GB2481680A - Electric steering lock device - Google Patents
Electric steering lock device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2481680A GB2481680A GB1110267.0A GB201110267A GB2481680A GB 2481680 A GB2481680 A GB 2481680A GB 201110267 A GB201110267 A GB 201110267A GB 2481680 A GB2481680 A GB 2481680A
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- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- cover
- lock
- locking protrusion
- engagement
- case
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
- B60R25/01—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens
- B60R25/02—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens operating on the steering mechanism
- B60R25/021—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens operating on the steering mechanism restraining movement of the steering column or steering wheel hub, e.g. restraining means controlled by ignition switch
- B60R25/0215—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens operating on the steering mechanism restraining movement of the steering column or steering wheel hub, e.g. restraining means controlled by ignition switch using electric means, e.g. electric motors or solenoids
- B60R25/02153—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens operating on the steering mechanism restraining movement of the steering column or steering wheel hub, e.g. restraining means controlled by ignition switch using electric means, e.g. electric motors or solenoids comprising a locking member radially and linearly moved towards the steering column
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
- B60R25/01—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens
- B60R25/02—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens operating on the steering mechanism
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
Abstract
The device includes a first cover (5) and a second cover (6) that close respectively a first opening (2A) and a second opening (2B) in a case, a lock bolt (10) housed in the case, a lock bolt stopper (18), a spring (19) that biases the lock bolt stopper (18) towards engagement with the bolt, a first locking protrusion (23) and a second locking protrusion (25) that are provided on the first cover (5) and the second cover (6) respectively, and a holding pin (24) that engages with the lock bolt stopper (18) to hold it in a non-engagement position while the first cover (5) and the second cover (6) are each attached to the case (2). The holding pin (24) is arranged to be moved together with one of the first locking protrusion (23) and the second locking protrusion (25) to release the engagement with the lock bolt stopper (18) when a corresponding one of the first cover (5) and the second cover (6) is removed. The holding pin (24) is held by the first locking protrusion (23) against axial movement but not against movement in the direction of second cover (6) removal; the holding pin (24) and first locking protrusion (23) can be integral.
Description
ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK DEVICE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electric steering lock device for electrically locking the turning of a steering wheel while a vehicle is parked.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, for the purpose of preventing theft, some vehicles are equipped with an electric steering lock device for locking the turning of the steering wheel while they are parked. This electric steering lock device is formed of: a lock bolt movable between a lock position at which the lock bolt engages with the vehicle's steering shaft and an unlock position at which the engagement therewith is released; an electric actuator, such as an electric motor, for moving the lock bolt; a circuit board for controlling the drive of the electric actuator; and the like, all of which are housed in a case. An opening is formed in the case for installing components therein. After installing those components in the case through the opening, the opening is closed by a cover so that the lock bolt cannot be unauthorizedly manipulated from the outside.
The above electric steering lock device is configured as below. As the driver turns off an engine start switch while the engine is running, the device detects it and drives the electric actuator. The electric actuator in turn moves the lock bolt to the lock position to make the lock bolt engage with the steering shaft, thereby locking the turning of the steering wheel.
Moreover, as the driver turns on the engine start switch while the engine is stopped, the device detects it and drives the electric actuator. The electric actuator in turn moves the lock bolt to the unlock position to release the engagement between the lock bolt and the steering shaft, thereby unlocking the steering wheel and enabling steering operations.
Meanwhile, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-046096 has proposed a configuration to prevent unauthorized unlocking conducted with the breaking of the cover covering the opening in the case. In this configuration, an auxiliary lock mechanism is provided that engages with the lock bolt and holds the lock bolt at the lock position when the cover is broken and removed forcedly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
However, the configuration proposed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-046096 is not applicable to an electric steering lock device that employs a configuration in which multiple openings are formed in the case and closed respectively by covers in view of the arrangement space for the components, and the like. The auxiliary lock mechanism will not operate when a cover with no auxiliary lock mechanism is broken and removed. Hence, there is a possibility that the electric steering lock device is unauthorizedly unlocked.
Then, it may be conceivable to provide the auxiliary lock mechanism to every single cover. In this case, however, the auxiliary lock mechanisms are needed as many as the covers, thus increasing the number of components.
It is also necessary to secure spaces to arrange the respective auxiliary lock mechanisms around the lock bolt. Hence, there arises a problem of increasing the size of the electric steering lock device.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an electric steering lock device capable of securely preventing unauthorized unlocking without causing increase in number of components and size.
A first aspect of the present invention provides an electric steering lock device including: a case that has a first opening and a second opening formed therein through which a component is installed into the case; a first cover and a second cover that close the first opening and the second opening in the case, respectively; a lock bolt that is housed in the case and is movable between a lock position at which the lock bolt engages with a steering shaft of a vehicle and an unlock position at which the engagement therewith is released; a drive mechanism that is housed in the case and moves the lock bolt; a lock stopper that is movable between an engagement position at which the lock stopper engages with the lock bolt at the lock position and a non-engagement position at which the engagement therewith is released; biasing means for biasing the lock stopper toward the engagement position; a first locking protrusion and a second locking protrusion that are provided to the first cover and the second cover, respectively; and a holding pin that engages with the lock stopper to hold the lock stopper at the non-engagement position while the first cover and the second cover are attached to the case, and is moved together with any one of the first locking protrusion and the second locking protrusion provided to the first cover and the second cover to release the engagement with the lock stopper when a corresponding one of the first cover and the second cover is removed from the case.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, the holding pin is so held by the first locking protrusion as to be immovable in an axial direction thereof but movable or droppable in a direction to remove the second cover.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the second aspect, an insertion portion through which the holding pin is inserted and an engagement claw which engages with a side portion of the holding pin inserted through the insertion portion are formed in the second locking protrusion.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, the holding pin is formed integrally with the first locking protrusion, and a part of the holding pin is cut away to form a thin plate portion therein.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, the holding pin is formed integrally with the first locking protrusion, and the first locking protrusion is so held on the first cover as to be immovable in a direction to remove the first cover but movable in a direction to remove the second cover.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when either the first cover or the second cover is removed, the holding pin is moved along with the removing action and releases its engagement with the lock stopper.
Then, the lock stopper, which has been held at the non-engagement position to be not in engagement with the lock bolt at the lock position, is moved by the biasing means and brought into engagement with the lock bolt. As a result, the lock bolt is fixed at the lock position, thereby locking the turning of the steering wheel. Accordingly, theft of the vehicle can be securely prevented. In addition, in the present invention, since the first cover and the second cover share the lock stopper and the biasing means, the number of components can be reduced and the arrangement space around the lock bolt can be made small as well, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of the electric steering lock device.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the holding pin is held by the first locking protrusion provided to the first cover.
Accordingly, the holding pin can be easily mounted in the case by simply attaching the first cover to the case.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the insertion portion through which the holding pin is inserted is formed on the second locking protrusion. Thus, after attaching the second cover to the case, the first cover may be mounted linearly to the case such that the first locking protrusion penetrates through the insertion portion of the second locking protrusion provided to the second cover. Accordingly, the mountability can be improved.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the holding pin is formed integrally with the first locking protrusion. Accordingly, the number of components can be further reduced. In addition, a part of the holding pin is cut away to form a thin plate portion therein. Thus, when the first cover is removed from the case, the holding pin is moved together with the first locking protrusion provided to the first cover, thereby releasing its engagement with the lock stopper. When the second cover is removed from the case, the holding pin inserted through the insertion portion of the second locking protrusion provided to the second cover breaks at the thin plate portion and drops, thereby releasing the engagement between the holding pin and the lock stopper. As the engagement between the holding pin and the lock stopper is released as described above when either the first cover or the second cover is removed from the case, the lock stopper, which has been held at the non-engagement position to be not in engagement with the lock bolt 10, is moved by the biasing force of the biasing means and brought into engagement with the lock bolt. As a result, the lock bolt is fixed at the lock position, thereby locking the turning of the steering wheel.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the holding pin and the first locking protrusion are formed integrally with each other.
Accordingly, the number of components can be further reduced. In addition, the first locking protrusion is so held on the first cover as to be immovable in a direction to remove the first cover but movable in a direction to remove the second cover. Thus, when the first cover is removed from the case, the holding pin is moved together with the first locking protrusion provided to the first cover, thereby releasing its engagement with the lock stopper.
When the second cover is removed from the case, the holding pin inserted through the insertion portion of the second locking protrusion provided to the second cover moves in the direction to remove the second cover 6, thereby releasing the engagement with the lock stopper 18. As the engagement between the holding pin and the lock stopper is released as described above when either the first cover or the second cover is removed from the case, the lock stopper, which has been held at the non-engagement position to be not in engagement with the lock bolt 10, is moved by the biasing force of the biasing means and brought into engagement with the lock bolt. As a result, the lock bolt is fixed at the lock position, thereby locking the turning of the steering wheel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWiNGS
[Fig. ii Fig. 1 is a plan cross sectional view of a principal part of an electric steering lock device of the present invention.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the electric steering lock device of the present invention viewed from obliquely below.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the electric steering lock device of the present invention.
[Fig. 41 Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of part A in Fig. 3.
[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a holding pin of the electric steering lock device of the present invention.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a partial perspective view of a first locking protrusion to which the holding pin of the electric steering lock device of the present invention is attached.
[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the principal part of the electric steering lock device of the present invention showing a lock state thereof.
[Fig. 81 Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the principal part of the electric steering lock device of the present invention showing a state where a first cover is removed.
[Fig. 91 Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the principal part of the electric steering lock device of the present invention showing a state where a second cover is removed.
[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a partial perspective view of a leading end portion of the first locking protrusion showing a first modification of the present invention.
[Fig. iii Fig. 11 is a partial perspective view of a leading end portion of the first locking protrusion showing a second modification of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Hereinbelow, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a plan cross sectional view of a principal part of an electric steering lock device of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the electric steering lock device of the present invention viewed from obliquely below; Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the electric steering lock device of the present invention; Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of part A in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a holding pin of the electric steering lock device of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a partial perspective view of a first locking protrusion to which the holding pin of the electric steering lock device of the present invention is attached; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the principal part of the electric steering lock device of the present invention showing a lock state thereof Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the principal part of the electric steering lock device of the present invention showing a state where a first cover is removed; and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the principal part of the electric steering lock device of the present invention showing a state where a second cover is removed.
An electric steering lock device 1 of the present invention is configured to electrically lock and unlock the turning of an unillustrated steering shaft (steering wheel) of a vehicle and has a case 2 in a substantially rectangular box shape. In a side surface and a bottom surface of the case 2, there are formed a first opening 2A and a second opening 2B, respectively, through which various components are installed into the case 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the first opening 2A and the second opening 2B are closed by a first cover 5 and a second cover 6, respectively, which are detachably attached to the case 2 with multiple screws 3 and 4.
As shown in Fig. 3, in an upper portion of the case 2, a recessed portion 2a is formed which is a semicircular hole to insert the unillustrated steering shaft. The electric steering lock device 1 is fixed to an unillustrated steering column around the steering shaft in such a manner as to surround the steering column by an unillustrated fastening member fastened with unillustrated bolts screwed into screw holes 7 formed in an upper surface of the case 2. As the driver turns the steering wheel, the turning action is transmitted to an unillustrated steering gearbox via the steering shaft, which in turn drives an unillustrated steering mechanism and steers the paired right and left front wheels.
Meanwhile, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the case 2 houses a lock member 8. This lock member 8 is formed of: a substantially cylindrical cam member 9 having a helical groove 9a formed on an outer circumference of one end portion thereof; and a plate-shaped lock bolt 10 housed movably inside the cam member 9. Here, a circular hole lOa is formed through one end portion of the lock bolt 10, and the lock bolt 10 is coupled to the cam member 9 by a fixing pin 11 inserted through the circular hole lOa. Here, the inside diameter of the circular hole lOa in the lock bolt 10 is set larger than the outside diameter of the fixing pin 11, so that the lock bolt 10 is movable relative to the cam member 9 within a range in which the fixing pin 11 is movable inside the circular hole lOa. Moreover, as shown in Fig. 3, rib-shaped rotation preventing portions 9b are formed on the other end portion of the cam member 9 at mutually opposing positions, respectively.
The rotation of the cam member 9 is prevented as the rotation preventing portions 9b engage with unilustrated engagement grooves formed in the case 2.
The lock bolt 10 is slidably fitted in an elongated, rectangular insertion hole 2b (see Fig. 1) formed in the recessed portion 2a of the case 2, and has an engagement recessed portion lOb formed in a side portion at the middle in the longitudinal direction thereof. A spring 12 is mounted in a compressed state between the lock bolt 10 and a columnar spring rest 5a projecting from a center portion of the first cover 5. By the spring 12, the lock bolt 10 is constantly biased in a direction toward a lock position (toward the left in Fig. i).
Moreover, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, a cylindrical gear member 13 is housed rotatably in the case 2, and an outer circumference of one end portion of the gear member 13 is rotatably held by a cylindrical gear holding portion 5b standing integrally on an inner surface of the first cover 5. A worm gear portion 13a is formed on an outer circumference of the one end portion of the gear member 13 while two lines of steel ball housing grooves 13b are formed in an inner circumference of the one end portion. The steel ball housing grooves 13b in the gear member 13 house steel balls 14, respectively. These steel balls 14 engage with the helical groove 9a formed in the outer circumference of the cam member 9.
The cam member 9 is inserted in the gear member 13. The steel balls 14 are interposed between the helical groove 9a formed in the outer circumference of the cam member 9 and the steel ball housing grooves 13b formed in the inner circumference of the gear member 13. The gear member 13 is so supported as to be axially immovable but rotatable, whereas the cam member 9 is so supported as to be unrotatable but axially movable.
An electric motor (see Fig. 3) 15 as an electric actuator is housed sideways in the case 2. A small-diameter worm 16 is formed around an output shaft 15a of the electric motor 15 and meshes with the worm gear portion 13a formed on the outer circumference of the gear member 13. Here, the worm 16 and the worm gear portion 13a of the gear member 13 constitute a drive mechanism to convert the rotational force of the output shaft iSa of the electric motor 15 into a force that advances or retreats the lock member 8.
In the meanwhile, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, an auxiliary lock cover 17 is provided to a side portion in the case 2. A lock stopper 18 is housed and held in this auxiliary lock cover 17 movably in the right/left direction (a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the lock member 8). On a leading end portion of this lock stopper 18, an engagement protrusion 18a is formed which selectively engages with the engagement recessed portion lOb formed in the outer circumference of the lock bolt 10. On a rear end portion of the lock stopper 18, a stopper portion 18b is formed which projects laterally (a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the lock stopper 18). In addition, by a spring 19 as biasing means mounted in a compressed state between the lock stopper 18 and the auxiliary lock cover 17, the lock stopper 18 is biased toward its engagement position (biased in a direction in which the engagement protrusion 18a will engage with the engagement recessed portion lOb of the lock bolt 10 (downward in Fig. 1)).
Moreover, as shown in Fig. 3, a printed board 20 having a rectangular plate shape and used for conducting electric current to and controlling the electric motor 15 is installed through the second opening 2B and housed in a lower portion of the case 2. A motor connection terminal 21, a connector 22, and the like are mounted on the printed board 20.
Meanwhile, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, a shaft-shaped first locking protrusion 23 is standing upright (horizontally in Figs. 1 and 3) on the inner surface of the first cover 5 that closes the first opening 2A in the case 2, and a leading end portion of this first locking protrusion 23 holds a holding pin 24 being a separate member. As shown in Fig. 5, this holding pin 24 is formed of a cylindrical attachment portion 24a and a shaft portion 24b extending from the attachment portion 24a at a right angle to the axis thereof. As shown in Fig. 6, the attachment portion 24a and the shaft portion 24b are attached to a leading end portion of the first locking protrusion 23 by being fitted in an attachment recessed portion 23a formed in the leading end portion of the first locking protrusion 23. Here, the attachment recessed portion 23a formed in a side of the leading end portion of the first locking protrusion 23 is a substantially inverted T-shaped recessed portion opening downward (in the direction to remove the second cover 6), and the opening is provided in a continuous fashion to the vicinity of the center of the leading end surface of the first locking protrusion 23. The shaft portion 24b of the holding pin 24, which is held at the leading end portion of the first locking protrusion 23 as a result of fitting the attachment portion 24a and the shaft portion 24b into the attachment recessed portion 23a, projects from the leading end of the first locking protrusion 23 coaxially.
The holding pin 24 is held so as to be axially immovable from the first locking protrusion 23 (axially movable together with the first locking protrusion 23) and droppable downward from the first locking protrusion 23 (in the direction to remove the second cover 6). Note that the holding pin 24 is prevented from dropping from the attachment recessed portion 23a of the first locking protrusion 23 by causing a locking claw 23b formed on the first locking protrusion 23 to engage with the attachment portion 24a of the holding pin 24.
As shown in Fig. 1, in a state where the first cover 5 is attached to the case 2 to close the first opening 2A, the first locking protrusion 23 provided to the first cover 5 lies horizontally inside the case 2. Moreover, the shaft portion 24b of the holding pin 24 held at the leading end portion of the first locking protrusion 23 is in engagement with the stopper portion 18b of the lock stopper 18 to thereby hold the lock stopper 18 at its non-engagement position (a position at which the engagement protrusion 18a of the lock stopper 18 is not in engagement with the engagement recessed portion lOb of the lock bolt 10). As described, the lock stopper 18 is held at the non-engagement position in the state where the first cover 5 is attached, so that the movement of the lock member 8 (lock bolt 10) will not be interfered by the lock stopper 18 and that lock/unlock operations to be described later can be performed smoothly.
In addition, as shown in Fig. 3, a shaft-shaped second locking protrusion 25 is standing upright (vertically in Fig. 3) on the inner surface of the second cover 6 that closes the second opening 2B in the case 2, an insertion portion 25a through which the holding pin 24 is inserted and an engagement claw 25b which engages with a side portion of the holding pin 24 inserted through the insertion portion 25a are formed on a leading end portion of the second locking protrusion 25, as shown in detail in Fig. 4.
In a state where the first and second covers 5 and 6 are attached to the case 2 as shown in Fig. 2 to close the first and second openings 2A and 2B, respectively, the pin 24 held at the leading end portion of the first locking protrusion 23 provided to the first cover 5 is in engagement with the stopper portion 18b of the lock stopper 18 and thus holds the lock stopper 18 in the non-engagement position as described above, and the holding pin 24 is inserted through the insertion portion 25a formed in the leading end portion of the second locking protrusion 25 provided to the second cover 6, as shown in Fig. 7.
Now, description will be given of assembly procedures for the electric steering lock device 1 having the above configuration. First, the printed board 20 is installed in the case 2 through the second opening 2B in the case 2, and the second cover 6 is attached to the case 2 with the multiple screws 4 to close the second opening 2B.
Thereafter, the gear member 13, the lock member 8 (the cam member 9 and the lock bolt 10), the steel balls 14, the spring 12, and the electric motor 15 are installed through the first opening 2A in the case 2, and then the first cover 5 is attached to the case 2 with the multiple screws 3 to close the first opening 2A. By attaching the first cover 5 to the case 2 after attaching the second cover 6 to the case 2 as described, the holding pin 24 held at the leading end portion of the first locking protrusion 23 provided to the first cover 5 is inserted through the insertion portion 25a formed in the leading end portion of the second locking protrusion 25. This allows the first cover 5 to be mounted linearly to the case 2 and thus improves the mountability. Lastly, the spring 19 and the lock stopper 18 are housed into the auxiliary lock cover 17, and the auxiliary lock cover 17 is mounted to the case 2 from a lateral side thereof toward the lock bolt 10 such that the engagement protrusion 18a of the lock stopper 18 would engage with the holding pin 24 held by the first locking protrusion 23. As a result, the lock stopper 18 is mounted in the state of being held at the non-engagement position at which the lock stopper 18 is against the biasing force of the spring 19 and not in engagement with the lock bolt 10.
Next, description will be given of operations (lock/unlock operations) of the electric steering lock device 1.
As shown in Fig. 1, while the unillustrated engine is stopped, a leading end portion of the lock bolt 10 of the lock member 8 projects to the inside of the recessed portion 2a from the insertion hole 2b in the case 2.
The leading end portion therefore engages with the unillustrated steering shaft and locks the turning of the steering shaft. Thus, in this steering lock state, the unillustrated steering wheel cannot be turned, and theft of the vehicle is prevented. Note that in the steering lock state where the lock bolt is at the lock position, a gap 6 is formed between the circular hole lOa formed in the lock bolt 10 and the fixing pin 11 as illustrated in Fig. 1.
As the driver turns on the engine start switch from the above state, an unillustrated ECU detects it and transmits an unlock signal to the electric steering lock device 1. Then, power is supplied to the electric motor to actuate the electric motor 15, and the output shaft 15a thereof is rotated forward.
While the electric motor 15 is actuated and the output shaft 15a is rotated forward as described above, the rotation is reduced and the direction thereof is shifted by 90 degrees by the worm 16 and the worm gear portion 13a of the gear member 13. The resultant rotation is transmitted to the gear member 13 and rotates the gear member 13. As a result, the steel balls 14 housed in the steel ball housing grooves 13b formed in the inner circumference of the gear member 13 circle together with the gear member 13. As the steel balls 14 circle as described, the lock bolt 10 (lock member 8) and the cam member 9 with the steel balls 13 engaging with the helical groove 9a which is formed in the cam member 9 move toward the right in Fig. 1 against the biasing force of the spring 12.
As the lock bolt 10 moves toward the right in Fig. 1 as described above and reaches the unlock position, the leading end portion of the lock bolt 10 escapes to the inside of the insertion hole 2b in the case 2. This in turn releases the engagement between the lock bolt 10 and the steering shaft, releases the lock on the steering shaft, and thereby achieves an unlock state.
The electric motor 15 stops after the elapse of a time preset by a timer. As a result, the driver can turn the steering wheel.
As the vehicle stops and the driver turns off the engine start switch to kill the engine, the ECU detects it and transmits a lock signal to the electric steering lock device 1. Then, power is supplied to the electric motor of the electric steering lock device 1 to actuate the electric motor 15, and its output shaft 15a is rotated backward.
As the output shaft 15a of the electric motor 15 is rotated backward as described above, the rotation is transmitted to the gear member 13 via the worm 16 and the worm gear portion 13a and rotates the gear member 13 backward, whereby the cam member 9 moves to the left in Fig. 1. Here, the lock bolt 10 is biased toward the left by the spring 12, so that the circular hole lOa in the lock bolt 10 maintains its engagement with the fixing pin 11.
Thus, the cam member 9 and the lock bolt 10 move together. Thereafter, as the lock bolt 10 reaches the lock position shown in Fig. 1, the leading end portion of the lock bolt 10 comes to engage with the steering shaft, thereby achieving the lock state where the turning of the steering shaft is locked.
Accordingly, theft of the vehicle while it is parked is prevented. Note that even when the lock bolt 10 cannot engage well with the steering shaft, the lock bolt 10 is movable against the biasing force of the spring 12 within a range (gap shown in Fig. i) within which the fixing pin 11 can be relatively moved inside the circular hole lOa formed in the lock bolt 10. Hence, the lock bolt 10 will not be subjected to an excessively large load.
Once the lock bolt 10 is brought into the lock state, the electric motor stops after the elapse of a time preset by the timer.
Now, suppose a case where somebody removes the first cover 5 from the case 2 as shown in Fig. S for the purpose of stealing while the lock bolt 10 is at the lock position and the lock stopper 18 is at the non-engagement position at which the lock stopper 18 is not in engagement with the engagement recessed portion lOb of the lock bolt 10 (steering lock state) as shown in Fig. 1. In this case, the first locking protrusion 23 provided to the first cover 5 and the holding pin 24 held at the leading end portion of the first locking protrusion 23 are moved together in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 8, thereby releasing the engagement between the holding pin 24 and the stopper portion 18b of the lock stopper 18. Then, due to the biasing force of the spring 19, the lock stopper 18 moves toward the lock bolt 10, and the engagement protrusion 18a formed on the leading end of the lock stopper 18 comes to engage with the engagement recessed portion lOb of the lock bolt as shown in Fig. 8. This fixes the lock bolt 10 at the lock position and maintains the locking of the turning of the steering wheel. Accordingly, theft of the vehicle can be securely prevented.
Moreover, suppose also a case where somebody removes the second cover 6 from the case 2 as shown in Fig. 9 for the purpose of stealing. In this case, the second locking protrusion 25 provided to the second cover 6 and the holding pin 24 held at the leading end portion of the first locking protrusion 23 are moved together in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 9. In this event, the holding pin 24 inserted through the insertion portion 25a of the second locking protrusion 25 is pulled downward (in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 9) due to its engagement with the engagement claw 25b of the second locking protrusion 25 and drops from the attachment recessed portion 23a of the first locking protrusion 23. As a result, the holding pin 24 is moved to the second locking protrusion 25, thus releasing the engagement between the holding pin 24 and the stopper 18b of the lock stopper 18. Then, as described above, due to the biasing force of the spring 19, the lock stopper 18 moves toward the lock bolt 10, and the engagement protrusion 18a formed on the leading end of the lock stopper 18 comes to engage with the engagement recessed portion lOb of the lock bolt 10 as shown in Fig. 8. This fixes the lock bolt 10 at the lock position and maintains the locking of the turning of the steering wheel. Accordingly, theft of the vehicle can be securely prevented.
As described above, in this embodiment, the lock state is maintained by preventing the lock bolt 10 from being moved when either the first cover 5 or the second cover 6 is removed. In addition to this, since the first cover 5 and the second cover 6 are designed to share the lock stopper 18 and the spring 19, the number of components can be reduced and the arrangement space around the lock bolt 10 can be made small as well, thereby bringing about such an advantageous effect as being able to reduce the size of the electric steering lock device 1.
Next, modifications of the present invention will be described.
In the above embodiment, the holding pin 24 is configured to drop from the first locking protrusion 23 when the second cover 6 is removed.
Alternatively, a configuration as below may be employed. As shown in Fig. 10, the locking claw 23b formed on the first locking protrusion 23 may be made longer. In this way, when the second cover 6 is removed, the holding pin 24 pivots about the attachment portion 24a without dropping from the first locking protrusion 23, and releases the engagement between the holding pin 24 and the stopper portion 18b of the lock stopper 18.
Moreover, as shown in Fig. 11, the holding pin 24 may be formed integrally with the first locking protrusion 23, and a part of the holding pin 24 may be cut away to form a thin plate portion 24c therein. According to this configuration, when the first cover 5 is removed from the case 2, the holding pin 24 is moved together with the first locking protrusion 23 provided to the first cover 5, thereby releasing its engagement with the lock stopper 18. When the second cover 6 is removed from the case 2, the second locking protrusion 25 provided to the second cover 6 is moved, so that the holding pin 24 inserted through the insertion portion 25a of the second locking protrusion 25 provided to the second cover 6 is brought into engagement with and pulled by the engagement claw 25b of the second locking protrusion 25. As a result, the holding pin 24 breaks at the thin plate portion 24c and drops, thereby releasing the engagement between the holding pin 24 and the lock stopper 18. As the engagement between the holding pin 24 and the lock stopper 18 is released as described above when either the first cover 5 or the second cover 6 is removed from the case 2, the lock stopper 18, which has been held at the non-engagement position to be not in engagement with the lock bolt 10, is moved by the biasing force of the spring 19 and brought into engagement with the engagement recessed portion lOb of the lock bolt 10. As a result, the lock bolt 10 is fixed at the lock position, thereby locking the turning of the steering wheel. In addition, since the holding pin 24 is formed integrally with the first locking protrusion 23, the number of components can be further reduced and a cost reduction can be achieved accordingly.
Furthermore, though not illustrated, it is possible to employ a configuration in which the holding pin 24 is formed integrally with the first locking protrusion 23, and the first locking protrusion 23 is so held on the first cover 5 as to be immovable in the direction to remove the first cover 5 but movable in the direction to remove the second cover 6. According to this configuration, when the first cover 5 is removed from the case 2, the holding pin 24 is moved together with the first locking protrusion 23 provided to the first cover 5, thereby releasing its engagement with the lock stopper 18.
When the second cover 6 is removed from the case 2, the second locking protrusion 25 provided to the second cover 6 is moved, so that the holding pin 24 inserted through the insertion portion 25a of the second locking protrusion 25 is brought into engagement with and pulled by the engagement claw 25b of the second locking protrusion 25. As a result, the holding pin 24 moves in the direction to remove the second cover 6, thereby releasing the engagement with the lock stopper 18. As the engagement between the holding pin 24 and the lock stopper 18 is released as described above when either the first cover 5 or the second cover 6 is removed from the case 2, the lock stopper 18, which has been held at the non-engagement position to be not in engagement with the lock bolt 10, is moved by the biasing force of the spring 19 and brought into engagement with the engagement recessed portion lOb of the lock bolt 10. As a result, the lock bolt 10 is fixed at the lock position, thereby locking the turning of the steering wheel. In this case also, since the holding pin 24 is formed integrally with the first locking protrusion 23, the number of components can be further reduced and a cost reduction can be achieved accordingly.
Claims (5)
- CLAIMS1. An electric steering lock device comprising: a case that has a first opening and a second opening formed therein through which components may be inserted into the case; a first cover and a second cover that close the first opening and the second opening in the case, respectively; a lock bolt that is housed in the case and is movable between a locked position at which the lock bolt engages with a steering shaft of a vehicle and an unlocked position at which the engagement is released; a drive mechanism that is housed in the case and moves the lock bolt; a lock stopper that is movable between an engagement position at which the lock stopper engages with the lock bolt at the locked position and a non-engagement position at which the engagement is released; biasing means for biasing the lock stopper toward the engagement position; a first locking protrusion and a second locking protrusion that are provided on the first cover and the second cover, respectively; and a holding pin that engages with the lock stopper to hold the lock stopper at the non-engagement position while the first cover and the second cover are attached to the case, and is moved together with one of the first locking protrusion and the second locking protrusion provided on the first cover and the second cover to release the engagement with the lock stopper when a corresponding one of the first cover and the second cover is removed from the case.
- 2. The electric steering lock device according to claim 1, wherein the holding pin is so held by the first locking protrusion as to be immovable in an axial direction thereof but movable or droppable in a direction to remove the second cover.
- 3. The electric steering lock device according to claim 2, wherein an insertion portion through which the holding pin is inserted and an engagement claw which engages with a side portion of the holding pin inserted through the insertion portion are formed in the second locking protrusion.
- 4. The electric steering lock device according to claim 1, wherein the holding pin is formed integrally with the first locking protrusion, and a part of the holding pin is cut away to form a thin plate portion therein.
- 5. The electric steering lock device according to claim 1, wherein the holding pin is formed integrally with the first locking protrusion, and the first locking protrusion is so held on the first cover as to be immovable in a direction to remove the first cover but movable in a direction to remove the second cover.*::r: INTELLECTUAL . ... PROPERTY OFFICE Application No: GB 1110267.0 Examiner: Roger Binding Claims searched: 1-5 Date of search: 5 September 2011 Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17 Documents considered to be relevant: Category Relevant Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance to claims A -EP2090478A (ALPHA), see paragraph 0016 onwards and the drawings.A -GB 2459042 A (U SHIN), see page 8, line 19, onwards and the drawings.A -W02008/050664A (ALPHA), see abstracts and drawings.Categories: X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive A Document indicating technological background and/or state step of the art.Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of before the filing date of this invention.same category.& Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:Search of GB, EP. WO & US patent documents classified in the following areas of the UKCX Worldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC B6OR The following online and other databases have been used in the preparation of this search report Online WPI EPODOC International Classification: Subclass Subgroup Valid From B6OR 0025/02 01/01/2006 Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2010148446A JP5550139B2 (en) | 2010-06-30 | 2010-06-30 | Electric steering lock device |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201110267D0 GB201110267D0 (en) | 2011-08-03 |
| GB2481680A true GB2481680A (en) | 2012-01-04 |
| GB2481680B GB2481680B (en) | 2015-04-08 |
Family
ID=44454215
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB201110267A Active GB2481680B (en) | 2010-06-30 | 2011-06-16 | Electric steering lock device |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP5550139B2 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE102011051039B4 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2481680B (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2521902A (en) * | 2013-10-31 | 2015-07-08 | U Shin Ltd | Steering lock device |
| EP2842817A4 (en) * | 2012-04-27 | 2015-12-30 | Alpha Corp | Steering lock device |
| CN105228866A (en) * | 2013-03-04 | 2016-01-06 | 马夸特有限责任公司 | Electrical steering column lock system |
| GB2533025A (en) * | 2014-09-30 | 2016-06-08 | U-Shin Ltd | Steering lock device |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP6002015B2 (en) * | 2012-11-29 | 2016-10-05 | 株式会社ユーシン | Steering lock device |
| DE102013112124A1 (en) * | 2013-11-04 | 2015-05-07 | Thyssenkrupp Presta Aktiengesellschaft | Steering wheel lock for a steering column for a motor vehicle |
| JP6878199B2 (en) * | 2017-08-09 | 2021-05-26 | 株式会社ユーシン | Steering lock device |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2008050664A1 (en) * | 2006-10-26 | 2008-05-02 | Alpha Corporation | Electric steering lock device |
| EP2090478A1 (en) * | 2006-11-10 | 2009-08-19 | Alpha Corporation | Steering lock device |
| GB2459042A (en) * | 2008-04-09 | 2009-10-14 | U Shin Ltd | Steering lock apparatus |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH02103833U (en) * | 1989-02-03 | 1990-08-17 | ||
| JP3183588B2 (en) * | 1993-06-23 | 2001-07-09 | 株式会社東海理化電機製作所 | Steering lock device |
| JP5073414B2 (en) * | 2007-08-23 | 2012-11-14 | 株式会社ユーシン | Steering lock device |
-
2010
- 2010-06-30 JP JP2010148446A patent/JP5550139B2/en active Active
-
2011
- 2011-06-14 DE DE102011051039.7A patent/DE102011051039B4/en active Active
- 2011-06-16 GB GB201110267A patent/GB2481680B/en active Active
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2008050664A1 (en) * | 2006-10-26 | 2008-05-02 | Alpha Corporation | Electric steering lock device |
| EP2090478A1 (en) * | 2006-11-10 | 2009-08-19 | Alpha Corporation | Steering lock device |
| GB2459042A (en) * | 2008-04-09 | 2009-10-14 | U Shin Ltd | Steering lock apparatus |
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2842817A4 (en) * | 2012-04-27 | 2015-12-30 | Alpha Corp | Steering lock device |
| CN105228866A (en) * | 2013-03-04 | 2016-01-06 | 马夸特有限责任公司 | Electrical steering column lock system |
| CN105228866B (en) * | 2013-03-04 | 2018-05-04 | 马夸特有限责任公司 | Electrical steering column lock system |
| GB2521902A (en) * | 2013-10-31 | 2015-07-08 | U Shin Ltd | Steering lock device |
| GB2521902B (en) * | 2013-10-31 | 2017-08-02 | U-Shin Ltd | Steering lock device |
| GB2533025A (en) * | 2014-09-30 | 2016-06-08 | U-Shin Ltd | Steering lock device |
| GB2533025B (en) * | 2014-09-30 | 2021-06-16 | U Shin Ltd | Steering lock device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP5550139B2 (en) | 2014-07-16 |
| GB201110267D0 (en) | 2011-08-03 |
| GB2481680B (en) | 2015-04-08 |
| DE102011051039A1 (en) | 2012-01-05 |
| DE102011051039B4 (en) | 2021-09-30 |
| JP2012011838A (en) | 2012-01-19 |
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