GB2503983A

GB2503983A - Steering lock system

Info

Publication number: GB2503983A
Application number: GB201308729A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yusuke Watanabe; Yoshio Watanuki
Original assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd; Alpha Corp
Current assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd; Alpha Corp
Priority date: 2012-05-16
Filing date: 2013-05-15
Publication date: 2014-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2033-05-15
Also published as: CN103419747A; JP5944741B2; CN103419747B; GB2503983B; GB201308729D0; GB2503983A8; JP2013237376A

Abstract

A steering lock system includes: a frame 2 including a lock housing chamber 22 penetrating through the frame 2, and a cap attachment portion 61 provided to one side opening 22a of the lock housing chamber 22 and to which a closed-end cylindrical cap 62 is attachable; and a fixation unit 64 placed at opposite sides of the cap attachment portion across a center of a hole of the lock housing chamber. The one side opening of the lock housing chamber is sealed by attaching the cap 62 to the cap attachment portion 61. A lid attachment portion 65 may also be provided to which a plate shaped lid 66 may be attached. The lid attachment and the cap attachment allow either or both of the lid and cap to be attached and thus seal the side opening. The provision of both the cap and lid, which are different in attachment costs, allow the same frame 2 to be used with both closures, and possibly both closures to be attached so as to provide higher anti-theft capability.

Description

STEERING LOCK SYSTEM

BACKGROUND

1. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering lock system configured to lock the t13].rl of a steering shaft of an automobile.

2. RELATED ART [0002] As shown in Fig. 1, a steering lock system 101 disclosed in Patent Literature 1 has a configuration in which when a key (not illustrated) is inserted into a cylinder lock 103 and is turned, a camshaft 104 linked to the cylinder lock 103 causes a lock shaft 105 to project out of or retract into a frame 102.

With the lock shaft 105 projecting out of the frame 102, the extremity of Lhc lock shaj-t 105 engages with a sLeering shaft (not illustrated) , and thus restricts the turn of the steering shaft.

[0003] A cylinder housing cltaxtiber 121 wiLhir which to place Lhe cylinder lock 103 and the camstiafL 104 and a lock housing chamber 122 within Tahich to place the lock shaft 105 are formed iii Lhc frame 1 02. The lock housing chamber 122 penetrates through the frame 1.02 while crossing the cylinder housing chamber 121.

[0004] One side opening 122a of the lock housing chamber 122 is sealed with a cap 162 after the lock shaft 105 is placed, while the lock shaft 105 projects or retracts through the other side opening 122b of the lock b:ousing chamber 122.

Citation List Patent Literature 0005] [PTL 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication 1o.

2004-114730 StJMMARY [0006] Nevertheless, the configuration in which the lock housing chamber 122 is sealed with the cap 162 tends to increase the number of components and thus is likely to increase the manufacturing costs because the cap 162 is fixed to the frame 102 with several knurled pins (riot illustrated) . For this reason, methods which enahi..e the sealing at lower costs need to be employed depend i.ng on destinations and grades of vehicles in which the steering lock systems are installed. If, however, other components are prepared depending on the differences among the sealing methods, the number of components becomes larger, which presents a cause of hindering the costs reduction.

[C: 00 / j An objecL of the present invention is to provide a steering lock sysLein whose manufacturing costs can he reduced through a decrease in the number of comphnents.

[0008] A steering lock system in accordance with some embodiments includes: a frame including a lock housing chamber penetrating through the frame, and a cap aLLachnicnL portion provided to one side operuLriy of Lhe lock housing chamber and Lo which a closed-end cylindrical cap is aLLacliable, the one side opening of the lock housing chamber being sealed by attaching the cap to the cap attachment portion; and a fixation unit placed at opposite sides of the cap attachment portion -: across a center of a hole of the lock housing chamber.

10009] tihen as the first seal unit, the fixation unit is placed in the cap attachment portion, the frame need to beset thicker for the respective fixation holes into which to..i nsert the spring pins. In the above-described configuration, however, the fixation unit is placed at the opposite sides of the center of the hole of the lock housing chamber. For this reason, it is possible to serve the same purpose while reducing the areas in which the frame needs to be set tIicker, and to decrease the number of components, and accordingly to make the frame lighter in weightS This makes it possible to reduce the manufacturing costs -[0010] A steering lock system in accordance with some embodiments includes: a frame including a lock housing chamber penetrating through the frame, and a cap attachment portion provided to one side opening of the lock housing chamber and to which a closed-end cylindrical cap is attachable, the one side opening of the lock housing clamber being sealed by attaching the cap to the cap attachment portion; and a lid attachment portion provided to the one side opening of the lock housing chamber and to which a plate-shaped lid is attachable, Lhe one side opening of the lock ho***dsing chamber being sealed by attaching the lid to the lid uLLaciimenb portion. The cap attachment portion arid the lid aLtachnont portion ai. e formed so that either one of the cap and the lid is attachable and both of the cap and the lid are attachable.

[0011] The foregoing configuration enables the attachment of at loast cne of the lid and the cap which are different from each other in the attachment costs. For this reason, the frame can he used common. y. Pcccrdinq1y, the components can be reduced in number, and the manufacturing costs can be cut haclc+ Farthermore, when both the lid and the cap are attached, tIe steering lock system can be equipped with a higher anti-theft capability.

[0012] The cap attachment portion may be provided on an outer peripheral side of the lid attachment portion.

[0013] In the foregoing configuration, the steering lock system is provided with the configuration for attaching the cap outside the lid. For this reason, the frame can be used commonly without making the frame larger in size.

[0014] The cap attachment po..t on and the cap each may have a shape heng rotational.1.y symmetrical airout the center of the hole of the lock mousing chamber.

[0015] In the foregoing configuration, the cap attachment portion and the cap are formed in the rotationally symmetrical shape. For this reason, the cap is attachahl.e even when the cap is turned. This makes it possible to enhance ease in actachment work.

[0016] The cap attachment portion may include a protection wall surrounding an outer periphery of an opening end of the cap as attached to the frame, and the protection wall may include a base portion having an inclination portion becoming gradwüly Thinner toward an extremity of the inclination porLiori.

[0 017] In the foi.egoing configuration, the inclination portion is provided to the base portion of the protection wall. For this reason, a higher anti-theft capability can be exerted against an unlawful unlock action in which L}ie cap is detached by destroying the protecLion wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

10018] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a related steering lock system.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a steering lock system of an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing a frame of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a main-part magnifying cross-sectional view showing how a lock housing chamber of the embodiment of the present invention is sealed with a cap.

Fig. 5 is a main-part cross-sectional view showing how the lock housing chamber of the embodiment of the present invention is sealed with the cap.

Fig. 6 is a main-part magnifying. cross-sectional view showing how the lock housing chamber of... the embodiment of tIe present invention is sealed with a lid.

Fig. 7 is a main-part magnifying cross-sectional view showing how the lock housing chamber of the embodiment of the present invention is sealed with the cap and the lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[001.91

Descriptions will be provided hereinbelow for an

embodiment of the present invention. A steering lock system 1 of the embodiment is configured to selectively restrict the turn of a turnably-supported steering shaft by engaging with Lhe steering shaft. As shown in FIg. 2 to Fig. 7, Lhe sLeering loc]c system 1 includes a frame 2, a cylinder lock 3, a roLator 4 and a lock member 5.

[0020] The frame 2 is shaped like a cylinder, and a cylinder housing chamber 21 is formed inside the cylindrical frame 2 in the axial direction of the frame 2. Tn addiLiorl, a lock housing ctainber 22 penetrating Lhrough a middlo portion of the frame 2 and crossing the cvlindcr housing chamber 21 is formed i.n the franc 2. The cylinder lock 3 and the rotator 4 are placed in the cylinder housing chamber 21. The lock member 5.i.s placed inthelockhousingchamber22, andonesideopening22aisseal.ed with a seal unit 6.

[0021] The cylinder lock 3 is almost shaped like a column, and a key hole 31 is formed at the shaft center of the cylinder lock 3 to extend in the axial direction of the cylinder lock 3. \ one end-side portion of the cylinder lock 3 projects outward from the frame 2. The periphery of the projecting portion of the cylinder lock 3 is covered with a housing case 91 set in a one end-side end portion of the frame 2. A key (not illustrated) which the rider carries is inserted into the.key hole 31. In a case where the inserted key is a proper one, the a cylinder loc]c 3 is unloc]cc.d, and while inserted there, the key becomes turnable around the central axis of the cylir.der lock 3 as a rotary axis.

[0022] A one end-side portion of the rotatcr 4 is linked to an opposite end-side portion of the cylinder lock 3 in the circumferential. direction. The rotator 4 is rio linked to the cylinder T.. ock 3 in the axial direction. The opposite end-side pcrtion of the rotator 4 is connected to a switch unit 92 set in the opposite end-side end portion of the frame 2. The turning position of the rotator 4 is detected by the switch unit 92.

A cam portion 41 is provided to a middle portion of the rotator 4. A hanger 51 is linked to the cam portion 41.

[C' 023] The lock member 5 includes Lhc hanger 51, a lock rod 52 and a biasing spring 53. The hanger 51 arid the 1 ock rod 52, in a state of being connected together are inserted into the lock housing chamber 22 from the one side opening 22a, and are placed in a way that the hanger 51 and the lock rod 52 are movable inside the lock housing chamber 22 with the extremity of the lock rcd 52 made capable of projecting or retracting through ftc other side opening 22b. The hi asirig spring 53 is conipressedly placed between the seal uni.t 6 and The hanger 51.

The hanger 51 is linked t.o the cam portion 41 of the rotator 4. By compression reaction force of the biasing spring 53, the hanger 51 and the lock rod 52 are held while biased toward the other side opening 22b, and the hanger 51 is held while put in contact with a cam surface of the cam portion 41. In response to the turn of the rotator 4, the hanger 51 moves on the cam surface of the cam portion 41; the hanger 51 and the look rod 52 move inside the Jock housing chamber 22; and the extremity of the lock rod 52 thus proj:ects or retracts through the other side opening 22b. An extremity surface 51a of the hanger 51., which is located in the side end portion of the other side opening 22b, is set inclining to the slide di. rection of the hanger 51.

The hanger 51 and lock rod 52 are designed not to come off through the other side opening 22h by bringing the extremity surface 5ia into contact with a projection restricting portion 22c set inside the lock housing chamber 22, when the extremity of the lock rod 52 projects through the other side opening 22b.

[0024] The seal unit 6 has twa types; a first seal unit 6A and a second seal unit ED. Their combination creates three sealing methods. The three sealing methods in ude using only the first seal unit 6A, using only the second seal unit 6B, and using both the first seal unit 6A and tie second seal unit 68.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the first seal unit 6A includes a cap attachment portion 61 and a cap 62. The cap 62 is fixed to the cap attachment portion 61 by installing spring pins 63, arid thus seals the lock housing chamber 22. The cap attachment portion 61 is formedfromtwo cylindrical walls whch are provided on the peripheral edge of the one side cpeni.ng 22a of the frame 2, and wh ich are placed coaxially with each other.

[0026] The cap attachrnenL por[loxi 61 includes a fixation wall 6ia, a protection wall 61b, and an inter-wall groove portion 61c. The fixation wall 6th constitutes the inner cylindrical wall to which the. cap 62 attached to the cap attacletent portion is fixed. The fixation wall 61a has fixation holes 64a, respectively, in areas intersecting a straight line which is orthogonal to an axial direction Li of the cylinder housing chamber 21 and an axial direction L2 of the lock housing chamber 22, and which passes through the center of the lock housing chamber 22. In obher words, the fixation wall 6Th has the fixation holes 64a placed at the opposite sides of a center of the hole of the lock housing chamber 22. A fixation unit 64 is formed from: the fixation holes 64a; cap holes 64b which will be described later; and the spring pins 63.

[002/] The protection wall 6Th constitutes the outer cylindrical wall which surrounds tie outer periphery of the opening end of

I

the cap 62 attached to the cap attachment portion. The protection wall 61b is set lower in the wail. height than the fixation wall 6ia, and includes an inclination portion Gld in which the base portion of the protection wall 6lb beoomes gradually thinner toward the extremity and whose cross section is almost shaped like a trapezoid.

[0028] The inter**!-wail groove portion 61c is formed between and integrally with the fixation wall 61a and the protection wail 6th. Along the outer shape of the cylindrical frame 2, the inter-wall groove portion Sb is lowest in the areas corresponding to the fixation holes 64a, and is highest in the areas which are displaced from the corresponding areas by 90 degrees in the circwriferenLial direction, as well as is formed in a roLaLionally syminol-rical shape which is symmetrical with respecL Lo roLaLion by 180 degrees in the circumferential direction about the center of the hole of the lock housing chamber 22.

[01029] The cap 62 is placed in the inter-wall groove portion Sb between the fixation wall 61a and the protection wall Sib. An opening end-side porti on of the cap 62 inciudes rocossos and protrl]sions which agree with the bottom shape of LIic inLer-wall groove portion Sic, and the cap 62.i s formed in a rotationally symmetrical shape whi.oh i.s symmeti..ical with respect to rotation by 180 degrees in the oircumferential direction about the center of the hole of the look housing chamber 22. The cap holes 64b are made in the respective two areas of the cap 62 which are opposed to the fixation holes 64a with the cap 62 attached to the cap attachment portion 61.

[0030] Each spring pin 63 is a cylindrical! elastic member whose cross section is almost shaped like the letter C. While compressed in the radial direction, the spring pins 63 are inserted into the fixation holes 64a and the cap holes 64b, respectively. By their compression reaction force, the spring pins 63 are brought. into close contact with the hole inner walls of the fixation hales 64a and the cap holes 64b, respectively, and thus fix the cap 62 to the cap attachment portion 61.

[0031] In a case wlere only the first seal unit 6A is used as the seal unit 6, the cap 62 having an annular protrusion 62a in the inner surface of its bottom portion is used, and L.he biasing spring 53 is provided to the annular protrusion 62a, as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 62, the second seal unit SB includes a lid attachment portion 65 and a lid 66. The second seal unit 63 fixes the lid 66 and seals the lock housing chamber 22 by caulking with the lid 66 placed in the lid alLachmeriL portion 65.

[0033] The lid attachment partien 65 is an annular step portion formed in the edge inner portion of the opening of the fixation wall 6la of the cap attachment portion 61. In other words, the cap attachmenL porbior 61 is provided on an outer peripheral side of Lho lid attachment portion 65.

[0034] The lid 66 is made from a circular plate material., and has a circular recess portion GSa in its inner surface-side center... The biasing spring 53 is placed in 1.he circular recess portion 66a with the lid 66 attached to the lid attachment portion 65.

[0035] The second seal unit SB seals the one side opening 22a of tt'e lock housing chamber 22 by caulking by presshending the entire circle of the extremity of the fixation wall 61a toward the lid 66 with the:id 66 placed in the lid attachment portion 65.

[5036] fig. 7 shows how the first seal unit 6A and the second seal unit SB are combined and used as Lhe seal unit 6. The lid

B

66 of the second seal.. unit 6B is used as it is. Since the lid 66 has the circular recess portion 66a as the area in which to place the biasing spring 53, the cap 62 of the first seal unit 6A is not used as it is. Instead, a cap 62A having a flat bottom inner surface without any annular protrusion is used. It should be noted that in the case of the combination of the first seal unit 6A and the second seal unit 6B, changes are made to only the cap 62 while no changes are made to the shape of the fixation wall 61a or the shape of the lid 66. In addition, this sealing method is carried out by: first of all, placing the lid 66 in the lid attachment portion 65; fixing the lid 66 to the lid attachment portion 65 by caulking; subsequently, placing the cap 62A on the cap attachment portion 61 with their proper orientations; and fixing the cap 62A Lo the cap attachment portion 61 by installing the spring pins 63.

[0037] Next, descriptions will be provided for a sequence of assembi. I ng the steering lock system I of the embodiment. First of all, the lock rod 52 and Ltie hanger 51 are connected together, and are placed in the lock housing chamber 22 wiLh Lhe biasing spring 53. SuhsequenLly, in accordance with the scaling method selected on. the basis of the seal unit 6, the one side opening 22a of tie 1 ock housing chamber 22 s sealed. Thereafter, while linked together, the cam portion 4i of the rotator 4 and the hanger 51 are inserted into the cylinder housing chamber 21.

Afterward, while connected to the rotator 4, the cylinder lock 3 is inserted into the cylinder housing chamber 21. After that, while covering the one end-side end portion of the cylinder lock 3, the housing case 91 is attached to the frame 2. Then, electric parts such as the switch unit 92 are attached to their predetermined locations. 003B]

Next, descriptions will be provided for how the steering lock system 1 of the embodiment works. While the key is in the staLe of being pulled out, the lock member 5 is put in the steering lock state in which Lhc extremity of the lock rod 52 projects from the frame 2, and engages with the steering shaft; and the turn of the steering shaft is thus restricted. In order to change the steering lock state to the steering lock unlocked state in iahich the steering shaft is turnable, the rider first inserts the key, as the operation part, into ttie key hole 31.

When the inserted key is a proper one, the cylinder lock 3 is unlocked, and the key becomes tarnah1.e around the central axis of the cylinder lock 3 as the rotary ax..is while in the state of being inserted in the key hole 31. Thereafter, once the key is turned, the rotator 4 turns, and the cam portion 41 moves the hanger 51 toward the seal unit 6 against the biasing force of the biasing spring 53, as well as the extremity of the lock rod 52 is housed into the frame 2. By this, the restriction on the turn of the steering shaft is released, and the steering lock unlocked state is realized. If a wrong key is inserted into the key hoi.e 31.., the cylinder lock 3 is not unlocked, and accordingly, the key cannot he turned. 0039]

Furthermore, in order to change the steering lock unlocked state to the steerin look state, the key is turned in the opposite direction. Once Lhe key is turned in the opposlte di. rection, the biasing force of the hi asing spring 53 moves the hanger 51 while pressing the hanger 51 against the cam portion 41; and the extremity of the look rod 52 projects from the frame 2 and comes into engagement with the steering shaft, and thus restricts the turn of the steering shaft.

Thereby, the steering look state is realized.

[0040] In the embodirnenL, as described above, when as the first seal unit 6A, the fixation unit 64 is placed in the cap attachment portion, the frame 2 needs to he set thicker for the respective fixation holes 64a into which to insert the spring pins 63.

However, when the fixation unit 64 is placed at the opposite sides of the center of the hole of the lock housing chamber 22, it is possible La serve the same purpose while reducing the areas in which Lhe frame needs to be set thicker, and to decrease the number of components, and accordi.ngl.y to make the frame lighter in weight. This makes it possible to reduce the manufacturing costs.

[0041] Generally, a configuration in which the rear end-side portion of the hanger 51 is extended outward in the radial direction of the lock housing chamber 22 and thus brought into contact with the projection restricting portion 22c set in the lock housing chamber 22 has been used for preventing the hanger 51 and the lock rod 52 from coming off through the other side opening 22b of the lock housing chamber 22. The embodiment, on the other hand, employs the configuration in which the hanger 51 and [he lock i-cd 52 are prevented from coming off through the other side opening 22b by bringing the extremity surface 51a of [hr hanger 51 into contact with the projection restricting portion 22c set inside the lock housing chamber 22.

Since this configuration makes it possible to prevent their coming off without providing any extending portion, the hole diameter of the lock housing oh. amber 22 can be made smaller, and the wall thickness of the fixatioxi wall Sia can be made thicker accordingly. In addition, since the portions which can be fixed by the apr i.ng pins 63 to the fixation wal. 1 6la increases, the fixation unit 64 can be placed at the opposite sides of the center of the hole of the lock housing chamber 22.

[C' 042] The embodiment makes it possible to attach at least one o: the first seal unit LA and the second seal unit SB which are different from each otier in the attachment costs, and thus to make the frame 2 common between the first seal unit SA and the second seal., unit 63. For this reason, the components can be reduced in number, and the manufacturing costs can be cut back.

Furthermore, when both the first seal unit 6A and the second seal unit SB are attached, the steering lock system I can be equipped with a higher anti-theft capability.

[0043] Since [ho configuration for aLtaching the cap 62A is provided outside the lid 66, the f..ame 2 can be used commonly without making the frame 2 larger in size.

[0044] Since the cap attachment portion 61 and the caps 62, 62A are formed in the rotationally synunetrical shape about the center of the hole of the lock housing chamber 22, the caps 62, 62. are attachable even when the caps 62, 62Z\ arc turnEd by 180 degrees. This makes it possible to en. .hance ease in attachment [0045] Since the inclination portion 61d is provided to the base portion of the protection wall 6lb, a higher anti-theft capability can be exerted against an unlawful unlock action in which the cap 62 is detached by destroying the protection wall 61b.

[0046] Whi e embodiments of the present invention have been described hereinabove, these embodiments are merely illustration *described for the purpose of facilitating the uridersLanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited i-c Lhc embodiments. The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the specifi.c technical matters disclosed in the enhodimerj s but includes various modifications, changes, alternative techniques, and the like which can readily be conceived therefrom.

[0047] The entire content of Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-112110, filed on May 16, 2012, is herein incorporated by reference.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A steering lock system comprising: a frame including a lock housing chamber penetrating through the frame, and a cap attachment portion provided to one side opening of the lock housing chamber and to which a closed--end cylindrical cap is attachable, the one side opening of the lock housing chamber being sealed by attaching the cap to the cap attachment portion; and a fixation unit placed at opposite sides of the cap attachment portion across a center of a hole of the lock housing chamber.
2. A sbccring lock system comprising: a frame including a lock housing chamber penetrating through the frame, and a cap attachment portion provided to one side opening of the lock housing chamber and to which a closed-end cylindrical, cap is attachable, the one side opening of the lock housing chamber being sealed by attaching the cap Lo the cap attachment portion; and a lid attachment portion provided to the one side opening of the lock housing cl.iarnher and to which a plaLe-sliaped lid is attachable, the one side opening of the lock housing chamber being sealed by attaching the lid to the lid attachnent portion, wherein the cap attachment portion and the lid attachment portion are formed so that either one of the cap and the lid is attachable and both of the cap and the lid are attachable.
3. The steering lock system according to claim 2, wherein the cap attachment portion is provided on an outer peripheral side of the lid attachment portion.
4. The steering lock system according to claim 1, wherein the cap attachnent portion and the cap each has a shape being rotaLionally symmeLcical about the center of the hole of the lock housing chamber.
5. The steering lock system according to cl.ai.rn 2 or 3, wllcLtin the cap attachment portion and the cap each has a shape being rotationally syrranetrical about a center of a hole of the lock housing chamber.
6. The steering lock system according Lo any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cap attachment portion includes a protection wall surround I ng an outer periphery of an opening end of the cap as attached to the frame, and the protection wall includes a base portion having an inclination portion becoming gradually thinner toward an extreirdty of the inclination portion.
7. A steering lock system, substantially as hereinbcfore described with reference to any of Figures 2 to 7 of the appended drawings.