Abstract:
An engine starting apparatus including a lock body, a camshaft rotatably arranged in the lock body, and a knob connected to the camshaft. A lock pin restricts the rotation of the camshaft by engaging the camshaft. A solenoid moves the lock pin between a position in which the lock pin is engaged with the camshaft and a position in which the lock pin is disengaged from the camshaft. A tab is attached to the actuator and has a hole. The lock body has a cavity associated with the hole. A fastening pin is inserted in the hole and the cavity to fasten the solenoid to the lock body. This structure prevents the solenoid from being easily removed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to an apparatus for starting a vehicle engine, and more particularly, to an improvement of an interlock mechanism for selectively restricting the rotation of an operating portion in an engine starting apparatus.  
           [0002]    A smart ignition system (electronic key system) is known in the art as a type of vehicle engine starting apparatus.  
           [0003]    An engine starting apparatus includes a rotatable operating portion and an ignition switch, which is moved between a LOCK position, an ACC (accessory) position, an ON position, and a START position in accordance with the rotation of the operating portion. The engine starting apparatus further includes an interlock mechanism for selectively restricting the rotation of the operating portion. The interlock mechanism includes a solenoid and a camshaft, which moves cooperatively with the operating portion. A lock pin extends from the solenoid to engage the camshaft and restrict the rotation of the operating portion.  
           [0004]    The smart ignition system uses a portable device. When a driver holding the portable device enters the vehicle, an ID code of the portable device is compared with the ID code of a communication controller, which is installed in the vehicle. When the ID codes of the portable device and the communication controller match, the communication controller provides the solenoid with a control signal to disengage the lock pin from the camshaft. This enables the operating portion to be rotated from the LOCK position to the ACC position. When the operating portion is moved from the LOCK position to the ACC position, a steering shaft is disengaged from a steering wheel lock mechanism. This permits the steering wheel to be turned.  
           [0005]    However, the solenoid is attached to the engine starting apparatus simply by screws. Thus, the solenoid may easily be removed from the engine starting apparatus by removing the screws with a screwdriver. The rotation of the operating portion cannot be restricted when the solenoid is removed from the engine starting apparatus. In this state, the operating portion can be moved from the LOCK position to the ACC position even without the portable device. This would enable the steering wheel to be turned. When the solenoid is removed from the engine starting apparatus in the above manner, a person that does not have the portable device may drive the vehicle. The same problem occurs in an engine starting apparatus that employs an ignition key (mechanical key) to start the engine.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle engine starting apparatus that prevents a solenoid from being easily removed from the starting apparatus.  
           [0007]    To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an engine starting apparatus including a main body and a rotating member that is rotatably arranged in the main body. An operating member is connected to the rotating member. A lock member restricts the rotation of the rotating member by engaging the rotating member. An actuator moves the lock member between a position in which the lock member is engaged with the rotating member and a position in which the lock member is disengaged from the rotating member. An attaching member is attached to the actuator and has an attaching member hole. The main body has a cavity associated with the attaching member hole. A fastening member is inserted in the attaching member hole and the cavity to fasten the actuator to the main body.  
           [0008]    A further perspective of the present invention is an engine starting apparatus including a main body and a rotating member that is rotatably arranged in the main body. An operating member is connected to the rotating member. A lock member restricts the rotation of the rotating member by engaging the rotating member. An actuator moves the lock member between a position in which the lock member is engaged with the rotating member and a position in which the lock member is disengaged from the rotating member. A cover case covers the actuator and has an opening and a cover case hole located near the opening. The main body has a cavity associated with the cover case hole. A fastening member is inserted in the cover case hole and the cavity to fasten the actuator to the main body.  
           [0009]    Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    The invention, together with objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description of the presently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a vehicle engine starting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the vehicle engine starting apparatus of FIG. 1;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3( a ) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vehicle engine starting apparatus of FIG. 2 taken along line  3 A- 3 A;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3( b ) is a schematic perspective view of a fastening pin of the vehicle engine starting apparatus of FIG. 3( a );  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3( c ) is a partial cross-sectional view showing an engaging portion of the fastening pin of FIG. 3( b );  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vehicle engine starting apparatus of FIG. 2 taken along line  4 - 4 ; and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a vehicle engine starting apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]    In the drawings, like numerals are used for like elements throughout.  
         [0019]    A vehicle engine starting apparatus  10  according to a first embodiment of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to FIGS.  1  to  4 . The starting apparatus  10  is provided with a smart ignition function.  
         [0020]    As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the starting apparatus  10  includes a generally cylindrical lock body  11 , which serves as a main body. A retaining bore  12  extends longitudinally through the lock body  11 . A camshaft  13 , which serves as a rotating member, is retained in the retaining bore  12  in a manner that the camshaft  13  is rotatable about its axis. A knob  14 , which serves as an operating member and projects from an opened end of the retaining bore  12 , is formed integrally with one end of the camshaft  13 . When a driver turns the knob  14 , the knob  14  and camshaft  13  are rotated to a LOCK position, an ACC position, an ON position, or a START position.  
         [0021]    Referring to FIG. 2, a first cam  16  and a second cam  17  are provided on the camshaft  13 . As shown in FIG. 3( a ), the first cam  16  has a first recess  18  and a second recess  19 , which are formed in the outer surface of the first cam  16 . The second recess  19  is wider than the first recess  18 .  
         [0022]    Referring to FIG. 1, the lock body  11  has a peripheral surface  11   a . An arm  21  extends integrally from and perpendicular to the peripheral surface  11   a  of the lock body  11 . The lock body  11  is attached to a steering column (not shown). An insertion bore  22 , which is connected to the retaining bore  12  of the lock body  11 , extends through the arm  21 . A lock bar  23  is inserted in the insertion bore  22 . A spring (not shown) applies force to the lock bar  23  so that the lock bar  23  engages the second cam  17 . As shown in FIG. 4, when the second cam  17  is rotated with the camshaft  13  arranged at the LOCK position, the lock bar  23  projects from the arm  21  into the steering column against the force of the spring to engage a steering shaft (not shown). When the camshaft  13  is arranged at the ACC position, the ON position, or the START position, the lock bar  23  remains in the arm  21 .  
         [0023]    Referring to FIG. 2, a seat  25  having a flat seat surface  25   a  is formed on the peripheral surface  11   a  of the lock body  11 . A generally cubic solenoid  26 , which serves as an actuator, is arranged on the seat surface  25   a . The solenoid  26  has a flat contacting surface  26   a , which faces the seat surface  25   a.    
         [0024]    Walls  27  surrounding the solenoid  26  is formed integrally with the lock body  11  around the seat  25  on the peripheral surface  11   a  of the lock body  11 . A square opening  28  is defined between the distal ends of the walls  27 . The walls  27  are taller than the solenoid  26 . Grooves  24  extend between the seat  25  and the walls  27 .  
         [0025]    A pair of tabs (attaching members)  29  are fixed to opposing side surfaces of the solenoid  26  such that they overhang from the solenoid  26 , as shown in FIG. 3( a ). The solenoid  26  is arranged on the seat surface  25   a  so that the two tabs  29  are inserted in two of the grooves  24 . The thickness of each tab  29  is less than the width of the groove  24 .  
         [0026]    As shown in FIG. 3( c ), a first hole  29   a  (an attaching member hole) extends through the distal portion of each tab  29 . In association with the first hole  29   a , a second hole  27   a  (a wall hole) extends through the basal portion of the corresponding wall  27 . In association with the second hole  27   a , a cavity  33  is formed in the corresponding side surface of the seat  25 . A fastening pin  31  is fitted in the aligned first hole  29   a , second hole  27   a , and cavity  33  to fasten the solenoid  26  to the seat  25  of the lock body  11 . The fastening pin  31 , which serves as a fastening member, is longer than the cavity  33 . Further, the fastening pin  31  is located at a position lower than the seat surface  25   a  of the seat  25  and in the vicinity of the peripheral surface  11   a  of the lock body  11 . The distal end of the fastening pin  31  does not protrude from the surface of the wall  27 .  
         [0027]    As shown in FIG. 3( b ), the fastening pin  31  is a spring pin having a C-like cross-section. The peripheral surface of the fastening pin  31  is not threaded. When the fastening pin  31  is fitted in the holes  29   a ,  27   a  and the cavity  33 , a predetermined space  35  is defined in the cavity  33  between the fastening pin  31  and the end of the cavity  33 .  
         [0028]    The opening  28  between the walls  27  is closed by a cover plate  34 , which serves as a cover member. A pair of third holes  27   b  extends through the distal ends of the opposing walls  27 . A pair of cavities  43  is formed in opposing ends of the cover plate  34  in association with the third holes  27   b . A fastening pin  41  is fitted in each third hole  27   b  and the associated cavity  43 . The fastening pin  41  is a spring pin having a C-like cross-section. The fastening pin  41  is fitted in the cavity  43  until it reaches the inner end of the cavity  43 . The solenoid  26  is encompassed by the cover plate  34  and the walls  27 . In this state, a predetermined clearance is provided between the cover plate  34  and the solenoid  26 .  
         [0029]    The solenoid  26  includes a lock pin  45 , a plunger  47 , which is connected to the lock pin  45 , a coil  46 , which moves the plunger  47 , and a spring  48 , which biases the plunger  47 . The de-excitation and excitation of the coil  46  moves the plunger  47  in the solenoid  26 .  
         [0030]    The lock body  11 , which serves as a lock member, has a through bore  11   b  to receive the lock pin  45 . The lock pin  45  projects out of the through bore lib and into the retaining bore  12 . When the coil  46  is not excited, the force of the spring  48  projects the lock pin  45  from the through bore  11   b . This engages the lock pin  45  with the first recess  18  or second recess  19  of the first cam  16 . When the coil  46  is excited, the lock pin  45  is retracted in the through bore  11   b  to disengage the lock pin  45  from the recess  18  or  19 .  
         [0031]    The lock pin  45  engages the first recess  18  when the camshaft  13  (knob  14 ) is arranged at the LOCK position and the lock bar  23  is engaged with the steering shaft. The lock pin  45  engages the second recess  19  when the camshaft (knob  14 ) is arranged at the ACC position, the ON position, or the START position and the lock bar  23  is disengaged from the steering shaft.  
         [0032]    A communication controller (not shown) controls the coil  46  of the starting apparatus  10 . The communication controller excites the coil  46  when an ID code included in a signal transmitted from a portable device (not shown) held by the driver matches an ID code stored in the communication controller, which is installed in the vehicle. The communication controller also excites the coil  46  when a shift lever of a shift lever apparatus is arranged at a parking position or a neutral position.  
         [0033]    To remove the solenoid  26  from the lock body  11 , at least the cover plate  34  must be removed from the walls  27 . The cover plate  34  is fastened to the walls  27  by the fastening pins  41 , which do not protrude from the surface of the walls  27 . Thus, the fastening pins  41  cannot be removed from the walls  27  even with a screwdriver.  
         [0034]    Further, the solenoid  26  is fastened to the seat  25  by the fastening pins  31 , which do not protrude from the surface of the walls  27 . Thus, the fastening pins  31  cannot be removed from the walls  27  even with a screwdriver. Accordingly, the solenoid  26  cannot easily be removed from the lock body  11  even if the cover plate  34  is broken.  
         [0035]    Each cavity  33  in the seat  25  is formed so that a space  35  is provided between the distal end of the fastening pin  31  and the inner end of the cavity  33 . Thus, for example, if each fastening pin  31  were to be pushed from the outer side, the fastening pin  31  would move toward the inner end of the associated cavity  33 . Thus, the fastening pin  31  would not fall out of the wall  27 . Further, once the fastening pin  31  is fitted into the associated cavity  33 , the fastening pin  31  moves further into the cavity  33  when pushed. This makes it difficult to pull out the fastening pin  31 .  
         [0036]    The fastening pins  31  are located near the basal ends of the walls  27 , that is, near the peripheral surface  11   a  of the lock body  11 . Various devices, such as a steering column, are arranged around the starting apparatus  10  in the vehicle. Thus, for example, if someone tries to remove the fastening pins  31  with a tool, the peripheral surface  11   a  of the lock body  11  would get in the way and make it difficult to remove the fastening pins  31 . Further, the bordering portions between the peripheral surface  11   a  of the lock body  11  and the walls  27  are curved. In comparison with a flat bordering portion, the curved bordering portions of the peripheral surface  11   a  make it more difficult to remove the fastening pins  31 .  
         [0037]    The walls  27  are formed integrally with the lock body  11 . Further, the walls  27  are taller than the solenoid  26 . Thus, even if the cover plate  34  were broken, the solenoid  26  would not easily be removed from the seat  25  unless the walls  27  were broken.  
         [0038]    The vehicle engine starting apparatus  10  of the first embodiment has the advantages described below.  
         [0039]    (1) The solenoid  26  is fastened to the seat  25  with the tabs  29 , which are fixed to the solenoid  26 , by fitting the fastening pins  31  into the cavities  33  of the seat  25 , the first holes  29   a  of the tabs  29 , and the second holes  27   a  of the walls  27 . Further, the fastening pins  31  do not protrude from the surfaces of the walls  27 . Since the fastening pins  31  cannot be removed by a screwdriver, the removal of the solenoid  26  from the lock body  11  is difficult. This increases security.  
         [0040]    (2) The walls  27  surround the solenoid  26  and are taller than the solenoid  26 . Thus, unless the cover plate  34  is removed and the walls  27  are broken, the solenoid  26  cannot be removed from the lock body  11 . This further increases security.  
         [0041]    (3) The cover plate  34  is fixed to the walls  27  in the opening  28  by the fastening pins  41 . Thus, the solenoid  26  is covered by the walls  27  and the cover plate  34 . Further, the solenoid  26  is not visual. In addition, the fastening pins  41  cannot be removed from the walls  27  with a screwdriver. This makes it difficult to remove the cover plate  34 .  
         [0042]    (4) When each fastening pin  31  is pushed from the outer side, the fastening pin  31  moves into the space  35  further toward the inner end of the cavity  33 . This makes it further difficult to remove the fastening pins  31 .  
         [0043]    (5) The fastening pins  31  are located near the basal ends of the walls  27 , that is, near the peripheral surface  11   a  of the lock body  11 . Thus, when someone tries to remove the fastening pins  31 , the peripheral surface  11   a  of the lock body  11  would get in the way and make it difficult to remove the fastening pins  31 .  
         [0044]    (6) The tabs  29 , which are fixed to the solenoid  26 , facilitate the arrangement of the fastening pins  31  near the peripheral surface  11   a  of the lock body  11 .  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 5 shows a vehicle engine starting apparatus  110  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The starting apparatus  110  includes a cover case  36 , which covers the solenoid  26 .  
         [0046]    The cover case  36  is box-like and has an opening, or opened end  36   a , which is engaged with the grooves  24  between the seat  25  and the walls  27 . The inner surfaces of the cover case  36  are in contact with the solenoid  26 .  
         [0047]    Holes  36   b  extend through the opened end  36   a  of the cover case  36 . The fastening pins  31  are inserted through the holes  27   a  of the walls  27  and the holes  36   b  and fitted in the cavities  33  of the seat  25 . This fastens the cover case  36  to the lock body  11 . In this state, the inner surfaces of the cover case  36  are in contact with the solenoid  26 . Thus, the solenoid  26  is held between the cover case  36  and the seat  25 . As a result, the solenoid  26  is fixed to the lock body  11 . In other words, the cover case  36 , which is fastened to the lock body  11  by the fastening pins  31 , secures the solenoid  26  to the lock body  11 .  
         [0048]    To remove the solenoid  26  from the lock body  11 , the cover case  36  must first be taken off. However, the cover case  36  is fastened to the basal portion of the walls  27  by the fastening pins  31 . Further, the fastening pins  31  do not protrude from the surface of the associated walls  27 . Thus, the removal of the fastening pins  31  from the cavities  33  is extremely difficult, and the removal of the solenoid  26  from the lock body  11  is difficult.  
         [0049]    The vehicle engine starting apparatus  110  of the second embodiment has the advantages described below.  
         [0050]    (1) The cover case  36 , which covers the solenoid  26 , is fastened to the basal portion of the seat  25  by the fastening pins  31 . Accordingly, the solenoid  26  is fixed to the seat  25  by the cover case  36 . The fastening pins  31  cannot be removed by a screwdriver. Thus, the cover case  36  cannot be removed from the lock body  11 , and the solenoid  26  cannot be removed from the lock body  11 . This improves security.  
         [0051]    (2) The cover case  36  covers the solenoid  26 . Thus, the solenoid  26  is not visual from the outer side of the cover case  36 .  
         [0052]    (3) Only the two fastening pins  31  are required to fix the solenoid  26  to the lock body  11 . This reduces costs in comparison with the first embodiment since the fastening pins  41  are not necessary.  
         [0053]    (4) The fastening pins  31  are arranged near the peripheral surface  11   a  of the lock body  11 . This makes it further difficult to remove the solenoid  26  from the starting apparatus  110 .  
         [0054]    It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Particularly, it should be understood that the present invention may be embodied in the following forms.  
         [0055]    (a) The tabs  29  may be fixed to all four side surfaces of the solenoid  26 . Alternatively, the two tabs  29  may be fixed to the contacting surface  26   a . In such case, each tab  29  is bent in an L-like manner and inserted in the associated groove  24 . Further, the tabs  29  may be formed integrally with the solenoid  26 .  
         [0056]    (b) The number of the fastening pins  31  used to fasten the solenoid  26  to the lock body  11  is not limited to two. Three or more fastening pins  31  may be used.  
         [0057]    (c) The present invention may be applied to a vehicle engine starting apparatus that employs a mechanical key. In this case, the coil  46  of the solenoid  26  is excited when the shift lever of the shift lever apparatus is arranged at the parking position or the neutral position.  
         [0058]    (d) The present invention may be applied to a vehicle engine starting apparatus that is not provided with a steering lock function. In this case, a steering lock device, which includes a cam and a lock bar, may be arranged separately from the vehicle engine starting apparatus  10  in the vehicle. When the camshaft  13  (knob  14 ) is rotated from the LOCK position to another position, such as the ACC position, an electric signal is provided to the steering lock apparatus to disengage the lock bar from the steering shaft.  
         [0059]    (e) In the second embodiment, the walls  27  may be eliminated.  
         [0060]    (f) In the first embodiment, the cover plate  34  may be eliminated. In this case, as long as the walls  27  are taller than the solenoid  26 , the solenoid  26  cannot be removed unless the walls  27  are broken. Thus, the same level of security may be maintained even if the cover plate  34  is removed.  
         [0061]    (g) The seat  25  of the lock body  11  may be eliminated. In this case, the cavities  33  would be formed in the peripheral surface  11   a  of the lock body  11 .  
         [0062]    (h) In the first and second embodiments, the cavities  33  do not have to be provided in the seat  25 . For example, the cavities  33  may be formed in the basal portion of the cover case  36  in the second embodiment to fix the solenoid  26  to the lock body  11  with the fastening pins  31 . The cavities  33  may also be formed in the cover plate  34  to fix the solenoid  26  to the lock body  11  with the fastening pins  31 . In this case, the tabs  29  may be arranged between the cover plate  34  and the walls  27 .  
         [0063]    (i) In the first and second embodiments, the space  35  does not have to be provided in each cavity  33 . Further, a through hole may be used in lieu of the cavity  33 . Additionally, the space  35  may be provided in each cavity  43  of the cover plate  34 .  
         [0064]    (j) The fastening pins do not have to be spring keys and may be, for example, taper pins or parallel pins.  
         [0065]    (k) A projection may be provided on the peripheral surface  11   a  of the lock body  11  so that the projection interferes with someone who tries the remove the solenoid  26 .  
         [0066]    The present examples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalence of the appended claims.