JPH11216213A - Golf cart - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To change-over a change-over clutch for the connection or the connection release of a steering wheel without requiring a complicated operation when a switch for changing-over travelling is operated. SOLUTION: A clutch motor H2 is driven by a command from a travelling control part 13 corresponding to the operation of a travelling mode selecting switch 14 and the change-over operation of a change-over clutch 4 is executed, which is changed-over between a connection position where a steering wheel 6 is connected to the steering mechanism of front wheels 10 and 10 and a release position for releasing the connection. Thus, the change-over clutch is operated by transmission from the motor and the change-over operation is executed into the connection position or the release position so that the connecting state between the steering wheel and the steering mechanisms in manual travelling and also the connection release state between the steering wheel and the steering mechanisms in automatic travelling are realized without requiring a complicated operation.

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 transporting articles in a golf course, and more particularly, to a golf cart configured to be capable of automatic steering along a predetermined traveling path.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A golf cart used in a golf course is provided with a predetermined running path (cart) provided along a course for the purpose of preventing accidents caused by reckless driving and protecting grass on the course. The mainstream is the one that runs while being automatically steered along the road.

This golf cart has a guide line sensor constituted by a pair of left and right detection coils disposed at the front of a vehicle body, a steering motor for steering provided to a steering mechanism for steering the vehicle body, and On the other hand, a guiding path on which an AC current is supplied is continuously buried in a cart path serving as a traveling path, and the automatic steering described above reduces a magnetic field formed around the guiding line. Detected by the guide wire sensor,
The operation is performed by driving the steering motor based on the detection result to operate the steering mechanism.

[0004] In this type of golf cart, traveling on a road other than the cart road must be performed by manual steering by a driver, and a steering wheel mechanically connected to the steering mechanism is provided. It is configured to be able to perform manual steering by operating the wheel,
If the steering wheel is operated during the automatic steering described above, the steering operation by the steering motor may be hindered.

Therefore, conventionally, a switching clutch capable of switching between a connection position and a disconnection position is provided between the steering wheel and the steering mechanism, and this switching clutch is used during automatic steering. It is configured to switch to the release position by a user's hand to prevent interference with automatic steering due to operation of the steering wheel.

In addition, during automatic steering, together with steering control for the steering motor, speed control for maintaining a predetermined traveling speed by adjusting the output of the driving motor and the braking force by the brake, and Various controls such as stop control for stopping at a predetermined fixed point are performed, and it is necessary to make a control unit performing these control operations recognize switching to automatic steering. Therefore, a mode selection switch for selecting a steering mode is provided at a position operable by the user, and when the switch is operated to the automatic steering side, the control unit performs the above-described control. .

[0007]

However, in the conventional golf cart constructed as described above, when switching to automatic steering, the operation of the mode selection switch and the operation of the switching clutch to the release position are performed together with the operation of the mode selection switch. However, there is a problem that this operation is troublesome.

In addition, when the mode selection switch is operated, automatic steering can be performed. Therefore, there is a fear that the switching clutch may not be operated, and the steering wheel rotates during traveling on a cart road. However, there is a problem of giving the user unnecessary anxiety, and further, an operation force is applied by an unfamiliar user to stop the rotation of the steering wheel. For example, there is a risk of causing unnecessary accidents.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and when a switch operation for switching between manual steering and automatic steering is performed, the connection and disconnection of the steering wheel are disconnected in response to the switch operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a golf cart that can reliably switch the switching clutch to the release position for the purpose, and can solve the above-mentioned problem without requiring a complicated operation.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A golf cart according to the present invention has a manual steering for operating a steering mechanism in response to an operation of a steering wheel and an automatic steering for operating a steering mechanism in accordance with the rotation of a steering motor. A selection switch operated to select between and a switching clutch that performs a switching operation between a connection position for connecting the steering wheel to a steering mechanism and a release position for releasing the connection, A clutch motor rotatably driven in accordance with a switching operation of the selection switch; and a transmission means for transmitting rotation of the clutch motor to the switching clutch and causing the switching clutch to perform the switching operation. .

In the present invention, when the steering mode selection switch is operated, the clutch motor is driven in accordance with the operation, and this rotation is transmitted to the switching clutch by the transmission means, and the switching clutch is connected. Switch operation to the position or the release position, the connection state between the steering wheel and the steering mechanism during manual steering, and the disconnection state between the steering wheel and the steering mechanism during automatic steering, respectively. Realized reliably.

In addition, the switching clutch is characterized in that the steering wheel is locked so as not to rotate when switching to the release position.

According to the present invention, when the switching clutch is operated to the disengaged position in accordance with the selection of the automatic steering, the connection between the steering wheel and the steering mechanism is released, and the steering wheel is locked so as not to rotate. ,
During automatic steering, the user can use the steering wheel as a handle to support the body.

[0014] Further, there is provided a control means for rotating the steering motor by a predetermined amount in accordance with the operation of the selection switch to the manual steering side.

In the present invention, the steering motor is rotated by a predetermined amount in accordance with the selection of the manual steering, and the switching from the release position to the connection position by the switching clutch is performed by operating the steering mechanism side separated from the steering side. While doing
Enables reliable switching.

[0016] Further, it is characterized by comprising means for detecting that the switching clutch is at the connection position, and control means for permitting travel in the manual steering in accordance with the detection of the means.

According to the present invention, it is detected that the switching clutch is at the connection position, that is, that the steering wheel is connected to the steering mechanism. Only when this detection is made, the traveling by manual steering is performed. Permitting and avoiding the occurrence of an unsteering state during manual steering is ensured.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a golf cart according to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the golf cart includes a front cowl 4a and a front cowl 4a, which are supported by a pair of left and right front wheels 10, 10 and rear wheels 11, 11 (only one side is shown).
The front seat 2 and the rear seat 3 are respectively installed on a step 5 erected between the front cowl 4a and the rear cowl 4b, and a steering shaft 6a projecting obliquely rearward on the rear side of the front cowl 4a is provided. A steering wheel 6 is attached to the upper end so as to be operable in a sitting posture on the front seat 2.

Between the front cowl 4a and the rear cowl 4b, a vertical frame rising upward from each of them is provided.
A pair of left and right support frames 7a, 7a connected by a substantially horizontal horizontal frame at appropriate height positions are provided. These support frames 7a, 7a support a roof plate 7b covering the upper part of the front seat 2 and the rear seat 3 between the respective horizontal frames, and a transparent resin windshield 7c between the vertical frames on the front cowl 4a side. Is supported so as to be able to be seen through the front, so that a user riding on the front seat 2 and the rear seat 3 is protected from the weather.

In this golf cart, the rear wheels 11, 11 are driven by an engine (not shown) mounted below the rear cowl 4b, and the front wheels 10, 10 are driven by the operation of a steering mechanism mounted below the front cowl 4a. Steer and drive. The steering wheel 6 is used as a means for manually steering the front wheels 10, 10.

On the other hand, the golf cart is capable of automatic steering along a predetermined traveling path (cart path) set in the course, and the automatic steering is performed by a guide line embedded in the traveling path. Is performed by operating the steering mechanism in accordance with the detection result of. During this time, the output of the engine that drives the rear wheels 3 and 3 and the braking force provided by the brakes attached to the rear wheels 3 and 3 are adjusted based on the detection results of the marker magnets installed on the traveling path to increase the speed. Control or stop control at a fixed point set on the traveling path is performed.

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the structure of the steering mechanism mounted below the front cowl 4a. As shown in the figure, the front wheels 11, 11 to be steered are attached to both ends of a front axle 20 laid on the front part of a frame 12 of the vehicle body 1 so as to be swingable about a substantially vertical axis. ,
A rack shaft 21 juxtaposed behind the front axle 20
Are connected via 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 21.

A steering shaft 6a connected to the steering wheel 6 has a cylindrical steering column 6b.
It is rotatably supported inside. A switching clutch 4 is connected to a lower portion of the steering column 6b, and the pinion is connected to a steering shaft 40 inserted at a lower portion of the switching clutch 4 via a universal joint 24. The switching clutch 4 performs a switching operation between a connection position for connecting the steering shaft 6a and the steering shaft 40 and a release position for releasing the connection. 6 is performed, 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 this movement causes the knuckle arms 22, 22 to swing, and the front wheel 10 and 10 are manually steered by an angle corresponding to the operation amount in the operation direction of the steering wheel 6.

A steering motor M ₁ is mounted in the middle of the rack housing 23, and an output end of the steering motor M ₁ extends inside the rack housing 23 and is connected to a pinion (not shown). It is engaged with the rack shaft 21.

[0026] In Thus, when the steering motor M ₁ is rotated, this rotation is transmitted to the rack shaft 21 via the pinion, knuckle arms 22, 22 by movement in the axial direction of the rack shaft 21 is swung is allowed, the front wheels 10, 10 are steered by an angle corresponding to the rotation amount in the rotational direction of the steering motor M _1. Steering motor M ₁ is rotated driven according to the drive signal supplied from the steering control unit 13, the switching clutch 4 at this time, so that the operation of the steering wheel 6 does not interfere with the operation of the steering motor M _1, steering The connection position is set to the disconnection position in accordance with the switching signal provided from the control unit 13.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the structure of the switching clutch 4. As shown in FIG. Switching clutch 4 as shown
Is formed inside a housing H having one side fixed to the lower end of the steering column 6b. The lower portion of the steering shaft 6a supported inside the steering column 6b is made to enter the inside of the housing H at an appropriate length, and at this entry end, a large-diameter portion 41 having a spline formed on its outer periphery.
Are connected. On the other hand, the upper part of the steering shaft 40 enters the inside of the housing H from below, and the steering shaft 6a
A large-diameter portion 42 having the same diameter as the large-diameter portion 41 on the steering shaft 6a side and having a spline formed on the outer periphery thereof is connected to the abutting end portion.

The lower portion of the steering column 6b is inserted into the housing H at an appropriate length, and abuts against the large diameter portion 41 at the lower end of the steering shaft 6a. And a small-diameter portion 43 having a spline formed on the outer periphery thereof.
On the outside of the large diameter portions 41 and 42, a cylindrical slider 44 meshing with the splines on the respective outer periphery and slidably interposed therebetween is externally fitted.

Inside the housing H, a fork shaft 45, which is parallel to one of the entry positions of the steering shaft 6a and the steering shaft 40 and is slidable in the axial direction, is supported. In the middle of the fork shaft 45, the slider
A fork 46 that engages with a concave portion on the outer periphery of 44 is attached, and the slider 44 moves up and down together with the fork 46 in response to sliding of the fork shaft 45, and is at a sliding position indicated by a solid line in the drawing. At this time, they mesh with each other so as to be bridged between the large diameter portions 41 and 42. At this time, the steering shaft including the large diameter portion 41
6a is connected to a steering shaft 40 having a large diameter portion 42 via the slider 44 so as to be integrally rotatable. This position is the connection position.

Inside the housing H, a fork 46 operating together with the slider 44 when this connection position is realized.
A connection detection switch S which is turned on or off by contacting the lower surface of the switch is mounted. The on / off output of the connection detecting switch S is, as schematically shown in FIG.
The steering control unit 13 recognizes, based on the input from the connection detection switch S, whether or not the switching clutch 4 is in the connection position, that is, whether or not manual steering by operating the steering wheel 6 is possible. I can do it.

On the other hand, when the slider 44 is at the sliding position indicated by the two-dot chain line in the figure, it engages with the large-diameter portion 41 and the small-diameter portion 43 so as to be bridged. At this time, the large diameter portion 41
The steering shaft 6a provided with the steering wheel 6 is disconnected from the steering shaft 40, is connected to a steering column 6b provided with the small-diameter portion 43 via a slider 44, and is connected to an upper end of the steering shaft 6a. Are restrained from rotating. This position is the uncoupling position,
At this time, the steering shaft 40 is in a state where it can freely rotate.

The lower portion of the fork shaft 45 has a housing H
And a connecting arm 47 extending to the side opposite to the steering shaft 40 is fixed to this protruding portion. A follower shaft 48, which is parallel to the fork shaft 45 and is slidable in the axial direction, is supported below the housing H on the other side of the fork shaft 45. Below H, it is loosely inserted into an insertion hole provided on the other side of the connection arm 47. A neutral spring having substantially the same strength is provided between the upper and lower surfaces of the connecting arm 47, the outer and lower surfaces of the housing H opposed thereto, and the spring seat ring 48a provided around the lower end of the follower shaft 48. 47a, 47b are interposed, and the connecting arm 47 is provided with these neutral springs 47a, 47b.
To maintain a position where the spring forces are balanced.

A follower ring 49 is provided around an upper portion of a follower shaft 48 that enters the inside of the housing H. The follower shaft 48 is interposed between the lower surface of the follower ring 49 and the inner lower surface of the housing H. The pressing spring 48a is urged upward. Also on the outside of the ipsilateral housing H, the clutch motor M ₂ is fixed. The clutch motor M
Reference numeral ₂ denotes a geared motor, which is configured to appropriately reduce its rotation by a speed reducer G connected to the output side and output the geared motor.
_An eccentric cam C is fixed to the _second output shaft 50, and the outer peripheral surface of the eccentric cam C is in contact with the upper surface of the follower ring 49.

[0034] With the above arrangement, when the clutch motor M ₂ rotates, the follower shaft and pressed from above by the eccentric cam C rotating with the rotation, by the pressure from below by the spring force of the biasing spring 48a 48 Moves up and down, and in response to this up and down movement, the connecting arm 47 moves up and down neutral springs 47a and 47b.
Will move up and down together with the fork shaft 45 while maintaining the balance of the spring force, and as described above,
The connection position and the connection release position are realized.

The clutch motor M ₂ is, as shown in FIG.
It is rotationally driven according to a drive signal provided from the steering control unit 13. An input signal of the steering control unit 13 is provided with an output signal of a mode selection switch 14 that can be operated by a user sitting on the front seat 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a dashboard 60 connected to the rear upper portion of the front cowl 4a. As shown in FIG. 4, the mode selection switch 14 is used to display various indications including the selected steering mode. Dashboard with display unit 15
It is juxtaposed on the front of 60. The mode selection switch 14
A key switch that can be turned on and off by a key K inserted therein is also used as an engine start switch (not shown). The display unit 15 also shows whether the vehicle body 1 is positioned on the guide line during automatic steering, together with automatic and manual display lamps that display the current steering mode according to the operation of the mode selection switch 14. An indicator lamp, an alarm lamp for displaying an abnormality of each part, and an oil lamp for displaying an engine oil shortage are provided.

The steering control unit 13, if the automatic steering is selected by the operation mode selection switch 14 issues a normal rotation instruction to the clutch motor M ₂ on the output side, to operate the switching clutch 4 to the connection releasing position . As a result, the steering wheel 6 is restrained from rotating and the steering motor M
There is no risk that the automatic steering due to the rotation of ₂ will be hindered.

On the other hand, when the manual steering is selected by the operation mode selection switch 14, steering control unit 13, along with issues a reverse rotation command to the clutch motor M ₂ on the output side, a short time to the steering motor M ₂ Issue a drive command. As a result, the slider 44 inside the switching clutch 4 moves down and the steering shaft 40 rotates, so that the slider 44 has a spline on its inner surface and a spline on the outer surface of the large-diameter portion 42 at the upper end of the steering shaft 40. Are engaged with the large-diameter portion 42 at positions aligned in the circumferential direction, a reliable connection state is obtained, and manual steering by operating the steering wheel 6 becomes possible.

Whether or not such a connection position has been obtained is determined by contact with the fork 46 by the connection detection switch S.
Is turned on or off, and the steering input is recognized by the steering control unit 13 when the input is changed. When the input of the connection detection switch S does not change despite the manual steering being selected by the operation of the mode selection switch 14, the steering control unit 13 performs an operation of prohibiting traveling in the manual steering. This prohibition of driving includes various operations such as an operation of causing the brakes of the rear wheels 11, 11 to perform braking, an operation of prohibiting the input of the detection result of the accelerator pedal depression amount, an operation of keeping the engine at an idling speed, and an operation of forcibly stopping the engine. It can be realized by an operation and a combination thereof.

That is, the steering control section 13 performs an operation of permitting the traveling by the manual steering according to the detection of the connection state by the connection detection switch S, not the input from the mode selection switch 14, so that the connection is established. It is possible to prevent the possibility that the steering is shifted to the manual steering in an incomplete state and the steering becomes impossible. On the other hand, traveling in automatic steering is permitted by an input from the mode selection switch 14.

This is because there is no danger of prohibiting the traveling itself even if the switching clutch 4 is in an incompletely disconnected state during automatic steering. A connection release detection switch that is turned on or off by contact with the fork 46 that has moved to the release position may be provided, and a change in the input of the switch may be allowed to shift to automatic steering.

It is to be noted that the fact that the switching clutch 4 is at the connection position is not limited to the connection switch S having the above-described configuration, but may be detected by another appropriate sensor.

[0043]

As described in detail above, in the golf cart according to the present invention, the steering mode selection switch drives and rotates the motor in accordance with the operation, and the transmission from the motor operates the switching clutch to connect. Since the switching operation to the position or the release position is performed, the connection state between the steering wheel and the steering mechanism during manual steering, and the connection state between the steering wheel and the steering mechanism during automatic steering. However, it is surely realized without requiring a complicated operation.

Further, since the switching clutch locks the steering wheel so that it cannot rotate when switching to the release position, the steering wheel that is being automatically steered is locked so that it cannot rotate, and the body is moved while the steering wheel is running. Can be used with a handle to support.

Further, since the steering motor is rotated by a predetermined amount in accordance with the operation of the selection switch to the manual steering side, the switching from the release position to the connection position by the switching clutch is ensured, and the steering operation is performed during manual steering. The risk of becoming unreliable is reduced, and safety can be improved.

Further, a means for detecting that the switching clutch is at the connection position is provided, and the running by manual steering is permitted in accordance with the detection, so that the steering by the steering wheel is disabled. The present invention has excellent effects, for example, there is no danger of running with manual steering and the safety can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a golf cart according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a configuration of a golf cart steering mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a switching clutch.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a dashboard.

[Description of Signs] 1 Body 2 Front seat 3 Rear seat 4 Switching clutch 6 Steering wheel 6a Steering shaft 6b Steering column 13 Control unit 14 Steering mode selection switch 40 Steering shaft 44 Slider 46 Fork M ₁ Steering motor M ₂ Clutch motor

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takeya Matsushita 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazuhiro Matsuoka 2-chome Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka No. 5-5 in Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] A selection switch operated to select between manual steering for operating a steering mechanism in response to operation of a steering wheel and automatic steering for operating a steering mechanism in response to rotation of a steering motor; In a golf cart having a switching clutch for performing a switching operation between a connection position for connecting the steering wheel to a steering mechanism and a release position for releasing the connection, the golf cart is driven to rotate in response to a switching operation of the selection switch. And a transmission means for transmitting rotation of the clutch motor to the switching clutch and causing the switching clutch to perform the switching operation. 2. The golf cart according to claim 1, wherein the switching clutch locks the steering wheel so as not to rotate when switching to the release position. 3. The golf cart according to claim 1, further comprising control means for rotating the steering motor by a predetermined amount in response to switching of the selection switch to manual steering. 4. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: means for detecting that the switching clutch is at the connection position; and control means for permitting travel in the manual steering in response to the detection of the means.
The golf cart according to claim 3.