JPH04317882A - Running vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a running vehicle in which a reduction in grounding force of a main wheel is prevented even at the time of cornering and at the time of running on a laterally inclined road to ensure driving force, and the self- standing property of a vehicle body is also improved. CONSTITUTION:In a running vehicle in which one main wheel 13R of front and rear wheels 13F, 13R is suspended from a vehicle body 11 through a swing arm 15 in such a manner as to be vertically movable, and auxiliary wheels 18L, 18R are provided on lateral sides of the main wheel 13R, respectively. The auxiliary wheels 18L, 18R are supported to the vehicle body 11 by support arms 17L, 18R in such a manner as to be vertically movable, and the support arms 17L, 17R and the swing arm 15 are operably connected to each other through an interlocking means 20 in such a manner that the wheel 13R and the auxiliary wheels 18L, 18R are displaced in mutually opposite directions.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to small-sized traveling vehicles, and more particularly to commuters such as two-wheeled vehicles equipped with auxiliary wheels.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional traveling vehicle with auxiliary wheels is known, for example, as described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 199383/1983. In the case of this two-wheeled vehicle with auxiliary wheels, the auxiliary wheels are supported vertically by support frames on the left and right sides of the rear wheel on the body frame, and an expandable support pipe is interposed between the support frame and the body frame. It is.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-mentioned conventional traveling vehicle with auxiliary wheels, the auxiliary wheels are supported on the vehicle body frame, and the reaction force received by the auxiliary wheels from the road surface acts on the vehicle body. It is difficult to tilt the auxiliary wheels, and the ground contact force of the auxiliary wheels sometimes increases when cornering or when driving on a road surface tilted to the left or right (left-right slope road surface). This invention was made in view of this point, and provides a vehicle with auxiliary wheels that can tilt the vehicle body and ensure the ground contact force of the main wheels even when cornering or driving on left and right slopes. The purpose is to provide.

0004

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a system in which one of the front and rear wheels is used as a main wheel and is vertically movably suspended on the vehicle body via a swing arm. In a traveling vehicle each provided with auxiliary wheels, the auxiliary wheels are supported on the vehicle body by a support arm so as to be movable up and down, and the main wheels and the auxiliary wheels are connected to each other via an interlocking means between the support arm and the swing arm. operatively connected for displacement in opposite directions.

[0005] In the traveling vehicle of the present invention, the interlocking means is constituted by a link mechanism, and a variable means for varying the pressurized load of the link mechanism is provided to change the vertical relative position of the main wheel and the auxiliary wheel. can be configured to be adjustable. Further, the traveling vehicle of the present invention can be configured such that the interlocking means is a link mechanism, and this link mechanism is connected to the buffer means to connect the main wheels and the auxiliary wheels. moreover,
The traveling vehicle of the present invention can be configured to include an elastic means for applying an initial load or preload to urge the auxiliary wheels to a neutral position.

[0006]

[Operation] In the traveling vehicle of the present invention, the support arm supporting the auxiliary wheel is connected to the swing arm through the interlocking means, and the road reaction force that acts on the auxiliary wheel to move upward acts as a force that causes the main wheel to move downward. communicated. Therefore, it is easy to tilt the vehicle body, and the ground contact force of the main wheels can be increased even when cornering or traveling on a left/right sloped road surface.

The traveling vehicle of the present invention can adjust the relative position between the auxiliary wheels and the main wheels by driving the link mechanism with the pressurized load variable means. It becomes possible to travel freely. Furthermore, by connecting the shock absorbing means in series with the link mechanism, the traveling vehicle of the present invention can absorb the impact load from the road surface, reduce the load on the link mechanism, downsize the link mechanism, and improve riding comfort. It also improves. Furthermore, the traveling vehicle of the present invention is able to generate sufficient self-supporting force even if the tread of the training wheels is small by providing an elastic means for applying an initial load to the training wheels, making it easier to make the vehicle more compact. .

[0008]

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show a traveling vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a schematic side view, FIG. 2a is a plan sectional view, FIG. 2b is a rear view, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of main parts, and FIG. 4a and Figure 4
b is a rear view for explaining the action.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, 11 is a vehicle body, and the vehicle body 11 is constructed by attaching a body 11b to a vehicle frame 11a to which pipes are connected. In the car body 11,
A front wheel 13F is supported at the front of the body frame 11a by a front fork 12 so as to be steerable by a steering handle 14, and a rear wheel 13R is supported at the rear of the body frame 11a by a swing arm 15 so as to be movable up and down. This swing arm 15 is constituted by a unit swing type power unit in which an engine or an electric motor is integrally assembled. In addition, 100a is a trailer hitch attachment part attached to the front part of the vehicle body 11, 102 is a fuel container, 103 is a seat, and 104 is a storage compartment. Trailer hitch 100 installed at the bottom
is engaged.

The swing arm 15 is swingably attached to the vehicle body frame 11a with a pivot shaft 15a at its front end, and a rear wheel is rotatably supported at its rear end. As shown in detail in FIG. 3, this swing arm 15 has a cushion unit 16, which is a buffering means, installed at the center of the upper part between it and a beam member of an interlocking means, which will be described later. Cushion unit 16
As is well known, the rear wheel 13 is constructed by installing a damper and a spring in parallel, and expands and contracts with the swinging of the swing arm 15.
Alleviates and attenuates the vertical movement of R. In this embodiment, the swing arm 15 is a power swing unit type in which an engine can be assembled, but the rear wheel 13R is connected to the engine or electric motor mounted on the body frame 11a so as to be capable of transmitting power by a transmission mechanism such as a chain. Needless to say, it is also possible to do so.

[0011] Further, the vehicle body 11 is provided with an auxiliary wheel 18L by support arms 17L, 17R on both left and right sides of the rear wheel 13R.
, 18R are supported so as to be movable up and down. Support arm 17L
, 17R extend in the front-rear direction, the front ends thereof are swingably attached to the vehicle body frame 11a via pivots 117L, 117R, and the rear ends rotatably support the auxiliary wheels 18L, 18R.

As shown in FIG. 3, each of the support arms 17L and 17R is provided with mounting portions for cushion units 19L and 19R serving as buffer means on the inside, and the lower ends of the cushion units 19L and 19R are pivotally supported on the mounting portions. The upper ends of the cushion units 19L, 19R are connected to lever members 22L, 22R of a link mechanism 20 of interlocking means, which will be described later. The cushion units 19L and 19R, like the cushion unit 16 described above, have springs and the like, and expand and contract to buffer the vertical movement of the auxiliary wheels 18L and 18R.

As shown in FIG. 3, the link mechanism 120 of the interlocking means includes lever members 22L, 2 extending substantially in the front-rear direction.
A beam member 21 is installed in the left-right direction on the rear end of the lever member 2R, and approximately central portions of these lever members 22L and 22R are rotatably attached to the vehicle body frame 11a by pivots 122L and 122R, forming a U-shaped rocker in plan view. A movable arm 20 is formed. This U-shaped swinging arm 20 has a lever member 22
The above-mentioned cushion unit 19L is attached to the front end of L, 22R.
19R are connected, and the aforementioned cushion unit 16 is connected to the beam member 21, forming a link mechanism 120 that mechanically connects the auxiliary wheel 18L and the main wheel 13R.

In the running vehicle of this embodiment, the road reaction force received by the auxiliary wheels 18L, 18R is transmitted to the swing arm 15 via the cushion units 19L, 19R, the U-shaped swing arm 20, and the cushion unit 16.
It acts on the swing arm 15 as a force that urges the rear wheel 13R toward the road surface. Therefore, as shown in Figure 4a,
Even when the driver tilts the vehicle body 11 as when cornering, the force Ps received by the auxiliary wheels 18L or 18R is reduced to the force Pr that presses the rear wheel 13R against the road surface via the U-shaped swing arm 20. Since this is converted, even if either the auxiliary wheels 18L or 18R touch the ground, the vehicle body 1
The rear wheel 13R operates in the direction that makes it easier to knock down 1, so
No rotational force in the direction opposite to the direction in which the vehicle falls is applied to the vehicle body 11, making cornering easier. Furthermore, since the ground load of the rear wheels 13R increases during cornering, driving force can be sufficiently transmitted to the road surface.

[0015] Even if the auxiliary wheels 18L, 18R run onto a protrusion on the road surface, the auxiliary wheels 18L, 18R
Since the force acting on 8R acts as a reaction force that presses the rear wheel 13R against the road surface, the tilting force of the vehicle body 11 is canceled out.
Able to maintain upright position.

[0016] Furthermore, even when driving on a left-right sloped road surface, as shown in Fig. 4b, if the weight of the occupant is shifted toward the mountain side and the center of gravity of the vehicle is moved toward the mountain side auxiliary wheels 18L, the auxiliary wheels 18L, which touch the ground, The road reaction force that the 18R receives is 13 on the rear wheels.
In order to increase the ground contact force of R, the rear wheel 13
The ground contact force of R is large, and the driving force of the rear wheel 13R can be sufficiently secured.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show a running vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 5 being a side view, FIG. 6 being a plan view of the main parts, and FIGS. 7a and 7b showing the operation. It is a rear view for explanation. Note that the same parts as in the embodiment described above are given the same numbers and their explanations are omitted.

In this embodiment, a cushion unit (buffer means) 32 is provided between the U-shaped swinging arm 20 of the link mechanism 120 and the vehicle body frame 11a, and a cushion length is provided at the frame-side attachment portion of the cushion unit 32. A pressurized cylinder (variable means) 32a that changes the pressure is provided,
The preload of the link mechanism 120 is made variable by this pressurized cylinder 32a. As clearly shown in FIG. 6, the cylinder body of the pressurized cylinder 32a is attached to the vehicle body frame, and the tip of the cushion rod 32b is connected to the beam member 21 of the U-shaped swing arm 20. A hose 34 is connected to a port of the pressurized actuator 32a, and the pressurized actuator 32a is communicated with the control unit 33 via the hose 34, and is operated with pressure oil supplied from the hydraulic control unit 33.

The control unit 33 includes a hydraulic pump 33b,
It is constructed by integrally assembling an electromagnetic control valve 33a interposed between the hydraulic pump 33b and the pressurized cylinder 32a, a motor M for driving the hydraulic pump 33b, and the like. The hydraulic pump 33b has a discharge port connected to the pressurized cylinder 32a via the control valve 33a, and a suction port connected to the tank 33c. The hydraulic pump 33b and the control valve 33a are connected to and controlled by the controller 35.

The controller 35 has a microcomputer, etc., and is connected to a selection switch 36 operated according to the judgment of the occupant, a vehicle speed sensor 37 for automatically detecting a signal, a vehicle body tilt sensor 38, etc. . This controller 35 controls the control unit 3 based on the output signals of the switch 36 and each sensor 37, 38.
3 to drive the pressurized cylinder 32 and drive the auxiliary wheel 18L.
, 18R and the rear wheel 13R.

In this embodiment, the selection switch 36
In response to the operation, the pressurized cylinder 32a expands and contracts, and the lever members 22L and 22R of the link mechanism 120 swing clockwise A or counterclockwise B, and the auxiliary wheels 18L and 18R are vertically relative to the rear wheel 13R. Vehicle height changes with position. The selection switch 36 has three operating modes 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 3, 3 operating modes, respectively, for two-wheel running, for driving straight on a slope, and for towing driving.
3 is set, and the pressurized cylinder 32a operates so as to realize the traveling mode shown in Table 1 according to this operation mode.

[Table 1] That is, when the selection switch 36 provided on the steering handle 14 is operated to mode 1 or when a predetermined vehicle speed is reached, the pressurized cylinder 32a is extended and operated to operate as shown in FIG. 7a. When two-wheel running is achieved using the wheels 13R and the selection switch 36 is operated to mode 2, the slope running shown in FIG. 4b described above can be performed, and further,
When the selection switch 36 is operated to mode 3, the vehicle can be towed by the auxiliary wheels 18L and 18R as shown in FIG. 7b.

Further, when the switch 36 is operated in the vehicle height adjustment mode 4, the hydraulic control unit 33 is driven based on the output signal of the vehicle speed sensor 37 so that the vehicle height is increased when the vehicle speed is high. Therefore, two-wheel running can be performed automatically at high vehicle speeds. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, a trailer hitch (towing hook) attachment part 100a is provided at the front of the vehicle body 11, so when towing with a vehicle such as a truck, the switch 36 can be set to mode 3. It is also possible to create a towing state using only the auxiliary wheels 18L and 18R.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the preload of the cushion unit 32 can be adjusted by changing the length of the pressurized cylinder 32a, as shown in FIG. 10a,
The ground load characteristics of the auxiliary wheels 18L and 18R can be changed in parallel. Then, when mode 0 is selected by operating the selection switch 36 described above, the normal characteristic 0 shown by the solid line in FIG. The running characteristics are configured such that when mode 3 is selected, the auxiliary wheel traction mode shown by the dashed line B is set. In addition, when mode 2 is selected, the controller 35 can control the raised position of the auxiliary wheels by the signal from the vehicle body tilt concealment sensor 38, and the set characteristic can be set within the range S shown by diagonal lines in FIG. 10a. Can be done.

FIG. 8 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of main parts, and the same parts as in each of the above-described embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and explanations and illustrations thereof are omitted. In this embodiment, an electric motor 152 is used in the vehicle body frame 11a instead of the pressurized cylinder 32a of the above-mentioned embodiment.
An electric motor 152 is connected to the cushion unit 32 via a gear train 153 and a screw mechanism 154.

The screw mechanism 154 includes a substantially cylindrical nut member 1.
54a is attached to the vehicle body frame 11a by the holder member 155.
mounted rotatably and prohibited from axial displacement;
A cushion unit 32a mounting portion is provided at the end of the screw shaft 154b inserted into the nut member 154, and is pivotally connected to the end of the cushion unit 32 on the vehicle body frame side. The nut member 154a is connected to the electric motor 152 via a gear train 153, and a screw shaft 154b is screwed into the nut member 154a so as to be movable in the axial direction. In this screw mechanism 154, a nut member 154a is driven and rotated by an electric motor 152, and the rotation of this nut member 154 causes a screw shaft 154b to move in the axial direction, thereby generating a force that causes the cushion unit 32 to extend and contract.

Even in this embodiment, the electric motor 152
Since the screw shaft 154b moves in the axial direction with the rotation of
The vertical relative position with the rear wheel 13R can be adjusted.
It is possible to switch between wheel running or running using the auxiliary wheels 18L and 18R.

FIG. 9 shows still another embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 9a is a plan view of the main part, FIG. 9b is a rear view of the main part,
FIG. 9c is a side view of the main part. In this embodiment as well, the same parts as in each of the above-described embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and explanations and illustrations thereof are omitted.

In this embodiment, brackets 201 are attached to the left and right sides of the vehicle body frame 11a, and the swing arm 15 that supports the main wheels is supported on the brackets 201 via a pivot shaft 202. This swing arm 15
The rear wheel 13R is supported on both sides at the rear end, and the U-shaped swing arm 20 of the link mechanism 120 and the vehicle body frame 11
A cushion unit 16 is interposed between the This cushion unit 16 can only be used when the auxiliary wheels 18L, 18R are located below the neutral position.
A spring force limiting mechanism (not shown) that biases R upward is provided, and a preload is set to bias the auxiliary wheels 18L and 18R with a predetermined biasing force (see FIG. 10b) at the neutral position. In addition, the neutral position is the rear wheel 13R and the auxiliary wheel 18.
This shows the position where the ground contact force with L and 18R is balanced.

The swing arm 15 is attached to the pivot shaft 202.
Sub-links 203L and 203R are biased downward by torsion springs 204 on both sides of the auxiliary wheels 18L and 18R, respectively.
support. The torsion spring 204 has a substantially U-shape, the center portion of which is fixed to the upper part of the bracket 201a, and both ends of which snap onto the sub-links 203L and 203R. This torsion spring 204 contacts the stoppers 210L, 210R located below the neutral position, and the sub-links 203L, 203R only when the auxiliary wheels 18L, 18R are located above the stoppers 210L, 210R.
is energized, and at the neutral position, a pressurized load a' is generated and the auxiliary wheel 1
8L and 18R are biased with a predetermined biasing force (see FIG. 10b).

Note that 205 is a power unit having an engine or an electric motor, and 205a is a drive sprocket provided on the output shaft of the power unit 205. As is well known, the drive sprocket 205a has a driven sprocket 206 of the rear wheel 13R. A chain 207 is hung between them.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10b, initial loads a and a' are set for the spring of the cushion unit 16 and the torsion spring 204, respectively, and the spring force of the cushion unit 16 is It works only when the wheels 18L and 18R are located below the neutral position. Therefore, the independence of the vehicle can be improved, the left-right distance between the auxiliary wheels 18L and 18R can be reduced, and the vehicle can be made more compact. Although the link mechanism 120' in this embodiment is connected by rigid rods 16', 19' instead of the cushions 16, 19, cushions may be used as in the previous embodiment.

[0032]

As explained above, according to the traveling vehicle according to the invention set forth in claim 1, the road reaction force received by the auxiliary wheels can be made to act as a force that increases the ground contact force of the main wheels. , ensures the ground contact force of the main wheels even when cornering with the vehicle body tilted, or when driving on uneven roads or slopes,
Moreover, the independence of the vehicle body can also be improved.

According to the traveling vehicle according to the second aspect, since the vertical relative positions of the wheels and the auxiliary wheels can be adjusted by the pressurized load variable means, it is possible to freely perform two-wheel running or auxiliary wheel running. This improves vehicle convenience.

Further, according to the traveling vehicle according to claim 3, since the shock absorbing means is connected to the link mechanism, it is possible to absorb the impact load from the road surface applied to the link mechanism, and the load on the link mechanism is reduced. Not only can it be made smaller, but it also improves ride comfort.

Furthermore, according to the traveling vehicle according to claim 4, since the auxiliary wheel is biased to the neutral position by the springing means to which an initial load is applied, the distribution of ground contact force to the auxiliary wheel side can be increased.
Increased independence.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a traveling vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] Fig. 2a is a plan sectional view of the same traveling vehicle, and Fig. 2b is a rear view of the same traveling vehicle.

[Figure 3] A perspective view of the main parts of the two-wheeled vehicle with auxiliary wheels.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are rear views of a running vehicle for explaining the operation of the present invention, respectively.

[Fig. 5] Side view of a two-wheeled vehicle with auxiliary wheels according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Figure 6] Plan view of the main parts of the two-wheeled vehicle with auxiliary wheels

7A and 7B are rear views of a running vehicle for explaining the operation, respectively; FIG.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of essential parts of a traveling vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

9 shows a traveling vehicle according to still another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9a is a plan view of the main part, FIG. 9b is a rear view of the main part, and FIG. 9c is a side view of the main part.

FIG. 10a and FIG. 10b are suspension characteristic diagrams of the auxiliary wheels in the traveling vehicle of the present invention, respectively.

[Explanation of symbols]

11...Vehicle body, 11a...Vehicle frame, 13F.
...Front wheel, 13R...Rear wheel, 15...Swing arm, 16, 19L, 19R...Cushion unit,
17L, 17R...Support arm, 18L, 18R...
- Auxiliary wheel, 20... U-shaped swing arm, 32... Cushion unit (elastic means, buffer means) 32a...
Pressurized cylinder (variable means), 33... control unit,
35... Controller, 36... Selection switch, 3
7... Vehicle speed sensor, 152... Electric motor, 204
...Torsion spring (impulsion means), 120...
・Link mechanism (interlocking means).

Claims (4)

[Claims] Claim 1: A running vehicle in which one of the front and rear main wheels is vertically movably suspended on the vehicle body via a swing arm, and auxiliary wheels are provided on each of the left and right sides of the main wheel,
The auxiliary wheel is supported on the vehicle body by a support arm so as to be movable up and down, and the support arm and the swing arm are operatively connected via interlocking means so that the main wheel and the auxiliary wheel are displaced in opposite directions. A running vehicle characterized by being connected. 2. The traveling vehicle according to claim 1,
The interlocking means is constituted by a link mechanism, and a variable means is provided to vary the pressurized load of the link mechanism, so that the relative position of the main wheel and the auxiliary wheel in the vertical direction can be freely varied. A running vehicle. 3. The traveling vehicle according to claim 1,
A traveling vehicle characterized in that the interlocking means is constituted by a link mechanism, and a buffer means is connected to the link mechanism and interposed between the main wheel and the auxiliary wheel. 4. The traveling vehicle according to claim 1,
A resilient means for biasing the auxiliary wheel to a neutral position is provided, and a predetermined initial load is applied to the resilient means to maintain a biasing force to the auxiliary wheel at a predetermined value at the neutral position of the auxiliary wheel. Featured running vehicles.