JP2026007033A - Amphibious vehicle and float support mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an amphibious vehicle that has easy float installation work and obtains sufficient buoyancy from the floats.
[Solution] The vehicle comprises a vehicle body 2, a tire 3 attached to the vehicle body 2, an engine-equipped screw 4 attached to the vehicle body 2, a float support mechanism 5A attached to the vehicle body 2, a float mounting portion 6 displaced by the float support mechanism 5A, and a float 7 attached to the float mounting portion 6, and the float support mechanism 5A has a base plate member 10 attached to the underside of the vehicle body 2 and a lifting arm 12 supported by the base plate member 10 and extended to the outside in the vehicle width direction, and by moving the lifting arm 12, the height of the float mounting portion 6 attached to the tip of the lifting arm 12 can be changed between a mounting position higher than the contact surface of the tire 3 and a water navigation position lower than the mounting position.
[Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an amphibious vehicle and a float support mechanism used therein.

The amphibious vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1 comprises a body with a watertight cabin, land tires attached to the body, water tires (tires with water deflectors attached) attached to the body, and body floats that can be attached to the space between the front and rear wheels of the water tires.

When traveling on land, the vehicle is fitted with land tires. When traveling on water, these are replaced with water tires, and body floats are attached to the space between the front and rear water tires, allowing the vehicle to travel on the water by rotating the water tires.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-171222

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the vehicle float was installed in the space below the vehicle body, which required the operator to get under the vehicle body to perform the installation work, resulting in poor installation workability.

In addition, the body floats, which are attached to the space below the vehicle, can only be installed in the limited space between the front and rear wheels. This posed the problem of possibly not providing sufficient buoyancy.

The present invention aims to provide an amphibious vehicle that allows for easy installation of floats and provides sufficient buoyancy from the floats, as well as a float support mechanism for use therewith.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and provides an amphibious vehicle comprising: (1) a vehicle body, running wheels attached to the vehicle body, a water propulsion device attached to the vehicle body, a float support mechanism attached to the vehicle body, a float mounting section that is displaced by the float support mechanism, and a float mounted to the float mounting section, wherein the float support mechanism has a base member attached to the underside of the vehicle body and a lifting arm supported by the base member and extending outward in the vehicle width direction, and wherein the lifting arm is configured to change the height of the float mounting section attached to the tip of the lifting arm between a mounting position higher than the contact surface of the running wheels and a water navigation position lower than the mounting position by moving the lifting arm.

(2) In (1) above, the lifting arm has a rotating arm portion rotatably mounted on the base member, and a swinging arm portion fixed to the tip of the rotating arm portion and having the float mounting portion fixed to the tip thereof, and the height of the float mounting portion is changed by varying the height of the tip of the swinging arm portion through rotation of the rotating arm portion.

(3) In (1) above, the lifting arm has a plurality of parallel arm sections whose base ends are each rotatably supported by the base member and whose tip ends have the float mounting section fixed thereto, and the height of the float mounting section is changed by varying the tip height of the parallel arm sections through parallel movement of the plurality of parallel arm sections.

(4) In the above (2), an actuator is provided that applies a rotational force to the rotating arm portion.

(5) In the above (3), an actuator is provided that applies a translational force to the parallel arm portion.

(6) In the above (3) and (5), the float mounting portion is configured to be able to move into the space below the vehicle body when in the mounting position.

(7) A float support mechanism attached to a vehicle body, the float support mechanism having a support arm whose base end is supported on the lower part of the vehicle body and which extends to the outside of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction, the support arm being configured so that the height of the float mounting part attached to the tip of the support arm can be changed between a mounting position higher than the ground contact position of the tire and a water navigation position lower than the mounting position.

According to the present invention, the float mounting section is located at a lateral position outside the vehicle body when mounting the float, eliminating the need to crawl under the vehicle body to mount the float, making mounting easy. Because the mounting position is at a lateral position outside the vehicle body, space can be secured for arranging the float without being restricted by the position of the front and rear tires, etc. As a result, an amphibious vehicle can be provided that allows for easy float mounting and also provides sufficient buoyancy from the float.

The drawings illustrate specific embodiments of the invention according to the present disclosure, including essential features of the invention as well as alternative and preferred embodiments.
1A is a perspective view of a float support mechanism and a float according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a side view showing a connecting structure between a float mounting portion and the float. 1A is a perspective view of an amphibious vehicle according to a first embodiment, in which a float mounting portion having a float mounted thereon is in a mounting position (land driving position), and FIG. 1B is a rear view thereof. 1A is a perspective view of an amphibious vehicle in which a float mounting portion having a float mounted thereon is positioned at an intermediate position, and FIG. 1B is a rear view thereof, showing a first embodiment. 1A is a perspective view of an amphibious vehicle according to a first embodiment, in which a float mounting portion having a float mounted thereon is positioned at a position for traveling on water, and FIG. 1B is a rear view thereof. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the float in the first embodiment, with the casters in the retracted position. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the float in the first embodiment, with the casters in a protruding position. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the amphibious vehicle before the float is towed according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an amphibious vehicle towing a float according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an amphibious vehicle towing a float according to a first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a float support mechanism and a float according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a side view showing the second embodiment and illustrating the connection structure between the float mounting portion and the float. 10A is a perspective view of an amphibious vehicle according to a second embodiment, in which a float mounting portion having a float mounted thereon is in a mounting position (land driving position), and FIG. 10B is a rear view thereof. 10A is a perspective view of an amphibious vehicle in which a float mounting portion having a float mounted thereon is positioned at an intermediate position, and FIG. 10B is a rear view thereof, showing a second embodiment. 10A is a perspective view of an amphibious vehicle according to a second embodiment, in which a float mounting portion having a float mounted thereon is positioned at a position for traveling on water, and FIG. 10B is a rear view thereof. 10A shows a modified example of the second embodiment, in which (a) is a perspective view from below of an amphibious vehicle in which a float mounting portion with a float mounted thereon is in the mounting position (land driving position), and (b) is an enlarged view of the main part of section XV(b) in (a). 10A shows a modified example of the second embodiment, in which (a) is a perspective view from below of an amphibious vehicle in which the float mounting portion with the float mounted thereon is in the mounting position (land driving position) and the connecting rod is retracted inward from the vehicle body, and (b) is an enlarged view of the main part of section XVI(b) in (a). FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an amphibious vehicle towing a float, showing a modification of the second embodiment.

Each embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Descriptions of already known technologies will be omitted in these embodiments. Furthermore, these are merely examples of devices and methods embodying the technical concepts of the invention, and the technical concepts of the present invention are not limited to those described below. Various modifications can be made to the technical concepts of the present invention within the scope of the claims. It should be noted that the drawings are schematic and may differ from the actual product.

(First embodiment)
1 to 9 show a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, an amphibious vehicle 1 comprises a body 2, tires 3 serving as running wheels attached to the bottom of the body 2, a propeller 4 with an engine attached to the rear of the body 2 as a water propulsion device, a float support mechanism 5A attached to the underside of the body 2, a float mounting portion 6 that is movable by the float support mechanism 5A, and four floats 7 attached to the float mounting portion 6.

The vehicle body 2 has a cabin 2a with a driver's seat. There are four tires 3, two in the front and two in the rear. The engine-equipped screw 4 is attached to the lower end of a lifting rod 4a attached to the rear of the vehicle body 2. The lifting rod 4a is configured to be movable in the vertical direction, and the height of the engine-equipped screw 4 can be adjusted by changing the position of the lifting rod 4a.

As shown in detail in Figure 1, the float support mechanism 5A has a base plate member 10 that is substantially flat and can fit closely against the underside of the vehicle body 2. This base plate member 10 is attached to the underside of the vehicle body 2 by an attachment means (not shown). The float support mechanism 5A can also be retrofitted to the vehicle body 2 of a commercially available vehicle.

The float support mechanism 5A has four sets of actuators 11 and lifting arms 12 driven by these actuators 11, located symmetrically on the left and right of the base plate member 10. The four sets of actuators 11 are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Each lifting arm 12 has a rotating arm portion 13 extending from the actuator 11 in the vehicle width direction and a swinging arm portion 14 fixed to the tip of the rotating arm portion 13, with the float mounting portion 6 provided at the tip of the swinging arm portion 14.

The actuator 11, for example, has a motor (not shown) and a group of gears (not shown) inside that decelerate and output the motor's rotation, and applies a rotational force around its axis to the rotating arm portion 13. The rotating arm portion 13 is rotatably mounted on the base plate member 10 via the actuator 11. The base end of the swinging arm portion 14 is fixed to the rotating arm portion 13. The tip side of the rotating arm portion 13 extends in a direction roughly perpendicular to the rotating arm portion 13. The rotating arm portion 13 and the swinging arm portion 14 are configured to form a roughly L-shape overall, and the swinging arm portion 14 swings when the rotating arm portion 13 rotates (spins).

The float mounting section 6 is fixed to the tip of the swing arm section 14 and is composed of a connecting rod 15 that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction. The float 7 is mounted to this connecting rod 15. The mounting procedure is described below. The height of the tip of the swing arm section 14 is changed by rotating the rotating arm section 13, thereby changing the height of the float mounting section 6.

As shown in Figure 2, the height of the float mounting section 6 is highest when the longitudinal direction of the swing arm section 14 is in a substantially upward position, which is the mounting position. The mounting position is higher than the ground contact surface of the tire 3, and the underside of the mounted float 7 is also higher than the ground contact surface. In the mounting position, the tire 3 can travel on land even without the float 7 attached, and because the attached float 7 floats above the ground contact surface, the tire 3 can also travel on land with the float 7 attached. In other words, in this first embodiment, the mounting position is also the land driving position.

As shown in Figure 3, the height of the float mounting section 6 is at an intermediate height when the longitudinal direction of the swing arm section 14 is in an approximately horizontal position, and this position is the intermediate position. In the intermediate position, the underside of the mounted float 7 is approximately at the same height as the contact surface of the tire 3. In the intermediate position, if the contact surface is generally flat, the float 7 can be mounted. However, if the contact surface is uneven, it may not be possible to install the float 7 in the mounting position.

As shown in Figure 4, the height of the float mounting portion 6 is lowest when the longitudinal direction of the swinging arm portion 14 is in a substantially downward position, which is the water navigation position. In the water navigation position, it is lower than the ground contact surface (ground contact height) of the tire 3. In the water navigation position, the attached float 7 floats on the water, allowing water navigation.

As shown in Figures 5 to 8, each float 7 has a roughly elongated rectangular shape. Each float 7 is made of a strong, lightweight material, such as fiber-reinforced plastic. The interior space of each float 7 is a sealed, waterproof space, and, combined with being made of a lightweight material, it has high buoyancy. The front shape of each float 7 differs between those positioned in the forward position when sailing on water and those positioned in the rear position. The front side of those positioned in the forward position is formed in a roughly triangular shape in plan view to reduce resistance from water when sailing on water.

A connecting rod 7c protrudes from the side of each float 7. As shown in Figure 1(b), the floats are attached to the float mounting section 6 by inserting the connecting rods 15, 7c of both the swing arm section 14 and the float 7 into the connecting cylinder 20 from opposite sides and connecting them by tightening the screws 21. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, horizontally arranged floats 7 are connected to each other by similarly connecting the connecting rods 15, 7c via the connecting cylinder 20 (see Figure 7). The connecting rod 15 is attached rotatably to the swing arm 14.

As shown in detail in Figures 5 and 6, each float 7 is equipped with casters 7a that can be freely extended and retracted from its outer surface. When in the extended position, the casters 7a are rotatable so that they automatically face the direction of travel. Additionally, some or all of the four floats 7 are equipped with towing device attachment portions 7b.

As shown in Figures 7 to 9, horizontally arranged floats 7 can be connected to each other via the connecting tube 20 as described above, and vertically arranged floats 7 can be connected to each other using bolts or the like. Therefore, four floats 7 can be integrated into one unit. These four connected floats 7 can be towed by a vehicle using a towing device 9. Figures 8 and 9 show the amphibious vehicle 1 being towed by connecting the four connected floats 7 to a towing device attachment portion (not shown) at the rear of the vehicle body 2 via the towing device 9.

Next, the operation of the amphibious vehicle 1 will be described. When traveling on land without the floats 7 attached, the engine-equipped propeller 4 is positioned high enough so as not to come into contact with the ground surface of the tire 3, and the float mounting parts 6 are positioned in the mounted or intermediate position, and the vehicle travels using the tire 3. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the two central float mounting parts 6 of the four float mounting parts 6 may be positioned in the intermediate position, and the two at the front and rear ends may be positioned in the mounted position.

The four floats 7 may be towed by the amphibious vehicle 1, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, or may be loaded onto or towed by another vehicle for transport.

When switching from land-based to water-based navigation, drive on land as close to the water's edge as possible. Once near the water's edge, for example, all of the float mounting sections 6 are set to the mounted position, and a float 7 is attached to each float mounting section 6. To attach a float to a float mounting section 6, first, if the caster 7a is in the extended position, retract it to the retracted position. Next, temporarily place the float 7 near the float mounting section 6, position the connecting rod 15 of the float mounting section 6 opposite the connecting rod 7c of the float 7, and connect the connecting rods 15, 7c with the connecting cylinder 20. This procedure is performed for all four floats 7. If the ground surface conditions permit, the float 7 can also be attached with the float mounting sections 6 in the intermediate position.

Once the float 7 is attached, the boat travels to the water's edge with the float attachment part 6 at the attached position, as shown in Figure 2. When entering the water, the actuator 11 is activated to gradually lower the height of the float attachment part 6 from the attached position to the intermediate position.

Then, the amphibious vehicle 1 enters the water from the water's edge while propelled on land by the tires 3. After entering the water, as shown in Figure 4, the actuator 11 is activated to gradually lower the float mounting part 6 from the intermediate position to the water navigation position. During this process, the float 7 gradually sinks into the water, which gradually increases buoyancy, and eventually the tires 3 float.

When traveling on water, the height of the engine-equipped propeller 4 is set to a predetermined depth in the water, and the engine-equipped propeller 4 is rotated to travel on water. To switch from traveling on water to traveling on land, simply follow the steps above in reverse.

As described above, the amphibious vehicle 1 of the first embodiment comprises a vehicle body 2, a tire 3 attached to the vehicle body 2, an engine-equipped propeller 4 attached to the vehicle body 2, a float support mechanism 5A attached to the vehicle body 2, a float mounting portion 6 displaced by the float support mechanism 5A, and a float 7 attached to the float mounting portion 6. The float support mechanism 5A has a base plate member 10 attached to the underside of the vehicle body 2 and a lifting arm 12 supported by the base plate member 10 and extending outward in the vehicle width direction. By moving the lifting arm 12, the height of the float mounting portion 6 attached to the tip of the lifting arm 12 can be changed between a mounting position higher than the contact surface of the tire 3 and a water navigation position lower than the mounting position.

The float mounting portion 6 is therefore located laterally outside the vehicle body 2 when it is mounted, eliminating the need to crawl under the vehicle body 2 to mount the float 7, making mounting easy. Because the mounting position is laterally outside the vehicle body 2, space for arranging the float can be secured without being restricted by the position of the front and rear tires 3. In this embodiment, the float 7 is positioned longer than the space between the front and rear tires 3, and higher than the height between the bottom surface of the vehicle body 2 and the tire 3 mounting surface. As described above, an amphibious vehicle 1 can be provided in which the float 7 is easily mounted and sufficient buoyancy can be obtained from the float 7.

In the first embodiment, the float support mechanism 5A is installed in the space under the vehicle body 2, so it can be retrofitted to commercially available vehicles, allowing commercially available vehicles to be converted into amphibious vehicles.

In the first embodiment, the lifting arm 12 has a rotating arm portion 13 rotatably mounted on the base plate member 10, and a swinging arm portion 14 fixed to the tip of the rotating arm portion 13 and having the float mounting portion 6 fixed to its tip. By rotating the rotating arm portion 13, the height of the tip of the swinging arm portion 14 is changed, thereby changing the height of the float mounting portion 6. Therefore, the height of the float mounting portion 6 can be changed by the simple action of rotating the rotating arm portion 13.

The first embodiment has an actuator 11 that applies a rotational force to the rotating arm portion 13. Therefore, the rotating arm portion 13 can be rotated automatically, which is convenient and easy to use.

Second Embodiment
10 to 14 show a second embodiment of the present invention. This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the configuration of the float support mechanism 5B. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same components in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation.

That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the float support mechanism 5B, like the first embodiment, comprises a base plate member 10 attached to the underside of the vehicle body 2, four sets of lifting arms 30 on each side that are supported by the base plate member 10 and extend outward in the vehicle width direction, and an actuator 40 that applies a moving force to each of the lifting arms 30.

The lifting arm 30 has two parallel arm sections 31 whose base ends are rotatably supported on the base plate member 10 and whose tip ends have float mounting sections 6 fixed thereto, and a link section 32 that connects the tips of the two parallel arm sections 31.

In other words, a parallel link mechanism is formed by the two parallel arm sections 31, the portion of the base plate member 10 where the base ends of the two parallel arm sections 31 are connected, and the link section 32. The two parallel arm sections 31 move parallel to the base plate section 10, while the link section 32 maintains a vertical orientation regardless of the displacement position of the parallel arm sections 31.

As shown in Figure 10, the float mounting section 6 is fixed to the link section 32 and is composed of a connecting rod 35 that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction. The float 7 is mounted to this connecting rod 35. The height of the connecting rod 35 is changed by parallel movement of the two parallel arm sections 31, thereby changing the height of the float mounting section 6.

The float 7 is attached using the connecting rod 35 in the same way as in the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 11, the connecting rods 35 and 7c of the plate portion 34 and float 7 are inserted into the connecting cylinder 20 from opposite sides and then fastened with screws 21 to connect them.

As shown in Figure 10, the actuator 40 has a fixed portion (no particular reference number) and a movable rod portion (no particular reference number) extending from the tip of the fixed portion. The fixed portion is connected to the base plate portion 10, and the tip of the movable rod portion is connected to the middle position of the lower parallel arm portion 31. The movable rod portion extends and retracts using electromagnetic force, hydraulic pressure, etc. When the actuator 40 is driven, the pair of parallel arm portions 31 rotate (swing) around their base ends as the rotation fulcrum, changing the height of the float mounting portion 6.

As shown in Figure 12, the height of the float mounting section 6 is highest when the longitudinal direction of the two parallel arm sections 31 is horizontal, and this position is the mounting position. The mounting position is higher than the ground contact surface of the tire 3, and the underside of the mounted float 7 is higher than the ground contact surface. In the mounting position, the tire 3 can travel on land even without the float 7 attached, and because the attached float 7 floats above the ground, the tire 3 can also travel on land with the float 7 attached. In other words, in this second embodiment, the mounting position is also the land driving position.

As shown in Figure 13, the height of the float mounting section 6 is at an intermediate height when the longitudinal direction of the two parallel arm sections 31 is slightly diagonally downward, and this position is the intermediate position. The intermediate position is higher than the contact surface of the tire 3, and the underside of the mounted float 7 is at approximately the same height as the contact surface of the tire 3. At the intermediate position, if the contact surface is generally flat, it is possible to mount the float 7. However, if the contact surface is uneven, it may not be possible to install the float 7 in the mounting position.

As shown in Figure 14, the height of the float mounting section 6 is lowest when the longitudinal direction of the two parallel arm sections 31 is further diagonally downward than in Figure 13, and this position is the water navigation position. The water navigation position is lower than the contact surface of the tires 3. In the water navigation position, the attached floats 7 float on the water, allowing navigation on water.

Each float 7 has a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 11, the float 7 and float mounting part 6 are connected by inserting both connecting rods 7c, 35 into the connecting cylinder 20 and tightening the screws 21. The operation of the amphibious vehicle 1B is also similar to that of the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

As explained above, for the same reasons as in the first embodiment, the second embodiment of the amphibious vehicle 1 provides an amphibious vehicle 1 that is easy to install the floats 7 and that provides sufficient buoyancy from the floats 7. Furthermore, as in the first embodiment, the float support mechanism 5B is installed in the space under the vehicle body 2, so it can be retrofitted to commercially available vehicles, allowing for the conversion of commercially available vehicles into amphibious vehicles.

In the second embodiment, the lifting arm 30 has two parallel arm sections 31 whose base ends are each rotatably supported on the base plate member 10 and whose tips are fixed to the connecting rods 35 of the float mounting section 6. The height of the float mounting section 6 is changed by varying the tip height of the parallel arm sections 31 through parallel movement of the two parallel arm sections 31.

Therefore, the height of the float mounting portion 6 can be changed by the simple action of moving the two parallel arm portions 31 in parallel.

The second embodiment has an actuator 40 that applies a translational force to the parallel arm portion 31. Therefore, the parallel arm portion 31 can be translated automatically, which is convenient and easy to use.

(Modification of the second embodiment)
15 to 17 show a modification of the second embodiment. In this modification, as shown in FIG. 15, a fixed block portion 32A is rotatably supported at the tip end of each of two parallel arms 31. A protruding rod portion 33 that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction is provided on this fixed block portion 32A. A plate portion 34 is provided at the tip end of this protruding rod portion 33, and a connecting rod 35 that serves as the float mounting portion 6 is provided at the tip end of this plate portion 34.

Figure 15(a) shows the mounted state of the float support mechanism 5B. The protruding rod portion 33 is configured so that it can be retracted toward the center of the vehicle body from the normal protruding position relative to the fixed block portion 32A, as shown by arrow D in Figure 15(b). The protruding rod portion 33 is selectively positioned between the normal protruding position and the retracted position by the fixing knob 32a of the fixed block portion 32A. Furthermore, the protruding rod portion 33 is rotatable about its axis relative to the fixed block portion 32A, as shown by arrow R in Figure 15(b). By rotating the protruding rod portion 33 and retracting it toward the center of the vehicle body, it can be placed in the state shown in Figure 16(b).
That is, with this configuration, when the float support mechanism 5B is in the mounting position, the connecting rod 35 which is the float mounting portion 6 can be moved to a position where it is hidden in the space below the vehicle body 2, as shown in FIG.

To explain the movement of the float mounting part 6 in detail using Figures 15(a) and (b), in the mounting position of Figure 15(a), the fixing knob 32a is set to the unlocked position, and the vertical plate part 34 is rotated to a horizontal position (direction of arrow R in Figure 15(b)). Next, the protruding rod part 33 is moved linearly in the retracting direction (direction of arrow D in Figure 15(b)), and the fixing knob 32a is returned to the locked position. As shown in Figure 16, the float mounting part 6 can be moved to the space below the vehicle body 2 so that it does not protrude outward from the vehicle body 2.

Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment, and the same components in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

In this modified version, the connecting rod 35 of the float mounting section 6 is configured to be able to move into the space below the vehicle body 2. Therefore, when traveling on land, the float support mechanism 5B does not protrude outward from the vehicle body, allowing the vehicle to be driven without having to worry about protrusions in the vehicle width direction.

(Other Modifications of the First and Second Embodiments)
In the above-described embodiments, the float 7 has a substantially elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the shape is not limited thereto. Although four floats 7 are used, the number of floats is not limited thereto.

In the above embodiments, the running wheels were tires 3, but any running wheels capable of running on land, such as caterpillar tracks, may be used.

In the above embodiments, the water propulsion device was an engine-equipped screw 4, but any device capable of generating propulsive force for navigation on water may be used, including a water jet device. Of course, the water propulsion device may also be retrofitted to the vehicle body 2.

In each of the above embodiments, the actuators 11 and 40 are configured as automatically operated devices, but the actuators 11 and 40 may also be configured as manually operated devices.

In the above embodiments, the amphibious vehicle 1 was a four-wheeled automobile, but any type of vehicle can be used as long as it can be equipped with the float support mechanisms 5A and 5B.

In the second embodiment and its modified examples, there were two parallel arm portions 31, but any number of parallel arm portions, such as three or four, may be used. However, two parallel arm portions are preferred in terms of simplifying installation space, making the device more compact, and reducing weight.

The towing device 9 that connects the amphibious vehicle 1 and the float 7 can be used to tow rubber boats, rescuers, necessary materials, etc. by increasing the length of the towing device 9.

In each of the above embodiments, the amphibious vehicle 1 travels on land with the float mounting portion 6 in the mounting position or intermediate position. The mounting position or intermediate position of the float mounting portion 6 is on the outer side of the vehicle body 2, and is in a range that exceeds the vehicle width of the vehicle body 2. However, when traveling on public roads, the amount of protrusion from the vehicle width must be within the legally permitted range, and current law allows for protrusion dimensions on the left and right sides to be up to 0.1 times the vehicle width on each side.

Although each embodiment has been described in detail above, it is not limited to a specific embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the claims. It is also possible to combine all or several of the components of the above-described embodiments.

1. Amphibious vehicle 2. Body 3. Tires (running wheels)
4. Engine-equipped screw (water propulsion device)
5A, 5B Float support mechanism 6 Float mounting portion 7 Float 10 Base plate member (base member)
11, 40 Actuator 12, 30 Lifting arm 13 Rotating arm portion 14 Swinging arm portion 15, 35 Connecting rod (float mounting portion)
31 Parallel arm section

Claims (7)

The water propulsion device comprises a vehicle body, a running wheel attached to the vehicle body, a water propulsion device attached to the vehicle body, a float support mechanism attached to the vehicle body, a float mounting part displaceable by the float support mechanism, and a float mounted to the float mounting part,
The float support mechanism has a base member attached to the underside of the vehicle body and a lifting arm supported by the base member and extending to the outside in the vehicle width direction,
An amphibious vehicle characterized in that the height of the float mounting portion attached to the tip of the lifting arm can be changed between a mounting position higher than the contact surface of the running wheels and a water navigation position lower than the mounting position by moving the lifting arm. The amphibious vehicle described in claim 1, characterized in that the lifting arm has a rotating arm portion rotatably mounted on the base member, and a swinging arm portion fixed to the tip of the rotating arm portion and having the float mounting portion fixed to the tip thereof, and that the height of the float mounting portion is changed by varying the height of the tip of the swinging arm portion by rotating the rotating arm portion. The amphibious vehicle described in claim 1, characterized in that the lifting arm has multiple parallel arm sections whose base ends are rotatably supported on the base member and whose tips have the float mounting section fixed thereto, and the height of the float mounting section is changed by varying the tip height of the parallel arm sections through parallel movement of the multiple parallel arm sections. The amphibious vehicle described in claim 2, further comprising an actuator that applies a rotational force to the rotating arm portion. The amphibious vehicle described in claim 3, further comprising an actuator that applies a translational force to the parallel arm portion. An amphibious vehicle as described in claim 3 or claim 5, wherein the float mounting portion is configured to be movable into the space below the vehicle body when in the mounting position. A float support mechanism attached to a vehicle body,
the float support mechanism has a base end supported on a lower portion of the vehicle body and a lifting arm extended to an outer side of the vehicle body in a vehicle width direction,
A float support mechanism characterized in that the lifting arm is configured so that the height of the float mounting portion attached to the tip of the lifting arm can be changed between a mounting position higher than the ground contact position of the tire and a water navigation position lower than the mounting position.