JPH10230843A - Golf cart - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a condition in which a golf cart can run when the direction of operation is changed over securely by providing an operation lever which changes over between automatic operation of direction and manual operation of direction and providing a direction operation change-over switch which detects a change-over position of the operation lever. SOLUTION: A direction operation change-over switch consisting of micro- switches MS1 , MS2 which face the vicinity of both ends of a guide groove 6c is provided on an outer peripheral wall of a steering column 6a. When a guide pin 29a moves to an upper terminal of the guide groove 6c, the micro- switch MS1 is turned on, and when it moves to the other terminal, the micro- switch MS2 is turned on to detect a connection condition and a disconnection condition, and the detected signal is given to a direction operation control part. When an operation lever 25 is turned, a fork 25b is changed over from the connection condition in which a clutch member 29 is fitted over both spline shaft parts to the disconnection condition in which it is fitted over a support cylinder 6d and the spline shaft part. Moreover, an upper shaft 27 and a steering wheel are held in a lock condition in which they are locked in this disconnection condition.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a golf cart used for moving players, caddies, and carrying articles such as golf bags in a golf course.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A golf cart used in a golf course is provided with a special running path (cart) provided along a course for the purpose of preventing accidents caused by reckless driving and protecting grass on the course. Roads), and those that travel automatically. In addition, there is a long-felt need for an engine-driven golf cart that can provide a large horsepower in order to allow a user such as a player or a caddy to ride, as well as transport articles such as golf bags. For this reason, in recent years, golf carts that can be guided while driving with an engine, as disclosed in JP-A-4-364506, have been put to practical use.

This golf cart is provided with a pair of left and right guidance signal sensors and a traffic sign sensor at a position near the front of the vehicle body, and also includes means for adjusting the throttle opening and braking force of the engine as means for changing the running speed. Further, the vehicle is provided with steering means including a steering wheel for steering the vehicle body.

On the other hand, an induction wire through which an alternating current is supplied is continuously buried in a cart path which is a traveling path, and a speed change,
A marker magnet for instructing a change in running conditions, such as a stop, at each position where such a change is required is embedded.

[0005] Before the danger point such as uphill, downhill or sharp turning point in the traveling road, the sign magnet has a speed (about 41 cm / h) lower than the normal running speed (about 6 km / h). A low speed sign indicating driving, a stop sign indicating stop in accordance with a predetermined position on the course (tee ground, green, etc.), an instruction not to accept a start signal from, for example, a remote control oscillator, a obstacle passing ahead There are, for example, an instruction for amplifying the sensitivity of an obstacle sensor provided for detecting an object, and an instruction for performing various instructions according to the state of the traveling road.

[0006] Such a golf cart has a remote control transmitter that is carried by a user in response to an on / off operation of a start switch that can be operated at a boarding position while the user is riding, and is carried by the user when the user is not riding. The vehicle is started and stopped according to the operation of. During the period from the start to the stop, the voltage induced in the pair of detection coils of the induction signal sensor is detected by the action of the magnetic field formed around the induction wire, and the deviation between the induced voltages of the two detection coils is eliminated. In order to operate the steering means so as to follow the guidance line as a guidance sign, guidance traveling is performed, and further, if a marker magnet is detected by the traveling sign sensor during the traveling, the traveling condition specified thereby is realized. Activate the speed changing means to
The adjustment of the traveling speed and the like are performed.

The above-described guided running is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-51762 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-74842 by the present applicant for a non-riding type golf cart driven by an electric motor. It is implemented by the method which has been described.

[0008] The steering wheel is guided during steering.
A clutch is used to connect and disconnect the steered wheels so that the guidance is not hindered by a user in the vehicle gripping the guidance, and the clutch is disconnected during the guidance steering. When the clutch is engaged, manual steering can be performed in an emergency or in a place where there is no guide wire when necessary.

The clutch is directly connected to a steering wheel concentrically arranged in a steering column, and an upper shaft and
The lower shaft connected to the steering wheel is connected by a clutch member.
It is configured to disconnect.

[0010]

In such a conventional apparatus, the steering wheel and the steered wheels are connected and disconnected by a clutch. However, this operation is different from the operation of starting to start. Because of this, the steering wheel is rotated during automatic steering in the joint state during automatic steering or the disconnected state during manual steering, and the steering wheel can not be operated during manual steering, It is a danger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a safe golf cart by ensuring that the vehicle does not start unless the steering mode is switched.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a golf cart according to the present invention, an automatic steering system in which a steered wheel runs along a predetermined taxiway, and a steered wheel is steered based on a user's operation. And an operation lever for switching between automatic steering and manual steering is provided, and a steering changeover switch for detecting a switching position of the operation lever is provided.

The steering changeover switch is provided with control means for detecting that the steering has been switched and outputting a signal, and inputting a signal. The control means may be either automatic steering or manual steering. It is characterized in that traveling is started only when the vehicle is in.

Further, an upper shaft connected to the steering wheel, a lower shaft connected to the steered wheels, a clutch for connecting and disconnecting the upper shaft and the lower shaft, and an operation lever for connecting and disconnecting the clutch. The steering changeover switch has a clutch connection,
It is characterized by detecting a cutting position.

The steering changeover switch is provided at each of the moving terminals of the clutch.

[0016] Further, the control means is characterized in that when there is no signal output from the steering changeover switch, the notification is made by the notifying means.

According to the present invention, the state of the operation lever for switching the steering can be recognized by the steering switch. The vehicle is ready to run when the steering is reliably switched based on the signal.

Further, since the clutch for connecting and disconnecting the upper and lower shafts by the operation lever is a mechanical movement, no signal is output when the connection or disconnection does not move smoothly. A signal is output when the disconnection operation is completed. And that signal outputs
Because it is a mobile terminal for the clutch,
A signal is output in a disconnected state.

Further, when the clutch cannot be moved with certainty, an alarm is issued by an alarm means.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is configured as a golf cart will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing an external appearance when a guide vehicle according to the present invention is applied to a golf cart, and FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing an internal configuration of the same.

As shown in the figure, the golf cart 1 covers an upper portion of a vehicle body frame 4 supported by a pair of left and right front wheels 2 and 2 and rear wheels 3 and 3 with a front cowl 4a and a rear cowl 4b, and at the front of the rear cowl 4b. Seat for sitting
The riding section 5 is configured by installing the step 5a and the step 5b, and the steering wheel 6 for steering is mounted on the upper end of the steering column 6a protruding at a position operable in the seating posture of the seat 5a. It becomes.

The upper side of the riding section 5 is surrounded by a roof plate 7b supported by a pair of left and right supports 7a, 7a (only one side is shown) projecting rearward and upward from the front cowl 4a, and the front side is also the support. 7a, Windshield 7c installed between 7a
, So that the occupant on the boarding section 5 is protected from the weather. A large frame such as a golf bag is mounted on the rear side of the riding section 5, and a mounting frame 8a is protruded from the riding section 5 so as to be appropriately fixed. An accessory box 8b for storing bulky articles is attached.

In such a golf cart 1, the rear wheels 3 and 3 are used as driving wheels, and the golf cart 1 runs while changing the direction by steering the front wheels 2 and 2. This steering includes a manual steering by a manual operation of a driver sitting on a seat 5a of the boarding section 5 and an automatic steering by a guidance performed as described later along a predetermined traveling path. Steering is performed only when operated by a dedicated worker, such as putting out the garage before starting business and putting it in after use.
While a general user, such as a player or a caddy, is on board, only automatic steering by guidance is allowed.

The front wheels 2, 2 are attached to both ends of a front axle 20 which is mounted on the front of the body frame 4 so as to be swingable about a substantially vertical axis.
Are connected to both ends of rack shafts 21 arranged side by side through separate knuckle arms 22, 22, respectively. The rack shaft 21 meshes with a pinion (not shown) inside a rack housing 23 that houses the rack shaft 23. The pinion is pivotally supported inside the steering column 6a and is connected to a steering shaft that rotates with the rotation of the steering wheel 6. They are connected via a universal joint 24.

When the steering wheel 6 is operated, the pinion rotates via the universal joint 24, and this rotation is converted into the movement of the rack shaft 21 in the axial direction, and the knuckle arms 22, 22 are moved by this movement. The front wheels 2 are steered by an angle corresponding to the operation amount in the operation direction of the steering wheel 6.

Further to the intermediate portion of the rack housing 23 is attached steering motor M _1, the output end of the steering motor M ₁ is extended to the inside of the rack housing 23, the rack shaft via a pinion (not shown) It is meshed with 21.

When the steering motor M ₁ rotates,
This rotation is transmitted to the rack shaft 21 via the pinion, knuckle arms 22, 22 are swung by the movement in the axial direction of the rack shaft 21, the front wheels 2, 2 in the rotation direction of the steering motor M ₁ It is steered by an angle corresponding to the amount of rotation. The steering motor M ₁ is rotated driven according to the drive signal supplied from the driving control unit 10 mounted in the vicinity of the center of the vehicle body frame 4 as steering means of the golf cart 1 in guided travel.

Switching between manual steering and automatic steering by guidance is performed in accordance with the operation of a steering switching lever 25 arranged in the middle of the steering column 6a.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the steering switching lever 25 and the clutch K operated by the steering switching lever 25 (in the engaged state), and FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory view showing a case where the clutch K is in the disengaged state. In the steering column 6a, an upper shaft 27 directly connected to the steering wheel 6 and a lower shaft 28 connected to the front wheels 2 and 2, which are steered wheels, are arranged concentrically and in a straight line. The provided spline shaft portion 27a and the spline shaft portion 28a provided at the upper end of the lower shaft 28 are opposed to each other with a slight gap therebetween, and the clutch member 29 is fitted over the two spline shaft portions 27a, 28a. . Clutch member
The clutch 29 has a cylindrical shape having a spline formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof to be splined with the spline shaft portions 27a and 28a, and a ring 29c having a guide pin 29a for preventing rotation and an operating pin 29b protruding from the outer peripheral wall thereof. It is externally fitted to the member 29 so as to be relatively rotatable.

The guide pin 29a is engaged with a guide groove 6b formed on the peripheral wall of the column 6a in the axial direction thereof.
A b is engaged with a fork 25b connected to the operation lever 25 via a shaft 25a. Steering column
A steering changeover switch 11 composed of micro switches MS ₁ and MS ₂ is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the guide groove 6a so as to face the both ends of the guide groove 6c, and the guide pin 29a is connected to the guide groove.
When moving to the upper terminal of 6c, the micro switch MS ₁
When the terminal has moved to another terminal, the microswitch MS ₂ is turned on, and the connected state and the disconnected state are detected, and the detection signal is given to the steering control unit 10.

The operating lever 25 and the fork 25b are connected to a shaft 25 supported by a bearing 6c provided on the outer peripheral wall of the steering column 6a.
When the operating lever 25 is turned from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG.
25b is a state in which the clutch member 29 is fitted over the two spline shaft portions 27a and 28a, and then the support cylinder 6d and the spline shaft portion
The upper shaft 27 and the steering wheel 6 are held in a locked state in which the upper shaft 27 and the steering wheel 6 are prevented from rotating. The support cylinder 6d is disposed integrally with the steering column 6a in the vicinity of the clutch K so as to support the upper shaft 27, that is, as a non-rotating member, and a spline is formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof. Have been.

The automatic by when said clutch member 29 is in the disconnection position becomes impossible steering of the front wheels 2, 2 by the operation of the steering wheel 6, steering only is enabled induced in response to rotation of the steering motor M ₁ The steering state is established.

It should be noted that a coil spring may be fitted around the shaft 25a so that the operating lever 25 is always biased and held toward the disconnected position.

Next, the structure of the drive system for the rear wheels 3, 3 as drive wheels will be described. The engine E, which is a driving source for the rear wheels 3, 3, is a body frame 4 slightly forward of the left and right rear wheels 3, 3.
A drive pulley 31 provided with a centrifugal clutch 30 is fitted on the output end of the engine E, with the output shaft thereof being fixed horizontally with the output shaft directed in the left-right direction.

A transmission T is fixed to the body frame 4 at a position above a rear axle 32 that houses the axles of the rear wheels 3. A driven pulley 33 is fitted to an input end of the transmission T protruding on the same side as the output end of the engine E, and the output of the engine E is wound between the drive pulley 31 and the driven pulley 33. Transmission belt
The transmission T is transmitted to the transmission T via the transmission T, and further connected to the lower portion of the transmission T to form a rear axle.
The gears are distributed by a differential gear D (see FIG. 1) coaxially formed in the middle of the rear wheel 32, and the right and left rear wheels 3, 3
To be communicated to

The drive pulley 31 and the driven pulley 33 change their widths in opposite directions by the action of the tension of the transmission belt 34 wound between them, and
The automatic transmission changes the reduction ratio at the time of transmission to the engine E according to the increase or decrease of the load of the engine E. This makes it possible to obtain a sufficient rotational torque on the rear wheels 3, 3 when a person gets on the vehicle, loads a large amount of articles, travels on a hill, or the like, when the engine E load increases. The transmission T is capable of switching only between forward and reverse. This switching is performed by a forward / reverse switching lever 36 located below the seat 5a of the riding section 5 and disposed on the side of the rear cowl 4b.
(See FIG. 1).

Further to the output end of the engine E is connected starter motor M ₄ via the starter belt 35, the engine E is no as activated brought forcibly rotating the output shaft by the rotation of the starter motor M ₄ It is. The centrifugal clutch 30 attached to the drive pulley 31 is engaged when the rotation speed of the engine E reaches a predetermined value, and the output of the engine E to the drive pulley 31 is extracted by the centrifugal clutch. The operation is performed on condition that the clutch 30 is engaged.

Therefore, the engine E is started in a state where the engine T is disconnected from the transmission T by disconnecting the centrifugal clutch 30, and the operation of a key switch (not shown) arranged at a position operable by the riding section 5 is performed. etc,
It is possible to start the engine E reliably by an easy operation for driving the starter motor M _4.

Outside the engine E, a throttle motor M
₂ and choke solenoid 38 are attached. Throttle motor M ₂ takes up the throttle wire 37 by its rotation, which makes an operation for opening and closing the throttle valve (not shown) incorporated in the engine E, the output of the engine E in the forward and reverse rotation of the throttle motor M ₂ It is increased or decreased accordingly.

Throttle motor M_TwoIs automatic operation by guidance
The traveling speed of the golf cart 1 while traveling in different directions
In response to the drive signal given from the travel control unit 10,
And is driven to rotate. Slot determined according to this rotation
The opening is throttle motor M _TwoThrough the rotation angle of
The throttle opening degree using a potentiometer, etc.
Detected by the sensor 50 and given to the travel control unit 10.
You.

On the other hand, the speed of the golf cart 1 running during manual steering is adjusted in accordance with the depression of the accelerator pedal AP protruding above the step 5b of the riding section 5. However,
The throttle wire 37 of the engine E and the accelerator pedal AP are not mechanically connected, and the speed adjustment during manual running is performed by detecting the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal AP by an accelerator sensor 51 using a potentiometer or the like. by driving the throttle motor M ₂ by the operation of the travel control unit 10 based on the detection result it is performed by the procedure of adjusting the output of the engine E.

On the other hand, the choke solenoid 38 is connected to a choke valve (not shown) provided in the fuel supply system of the engine E, and opens the choke valve in accordance with the energization of the exciting coil, and is supplied to the engine E. This is an operation for increasing the fuel concentration in the air-fuel mixture. The energization of the choke solenoid 38 is performed in response to the operation of a choke button (not shown) provided at a position operable in the riding section 5. Done in

The left and right rear wheels 3, 3 are provided with brakes 40, 40 for applying a braking force to each of them. The brakes 40, 40 are arranged on the accelerator pedal AP, and the brake pedal BP protruded from the step 5b of the riding section 5 is provided.
Next, each separate brake wire 4 indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure
1, 41 and a link mechanism (not shown). Further, on the body frame 4 behind the arrangement position of the brake pedal BP is is attached a brake motor M _3, the output end of the brake motor M ₃ are a reduction gear and a brake pedal BP (not shown) common linkage The brake wires 41 are connected to the brake wires 41 via the brake wires.

The brake wires 41 are connected to the brake pedal BP.
Or brake motor M _ThreePull according to the rotation of
The brakes 40, 40 are generated in response to this pull.
Braking force is applied to the rear wheels 3, 3, respectively. Brake pedal
Dal BP depression and brake motor M_ThreeInterference with the rotation of
Are absorbed by the link mechanism.

The brake motor M ₃ is rotated in response to a drive signal given from the travel control unit 10 to stop the running golf cart 1 by automatic steering by guidance and to adjust the traveling speed. . Braking force applied to the rear wheels 3 by the rotation as the rotation angle of the brake motor M _3, it is given in the travel control unit 10 is detected by the brake sensor 52 formed by using the potentiometer or the like.

At the front of the golf cart 1, a halfway portion is pivotally supported substantially at the center of the front axle 20, and a sensor arm 60 is provided.
Is installed. The sensor arm 60 extends under the vehicle body frame 4 to the front of the front wheels 2 and 2 and is branched into left and right sides. A pair of guidance signal sensors 61 and 61 are provided at these branch ends. A traffic sign sensor 62 is located slightly behind the guidance signal sensors 61, 61, and the front wheels 2, 2 and the rear wheels 3, 3
Is installed facing the road surface to be grounded. Sensor arm
The rear end of the rack 60 is engaged with the rack shaft 21 inside the rack housing 23 and moves left and right with the rack shaft 21.

With this configuration, the guide signal sensors 61, 61 and the traffic sign sensor 62 at the front of the sensor arm 60 are connected to the rack shaft.
Following the steering of the front wheels 2, 2 accompanying the movement of 21, it swings to the left and right sides in a plane substantially parallel to the road surface.

Guidance signal sensors 61, 61 and traffic sign sensors
62 is a coil that generates an induced voltage by the action of a peripheral magnetic field, and the former detects a magnetic field formed around an induction wire 9a buried under the road surface and through which an alternating current flows, and the latter is a coil. Is to detect a magnetic field formed by the marker magnet 9b buried at a required position below the road surface. The detection results of the guidance signal sensors 61, 61 and the traffic sign sensor 62 are given to the travel control unit 10 as voltage signals induced by them.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the golf cart 1 configured as described above. The detection signals of the throttle opening sensor 50, the accelerator sensor 51, and the brake sensor 52 are given to the input side of the travel control unit 10 using a microprocessor. The induced voltages of the induced signal sensors 61, 61 are amplified by separate amplifiers 63, 63, respectively, and supplied to a comparator 64. The output of the comparator 64, that is, a deviation signal of the induced voltages of the two sensors 61, 61 The induced voltage of the traffic sign sensor 62 is given to the control unit 10 and amplified by the amplifier 65, and is given to the travel control unit 10 via the waveform shaping circuit 66.

Further, on the input side of the traveling control unit 10, on / off signals of the micro switches MS ₁ and MS ₂ constituting the steering changeover switch 11 are provided at positions operable on the boarding unit 5. On / off signal of start switch 12, output signal of remote control receiver 13 mounted at an appropriate position, body frame 4
An output signal of an obstacle sensor 14 disposed in front of the vehicle and an output signal of a vehicle speed sensor 15 for detecting a traveling speed of the golf cart 1 are provided.

The steering switch 11 is a micro switch MS.
₁ is turned on, i.e., when the clutch K is disengaged state on, also the microswitch MS ₂ is turned on, i.e., turned on when the clutch K is joint state. The microswitches MS ₁ and MS ₂
In the state where any of them is off, the alarm lamp L is lit to inform the user that the operation of the clutch K is incomplete.

The start switch 12 is used by a user who has boarded the boarding section 5 as starting and stopping means, and the remote control receiver 13 is used for starting and stopping operations at a position away from the golf cart 1. The start / stop signal from the remote control transmitter 16 carried by the person is received and the reception result is output. The golf cart 1 is operated by the predetermined operation of the traveling control unit 10 in accordance with the input from the start / stop signal.
It is started in response to the start operation of the start switch 12 or the start operation of the remote control transmitter 16, and is used for the OFF operation of the start switch 12, the stop operation of the remote control transmitter 16, or the detection of a marker magnet 9b for stopping a fixed point described later. It will be stopped accordingly.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the obstacle sensor 14 includes, for example, a transmitter or a receiver for ultrasonic waves,
And a receiver that detects the reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave emitted forward from the obstacle by the receiver and determines the presence or absence of the obstacle based on the level of the output of the receiver. May be.

When the obstacle sensor 14 detects the obstacle, the travel control unit 10 performs a predetermined operation for urgently stopping the golf cart 1.

The vehicle speed sensor 15 includes, for example, a slit disk mounted at an appropriate position in a transmission system from the transmission T to the rear wheels 3 and 3, and a photo interrupter disposed to sandwich the slit disk. A plurality of pulse signals may be obtained per rotation, and an output corresponding to the rotation speed of the rear wheels 3 and 3, that is, the vehicle speed of the golf cart 1 may be obtained by the F / V converter. The output of the vehicle speed sensor 15 is used for comparison with the target speed specified by the marker magnet 9b and for calculating the traveling distance.

On the other hand, the steering motor M ₁ , the throttle motor M ₂ , and the brake motor M ₃ are connected to the output side of the traveling control unit 10 through respective drive circuits D ₁ , D ₂ , D _3. The motors M ₁ , M ₂ , and M ₃ are driven to rotate in accordance with drive signals individually given from the traveling control unit 10, and their operations, that is, steering of the front wheels 2 and 2 and output adjustment of the engine E are performed. , And the rear wheels 3 and 3 are braked.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example of a golf course where the golf cart 1 is used. The guide wire 9a is continuously buried at substantially the center of a dedicated cart path R provided along the course. The guide line 9a serves as a guide sign for guiding the golf cart 1 along the cart path R. When starting the guide travel, the golf cart 1
At the starting point of the cart path R, as shown in FIG. 2, a pair of guidance signal sensors 61, 61 mounted on the front portion are positioned so as to straddle the guidance line 9a, and the travel switching lever 25 is automatically steered, that is, the clutch K is disconnected. It is operated to the position and passed to the user.

The traveling control unit 10 recognizes that the steering switch 11 has been switched to the automatic steering state by turning on the steering switch 11, and thereafter the golf cart 1 is turned on by the user who has entered the riding unit 5 by turning on the start switch 12. Or, the vehicle starts running in response to a start operation of the remote control transmitter 16 at a remote position. During traveling, induced voltages are generated in the induction signal sensors 61, 61 by the action of a magnetic field formed around the induction wire 9a, respectively.
The magnitude of these induced voltages depends on the induction wire 9a that is the source of the magnetic field.
It is proportional to the distance from.

Accordingly, the output of the comparator 64 is determined when the center of the two guide signal sensors 61, 61, that is, the substantially central portion in the width direction of the golf cart 1 provided with these at the front is deviated with respect to the guide wire 9a. , A signal having a code corresponding to the direction of the bias and a level corresponding to the amount of the bias. Travel control unit 10 recognizes the input from the comparator 64 the bias of golf carts 1 with respect to the guiding line 9a, issues a drive command to the steering motor M ₁ which is connected to the output side in order to eliminate this bias, the front wheel An operation to steer 2 and 2 is performed. As a result, the golf cart 1 travels on the cart path R while being automatically steered such that the central portion in the width direction follows the guide line 9a.

The marker magnet 9b to be detected by the traveling marker sensor 61 is for enabling safe traveling over the entire area of the cart road R which changes variously in accordance with the surrounding natural conditions. It is buried at each position where running conditions need to be changed, such as changing speed, stopping, etc.

The marker magnet 9b is not limited to the speed change and the stop, and is used to prevent a dangerous remote operation at a position where it is difficult to see from the course. Instructions to ignore the start command given via the vehicle, instructions to prevent meaningless stopping at a position where a tree or the like exists near the cart path R, and instructions to reduce the detection sensitivity of the obstacle sensor 14, In order to increase safety at a position where crossing is expected, various instructions according to the conditions of the traveling path, such as an instruction to further increase the detection sensitivity of the obstacle sensor 14, are provided. Is performed by utilizing the difference in polarity of the marker magnets 9b, the order of juxtaposition of the plurality of marker magnets 9b, the difference in the juxtaposition interval between them, and the like.

Further, at the respective points (C ₁ , C ₂ , C ₃ ) on the cart path R which are close to the tee ground TG, the green G, and the intermediate second hit point in the course, for example, S Sign magnets 9b, 9b with different polarities
Are embedded in this order at a short interval of about 60 cm to provide a stop sign.

In FIG. 6, the embedding position of the marker magnet 9b at each point is shown by dots.
The interval between the dots schematically represents the difference between the short interval and the long interval described above, and does not correspond to the actual embedding interval. Each dot is shown outside the cart path R for the sake of illustration, but the actual marker magnet 9b is located on one side of the guide wire 9a embedded in the cart path R as shown in FIG. Buried close to

[0064]

As described above, in the golf cart according to the present invention, the position of the operation lever for switching the steering can be recognized by the steering switch, so that the usability of the user is improved. Since the vehicle can be driven when the steering is reliably switched, the safety is improved.

Further, since the clutch for connecting and disconnecting the upper shaft and the lower shaft by the operation lever is a mechanical movement, no signal is output in the case where the clutch does not move smoothly at the time of the connection or disconnection, and the connection and disconnection are reliably performed. Since a signal is output when the disconnection operation is completed, safety is improved. Then, the signal is output at the mobile terminal of the clutch, so that the signal is output in a more reliable connection / disconnection state.

In addition, when the clutch cannot be moved with certainty, a notification is made by the notification means, so that the user can be urged to switch reliably, and the safety is improved. I can do it.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the appearance of a golf cart to which a guidance device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing an internal configuration of a golf cart to which the guidance device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a case where a clutch is in a engaged state.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a case where a clutch is in a disconnected state.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of a golf cart to which the guidance device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example of a golf course provided with the guidance device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 golf cart 4 body frame 9a guide wire 9b marker magnet 10 traveling control unit 11 steering changeover switch 12 starting switch 13 remote control receiver 14 obstacle sensor 15 vehicle speed sensor 16 remote control transmitter 51 throttle opening sensor 52 brake sensor 60 sensor arm 61 induction signal sensor 62 traveling label sensor E engine M ₁ steering motor M ₂ throttle motor M ₃ brake motors R cart path

Claims (5)

[Claims] An automatic steering system for driving a steered wheel along a predetermined taxiway; and a manual driving system for steering the steered wheel based on a user's operation to travel. A golf cart, comprising: an operation lever for switching between steering and manual steering; and a steering switch for detecting a switching position of the operation lever. 2. The steering switch according to claim 1, further comprising control means for detecting that the steering has been switched, outputting a signal, and inputting the signal, wherein the control means includes the automatic steering and the manual steering. 2. The golf cart according to claim 1, wherein running is started only when the vehicle is in one of the directions. 3. An upper shaft connected to a steering wheel, a lower shaft connected to steered wheels, a clutch for connecting and disconnecting the upper shaft and the lower shaft, and an operation for connecting and disconnecting the clutch. 2. The steering switch according to claim 1, further comprising a lever, wherein the steering changeover switch detects the engagement / disengagement position of the clutch.
The described golf cart. 4. The golf cart according to claim 3, wherein the steering changeover switches are provided at respective moving terminals of the clutch. 5. The golf cart according to claim 2, wherein said control means notifies said signal when said steering changeover switch does not output a signal.