JP2006027521A - Motorcycle with auxiliary wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a motorcycle with auxiliary wheels with base end parts of a pair of left and right supporting arms having an auxiliary wheel each journaled on a body so that the arms can revolve between a deployed position to ground the auxiliary wheel and a stored position to leave the auxiliary wheel from the ground, furnished with a control means to revolvingly control each of the supporting arms between the deployed position and the stored position, wherein the revolving position of the supporting arm is steplessly locked, selecting the optimal position in accordance with a travelling state of the vehicle, etc., change-over operation of locking and unlocking of it is facilitated, operational load is reduced and responsiveness of control is improved. <P>SOLUTION: The control means C to revolvingly control the supporting arm A between the deployed position and the stored position is furnished with band brake mechanisms B1, B2 capable of locking revolution of the supporting arm A. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  In the present invention, the base end portions of a pair of left and right support arms each having an auxiliary wheel are turned to the vehicle body, and the arm rotates between a deployed position where the auxiliary wheel is grounded and a retracted position where the auxiliary wheel is separated from the ground. The present invention relates to a motorcycle with an auxiliary wheel that is pivotally supported.

  In the motorcycle with the auxiliary wheel, the support arm is forcibly rotated between the retracted position and the deployed position using an actuator that is controlled by the control means, and when the arm is in the deployed position, Although it is conventionally known that the vehicle body can be held in an upright position by grounding (see Patent Document 1 below), the arm is stored and deployed between the output portion of the actuator and the support arm. Since the arm is always connected in any direction and the drive speed of the arm (that is, the lifting speed of the auxiliary wheel) is finite, for example, the auxiliary wheel for the bank of the vehicle body and the road surface protrusion immediately after the vehicle starts. There are problems such as countermeasures for delays in following and countermeasures for delays in arm deployment when the vehicle suddenly stops.

Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, the first is to restrict the rotation of each support arm in the retracted direction in the operating state and allow the support arm to rotate in both the retracted and unfolded directions in the unlocked state. One-way rotation restricting means, and a second one-way rotation that restricts the rotation of each support arm in the deployment direction in the activated state and allows the rotation of each support arm in the retracted and deployed directions in the unlocked state. Even if there is a large bank or a protrusion on the road surface immediately after starting, etc., the auxiliary wheel can be lifted and displaced smoothly, and the support arm can be smoothly moved in its deployment direction using its own weight and vibration. A device that can be rotated has already been proposed (see Patent Document 2 below).
Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-29591 JP 2003-276665 A

  However, since the ratchet mechanism is used as the one-way rotation restricting means for the support arm in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, the ratchet pawl cannot be locked at a position corresponding to the middle of the ratchet teeth, and the lock There may be a difference in position and time. Further, the ratchet mechanism requires an operation load of a certain level or more when the ratchet pawl is detached from the engaged ratchet teeth. Therefore, particularly in a small vehicle, it is expected that the switching can be performed smoothly even if the operation load is small.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a motorcycle with an auxiliary wheel that can solve the above-described conventional problems with a simple structure.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is characterized in that a base end portion of a pair of left and right support arms each having an auxiliary wheel is set to the vehicle body, a deployment position where the arm contacts the auxiliary wheel, and the auxiliary wheel from the ground. A motorcycle with an auxiliary wheel that is pivotally supported so as to be able to rotate between a retracted storage position and includes a control means for controlling the rotation of each support arm between its deployed position and the stored position. The control means includes a band brake mechanism that can lock the rotation of each support arm.

  Further, the invention according to claim 2 is provided between a base position of a pair of left and right support arms each having an auxiliary wheel on the vehicle body, a deployed position where the arm contacts the auxiliary wheel, and a retracted position where the auxiliary wheel is separated from the ground. A motorcycle with an auxiliary wheel that is pivotally supported so as to be able to rotate, and includes a control means for controlling the rotation of each support arm between its deployed position and a retracted position. A self-locking mechanism capable of locking the rotation using the turning force of the arm is provided.

  Further, the invention of claim 3 is the self-locking function in which, in addition to the feature of claim 1, the band brake mechanism can lock its rotation at any rotation position using the turning force of the support arm. It is characterized by having.

  In addition to the above feature of the first or third aspect, the invention according to claim 4 can lock the rotation of the support arm in one direction at any rotation position. It has a unidirectional rotation restricting function that allows rotation in the other direction.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the feature of the fourth aspect, the band brake mechanism is wound around a drum that rotates in conjunction with a support arm, and an outer periphery of the drum over a half circumference. And both ends extending in the drum tangential direction of the band are connected to each other and pivotally supported by the vehicle body between the two connected parts, and the band is rotated in one direction around the pivoted part. And an urging device for selectively urging the operating rod in the one direction and the other direction. The urging device urges the operating rod in the one direction so that the unidirectional rotation restricting function is exhibited when the band is in a tension state, and the urging device causes the operating rod to Other direction Energized by the band is characterized in that as the one direction rotation restricting function disappeared free rotation of the drum is allowed when in the relaxed state.

  Further, the invention of claim 6 is characterized in that, in addition to the features of claim 4 or 5, at least two band brake mechanisms having different rotation restricting directions with respect to the support arm are provided.

  According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in addition to the feature of the fifth aspect, the biasing device biases the operating rod in the one direction and the biasing device biases the operating rod in the other direction. Release urging means, and at least one of the lock urging means and the release urging means is constituted by an electromagnetic actuator.

  According to an eighth aspect of the invention, in addition to the feature of the seventh aspect, the band brake mechanism has a self-locking function that locks the rotation of each support arm using a turning force in the retracting direction. A first band brake mechanism, and a second band brake mechanism having a self-locking function that locks the rotation of each support arm using the rotational force in the deploying direction. The biasing means is a spring and the bias release means is an electromagnetic actuator, and the bias means of the second band brake mechanism is an electromagnetic actuator and the bias release means is a spring. .

  In addition to the above-described features of any one of claims 1 to 3, the invention of claim 9 includes a rotating shaft rotatably supported by the vehicle body, and an arm turning actuator capable of rotating the rotating shaft. A rotation inhibiting means capable of inhibiting the rotation of the rotation shaft, a support shaft provided to rotate integrally with the base end portion of the support arm and extending on the rotation axis of the arm, the support shaft, and the A planetary gear mechanism provided between the rotating shafts, the planetary gear mechanism including a sun gear that rotates in conjunction with the rotating shaft and a plurality of planetary gears that are respectively supported by a carrier that rotates in conjunction with the support shaft and mesh with the sun gear. And a ring gear that is concentrically arranged with respect to the sun gear and meshes with each planetary gear, and the outer periphery of the ring gear is also used as the drum of the band brake mechanism.

  As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the control means for controlling the rotation of the support arm between the deployed position and the retracted position includes the band brake mechanism that can lock the rotation of the support arm. The rotation position of the support arm can be locked steplessly, the optimal position can be selected according to the running state of the vehicle, etc. Responsiveness is also good.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the control means for controlling the rotation of the support arm between the deployed position and the retracted position can lock the rotation using the turning force of the support arm. Therefore, the operation load necessary for locking can be reduced, and the control setting can be efficiently performed by utilizing the self-locking mechanism, and the number of parts can be reduced.

  In particular, according to the invention of claim 3, the band brake mechanism has a self-locking function capable of locking its rotation at any rotation position by using the turning force of the support arm. By using this, a self-locking mechanism can be easily obtained.

  In particular, according to the invention of claim 4, the band brake mechanism can lock the rotation of the support arm in one direction at any rotation position, but allows the rotation of the arm in the other direction. Since it has a direction rotation restricting function, a one-way rotation restricting mechanism can be easily obtained using a band brake mechanism.

  In particular, according to the invention of claim 5, the band brake mechanism includes a drum that rotates in conjunction with the support arm, a band wound around the outer circumference of the drum over a half circumference, and the drum of the band. Both ends extending in the tangential direction are connected to each other and pivotally supported by the vehicle body in the middle between the two connecting portions, and the band is tensioned so as to press the drum against the drum by rotating in one direction around the pivot. An operating rod for relaxing the band with respect to the drum by rotation in the other direction, and an urging device for selectively urging the operating rod in one of the one direction and the other direction. When the operating rod is biased in the one direction by the biasing device and the band is in a tensioned state, the one-way rotation restricting function is exhibited, and the operating rod is biased in the other direction by the biasing device. The band is relaxed Since the one-way rotation restricting function disappears and the drum is allowed to rotate freely when in a state, the band brake mechanism has a one-way rotation restricting function and self-lock with a relatively simple structure. Functions can be added, which can contribute to cost savings.

In particular, according to the invention of claim 6, since at least two band brake mechanisms having different rotation restricting directions with respect to the support arm are provided, optimal rotation control of the support arm can be performed according to the traveling state of the vehicle. In particular, according to the invention of claim 7, the urging device comprises a lock urging means for urging the operating rod in the one direction and a release urging means for urging the operating rod in the other direction. Since at least one of the lock urging means and the release urging means is constituted by an electromagnetic actuator, the operation and release of the one-way rotation restricting function and the self-locking function of the band brake mechanism can be controlled electrically and accurately. The operation of the driver can be facilitated and the operability can be enhanced.

  Further, in particular, according to the invention of claim 8, the band brake mechanism includes a first band brake mechanism having a self-locking function for locking the rotation of each support arm using the rotational force in the retracting direction, And a second band brake mechanism having a self-locking function that locks the rotation of the support arm in the unfolding direction, and the lock urging means of the first band brake mechanism is a spring. The release urging means is an electromagnetic actuator, and the lock urging means of the second band brake mechanism is an electromagnetic actuator and the release urging means is a spring. When the vehicle is standing up, it is not necessary to energize the electromagnetic actuator, and power consumption can be reduced.

  In particular, according to the invention of claim 9, a rotary shaft rotatably supported by the vehicle body, an arm turning actuator capable of rotating the rotary shaft, and a rotation prohibiting means capable of prohibiting the rotation of the rotary shaft, And a planetary gear mechanism provided between the support shaft and the rotation shaft, and a planetary gear mechanism provided between the support shaft and the rotation shaft. The mechanism includes a sun gear that rotates in conjunction with the rotation shaft, a planetary gear that is supported by a carrier that rotates in conjunction with the support shaft and meshes with the sun gear, and a ring gear that is arranged concentrically with the sun gear and meshes with the planetary gear. Since the outer periphery of the ring gear is also used as the drum of the band brake mechanism, the support arm is decelerated and driven by the arm turning actuator via the planetary gear mechanism. Can, the speed reduction mechanism, and by extension the miniaturization of the auxiliary wheel drive is achieved. Moreover, since the rotation of the ring gear is accelerated with respect to the rotational displacement of the support arm, the operating torque of the band brake mechanism can be reduced by the speed increase ratio, and the brake operating force can be reduced. It is possible to reduce the size of an actuator or the like for controlling the operation of the motor or to reduce power consumption.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below based on examples of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

  In the accompanying drawings, FIGS. 1 to 3 show an embodiment, FIG. 1 is an overall side view of a motorcycle, FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a main part of an auxiliary wheel and its deployment / storage mechanism, FIG. 3 is a side view of a main part of the first and second band brake mechanisms.

  First, FIG. 1 shows a stopped state of the motorcycle V. At this time, the support arm A is in a deployed state, and the auxiliary wheel W is grounded to hold the vehicle body F in an upright posture.

  A left and right pair of left and right auxiliary wheels W are rotatably supported at the respective tip portions at the lower portion of the vehicle body F (in the illustrated example, a footrest step portion) positioned between the front wheel Wf and the rear wheel Wr of the motorcycle V. The base end portions of the pair of support arms A are pivotally supported so that the support arms A are deployed downward so that the auxiliary wheels W are grounded by the rotation (the solid line in FIG. 1). Position) and a storage position (a chain line position in FIG. 1) extending substantially horizontally so as to separate the auxiliary wheel W from the ground. An over-expansion prevention stopper (not shown) for restricting the expansion limit of the support arm A (that is, the lowering limit of the auxiliary wheel W) is provided between the support arm A and the vehicle body.

  Since the control means C for controlling the rotation of the left and right support arms A has basically the same structure as the left and right support arms A, the structure of the control means C will be described only for the left support arm A. Description of the right support arm A is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the control means C includes an electric motor M as an arm rotation actuator for forcibly driving the support arm A both in the retracting direction and in the deploying direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, one end of a support shaft 1 extending in the left-right direction is integrally connected to the base end portion of the support arm A, and the support shaft 1 is connected to a vehicle body F by a bearing (not shown). Therefore, the support arm A rotates about the axis of the support shaft 1.

  Further, the vehicle body F supports a rotating shaft 10 aligned on the same axis as the support shaft 1 via a bearing (not shown). The rotating shaft 10 and the output shaft Ma of the electric motor MO fixedly supported on the vehicle body F are connected via a worm gear mechanism WG including a worm provided on the output shaft Ma and a worm wheel provided on the rotating shaft 10. Linked together. The worm gear mechanism WG can inhibit the rotation of the rotating shaft 10 when the electric motor MO is stopped due to the frictional resistance of the gear meshing portion.

  A planetary gear mechanism P having a conventionally known structure is interposed between the support shaft 1 and the rotary shaft 10. The planetary gear mechanism P includes a sun gear 11 concentrically and integrally provided on the rotary shaft 10, a ring gear 12 concentrically surrounding the sun gear 11, inner teeth of the ring gear 12, and an outer side of the sun gear 11. It consists of a plurality of planetary gears 13 interposed between the gears 11 and 12 so as to mesh with the teeth, and is supported by a base of a disk-shaped carrier 14 that rotatably supports each planetary gear 13. The shaft 1 is concentrically connected and fixed.

  Between the ring gear 12 of the planetary gear mechanism P and the vehicle body F, in cooperation with the worm gear mechanism WG serving as rotation prohibiting means, the first support arm A can be locked at any rotation position. The second band brake mechanisms B1 and B2 are interposed in parallel.

  In particular, the first band brake mechanism B1 uses the turning force when the turning force in the retracting direction (and thus the turning force in the same direction on the drum d rotating in conjunction with the supporting shaft 1) acts on the support shaft 1 of the support arm A. Thus, the second band brake mechanism B2 is provided with a first self-locking function capable of instantaneously locking the rotation, and the second band brake mechanism B2 rotates in conjunction with the rotation force of the support arm A in the deploying direction (accordingly, the support shaft 1). A second self-locking function is provided that can instantaneously lock the rotation of the drum d when the rotating force in the same direction acts on the drum d. By providing such a self-locking function, when the brake mechanism (one-way rotation restricting means) is locked from the outside using, for example, an actuator or the like, it becomes possible to reduce the operating force. The actuator can be downsized. Next, the structures of the first and second band brake mechanisms B1 and B2 will be sequentially described.

  The first band brake mechanism B1 is a so-called “differential band brake” with a self-locking function known in the art (for example, Mechanical Engineering Basic Course 14, Shigeo Inada et al. “Revised New Edition Mechanical Design Method” first edition) (See the A-type brake structure on pages 261 to 263 of the 25th printing). In the example shown in the drawing, a drum d constituted by the outer periphery of the ring gear 12 and The band b1 wound around the outer periphery of the drum d over a half circumference and both ends of the band b1 extending in the tangential direction of the drum d are connected p ′ and p ″, respectively, and both the connecting parts p ′, P ″ is pivotally supported by the vehicle body F at an intermediate position, and the band b1 is moved around the drum d by rotating in one direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 3A) around the pivot p. Make sure to press against In addition, the operating rod a1 that loosens the band b1 with respect to the outer periphery of the drum d by rotating in the other direction (clockwise in FIG. 3A), and the operating rod a1 selectively in the one direction and the other direction. And a biasing device D1 for biasing. In the illustrated example, the urging device D1 includes a spring Sp1 as lock urging means for urging the operating rod a1 in the one direction, and the other direction against the elastic force of the spring Sp1. And an electromagnetic actuator S1 as release urging means for urging the motor. And in order to make this 1st band brake mechanism B1 exhibit the 1st one way rotation control function mentioned later, connection with the vehicle body pivot point p of operating rod a1 and band b1 one end side of operating rod a1 Similarly, the distance Ls between the points p ′ is set differently from the distance L1 between the vehicle body pivot point p and the connecting point p ″ between the other end side of the band b1 of the operating rod a1 (Ls <Ll). The

  Thus, in the illustrated example, when the electromagnetic actuator S1 that is the release biasing means is inactivated (non-energized) and the spring Sp1 that is the lock biasing means is in an effective operating state, that is, the biasing device D1 is the spring Sp1. When the operating rod a1 is urged in the one direction by the urging force, the band b1 in a tension state by the urging force is wound around the outer periphery of the drum d with a predetermined sufficient frictional force. In such a frictional connection state between the band b1 and the drum d, when the drum d tries to rotate in the arm retracting direction, the drum d is determined from the balance of the moment m acting on the operating rod a1 due to the tension at both ends of the band b1. The tension of the band b <b> 1 that is about to be rotated further increases and the self-locking function is exhibited, thereby restricting the rotation of the drum d in the arm retracting direction. On the other hand, when the drum d tries to rotate in the arm unfolding direction in the frictionally connected state, the band b1 that tries to rotate with the drum d is loosened with respect to the outer periphery of the drum d. Thus, smooth rotation of the drum d in the arm unfolding direction is allowed.

  Thus, by the first band brake B1, the first one-way rotation restricting function, that is, “the first self-locking function is exhibited when the rotational force in the retracting direction acts on the support shaft 1 of the support arm A”. However, when a rotating force in the opposite direction is applied, a function that allows the rotation is obtained.

By the way, in the above brake structure, the operating rod a1 is rotated around the vehicle body pivot point p in the one direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 3A), so that the band b1 is tightly wound around the outer periphery of the drum d. In this case, the rotation of the drum d can be stopped. The moment for stopping the rotation is m, the friction coefficient between the pivotal drum d and the band b1 is μ, and the band b1 is wound around the drum d. When the angle is θ,
When Ll ≦ Ls · exp (μθ), m ≦ 0 (that is, a self-lock state is established).
This is known in the conventionally known differential band brake. Therefore, in this embodiment, Ls, Ll, μ, and θ are set so as to satisfy the conditional expression.

  Further, when the electromagnetic actuator S1 as the release urging means is operated to substantially disable the operation of the spring Sp1 as the lock urging means, that is, the urging device D1 is activated by the urging force of the electromagnetic actuator S1. When a1 is urged in the other direction (clockwise in FIG. 3A), the urged operating rod a1 relaxes the band b1 with respect to the outer periphery of the drum d, and the band b1 and the outer periphery of the drum d The first self-locking function cannot be obtained because the frictional contact force between the support arm 1 and the support shaft 1 is sufficiently small, and the support shaft 1 of the support arm A freely rotates in both the retracted and unfolded directions. Is possible.

  On the other hand, like the first band brake mechanism B1, the second band brake mechanism B2 has basically the same structure as a conventionally known band brake having a self-locking function called “differential band brake”. In the illustrated example, the drum d constituted by the outer peripheral portion of the ring gear 12, the band b2 wound around the outer peripheral portion of the drum d over a half circumference, and the drum d of the band b2 in the tangential direction of the drum d, respectively. The extending end portions are respectively connected p ′ and p ″ and pivotally supported by the vehicle body F at an intermediate position between the both connected portions p ′ and p ″. The band b2 is tensioned so as to be pressed against the outer periphery of the drum d by rotating clockwise in 3 (B), and the band b2 is moved to the outer periphery of drum d by rotating in the other direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 3B). versus Comprising an actuating rod a2 to relax, and a biasing device D2 for selectively energizing the actuating rod a2 in the one direction and said other direction. The urging device D2 urges the operating rod a1 in the one direction against the spring Sp2 as a release urging means for urging the operating rod a1 in the other direction and the elastic rod a1 against the elastic force of the spring Sp2. And an electromagnetic actuator S2 as a lock urging means. And in order to make this 2nd band brake mechanism B2 exhibit the 2nd one way rotation regulation function mentioned below, connection with the vehicle body pivot point p of operating rod a2 and band b2 one end side of operating rod a2 Similarly, the distance Ls between the points p ′ is set differently from the distance L1 between the vehicle body pivot point p and the connecting point p ″ between the other end of the band b1 of the operating rod a2 (Ls <Ll). The

  Thus, in the illustrated example, when the electromagnetic actuator S2 that is the lock urging means is operated and the operating rod a2 is urged in the one direction against the elastic force of the spring Sp2 that is the release urging means, That is, when the urging device D2 urges the operating rod a2 in the one direction by the urging force of the electromagnetic actuator S2, the band b2 in a tension state by the urging force has a predetermined sufficient frictional force on the outer periphery of the drum d. It comes to wrap around. In such a frictional connection state between the band b2 and the drum d, when the drum d tries to rotate in the arm deploying direction, the drum d has a balance with the moment m acting on the operating rod a1 due to the tension at both ends of the band b2. The tension of the band b <b> 2 that is about to be rotated further increases and the self-locking function is exhibited, thereby restricting the rotation of the drum d in the arm unfolding direction. On the other hand, when the drum d tries to rotate in the arm retracting direction in the frictionally connected state, the band b2 that is going to rotate with the drum d is loosened with respect to the outer periphery of the drum d, and therefore, between the band b2 and the drum d. Thus, the drum d is allowed to smoothly rotate in the arm retracting direction.

  Thus, by the second band brake B2, the second one-way rotation restricting function, that is, “when the turning force in the deploying direction acts on the support shaft 1 (drum d) of the support arm A, the second self A function capable of exhibiting a locking function but permitting rotation when a turning force in the opposite direction is applied is obtained.

  By the way, in the second band brake mechanism B2, the conditional expression for causing the self-locking function to be exerted is the same as that of the first band brake B1. Therefore, Ls, Ll, μ, θ are the conditional expressions, that is, L1 ≦ Ls · exp (μθ) is set.

  Also in the second band brake mechanism B2, when the electromagnetic actuator S2 that is the lock urging means is inactivated and the spring Sp2 that is the release urging means is effectively operated, that is, the urging device D2 is the spring Sp2. When the operating rod a is biased in the other direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 3B) by the biasing force, the biased operating rod a2 relaxes the band b2 with respect to the outer periphery of the drum d, In order to reduce the frictional contact force between the band b2 and the outer periphery of the drum d to zero or sufficiently small, the second self-locking function cannot be obtained, and the support shaft 1 of the support arm A can be either retracted or expanded. It can also rotate freely in the direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electromagnetic actuators S1 and S2 and the electric motor MO for rotating the arm are connected to an electronic control unit EC composed of a CPU provided at a proper position on the vehicle body. The electronic control unit EC is configured such that the electromagnetic actuator is based on various parameters including a vehicle speed (for example, throttle opening, brake operation amount, vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration / deceleration, transmission ratio, transmission gear position, etc.) representing the vehicle running state. A drive signal is output to S1, S2 and the electric motor MO. In FIG. 2, only the vehicle speed sensor SE is shown as a detection sensor for the parameters connected to the electronic control unit EC, and the other sensors are not shown.

  Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described. When the vehicle is stopped and the support arm A is in the unfolded state as shown by the solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electromagnetic actuator S1 which is the release urging means of the first band brake mechanism B1 and the second band brake mechanism B2 Both of the electromagnetic actuators S2 which are the lock urging means are in a non-energized state.

  At this time, the first band brake mechanism B1 exhibits the first self-locking function described above based on the biasing force of the spring of the lock biasing means Sp1, so that the support arm A is retracted while allowing the support arm A to rotate in the unfolding direction. Thus, the support arm A is held in the unfolded state, the grounding state of the auxiliary wheel W is secured, and the vehicle body F is kept in the standing posture. Further, the second band brake mechanism B2 releases the aforementioned second self-locking function based on the biasing force of the spring of the release biasing means Sp2, and allows the support arm A to rotate in either the expanded or retracted direction. To do.

  When the motorcycle V starts to start from such a stop state and the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor SE becomes equal to or higher than the first specified value V1, the electronic control unit EC controls the parameters (throttle opening, brake operation amount). The vehicle speed, the vehicle acceleration / deceleration, the transmission gear ratio, the transmission gear position, etc. are also comprehensively taken into consideration, and when it is determined that the vehicle is accelerating (that is, the possibility of deceleration is low), first the arm rotating electric motor MO is When the support arm A is activated and starts to rotate in the retracted direction, the electromagnetic actuators S1 and S2 are energized substantially simultaneously. As a result, the first self-locking function of the first band brake mechanism B1 is released, and the support arm A is allowed to rotate in either the unfolded or retracted direction, and at the same time, the second band brake mechanism B2 The second self-locking function is exhibited, and the rotation of the support arm A in the retracting direction is reliably prevented while allowing the support arm A to rotate in the retracting direction.

  In this state, when the auxiliary wheel W receives a push-up force from the ground due to a bump on the road surface or a rider's bank operation during turning, the second self-locking function by the second band brake mechanism B2 causes the support arm A to move. The auxiliary wheel W can be rotated smoothly in the retracting direction without resistance, and the auxiliary wheel W can be lifted and displaced smoothly without difficulty, so that a large bank angle can be secured without hindering running and the auxiliary wheel W has a road surface projection. You can get over without difficulty.

  When the auxiliary wheel W rises to a predetermined intermediate rising position W1 until the vehicle speed exceeds the first specified value V1 and reaches the second specified value V2, an arm rotation position sensor (not shown) that detects this increases. The electric motor MO for arm rotation is stopped based on the output, but the descent of the auxiliary wheel W is prevented based on the second self-locking function by the second band brake mechanism B2, so that the auxiliary wheel W is in the middle. It stays at the rising position W1. In this case, the grounding of the auxiliary wheel W may occur if a larger road surface protrusion is subsequently encountered or if there is a larger bank operation, but in this case as well, the auxiliary wheel W is not unreasonable and smooth. As a result of the upward displacement, it is held at the upward position, and the auxiliary wheel W does not hinder the traveling.

  Thereafter, when the vehicle speed becomes equal to or higher than the second specified value V2, the electronic control unit EC also comprehensively combines the parameters (throttle opening, brake operation amount, vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration / deceleration, transmission ratio, transmission gear position, etc.). If it is determined that the vehicle is traveling normally (that is, the possibility of deceleration is low), the arm-rotating electric motor MO is activated again to rotate the support arm A in the retracted direction. As a result, when the auxiliary wheel W reaches the upper limit storage position W2 from the intermediate ascending position W1, the operation of the electric motor MO is stopped based on the output of the arm rotation position sensor (not shown) that detects this. Based on the second self-locking function by the two-band brake mechanism B2, the arm A is held in the arm retracted position.

  Further, in the low-speed decelerating process in which the vehicle speed is less than or equal to the third specified value V3 from the normal driving state, the electronic control unit EC performs the parameters (throttle opening, brake operation amount, vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration / deceleration, gear ratio). If it is determined that the vehicle is in a low-speed decelerating traveling state by comprehensively considering the transmission gear position, etc., the arm rotating electric motor MO is activated while the electromagnetic actuators S1 and S2 are kept energized to support arm A. Starts rotating in the unfolding direction. As a result, when the auxiliary wheel W is lowered from the retracted position W2 to a predetermined intermediate lowered position (set to the same position as the intermediate raised position W1 in the illustrated example), the electric motor MO is controlled based on the output of the arm rotation position sensor. The operation is stopped, thereby holding the auxiliary wheel W at the intermediate lowering position W1. This state is maintained while the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than the third specified value V3 and higher than the fourth specified value V4.

  In the deceleration process immediately before the stop when the vehicle speed becomes the fourth specified value V4 or less, the electronic control unit C sets the parameters (throttle opening, brake operation amount, vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration / deceleration, gear ratio, transmission gear position, etc.). If it is determined that the vehicle is in a deceleration state immediately before stopping, the arm rotating electric motor MO is started again to rotate the support arm A in the deploying direction, and the electromagnetic actuators Sp1 and Sp2 are energized. As a result, the second self-locking function by the second band brake mechanism B2 is released, and the first band brake mechanism B1 exhibits the first self-locking function in the deployment direction of the support arm A. The rotation in the retracting direction is reliably prevented while allowing the rotation. As a result, the support arm A can smoothly rotate without resistance in the deployment direction even with its own weight or vibration in addition to the rotation biasing force of the electric motor MO.

  In this case, for example, even when an operation delay occurs in the driving speed of the electric motor MO during a sudden braking operation or the like, the first band brake mechanism B1 exhibits the first self-lock function to support the electric motor MO. Since the connection with the arm A is broken, the support arm A can smoothly rotate in the deployment direction by its own weight or vibration without receiving resistance (reverse load) by the electric motor MO. Then, the electronic control unit EC determines that the auxiliary wheel W has been lowered to an appropriate position for maintaining the vehicle posture horizontally (this determination is made by, for example, a level sensor, an auxiliary wheel load sensor, a load sensor of the arm rotating electric motor MO, etc. Then, the operation of the electric motor MO is stopped. Thus, after the support arm A is deployed, the support arm A can be securely held at the deployed position by the first self-locking function to ensure the grounding state of the auxiliary wheel W, so that the vehicle can be stably placed in an appropriate standing posture. Can keep.

  If power supply from the power source (not shown) to the electromagnetic actuators S1 and S2 and the electric motor MO fails due to a failure or the like during normal traveling, the first band brake mechanism B1 performs first self-braking. Since the lock function is performed and the second self-lock function by the second band brake mechanism B2 is released, the support arm A smoothly rotates in the deploying direction due to its own weight and vibration so that the driver can recognize the situation. After the deployment, the deployed state of the arm A is maintained, the grounding state of the auxiliary wheel W can be secured, and the vehicle can be maintained in the standing posture.

  Also, when the power supply from the power source (not shown) fails while the vehicle is stopped, the first band brake mechanism B1 performs the first self-lock function, and the second band brake mechanism B2 performs the second self-lock. The function is released. For this reason, even if the vehicle can start, the first band brake mechanism B1 continues to exhibit the first self-lock function, and the second self-lock function by the second band brake mechanism B2 remains released. The auxiliary wheel W is not stored even by bank operation or road surface protrusion, and the rider can easily notice the abnormality. In order to attract the rider's attention, a warning means for warning that the auxiliary wheel W is not retracted may be specially provided.

  When the above control example is partially simplified and tabulated, it is as shown in Table 1.

  Particularly in this embodiment, the electromagnetic actuators S1 and S2 and the pivots p of the operating rods a1 and a2 can be fixedly supported on the vehicle body F side, so that the layout and design of the system is facilitated. Further, the planetary gear mechanism P is interposed between the arm rotating electric motor MO and the support arm A, and the outer peripheral portion of the ring gear 12 is also used as the drum d of the band brake mechanisms B1 and B2. The support arm A can be decelerated and driven by the arm rotating electric motor MO via the mechanism P, and the size of the decelerating mechanism and thus the auxiliary wheel driving device can be reduced. Moreover, since the rotation of the ring gear 12 is increased with respect to the rotational displacement of the support arm A, the operating torque of the band brake mechanisms B1 and B2 can be reduced by the speed increase ratio, and the brake operating force can be reduced. The springs Sp1 and Sp2 and the electromagnetic actuators S1 and S2 for controlling the operation of the band brake mechanisms B1 and B2 can be reduced in size and power consumption can be reduced. Further, by selecting the load of the springs Sp1 and Sp2, it is possible to appropriately adjust the self-lock operation and release settings.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various small design change is possible.

  For example, in the control example shown in Table 1 in the previous embodiment, not only the vehicle speed but also various parameters representing the vehicle running state (for example, throttle opening, brake operation amount, vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration / deceleration, gear ratio, gear ratio) The operation of each of the electromagnetic actuators S1 and S2 and the electric motor MO is controlled based on the gear position, etc., but in actual running, when stopping immediately after accelerating, it accelerates again from deceleration. In order to avoid excessive energy consumption due to unnecessary lifting / lowering of the auxiliary wheels W, there are cases where the vehicle continues to travel, etc. A control algorithm that takes into account vehicle data (ie, vehicle acceleration / deceleration, gear ratio, accelerator opening, brake operation amount, etc.) is employed. However, in the present invention, it is possible to employ a finer control algorithm. In this case, examples of vehicle data that can be further considered include steering angle, lateral acceleration, vehicle body tilt angle, etc., and vehicle environment data. For example, the road condition of the navigation system, the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle, and traffic signal communication data can be considered. On the contrary, in order to simplify the control, the electronic control unit EC can control the operations of the electromagnetic actuators S1 and S2 and the electric motor MO based only on the vehicle speed.

  In the embodiment, the over-expansion preventing stopper for restricting the unfolding limit of the support arm A (that is, the lowering limit of the auxiliary wheel W) is provided between the support arm A and the vehicle body. It is also possible to automatically adjust the deployment position of the support arm A by controlling the arm rotation electric motor MO by the electronic control unit EC without providing the over-deployment prevention stopper. In this case, the control means C By using level sensors, auxiliary wheel load sensors, load sensors for arm rotation electric motor M, etc. as input parameters, the optimal deployment position of auxiliary wheels W that keeps the vehicle horizontal regardless of road surface irregularities or gradients when stopping Can be set automatically.

  In the above-described embodiment, the output shaft Ma of the arm rotating electric motor M is linked to the rotating shaft 10 via the worm gear mechanism WG, and the electric resistance is generated by the frictional resistance of the gear meshing portion of the worm gear mechanism WG. Although the rotation of the rotary shaft 10 is prohibited when the motor M is inactive, the arm rotation electric motor M itself incorporates a lock mechanism that locks the rotation of the output shaft Ma when it is not energized. (In this case, the built-in locking mechanism constitutes the rotation prohibiting means), the worm gear mechanism WG may be omitted and the rotary shaft 10 may be directly coupled and driven by the electric motor M.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the auxiliary wheel W can be temporarily held at the intermediate lift position W1 in the process of rotating the support arm A in the deployed state in the retracted direction, and the support arm A in the retracted state is supported in the deploying direction. Although the auxiliary wheel W can be temporarily held at the intermediate lowering position (the same position as the intermediate rising position W1 in the illustrated example) even in the process of turning to the intermediate position, the auxiliary wheel W is temporarily held at such an intermediate position. The support arm A may be rotated at once in the retracting direction or the unfolding direction.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the support arm A is forcibly rotated between the retracted position and the deployed position by the arm rotating electric motor M which is a part of the control means C. The control means C can omit the arm rotating electric motor M. In this case, the sun gear 11 is in a fixed state, and the support arm A is lowered by its own weight, and the ascending is performed by the pushing force that the auxiliary wheel W receives from the ground as the auxiliary wheel W rides on the protrusion or the rider operates the bank. Done. Further, the planetary gear mechanism p may be omitted, and the first and second band brake mechanisms B1 and B2 may be interposed between the base end portion of the support arm A and the vehicle body F.

Whole side view of a motorcycle showing an embodiment of the present invention An enlarged exploded perspective view of the main part of the auxiliary wheel and its deployment / storage mechanism Side view of main parts of first and second band brake mechanisms

Explanation of symbols

A Support arm B1 First band brake mechanism (first self-locking mechanism)
B2 Second band brake mechanism (second self-locking mechanism)
C control means D1 first urging device D2 second urging device EC electronic control device F vehicle body M electric motor (actuator for arm rotation)
P planetary gear mechanism Sp1 spring (lock urging means)
S2 Electromagnetic actuator (lock biasing means)
S1 Electromagnetic actuator (release biasing means)
Sp2 spring (release biasing means)
W Auxiliary wheel WG Worm gear mechanism (rotation prohibition means)
a1, a2 Operating rod b1, b2 Band d Drum 1 Support shaft 10 Rotating shaft 11 Sun gear 12 Ring gear 13 Planetary gear 14 Carrier

Claims (9)

A base end portion of a pair of left and right support arms (A) each having an auxiliary wheel (W) is set to the vehicle body (F), the unfolded position where the arm (A) contacts the auxiliary wheel (W), and the auxiliary wheel (W) A motorcycle with an auxiliary wheel that is pivotally supported so as to be able to rotate between a storage position that separates it from the ground,
In what comprises a control means (C) for controlling the rotation of each support arm (A) between its deployed position and retracted position,
The control means (C) is equipped with a band brake mechanism (B1, B2) that can lock the rotation of each support arm (A). A base end portion of a pair of left and right support arms (A) each having an auxiliary wheel (W) is set to the vehicle body (F), the unfolded position where the arm (A) contacts the auxiliary wheel (W), and the auxiliary wheel (W) A motorcycle with an auxiliary wheel that is pivotally supported so as to be able to rotate between a storage position that separates it from the ground,
In what comprises a control means (C) for controlling the rotation of each support arm (A) between its deployed position and retracted position,
The control means (C) includes a self-locking mechanism (B1, B2) that can lock the rotation of the support arm (A) by using the rotational force of the support arm (A).   The said band brake mechanism (B1, B2) has a self-locking function which can lock the rotation in any rotation position using the rotational force of a support arm (A). A motorcycle with an auxiliary wheel according to 1.   The band brake mechanism (B1, B2) can lock the support arm (A) in one direction at any rotation position, but allows the arm (A) to rotate in the other direction. The motorcycle with auxiliary wheels according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the motorcycle has a one-way rotation restricting function. The band brake mechanism (B1, B2) includes a drum (d) that rotates in conjunction with the support arm (A), and a band (b1) wound around the outer periphery of the drum (d) over a half circumference. , B2) and both ends of the bands (b1, b2) extending in the tangential direction of the drum (d) are respectively connected (p ′, p ″) and intermediate between the two connected portions (p ′, p ″). The vehicle body (F) is pivotally supported (p), and the bands (b1, b2) are tensioned so as to be pressed against the drum (d) by rotating in one direction around the pivot (p) portion. The operating rod (a1, a2) for relaxing the band (b1, b2) with respect to the drum (d) by rotation in the other direction and the operating rod (a1, a2) are selectively selected in the one direction and the other direction. A biasing device (D1, D2) for biasing
When the operating rod (a1, a2) is urged in the one direction by the urging device (D1, D2) and the band (b1, b2) is in a tension state, the one-way rotation restricting function is exhibited, Further, when the operating rod (a1, a2) is urged in the other direction by the urging device (D1, D2) and the band (b1, b2) is in a relaxed state, the one-way rotation restricting function disappears. The motorcycle with auxiliary wheels according to claim 4, wherein the drum (d) is allowed to freely rotate.   The motorcycle with auxiliary wheels according to claim 4 or 5, comprising at least two band brake mechanisms (B1, B2) having different rotation restricting directions with respect to the support arm (A).   The urging device (D1, D2) includes a lock urging means (Sp1, S2) for urging the operating rod (a1, a2) in the one direction and an operating rod (a1, a2) in the other direction. A release urging means (S1, Sp2) for energizing, and at least one of the lock urging means (Sp1, S2) and the release urging means (S2, Sp2) (S1, S2) is constituted by an electromagnetic actuator. The motorcycle with auxiliary wheels according to claim 5, wherein   The band brake mechanism (B1, B2) includes a first band brake mechanism (B1) having a first self-locking function that locks the rotation of each support arm (A) using the rotational force in the retracted direction. ) And a second band brake mechanism (B2) having a second self-locking function that locks the rotation of each support arm (A) in the unfolding direction using the turning force. The lock urging means of the brake mechanism (B1) is a spring (Sp1), the release urging means is an electromagnetic actuator (S1), and the lock urging means of the second band brake mechanism (B2) is The motorcycle with auxiliary wheels according to claim 7, wherein the two-wheeled motorcycle is an electromagnetic actuator (S2) and the release biasing means is a spring (Sp2). A rotation shaft (10) rotatably supported by the vehicle body (F), an arm rotation actuator (M) that can rotationally drive the rotation shaft (10), and rotation of the rotation shaft (10) can be prohibited. A rotation prohibiting means (WG), a support shaft (1) provided to rotate integrally with a base end portion of the support arm (A) and extending on the rotation axis of the arm (A), and the support shaft (1) and a planetary gear mechanism (P) provided between the rotating shafts (10),
The planetary gear mechanism (P) includes a sun gear (11) that rotates in conjunction with the rotating shaft (10) and a carrier (14) that rotates in conjunction with the support shaft (1). A plurality of planetary gears (13) that mesh with each other, and a ring gear (12) that is arranged concentrically with the sun gear (11) and meshes with each planetary gear (13),
The auxiliary wheel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ring gear (12) has an outer peripheral portion also used as a drum (d) of the band brake mechanism (B1, B2). With motorcycle.

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