Electric steering lock device

Abstract

To provide an electric steering lock device which can be inexpensively miniaturized without deteriorating detection accuracy of a magnetic sensor.SOLUTION: A drive mechanism section 50 drives a lock member 40 by a driving source 100 and moves the lock member 40 between a lock position where the lock member is engaged with a steering shaft SS of a vehicle and an unlock position where the engagement is released. Magnetic sensors 240a and 240b are disposed at positions corresponding to the lock position and the unlock position. A magnet 420 is provided with a recess on a side facing the magnetic sensors 240a and 240b. A holder 430 has a protrusion fitted into the recess of the magnet 420. An opening for exposing a part of the magnet 420 is provided on a surface side facing the magnetic sensors 240a and 240b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric steering lock device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, some vehicles have been equipped with an electric steering lock device for restricting the rotation of the steering wheel when parked, for the purpose of preventing theft. For example, when the driver turns off the engine start switch, this electric steering lock device uses a drive source (electric motor) to move a lock member and engage it with the steering shaft of the vehicle, thereby locking the rotation of the steering wheel. When the driver turns on the engine start switch, the locking member is moved by the drive source to release the engagement with the steering shaft of the vehicle, thereby unlocking the rotation of the steering wheel.

[0003] In such an electric steering lock device, in order to electrically lock and unlock the steering wheel, it is necessary to detect whether the lock member is in the locked position or the unlocked position and control the drive source accordingly. As a countermeasure for this type of problem, for example, a technology has been disclosed in which a magnet is attached to a locking member or an interlocking member that moves the locking member, magnetic sensors are placed at locations corresponding to the locked position and the unlocked position, and the magnetic sensors detect the magnetic force of the magnet, thereby detecting whether the locking member is in the locked position or the unlocked position (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-126354 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the holder is fitted into a locking member so as to cover the magnet in order to prevent the magnet from falling off or rattling. Therefore, when a metal member is used for the holder, the holder must be configured in the shape of a large spring in order to prevent deformation of the holder and to prevent rattle of the magnet. On the other hand, when a member such as a resin is used for the holder, the holder needs to be thick in order to provide rigidity. Therefore, the holder becomes larger, which results in the electric steering lock device becoming larger, which causes problems such as increased weight and poor assembly. Furthermore, as the thickness of the holder increases, the distance between the magnet and the magnetic sensor increases, so the magnet must be a strong magnet or multiple magnets must be used, which increases costs.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and provides an electric steering lock device that can be made small and inexpensive without reducing the detection accuracy of the magnetic sensor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Form 1: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose an electric steering lock device comprising: a locking member movable between a locked position where it engages with a steering shaft of a vehicle and an unlocked position where the engagement is released; a magnet arranged to be movable integrally with the locking member; a holder that holds the magnet on the locking member; a drive source that generates a driving force to move the locking member; a drive mechanism that drives the locking member using the output of the drive source; and a magnetic sensor arranged at a position corresponding to the locked position and the unlocked position, wherein the magnet has a recess on the side facing the magnetic sensor, the holder has a protrusion that fits into the recess of the magnet, and an opening that exposes a portion of the magnet is provided on the surface facing the magnetic sensor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, magnetic sensors can be made smaller at low cost without reducing their detection accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a locked state of an electric steering lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2A and 2B are perspective views of the base body part shown in FIG. 1, where (a) is a perspective view seen from diagonally above the front, (b) is a perspective view seen from diagonally below the front, (c) is a perspective view seen from diagonally below the rear, and (d) is a rear view. [Figure 3] 2A and 2B are perspective views showing the locking member shown in FIG. 1, in which (a) is a perspective view seen from diagonally above the front, and (b) is a perspective view seen from diagonally below the front. [Figure 4] 4A and 4B are three-view and bottom views of the magnet shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 4A to 4C are a front view, a side view, and a bottom view showing the holder with the magnet shown in FIG. 3 attached thereto. [Figure 6] 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the locking member shown in FIG. 3 cut in the front-rear direction along plane AA and viewed obliquely from below and behind. FIG. [Figure 7] 2A and 2B are perspective views of the drive mechanism of the electric steering lock device shown in FIG. 1 with the cover, housing, and gear cover removed, where FIG. 2A is a perspective view seen from diagonally above the front, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view seen from diagonally below the front. [Figure 8] 8 is a three-view diagram showing the drive mechanism shown in FIG. 7 with the base body removed. FIG. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are perspective views of the worm wheel shown in FIG. 8, in which (a) is a perspective view seen from diagonally above the front, and (b) is a perspective view seen from diagonally below the front. [Figure 10] 1A and 1B are side views showing an electric steering lock device according to an embodiment of the present invention with the cover, housing, gear cover, and base body portion removed, in which FIG. 1A shows an unlocked state and FIG. 1B shows a locked state. [Figure 11] 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a modified example of the locking member shown in FIG. 6, viewed obliquely from below and behind. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] <Embodiment> An electric steering lock device 1 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. FIG. In the drawings, the arrow FR indicates the front of the electric steering lock device 1, the arrow UP indicates the upward direction, and the arrow RH indicates the right direction. In the following description, when the up / down, front / rear, and left / right directions are used, they refer to the up / down, front / rear, and left / right directions of the electric steering lock device 1 unless otherwise specified.

[0011] <Configuration of electric steering lock device 1> 1, the electric steering lock device 1 includes a cover 10, a housing 20, a base body 30, and a locking member 40. A drive mechanism 50 housed in the base body 30 is disposed inside the cover 10. When the steering shaft SS of the vehicle is to be locked, the tip of the locking member 40 protrudes forward from the housing 20 and engages with the steering shaft SS of the vehicle.

[0012] The cover 10 has a hollow, approximately rectangular box shape that is open to the front, and is made of metal, resin, etc. The cover 10 has through-holes on the left and right sides that are approximately rectangular and can fit onto the claws of the base body 30.

[0013] The housing 20 has a hollow, generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that extends forward, and is made of metal, resin, or the like. The front end face of the housing 20 has a generally rectangular opening, and an approximately rectangular parallelepiped space is provided inside to movably accommodate the locking member 40. In addition, a groove that can be joined to the base body portion 30 is formed around the outer periphery of the rear end face of the housing 20, and the housing 20 slides from below to fit into a U-shaped fitting opening provided around the generally rectangular opening on the front side of the base body portion 30.

[0014] The base body 30 is a housing case integrally formed from resin or the like, and houses a drive mechanism 50 (described later) that includes a drive source 100, a circuit board 200, a worm wheel 300, and a locking member 40. The base body 30 also secures the cover 10 and the housing 20 with pawls or the like. As shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 2 , the base body 30 has a housing space formed therein that includes a drive source housing hole MA, a wheel housing hole WA, a drive hole LA, a board housing portion CA, and a long groove hole SA.

[0015] 2(a), the drive source accommodating hole MA is a hole that connects a generally rectangular accommodating hole that is open at the top and that accommodates the drive source 100 (described later) on the upper side of the base body portion 30 with a generally rectangular accommodating hole that is open at the top and that accommodates the rotation shaft of the drive source 100 and the worm gear 110, and accommodates the drive source 100 and the worm gear 110. The drive source accommodating hole MA and the wheel accommodating hole WA communicate with each other at the location where the worm gear 110 of the drive source 100 and the worm wheel 300 are fitted together.

[0016] The wheel accommodating hole WA is a hole formed in a generally cylindrical shape with an open top, on the upper side of the base body portion 30, for accommodating the worm wheel 300. A generally cylindrical recess is formed in the center of the circular bottom surface of the wheel accommodating hole WA, into which a protrusion of a gear cover (not shown) is fitted. In addition, a gear cover (not shown) is fixed to the base body portion 30 with screws or the like above the drive source accommodating hole MA and the wheel accommodating hole WA so as to cover the drive source accommodating hole MA and the wheel accommodating hole WA.

[0017] 2(b), the drive hole portion LA is a hole in which the locking member 40 is movably housed. The drive hole portion LA has a substantially rectangular opening on the front side of the base body portion 30, and forms a substantially rectangular parallelepiped hole in the front-rear direction.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2(c), the board accommodation portion CA is a space located below the base body portion 30 and sandwiched between the cover 10 and the base body portion 30, and accommodates the circuit board 200 therein.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2(c) and 2(d), the long slot SA is a hole that communicates with the drive hole LA and opens so as to expose the opening of the holder 430 attached to the locking member 40 from the base body 30. Specifically, the long slot SA has a substantially rectangular opening on the rear side of the base body 30, forming a substantially rectangular parallelepiped hole in the front-to-rear direction. The long slot SA also has a substantially rectangular opening on the lower side. A slider 410, which will be described later, is slidably housed in the long slot SA. The engaging claws 470 of the holder 430 of the locking member 40 are inserted adjacent to the left-to-right side walls of the long slot SA, limiting the left-to-right movement of the locking member 40.

[0020] <Configuration of locking member 40> The locking member 40 moves between a locked position where it engages with the steering shaft SS of the vehicle and an unlocked position where the engagement is released. As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the locking member 40 includes a lock shaft 400 and a slider 410. The locking member 40 is housed in the drive hole portion LA and the elongated slot portion SA.

[0021] The lock shaft 400 is formed in a generally rectangular plate shape with the thickness direction in the up-down direction and the length direction in the left-right direction. A tapered front end of the lock shaft 400 is formed. The lock shaft 400 is housed in a drive hole LA provided in an opening on the front side of the housing 20 and the base body portion 30 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. An L-shaped protrusion is formed on the rear side of the lock shaft 400, and is in close slidable contact with a recess of a slider 410 (described later). The lock shaft 400 is configured to be movable in conjunction with the movement of the drive mechanism portion 50 (described later) between a locked position where it engages with the vehicle's steering shaft SS and an unlocked position where the engagement is released.

[0022] The slider 410 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the front-rear direction and is made of metal, resin, or the like. A recess with an opening on the right side is formed in the front of the slider 410, and an L-shaped protrusion on the rear side of the lock shaft 400 is housed in the recess. The lock shaft 400 is biased forward by a biasing member (not shown), and the protrusion abuts against the front surface of the recess, allowing the lock shaft 400 to move integrally with the slider 410 in the front-rear direction. The rear end of the slider 410 is provided with a downward protrusion 450 that protrudes downward. A magnet accommodating portion HA for accommodating a magnet 420 (described later) is formed on the underside of the downward protrusion 450, and the magnet accommodating portion HA is formed in a recessed shape that is open downward. Recesses are formed on both lateral sides of the rear side for engaging with the engagement claws 470 of the holder 430. Additionally, an upper protrusion 440 that protrudes upward is formed on the upper rear side, and fits into a cam groove 340 formed in the worm wheel 300. As a result, the slider 410 (locking member 40) moves in the front-rear direction in conjunction with the rotation of the worm wheel 300.

[0023] <Configuration of magnet 420> The magnet 420 is accommodated in the magnet accommodating portion HA of the slider 410 and is configured to be movable integrally with the locking member 40 (lock shaft 400 and slider 410). As shown in FIG. 4, the magnet 420 is a permanent magnet such as a ferrite magnet having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with the longitudinal direction extending in the front-to-rear direction. The magnet 420 has a fitting groove 421 formed as a recess on the surface side (lower surface) facing the magnetic sensor 240a or 240b. The fitting groove 421 has a substantially trapezoidal cross section and extends in the left-right direction at the center of the lower surface of the magnet 420, penetrating it in the left-right direction. In addition, flat surfaces 422a and 422b are formed on the lower surface of the magnet 420 at two locations on either side of the fitting groove 421.

[0024] <Configuration of holder 430> As shown in FIG. 5 , the holder 430 has a fitting portion 431 as a convex portion that fits into the fitting groove 421 of the magnet 420, and an opening OA that exposes the flat surfaces 422a and 422b of the magnet 420 is provided on the surface side (lower surface) facing the magnetic sensor 240a or 240b. The holder 430 is made of a resin material or the like. The holder 430 is formed in a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape with a bottom that is open upward, and holds the magnet 420 to the locking member 40. The holder 430 is formed with a pair of left and right mounting pieces 460 that protrude upward from the holder 430. An engagement claw 470 that protrudes inward in the left-right direction is integrally formed at the upper end of the mounting piece 460. The holder 430 is attached to the lower protrusion 450 of the slider 410 from below so as to close the magnet accommodating portion HA. At this time, the engaging claws 470 of the attachment pieces 460 are engaged with the slider 410 , and the holder 430 is assembled to the slider 410 .

[0025] A fitting portion 431, which has a rod-like shape with a substantially trapezoidal cross section extending in the left-right direction and is formed integrally with both side walls of the holder 430 on the bottom wall of the holder 430, is formed as a protrusion extending in the left-right direction between the pair of openings OA. Furthermore, the inclined surface of the fitting portion 431 guides the holder 430 to a position where it is in close contact with the magnet 420 when the holder 430 is assembled to the magnet 420. The fitting portion 431 engages with the fitting groove 421 without any gap.

[0026] Two openings OA are formed through the bottom wall of holder 430, sandwiching fitting portion 431. Openings OA are formed in a generally elongated hole shape with the left-right direction as the longitudinal direction. Fitting groove 421 is sandwiched between fitting portion 431 and side surfaces SW1 and SW2 of opening OA, holding magnet 420 in a predetermined position on slider 410. The front and rear ends of holder 430 are asymmetrical in shape, and a triangular rib 432 is formed on one side surface SW1, which moves holder 430 toward SW2 to prevent rattle and ensure proper positioning of the magnet. This structure prevents incorrect assembly of holder 430 to slider 410 in the front-rear direction and prevents the magnet from being misaligned.

[0027] Furthermore, holder 430 has flat surfaces 422a and 422b of magnet 420 arranged flush with the lower surface of holder 430 and exposed downward through opening OA. Holder 430 also has flat surfaces 422a and 422b of magnet 420 arranged to face magnetic sensor 240a or 240b in the vertical direction.

[0028] <Configuration of the driving mechanism 50> The drive mechanism 50 drives the lock member 40 by the output of the drive source 100 . As shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), the drive mechanism 50 includes a base body 30 (shown hatched), a locking member 40, a drive source 100, a circuit board 200, and a worm wheel 300. The drive source 100 and the worm wheel 300 are housed in a drive source housing hole MA and a wheel housing hole WA, respectively, and the locking member 40 is movably housed in a drive hole LA and a long slot SA. The circuit board 200 is housed in a board housing CA on the underside of the base body 30. The housing of the locking member 40 in the drive hole LA and the long slot SA fixes the vertical positions of the circuit board 200 and the locking member 40, and the left and right side walls of the long slot SA prevent the locking member 40 from moving left and right.

[0029] The driving source 100 has a worm gear 110 mounted on the tip of the rotation shaft of the driving source 100 so as to be rotatable together with the worm gear 110, and is housed in a driving source housing hole MA of the base body portion 30. The rotation shaft of the driving source 100 (in the direction of arrow A) is set parallel to the horizontal plane, and as shown by arrows A and B in Fig. 7, the rotation shaft of the driving source 100 and the rotation shaft of the worm wheel 300 (in the direction of arrow B) are substantially perpendicular to each other.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 8 , the circuit board 200 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with its thickness extending vertically. The circuit board 200 is fixed to the board housing portion CA on the underside of the base body portion 30 by screws or the like. Specifically, the circuit board 200 is disposed adjacent to the lower side of a fixing boss (not shown) of the base body portion 30 and is disposed below the holder 430 of the locking member 40 at a distance. The circuit board 200 is provided with a connector 210, a terminal holder 220, a pair of terminals 230, and an electric circuit including magnetic sensors 240a and 240b. The connector 210 is disposed in a notch formed on a lateral side of the cover 10. A vehicle-side connector (not shown) is fitted into the connector 210, and the circuit board 200 is electrically connected to a vehicle control unit via a vehicle-side harness (not shown). The terminal holder 220 also holds the pair of terminals 230. The pair of electrode units 130 of the driving source 100 are electrically connected to the circuit board 200 via a pair of terminals 230. The magnetic sensors 240a and 240b are arranged linearly in the front-to-rear direction of the circuit board 200 at positions facing the long slot SA. That is, when the magnet 420 formed in the locking member 40 moves, the magnet 420 passes directly above the magnetic sensors 240a and 240b. The magnetic sensor 240a is arranged at a position where the locking member 40 is in the unlocked state, and the magnetic sensor 240b is arranged at a position where the locking member 40 is in the locked state.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 9( a) and 9(b), the worm wheel 300 is made of metal, resin, or other material and is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with its axis extending vertically. The worm wheel 300 has a generally cylindrical recess 310 formed in its center and a cylindrical hole 320 extending vertically through its center. The worm wheel 300 is accommodated in a wheel accommodation hole WA of the base body 30. The recess 310 rotatably fits with a protrusion of a gear cover (not shown) that is fixed to the top of the base body 30 with screws or the like. The protrusion of the gear cover is formed as a two-step cylindrical staircase. The first protrusion of the gear cover rotatably passes through the cylindrical hole 320 and fits with the protrusion in a recess formed in the bottom surface of the base body 30. A gear portion 330 is formed around the entire circumferential direction on the upper outer periphery of the worm wheel 300, and the gear portion 330 fits with the worm gear 110. As a result, when the drive source 100 is driven and the output shaft rotates, the worm wheel 300 rotates around its own axis.

[0032] 9(b), a spiral cam groove 340 is formed on the lower side of the worm wheel 300, which engages with and drives the locking member 40. The cam groove 340 is formed as a groove along the wall surface shown by hatching in FIG. 9(b). An upper protrusion 440 formed on the upper part of the locking member 40 engages with the cam groove 340, and moves the slider 410 (locking member 40) in the front-rear direction in conjunction with the rotation of the worm wheel 300.

[0033] <Actions and Effects> The electric steering lock device 1 configured as described above locks and unlocks the steering shaft SS of the vehicle. In the unlocked state, as shown in FIG. 10(a), the lock member 40 is in the unlocked position, and the tip of the lock shaft 400 does not protrude forward from the housing 20. This allows the rotation of the steering shaft SS of the vehicle. At this time, the magnet 420 is located above the magnetic sensor 240a.

[0034] When the vehicle engine is stopped, the circuit on the circuit board 200 receives a signal from the vehicle control unit connected via the connector 210 of the circuit board 200 to enter the locked state. The circuit on the circuit board 200 applies a voltage to the drive source 100 to rotate the output shaft, which in turn rotates the worm gear 110 provided at the tip of the output shaft. The worm wheel 300 meshed with the worm gear 110 then rotates clockwise in a plan view. The worm wheel 300 presses the convex portion of the slider 410 of the locking member 40, which is slidably fitted in the cam groove 340, thereby moving the locking member 40 forward in conjunction with the rotation of the worm wheel 300. The forward-moving locking member 40 moves the magnet 420, which is fixed integrally to the locking member 40, forward. The magnet 420 then passes above the magnetic sensor 240b, which is disposed at a position corresponding to the locked state. 10(b), when the magnet 420 passes above the magnetic sensor 240b, the magnetic sensor 240b detects the magnetic force generated by the magnet 420 through the slotted hole SA, generates a voltage according to the magnetic flux density, and generates a lock detection signal indicating that the locking member 40 has moved to a position where the locking member 40 will be in the locked state. When the circuit on the circuit board 200 receives the lock detection signal, it stops applying voltage to the driving source 100, and stops the locking member 40 at the position where the locking member 40 will be in the locked state.

[0035] On the other hand, when the vehicle engine is switched from a stopped state to a running state, the circuit on the circuit board 200 receives a signal from the vehicle's control unit to switch to the unlocked state. The circuit on the circuit board 200 applies a voltage to the drive source 100 to rotate the output shaft, causing the worm wheel 300 to rotate counterclockwise in a plan view. The worm wheel 300 presses the convex portion of the slider 410 of the locking member 40, which is slidably fitted into the cam groove 340, thereby moving the locking member 40 rearward in conjunction with the rotation of the worm wheel 300. The locking member 40, which has moved rearward, moves the magnet 420 rearward. The magnet 420 then passes above the magnetic sensor 240a, which is located at a position corresponding to the unlocked state. 10(a), when the magnet 420 passes above the magnetic sensor 240a, the magnetic sensor 240a detects the magnetic force generated by the magnet 420 through the slotted hole SA, generates a voltage according to the magnetic flux density, and generates an unlock detection signal indicating that the locking member 40 has moved to a position where it is in the unlocked state. When the circuit on the circuit board 200 receives the unlock detection signal, it stops applying voltage to the drive source 100, and stops the locking member 40 at a position where it is in the unlocked state.

[0036] At this time, when the magnet 420 approaches, the magnetic sensor 240a or 240b generates a voltage according to the detected magnetic flux density and direction of the magnetic flux. 2 ] is proportional to the strength of the magnetic force (magnetic charge) and is also inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the magnet 420, which is the source of the magnetic force. In other words, the magnetic flux density B [Wb / m 2To ensure this, it is necessary to adjust the magnetic force of magnet 420 or the distance from magnet 420, which is the source of the magnetic force, to magnetic sensor 240a or 240b. Possible methods for strengthening the magnetic force of magnet 420 include increasing the area of ​​the side facing magnetic sensor 240a or 240b, increasing the vertical height of magnet 420, or changing the material of the magnet, but all of these methods may result in an increase in the size of the magnet or in costs. Therefore, the distance from magnet 420 to magnetic sensor 240a or 240b is reduced.

[0037] In the electric steering lock device 1 according to this embodiment, a fitting groove 421 is formed in the magnet 420 on the side facing the magnetic sensor 240a or 240b, and the holder 430 has a fitting portion 431 that fits into the fitting groove 421 of the magnet 420, and an opening OA that exposes a portion of the magnet 420 is provided on the surface facing the magnetic sensor 240a or 240b. The fitting groove 421 of the magnet 420 is formed in the center of one surface of the magnet 420, and the openings OA of the holder 430 are formed in two locations so as to sandwich the fitting portion 431 of the holder 430. As shown in FIG. 4, the fitting groove 421 that penetrates in the left-right direction is provided in the center of the lower side of the magnet 420. Holder 430 has fitting portion 431 that fits into fitting groove 421 of magnet 420, and is provided with opening OA that exposes flat surfaces 422a and 422b formed at two locations on either side of fitting groove 421 of magnet 420, facing magnetic sensor 240a or 240b. In other words, a configuration can be achieved in which no structure, such as the thickness of holder 430, exists between magnet 420 facing opening OA of holder 430 and magnetic sensor 240a or 240b. Holder 430 has two openings OA that are formed on either side of fitting portion 431 of holder 430. The magnetic force of magnet 420 can be strengthened by increasing the area of ​​magnet 420 on the exposed side, i.e., the side facing magnetic sensor 240a or 240b. Furthermore, because there is no structure between magnet 420 and magnetic sensor 240a or 240b, magnet 420 and magnetic sensor 240a or 240b can be configured with dimensions that are close enough to each other so that they do not come into contact. By exposing the magnet, flat surfaces 422a and 422b of magnet 420 can be positioned flush with the bottom surface of holder 430, and the distance between magnet 420 and magnetic sensor 240a or 240b can be reduced, thereby increasing magnetic flux density B. Therefore, the magnetic sensor can be made smaller at low cost without reducing its detection accuracy.

[0038] The electric steering lock device 1 according to this embodiment also includes a base body 30 that houses the drive mechanism 50. The base body 30 includes a drive hole LA that movably houses the locking member 40 and a long slot SA that communicates with the drive hole LA and is open to expose one side of the holder 430. A magnetic sensor 240a or 240b is disposed opposite the long slot SA. As shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 2 , the base body 30 also includes a drive source accommodating hole MA, a wheel accommodating hole WA, the drive hole LA, the long slot SA, and a board accommodating hole CA. As shown in FIG. 3 , the base body 30 accommodates the locking member 40 in the drive hole LA and the long slot SA, accommodates the drive source 100 in the drive source accommodating hole MA, a circuit board 200 in the board accommodating hole CA, and accommodates the worm wheel 300 in the wheel accommodating hole WA. Furthermore, the circuit board 200 is disposed in the board accommodation portion CA facing the slot SA, and the magnetic sensor 240a or 240b is disposed on the circuit board 200 at a position facing the slot SA. In other words, all of the functional units constituting the drive mechanism 50 can be accommodated in the base body 30, and their relative positions can be fixed. This allows for inexpensive miniaturization without reducing the detection accuracy of the magnetic sensor.

[0039] Furthermore, in the electric steering lock device 1 according to this embodiment, the holder 430 has an engaging claw 470 that holds the locking member 40 in a sandwiched manner, and the engaging claw 470 is prevented from moving in the attachment / detachment direction by the side walls of the elongated slot SA. As shown in Fig. 5, the holder 430 has the engaging claw 470 on the upper side that holds the locking member 40 in a sandwiched manner, and the magnet 420 is held and fixed to the locking member 40 by fitting the engaging claw 470 of the holder 430 into a recess of the slider 410. Furthermore, as shown in Figs. 6(a) and 6(b), the locking member 40 is slidably housed in the elongated slot SA, and the engaging claws 470 of the holder 430 of the locking member 40 are inserted adjacent to the left and right side walls of the elongated slot SA. In other words, when engaging claw 470 of holder 430 is inserted into elongated slot SA, the side walls of elongated slot SA are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction of holder 430, thereby restricting left-right movement of locking member 40 and preventing engaging claw 470 from moving in the release direction. When locking member 40 is driven in the front-rear direction, holder 430 stably holds magnet 420, thereby reducing the positional error between magnet 420 and magnetic sensor 240a or 240b. This allows for inexpensive miniaturization without reducing the detection accuracy of the magnetic sensor.

[0040] <Modification> In the embodiment of holder 430 described above, two openings OA are shown penetrating the bottom wall of holder 430 in the vertical direction. However, holder 430A may have a single opening OA1 penetrating the bottom wall. In this case, as shown in Fig. 11, in locking member 40A, holder 430A has opening OA1 in the bottom wall of holder 430A, and fitting portions 431A are provided at both ends of holder 430A in the front-rear direction. Holder 430A can hold magnet 420A in a predetermined position on slider 410 by sandwiching fitting grooves 421A provided at both ends of magnet 420A in the front-rear direction.

[0041] The above describes an embodiment of the present invention in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1. Electric steering lock device 10;Cover 20;Housing 30; Base body part 40: Locking member 40A: Locking member 50: Drive mechanism 100;Drive source 110;worm gear 200; Circuit board 300;worm wheel 330; Gear section 340; Cam groove 400; lock shaft 410;Slider 420;Magnet 420A; magnet 421;Mating groove 421A; Fitting groove 430;Holder 430A; holder 431; fitting part 431A;Mating part 440; Upper convex part 450; downward convexity 460; Mounting piece CA: Substrate accommodation section HA: Magnet housing LA: Drive hole MA: Drive source housing hole OA; opening OA1; opening SA: Long groove section SS; Steering shaft SW1;Side SW2; side WA: Wheel receiving hole

Claims

1. a locking member movable between a locked position where it engages with a steering shaft of a vehicle and an unlocked position where it is disengaged from the locked position; a magnet provided so as to be movable integrally with the locking member; a holder that holds the magnet on the locking member; a drive source that generates a drive force that moves the locking member; a drive mechanism that drives the locking member using the output of the drive source; a magnetic sensor disposed at a position corresponding to the locked position and the unlocked position; Equipped with The magnet has a recess on a side facing the magnetic sensor, an opening for exposing a portion of the magnet on the surface facing the magnetic sensor;

2. 2. The electric steering lock device according to claim 1, wherein the recess of the magnet is formed in the center of one side of the magnet, and the openings of the holder are formed in two locations so as to sandwich the protrusion of the holder.

3. a base body portion that houses the drive mechanism portion; the base body portion has a drive hole portion in which the locking member is movably accommodated; a slot portion that communicates with the drive hole portion and is open so as to expose one surface side having an opening portion of the holder; is formed, 3. The electric steering lock device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic sensor is disposed at a position facing the long slot.

4. 4. The electric steering lock device according to claim 3, wherein the holder has an engaging claw portion that clamps and holds the locking member, and the engaging claw portion is prevented from moving in the attachment / detachment direction by a side wall of the elongated slot portion.

Images