Patent ID: 7327050
Filing Date: 2008-02-05
Classification: B60R,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An electric steering lock device comprising: a control unit configured to output a drive command to operate a steering column lock between a steering locked state and a steering unlocked state; a locking limit switch configured to turn on when the steering column lock reaches a locking stop position, and turn off after issuance of an unlocking command from the control unit to unlock the steering column lock; an unlocking limit switch configured to turn on when the steering column lock reaches an unlocking stop position, and turn off after issuance of a locking command from the control unit to unlock the steering column lock; a state detection component configured to detect a current state of the steering column lock as one of the steering locked state and the steering unlocked state; and a malfunction diagnostic component configured to determine a malfunction of one of the locking and unlocking limit switches when both the locking and unlocking limit switches are off and the current state of the steering column lock is detected to be in one of the steering locked state and the steering unlocked state.