CN108116362B

CN108116362B - Electric steering lock device

Info

Publication number: CN108116362B
Application number: CN201711128456.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 中西雅之
Original assignee: U Shin Ltd
Current assignee: U Shin Ltd
Priority date: 2016-11-28
Filing date: 2017-11-15
Publication date: 2021-08-20
Anticipated expiration: 2037-11-15
Also published as: JP2018086881A; CN108116362A; JP6778093B2

Abstract

The invention provides an electric steering lock device, which can determine a relay with poor conduction by a simple and low-cost structure without generating unnecessary relay operation sound. The execution determination unit determines whether the lock drive or the unlock drive is normally executed based on a detection state of the position detection unit during the lock drive or the unlock drive, the conduction detection unit is connected to one of the first relay or the second relay to detect a conduction state of the one relay, and the conduction failure determination unit determines that the one relay connected to the conduction detection unit has a conduction failure when the execution determination unit determines that the lock drive or the unlock drive is not normally executed, and determines that the other relay not connected to the conduction detection unit has a conduction failure when a signal indicating a non-conduction state output from the conduction detection unit is detected and determines that the other relay not connected to the conduction detection unit has a conduction failure when a signal indicating a conduction state output from the conduction detection unit is detected.

Description

Electric steering lock device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electric steering lock device.

Background

The following electric steering lock devices are known: the lock bolt operated by the driving force of the electric motor is engaged with a recess provided in the steering shaft, thereby locking the steering of the vehicle and preventing the vehicle from being stolen.

In such an electric steering lock device, two relays are sometimes used to switch and block the polarity of the current supplied from the power supply to the electric motor. However, there is a fear that foreign matter is deposited on the contact of the relay, and a conduction failure state is caused, and the electric motor cannot be driven.

To solve such a problem, for example, patent document 1 discloses that a conduction determination circuit is provided between the first and second relays and the drive limiting unit, the contact state of each relay is switched to determine whether or not a conduction failure has occurred in the relay, and when it is determined that the conduction failure has occurred, the relay is operated to eliminate the failure.

Patent document 2 discloses that a voltage sensor is provided on each of the lock relay side and the unlock relay side, and the respective voltages on both ends of the electric motor are monitored, thereby detecting an abnormality in the lock relay and the unlock relay.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2013-086592

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2012-096573

However, in the technique disclosed in patent document 1, even when the on state of the relay is normal, the on determination for switching the relay contact is performed every time the electric steering lock device is driven, and therefore, there is a problem that unnecessary operation sound of the relay is generated. Therefore, it is conceivable to perform control for eliminating conduction failure with respect to the contact of the relay related to the control only when the driving of the electric steering lock device is not completed within a predetermined time. However, the technique disclosed in patent document 1 has a problem that it is highly likely to perform the above-described control on a normal relay because it is not possible to determine which relay has a conduction failure.

Further, as in the technique described in patent document 2, it is conceivable to separately provide a voltage sensor on the lock relay side and a voltage sensor on the unlock relay side, monitor the voltages on both end sides of the electric motor, and detect an abnormality of the lock relay or the unlock relay, but there is a problem that a separate voltage sensor is required for each relay, which leads to an increase in cost.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above-described problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electric steering lock device capable of specifying a relay in which a conduction failure occurs with a simple and inexpensive configuration without generating unnecessary relay operation noise.

Mode 1: one or more embodiments of the present invention provide an electric steering lock device including: a lock member that engages with a steering shaft of a vehicle; an electric motor that performs lock driving for moving the lock member to a lock position where the lock member is engaged with the steering shaft and unlock driving for moving the lock member to an unlock position where the lock member is not engaged with the steering shaft; a first relay and a second relay that switch and block the polarity of a current supplied from a power supply to the electric motor to cause the electric motor to perform the lock drive or the unlock drive; a control unit that controls the first relay and the second relay; a position detection unit that detects a position of the lock member; an execution determination unit that determines whether the lock drive or the unlock drive is normally executed, based on a detection state of the position detection unit, when the lock drive or the unlock drive is executed; a conduction detection unit connected to either the first relay or the second relay and detecting a conduction state of the relay; and a conduction failure determination unit configured to determine that a conduction failure occurs in the one relay connected to the conduction detection unit when the execution determination unit determines that the lock drive or the unlock drive is not normally executed, and to determine that a conduction failure occurs in the other relay not connected to the conduction detection unit when the signal indicating the non-conduction state output from the conduction detection unit is detected.

Mode 2: one or more embodiments of the present invention provide an electric steering lock device, in mode 1, the first relay includes: a first common terminal connected to one end of the electric motor; a first normally open terminal connected to the power supply and connected to the first common terminal when the electric motor is driven to unlock; and a first normally closed terminal connected to ground, the second relay including: a second common terminal connected to the other end of the electric motor; a second normally open terminal connected to the power supply and connected to the second common terminal when the electric motor is driven to be locked; and a second normally closed terminal connected to the ground, the conduction detection unit being connected to the second common terminal.

Mode 3: one or more embodiments of the present invention provide an electric steering lock device in the aspect 2, wherein when the execution determination unit determines that the lock driving is not normally executed during the lock driving, the conduction failure determination unit determines that the contact of the second normally-open terminal is abnormal when the conduction detection unit detects the signal indicating the non-conduction state, and determines that the contact of the first normally-closed terminal is abnormal when the conduction detection unit detects the signal indicating the conduction state.

Mode 4: one or more embodiments of the present invention provide an electric steering lock device in which, in the aspect 2, when the execution determination unit determines that the unlocking drive is not normally executed during the unlocking drive, the conduction failure determination unit determines that there is an abnormality in the contact of the second normally-closed terminal when the conduction detection unit detects the signal indicating the non-conduction state, and determines that there is an abnormality in the contact of the first normally-open terminal when the conduction detection unit detects the signal indicating the conduction state.

Mode 5: one or more embodiments of the present invention provide an electric steering lock device, in mode 1, the first relay includes: a first common terminal connected to one end of the electric motor; a first normally open terminal connected to the power supply and connected to the first common terminal when the electric motor is driven to unlock; and a first normally closed terminal connected to ground, the second relay including: a second common terminal connected to the other end of the electric motor; a second normally open terminal connected to the power supply and connected to the second common terminal when the electric motor is driven to be locked; and a second normally closed terminal connected to the ground, the conduction detection unit being connected to the first common terminal.

Mode 6: one or more embodiments of the present invention provide an electric steering lock device as set forth in claim 5, wherein, in the lock driving, when the execution determination unit determines that the lock driving is not normally executed, the conduction failure determination unit determines that there is an abnormality in the contact of the first normally closed terminal when the conduction detection unit detects the signal indicating the non-conduction state, and determines that there is an abnormality in the contact of the second normally open terminal when the conduction detection unit detects the signal indicating the conduction state.

Mode 7: one or more embodiments of the present invention provide an electric steering lock device as set forth in claim 5, wherein, in the unlocking drive, when the execution determination unit determines that the unlocking drive is not normally executed, the conduction failure determination unit determines that there is an abnormality in the contact of the first normally-open terminal when the conduction detection unit detects the signal indicating the non-conduction state, and determines that there is an abnormality in the contact of the second normally-closed terminal when the conduction detection unit detects the signal indicating the conduction state.

Mode 8: one or more embodiments of the present invention provide an electric steering lock device as set forth in any of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the control unit performs control to switch the contact of the first relay or the second relay, which is determined to have a conduction failure by the conduction failure determination unit, at least once.

Mode 9: one or more embodiments of the present invention provide an electric steering lock device, in the aspect 8, further including a power supply switching unit that switches power supply from the power supply to the first relay and the second relay, wherein the control unit performs control of switching at least a contact of the first relay or the second relay so that an arc is generated at the contact of the first relay or the second relay determined to have a conduction failure by the conduction failure determination unit in a state where the power supply switching unit is switched to supply power from the power supply to the first relay and the second relay.

According to one or more embodiments of the invention, the following effects are achieved: the relay in which the conduction failure occurs can be determined with a simple and inexpensive structure without generating unnecessary relay operation noise.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electric steering lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the electric steering lock device according to the embodiment of the present invention in a locked state.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the electric steering lock device according to the embodiment of the present invention in an unlocked state.

Fig. 4 is a circuit block diagram of the electric steering lock device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a timing chart showing a normal lock driving in the electric steering lock device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a relay contact diagram in the case where the lock driving is normal in the electric steering lock device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a timing chart in the case where the lock drive is abnormal due to an abnormality between the normal terminal and the common terminal of the lock relay in the electric steering lock device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a relay contact diagram in the case where the lock drive is abnormal due to an abnormality between the normal terminal and the common terminal of the lock relay in the electric steering lock device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a timing chart in the case where the lock drive is abnormal due to an abnormality between the normally closed terminal and the common terminal of the unlock relay in the electric steering lock device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a relay contact diagram in the case where the lock drive is abnormal due to an abnormality between the normally closed terminal and the common terminal of the unlock relay in the electric steering lock device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a timing chart in the case where the unlock drive is normal in the electric steering lock device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a relay contact diagram in a normal state of the unlocking operation in the electric steering lock device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a timing chart in the case where there is an abnormality in the unlocking drive due to an abnormality between the normal terminal and the common terminal of the unlocking relay in the electric steering lock device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a relay contact diagram in the case where there is an abnormality in the unlocking drive due to an abnormality between the normal terminal and the common terminal of the unlocking relay in the electric steering lock device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 15 is a timing chart in the case where the unlocking drive is abnormal due to an abnormality between the normally closed terminal and the common terminal of the lock relay in the electric steering lock device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 16 is a relay contact diagram in the case where the unlock drive is abnormal due to an abnormality between the normally closed terminal and the common terminal of the lock relay in the electric steering lock device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 17 is a control flowchart of the entire electric steering lock device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 18 is a control flowchart at the time of lock-up driving in the electric power steering lock-up device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 19 is a control flowchart at the time of lock-up driving in the electric power steering lock-up device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 20 is a control flowchart at the time of unlocking the drive in the electric steering lock device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 21 is a control flowchart at the time of unlocking the drive in the electric steering lock device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 22 is a control flowchart at the time of switching the relay in the electric steering lock device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 23 is a control flowchart at the time of switching the relay in the electric steering lock device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 24 is a circuit block diagram of an electric steering lock device according to a modified embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the reference numerals

100 electric steering lock device

120 locking unit (locking member)

125 magnet

150 electric motor

161 Lock sensor (position detector)

162 unlocking sensor (position detection part)

180 steering shaft

192 unlocking relay (first relay)

193 latching relay (second relay)

194 conduction detecting section

195 Power supply relay (Power supply switching part)

196 control part

197 execution determination unit

198 conduction failure determination unit

Detailed Description

< embodiment >

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 1 to 23.

< Structure of electric steering Lock device mechanism >

The structure and operation of the electric steering lock device 100 mechanism according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 3.

The electric steering lock device 100 according to the present embodiment electrically locks and unlocks rotation of a steering shaft (steering wheel), not shown.

The case 110 is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape, and is formed with an arc-shaped fitting recess 111 at an upper portion thereof. A steering shaft tube, not shown, is fitted into the fitting recess 111. The steering shaft tube is internally penetrated by a steering shaft, and one end of the steering shaft is provided with a steering wheel. The other end of the steering shaft is connected to the steering gear box. When the driver turns the steering wheel, the rotation is transmitted to the steering gear box via the steering shaft, and the steering mechanism is driven to steer the pair of left and right front wheels, thereby achieving desired steering.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, a lock unit housing 112 and a substrate housing 113 are formed in the housing 110, and a lock unit (lock member) 120 is housed in the lock unit housing 112. The locking unit 120 includes: an actuator 122 having a male screw portion 123 formed on the outer periphery of a lower end portion thereof; a plate-shaped latch 121 is housed in the driver 122 so as to be movable up and down. The locking unit 120 includes a magnet holding arm 124, and a magnet 125 is pressed and received in a front end portion of the magnet holding arm 124.

The gear member 130 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is rotatably received in the lock unit receiving portion 112. The lower outer periphery of the gear member 130 is rotatably held by a gear retainer cylinder portion 141 provided upright on the inner surface (upper surface) of the cover 140. A worm wheel 131 is formed on the lower outer periphery of the gear member 130, and a female screw portion 132 shown in fig. 2 and 3 is formed on the inner periphery.

The lower portion of the driver 122 is inserted into the gear part 130, and a male screw portion 123 formed on the outer circumference of the lower portion of the driver 122 is engaged with a female screw portion 132 formed on the inner circumference of the gear part 130. The mounting spring 170 is compressed between the gear retainer cylinder portion 141 of the cap 140 and the driver 122. The locking unit 120 is always biased upward by the spring 170.

The electric motor 150 is accommodated in the lock unit accommodating portion 112 in a horizontal state. A small-diameter worm 151 that rotates integrally with the output shaft is attached to the output shaft of the electric motor 150. The worm 151 meshes with a worm wheel 131 formed on the outer periphery of the gear part 130. The worm 151 and the worm wheel 131 constitute a driving mechanism for converting the rotational force of the output shaft of the electric motor 150 into the advancing and retreating force of the lock unit 120.

The printed board 160 is accommodated in the board accommodating portion 113 such that an inner surface thereof is parallel to the operation direction of the lock unit 120. A lock sensor (position detecting unit) 161 and an unlock sensor (position detecting unit) 162, which are magnetic sensors, are fixed to the printed board 160 at positions corresponding to the lock position and the unlock position, respectively, above and below the inner surface of the printed board 160. The lock sensor 161, the unlock sensor 162, and the magnet 125 constitute an operation position detection mechanism, and the operation position detection mechanism detects the position (lock position/unlock position) of the lock unit 120.

< action of electric steering Lock device mechanism >

The unlocking drive and the locking drive of the electric steering lock device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the circuit configuration shown in fig. 4.

(Lock actuation: actuation from unlocked to locked position)

1. When the user operates the engine start SW in the engine operating state (the steering lock is in the unlocked state), a higher-level ECU (electronic control unit) that transmits a control signal to the electric steering lock device 100 transmits a lock drive request signal to the control unit 196 of the electric steering lock device 100.

2. When receiving a lock drive request signal from the host ECU, control unit 196 drives electric motor 150 in the lock direction.

3. By the rotation of the output shaft of the electric motor 150, the worm 151 and the gear member 130 provided with the worm wheel 131 meshing with the worm 151 rotate.

4. When the gear member 130 rotates, the lock unit 120 is moved in the protruding direction (upward in fig. 1, 2, and 3) by a screw mechanism (conversion mechanism) provided inside the gear member 130.

5. When the lock unit 120 moves to the lock position, the lock sensor 161 and the unlock sensor 162 detect the movement of the lock unit 120 to the lock position, and the control unit 196 stops the electric motor 150, transmits a lock completion signal to the upper ECU, and ends the lock drive (see fig. 2).

(unlocking drive: drive from locked position to unlocked position)

1. When the user operates the engine start SW in the engine stop state (the steering lock is in the locked state), the upper ECU transmits an unlock drive request signal to the control unit 196 of the electric steering lock device 100.

2. When the control unit 196 receives an unlock drive request signal from the host ECU, the electric motor 150 is driven in the unlock direction.

4. When the gear member 130 rotates, the lock unit 120 moves in a backward direction (downward direction in fig. 1, 2, and 3) by a screw mechanism (conversion mechanism) provided inside the gear member 130.

5. When the lock unit 120 moves to the unlock position, the lock sensor 161 and the unlock sensor 162 detect the movement of the lock unit 120 to the unlock position, and the control unit 196 stops the electric motor 150, transmits an unlock completion signal to the upper ECU, and ends the unlock drive (see fig. 3).

< electric steering lock device Circuit Structure

The circuit configuration of the electric steering lock device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 4.

As shown in fig. 4, the electric steering lock device 100 includes: the lock unit 120, the magnet 125, the lock sensor 161, the unlock sensor 162, the steering shaft 180, the electric motor 150, the unlock relay (first relay) 192, the lock relay (second relay) 193, the conduction detection unit 194, the power supply relay (power supply switching unit) 195, the relay fastening detection unit 199, the semiconductor switches Q1, Q2, Q3, and the control unit 196. The control unit 196 includes an execution determination unit 197 and a conduction failure determination unit 198.

The locking unit 120 moves between a locking position and an unlocking position by the driving force of the electric motor 150, and places the steering shaft 180 in a locked state or an unlocked state. The magnet 125 is press-fitted into and housed in the tip end portion of the magnet holding arm 124 of the lock unit 120, and the lock sensor 161 and the unlock sensor 162 detect the position (lock position/unlock position) of the lock unit 120 by magnetic action with the magnet 125. The lock sensor 161 and the unlock sensor 162 are formed of hall elements, for example.

The electric motor 150 applies a rotational force of forward rotation or reverse rotation to the lock unit 120 in accordance with a relay operation of an unlock relay 192 or a lock relay 193, which will be described later, and guides the steering shaft 180 to the locked state or the unlocked state. The unlock relay 192 includes a coil L1 that receives an electric signal and changes the electric signal into a mechanical operation, and a contact unit that opens and closes the electric power, and is configured by a first common terminal COM1, a first normally open terminal NO1, and a first normally closed terminal NC1, and receives an unlock drive signal from a control unit 196, which will be described later, and supplies a voltage to the electric motor 150 so that the steering shaft 180 is in an unlocked state. The lock relay 193 includes a coil L2 that receives an electric signal and changes the electric signal into a mechanical operation, and a contact unit that opens and closes the electric power, and is configured by a second common terminal COM2, a second normally open terminal NO2, and a second normally closed terminal NC2, and receives a lock drive signal from a control unit 196, which will be described later, and supplies a voltage to the electric motor 150 so that the steering shaft 180 is in a locked state.

The conduction detector 194 includes: an impedance R2 having one end connected to the second common terminal COM2 and the other end connected to a terminal of the control unit 196; the resistor R1 is connected to the other end of the resistor R2 and the ground, and the on state in the lock relay 193 is transmitted to the control unit 196 by a high level signal and a low level signal.

The power supply relay 195 includes a coil L3 that receives an electric signal and changes the electric signal into a mechanical operation, and a contact unit that opens and closes the electric power, and the contact unit includes a third common terminal COM3, a third normally open terminal NO3, and a third normally closed terminal NC3, receives a power supply permission signal from a control unit 196 described later, and supplies the power supply to the unlock relay 192 and the lock relay 193.

The relay fixing detection section 199 includes: an impedance R3 having one end connected to the third normally open terminal NO3 of the power relay 195 and the other end connected to the 5V power supply through a diode D; an impedance R4 having one end connected to the third normally-open terminal NO3 and the other end connected to a terminal of the control unit 196; the resistor R5 is connected to the other end of the resistor R4 and the ground, and transmits a high level signal, an intermediate level signal, and a low level signal to the control unit 196, which indicates a fixed connection fault that whether or not the contact of the unlock relay 192 or the lock relay 193 is fixed to the normally open terminals NO1 and NO 2. Specifically, when the signal of the relay fastening detector 199 is an intermediate level signal, the normally open terminals NO1, NO2 of the unlock relay 192 and the lock relay 193 are not fastened, and when the normally open terminals NO1, NO2 of at least one of the unlock relay 192 and the lock relay 193 are fastened, the output signal from the relay fastening detector 199 is a low level signal. At this time, when the power supply relay 195 is in the on state, the output signal from the relay fixing detector 199 becomes a high level signal regardless of whether the relay is fixed.

The semiconductor switch Q1 is a changeover switch for supplying a power supply voltage (for example, 12V) to the coil L3 constituting the power supply relay 195 when the power supply permission signal from the control unit 196 is a high-level signal. The semiconductor switch Q2 is a changeover switch for supplying a power supply voltage to the coil L1 constituting the unlock relay 192 when the unlock drive signal from the control unit 196 is a high level signal. The semiconductor switch Q3 is a changeover switch for supplying a power supply voltage to the coil L2 of the lock relay 193 when the lock drive signal from the control unit 196 is a high-level signal.

The control unit 196 receives a lock drive request signal or an unlock drive request signal from the upper ECU in accordance with a control program stored in a ROM or the like, not shown, and electrically controls the entire electric steering lock device 100. The execution determination unit 197 included in the control unit 196 determines whether the lock drive or the unlock drive is normally executed, based on the detection states of the lock sensor 161 and the unlock sensor 162, during the lock drive or the unlock drive. When the execution determination unit 197 determines that the lock drive or the unlock drive is not normally executed, the conduction failure determination unit 198 provided in the control unit 196 determines that there is a conduction failure in the lock relay 193 connected to the conduction detection unit 194 when the signal indicating the non-conduction state output from the conduction detection unit 194 is detected, and determines that there is a conduction failure in the unlock relay 192 not connected to the conduction detection unit 194 when the signal indicating the conduction state output from the conduction detection unit 194 is detected.

< electric action of electric steering lock device >

The electric operation of the electric steering lock device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described based on the timing charts of fig. 5 to 16 and the flowcharts of fig. 17 to 23.

[ conduction failure site: none, drive mode: locking drive ]

Referring to fig. 5, the lock drive in the case where both the unlock relay 192 and the lock relay 193 are in the on state will be described. First, in step 1, the control unit 196 turns OFF (low level) the power supply permission signal, the lock drive signal, and the unlock drive signal, and the output signal of the on detection unit 194 is low level. Further, the detection state of the sensor at this time becomes the unlock state.

In step 2, control unit 196 turns ON (high level) the power supply permission signal.

In step 3, control unit 196 turns ON the lock drive signal for a predetermined time, and thereby a current flows in the direction shown in fig. 6, and electric motor 150 rotates in the lock direction. That is, as shown in fig. 6, when the contact of the lock relay 193 is switched from the second normally closed terminal NC2 side to the second normally open terminal NO2 side, the power source and the electric motor 150 become a closed circuit, and the electric motor 150 generates a driving force in a direction to move the lock unit 120 in the lock direction, and performs the lock driving. At this time, since the output signal of the on detection unit 194 becomes high level, it can be determined that the lock relay 193 is in the on state. Further, since the lock unit 120 moves in the direction of the lock position to be at the intermediate position between the non-unlock position and the lock position, the detection state of the sensor is in the intermediate state.

In step 4, when the lock unit 120 moves to the lock position and the detection state of the sensor becomes the lock state, the control unit 196 turns OFF the lock drive signal and stops the lock drive. At this time, since the contact of the lock relay 193 is switched from the second normally-open terminal NO2 side to the second normally-closed terminal NC2 side, the output signal of the conduction detector 194 becomes low level.

In step 5, since the lock drive is normally completed, control unit 196 turns OFF the power supply permission signal and ends the lock drive.

[ conduction failure site: drive mode between the second normally open terminal NO2 and the second common terminal COM2 of the lock relay 193: locking drive ]

Referring to fig. 7, the locking operation when a conduction failure portion exists between the second normally open terminal NO2 and the second common terminal COM2 of the lock relay 193 will be described. First, in step 1, control unit 196 turns OFF the power supply permission signal, the lock drive signal, and the unlock drive signal, and the output signal of on detection unit 194 is at a low level. Further, the detection state of the sensor at this time becomes the unlock state.

In step 2, control unit 196 turns ON the power supply permission signal.

In step 3, the control unit 196 turns ON the lock drive signal for a predetermined time, but the detection state of the sensor remains in the unlock state and does not change. At this time, although the lock drive signal is ON, the output signal of the conduction detector 194 is low, and therefore, it is determined that the lock relay 193 is in a conduction failure state.

In step 4, since the detection state of the sensor remains the unlock state, it is determined that the lock drive is not normally performed, and the control unit 196 turns OFF the lock drive signal to stop the lock drive. At this time, it is determined that the lock drive is not normally performed, and it is determined that the lock relay 193 is in the poor conduction state according to step 3. That is, as shown in fig. 8, since foreign matter is deposited on the contact point of the second normally open terminal NO2 of the lock relay 193 and the contact point of the second normally open terminal NO2 and the second common terminal COM2 are in a conduction failure state in which they cannot be closed, it is determined that the lock drive cannot be performed because current is not supplied to the electric motor 150.

In step 5, since the lock drive is not normally completed, control unit 196 turns OFF the power supply permission signal and temporarily ends the lock drive.

In step 6, it is determined that foreign matter is present between the contact of the second normally open terminal NO2 of the lock relay 193 and the contact of the second common terminal COM2 based on the determination of the poor conduction state of the lock relay 193 in step 3 and the determination of the abnormal end of the lock drive in step 4, and relay switching control for removing the foreign matter is performed in steps 7 and 8.

In order to perform the relay switching control for removing the foreign matter described in step 6, first, in step 7, the control unit 196 turns ON the power supply permission signal. In step 8, control unit 196 switches the lock drive signal from OFF to ON several times. That is, in step 8, the lock drive signal is turned ON in a state where the power is supplied from the power source to the unlock relay 192 and the lock relay 193 and the unlock drive signal is OFF. At this time, since a potential difference between the contact point of the second normally-open terminal NO2 and the contact point of the second common terminal COM2 is large, an arc is generated to remove foreign substances. In fig. 7, this operation is performed several times in order to reliably remove foreign matter. When the foreign matter is removed by the relay switching control as shown in step 8, the contact of the second normally-open terminal NO2 and the contact of the second common terminal COM2 are closed, and therefore the output signal of the conduction detector 194 becomes high. Further, after step 10, the lock driving shown in fig. 5 is performed again.

[ conduction failure site: drive mode between the first normally closed terminal NC1 and the first common terminal COM1 of the unlocking relay 192: locking drive ]

Referring to fig. 9, the locking drive when a conduction failure portion exists between the first normally closed terminal NC1 and the first common terminal COM1 of the unlocking relay 192 will be described. In step 1, control unit 196 turns OFF the power supply permission signal, the lock drive signal, and the unlock drive signal, and the output signal of on detection unit 194 goes low. Further, the detection state of the sensor at this time becomes the unlock state.

In step 2, control unit 196 turns ON the power supply permission signal.

In step 3, the control unit 196 turns ON the lock drive signal for a predetermined time, but the detection state of the sensor remains unchanged from the unlocked state. At this time, since the output signal of the on detector 194 becomes high level, it is determined that the lock relay 193 is in the on state.

In step 4, since the sensor state is kept in the unlock state, it is determined that the lock drive is not normally performed, and the control unit 196 turns OFF the lock drive signal to stop the lock drive. At this time, it is determined that the lock drive is not normally performed, and it is determined that the unlock relay 192 is in the conduction failure state according to step 3. That is, as shown in fig. 10, since foreign matter is deposited on the contact point of the first normally closed terminal NC1 of the unlocking relay 192 and the contact point of the first normally closed terminal NC1 and the first common terminal COM1 are in a conduction failure state in which they cannot be closed, it is determined that the electric current cannot be supplied to the electric motor 150 and the lock drive cannot be executed.

In step 6, it is determined that a foreign object is present between the contact point of the first normally closed terminal NC1 of the unlock relay 192 and the contact point of the first common terminal COM1 based on the determination of the conductive state of the lock relay 193 in step 3 and the determination of the end of the lock drive abnormality in step 4, and relay switching control for removing the foreign object is performed in steps 7 and 8.

In step 7, first, the control unit 196 turns ON the power supply permission signal in order to perform the relay switching control for removing the foreign matter described in step 6. In step 8, the control unit 196 switches the unlock drive signal from ON to OFF several times while the lock drive signal is ON. That is, in step 8, the unlock drive signal is turned OFF in a state where power is supplied from the power source to the unlock relay 192 and the lock relay 193 and the lock drive signal and the unlock drive signal are ON. At this time, since a potential difference between the contact point of the first normally closed terminal NC1 and the contact point of the first common terminal COM1 is large, an arc is generated and foreign substances are removed. In fig. 9, this operation is performed several times to reliably remove foreign matter. Further, as shown in step 8, when the foreign matter is removed by the relay switching control, the contact of the first normally closed terminal NC1 and the contact of the first common terminal COM1 are closed, and therefore the output signal of the conduction detector 194 becomes high level. Further, after step 10, the lock driving shown in fig. 5 is performed again.

[ conduction failure site: no, drive mode: unlocking drive ]

With reference to fig. 11, the unlocking drive when both the unlocking relay 192 and the locking relay 193 are in the on state will be described. First, in step 1, control unit 196 turns OFF the power supply permission signal, the lock drive signal, and the unlock drive signal, and the output signal of on detection unit 194 goes low. Further, the detection state of the sensor at this time becomes the lock state.

In step 2, control unit 196 turns ON the power supply permission signal.

In step 3, the control unit 196 turns ON the unlock drive signal for a predetermined time, and thereby a current flows in the direction shown in fig. 12, and the electric motor 150 rotates in the unlock direction. That is, as shown in fig. 12, when the contact of the unlocking relay 192 is switched from the first normally closed terminal NC1 side to the first normally open terminal NO1, the power supply and the electric motor 150 become a closed circuit, and the electric motor 150 generates a driving force in a direction to move the lock unit 120 in the unlocking direction, and executes the unlocking drive. At this time, since the output signal of the on detection unit 194 is kept at a low level, it is determined that the lock relay 193 is in an on state. Further, since the lock unit 120 moves in the unlock position direction to be located at the intermediate position between the unlock position and the lock position, the detection state of the sensor is changed to the intermediate state.

In step 4, when the lock unit 120 moves to the unlock position and the detection state of the sensor changes to the unlock state, the control unit 196 turns OFF the unlock drive signal and stops the unlock drive. At this time, the contact of the unlock relay 192 is switched from the first normally open terminal NO1 side to the first normally closed terminal NC1 side. Further, since the detection state of the sensor is changed to the unlock state, it is determined that the unlock drive is normally performed, and it is determined that the unlock relay 192 is also in the on state.

In step 5, since the unlock drive is normally completed, the control unit 196 turns OFF the power supply permission signal and ends the unlock drive.

[ conduction failure site: drive mode between the first normally open terminal NO1 of the unlock relay 192 and the first common terminal COM 1: unlocking drive ]

With reference to fig. 13, the unlocking operation when a defective conduction portion exists between the first normally open terminal NO1 and the first common terminal COM1 of the unlocking relay 192 will be described. First, in step 1, control unit 196 turns OFF the power supply permission signal, the lock drive signal, and the unlock drive signal, and the output signal of on detection unit 194 goes low. Further, the detection state of the sensor at this time becomes the lock state.

In step 2, control unit 196 turns ON the power supply permission signal.

In step 3, the control unit 196 turns ON the unlock drive signal for a predetermined time, but the detection state of the sensor remains in the lock state and does not change. At this time, since the output signal of the on detection unit 194 is at a low level, it is determined that the lock relay 193 is in an on state.

In step 4, since the detection state of the sensor remains in the lock state, it is determined that the unlock drive is not normally performed, and the control unit 196 turns OFF the unlock drive signal and stops the unlock drive. At this time, it is determined that the unlocking drive is not normally performed, and it is determined that the unlocking relay 192 is in a poor conduction state according to step 3. That is, as shown in fig. 14, since foreign matter is deposited on the contact point of the first normally open terminal NO1 of the unlocking relay 192 and the contact point of the first normally open terminal NO1 and the first common terminal COM1 are in a conduction failure state in which they cannot be closed, it is determined that the electric current cannot be supplied to the electric motor 150 and the unlocking drive cannot be performed.

In step 5, since the unlock drive is not normally completed, the control unit 196 turns OFF the power supply permission signal and temporarily ends the unlock drive.

In step 6, it is determined that foreign matter is present between the contact of the first normally open terminal NO1 of the unlock relay 192 and the contact of the first common terminal COM1 based on the determination of the on state of the lock relay 193 in step 3 and the determination of the abnormal end of the unlock drive in step 4, and relay switching control for removing the foreign matter is performed in steps 7 and 8.

In order to perform the relay switching control for removing the foreign matter described in step 6, first, in step 7, control unit 196 turns ON the power supply permission signal from the state of step 6. In step 8, the control unit 196 switches the unlock drive signal from OFF to ON several times. That is, in step 8, the unlock drive signal is turned ON in a state where power is supplied from the power supply to the unlock relay 192 and the lock relay 193 and the lock drive signal is OFF. At this time, since the potential difference between the contact NO1 of the first normally open terminal and the contact of the first common terminal COM1 is large, an arc is generated and foreign substances are removed. In fig. 14, this operation is performed several times in order to reliably remove foreign matter. Further, after step 10, the unlock drive shown in fig. 11 is performed again.

[ conduction failure site: drive mode between the second normally closed terminal NC2 and the second common terminal COM2 of the lock relay 193: unlocking drive ]

With reference to fig. 15, the unlocking operation when a conduction failure portion exists between the second normally closed terminal NC2 and the second common terminal COM2 of the lock relay 193 will be described. First, in step 1, control unit 196 turns OFF the power supply permission signal, the lock drive signal, and the unlock drive signal, and the output signal of on detection unit 194 goes low. Further, the detection state of the sensor at this time becomes the lock state.

In step 2, control unit 196 turns ON the power supply permission signal.

In step 3, the control unit 196 turns ON the unlock drive signal for a predetermined time, but the detection state of the sensor remains in the lock state and does not change. At this time, although the unlock drive signal is ON and the lock drive signal is OFF, the output signal of the conduction detection unit 194 is high, and therefore, it is determined that the lock relay 193 is in a conduction failure.

In step 4, since the detection state of the sensor remains in the lock state, it is determined that the unlock drive is not normally performed, and the control unit 196 turns OFF the unlock drive signal and stops the unlock drive. In this case, since the sensor state remains in the locked state, it is determined that the unlocking drive is not normally performed, and it is determined that the lock relay 193 is in the conduction failure state according to step 3. That is, as shown in fig. 16, since foreign matter is deposited on the contact point of the second normally closed terminal NC2 of the lock relay 193 and the contact point of the second normally closed terminal NC2 and the contact point of the second common terminal COM2 are not closed, it is determined that the electric current cannot be supplied to the electric motor 150 and the unlocking drive cannot be performed.

In step 6, it is determined that foreign matter is present between the contact point of the second normally closed terminal NC2 of the lock relay 193 and the contact point of the second common terminal COM2 based on the determination of the conduction failure state of the lock relay 193 in step 3 and the determination of the completion of the abnormality of the unlock drive in step 4, and relay switching control for removing the foreign matter is performed in steps 7 and 8.

In order to perform the relay switching control for removing the foreign matter described in step 6, first, in step 7, control unit 196 turns ON the power supply permission signal from the state of step 6. In step 8, the lock drive signal is switched from ON to OFF several times while the control unit 196 turns the unlock drive signal ON. That is, in step 8, the lock drive signal is turned OFF in a state where power is supplied from the power source to the unlock relay 192 and the lock relay 193 and the lock drive signal and the unlock drive signal are ON. At this time, since a potential difference between the contact point of the second normally closed terminal NC2 and the contact point of the second common terminal COM2 is large, an arc is generated and foreign substances are removed. In fig. 15, this operation is performed several times in order to reliably remove foreign matter. Further, as shown in step 8, when the foreign matter is removed by the relay switching control, the contact of the second normally closed terminal NC2 of the lock relay 193 and the contact of the second common terminal COM2 are closed, and thus the output signal of the conduction detector 194 becomes low level. Further, after step 10, the unlocking drive is performed again as shown in fig. 11.

< control of the entirety of electric steering lock device >

The control of the entire electric steering lock device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 17.

First, the control unit 196 determines whether or not a lock drive request signal is received from the upper ECU (step S101). When the control unit 196 receives the lock drive request signal from the upper ECU (yes in step S101), the operation proceeds to lock drive (step S102). The lock drive will be described in detail later.

On the other hand, when the control unit 196 does not receive the lock drive request signal from the upper ECU (no in step S101), it determines whether or not the unlock drive request signal is received from the upper ECU (step S103). When the control unit 196 receives the unlock drive request signal from the upper ECU (yes in step S103), the operation proceeds to the unlock drive (step S104). The unlocking drive will be described in detail later. If the control unit 196 does not receive the unlock drive request signal from the host ECU (no in step S103), the flow ends.

After moving to the lock drive or the unlock drive, the control unit 196 determines whether or not the lock relay switching control flag or the unlock relay switching control flag is present (step S105). If control unit 196 determines that the lock relay switching control flag or the unlock relay switching control flag is present (yes at step S105), the routine proceeds to relay switching control (step S106). On the other hand, if control unit 196 determines that the lock relay switching control flag or the unlock relay switching control flag is not present (no in step S105), the flow ends. The relay switching control will be described in detail later.

After the relay switching control is performed, control unit 196 determines whether or not the drive request signal from the upper ECU is the lock drive (step S107). If the control unit 196 determines that the drive request signal from the host ECU is the lock drive ("yes" in step S107), the operation proceeds to the lock drive (step S108). On the other hand, if the control unit 196 determines that the drive request signal from the upper ECU is not the lock drive ("no" in step S107), the operation proceeds to the unlock drive (step S109).

In addition, the above description has been given taking as an example the case where the relay switching control flag is set at the time of lock driving or unlock driving, the relay switching control is performed while being maintained in the original state, and lock driving or unlock driving is performed again.

< locking drive >

The lock drive will be described with reference to fig. 18 and 19.

The control unit 196 turns ON the power supply permission signal (step S201), and then turns ON the lock drive signal (step S202). Then, control unit 196 determines whether or not the output signal of on-state detecting unit 194 is a signal indicating an on-state (step S203). The relay fastening detection unit 199 performs the relay fastening detection before the control unit 196 turns ON the power supply permission signal, but the detailed description thereof is omitted.

When control unit 196 determines that the output signal of conduction detection unit 194 is a signal indicating the conduction state (yes in step S203), the lock relay abnormality flag is released (step S204). When control unit 196 determines that the output signal of conduction detecting unit 194 is not a signal indicating a conductive state (is a signal indicating a non-conductive state) (no in step S203), a lock relay abnormality flag is set (step S205).

Next, the control unit 196 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after the lock drive signal is turned ON (step S206), and if it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (no in step S206), it determines whether or not the detection states of the lock sensor 161 and the unlock sensor 162 have become the lock state (step S207). At this time, when control unit 196 determines that the locked state has not been achieved (no in step S207), the process returns to step S203.

On the other hand, when the control unit 196 determines that the lock state is achieved (yes in step S207), it determines that the lock drive is normally completed (step S208), releases the unlock relay switching control flag (step S209), and then releases the lock relay switching control flag (step S210).

Then, the control unit 196 turns OFF the lock drive signal (step S211), turns OFF the power supply permission signal (step S212), and returns to the main routine.

When the control unit 196 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed after the lock drive signal is turned ON (yes in step S206), it determines that the lock drive is abnormally terminated (step S213), and then determines whether or not the lock relay abnormality flag is present (step S214). When the lock relay abnormality flag is present (yes in step S214), the control unit 196 sets the lock relay switching control flag (step S215), turns OFF the lock drive signal (step S211), turns OFF the power supply permission signal (step S212), and returns to the main routine.

On the other hand, when the lock relay abnormality flag is not set (no in step S214), the control unit 196 sets the unlock relay switching control flag (step S216), turns OFF the lock drive signal (step S211), turns OFF the power supply permission signal (step S212), and returns to the main routine.

< unlocking drive >

The unlocking drive is described with reference to fig. 20 and 21.

The control unit 196 turns ON the power supply permission signal (step S301), and then turns ON the unlock drive signal (step S302). Then, control unit 196 determines whether or not the output signal of conduction detecting unit 194 is a signal indicating the conduction state (step S303). The relay fastening detection unit 199 performs relay fastening detection before the control unit 196 turns ON the power supply permission signal, but detailed description thereof is omitted.

If control unit 196 determines that the output signal of conduction detection unit 194 is a signal indicating the conduction state (yes in step S303), the lock relay abnormality flag is released (step S304). If control unit 196 determines that the output signal of conduction detecting unit 194 is not a signal indicating a conductive state (i.e., a signal indicating a non-conductive state) (no in step S303), it sets a lock relay abnormality flag (step S305).

Next, the control unit 196 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after the unlock drive signal is turned ON (step S306), and if it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (no in step S306), it determines whether or not the detection states of the lock sensor 161 and the unlock sensor 162 have become the unlock state (step S307). At this time, when the control unit 196 determines that the unlock state is not established (no in step S307), the process returns to step S303.

On the other hand, when the control unit 196 determines that the unlock state is achieved (yes in step S307), it determines that the unlock drive is normally completed (step S308), releases the unlock relay switching control flag (step S309), and then releases the lock relay switching control flag (step S310).

Then, the control unit 196 turns OFF the unlock drive signal (step S311), turns OFF the power supply permission signal (step S312), and returns to the main routine.

When the control unit 196 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed after the unlock drive signal is turned ON (yes in step S306), it determines that the unlock drive is abnormally terminated (step S313), and then determines whether or not the lock relay abnormality flag is present (step S314). When the lock relay abnormality flag is set (yes in step S314), the control unit 196 sets the lock relay switching control flag (step S315), turns OFF the unlock drive signal (step S311), turns OFF the power supply permission signal (step S312), and returns to the main routine.

On the other hand, if the lock relay abnormality flag is not set (no in step S314), the control unit 196 sets the unlock relay switching control flag (step S316), turns the unlock drive signal OFF (step S311), turns the power supply permission signal OFF (step S312), and returns to the main routine.

< Relay switching control >

The relay switching control will be described with reference to fig. 22 and 23.

The control unit 196 determines whether or not the lock relay switching control flag is present (step S401). When the lock relay switching control flag is set (yes in step S401), the control unit 196 turns ON the power supply permission signal (step S402), and then determines whether or not the drive request signal from the upper ECU is the lock drive (step S403).

When the control unit 196 determines that the drive request signal from the upper ECU is the lock drive ("yes" in step S403), the control unit executes control of the lock drive signal ON and the lock drive signal OFF a predetermined number of times (step S404) as shown in step 8 in fig. 7, turns OFF the power supply permission signal (step S405) as shown in step 10 in fig. 7, and returns to the main routine.

ON the other hand, when the control unit 196 determines that the drive request signal from the upper ECU is not the lock drive ("no" in step S403), the unlock drive signal is turned ON (step S406) as shown in step S8 of fig. 15, and after the control of the lock drive signal ON and the lock drive signal OFF is performed a predetermined number of times (step S407), the unlock drive signal is turned OFF (step S408) and the power supply permission signal is turned OFF (step S405) as shown in step S9 of fig. 15, the routine returns to the main routine.

In step S401, if the control unit 196 determines that the lock relay switching control flag is not present (no in step S401), it determines whether the unlock relay switching control flag is present (step S409). If control unit 196 determines that the unlock relay switching control flag is not present (no in step S409), the routine returns.

ON the other hand, when the control unit 196 determines that the unlock relay switching control flag is set (yes in step S409), the power supply permission signal is turned ON (step S410), and then it is determined whether or not the drive request signal from the upper ECU is the unlock drive (step S411).

If the control unit 196 determines in step S411 that the drive request signal from the upper ECU is the unlock drive ("yes" in step S411), the control unit executes control of the unlock drive signal ON and the unlock drive signal OFF a predetermined number of times (step S412) as shown in step 8 in fig. 13, turns OFF the power supply permission signal (step S413) as shown in step 10 in fig. 13, and returns to the main routine.

ON the other hand, when the control unit 196 determines that the drive request signal from the upper ECU is not the unlock drive ("no" in step S411), the lock drive signal is turned ON (step S414) as shown in step S8 of fig. 9, and after the control of the unlock drive signal ON and the unlock drive signal OFF is performed a predetermined number of times (step S415), the lock drive signal is turned OFF (step S416) and the power supply permission signal is turned OFF (step S413) as shown in step S9 of fig. 9, the routine returns to the main routine.

< modification example >

In the above-described embodiment, the conduction detector 194 monitors the second common terminal COM2 of the lock relay 193 and detects the conduction state of the terminal contact of the unlock relay 192 or the lock relay 193, but as shown in fig. 24, the conduction detector 194 may monitor the first common terminal COM1 of the unlock relay 192 and detect the conduction state of the terminal contact of the unlock relay 192 or the lock relay 193.

< action and Effect of the present embodiment >

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the execution determination unit 197 determines whether the lock drive or the unlock drive is normally executed based on the detection state of the position detection unit at the time of the lock drive or the unlock drive, the conduction detection unit 194 is connected to either the first relay or the second relay and detects the conduction state of one relay, the conduction failure determination unit 198 determines that the conduction failure occurs in one relay connected to the conduction detection unit 194 when the execution determination unit 197 determines that the lock drive or the unlock drive is not normally executed and determines that the conduction failure occurs in the other relay not connected to the conduction detection unit 194 when the signal indicating the non-conduction state output from the conduction detection unit 194 is detected, and determines that the conduction failure occurs in the other relay not connected to the conduction detection unit 194 when the signal indicating the conduction state output from the conduction detection unit 194 is detected, thereby enabling the relay having the conduction failure to be specified with a simple and inexpensive configuration, without generating unnecessary relay operation sound.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the first relay includes: a first common terminal COM1 connected to one end of the electric motor 150; a first normally open terminal NO1 connected to a power supply and connected to the first common terminal COM1 when the electric motor 150 is driven to unlock; a first normally closed terminal NC1 connected to ground, the second relay including: a second common terminal COM2 connected to the other end of the electric motor 150; a second normally open terminal NO2 connected to the power supply and to the second common terminal COM2 when the electric motor 150 is driven to be locked; the second normally closed terminal NC2 grounded and the conduction detector 194 are connected to the second common terminal COM 2. When the execution determination unit 197 determines that the lock-up drive is not normally executed during the lock-up drive, the conduction failure determination unit 198 determines that there is an abnormality in the contact of the second normally-open terminal NO2 when the conduction detection unit 194 detects the signal indicating the non-conduction state, and determines that there is an abnormality in the contact of the first normally-closed terminal NC1 when the conduction detection unit 194 detects the signal indicating the conduction state. On the other hand, when the execution determination unit 197 determines that the unlocking drive is not normally executed during the unlocking drive, the conduction failure determination unit 198 determines that there is an abnormality in the contact of the second normally closed terminal NC2 when the conduction detection unit 194 detects the signal indicating the non-conduction state, and determines that there is an abnormality in the contact of the first normally open terminal NO1 when the conduction detection unit 194 detects the signal indicating the conduction state. Therefore, it is possible to determine which relay is in a poor conduction state and determine which contact of the relay has a foreign object, depending on which of the lock drive and the unlock drive is performed.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the first relay includes: a first common terminal COM1 connected to one end of the electric motor 150; a first normally open terminal NO1 connected to a power supply and connected to the first common terminal COM1 when the electric motor 150 is driven to unlock; a first normally closed terminal NC1 connected to ground, the second relay including: a second common terminal COM2 connected to the other end of the electric motor 150; a second normally open terminal NO2 connected to the power supply and to the second common terminal COM2 when the electric motor 150 is driven to be locked; the second normally closed terminal NC2 grounded and the conduction detector 194 are connected to the first common terminal COM 1. When the execution determination unit 197 determines that the lock driving is not normally executed during the lock driving, the conduction failure determination unit 198 determines that there is an abnormality in the contact of the first normally closed terminal NC1 when the conduction detection unit 194 detects the signal indicating the non-conduction state, and determines that there is an abnormality in the contact of the second normally open terminal NO2 when the conduction detection unit 194 detects the signal indicating the conduction state. On the other hand, when the execution determination unit 197 determines that the unlocking drive is not normally executed during the unlocking drive, the conduction failure determination unit 198 determines that there is an abnormality in the contact of the first normally-open terminal NO1 when the conduction detection unit 194 detects the signal indicating the non-conduction state, and determines that there is an abnormality in the contact of the second normally-closed terminal NC2 when the conduction detection unit 194 detects the signal indicating the conduction state. Therefore, it is possible to determine which relay is in a poor conduction state and determine which contact of the relay has a foreign object, depending on which of the lock drive and the unlock drive is performed.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 196 performs control for switching the contact of the first relay or the second relay determined to have a conduction failure by the conduction failure determination unit 198 at least once. Therefore, foreign matter deposited on the contact can be removed by a simple method, and the conduction failure state can be eliminated.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the power supply switching unit 195 that switches the power supply from the power supply to the first relay or the second relay is provided, and the control unit 196 performs control of switching at least the contact of the first relay or the second relay so that the contact of the first relay or the second relay determined to have the conduction failure by the conduction failure determination unit 198 is arc-generated in a state where the power supply switching unit 195 is switched to supply the power from the power supply to the first relay or the second relay. Therefore, foreign matter deposited on the contact can be removed by a simple method, and the conduction failure state can be eliminated.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electric steering lock device characterized by comprising:

a lock member that engages with a steering shaft of a vehicle;

an electric motor that performs lock driving for moving the lock member to a lock position where the lock member is engaged with the steering shaft and unlock driving for moving the lock member to an unlock position where the lock member is not engaged with the steering shaft;

a first relay and a second relay that switch and block the polarity of a current supplied from a power supply to the electric motor to cause the electric motor to perform the lock drive or the unlock drive;

a control unit that controls the first relay and the second relay;

a position detection unit that detects a position of the lock member;

an execution determination unit that determines whether the lock drive or the unlock drive is normally executed, based on a detection state of the position detection unit, when the lock drive or the unlock drive is executed;

a conduction detection unit connected to either the first relay or the second relay and detecting a conduction state of the relay;

and a conduction failure determination unit configured to determine that a conduction failure occurs in the one relay connected to the conduction detection unit when the execution determination unit determines that the lock drive or the unlock drive is not normally executed, and to determine that a conduction failure occurs in the other relay not connected to the conduction detection unit when the signal indicating the non-conduction state output from the conduction detection unit is detected.

2. The electric steering lock device according to claim 1,

the first relay includes:

a first common terminal connected to one end of the electric motor;

a first normally open terminal connected to the power supply and connected to the first common terminal when the electric motor is driven to unlock; and

a first normally-closed terminal that is connected to ground,

the second relay includes:

a second common terminal connected to the other end of the electric motor;

a second normally open terminal connected to the power supply and connected to the second common terminal when the electric motor is driven to be locked; and

a second normally-closed terminal that is connected to ground,

the conduction detector is connected to the second common terminal.

3. The electric steering lock device according to claim 2,

in the lock-up driving, when the execution determination unit determines that the lock-up driving is not normally executed,

the conduction failure determination unit determines that the contact of the second normally-open terminal is abnormal when the conduction detection unit detects the signal indicating the non-conduction state, and determines that the contact of the first normally-closed terminal is abnormal when the conduction detection unit detects the signal indicating the conduction state.

4. The electric steering lock device according to claim 2,

when the execution determination unit determines that the unlock drive is not normally executed during the unlock drive,

the conduction failure determination unit determines that the contact of the second normally closed terminal is abnormal when the conduction detection unit detects the signal indicating the non-conduction state, and determines that the contact of the first normally open terminal is abnormal when the conduction detection unit detects the signal indicating the conduction state.

5. The electric steering lock device according to claim 1,

the first relay includes:

a first common terminal connected to one end of the electric motor;

a first normally-closed terminal that is connected to ground,

the second relay includes:

a second common terminal connected to the other end of the electric motor;

a second normally-closed terminal that is connected to ground,

the conduction detection unit is connected to the first common terminal.

6. The electric steering lock device according to claim 5,

the conduction failure determination unit determines that the contact of the first normally closed terminal is abnormal when the conduction detection unit detects the signal indicating the non-conduction state, and determines that the contact of the second normally open terminal is abnormal when the conduction detection unit detects the signal indicating the conduction state.

7. The electric steering lock device according to claim 5,

the conduction failure determination unit determines that the contact of the first normally-open terminal is abnormal when the conduction detection unit detects the signal indicating the non-conduction state, and determines that the contact of the second normally-closed terminal is abnormal when the conduction detection unit detects the signal indicating the conduction state.

8. The electric steering lock device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control unit performs control of switching the contact of the first relay or the second relay determined to have a conduction failure by the conduction failure determination unit at least once by switching ON and OFF of a lock drive signal and an unlock drive signal.

9. The electric steering lock device according to claim 8,

further comprises a power supply switching unit for switching power supply from the power supply to the first relay and the second relay,

the control unit performs control of switching at least a contact of the first relay or the second relay so that an arc is generated at the contact of the first relay or the second relay determined to have a conduction failure by the conduction failure determination unit in a state where the power supply switching unit is switched to supply power from the power supply to the first relay and the second relay.