JP2001259249A - Car model connection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a car model connection apparatus, in which by using a circular arc, a center of rotation can be set even at a spot where an obstacle is provided, and which can expand or contract smoothly. SOLUTION: In the car model connection apparatus to connect car models to each other, a draw bar is bridged between adjoining car models in the front and rear directions thereof, and an arcuate sliding part having a center of curvature on each side of the draw bar is formed on the opposite sides of each end of the bar in the front and rear direction of the bar, while on the car body of the car model, a guide part is formed to allow the lateral rotation of the draw bar around each of the center of curvature of the draw bar in sliding contact with left and right arcuate sliding parts of the draw bar, whereby when the draw bar is biased laterally under an acting load from a neutral position where the draw bar is not laterally biased, the bar is turned so as to protrude from the car model.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle model connecting device, and more particularly, to a vehicle model connecting device for connecting one vehicle model to another vehicle model.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, Japanese Patent No. 2580 has been used as a railway model.
No. 083 is known. In the vehicle model coupling device of this railway model, guide pins are attached to symmetrical positions on both sides of the rear end of the coupler, and the coupler carrier has a swing that allows the coupler to swing with the corresponding guide pin as a rotation center. A guide (guide portion) capable of moving the coupler by an applied load is formed at an allowable position and a neutral position where both guide pins are locked to prevent the coupler from swinging.

[0003]

However, in the conventional vehicle model coupling device, a guide pin must be provided at the rotation center, and if there is an obstacle such as a power bogie at that position, it may be provided. could not. Also, when the coupler moves left and right, slide the rotating center pin left and right to catch or remove,
In some cases, smooth expansion and contraction operations were hindered. In addition, since low friction is a condition for the sliding operation, it is difficult to use the sliding operation together with the one that generates friction such as installation of a current collector through a coupler. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and uses a circular arc instead of a pin for the rotation center, thereby enabling the rotation center to be set to a part with an obstacle, and a smooth expansion and contraction operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle model connecting device capable of performing the following.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle model connecting device for connecting vehicle models, the vehicle model connecting device having a drawbar that is bridged between vehicle models adjacent in the front-rear direction. On the left and right of each end of the drawbar in the front-rear direction, an arc-shaped sliding contact portion having a center of curvature on the left and right of the drawbar is provided, while the vehicle model body is in sliding contact with the left and right arc-shaped sliding contact portions of the drawbar. A guide portion that allows the draw bar to rotate left and right around the center of curvature of the right and left curvatures of the draw bar. When the draw bar is deviated left and right by an applied load from a neutral position where the draw bar is not deviated left or right. Is configured to rotate in a direction protruding from the vehicle model. According to this vehicle model coupling device, when transitioning from a curved track to a straight track, the drawbar rotates about the center of curvature as a rotation center and moves from a left or right offset position to a neutral position, and the distance between the vehicle models is reduced. Narrow. And
If the vehicle continues to travel on a straight track, the drawbar is held at the neutral position. On the other hand, when shifting from the straight track to the curved track, the drawbar rotates around the center of curvature as a rotation center due to the applied load and shifts from the neutral position to the deviated position, and the distance between the vehicle models narrows inside the curved track, and Spread outside. The rotation of the drawbar in these cases is performed by the arc-shaped sliding contact portion sliding against the guide portion by the force applied to the drawbar due to the change in the direction of the vehicle body of both vehicle models.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the vehicle model connecting device according to the first aspect, wherein a pin is provided on one of the vehicle model and the drawbar, and the vehicle model is connected to the other of the vehicle model and the drawbar. A feature is provided in which a holding portion is provided for slidingly contacting and holding the pin so as to prevent a gap between the connecting surfaces of the vehicle models when the vehicle runs straight in a state where the vehicle models are attracted to each other. According to this vehicle model connecting device, when the connected vehicle models run straight while pulling each other, the drawbar is reliably held in the neutral state.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the vehicle model connecting device according to the first or second aspect, wherein each end of the drawbar is provided between the vehicle body of the vehicle model and the bogie. Features. In this case, the truck may be configured to be detachable from the vehicle body, and the drawbar and / or the guide unit may be configured to be removable. According to this vehicle model coupling device, since each end of the drawbar is provided between the vehicle body of the vehicle model and the bogie, there is no need to provide a receiving portion at the end of the drawbar in the vehicle body of the vehicle model.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the vehicle model connecting apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the drawbar has a conductive wire spring or an electrically conductive wire spring for electrically connecting the two vehicle models. A leaf spring is provided. According to this vehicle model coupling device, electricity can be supplied from one vehicle model to the other vehicle model through a wire spring or a leaf spring that is a current collector.

[0008]

1 (a) and 1 (b) show a main part of a railway model 100 of a two-body powered vehicle. This railway model 100 has a structure in which two vehicle models 10 and 20 are connected. One of the vehicle models 10 is shown in FIG.
The motor M is mounted as shown in FIGS. The motor M is a DC motor, and the rotational power of the motor shaft 30 is transmitted through the gear mechanism 31 to the wheels 1 of the vehicle model 10.
2 is transmitted. The vehicle model 20 has a shaft 21 extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle model. This axis 2
1 is connected to a motor shaft 30 via a universal joint 32, and the rotational power of the motor shaft 30 is transmitted to the shaft 21 via the universal joint 32 and further transmitted to the wheels 22 of the vehicle model 20 via a gear mechanism 33. You.
2A and 2B, reference numerals 31a and 33
a indicates a worm constituting the gear mechanisms 31 and 33;
In the drawing, reference numeral 32a indicates a universal joint receiver, and reference numeral 34a indicates a hood in the same drawing.

The wheels 12, 22 are provided on carts 13, 23 as shown in FIG. This trolley 13,23
Are provided with convex portions 13a and 23a.
Reference numeral 23a is fitted in a hole (not shown) of the vehicle body 10a, 20a. The carts 13a and 23a are connected to the body 1
0a and 20a are supported rotatably about a predetermined vertical axis. As a result, the bogies 13 and 23 change their directions according to the traveling trajectory, and the vehicle models 10 and 20 can travel along the traveling trajectory.

The wheels 12, 22 are made of metal. Then, power is supplied to the vehicle models 10 and 20 from a power source outside the running track through the metal running track and the wheels 12 and 22. This power supply drives the motor M and turns on a headlight (not shown). However, some of the wheels 12, 22 are fitted with rubber rings (not shown),
The grip force on the running track is improved.

A drawbar 40 is stretched over the connection-side ends of the vehicle models 10 and 20. The drawbar 40 is configured in a glasses shape, and holes 40a at each end of the drawbar 40 are provided.
The protrusions 13a and 23a are provided therein. In this case, the shape and size of the hole 40a at each end of the draw bar 40 are such that the free rotation of the bogies 13, 23 with respect to the vehicle bodies 10a, 20a is not hindered.

As shown in FIG. 3, on each side of each end of the draw bar 40, there are arc-shaped sliding contact portions 41 having the same curvature which is less than half the width of each end. Here, "less than half of the width dimension" is set so that the centers of curvature S, S of the left and right arc-shaped sliding contact portions 41, 41 are located on the left and right sides of the draw bar 40, respectively. On the other hand, the vehicle bodies 10a, 2
0a, two arc-shaped sliding contact portions 4 of the draw bar 40 are provided.
1 and 41 have first guide portions 42a and 42a having complementary shapes. Both guides 42
The neutral position of the draw bar 40 is a state in which the arc-shaped sliding contact portions 41, 41 simultaneously contact the a, 42a. The drawbar 40 assumes a neutral position when the vehicle models 10 and 20 are traveling on a straight track. In this neutral position, the drawbar 40 is parallel to the running track. Further, the first guide portion 42a,
Second guide portions 42b, 42b are continuously provided on 42a on the connection surface side of the vehicle bodies 10a, 20a. This second guide portion 42
Reference numerals b and 42b denote sliding portions when the draw bar 40 rotates right and left from the neutral position with one of the centers of curvature S and S as a rotation center. By the way, if the shape of the guide portion composed of the first guide portion 42a and the second guide portion 42b is expanded, as shown in FIGS.
2a is an arc (radius r1) centered on the rotation center S 'of the arc-shaped sliding contact portion 41 on the first guide portion 42a side and having the same radius of curvature as the arc-shaped sliding contact portion 41. The second guide portion 42b has an arc (radius r2) having a radius of curvature centered on the rotation center S 'of the arc-shaped sliding contact portion 41 on the opposite side to the first guide portion 42a and circumscribing the arc. ), And the guide portion has a structure in which a second guide portion 42b is continuously provided on the connection surface side of the first guide portion 42a.

Each end of the drawbar 40 is provided with pins 43, 43 as shown in FIG.
On the lower side of Oa, there are provided V-shaped elongated holes (holding portions) 44, 44 which engage with the pins 43, 43. This long hole 4
Here, 4 and 44 are formed in a V-shape, but may be formed in a U-shape or other shapes. In short, when the vehicle models 10 and 20 are connected to each other and run straight, the vehicle models 10 and 20 are held in sliding contact with the pins 43 and 43 so as not to widen the connection surface interval. It is.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a pair of conductive wire springs 45 are provided on the left and right sides of the draw bar 40. On the other hand, conductive wires are provided on the sides of the protruding portions 13a, 23a of the carriages 13, 23. Are provided. The motor M of the embodiment is a DC motor, and one of two contact pieces 46 provided on the side of one convex portion is a plus contact piece and the other is a minus contact piece.

In the railway model 100 thus configured, the motor M is driven to rotate by power supply from the track, and runs on the running track. When the traveling trajectory is a straight trajectory, the draw bar 40 is maintained at the neutral position (FIG. 1).
(A)). The state of the universal joint 32 at this time is shown in FIG. 2A, and the states of the wire springs 45 are shown in FIG. In this neutral position, the substantial extension of the drawbar 40 is minimized. That is, the distance between the vehicle models 10 and 20 is reduced. On the other hand, if the traveling trajectory is a curved trajectory,
The drawbar 40 shifts left and right according to the curved trajectory. Also, the universal joint 32 and the wire spring 4
5, 45 also change state according to the curved orbit. FIG.
(A) shows the state of the drawbar 40 when traveling on an S-shaped trajectory, (b) shows the state of transition from a curved trajectory to a linear trajectory, and (c) shows the state of the drawbar 40 when traveling on a curved trajectory. . 7A shows the state of the universal joint 32 when traveling on an S-shaped track, FIG. 7B shows the state of transition from a curved track to a straight track, and FIG. 7C shows the state of the universal joint 32 when traveling on a curved track. It is shown. Further, FIG. 8 (a) shows a case where the vehicle runs on an S-shaped track, FIG. 8 (b) shows a case where a transition is made from a curved track to a straight track, and FIG. 8 (c) shows a case where the wire springs 45 and 45 run on a curved track. Is shown.

According to the railway model 100 configured as described above, since the rotating center does not have a physical shape, there is no limitation on a place where the bogie is provided. Further, by changing the radius of curvature of the arc-shaped sliding contact portion, the rotation center can be freely changed. Thereby, the substantial extension amount (projection amount) of the drawbar when the railway model travels on a curved track can be made appropriate.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0018]

According to the present invention, the use of the arc enables the rotation center to be set at a position where an obstacle is present, and enables a smooth expansion / contraction operation to be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing a drawbar and a guide section of a railway model according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a power transmission mechanism of the model railway according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a drawbar and a guide unit of the model railway according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a drawbar, a first guide unit, and a second guide unit of the model railway according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a wire spring of the railway model according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of a drawbar according to a traveling trajectory of the model railway according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state of a universal joint according to a traveling trajectory of the railway model according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state of a wire spring according to a traveling trajectory of the railway model according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 20 Vehicle model 13, 23 Bogie 40 Drawbar 42a First guide portion 42b Second guide portion 45 Wire spring

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle model connecting device for connecting vehicle models, comprising a drawbar that is bridged between vehicle models adjacent in the front-rear direction, and a drawbar on each side of each end of the drawbar in the front-rear direction. An arcuate sliding contact portion having a center of curvature is provided on the left and right of the
A guide portion is provided that allows the draw bar to rotate left and right with the center of curvature of the draw bar left and right as a rotation center by sliding contact with the left and right arc-shaped sliding contact portions of the draw bar, from a neutral position where the draw bar is not biased to the left or right A vehicle model coupling device wherein the drawbar is configured to rotate in a direction protruding from the vehicle model when the drawbar is deviated left and right by an applied load. 2. A pin is provided on one of the vehicle model and the drawbar, and when the vehicle model and the drawbar run straight while the connected vehicle models are attracted to each other, the connection distance between the vehicle models is reduced. The vehicle model coupling device according to claim 1, further comprising a holding portion that slides and holds the pin so as not to open. 3. The vehicle model coupling device according to claim 1, wherein each end of the drawbar is provided between a vehicle body of the vehicle model and a bogie. 4. The vehicle model connection according to claim 1, wherein the drawbar is provided with a conductive wire spring or a leaf spring for electrically connecting the two vehicle models. apparatus.