CN114514169A

CN114514169A - Electric mobile device

Info

Publication number: CN114514169A
Application number: CN202080066637.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 平田泰大; 内野刚史
Original assignee: Whill Inc
Current assignee: Whill Inc
Priority date: 2019-12-27
Filing date: 2020-12-25
Publication date: 2022-05-17
Anticipated expiration: 2040-12-25
Also published as: CN114514169B; JP6930047B1; WO2021132533A1; JPWO2021132533A1

Abstract

The present invention provides an electric moving device which at least comprises a pair of rear wheels (20), a vehicle body frame (121) supported by the pair of rear wheels (20), and a seat unit supported by the vehicle body frame (121), and which is provided with a pair of swing bases (131) and a pair of springs (140) extending in the vehicle width direction, in each swing base (131), the base end of each swing base (131) is supported by a vehicle body frame (121) in a manner of swinging around a swinging axis extending along the front-rear direction of the vehicle, a pair of rear wheels (20) are supported by the pair of swing bases (131), one end of each spring (140) is attached to the end of each swing base (131) or a member attached to the end, the other end of each spring (140) is attached to the vehicle body frame (121), and the angle formed by the extending direction of each spring (140) and the width horizontal direction line extending along the vehicle width direction and the horizontal direction is 50 DEG or less.

Description

Electric mobile device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a motorized mobile device.

Background

As such an electric traveling apparatus, an electric traveling apparatus including a front wheel side vehicle body, a rear wheel side vehicle body detachably coupled to the front wheel side vehicle body, and a seat unit supported by the rear wheel side vehicle body is known. For example, refer to patent document 1.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2018-154202

The electric traveling equipment is easily carried and loaded on the vehicle body by being divided into the front wheel side vehicle body, the rear wheel side vehicle body, and the seat unit. In order to facilitate transportation and loading of the vehicle body, the vehicle body such as a front wheel side vehicle body and a rear wheel side vehicle body is required to be light in weight. The electric mobile device is used by the vehicle occupant every day, and the place where the electric mobile device travels differs according to the purpose of use of the vehicle occupant. Electric mobile devices are also often driven on terraced or uneven ground.

In order to meet the above-described requirements, in the electric moving apparatus, the front wheels are supported by the vehicle body frame via suspensions. On the other hand, in the electric moving equipment, a rear wheel suspension is not provided in order to maintain the weight reduction of the rear wheel-side vehicle body and the strength around the rear wheel.

However, when the rider moves for a long distance using the electric traveling device, the rear wheel suspension is required when the rider wants to avoid vibration, impact force, or the like.

In view of the above, an electric mobile device that can achieve both weight reduction of a vehicle body and reduction of vibration, impact force, and the like is desired.

Disclosure of Invention

One aspect of the present invention provides an electric moving apparatus including at least a pair of rear wheels, a vehicle body frame supported by the pair of rear wheels, and a seat unit supported by the vehicle body frame, the electric moving apparatus including: a pair of swing bases; and a pair of springs extending in a vehicle width direction, wherein, when one end portion in the vehicle width direction is a base end portion and the other end portion in the vehicle width direction is a tip end portion, the base end portion of each of the swing bases is supported by the vehicle body frame so as to be swingable about a swing axis extending in a vehicle front-rear direction, the pair of rear wheels are supported by the tip end portions of the pair of swing bases, one end of each of the springs is attached to the tip end portion of each of the swing bases or to a member fixed or provided to the tip end portion, the other end of each of the springs is attached to the vehicle body frame, and an angle formed by an extending direction of each of the springs and a width horizontal direction line extending in the vehicle width direction and in a horizontal direction is 50 ° or less.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of an electric mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the electric mobile device of the present embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the electric mobile device of the present embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the electric mobile device of the present embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the electric mobile device of the present embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of the rear wheel-side vehicle body with the cover of the electric traveling apparatus of the present embodiment removed.

Fig. 7 is a rear perspective view of the rear wheel-side vehicle body with the cover of the electric traveling apparatus of the present embodiment removed.

Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the electric mobile device according to the present embodiment with a cover partially removed.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram of the electric mobile device of the present embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of the electric mobile device according to the present embodiment with a cover partially removed.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of a coupling portion of the electric moving device according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken along line XII-XII in fig. 3.

Fig. 13 is a front perspective view of the front wheel-side vehicle body with a part of the cover of the electric traveling apparatus according to the present embodiment removed.

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in fig. 3.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken along line XV-XV in fig. 3.

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a rear wheel side vehicle body according to a modification of the present embodiment.

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a rear wheel side vehicle body according to another modification of the present embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an electric mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the electric moving device includes a moving device body 30, and the moving device body 30 includes a pair of front wheels 10, a pair of rear wheels 20, and a vehicle body 31 supported by the front wheels 10 and the rear wheels 20. Further, the motorized mobile device includes: a seat unit 40 detachably attached to the moving device main body 30, and a motor 50 (fig. 6) attached to the moving device main body 30 and driving at least one of the pair of front wheels 10 and the pair of rear wheels 20. The seat unit 40 of the electric moving device of the present embodiment is provided for one person to sit on. In the following description, the vehicle front-rear direction corresponds to the front-rear direction, and the vehicle width direction corresponds to the width direction. The vehicle front-rear direction coincides with the front-rear direction of the mobile device body 30 or the vehicle body 31, and the vehicle width direction coincides with the width direction of the mobile device body 30 or the vehicle body 31.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 6 and 7, the pair of rear wheels 20 are connected to the output shaft 51 of the motor 50, respectively, and the two rear wheels 20 can be driven by the motors 50, respectively. In the present embodiment, the output shaft 51 of the motor 50 functions as an axle of the rear wheel 20. On the other hand, the driving force of the motor 50 may be transmitted to the pair of front wheels 10 via a power transmission member such as a belt, a gear, a rotating shaft, and an axle of the rear wheel 20.

The axle 11 of each front wheel 10 is supported by the vehicle body 31 via a front wheel suspension. Each front wheel 10 has a ground contact surface formed by a plurality of

rollers

13 and 14 arranged in the circumferential direction thereof.

More specifically, each front wheel 10 includes a hub 15 attached to the axle, and a plurality of roller support shafts arranged in the circumferential direction of the hub 15 and supported by the hub 15, and the plurality of

rollers

13 and 14 are rotatably supported by the roller support shafts, respectively.

With this configuration, the

rollers

13 and 14 are rotatable about axes extending in a direction intersecting with the radial direction of the axle, and the front wheels 10 are omni-directional wheels that are omni-directional with respect to the ground contact surface.

In the present embodiment, each rear wheel 20 includes: an axle such as an output shaft 51 of the motor 50; a hub 22 attached to the axle; and an outer peripheral member 23 provided on the outer peripheral side of the hub 22 and having an outer peripheral surface formed of a rubber-elastic material such as rubber or silicon, an omni-directional wheel may be used similarly to the front wheel 10. In this case, each front wheel 10 may be the same wheel as the rear wheel 20. Further, each front wheel 10 may be the same wheel as the rear wheel 20, and a means for changing the steering angle of the front wheel 10 and/or the rear wheel 20 may be provided.

In the present embodiment, the rear wheel 20 is not a pneumatic tire, but a solid tire formed of a material having rubber elasticity up to the inside. The rear wheel 20 may be a pneumatic tire.

The traveling apparatus main body 30 has a front wheel-side vehicle body 110 and a rear wheel-side vehicle body 120 detachably coupled to the front wheel-side vehicle body 110. The front wheel-side vehicle body 110 has a front wheel-side frame (vehicle body frame) 111, and the front wheel-side frame 111 is formed to extend along the ground, and the axle of the front wheel 10 is attached to the front wheel-side frame 111 via a front wheel suspension. The front wheel-side vehicle body 110 includes a front wheel-side cover 110a, and the front wheel-side cover 110a is provided so as to cover at least a part of the front wheel-side frame 111 and is used to protect the front wheel-side frame 111 and to mount a portion of a foot of a rider seated on the seat unit 40, a load mount portion, a fender, and the like.

The front wheel side frame 111 is made of a material suitable for obtaining strength, such as metal, and has a pair of side members 112 extending in the width direction in the front-rear direction, as shown in fig. 3 and 13, for example. As shown in fig. 13, the pair of side members 112 includes a first cross member 113a and a second cross member 113b, which are disposed at a distance from each other in the front-rear direction and extend in the vehicle width direction, respectively, to connect the pair of side members to each other.

As shown in fig. 2, 4, and the like, the rear wheel-side vehicle body 120 includes: a rear wheel-side frame (vehicle body frame) 121 on which the seat unit 40 is mounted on the upper end side; and a rear wheel side cover 120a provided so as to cover at least a part of the rear wheel side frame 121 and used for protection of the rear wheel side frame 121, mud blocking, and the like. The vehicle body frame of the traveling apparatus body 30 is formed by the front wheel side frame 111 and the rear wheel side frame 121.

The rear wheel side frame 121 is formed of a material suitable for obtaining strength, such as metal, and includes, for example, as shown in fig. 6: a lower frame 122 having a pair of widthwise side portions 122a extending in the front-rear direction; and a support frame 125 having a lower end fixed to the lower frame 122 and an upper end provided with a seat attachment member 32 for supporting the seat unit 40. In the present embodiment, lower frame 122 and support frame 125 are made of aluminum, and lower frame 122 and support frame 125 are integrally formed.

As shown in fig. 2 and the like, a pair of widthwise falling prevention members 126 are provided on the rear wheel side frame 121 to prevent the electric traveling device from falling rearward of the vehicle.

Further, the seat support portion 33 for supporting the seat unit 40 is formed on the vehicle body 31 by the support portion frame 125 and the portion of the rear wheel side cover 120a covering the support portion frame 125. The support frame 125 is inclined from the lower end side toward the upper end side toward the vehicle front, and therefore the seat support 33 is also inclined from the lower end side toward the upper end side toward the vehicle front. Since the support portion frame 125 has such a shape, the center of gravity of the rear wheel-side vehicle body 120 is disposed in front of the vehicle to a clearly known degree with respect to the rotation axis 20a of the rear wheel 20.

As shown in fig. 2, 4, 5, and the like, a rechargeable battery BA is detachably mounted on the seat support portion 33.

As shown in fig. 6 and the like, the seat attachment member 32 is a member having a length in the vertical direction, and a plurality of positioning holes 32a are provided at intervals in the vertical direction. A cylindrical portion 125a through which the seat attachment member 32 is inserted in the vertical direction is provided on the upper end side of the support frame 125, and a support side hole 125b penetrating in the front-rear direction is provided in the cylindrical portion 125 a.

The seat attachment member 32 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 125a, and the positioning member 32b (fig. 4) is attached to the cylindrical portion 125a so as to be inserted into the support-side hole 125b and the positioning hole 32a by aligning one of the positioning holes 32a with the support-side hole 125 b. Thereby, the height positions of the seat attachment member 32 and the seat unit 40 can be adjusted.

The seat unit 40 has: a seat surface portion 41 on which a passenger sits; a backrest portion 42; a pair of control arms 43 in the vehicle width direction; and a seat cushion frame 44 fixed below the seat surface 41 and detachably attached to the upper end of the seat attachment member 32 of the seat support 33. The seat frame 44 and the seat mounting member 32 may be integrally formed.

An operating portion 43a having an operating lever 43b is provided at one upper end of the right and left control arms 43. The rider can displace the operating lever 43b in the right direction, the left direction, the front direction, and the rear direction.

Signals corresponding to the displacement direction and the displacement amount of the operating lever 43b are sent from the operating portion 43a to a control unit 60 described later, and the motors 50 are driven based on the signals.

A setting unit 43c that can perform various settings related to the electric portable device, such as maximum speed setting, operation mode setting, and lock setting of the electric portable device, is provided at the upper end of one or the other of the right and left control arms 43, and a plurality of operation buttons, a display device, and the like are provided in the setting unit 43 c.

As shown in fig. 9, the control unit 60 includes a motor driver 70 for driving each motor 50 and a control device 80.

The control device 80 includes, for example, a processor 81 having a CPU, a RAM, and the like, a storage device 82 having a nonvolatile memory, a ROM, and the like, and a transmission/reception unit 83. The storage device 82 stores a program for controlling the electric mobile device, and the processor 81 transmits a drive signal for driving each motor 50 to the motor driver 70 based on signals from the operation unit 43a and the setting unit 43c based on the program operation.

Next, a connection structure between the front wheel side vehicle body 110 and the rear wheel side vehicle body 120 will be described.

As shown in fig. 6 and 8, a substantially U-shaped first concave portion 121a that opens toward the front of the vehicle is formed in the lower surface of each side portion 122a of the rear wheel side frame 121, and a second concave portion 121b that is disposed in the front of the vehicle with respect to the first concave portion 121a and opens downward is formed.

As shown in fig. 10, after the first cross member 113a is disposed in the pair of first recesses 121a, the rear-wheel-side vehicle body 120 is tilted toward the vehicle front about the rotational axis 20a of the rear wheel 20. Thereby, the second cross member 113b of the front wheel side frame 111 enters the pair of second recesses 121b from below. Thereby, the vertical movement of the first cross member 113a relative to the rear wheel side frame 121 is restricted by the first concave portion 121 a. Further, the upward movement of the second cross member 113b relative to the rear wheel side frame 121 is restricted by the second recess 121 b. Further, the movement of the 1 st and

second cross members

113a, 113b in the front-rear direction with respect to the rear wheel side frame 121 is restricted by the first and second

concave portions

121a, 121 b. The above-described movements are also restricted by a coupling lock member 127 described later. Thus, the front wheel-side vehicle body 110 is coupled to the rear wheel-side vehicle body 120.

As shown in fig. 8, 11, and the like, a coupling lock member 127 is provided on the rear wheel side frame 121, and the coupling lock member 127 is supported by the rear wheel side frame 121 so as to be swingable about a swing axis 127c extending in the vehicle width direction.

The coupling lock member 127 is biased by a biasing member 127d such as a torsion spring, and the lock end 127e moves toward the vehicle rear side by the biasing force.

When the lock end 127e is moved rearward and disposed at the lock position a shown by a solid line in fig. 11, the vicinity of the lock end 127e of the coupling lock member 127 abuts against the second cross member 113b entering the second recess 121b from below. That is, the coupling of the front wheel side vehicle body 110 and the rear wheel side vehicle body 120 is maintained by the coupling locking member 127.

In the present embodiment, the connection means a state in which the second cross member 113b is engaged with the second recess 121b and the front-wheel-side vehicle body 110 and the rear-wheel-side vehicle body 120 are connected to each other while being able to travel.

On the other hand, when the coupling lock member 127 is swung forward in the vehicle and the lock end 127e is disposed at the retracted position B shown in fig. 11, the coupling between the front-wheel-side vehicle body 110 and the rear-wheel-side vehicle body 120 can be released or has been released.

Each rear wheel 20 is attached to the rear-wheel-side vehicle body 120 via a rear-wheel suspension. Each rear wheel suspension includes a swing base 131 and a spring 140 made of metal such as steel. The swing base 131 is formed using a material suitable for obtaining strength, such as a metal material such as aluminum. A portion of the swing base 131 may also be plastic.

A base end portion of the swing base 131 is attached to, for example, the rear wheel side frame 121 of the rear wheel side vehicle body 120 so as to be swingable in the up-down direction, and when the swing base 131 swings, a tip end of the swing base 131 moves in the up-down direction. The base end portion of the swing base 131 is disposed on the center side in the width direction of the lower surface of the rear wheel side frame 121, and the tip end portion of the swing base 131 is disposed on the outer side in the width direction of the rear wheel side frame 121.

More specifically, as shown in fig. 3, a pair of axle support portions 123 are provided on the lower surface of the rear wheel side frame 121, and through holes extending in the front-rear direction are provided in the axle support portions 123. On the other hand, a rotation shaft 150 extending in the front-rear direction is fixed to a base end portion of the swing base 131. In one example, the shaft 150 is inserted into a hole 131a provided in the base end portion of the swing base 131, and is fixed to the base end portion of the swing base 131 by a bolt B and a nut N.

When the shaft 150 is fixed to the base end portion of the swing base 131, the swing base 131 is swingably attached to the shaft support portion 123 after the shaft 150 is inserted into the through hole of the shaft support portion 123. Bearings such as slide bearings are provided at the base end of the swing base 131 and between the rotating shaft 150 and the shaft support portion 123.

Further, a window 131b penetrating the swing base 131 in the vertical direction is formed in the base end portion of the swing base 131, and the shaft support portion 123 is disposed in the window 131 b.

With the above configuration, as shown in fig. 12, the swing base 131 swings about the swing axis 150a, which is the center axis of the rotation shaft 150.

Further, a shaft support portion 123 may be provided at a base end portion of the swing base 131, and the rotating shaft 150 may be fixed to a lower surface of the rear wheel side frame 121.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, a rear wheel support member 132 is provided at a distal end portion of the swing base 131. The rear wheel supporting member 132 is a member provided at a distal end portion of the swing base 131. Further, in the present embodiment, the swing base 131 and the rear wheel supporting member 132 are integrally formed by cast molding. As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the rear wheel supporting member 132 extends upward from the distal end portion of the swing base 131, and in the present embodiment, the housing 52 of the motor 50 is fixed to the rear wheel supporting member 132 by a plurality of bolts 53.

A hub 22 of the rear wheel 20 is fixed to an output shaft 51 of the motor 50. Thereby, the motor 50 and the rear wheel 20 are supported by the distal end portion of the swing base 131.

That is, the rear wheel support member 132 supports the rear wheel 20 on the swing base 131 via the motor 50. Other mechanical elements such as bearings, axles, other members, and the like may be fixed to the rear wheel supporting member 132, and the rear wheel supporting member 132 may support the rear wheel 20 via the other mechanical elements, axles, other members, and the like.

As shown in fig. 12, a stopper member 128 is attached to the lower surface of the rear wheel side frame 121, and when the distal end portion of the swing base 131 moves downward, the base end portion of the swing base 131 abuts against the stopper member 128 from below. This position serves as a lower limit swing position of the swing base 131.

On the other hand, when the distal end portion of the swing base 131 moves upward, the base end portion and the distal end portion of the swing base 131 contact the lower surface of the rear wheel side frame 121 from below. This position becomes the upper limit swing position of the swing base 131.

Even if the distal end portion of the swing base 131 swings downward, the proximal end portion of the swing base 131 may not contact the stopper member 128, the rear wheel side frame 121, or the like, and the downward swing of the swing base 131 may be stopped by the support of the spring 140. In this case, the position at which the downward swing of the swing base 131 is stopped by the support of the spring 140 becomes the lower limit swing position.

As shown in fig. 17, a stopper member 129 may be attached to a base end portion of each swing base 131. In the case where the

stopper members

128, 129 are members having rubber elasticity, it is possible to prevent the base end portion of the swing base 131 from violently colliding against the rear wheel side frame 121 when the rear wheel side vehicle body 120 is lifted or the like, which prevents damage, breakage, or the like from occurring in the swing base 131 and the rear wheel side frame 121. A wire spring may also be used in place of the

stop members

128, 129.

The rear wheel width W1 (fig. 12), which is the distance in the width direction between the outer edge of one of the rear wheels 20 and the outer edge of the other rear wheel 20, is 500 to 650mm in one example. In the present embodiment, the rear wheel width W1 is 600 mm. In contrast, the support shaft width W2 (fig. 12), which is the distance in the width direction between the one swing axis 150a and the other swing axis 150a, is 50 to 150mm in one example. In the present embodiment, the support shaft width W2 is 100mm or less. In the present embodiment, one swing axis 150a is parallel to the other swing axis 150 a.

In the present embodiment, the distance from the pivot axis 150a to the outer end of the rear wheel 20 is about 250mm, and when the pivot base 131 pivots from the upper limit pivot position to the lower limit pivot position, the rear wheel 20 moves about 50mm in the vertical direction. The rear wheel 20 is preferably configured to move by 15mm or more, more preferably by 20mm or more, in the vertical direction.

As shown in fig. 12, one end of a spring 140 is attached to a distal end portion of the swing base 131. In the present embodiment, one end of the spring 140 is attached to the distal end portion of the swing base 131 via the rear wheel supporting member 132 and the spring fixing member 141. More specifically, a spring fixing member 141 made of, for example, plastic is fixed to an upper end portion of the rear wheel supporting member 132, and a cylindrical portion 141a of the spring fixing member 141 is fitted into one end of the spring 140. In addition, one end of the spring 140 may be attached to another portion of the swing base 131.

On the other hand, the other end of the spring 140 is attached to the support portion frame 125 of the rear wheel side frame 121. In the present embodiment, the other end of the spring 140 is attached to the support frame 125 via a spring fixing member 142 made of, for example, plastic. More specifically, a plastic spring fixing member 142 is fixed to a part of the support frame 125.

Further, the cylindrical portion 142a of the spring fixing member 142 is fitted in the other end of the spring 140, and the annular recessed portion 142b of the spring fixing member 142 is fitted in the outer peripheral surface of the other end of the spring 140. The fit may be a tight fit or a loose fit. The spring fixing member 142 is detachably fixed to a part of the support frame 125 by a screw member 143 such as a bolt.

As shown in fig. 12, in the present embodiment, the angle α formed between the extending direction of the spring 140 and the width horizontal direction line is 20 ° or less. In one example, the widthwise horizontal direction line is parallel to a straight line passing through a center point of the axle of one rear wheel 20 in the radial direction and a center point of the axle of the other rear wheel 20. In another example, the horizontal width direction line is parallel to a straight line passing through the center point of the axle of one front wheel 10 in the radial direction and the center point of the axle of the other front wheel 10.

In one example, the extending direction of the spring 140 is a straight line passing through the radial center of one end and the radial center of the other end of the spring 140.

For example, the angle α is set in the range of 5 ° to 20 °. If the angle α is 50 ° or less, the same function as that of the present embodiment may be exhibited. In order to achieve the same function as in the present embodiment, the angle α is preferably 35 ° or less, and more preferably 25 ° or less.

Further, a known nonlinear spring is preferably used as the spring 140. In one example of the nonlinear spring, the pitches of the coils are different between one end side and the other end side, and thus the spring rate at the time of the progress of compression is larger than that at the start of compression (fig. 16). Other types of non-linear springs may also be used.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the spring 140 extends in the vehicle width direction and obliquely downward from the inner side in the vehicle width direction to the outer side. The angle α formed by the extending direction of the spring 140 and the horizontal width direction line is 50 ° or less, preferably 35 ° or less, and more preferably 25 ° or less.

When a downward force is applied to each rear wheel 20 and each rear wheel 20 moves upward with respect to the rear wheel side frame 121, each spring 140 is compressed. At this time, since the springs 140 are arranged as described above, the ratio of the component of the force in the horizontal direction to the component of the force in the vertical direction among the forces applied from the other ends of the springs 140 to the support frame 125 of the rear wheel side frame 121 becomes large. That is, it is difficult to transmit the vertical force from each spring 140 to the rear wheel side frame 121. Further, a damper may be further provided in parallel with the spring 140. In one example, as shown in fig. 17, a known damper DP such as a hydraulic damper may be disposed in the spring 140.

For the electric mobile device, there are demands for small size, light weight, simple structure, durability, and the like. Therefore, the space in which the suspension, the damper, and the like can be arranged is relatively small, and the suspension, the damper, and the like cannot be increased in many cases. The above structure is useful for effectively damping a downward force applied to the rear wheel 20 in a limited space.

The downward force is a force received by the rear wheel 20 from a ground surface when the occupant sits on the seat unit 40, a force received by the rear wheel 20 from a concave-convex portion of the ground surface when the electric mobile device travels, or the like.

In the present embodiment, the swing base 131 extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the swing axis 150a, and extends substantially horizontally from the swing axis 150 a. In the present embodiment, when the angle formed by the extending direction of the swing base 131 and the horizontal direction is 20 ° or less, the swing base 131 can be said to extend substantially in the horizontal direction from the swing axis 150 a. The angle is preferably 15 ° or less, more preferably 10 ° or less, and further preferably 5 ° or less.

In one example, the extending direction of the swing base 131 is a direction passing through the center of the drawing of the cross section of the base end portion of the swing base 131 and the center of the drawing of the cross section of the tip end portion of the swing base 131. In another example, the extending direction of the swing base 131 is a direction in which the lower surface or the upper surface of the swing base 131 substantially extends.

In the present embodiment, the swing base 131 extends from the swing axis 150a to a position slightly below the horizontal direction in a state where no occupant sits on the seating unit 40. When the occupant sits on the seating unit 40, the swing base 131 swings upward against the reaction force of the spring 140, and the swing base 131 extends slightly upward from the swing axis 150a in the horizontal direction. When the occupant is light, the swing base 131 extends horizontally from the swing axis 150a or slightly below the horizontal direction.

In this state, one end of the spring 140 is attached to the distal end portion of the swing base 131 via the rear wheel support member 132, and the spring 140 extends in the vehicle width direction as described above. Therefore, as the swing position of the swing base 131 approaches the upper limit swing position, the amount of compression of the spring 140 per unit swing amount of the swing base 131 becomes large. With this configuration, the amount of compression of the spring 140 per unit amount of swing of the swing base 131 is smaller when a light occupant is seated than when a heavy occupant is seated.

Further, the spring 140 is a nonlinear spring in which the spring rate becomes large as the compression progresses. In one example, the spring 140 is a nonlinear spring having a spring rate after enlargement of 1.3 times or more, preferably 1.5 times or more, of the spring rate before enlargement. That is, the spring rate of the entire rear wheel suspension changes according to the weight of the occupant. Further, only by using the non-linear spring as the spring 140, the effect of changing the spring rate of the entire rear wheel suspension according to the weight of the occupant can be obtained.

In this way, since the spring rate of the entire rear wheel suspension changes according to the weight of the occupant, excessive rocking of the rocking base 131 when a heavy occupant sits can be prevented. The structure having the spring rate corresponding to the body weight can protect the frames of the mobile device main body 30 while achieving the vibration reduction effect. Further, when the electric mobile device turns or turns, a large force is applied to the spring 140 of one of the pair of rear wheels 20. Here, the spring rate of the spring 140 becomes high when a large force is applied. For example, a lighter vehicle occupant can get on the electric vehicle before the spring rate becomes large when the electric vehicle is stationary or traveling straight, but the spring rate becomes large when the electric vehicle turns or turns. Therefore, the roll angle during turning or cornering can be stabilized, and the postures of the electric mobile device and the occupant can be stabilized.

If one of the pair of rear wheels 20 floats, the electric traveling device may not move as much as the operation of the operation lever 43 b. In the present embodiment, as the swing base 131 approaches the lower limit swing position, the spring rate of the entire rear wheel suspension is reduced. Therefore, when the entire vehicle body 31 moves upward due to one of the pair of rear wheels 20 riding on the convex portion and one or both of the pair of front wheels 10 riding on the convex portion, the other rear wheel 20 tends to be pressed against the ground by the rear wheel suspension. This structure is advantageous in avoiding a situation where one of the pair of rear wheels 20 is floating as much as possible.

The rear wheel width W1, which is the distance in the width direction between the pair of swing axes 150a, that is, the distance in the width direction between the support shaft width W2 and the outer ends of the pair of rear wheels 20, is preferably 1/4 or less, and more preferably 1/5 or less. The support shaft width W2, which is the distance between the pair of swing axes 150a, can also be said to be the distance between the centers of the through holes of the pair of shaft support portions 123.

This configuration is advantageous in that the vertical movable range of the rear wheel 20 can be increased in a limited space, and the spring rate of the entire rear wheel suspension can be made nonlinear as described above.

In fig. 3, the position of the XII-XII line cross section is the position in the vehicle front-rear direction passing through the center axis of the spring 140. Further, as shown in fig. 3, the center position of the shaft support portion 123 in the vehicle front-rear direction is set to the position of the shaft support portion 123 in the vehicle front-rear direction.

The center axis of the spring 140 is disposed on the vehicle front side of the rotation axis 20a of the rear wheel 20. This structure is favorable to realizing the miniaturization of electronic mobile device.

The position of the shaft support 123 in the vehicle front-rear direction is located on the vehicle rear side of the rotation axis 20a of the rear wheel 20. Thereby, the rotation axis 20a of the rear wheel 20 is disposed between the shaft support 123 and the spring 140 in the vehicle front-rear direction. This structure is advantageous in effectively reducing the force applied to the rear wheel 20 from below by the rear wheel suspension.

In the rear wheel-side cover 120a, a fender 120b of the right rear wheel 20 shown by hatching in fig. 2 is preferably fixed to the right swing base 131. Preferably, the left splash guard 120b in fig. 2 is also fixed to the left swing base 131. For example, the fender 120b is fixed to the rear wheel support member 132 of the swing base 131 using a plurality of bolts (not shown). In this case, the fender 120b of the rear wheel side cover 120a is formed separately from the other components of the rear wheel side cover 120 a.

The fender 120b may be attached to the motor 50 fixed to the swing base 131, or the fender 120b may be attached to the swing base 131 via another member.

In these cases, the fender 120b moves in the vertical direction together with the swing base 131 and the rear wheel 20. Therefore, even when the rear wheel 20 is moved greatly in the vertical direction about the swing axis 150a as described above, the shape of the electric-powered mobile device is seen to be changed little when viewed from the rear, the side, or the like. With this configuration, the function of the rear wheel suspension can be improved while maintaining the appearance of the electric mobile device, thereby improving the mood of the occupant of the electric mobile device.

In the present embodiment, the motor 50 is fixed to each swing base 131 via the rear wheel support member 132. Further, each rear wheel 20 is supported by each motor 50. Therefore, as described above, it is possible to effectively reduce the force applied to the rear wheel 20 from below by the rear wheel suspension, and to achieve weight reduction by simplifying the structure around the rear wheel 20. Further, the motor 50 may be directly fixed to each swing base 131.

In the present embodiment, the other ends of the pair of springs 140 are attached to the support frame 125. Further, a pair of springs 140 are arranged in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the force from the right spring 140 and the force from the left spring 140 cancel each other out, which is advantageous for reducing the vibration and impact force felt by the occupant.

In the present embodiment, one end of each spring 140 is attached to the rear wheel side frame 121 via a spring fixing member 142 made of plastic, and the spring fixing member 142 is detachably fixed to the rear wheel side frame 121 by a screw member 143. Therefore, the replacement of the spring 140 can be easily performed by removing the screw member 143 and removing the spring fixing member 142 from the rear wheel side frame 121.

The above-described various effects of the rear wheel suspension can be obtained similarly even when only one front wheel 10 is provided on the front wheel side vehicle body 110 or when three or more front wheels 10 are provided.

The above-described various effects of the rear wheel suspension can be obtained similarly also in a case where another wheel is provided between the front wheel 10 and the rear wheel 20, a case where another wheel is provided rearward of the rear wheel 20, or the like.

Further, even when the front wheel side vehicle body 110 and the rear wheel side vehicle body 120 are connected to each other so as not to be detachable, the above-described various effects of the rear wheel suspension can be obtained. In this case, the front wheel-side frame 111 and the rear wheel-side frame 121 are integrated, for example, and the front wheel-side frame 111 and the rear wheel-side frame 121 form a vehicle body frame of the electric moving apparatus.

In the case where the rear wheel support member 132 is not provided at the distal end portion of the swing base 131, the motor 50 may be fixed to the distal end portion of the swing base 131, and the rear wheel 20 may be supported at the distal end portion via the motor 50. Further, other mechanical elements such as bearings, axles, other members, and the like may be fixed to the distal end portion of the swing base 131, and the rear wheel 20 may be supported via other mechanical elements, axles, other members, and the like at the distal end portion of the swing base 131.

In the case where the rear wheel supporting member 132 is not provided at the distal end portion of the swing base 131, one end of the spring 140 may be fixed to another member such as the housing 52 of the motor 50, or may be fixed to another member fixed or provided to the swing base 131. In this case, one end of the spring 140 is attached to the distal end portion of the swing base 131 via a member.

On the other hand, one end of the spring 140 may be directly attached to the distal end portion of the swing base 131.

In these cases, the above-described various effects of the rear wheel suspension can be obtained.

The pair of front wheels 10 are attached to front wheel side frames 111 of the front wheel side vehicle body 110 via front wheel suspensions, respectively. As shown in fig. 13 to 15, each front wheel suspension includes: an arched beam 114 formed by bending a side member 112 of the front wheel side frame 111 in a convex shape upward; a swing member 160 supported at the front end side of the arched beam 114 so as to be able to swing in the vertical direction; and a front spring 170 disposed between the swing member 160 and the arched beam 114, for urging the swing member 160 downward with respect to the arched beam 114. The front spring 170 is made of metal such as steel. In fig. 15, the front wheel side cover 110a, the front wheel 10, and the like are not shown.

In the present embodiment, the side member 112 is formed of a metal pipe or a metal shaft. In one example, the arched beam 114 is formed by bending the front end side of a metal pipe or a metal shaft constituting the side member 112. The arched beam 114 has: an ascending slope portion 114a extending obliquely upward toward the front of the vehicle; a roof portion 114b extending from an upper end of the ascending slope portion 114a toward the vehicle front; and a descending inclined portion 114c extending obliquely downward in the vehicle front direction from the roof portion 114 b. The descending slope part 114c may not be provided.

The vehicle front-rear direction front end side of the swing member 160 is swingably supported at the vehicle front-rear direction distal end portion of the arched beam 114. Specifically, the leading end side of the swing member 160 is swingably supported by the descending inclined portion 114 c. Thereby, the swing member 160 swings about the swing axis 160a shown in fig. 15. In the case where the descending slope portion 114c is not provided, the front end side of the swing member 160 is swingably supported on the front end side of the ceiling portion 114 b.

As shown in fig. 15, the axle 11 of the front wheel 10 is fixed to the swing member 160. In the present embodiment, the center axis 11a of the axle 11 is inclined 2 ° to 15 ° forward with respect to the width horizontal direction line. The central axis 11a coincides with the rotation axis of the front wheel 10. That is, the front wheel 10 forms a toe-in configuration. According to this structure, even in a state where the front wheel 10 is running straight, the

rollers

13, 14 rotate little by little, which is advantageous in preventing uneven wear of the

rollers

13, 14.

Further, the lower end of the front spring 170 is attached to the swing member 160 by a bolt or the like, and the upper end of the front spring 170 is attached to the arched beam 114 via a fixing member 180. In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 15, the radial center of the lower end of the front spring 170 is disposed at the vehicle rear side of the center axis 11a of the axle 11. The front spring 170 is disposed to extend substantially in the up-down direction.

In one example, the fixing member 180 is formed by bending a metal plate member. The fixing member 180 has: a fixing plate portion (fixing portion) 181 for fixing the upper end of the front spring 170; and a front-rear direction extending portion 182 extending in the vertical direction and the vehicle front-rear direction from an end portion of the fixing plate portion 181 in the vehicle width direction. Further, the fixing member 180 has: a front-end side support portion 183 extending in the vehicle width direction from the front-rear direction extension portion 182 on the front end side; and a rear end side support portion 184 extending in the vehicle width direction from the rear end side of the front-rear direction extending portion 182.

The distal end side support portion 183 is fixed to the upper surface of the descending inclined portion 114c by welding or the like. The rear-end side supporting portion 184 is fixed to the upper surface of the rising slope portion 114a by welding or the like. That is, the upper end of the front spring 170 is not in contact with the arched beam 114. The front-end side supporting portion 183 may be in contact with only the upper surface of the descending inclined portion 114c, and the rear-end side supporting portion 184 may be in contact with only the upper surface of the ascending inclined portion 114a, according to the load input to the front wheel suspension.

Further, instead of providing the front side support portion 183 and the rear side support portion 184, the distal end portion of the front-rear direction extending portion 182 may function as the front side support portion, and the rear end portion of the front-rear direction extending portion 182 may function as the rear side support portion. In this case, the front-end side supporting portion is fixed to the side surface of the descending inclined portion 114c or the ceiling portion 114b by welding or the like, and the rear-end side supporting portion is fixed to the side surface of the ascending inclined portion 114a by welding or the like.

As shown in fig. 14, the front end side support portion 183 fixed to the descending inclined portion 114c is fixed to the arched beam 114 outside the spring existing range AR in the vehicle front-rear direction. Further, the rear end side support portion 184 fixed to the rising inclined portion 114a is also fixed to the arched beam 114 outside the spring existing range AR in the vehicle front-rear direction.

When the descending slope portion 114c is not provided, the distal end side support portion 183 is fixed to the upper surface of the top portion 114b by welding or the like. The front-end side support portion 183 may be in contact with only the upper surface of the top portion 114b in accordance with the load input to the front wheel suspension.

In this case, it is preferable that the front end side support portion 183 fixed to the roof portion 114b is fixed to the arched beam 114 outside the spring existing range AR in the vehicle front-rear direction.

The upper ends of the fixed plate portion 181 and the front spring 170 are not in direct contact with the arched beam 114, and the force applied to the fixed plate portion 181 is transmitted to the arched beam 114 via the front-rear direction extending portion 182, the front end side supporting portion 183, and the rear end side supporting portion 184.

The front wheel 10 has an outer peripheral surface formed by a plurality of

rollers

13 and 14. Therefore, when the front wheel 10 travels on the ground, the front wheel 10 is applied with upward or upward and rearward forces when the plurality of

rollers

13, 14 are sequentially brought into contact with the ground. When the front wheel 10 travels over irregularities on the ground surface, upward or upward and rearward forces are applied to the front wheel 10 according to the irregularities.

In the present embodiment, the force applied to the front wheel 10 is transmitted to the arched beam 114 via the axle 11, the swing member 160, the front spring 170, the fixed plate portion (fixed portion) 181, the front-rear direction extending portion 182, the front end side supporting portion 183, and the rear end side supporting portion 184. That is, the transmission path of the force from the axle 11 to the side frame 112 becomes long, and thus the vibration and impact force from the front wheel 10 are less likely to be transmitted to the front wheel side frame 111 and the rear wheel side vehicle body 120. This is extremely important for motorists who use electrically powered mobile devices to move long distances or relatively long distances.

Here, since the fixing member 180 is formed by bending a metal plate member, the fixing plate portion 181 of the fixing member 180 and the like are elastically deformed as appropriate by the force from the front spring 170. This structure is effective for making it difficult for vibrations and impact forces from the front wheels 10 to be transmitted to the front wheel side frames 111 and the rear wheel side vehicle bodies 120. The fixing member 180 may be formed by casting, forging, or insert molding of plastic.

In order to make it difficult for vibrations and impact forces from the front wheels 10 to be transmitted to the front wheel side frames 111 and the rear wheel side vehicle bodies 120, the distance L between the front end side support portions 183 and the rear end side support portions 184 shown in fig. 14 is preferably 50mm or more, and more preferably 70mm or more. In the present embodiment, the front end side support portion 183 is a portion of the fixing member 180 that contacts the upper surface of the arched beam 114. Further, the rear end side support portion 184 is a portion of the fixing member 180 that contacts the upper surface of the arched beam 114.

Further, in the present embodiment, the fixing member 180 is fixed to the arched beam 114 outside the spring existing range AR existing at the upper end of the front spring 170 in the vehicle front-rear direction. This structure is advantageous for making it difficult for vibrations and impact forces from the front wheels 10 to be transmitted to the front wheel side frames 111 and the rear wheel side vehicle bodies 120.

In the present embodiment, each front wheel 10 is supported on the front end side of the side member 112 via a front wheel suspension. Further, the front wheel suspension has: an arched beam 114 provided at the front end side of the side member 112 and curved in a convex shape upward; and a swing member 160 supported on the front end side of the arched beam 114 so as to be swingable in the vertical direction. The front wheel suspension includes a front spring 170, and the front spring 170 is disposed to extend in the vertical direction between the swing member 160 and the arched beam 114, and biases the swing member 160 downward with respect to the arched beam 114. The swing member 160 supports the axle 11 of the front wheel 10.

The front wheel suspension has an arched beam 114, and vibration or impact force from the front wheel 10 is input to the side beams 112 via the arched beam 114. Therefore, vibration and impact force from the front wheel 10 are difficult to be transmitted to the portion of the front wheel side frame 111 where the foot is placed and the rear wheel side vehicle body 120. This is extremely important for motorists who use electrically powered mobile devices to move long distances or relatively long distances.

Further, the arched beam 114 is formed by bending the front end side of a metal pipe or a metal shaft constituting the side member 112. This structure is advantageous for maintaining the strength between the arched beam 114 and the side sill 112 and for making the arched beam 114 lightweight. This is extremely advantageous in that the weight reduction and the improvement in durability of the electric mobile device are both achieved.

Further, the front end side bearing portion 183 of the fixing member 180 is fixed or in contact with the upper surface of the top portion 114b or the descending inclined portion 114c of the arched beam 114. On the other hand, the rear end side support portion 184 of the fixing member 180 is fixed to or in contact with the upper surface of the rising slope portion 114a of the arched beam 114. Therefore, when a force in a direction of separating the descending inclined portion 114c and the ascending inclined portion 114a is applied to the arched beam 114 by a load, an impact force, or the like, for example, the deformation of the arched beam 114 in that direction is suppressed by the fixing member 180. This structure is advantageous for achieving weight reduction of the front wheel suspension while maintaining the strength of the front wheel suspension. This is extremely advantageous in that the weight reduction and the improvement in durability of the electric mobile device are both achieved.

In an electric vehicle in which one person is seated, the combination of the front wheel suspension and the rear wheel suspension described above is effective for reducing the transmission rate of vibration, impact force, and the like transmitted from the ground surface to the occupant, achieving weight reduction of the electric vehicle, and ensuring the strength of the front wheel suspension and the rear wheel suspension.

Description of reference numerals:

10: a front wheel; 20: a rear wheel; 30: a mobile device body; 31: a vehicle body; 33: a seat support; 40: a seat unit; 43: a control arm; 43 a: an operation unit; 43 b: an operating lever; 50: a motor; 51: an output shaft; 52: a housing; 53: a bolt; 60: a control unit; 80: a control device; 110: a front-wheel-side vehicle body; 111: a front wheel side frame (vehicle body frame); 112: a side beam; 113 a: a first cross member; 113 b: a second cross member; 114: an arched beam; 114 a: an ascending slope section; 114 b: a top portion; 114 c: a descending slope section; 120: a rear wheel-side vehicle body; 121: a rear wheel side frame (vehicle body frame); 121 a: a first recess; 121 b: a second recess; 122: a lower frame; 122 a: a side portion; 123: a shaft support portion; 125: a support frame; 126: a toppling prevention member; 127: a joint locking member; 131: a swing base; 132: a rear wheel support member; 140: a spring; 141. 142: a spring fixing member; 150: a rotating shaft; 150 a: a swing axis; 160: a swinging member; 160 a: a swing axis; 170: a front spring; 180: a fixing member; 181: a fixed plate portion (fixed portion); 182: a front-back direction extension setting part; 183: a front end side support portion; 184: a rear end side support portion; BA: and (4) a storage battery.

Claims

1. An electric moving apparatus having at least a pair of rear wheels, a vehicle body frame supported by the pair of rear wheels, and a seat unit supported by the vehicle body frame, comprising:

a pair of swing bases; and

a pair of springs extending in the vehicle width direction,

in each of the swing bases, when one end portion in the vehicle width direction is a base end portion and the other end portion in the vehicle width direction is a tip end portion, the base end portion of each of the swing bases is supported by the vehicle body frame so as to be swingable about a swing axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction,

the pair of rear wheels are supported at the distal end portions of the pair of swing bases,

one end of each of the springs is attached to the distal end portion of each of the swing bases, or to a member fixed or provided to the distal end portion,

the other end of each spring is mounted to the vehicle body frame,

an angle formed by an extending direction of each of the springs and a width horizontal direction line extending along the vehicle width direction and in the horizontal direction is 50 ° or less.

2. The motorized mobile device of claim 1,

the angle is 35 ° or less or 25 ° or less.

3. The motorized mobile device of claim 1 or 2,

the pair of swing bases extend substantially in a horizontal direction, respectively.

4. The motorized mobile device of any one of claims 1 to 3,

a motor is fixed to each of the pair of swing bases,

each of the rear wheels is supported by each of the motors.

5. The motorized mobile device of any one of claims 1 to 4,

the vehicle body frame has a support frame on an upper end side for supporting the seat unit,

the other end of each of the springs is attached to the support frame.

6. The motorized mobile device of any one of claims 1 to 5,

the spring is a non-linear spring.

7. The motorized mobile device of any one of claims 1 to 6,

one of the pair of swing axes of the pair of swing bases is parallel to the other swing axis, and the distance between the one swing axis and the other swing axis is 1/4 or less of the distance from one outer end to the other outer end of the pair of rear wheels.

8. The motorized mobile device of any one of claims 1 to 7,

the position of the central axis of each spring is arranged on the vehicle front side of the position of the rotation axis of each rear wheel.

9. The motorized mobile device of any one of claims 1 to 8,

a fender for each of the rear wheels is provided,

each of the mudguards is attached to each of the swing bases.

10. The motorized mobile device of any one of claims 1 to 9,

the other end of each spring is attached to the vehicle body frame via a spring fixing member made of plastic,

the spring fixing member is detachably fixed to the vehicle body frame using a screw member.

11. The motorized mobile device of any one of claims 1 to 10,

a pair of front wheels supported by the vehicle body frame,

the vehicle body frame is provided with a pair of side members arranged in a vehicle width direction,

each of the front wheels is supported on a front end side of each of the side members via a front wheel suspension,

the front wheel suspension has:

an arched beam provided at the front end side of the side member and curved in a convex shape upward;

a swinging member supported at a front end side of the arched beam so as to be capable of swinging in a vertical direction; and

a front spring for urging the swing member downward with respect to the arched beam,

an axle of the front wheel is supported by the swing member.

12. The motorized mobile device of claim 11,

the lower end of the front spring is mounted to the swing member,

the upper end of the front spring is mounted to the arched beam via a fixing member,

the arched beam has: an ascending slope portion extending obliquely upward toward the front of the vehicle; and a roof portion extending from an upper end of the ascending slope portion toward a front of the vehicle,

the upper end of the front spring is not in contact with the arched beam,

the fixing member is fixed to the arched beam in the vehicle front-rear direction outside a spring existing range existing at an upper end of the front spring.

13. The motorized mobile device of claim 12,

the arched beam further has a descending inclined portion extending obliquely downward in the vehicle front direction from the roof portion.

14. The motorized mobile device of claim 13,

the fixing member has:

a fixing part fixing an upper end of the front spring;

a front-rear direction extending portion that extends from the fixing portion in the vehicle front-rear direction;

a front end side supporting portion provided on a front end side of the front-rear direction extending portion; and

a rear end side supporting portion provided on a rear end side of the front-rear direction extending portion,

the front end side supporting portion is fixed to an upper surface of the descending inclined portion,

the rear end side support portion is fixed to an upper surface of the rising slope portion.

15. The motorized mobile device of claim 12,

the fixing member has:

a fixing part fixing an upper end of the front spring;

a rear end side support portion provided on a rear end side of the front-rear direction extending portion,

the front end side support portion is fixed to an upper surface of the top portion,