JP2000302017A - Brake mechanism for riding golf cart - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the safety and give comfortableness to a driver by generating pressure in a master cylinder and performing hydraulic brake operation by either of manual operation and automatic operation. SOLUTION: Drum brakes 10a to 10d are independently applied by stepping on a foot pedal 33 and by the operation of a brake motor 14. That is, a hydraulic cylinder 22 whose inside is filled with brake oil is connected with each drum brake 10a to 10d provided on a front wheel and a rear wheel by a stainless pipe system. Pressure in the hydraulic cylinder 22 can be increased by moving a push rod 32 in substantially left direction (arrow mark). That is, the push rod 32 moves in substantially left direction due to the rotation in the direction around time of an auto brake arm 36 and stepping on a foot pedal 33. Pressure in the hydraulic cylinder 22 is increased to operate each drum brake 10a to 10d provided or the front wheel and the rear wheel, respectively.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a riding golf cart capable of automatic traveling and manual traveling, and more particularly to a brake mechanism thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, an engine-type riding golf cart is used in Japan as a five-seater golf cart that can carry four one-party golfers and one caddy. In addition, the above-mentioned engine-type riding golf cart has a problem in that it emits noise and exhaust gas, which gives a golfer discomfort during play. On the other hand, in the United States, a five-seater electric riding golf cart is used together with the above-described engine-driven riding golf cart. Since the electric riding golf cart does not emit noise or exhaust gas and is environmentally friendly, its development is strongly demanded in Japan.

[0003] In recent years, the demand for self-play has increased, and a riding golf cart capable of both manual driving and automatic driving has been required. It should be noted that these riding golf carts are operated automatically during golf play, and are manually operated when entering a garage. That is, since the player himself drives during golf play, there is a strong demand for a riding golf cart having high safety. Improvements in the braking mechanism of these riding golf carts, that is, improvements in the braking mechanism, are required.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-39751 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
In the system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 263846/1992, a method of transmitting a power obtained by depressing a foot pedal during manual driving or a power obtained by operating a brake motor during automatic driving via a wire to operate a drum brake installed on each wheel (hereinafter, referred to as a system) , Wire-type drum brakes). However, when a wire drum brake is used, there is a problem in that it is difficult to uniformly apply braking to each wheel due to its structure.

[0005] In particular, an electric riding golf cart equipped with a lead-acid battery as a power source has a larger body weight than an engine-type riding golf cart, so that it is difficult to apply a brake. When the above-mentioned wire-type drum brake is used for an electric riding golf cart having a heavy body weight, a uniform braking force is hardly applied to each wheel, so that the vehicle body slips more easily than an engine-type riding golf cart. There is a point.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages of the wire drum brake. That is, it is an object of the present invention to provide a brake mechanism of a riding golf cart that applies a uniform braking force to each wheel, has high safety, and provides a driver with comfort.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention is to provide a riding golf cart capable of manual driving and automatic driving by depressing a foot pedal during manual driving and braking during automatic driving. Either by operating the motor or pressing the foot pedal
The second invention is characterized in that a hydraulic brake is actuated by generating a pressure in a master cylinder, the second invention is characterized in that the hydraulic brake is a drum brake, and the third invention is characterized in that A hydraulic brake is attached to each of the front wheel and the rear wheel.

A fourth invention provides a structure in which, when the hydraulic brake is operated by depressing a foot pedal during the manual operation or the automatic operation, no mechanical force is applied to the operation mechanism of the brake motor. It is characterized by being.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a mechanical force is not applied to the foot pedal when a hydraulic brake is operated by a power mechanism of a brake motor during the automatic operation.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a battery-powered riding golf cart (FIG. 2).

1. Configuration of Battery-Type Riding Golf Cart This riding golf cart uses the battery 1 as a power source, rotates a drive motor 4, rotates a rear wheel (tires 6a, 6b) through a transmission 5, and moves forward or backward. Note that power supplies for the controller 2, the steering motor driver 11, the brake motor driver 13 and the like shown in FIG.

An operation panel 24 is mounted in front of the driver's seat. The operation panel 24 includes a changeover switch for automatic operation or manual operation, a start switch, a stop switch, a forward switch, a reverse switch, and a controller 2.
Is equipped with a display for displaying any abnormalities and a buzzer for sounding an alarm.

The speed of the vehicle is detected by a vehicle speed sensor 20 attached to the transmission 5, and the speed is controlled by PID control using a feedback system.
That is, a pulse corresponding to the speed is output from the vehicle speed sensor 20 to the controller 2, and the speed of the vehicle is calculated by counting the number of pulses per fixed time.

As will be described later, the braking and stopping of the vehicle are performed using three types of brakes: a) an electromagnetic brake 15, b) a drum brake 10a, 10b, 10c, 10dc, and c) a regenerative brake by the drive motor 4. .

2. Automatic operation Automatic operation is performed by the electromagnetic induction method. That is, a guide wire is embedded in each course of the golf course in advance, and an AC magnetic field is formed in the vicinity of the guide wire by passing an AC through the guide wire. This riding golf cart has a T-shaped arm rotatable in a horizontal direction at a front end portion of the vehicle, and guidance sensors 16a, 16b, and 16c are arranged at three places of the T-shaped arm, The signal is output to the controller 2. This inductive sensor 16a,
Reference numerals 16b and 16c each use a coil, and determine the position of a guide wire by detecting an electromotive force generated in the coil to guide a riding golf cart.

The controller 2 includes an inductive sensor 16a,
Processing is performed based on signals from 16b and 16c, and a drive current corresponding to a steering instruction signal is sent to the steering motor 12 via the steering motor driver 11. Then, the steering motor 12 is operated by this drive current, the steering shaft is rotated, and the front wheels 6c and 6d are steered to control the traveling so that the vehicle does not deviate from the guide line. It should be noted that the steering wheel 7 is in the steering clutch 19 during automatic driving.
As a result, the steering shaft is separated from the steering shaft and fixed, and the manual operation is disabled. Further, in order to detect a failure of the steering motor 12, the driving current is output to the controller 2, and the driving current value is constantly monitored.

The magnet sensor 17 uses a coil and is mounted at a predetermined position on the vehicle so as to face the ground. On the other hand, in a golf course, a plurality of permanent magnets are buried under the ground at predetermined intervals.
The permanent magnet is buried with its N pole or S pole facing the ground. When the vehicle passes above these previously embedded permanent magnets, an induced electromotive force is generated in the magnet sensor 17. The running control such as changing or stopping the speed of the vehicle is detected by the magnet sensor 17 detecting the arrangement pattern of the permanent magnets buried in the ground, that is, the arrangement pattern of the N pole or the S pole. Is what you do.

The vehicle is also provided with an inclination sensor 18, which outputs information on whether the vehicle is on an uphill or a downhill to the controller 2.
This information is used for vehicle traveling control such as prevention of excessive speed on a downhill.

3. Manual Operation This battery-type riding golf cart can be manually operated by ordinary manual operation. That is, the front wheels (tires 6c, 6c)
d) can be operated by a steering wheel 7 for steering, an accelerator pedal 8 for adjusting the speed of the vehicle, and a brake pedal 9 for applying a brake to the vehicle. Then, by depressing the accelerator pedal 8, the vehicle body is accelerated, and by releasing the accelerator pedal 8, the vehicle body is subjected to regenerative braking described later. Note that, in this case, the steering wheel 7 is connected to the steering shaft by the steering clutch 19, and the steering motor 12 is disconnected from the steering shaft, so that automatic driving is disabled.

4. Braking Means of the Present Embodiment (1) Braking by Regenerative This battery-type riding golf cart uses a method of reducing the vehicle speed by applying regenerative braking most frequently. At the time of automatic driving, the inclination of the traveling path measured by the inclination sensor 18 or the above-described magnet sensor 17
The target speed is determined by the controller 2 by both of the traveling control signals. When the speed of the vehicle exceeds the target speed or when the vehicle is on a steep downhill, the vehicle speed is reduced by applying regenerative braking.

That is, the rotational force of the rear wheels is transmitted to the drive motor 4 via the transmission 5 and rotated, and a regenerative current is generated using the drive motor 4 as a generator. Then, the battery 1 is charged with the generated regenerative current. On the other hand, even during manual driving, regenerative braking is applied to the vehicle by releasing the accelerator pedal 8.

Further, in order to detect a failure of the drive motor 4, a drive current value and a regenerative current value flowing through the drive motor 4 are output to the controller 2 to be constantly monitored.

(2) Braking by Drum Brake If the brake pedal 9 is depressed or if a stronger braking force than the regenerative braking is required, the controller 2
When it was determined that the drum brake was used in conjunction with the hydraulic system, the system was also used. In this case, the target speed of the vehicle is set to zero, and both the regenerative braking and the drum brakes 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d are driven to brake the vehicle body. When the vehicle speed approaches zero, the regenerative braking force decreases. Therefore, in this case, the vehicle is mainly braked by the drum brake.

During automatic operation, the brake motor driver 13 supplies necessary drive power to the brake motor 14 according to a braking signal from the controller 2. The gear 21 is moved by the operation of the brake motor 14 to generate pressure in the hydraulic cylinder 22 to apply a drum brake.

On the other hand, by depressing the brake pedal 9, the drum brake can be applied by generating pressure in the hydraulic cylinder 22.

(3) Braking by Electromagnetic Brake The electromagnetic brake 15 is on / off controlled by the controller 2, and is mainly used as a parking brake device. Electromagnetic brake 15 is transmission
5 is attached to the electromagnetic brake 1 when it is on.
5 is released and braking force does not work. On the other hand, in the off state, the electromagnetic brake 15 is closed and the transmission 5 is locked, so that long-term parking can be enabled. In order to detect whether or not the electromagnetic brake has failed, the controller 2 monitors the operating current value.

In this embodiment, when the accelerator pedal 8 or the brake pedal 9 is not depressed and the speed of the vehicle is zero, the controller 2 determines that the vehicle is parked and operates the electromagnetic brake 15.

When the controller 2 determines that the regenerative braking or the drum brake has failed or that the braking using these brakes is not sufficient, the electromagnetic brake 15 is turned off to stop the vehicle. I made it.

[0029]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A main part of a drum brake operating mechanism according to the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as a mechanical drum brake) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The present embodiment is characterized in that the drum brakes 11a to 11d are independently applied by depressing the foot pedal 33 or operating the brake motor 14. The hydraulic cylinder 22, whose inside is filled with brake oil, and each of the drum brakes 11a to 11d installed on the front and rear wheels are connected by a stainless steel piping system. The pressure in the hydraulic cylinder 22 can be increased by moving the push rod 32 substantially leftward in the direction of the arrow. That is, the push rod 32
Depressing the foot pedal 33 or the auto brake arm 36
Moves to the left by turning clockwise. Then, the pressure in the hydraulic cylinder 22 is increased to operate each of the drum brakes 11a to 11d installed on each of the front wheel and the rear wheel.

One of the push rods 32 is a foot pedal.
It is connected to a long hole 41 formed in 33 by a pin a44. The other end of the push rod 32 is inserted into the hydraulic cylinder 22. When the foot pedal 33 is depressed, the push rod 32 moves substantially to the left, so that the pressure in the hydraulic cylinder 22 increases. In order to reduce the frictional force between the push rod 32 and the auto brake arm 36,
A push rod roller 34 is mounted.

The torque of the brake motor 14 is transmitted to the motor arm 38 via the gear 21. The motor arm 38 and the brake pull rod 39 and the brake pull rod 39 and the auto brake arm 36 are engaged and linked by a pin b45, and have a structure rotatable around each joint. One of the brake pull rods 39 is an elongated hole 42 and is joined to the motor arm 38. One of the auto-brake arms 36 is fixed to the vehicle by a roller pin 43, and has a structure rotatable around this portion as a fulcrum.

1. Operating mechanism during automatic driving During automatic driving, the difference between the target vehicle speed and the actual vehicle speed is
When the value exceeds a predetermined value, a signal for operating the drum brakes 11a to 11d is output from the controller 2. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, optimal power for driving the brake motor 14 is supplied from the brake motor driver 13. Then, the brake motor 14 shown in FIG. 2 rotates, and the motor arm 38 shown in FIG. 1 rotates counterclockwise via the gear 21. When the motor arm 38 rotates counterclockwise, the brake pull rod 39 moves substantially in the lower left direction, and the auto brake arm 36 connected to the other end of the brake pull rod 39 rotates clockwise. Then, due to the movement of the auto brake arm 36, the push rod 32 moves substantially to the left via the push rod roller 34,
By generating pressure in the hydraulic cylinder 22, a drum brake installed on each wheel operates.

One end of the push rod 32 is a pin
a44 engages with the foot pedal 33 having the elongated hole 41. Therefore, even if the push rod 32 moves substantially to the left during automatic operation and the drum brake is operated, the foot pedal 33 does not move because this portion is the long hole 41.
Therefore, in this case, the driver does not get caught in the foot pedal 33. When the brake motor 14 rotates in the opposite direction, the pressure in the hydraulic cylinder 22 decreases, and the operation of the drum brake installed on each wheel is released. In addition, by forming the elongated hole 42 in the connection portion of the brake pull rod 39 with the motor arm 38, the movement of the motor arm 38 can be given a play.

Motor arm 38 and auto brake arm 36
A brake spring 40 is provided between the two. The brake spring 40 is provided to suppress a sudden rotation of the motor arm 38. That is, by providing the brake spring 40, it is possible to suppress a sudden increase in the pressure in the hydraulic cylinder 22 caused by the rotation of the motor arm 38, and to obtain a stable braking force. 2. Operation mechanism at the time of manual operation When the driver steps on the foot pedal 33, the push rod 32 is moved substantially to the left in either the automatic operation or the manual operation to generate pressure in the hydraulic cylinder 22. Thus, the drum brakes 11a to 11d can be operated. Therefore, when the driver feels danger, the driver can depress the foot pedal 33 at any time to apply the drum brake and stop the vehicle. When the foot is released from the foot pedal 33, the foot pedal spring
The push rod 32 moves substantially rightward by 37, the pressure in the hydraulic cylinder 22 decreases, and the drum brake is released.

Even when the driver steps on the foot pedal 33, no force is applied to the autobrake arm 36, so that the structure does not move. Therefore, even in this case, the force due to the depression of the foot pedal 33 is not transmitted to the gear 21 and the brake motor 14, and they are not damaged.

[0036]

As described above, when the mechanical drum brake of the present invention is used, pressure is uniformly applied to the drum brakes installed on the front wheels and the rear wheels as compared with the wire drum brake. Can be made less likely to slip.

According to the present invention, the drum brake can be applied to the vehicle by automatically pressing the foot pedal 33 or a signal from the controller 2 during automatic driving. On the other hand, at the time of manual operation, by pressing the foot pedal 33,
Drum brakes can be applied to the vehicle.

Further, according to the present invention, even when the drum brake is operated during automatic driving, the foot pedal 33 remains stationary, and
It is not caught between feet. Further, according to the present invention, even if the drum brake is operated by depressing the foot pedal 33, a structure in which no force is transmitted to the gear 21 and the brake motor 14 can be obtained.

Further, by providing a brake spring 40 between the motor arm 38 and the auto-brake arm 36, it is possible to suppress a rapid rise in the pressure in the hydraulic cylinder 22 caused by the rapid rotation of the motor arm 38. , And a stable braking force can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a main part of an operation mechanism of a mechanical drum brake according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a battery-powered riding golf cart of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Battery, 2: Controller, 3: Drive motor driver, 4: Drive motor, 5: Transmission, 6a ~
d: tire, 7: steering wheel, 8: accelerator pedal, 9: brake pedal, 10a to d: drum brake, 11: steering motor driver, 12: steering motor, 13: brake motor driver, 14: brake motor, 15: electromagnetic Brake, 16a-c: Inductive sensor, 17: Magnet sensor, 1
8: tilt sensor, 19: steering clutch, 20: vehicle speed sensor, 21: gear, 22: hydraulic cylinder, 23: brake motor operation switch, 24: operation panel 32: push rod, 33: foot pedal, 34: push rod roller , 36: Auto brake arm, 37: Foot pedal spring, 38: Motor arm, 39: Brake pull rod, 40: Brake spring, 41: Slot 1, 42: Slot 2, 43a: Roller pin a, 43b: Roller pin b, 44: Pin a, 45: Pin b, 46: Pin c, 47: Pin d, 48: Pin e, 49: Pin f, 50: Nut a, 51: Nut
b, 52: nut c, 53: nut d

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) B60T 7/12 B60T 7/12 F B62D 6/00 B62D 6/00 // B62D 101: 00 111: 00 F term (reference) ) 3D032 CC34 DA27 EC23 FF01 3D046 AA09 BB02 BB19 CC02 CC06 EE01 EE02 HH02 HH05 HH22 HH49 LL00 LL02 LL05 LL14 5H115 PA01 PA08 PG07 PI16 PI29 PI30 PO17 PU01 QE04 QE06 QE10 TO23 QT12 QI04 QI07 TU01 TU08 TW10 TZ02 TZ07

Claims (5)

[Claims] In a riding golf cart capable of manual driving and automatic driving, a foot pedal is depressed during manual driving, and an operation mechanism of a brake motor or a foot pedal is depressed during automatic driving, so that the inside of a master cylinder is depressed. A brake mechanism for a riding golf cart, characterized in that a hydraulic brake is operated by generating pressure on the brake. 2. The brake mechanism for a riding golf cart according to claim 1, wherein said hydraulic brake is a drum brake. 3. The brake mechanism for a riding golf cart according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic brake is mounted on each of a front wheel and a rear wheel. 4. A structure in which a mechanical force is not applied to an operating mechanism of the brake motor when a hydraulic brake is operated by depressing a foot pedal during the manual operation or the automatic operation. 4. The brake mechanism for a riding golf cart according to claim 1, 2 or 3. 5. When a hydraulic brake is operated by a power mechanism of a brake motor during the automatic operation,
The brake mechanism for a riding golf cart according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the foot pedal has a structure in which no mechanical force is applied.