Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for controlling a blocking member ( 11 ) of a functional component ( 30 ), particularly of a steering column ( 30 ) of a motor vehicle, particularly of a motorcycle, having a drive ( 20 ) by which the blocking member ( 11 ) can be moved into a locking position ( 1 ) and into an unlocking position ( 2 ) and vice versa, wherein the blocking member ( 11 ) engages mechanically with the functional component ( 30 ) when in the locking position ( 1 ), releases from the functional component ( 30 ) when in the unlocking position ( 2 ), and the locking process is started via a defined triggering action on the part of the operator, the blocking member ( 11 ) being moved from the unlocking position ( 2 ) into the locking position ( 1 ) during said locking process. According to the invention, a controller ( 40 ) monitors the process, enabling a malfunction of the component ( 30 ), in which a locking position ( 1 ) of the blocking member ( 11 ) is impossible, to be detected, such that the blocking member ( 11 ) takes up the original unlocking position ( 2 ) despite the triggering action.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a method that is intended for actuating a blocking member of a functionally essential component, in particular a steering column of a motor vehicle, in particular a motorcycle, and that comprises a drive, with which the blocking member can be moved into a locking position and into an unlocking position and vice versa, wherein in the locking position the blocking member mechanically engages with the functionally essential component, and wherein in the unlocking position the blocking member is released from the functionally essential component, and wherein the user initiates a defined triggering action to start the locking process, during which the blocking member is moved into the locking position from the unlocking position. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The prior art discloses devices for actuating a blocking member, in particular a steering column of a motor vehicle. In this case there is a blocking member that can be moved into a locking position and into an unlocking position and vice versa by means of a drive. Such devices are used, for example, in the framework of electromechanical steering wheel locks, where the blocking member in the unlocking position is located largely inside the device and does not engage with the steering column. In contrast, the blocking member in the locking position projects beyond the device and is operatively connected to the steering column, which is, thus, held in a locking manner in its position. It has proven to be disadvantageous that, for example, the steering column can be put into an incorrect position, in which the blocking member unintentionally locks the steering column, because, for example, upon emerging from the device the blocking member abuts on a tooth of the steering column. If the steering wheel lock of the motorcycle is in such a state, in which the blocking member has left its unlocking position, but the locking position has not been reached because the steering column is in an incorrect position, then the user can still move the motorcycle. At the same time, however, the movement of the motorcycle may cause in a disadvantageous manner the blocking member to snap subsequently into the steering column. This unintentional subsequent latching of the blocking member can then lead to a crash of both the user and the motorcycle. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The invention provides a method and a device for actuating a blocking member of the aforementioned genre, wherein the said drawbacks are avoided. In particular, the invention provides a method and a device that improves the safety of the user. 
         [0004]    To this end the invention provides that monitoring occurs by means of a control unit, which can detect a possible incorrect position of the component that rules out a locking position of the blocking member, so that despite the triggering action the blocking member subsequently occupies the original unlocking position. The component may be an element of a motor vehicle, motorcycle or a quad bike. The invention prevents the occurrence of more than two positions of the blocking member over a prolonged period of time. If the locking process is started by the triggering action, it may happen in some cases that the component does not occupy the exact position for a locking position of the blocking member. In this case there is no mechanical engagement of the blocking member with the functionally essential component. The component may be configured, for example, as a steering column that has recesses, with which the blocking member in its locking position engages. In one such possible incorrect position of the steering column the blocking member does not move into the said recess after the triggering action, but rather makes contact, for example, with the adjacent region (tooth, etc.) of the recess. This undesired floating state of the blocking member is detected by the control unit, which once again actuates the blocking member for the purpose of moving it into its original unlocking position. In this way it is possible to effectively inhibit the blocking member from locking unintentionally and involuntarily from an intermediate position. It is possible for the steering column to be in an incorrect position when, for example, the handlebar of the motorcycle is not in its corresponding position. The conscious action to trigger the locking process can take place, for example, by depressing a button or by removing a key from the electromechanical steering lock. 
         [0005]    A possible incorrect position of the component can be checked, for example, directly by means of the position of the blocking member. During the locking process the control unit can check the extent to which the blocking member occupies a defined extended position, in which the locking position is reached. When the locking position of the blocking member has been reached, the conclusion may be drawn that the component is not in an incorrect position. 
         [0006]    As an alternative, it is, of course, conceivable to determine the position of the component, in particular, the steering column, directly by means of the control unit. Similarly one possibility is that during the locking process the control unit detects or determines a state variable of the drive, from which a possible incorrect position of the component can be found. If, for example, the drive has an electric motor and a transmission, which is in a mechanical functional contact with the blocking member, then the position of one of the transmission elements, in particular, the drive wheel or the output wheel, which serves as the state variable, can be used to deduce that the functionally essential component is in a possible incorrect position. 
         [0007]    In an additional possible embodiment of the invention, the control unit is actuated and activated by means of the triggering action. This means that the position of the functionally essential component is not checked until after the conscious action on the part of the user for the purpose of locking the motor vehicle. As an alternative and/or in addition, it is naturally conceivable in an additional embodiment of the invention that a permanent monitoring of a possible incorrect position of the component is carried out. 
         [0008]    The method according to the invention comprises the option of moving the blocking member back into the unlocking position from an intermediate position, which lies between the unlocking position and the locking position, after detecting that the component is in an incorrect position. This embodiment provides in parallel after the triggering action on the part of the user a corresponding movement of the blocking member from the unlocking position into the locking position as well as a corresponding monitoring by the control unit to the extent that the component is or is not in an incorrect position. If unfortunately the conditions for an incorrect position are met, then the blocking member is moved from an intermediate position back into the unlocking position. Another possible design variant can provide that following detection of an incorrect position of the component the blocking member remains immoveable in its unlocking position despite a triggering action on the part of the user. In this case a possible incorrect position is determined by means of the direct position finding of the functionally essential component. Not until there is positive feedback that the functionally essential component has the correct position for a locking position of the blocking member does an actuation occur in order to move the blocking member from its unlocking position into the locking position. If there is no positive feedback, then the blocking member remains immoveable in its unlocking position. 
         [0009]    The control unit has advantageously a sensor element, which generates a sensor signal, in particular, by means of a defined change in the electrical property of the sensor element. This sensor signal can be used to determine that the component is in a possible incorrect position. For this purpose it is possible to use a variety of sensors—in particular, analog, binary or digital sensors. In one advantageous design variant the said sensor signal is generated by means of a change in the inductance, the resistance or the capacitance. For example, the sensor element can be designed as a magnetic field sensor, a pressure sensor or as an optical sensor. 
         [0010]    There is preferably a housing that contains the drive, the blocking member and the control unit. As an alternative, the control unit may also be disposed outside the housing, in particular in the vicinity of the functionally essential component, in order to monitor its position. The functionally essential component is connected to a handlebar element that can be moved advantageously into a left and a right stop position by the user. As a result, a locking position of the blocking member can be reached only in the said stop positions. If the handlebar element is not in one of the said stop positions, then the functionally essential component is, according to the invention, in an incorrect position. The blocking member cannot reach the locking position by way of the defined triggering action, because the control unit detects this incorrect position. The functionally essential component—in particular, the steering column of the motorcycle or the quad bike—has advantageously only two receptacles, with which the blocking member in its locking position can engage in a locking manner. 
         [0011]    The device according to the invention can be used as the electric or electromechanical steering lock. In addition, the device can be combined especially with so-called “keyless entry systems.” The device according to the invention can be activated, for example, by radio signals or after a data exchange has taken place. In this respect the invention enables as a matter of fact a feedback as to whether the respective device is or is not blocking reliably the functionally essential component, in particular, the steering column. This state can be shown, for example, by means of an optical or acoustical message device in the motor vehicle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Other advantages, features and details of the invention are apparent from the following description, in which a number of embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this respect the features that are mentioned in the claims may be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is only a schematic drawing of the inventive device for actuating a blocking member, 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows a potential embodiment of the control unit for monitoring a possible incorrect position of the steering column, 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  shows an additional embodiment of the control unit that is configured as an optical sensor, 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  shows an alternative of the control unit that is mounted on a two-part blocking member, 
           [0017]      FIG. 5   a  shows another possibility of an embodiment of the control unit, 
           [0018]      FIG. 5   b  shows yet another design alternative of the control unit on the blocking member, and 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a schematic drawing of the inventive method for actuating the blocking member. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]      FIG. 1  is only a schematic drawing of a possible embodiment of a device  10  for actuating a blocking member  11  of a functionally essential component  30 . The component  30  involves a steering column  30  of a motorcycle. The device has a drive  20  comprising a transmission  22  and an electric motor  21 . The transmission  22  is mechanically coupled with the blocking member  11 . In this case  FIG. 1  shows the blocking member  11  in a locking position  1 . The transmission  22  moves the blocking member  11  in a translatory manner out of the locking position  1  upwards into an unlocking position  2 , which is symbolized by the dash-dotted line in  FIG. 1 . In the locking position  1  the blocking member  11  projects with its free end into a groove  31  of the steering column  30 , thus locking the steering column  30 . In contrast, the blocking member  11  in the unlocking position  2  is released from the steering column  30 . 
         [0021]    In the present embodiment the blocking member  11  is made of a metal—in particular, steel. In this case the material thickness is dimensioned in such a way that destruction of the material can be largely ruled out. In an alternative embodiment the blocking member  11  can be made by means of the injection molding technology. In the present embodiment the free end of the blocking member  11  is rounded off in its contour, thus making it easier for the blocking member  11  to snap into the groove  31  of the steering column  30 . In another embodiment (not illustrated) the free end of the blocking member can also be configured so as to be chamfered. 
         [0022]    The transmission  22  can be configured, for example, so as to be multi-stepped, a feature that is not explicitly shown. In this case the transmission  22  can have a drive wheel that acts directly on the blocking member  11 . For example, the drive wheel can be driven by a worm shaft that is driven by the electric motor  21 . 
         [0023]    Furthermore, the device  10  has a housing  12 , which contains the drive  20 , the blocking member  11  and a control unit  40 . In this context the control unit  40  serves to monitor the position of the steering column  30 . That is, the locking position  1  of the blocking member  11  can be achieved only if the steering column  30  and its groove  31  occupy the correct position in relation to the blocking member  11 . If the groove  31  does not exhibit its respective position that is necessary for the locking position  1  of the blocking member  11 , then after a defined triggering action on the part of the user, the blocking member  11  moves from the unlocking position  2 , in which the blocking member  11  is released in relation to the steering column  30 , against the tooth  32  or the flank of the steering column  30 , where the blocking member  11  occupies an intermediate position  3  that lies between the unlocking position  2  and the locking position  1 . In this instance the blocking member  11  occupies an intermediate position  3  that is between the unlocking position  2  and the locking position  1 . The blocking member  11  moves back from the intermediate position  3  into the unlocking position  2  by way of the incorrect position of the steering column  30  that is detected by the control unit  40 . 
         [0024]    The user consciously initiates the triggering action by means of a switch  13 . The result is that the blocking member  11  is moved in a translatory manner from its unlocking position  2  into the locking position  1  by means of a drive  20 . The control unit  40  can determine in a number of ways a possible incorrect position of the steering column  30  that is indicated in a schematic manner in  FIG. 1 . For example, the control unit  40  can check via the extended position of the blocking member  11  during the locking process whether a locking position  1  has been reached. In the event that the blocking member  11  has left the unlocking position  2 , but has not reached the locking position  1 , but rather is, for example, in the intermediate position  3 , then it may be concluded that the steering column  30  is in an incorrect position. 
         [0025]    In an alternative embodiment the control unit  40  can also determine directly the position of the steering column  30 , in order to detect in this way a possible incorrect position. Similarly it is conceivable that the determined state variables of the drive  20  can be used to draw conclusions about a possible incorrect position of the steering column  30 , which is also indicated in  FIG. 1 . For example, the current of the electric motor  21  can serve as the state variable that is determined by the control unit  40 . Another potential embodiment of the device according to the invention provides that an increase in current in the electric motor  21  can be used to draw the conclusion that the blocking member  11  is resting against the tooth  32  of the steering column  30  and is, thus, in an intermediate position  3 . 
         [0026]    The control unit  40  can be designed with a sensor element  41 . According to  FIG. 2 , the sensor element is configured as a Hall sensor  41 . 1  that is mounted directly on the steering column  30  in the area of the groove  31 . The free end of the blocking member  11  has a permanent magnet  42 . When the blocking member  11  is in the locking position  1 —thus, is inside the groove  31 —then the Hall sensor  41 . 1  detects the position of the permanent magnet  42  inside the groove  31 . In an additional alternative (not illustrated) the Hall sensor and the permanent magnet can be mounted in other places, in particular, on the housing of the device according to the invention, in order to determine every position of the blocking member  11 . The range of magnetic field sensors also includes reed switches, magnetic resonance sensors or the like that operate without making contact and are, thus, wear resistant. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  shows another design alternative of the control unit  40  that is configured as an optical sensor  40 . The blocking member  11  has position marks  14  that the optical sensor  40  detects without making contact. In this way every position  1 ,  2  of the blocking member  11  can be detected. The present embodiment has a series of position marks that include a plurality of alternating stripes arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction of the blocking member  11 . In this position pattern  14  each position of the blocking member  11  is coded so that by scanning the position mark  14  by means of the optical sensor  40  the current position of the blocking member  11  can be determined. In the present case the sensor  40  is configured as a light reflection sensor that has a transmitter that emits transmitting light beams, a receiver that receives receiving light beams and an evaluating unit that is not illustrated. In this case the transmitter preferably comprises a light emitting diode, and the receiver is composed of a photo diode. The evaluating unit comprises a microprocessor or the like. The light reflection sensor is integrated preferably in a housing that is small in size. In order to produce the dark position mark  14  recesses can be produced in the blocking member  11  at, for example, the positions intended for said position marks. These recesses open on the surface of the blocking member. These recesses have a negligible depth and are produced by suitable material removal methods, such as erosion. Layers of dark material are introduced into these recesses. These layers of dark material form the dark position marks  14  that can be produced, for example, by electrolytic oxidation. The dark material layers of the position marks  14  reflect, as compared to the surface of the blocking member  11 , only a small portion of the transmitting light beams. The light sensor  40  can be mounted, for example, on the housing  12  of the device  10  according to the invention. As an alternative, it is also conceivable that the light sensor  40  is mounted on the steering column  30  and faces the blocking member  11 . 
         [0028]    In an additional design alternative it is conceivable that the blocking member  11  is configured as two parts. In this case the blocking member  11  includes, inter alia, a base part  11 . 1  and an active part  11 . 2 , both of which are connected together by a spring element  15 .  FIG. 4  represents the normal case, in which the blocking member  11  moves in an operatively correct manner into the locking position  1 . In this case the free end of the active part  11 . 2  is inside the groove  31  of the steering column  30 . In the event that the steering column  30  is in an incorrect position, the free end of the active part  11 . 2  hits the tooth  32 . During this process the drive  20  continues to move the base part  11 . 1  in the direction of the active part  11 . 2 . The base part occupies the position that is shown by the dashed line in  FIG. 4 . At the same time the spring element  15  is compressed even more. In this embodiment according to  FIG. 4  the control unit  40  is configured, as in  FIG. 2 , as a magnetic field sensor comprising a Hall sensor  41 . 1  and a permanent magnet  42 . In this case the permanent magnet  42  is on the base part  11 . 1 , and the Hall sensor  41 . 1  is on the active part  11 . 2 . If the blocking member  11  strikes the tooth  32  when the steering column  30  is in an incorrect position, then the Hall sensor  41 . 1  is almost opposite the permanent magnet  42 , as a result of which a signal is emitted. With this signal it is possible to detect that a locking position  1  of the blocking member  11  is not executable. 
         [0029]    In  FIG. 5   a  and  FIG. 5   b  the control unit  40  is designed with an optical sensor.  FIG. 5   a  shows a control unit that works like a one-way light barrier that includes a spatially separated transmitting and receiving element  41 . 3 ,  41 . 4 . In this case the interruption of the light beam between the transmitter  41 . 3  and the receiver  41 . 4  is sensed. In this context the sensor field can be operated with visible light or with infrared. 
         [0030]    In  FIG. 5   b  the control unit  40  is designed as a reflection light barrier that comprises a transmitting and receiving element  41 . 5 —both of which are housed in a common housing. With the approach of the blocking member  11 , the pulsed light or infrared radiation emitted by the transmitting and receiving element  41 . 5  is reflected at the reflector  41 . 6  that is also mounted on the blocking member  11  and is received via the receiving element  41 . 5 . As an alternative the reflector  41 . 6  can be disposed inside the groove  31  of the steering column  30  that is also shown in  FIG. 5   b . In this case the blocking member  11  is mounted in a linearly moveable manner between the reflector  41 . 6  and the transmitting and receiving element  41 . 5 . 
         [0031]    In another alternative (not illustrated) of the invention the control unit  40  can have a sensor element that works like a pressure sensor. In this case it is possible to use strain gauge strips that are fastened, for example, on the free end of the blocking member  11  and can detect forces, torques, pressure, expansion or compression of the blocking member  11 . The various design alternatives of sensor elements can be provided, of course, at the drive  20 , in particular the transmission  22 , the motor  21  and/or the housing  12 , in order to determine the state variables, from which directly or indirectly an incorrect position of the steering column  30  can be concluded. 
         [0032]      FIG. 6  shows one example of the inventive method for actuating a blocking member  11  of the steering column  30  of a motorcycle. After the user has switched off the motor by means of a conscious action in accordance with step  50 , it is then necessary to execute another intentional movement of the handlebar element  33  into one of its two stop positions, which is shown in step  51 . Step  52  shows as a schematic drawing that the handlebar element  33  of the motorcycle has a left and a right stop position. Only if the handlebar element  33  has reached one of the two stop positions is a locking position  1  of the blocking member  11  possible in accordance with  FIG. 1 . After the user has moved the handlebar element  33  into one of the two stop positions, there is an additional and intentional triggering action  53 , with which the user consciously starts the locking process, during which the blocking member  11  can be moved out of its unlocking position  2  into the locking position  1 . This triggering action  53  can be initiated, for example, with a switch  13  on the handlebar element  33 . In parallel to the movement of the blocking member  11  into the locking position  1 , the control unit  40  from  FIG. 1  responds. This control unit starts a monitoring process  55  that checks for a possible incorrect position of the steering column  30 . If the steering column  30  is not in an incorrect position, then the blocking member  11  moves into the locking position  56 . If, in contrast, the steering column  30  is in an incorrect position, then the blocking member  11  moves back from a possible intermediate position into the original unlocking position  2 . 
         [0033]    Naturally it is conceivable that the control unit  40  contains information that the user in step  50  has switched off the motor by the user and/or whether one of the stop positions of the handlebar element  33  according to  51 ,  52  has been reached. In the event that one of the conditions according to  50 ,  51 ,  52  has not been satisfied, then the control unit  40  can block the triggering action  53 , so that despite the conscious triggering action on the part of the user there is no locking process. This means that the blocking member  11  remains immobilized in its unlocking position  2 .