 16 as shown in FIG. The magnetic force of the magnet 11 is detected. As a result, it is detected that the lock bolt 8 has moved to the unlock position, and the control unit of the substrate 16 stops driving the electric motor 14 and transmits an unlock completion signal to the ECU on the vehicle body side. The unlocked state shown is maintained, and the vehicle can travel.

  When the vehicle stops and the driver turns off the engine start switch to turn off the engine, the ECU detects this and transmits a lock signal to the electric steering lock device 1. Then, the control part provided in the board | substrate 16 of the electric steering lock apparatus 1 energizes the electric motor 14, and reversely rotates the output shaft 14a of the electric motor 14.

  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.

  Thus, when the lock bolt 8 moves upward as described above and reaches the upper limit lock position as shown in FIG. 1, the upper end of the lock bolt 8 is moved from the lock bolt insertion hole 3d of the case 3 to the recess 3a. Since it protrudes, the lock bolt 8 engages with the steering shaft, the rotation of the steering shaft is locked, and the rotation operation of the steering wheel becomes impossible. 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.

  When the arm 7A of the driver 7 moves up, the magnet 11 accommodated at the tip of the arm 7A approaches the first hall element 17 above the substrate 16 as shown in FIG. A magnetic force 11 of the magnet is detected. As a result, it is detected that the lock bolt 8 has moved to the lock position, and the control unit of the substrate 16 stops driving the electric motor 14 and transmits a lock completion signal to the ECU on the vehicle body side. The state is maintained, which prevents the vehicle from being stolen. In the present embodiment, the first and second Hall elements 17 and 18 are not provided at the positions facing the magnet 11 at the locked position and the unlocked position, and are slightly deviated from the locked position and the unlocked position. The two Hall elements 17 and 18 simultaneously detect the magnetic force of the magnet 11 when the magnet 11 reaches the locked position or the unlocked position by separating the Hall elements 17 and 18 by a predetermined distance or more. This is to prevent the occurrence of a malfunction.

  Thus, according to the electric steering lock device 1 according to the present invention, the opposing space between the magnet 11 and the substrate 16 is formed by communicating the lock member storage portion 2A formed in the housing 2 with the substrate storage portion 2B. Since the communication portion 2C is closed by the cover 21, the grease applied to the worm 15 and the worm gear 12a constituting the drive mechanism does not scatter to the substrate 16 via the communication portion 2C, and the cover 21 is made of a nonmagnetic resin. Therefore, even if the cover 21 is interposed between the magnet 11 and the Hall elements 17 and 18, the magnetic detection of the magnet 11 by the Hall elements 17 and 18 is not hindered. And since the cover 21 is arrange | positioned in the position which prevents the fall of the magnet 11 from the locking member 6 (arm 7A), the magnet 11 falls off from the locking member 6 (arm 7A) also by the vibration at the time of vehicle travel. There is no.

  As described above, since the grease is prevented from being scattered on the substrate 16, the electrical malfunction of the substrate 16 is solved, and the magnet 11 is prevented from falling off from the lock member 6 (arm 7 </ b> A). Therefore, the position (lock / unlock position) of the lock member 6 (magnet 11) can always be accurately detected, and the electric motor 14 is driven and controlled based on this detection to control the steering wheel. The rotation can always be reliably locked / unlocked.

  Further, since the cover 21 for preventing the grease from being scattered on the substrate 16 is also used for preventing the magnet 11 from falling off, a simple fixing means (for example, a means for fixing the magnet 11 to the magnet storage portion 7d of the arm 7A) It is possible to employ only press-fitting or insertion by applying an adhesive or a pressure-sensitive adhesive, and the effect that the number of parts and the manufacturing cost can be reduced by omitting a dedicated fixing member.

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 Locking member 7 Driver 7A Driver arm 7B Driver rotation stop 7a Driver male thread 7b Driver pin insertion hole 7c Driver partition 7d Arm magnet housing 8 Lock bolt 8a Lock bolt Long hole Pin 10 spring 11 magnet 12 gear member 12a worm 12b gear member of the female screw portion 13 spring 14 electric motor 14a motor output shaft 15 worm 16 substrate 17 first Hall element (magnetic detection element)
18 Second Hall element (magnetic detection element)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 Connector 20 Motor power supply terminal 21 Cover 21A Cover base part 21B Cover shielding part 21a Cover notch 21b Cover convex part 21c Cover concave part

Claims (2)

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 operating the locking 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 magnet fixed to the lock member;
A substrate provided opposite to the magnet and provided with a magnetic detection element capable of detecting the magnetic force of the magnet;
A housing for housing the lock member, the electric motor, the magnet and the substrate;
In the electric steering lock device with
A lock member storage portion that stores the lock member and the drive mechanism, a substrate storage portion that stores the substrate, and the lock member storage portion and the substrate storage portion in communication with the housing and the magnet and the substrate. Forming a communication part that forms a facing space with
An electric steering lock device, wherein a resin cover for closing the communication portion is provided between the lock member and the substrate. The lock member is provided with a magnet storage portion that opens on the substrate side and stores the magnet.
2. The electric steering lock device according to claim 1, wherein the cover is disposed at a position that faces the opening of the magnet housing portion and prevents the magnet from dropping from the magnet housing portion.

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