Apparatus for Restricting Activation of Engine Starting System

Abstract

An activation restricting apparatus for an engine starting system that may be produced with a compact size. The apparatus includes an operating mechanism, an actuator, and a control unit. The operating mechanism starts and stops the engine and has a plurality of positions including a LOCK position. The operating mechanism includes a first stopper prohibiting movement of the operating mechanism from the LOCK position and a second stopper prohibiting movement of the operating mechanism to the LOCK position. The control unit enables the engine to be started when the operating mechanism is in the LOCK position and a first ID code sent from a portable device matches a second ID code. The control unit enables the operating mechanism to be moved to the LOCK position when the operating mechanism is not in the LOCK position and the vehicle is not moving.

1 . An apparatus for restricting operation of an engine starting system of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: 
 an operating means to be manually operated for starting and stopping an engine of a vehicle with which the apparatus is used, the operating means having a plurality of operation positions including a LOCK position in which the operating means is locked and an ACC position in which electric devices of a vehicle with which the apparatus is used are supplied with power, the operating means including a first stopper corresponding to the LOCK position and a second stopper corresponding to the ACC position;    an actuator for engaging one of the first and second stoppers; and    a control means for controlling the actuator, wherein the control means controls the actuator to disengage the actuator from the first stopper corresponding to the LOCK position for enabling manual operation of the operating means for starting the engine when the control means detects a situation in which the operation means is in the LOCK position and an ID code, which is included in a transmission signal received from a portable device in response to a request signal transmitted from a vehicle with which the apparatus is used, matches a predetermined ID code of the control means, and wherein the control means controls the actuator to disengage the actuator from the second stopper corresponding to the ACC position for enabling manual operation of the operating means to the LOCK position when the control means detects a situation in which the operation means is in the ACC position and a vehicle with which the apparatus is used is not moving.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the operating means is turned about its axis to move the operating means between the ACC position and the LOCK position and is movable in its axial direction.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a vehicle with which the apparatus is used includes a shift lever shiftable to a plurality of positions, including a parking position, and the control means determines that the vehicle is not moving when the control means detects a situation in which the shift lever is in the parking position.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a solenoid including a stopper pin engaged with one of the first and second stoppers when the solenoid is inactivated and disengaged from the first and second stoppers when the solenoid is activated.