JP2018034574A - Double-ring vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a double-ring vehicle provided with a highly safe auxiliary wheel storing/mounting switching mechanism that can prevent stumbling by switching an auxiliary wheel to a mounting position without operating an operation lever or the like when the vehicle stumbles due to sudden steering caused by switching the auxiliary wheel between a storing position and the mounting position by a steering wheel turning operation.SOLUTION: An auxiliary wheel 43 moves from a storing position to a mounting position through rotation of an auxiliary wheel arm 42 according to a turning operation of a steering wheel 25, 25 by engaging a first gear 45 fixed to the upper end of the auxiliary wheel arm 42 provided with the auxiliary wheel 43 rotatably supported on a lower end with an inner-tooth gear 44b provided to the opening 44a of a guide member 44 fastened to a steering wheel frame 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-wheel vehicle in which auxiliary wheels can be stored / mounted.

  Conventionally, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose multi-wheel vehicles in which auxiliary wheels can be stored / mounted. In Patent Document 1, when traveling, the auxiliary wheel is stored with a spring, and when the vehicle is temporarily stopped, the auxiliary wheel is operated by operating the auxiliary wheel operating lever, so that the foot must reach the ground when the vehicle stops. A bicycle that can maintain a comfortable posture is disclosed.

  In Patent Document 2, the middle in the longitudinal direction of a wheel arm equipped with an auxiliary wheel is rotatably supported on the left and right of the wheel rotation shaft of the rear wheel, and the end in the longitudinal direction is rotatably connected to a U-shaped connecting member. A bicycle is disclosed in which a U-shaped connecting member and an operating lever are coupled via a link lot, and the auxiliary wheel can be switched between a storage position and a mounting position by operating the operating lever.

JP 2011-162174 A JP2013-203289A

  Each of the bicycles disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 operates an operation lever to switch an auxiliary wheel between a storage position and a mounting position. When the bicycle stops or starts, the driver operates the operation lever to set the auxiliary wheel to the mounting position, thereby preventing the bicycle from falling when stopped or starting. However, there is a problem that the operation lever cannot be operated when the steering wheel is suddenly turned over to avoid a collision or the like, so that the auxiliary wheel cannot be moved to the mounting position and may fall over. .

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described conventional problems. In the case where the auxiliary wheel is switched between the retracted position and the mounted position by turning the handle, the handlebar is suddenly handled and is likely to fall over. Even if there is a multi-wheel vehicle equipped with an auxiliary wheel storage / mounting switching mechanism with excellent safety, the auxiliary wheel can be switched to the mounting position without operating the operation lever, etc. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, a multi-wheel vehicle according to claim 1 includes a handle portion that is turned by turning left and right with respect to the traveling direction, a handle shaft that is turned by turning steering of the handle portion, and a lower end portion. An auxiliary wheel arm provided with an auxiliary wheel rotatably supported by the motor, and a link mechanism that links the handle shaft and the auxiliary wheel arm. When the handle portion is located in the straight direction, The auxiliary wheel arm is arranged in front of or behind the handle shaft to hold the auxiliary wheel in the retracted position, and when the steering wheel is turned, the auxiliary wheel arm is rotated according to the turning steering to turn the handle shaft. The auxiliary wheel is moved to the side opposite to the direction of the movement to a mounting position that functions as an auxiliary tool for preventing tilting.

  The dual-wheel vehicle according to claim 2 is the dual-wheel vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the link mechanism is provided in the first gear provided in the upper end portion of the auxiliary wheel arm and the handle shaft, and the steering of the handle portion is turned. A second gear that rotates in response to the steering wheel, and the auxiliary gear arm moves from the retracted position to the mounted position by rotating the first gear in response to the rotation of the second gear that accompanies the turning steering of the handle portion. It is characterized by making it.

  A multi-wheel vehicle according to claim 3 is the multi-wheel vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the auxiliary wheel arm is disposed behind the handle shaft in the retracted position of the auxiliary wheel, and the first gear or the second gear. Either one is an internal gear, and one of the first gear and the second gear is an external gear, and the first gear and the second gear are engaged, and the first gear associated with the turning steering of the handle portion. The auxiliary gear arm is moved from the storage position to the mounting position by rotating the first gear according to the rotation of the two gears.

  A multi-wheel vehicle according to a fourth aspect is the multi-wheel vehicle according to the second aspect, wherein the auxiliary wheel arm is disposed in front of the handle shaft at the storage position of the auxiliary wheel, and the first gear and the second gear are It is an external gear, and the first gear and the second gear engage with each other, and the first gear rotates according to the rotation of the second gear that accompanies the turning steering of the handle portion. It is characterized by moving from the storage position to the mounting position.

  The multi-wheel vehicle according to claim 5 is the multi-wheel vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary wheel arm is disposed behind the handle shaft in the retracted position of the auxiliary wheel, and the link mechanism includes the auxiliary wheel arm. Between the first external gear provided on the upper end, the second external gear provided on the handle shaft and rotating according to the turning steering of the handle portion, and between the first external gear and the second external gear. And a third external gear engaged with the first external gear and the second external gear.

  The multi-wheel vehicle according to claim 6 is the multi-wheel vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary wheel arm is disposed behind the handle shaft at the storage position of the auxiliary wheel, and the link mechanism is provided by the auxiliary wheel arm. A first pulley provided at the upper end, a second pulley provided on the handle shaft and rotated in response to turning steering of the handle, and a link belt for interlocking the first pulley and the second pulley. Features.

  The multi-wheel vehicle according to claim 7 is the multi-wheel vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the link mechanism further includes an urging member, and the urging member has the auxiliary wheel at the retracted position. It is characterized by urging in the direction of arrangement.

  The multi-wheel vehicle according to claim 8 is the multi-wheel vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the second gear or the second external gear is steered from a position where the handle portion is in the straight traveling direction. In the range up to a predetermined angle, a missing tooth portion that does not engage with the second gear or the third external gear is provided.

  In the two-wheeled vehicle according to the first aspect, when the handle portion is positioned in the straight traveling direction by the link mechanism, the auxiliary wheel arm is disposed in front of or behind the handle shaft to hold the auxiliary wheel in the retracted position. When the steering wheel is turned, the auxiliary wheel arm rotates in response to the turning, and the auxiliary wheel moves to the opposite side of the steering direction of the steering shaft so that it functions as an auxiliary tool for preventing tilting. Move to position. That is, when the steering wheel is turned, the auxiliary wheel moves from the retracted position to the mounting position according to the turning of the steering wheel. As a result, even if the multi-wheeled vehicle is tilted to the opposite side of the steering direction of the steering wheel by the centrifugal force applied to the multi-wheeled vehicle during the steering of the steering wheel, the auxiliary wheel functions as an auxiliary tool for preventing the tilting. This prevents the multi-wheel vehicle from falling. That is, as in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the auxiliary wheel moves from the retracted position to the mounted position in accordance with the turning steering of the handle portion without operating the operation lever, so that the sudden handle is avoided to avoid a collision or the like. Even when it is likely to fall, the auxiliary wheel can prevent the fall. Further, when driving the multi-wheel vehicle in the straight traveling direction, the auxiliary wheels are held in the retracted position, so that the multi-wheel vehicle can be driven and driven comfortably.

  In the two-wheeled vehicle according to the second aspect, the first gear provided at the upper end of the auxiliary wheel arm rotates in accordance with the rotation of the second gear provided at the handle shaft. Further, the second gear rotates according to the turning steering of the handle portion. Therefore, the auxiliary wheel arm moves from the retracted position to the mounting position in accordance with the turning steering of the handle portion. That is, the auxiliary wheel can be moved from the retracted position (functioning as an auxiliary tool for preventing tilting) from the retracted position by turning the steering wheel without using the operation lever.

  In the multi-wheel vehicle according to the third aspect, the first gear and the second gear are the same by engaging the first gear and the second gear in a combination of an internal gear and an external gear. Rotate in the direction. As a result, the auxiliary wheel arm disposed at the retracted position behind the handle shaft rotates in the same direction as the direction of turning steering of the handle portion, so that the auxiliary wheel is retracted behind the handle shaft by turning steering of the handle portion. It is possible to move from the position to a mounting position (functioning as an auxiliary tool for preventing tilting) opposite to the direction of turning steering of the handle portion.

  In the multi-wheel vehicle according to the fourth aspect, the first gear and the second gear rotate in the opposite directions by engaging the first gear and the second gear in a combination of external gears. To move. As a result, the auxiliary wheel arm is rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of turning steering of the handle portion. That is, since the auxiliary wheel arm arranged at the retracted position in front of the handle shaft rotates in a direction opposite to the direction of turning steering of the handle portion, the auxiliary wheel moves forward of the handle shaft by turning of the handle portion. It is possible to move from the retracted position to a mounting position (functioning as an auxiliary tool for preventing tilting) opposite to the direction of turning steering of the handle portion.

  In the multi-wheel vehicle according to the fifth aspect, the first external gear and the second external gear are provided between the first external gear provided on the upper end of the auxiliary wheel arm and the second external gear provided on the handle shaft. By disposing the third external gear engaged with the tooth gear, the first external gear and the second external gear are rotated in the same direction. As a result, the auxiliary wheel arm disposed at the retracted position behind the handle shaft rotates in the same direction as the direction of turning steering of the handle portion. It is possible to move from the retracted position to a mounting position (functioning as an auxiliary tool for preventing tilting) opposite to the direction of turning steering of the handle portion.

  In the multi-wheel vehicle according to the sixth aspect, the first pulley provided on the upper end of the auxiliary wheel arm and the second pulley provided on the handle shaft are linked by the link belt, and the first pulley and the second pulley are connected. Rotate in the same direction. As a result, the auxiliary wheel arm disposed at the retracted position behind the handle shaft rotates in the same direction as the direction of turning steering of the handle portion. It is possible to move from the retracted position to a mounting position (functioning as an auxiliary tool for preventing tilting) opposite to the direction of turning steering of the handle portion.

  In the multi-wheel vehicle according to the seventh aspect, the link mechanism includes a biasing member that biases the auxiliary wheel in a direction in which the auxiliary wheel is disposed at the retracted position. Thus, when the steering wheel is returned to the original straight direction, the auxiliary wheel smoothly moves to the storage position by the urging force of the urging member, and the multi-wheel vehicle can be driven and driven comfortably.

  In the multi-wheel vehicle according to the eighth aspect, the second gear or the second external gear has the first gear or the third gear in a range from the position where the handle portion is in the straight traveling direction to a predetermined steering angle. By providing a missing tooth portion that does not engage with the external gear, the auxiliary wheel is held in the retracted position even if the steering wheel is turned from a position in the straight direction to a predetermined angle. When the steering wheel is turned and steered beyond a predetermined angle, the auxiliary wheel moves from the retracted position to the mounting position (functioning as an auxiliary tool for preventing tilting). As a result, when driving a two-wheeled vehicle, the auxiliary wheel is held at the retracted position when the steering angle of the steering wheel is within a predetermined angle range, so that the auxiliary wheel is prevented from obstructing driving. In addition to being able to drive comfortably, if the steering wheel is turned and steered beyond a predetermined angle, the auxiliary wheel moves to the mounting position and can be prevented from falling. Thus, even if the steering wheel is largely turned and steered to avoid a collision and the multi-wheel vehicle is tilted, it is possible to effectively prevent the vehicle from toppling over.

It is the side view of the folding vehicle which made the folding vehicle provided with the storing / mounting switching mechanism of the auxiliary wheel which concerns on embodiment of this invention into the (a) unfolding (operation possible) state and (b) folding state. FIG. 2A is a top view and FIG. 2B is a side sectional view of the auxiliary wheel retracting / mounting switching mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a deployed (runnable) state. The operation method of the auxiliary wheel storage / mounting switching mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described as viewed from above (a) when the handle is turned to the right and (b) when the handle is turned to the left. It is a top view. It is the sectional view of (a) top view and (b) side in the deployment (running possible) state of the storage / mounting change mechanism of the auxiliary wheel concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. The operation method of the auxiliary wheel storage / mounting switching mechanism according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described (a) when the handle is turned to the right and (b) when the handle is turned to the left as seen from above. It is a top view. FIG. 10 is a top view of the auxiliary wheel retracting / mounting switching mechanism according to the third embodiment of the present invention in a deployed (runnable) state. FIG. 10 is a top view of the auxiliary wheel retracting / mounting switching mechanism according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention in a deployed (runnable) state. It is the front view seen from the front explaining the state in which the auxiliary wheel switched to the mounting position in the folding vehicle provided with the storing / mounting switching mechanism of the auxiliary wheel which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining various embodiment of the auxiliary wheel concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view explaining the modification of the storing / mounting switching mechanism of the auxiliary wheel which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view explaining the modification of the storing / mounting switching mechanism of the auxiliary wheel which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a storage / mounting switching mechanism for auxiliary wheels according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, a basic configuration of a folding vehicle 100 including an auxiliary wheel storage / mounting switching mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1A is a developed (operable) state, and FIG. 1B is a schematic view seen from the side in a folded state.

  The folding vehicle 100 includes a handle shaft holder 3 formed in a curved shape, and a handle frame 24 is attached to a front end portion of the handle shaft holder 3 so as to be rotatable in a substantially horizontal direction. Handles 25 are fixed to the upper end portion of the handle frame 24, and a wheel support frame 23 is fixed to the lower end portion of the handle frame 24. The front wheel 20 is rotatable on the wheel support frame 23. It is supported. A storage / mounting switching mechanism 40 is mounted at a position where the front end portion of the handle shaft holder 3 and the handle frame 24 are connected to switch the storage position and the mounting position of the auxiliary wheels of the handles 25 and 25 as the steering section. An auxiliary wheel arm 42 that rotatably supports the auxiliary wheel 43 is stored at the lower end portion below the storage / mounting switching mechanism 40. The lower end position of the auxiliary wheel 43 when retracted is higher than the ground, and the auxiliary wheel 43 does not hinder the driving of the folding vehicle 100 when traveling the folding vehicle 100. Since various embodiments of the storage / mounting switching mechanism 40 can be configured as will be described later, details thereof will not be described here.

  Below the rear end of the handle shaft holder 3 is the first link lever 4 and below the first link lever 4 is the front frame 1 with the front end of the handle shaft holder 3 having the rotation shafts 9 and 10 as fulcrums, respectively. It is supported so that it can rotate.

  The rear end portion of the front frame 1 and the front end portion of the rear frame 2 are connected to each other by a rotating shaft 13 so as to be rotatable. A rear wheel 21 is rotatably supported at the rear end of the rear frame 2. An inline motor (not shown) is attached to the rear wheel 21 and is controlled so as to be driven by a battery (not shown).

  A seat post 27 is fixed to the rear end portion of the front frame 1. The upper portion of the seat post 27 has a cylindrical shape, and a seat support frame 26 having a seat 6 fixed to the upper end is inserted into the cylindrical portion of the seat post 27 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction.

  As described above, the first link lever 4 is supported at the rear end portion of the handle shaft holder 3 so as to be rotatable with respect to the handle shaft holder 3 with the rotation shaft 9 as a fulcrum. The rear end portion of the first link lever 4 is pivotably connected to the front end portion of the second link lever 5 by the rotary shaft 11, and the rear end portion of the second link lever 5 is connected to the front end portion of the rear frame 2 and the rotary shaft. 12 is rotatably connected.

  As described above, the front frame 1, the rear frame 2, the first link lever 4, and the second link lever 5 are pivotably connected to each other with the five rotation shafts 9 to 13 serving as fulcrums, respectively. The folding vehicle 100 of the present embodiment can be easily and comfortably switched between the expanded (operable) state and the folded state.

Next, a storage / mounting switching mechanism 40 which is a first embodiment of the auxiliary wheel storage / mounting switching mechanism according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows the storage / mounting switching mechanism 40 as viewed from above (a) and a cross-sectional view as viewed from the side when the folding vehicle 100 is in the unfolded (runnable) state.

  The handles 25 are fixed to the upper end of the handle frame 24 as described above. A guide member 44 is fastened to the handle frame 24. The guide member 44 is provided with an opening 44a, and a gear 45 of an external gear fixed to the upper end of the rotating shaft 41 is disposed in the opening 44a. The opening 44 a is provided with an internal gear portion 44 b that engages with the gear 45. An auxiliary wheel arm 42 having an auxiliary wheel 43 rotatably supported on the lower end portion is fixed to the lower end portion of the rotating shaft 41, and the auxiliary wheel arm 42 rotates according to the rotation of the gear 45.

  A fixed block 46 that holds the gear 45 is disposed on the front upper portion of the handle shaft holder 3. The fixed block 46 has a U-shape when viewed from the side, and the gear 45 is rotatably held in the opening of the fixed block 46 by a rotation shaft 41d and shaft stops 41a and 41b.

  The end surface of the guide member 44 (in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the folding vehicle 100) and the rear end portion of the fixed block 46 are connected by a tension spring 47, and the guide member 44 is opposite to the traveling direction of the folding vehicle 100. Energized in the direction.

  Next, the operation of the storage / mounting switching mechanism 40 will be described with reference to FIG. FIGS. 3A and 3B are top views seen from above for explaining the operation of the storage / mounting switching mechanism 40 when (a) the handles 25, 25 are turned to the right and (b) the handles 25, 25 are turned to the left. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, when the handles 25, 25 are turned rightward ((1) in FIG. 3A), the guide member 44 resists the urging force of the tension spring 47. To the right ((2) in FIG. 3A). Then, the internal gear portion 44b of the opening 44a of the guide member 44 rotates, and the gear 45 engaged with the internal gear portion 44b also rotates in the right direction ((3 in FIG. 3A). )). When the gear 45 rotates in the right direction, the auxiliary wheel arm 42 also rotates in the right direction, and the auxiliary wheel 43 moves to the mounting position on the left side of the front wheel 20 ((4) in FIG. 3A). .

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the handles 25, 25 are turned leftward ((1) in FIG. 3B), the guide member 44 is biased by the tension spring 47. Rotate leftward against (2) in FIG. 3B. Then, the internal gear portion 44b of the opening 44a of the guide member 44 rotates, and the gear 45 engaged with the internal gear portion 44b also rotates to the left ((3 in FIG. 3B). )). When the gear 45 rotates leftward, the auxiliary wheel arm 42 also rotates leftward, and the auxiliary wheel 43 moves to the mounting position on the right side of the front wheel 20 ((4) in FIG. 3B). .

  FIG. 8 is a front view of the folding vehicle 100 as viewed from the front when the handles 25, 25 are turned during traveling of the folding vehicle 100. FIG. When the steering wheel 25 is turned during traveling of the folding vehicle 100 ((1) in FIG. 8), centrifugal force acts in the outer circumferential direction of the arc that travels according to the turning. Against the other direction ((3) in FIG. 8), there is a risk of falling. As described above, the folding vehicle 100 including the auxiliary wheel storage / mounting switching mechanism 40 according to the present embodiment turns the handles 25, 25 to the right, so that the auxiliary wheel 43 is located at the mounting position on the left side of the front wheel 20. Moving and turning the handles 25, 25 to the left moves the auxiliary wheel 43 to the mounting position on the right side of the front wheel 20 ((2) in FIG. 8). Can be prevented. When the handles 25, 25 are returned to the middle, the guide member 44 is returned to the original position by the urging force of the tension spring 47, and the auxiliary wheel 43 is moved to the retracted position. Therefore, only the turning operation of the handles 25, 25 is performed. Thus, the auxiliary wheel 43 can be switched between the storage position and the mounting position.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 8, the contact position of the auxiliary wheel 43 is set slightly higher than the contact position of the front wheel 20. As a result, when the auxiliary wheel 43 is held in the retracted position, the auxiliary wheel 43 does not contact the ground, so that it can travel comfortably, and when the folding vehicle 100 is tilted by the sudden handle, the auxiliary wheel 43 It is maintained in an inclined state and can be prevented from falling.

  Next, a storage / mounting switching mechanism 50, which is a second embodiment of the auxiliary wheel storage / mounting switching mechanism according to the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 shows the storage / mounting switching mechanism 50 as viewed from above (a) and a cross-sectional view as viewed from the side, with the folding vehicle 100 in the unfolded (runnable) state.

  The handles 25 are fixed to the upper end of the handle frame 24 as described above. A gear 51 that is an external gear having the handle frame 24 as a rotation axis is fastened to the outer periphery of the handle frame 24. And the gear 53 of the external gear fixed to the upper end part of the rotating shaft 41 is arrange | positioned in the reverse direction to the advancing direction of the folding vehicle 100 of the gear 51. FIG. Furthermore, a gear 52 that is an external gear that engages with the gear 51 and the gear 53 is disposed between the gear 51 and the gear 53.

  A fixed block 54 that holds the gear 52 and the gear 53 is disposed in the upper front portion of the handle shaft holder 3. The fixed block 54 has a U-shape when viewed from the side like the fixed block 46, and the gear 52 and the gear 53 are disposed in the opening of the fixed block 54. The gear 52 is rotatably held on the fixed block 54 by the rotating shaft 55 and the shaft stoppers 55a and 55b, and the gear 53 is rotatably held by the rotating shaft 56 and the shaft stoppers 56a and 41b, respectively.

  A lower end portion of the rotation shaft 56 of the gear 53 is connected to the rotation shaft 41. As in the first embodiment, an auxiliary wheel arm 42 having an auxiliary wheel 43 that is rotatably supported at the lower end is fixed to the lower end of the rotating shaft 41, and according to the rotation of the gear 53. The auxiliary wheel arm 42 rotates.

  The end face of the gear 53 (in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the folding vehicle 100) and the rear end portion of the fixed block 54 are connected by a tension spring 57 so that the gear 53 is reverse to the traveling direction of the folding vehicle 100. Energized. The gear ratio between the gear 51 and the gear 53 is set so that the auxiliary wheel 43 moves to the mounting position when the handles 25, 25 are turned by a predetermined angle.

  Next, the operation of the storage / mounting switching mechanism 50 will be described with reference to FIG. FIGS. 5A and 5B are top views seen from above for explaining the operation of the storage / mounting switching mechanism 50 when (a) the handles 25, 25 are turned to the right and (b) the handles 25, 25 are turned to the left. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (a), when the handles 25, 25 are turned to the right ((1) in FIG. 5 (a)), the gear 51 also rotates to the right (FIG. 5 (a)). (2) in the figure. Then, the gear 52 that engages with the gear 51 rotates in the left direction ((3) in FIG. 5A). When the gear 52 rotates in the left direction, the gear 53 engaged with the gear 52 rotates in the right direction against the urging force of the tension spring 57 ((4) in FIG. 5A). When the gear 53 rotates in the right direction, the auxiliary wheel arm 42 also rotates in the right direction, and the auxiliary wheel 43 moves to the mounting position on the left side of the front wheel 20 ((5) in FIG. 5A). .

  Conversely, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the handles 25, 25 are turned leftward ((1) in FIG. 5B), the gear 51 also rotates leftward (FIG. 5). (2) in the figure of (b). Then, the gear 52 engaged with the gear 51 rotates in the right direction ((3) in FIG. 5B). When the gear 52 rotates to the right, the gear 53 engaged with the gear 52 rotates to the left against the urging force of the tension spring 57 ((4) in FIG. 5B). When the gear 53 rotates in the left direction, the auxiliary wheel arm 42 also rotates in the left direction, and the auxiliary wheel 43 moves to the mounting position on the right side of the front wheel 20 ((5) in FIG. 5B). .

  As described above, the folding vehicle 100 including the auxiliary wheel storage / mounting switching mechanism 50 according to the second embodiment also assists the mounting position on the left side of the front wheel 20 by turning the handles 25, 25 in the right direction. When the wheel 43 moves and turns the handles 25, 25 to the left, the auxiliary wheel 43 moves to the mounting position on the right side of the front wheel 20, so that even if the steering wheel is operated suddenly, it can be prevented from falling. is there. When the handles 25, 25 are returned to the middle, the biasing force of the tension spring 57 returns the gear 53 to the original position, and the auxiliary wheel 43 moves to the retracted position. That is, the auxiliary wheel 43 can be switched between the storage position and the mounting position only by turning the handles 25, 25.

  Next, a storage / mounting switching mechanism 60, which is a third embodiment of the auxiliary wheel storing / mounting switching mechanism according to the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a top view of the storage / mounting switching mechanism 60 as seen from above when the folding vehicle 100 is in the unfolded (runnable) state.

  The storage / mounting switching mechanism 60 employs a pulley instead of a gear. As shown in FIG. 6, a first pulley 61 having the handle frame 24 as a rotation axis is fastened to the outer periphery of the handle frame 24. And the 2nd pulley 62 is arrange | positioned in the direction opposite to the advancing direction of the folding vehicle 100 of the 1st pulley 61. As shown in FIG. A fixed block 64 that holds the second pulley 62 is disposed on the front upper portion of the handle shaft holder 3. The fixed block 64 has a U-shape when viewed from the side like the fixed block 46, and the second pulley 62 is rotatably held in the opening of the fixed block 54. The first pulley 61 and the second pulley 62 are connected by a wire member 63, and the first pulley 61 and the second pulley 62 are rotated in the same direction in conjunction with each other. The second pulley 62 is rotated by a rotation shaft (not shown), and an auxiliary wheel arm 42 having an auxiliary wheel 43 rotatably supported by the lower end portion is fixed to the lower end portion of the rotation shaft. The auxiliary wheel arm 42 rotates according to the rotation of the rotation.

  A peripheral end (in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the folding vehicle 100) of the second pulley 62 and the rear end of the fixed block 64 are connected by a tension spring 65, and the second pulley 62 is connected in the traveling direction of the folding vehicle 100. Is biased in the opposite direction. The diameter of the first pulley 61 and the diameter of the second pulley 62 are set so that the auxiliary wheel 43 moves to the mounting position when the handles 25, 25 are turned to a predetermined angle.

  In the storage / mounting switching mechanism 60 according to the third embodiment, for example, when the handles 25, 25 are turned leftward ((1) in FIG. 6), the first pulley 61 also rotates leftward. ((2) in FIG. 6). Then, the second pulley 62 also rotates counterclockwise against the urging force of the tension spring 65 by the wire member 63 ((3) in FIG. 6). When the second pulley 62 rotates leftward, the auxiliary wheel arm 42 also rotates leftward, and the auxiliary wheel 43 moves to the mounting position on the right side of the front wheel 20 ((4) in FIG. 6). As described above, even if a pulley is used instead of the gear, the auxiliary wheel 43 is switched between the storage position and the mounting position only by the turning operation of the handles 25 and 25 as in the first and second embodiments. Even if the steering wheel 25 or 25 is suddenly handled when the folding vehicle 100 is traveling, the auxiliary wheel 43 can prevent the vehicle from falling.

  Next, a storage / mounting switching mechanism 70, which is a fourth embodiment of the storage / mounting switching mechanism for auxiliary wheels according to the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a top view of the storage / mounting switching mechanism 70 viewed from above when the folding vehicle 100 is in the unfolded (runnable) state.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the storage / mounting switching mechanism 70 stores the auxiliary wheel arm 42 including the auxiliary wheel 43 rotatably supported at the lower end portion at a position in front of the front wheel 20. A gear 71, which is an external gear having the handle frame 24 as a rotation axis, is fastened to the outer periphery of the handle frame 24. A gear 72 that engages with the gear 71 is arranged in series in the traveling direction of the folding vehicle 100 of the gear 71. The auxiliary wheel arm 42 is connected to the gear 72, and the auxiliary wheel arm 42 rotates according to the rotation of the gear 72.

  In the storage / mounting switching mechanism 70 according to the fourth embodiment, for example, when the handles 25, 25 are turned leftward ((1) in FIG. 7), the gear 71 is also rotated leftward (see FIG. 7). (2) in FIG. When the gear 71 rotates to the left, the gear 72 engaged with the gear 71 rotates to the right ((3) in FIG. 7). When the gear 72 rotates in the right direction, the auxiliary wheel arm 42 also rotates in the right direction, and the auxiliary wheel 43 moves to the mounting position on the right side of the front wheel 20 ((4) in FIG. 7). Thus, since the number of gears can be reduced compared with said 2nd Embodiment by arrange | positioning the auxiliary wheel 43 ahead of the front wheel 20, cost can be reduced.

  Here, the handles 25 and 25 are examples of handle portions, the handle frame 24 is an example of a handle shaft, the auxiliary wheels 43 are examples of auxiliary wheels, and the auxiliary wheel arms 42 are examples of auxiliary wheel arms. The storage / mounting switching mechanisms 40, 50, 60 and 70 are examples of a link mechanism, the gear 45 and the internal gear portion 44b are examples of a first gear and a second gear, and the gear 51 is a first outer gear. It is an example of a tooth gear, the gear 53 is an example of a second external gear, the gear 52 is an example of a third external gear, the first pulley 61 is an example of a first pulley, and the second pulley 62 is An example of the second pulley, and the tension springs 47, 57, and 65 are examples of biasing members.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, these are merely examples, and the present invention is not construed as being limited by specific descriptions in the embodiments. The present invention can be carried out in a mode in which various changes, modifications, improvements, etc. are added based on the knowledge, and such a mode is within the scope of the present invention as long as it does not depart from the gist of the present invention. It should be understood that it is included in.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the auxiliary wheel 43 is constituted by one wheel, but the auxiliary wheel is not limited to this, and various forms can be adopted as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9A, a sphere 80a may be employed. By adopting the sphere 80a as an auxiliary wheel, even if the auxiliary wheel contacts the ground at the retracted position, the sphere 80a can be rotated in various directions, so that the auxiliary wheel can be prevented from obstructing traveling. As shown in FIG. 9B, a caster 81 may be employed. In this case as well, as in the case of FIG. 9A, the auxiliary wheels can cope with rotation in various directions, so that the folding vehicle 100 can be driven regardless of whether the auxiliary wheels are in the retracted position or the mounted position. Can be prevented.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG.9 (c) and FIG.9 (d), there may be two or more auxiliary wheels. For example, in the case of FIG. 9C, since there are two contact points of the auxiliary wheels, the inclination of the folding vehicle 100 can be stably supported as compared with the auxiliary wheels 43 of the above embodiment, which is higher. Safety can be expected. Further, as shown in FIG. 9D, the two auxiliary wheels may be rotatable in the vertical direction around the rotation shaft 83a. Thereby, even when the ground is uneven, the tilt of the folding vehicle 100 can be stably supported, and thus higher safety can be expected as in the case of FIG. 9C.

  FIG. 10 is obtained by changing the guide member 44 of the first embodiment to a guide member 91. As with the guide member 44, an internal gear portion 91 b that engages with the gear 45 is provided in the opening 91 a of the guide member 91, but a region 91 c having an angle α centered on the extending direction of the folding vehicle 100. Then, it is concave and does not engage with the gear 45. By adopting the guide member 91, the auxiliary wheel 43 is held in the retracted position when the turning angle of the handles 25, 25 is within the angle α, and the auxiliary wheel 43 is turned when the handles 25, 25 turn beyond the angle α. Move to the mounting position. As a result, the auxiliary wheel 43 moves to the mounting position only when the steering wheel 25, 25 is largely turned by a sudden handle or the like. The vehicle 100 can be driven and driven comfortably.

  FIG. 11 is obtained by changing the gear 51 of the second embodiment to a gear 93. Similar to the gear 51, the gear 93 is fastened to the outer periphery of the handle frame 24 with the handle frame 24 as a rotation axis. The region 93a of the gear 93 (in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the folding vehicle 100) has no tooth shape and does not engage with the gear 52 in the range of the angle β centered on the extending direction of the folding vehicle 100. It is like that. That is, when the turning angle of the handles 25 and 25 is within the angle β, the auxiliary wheel 43 is held in the retracted position, and when the handles 25 and 25 turn over the angle β, the auxiliary wheel moves to the mounting position. To. Accordingly, as in the case of FIG. 10 described above, the auxiliary wheel 43 moves to the mounting position only when the steering wheel 25, 25 is largely turned by a sharp handle or the like, so that the auxiliary wheel 43 hinders traveling during driving. Thus, the folding vehicle 100 can be driven and driven comfortably.

  Here, in FIGS. 10 and 11, an urging member such as a tension spring as in the above embodiment may be employed. As a result, when the turning angles of the handles 25 and 25 are within the ranges of the angle α and the angle β, respectively, the auxiliary wheel 43 is held at the storage position by the biasing force of the tension spring, and the auxiliary wheel 43 is moved from the mounting position to the storage position. When returning to the same position as in the above embodiment, it can be smoothly returned to the storage position and held. Note that the holding method of the auxiliary wheel 43 in the retracted position is not limited to the biasing member such as a tension spring, and simple lock mechanisms and the like disclosed in various prior patent documents may be employed. .

  Furthermore, the method of moving the auxiliary wheel 43 to the mounting position only when the steering wheel 25 or 25 is swung largely by the sudden handle is not limited to the method shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, for example, acceleration (not shown) A sensor may be installed on the handles 25, 25, and the auxiliary wheels 43 may be moved to the mounting position when the handles 25, 25 turn over a predetermined acceleration. Accordingly, since the auxiliary wheel 43 moves to the mounting position when it is likely to fall over with the sudden handle, the folding vehicle 100 can travel comfortably and safely.

  In the above embodiment, the auxiliary wheel 43 is mounted on the side of the front wheel 20. However, the auxiliary wheel 43 is not limited to this position, and the auxiliary wheel 43 may not fall over with a sudden handle. If possible, the mounting position of the auxiliary wheel 43 may be anywhere as long as it is on the side of the folding vehicle 100, and the storage position and the mounting position can be appropriately set according to the form of the auxiliary wheel.

1. Front frame 2 Rear frame 3 Handle shaft holder 20 Front wheel 21, 21 Rear wheel 23 Wheel support frame 24 Handle frames 25, 25 Handles 40, 50, 60, 70 ·· Storage / mounting switching mechanism 41 · · rotating shaft 42 · · auxiliary wheel arm 43 · · auxiliary wheel 44 · · guide member 44b · · internal gear 45, 51, 52, 53 · · gear 61 · · · 1 pulley 62 .. second pulley 63 .. wire member 100 .. folding vehicle

Claims (8)

A steering wheel that turns by turning left and right with respect to the traveling direction;
A handle shaft that rotates by turning steering of the handle portion;
An auxiliary wheel arm comprising an auxiliary wheel rotatably supported at the lower end,
A link mechanism that links the handle shaft and the auxiliary wheel arm;
When the handle portion is positioned in the straight direction, the link mechanism holds the auxiliary wheel in a retracted position by placing the auxiliary wheel arm in front of or behind the handle shaft, and the handle portion is When the vehicle is turned, the auxiliary wheel arm is rotated and moved to a mounting position that functions as a tilt-preventing auxiliary device in accordance with the turn. The link mechanism is
A first gear provided at the upper end of the auxiliary wheel arm;
A second gear that is provided on the handle shaft and rotates in response to turning steering of the handle portion;
2. The auxiliary wheel arm is moved from a retracted position to a mounting position by rotating the first gear according to the rotation of the second gear accompanying the turning steering of the handle portion. The multi-wheel vehicle described in 1. The auxiliary wheel arm is arranged behind the handle shaft in the storage position of the auxiliary wheel,
Either the first gear or the second gear is an internal gear,
Either the first gear or the second gear is an external gear,
When the first gear is engaged with the second gear and the first gear is rotated according to the rotation of the second gear accompanying the turning steering of the handle portion, the auxiliary wheel arm is The multi-wheel vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the multi-wheel vehicle is moved from the storage position to the mounting position. The auxiliary wheel arm is disposed in front of the handle shaft in the storage position of the auxiliary wheel,
The first gear and the second gear are external gears;
When the first gear is engaged with the second gear and the first gear is rotated according to the rotation of the second gear accompanying the turning steering of the handle portion, the auxiliary wheel arm is The multi-wheel vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the multi-wheel vehicle is moved from the storage position to the mounting position. The auxiliary wheel arm is arranged behind the handle shaft in the storage position of the auxiliary wheel,
The link mechanism is
A first external gear provided at the upper end of the auxiliary wheel arm;
A second external gear provided on the handle shaft and rotating in response to turning steering of the handle portion;
3. A third external gear between the first external gear and the second external gear and engaging with the first external gear and the second external gear. 2. The multi-wheel vehicle according to 1. The auxiliary wheel arm is arranged behind the handle shaft in the storage position of the auxiliary wheel,
The link mechanism is
A first pulley provided at the upper end of the auxiliary wheel arm;
A second pulley that is provided on the handle shaft and rotates in response to turning steering of the handle portion;
The multi-wheel vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a link belt that interlocks the first pulley and the second pulley. The link mechanism further includes a biasing member,
The multi-wheel vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the biasing member biases the auxiliary wheel in a direction in which the auxiliary wheel is disposed at a retracted position.   The second gear or the second external gear is a missing tooth that does not engage with the first gear or the third external gear in a range from a position where the handle portion is in the straight traveling direction to a predetermined steering angle. The multi-wheel vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising a section.

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