JP2006076437A - Clutch device for electrically-propelled vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To preclude a clutch from being changed over undeliberately. <P>SOLUTION: An operating member 20 is installed under a seat cushion 14A and is mounted on an oversurface plate 23 rotatably by bolts with wave washers interposed. The member 20 is put in the clutch-on condition at all times and can not be rotated owing to engagement of a stopper plate 38 with an engaging piece 39. To change over into the clutch-off position, an operating lever 8 is grasped and lifted against the spring force of the wave washers 32 for disengagement, and then the rotating operation is conducted. Changing-over of the clutch can not be done unless the operation in the different direction is conducted as described above, an undeliberate changing-over can be avoided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric vehicle clutch device.

  Recently, small electric vehicles have been developed for the elderly, the disabled, and the like (hereinafter referred to as the elderly). In this type of electric vehicle, an electric motor is generally provided on the body frame, and a clutch device is generally provided between the electric motor and the drive wheels.

  Such a clutch mechanism is provided because it is necessary to switch to a state where the power from the electric motor is cut off (clutch disengagement state) when, for example, it is desired to manually push the electric vehicle. The switching operation is often performed by a switching operation of an operation lever provided in the clutch mechanism.

By the way, considering the case where the electric vehicle is stopped on a slope, for example, a situation in which the clutch mechanism is inadvertently switched to the clutch disengaged state must be avoided. As a countermeasure, for example, it can be biased with a spring in the direction of clutch engagement and can be kept in the clutch disengaged state only while the operation lever is being operated. One method is to return to the state. There exists a thing of patent document 1 as such.
JP-A-5-328516

  However, in the above, in order to maintain the clutch disengaged state, the operation of the operation lever must be continued while resisting the force of the spring, which is inconvenient. Therefore, as another method, it is conceivable to set a place where the operation lever is difficult to operate, or to cover the entire operation lever with a cover that can be opened and closed. However, the former has a problem that the operability when necessary is poor, and if the cover is covered with a dedicated cover, the size of the vehicle is increased by the installation space of the cover.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and provides an electric vehicle clutch device that is easy to use and can be prevented from being inadvertently switched to a clutch disengaged state. With the goal.

  As a means for achieving the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is an operation in which a clutch mechanism is interposed between a drive wheel and a motor in an electric vehicle, and the clutch mechanism is connected to the power transmission means. A clutch device in which the clutch mechanism can be switched by operating a member, wherein the operation member can be switched by operations in a plurality of directions. .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the operation member is disposed below the seat cushion, and the seat cushion is provided so as to be movable, and when the operation member moves from a normal position, It is exposed so that the switching operation can be performed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the operation member is configured such that the seat cushion can be returned to the original position in a state where the clutch mechanism is operated to a position where the clutch mechanism is disengaged. It is characterized by being.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the operation member is concealed by the seat cushion when the clutch mechanism is in a clutch engaged state, but the seat is in a position where the clutch is disengaged. When the cushion is returned to the original position, a part of the cushion protrudes outward from the seat cushion.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the portion of the operation member protruding from the seat cushion is colored in a color different from that of the seat cushion.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is necessary to operate the operation member in a plurality of directions when switching the clutch mechanism between discontinuities, so that a situation where the clutch is accidentally disconnected can be avoided.

  According to the invention of claim 2, since the upper part of the operation member is normally covered with the seat cushion, an inadvertent operation is avoided by this. Further, since the operation member is arranged using a dead space below the seat cushion, it is not necessary to secure a special space for installation, and the appearance is excellent.

  According to the invention of claim 3, when the operation member is operated after moving the seat cushion, the clutch is switched to the clutch disengaged state. In this state, even if the seat cushion is returned to the original position, the seat cushion is prevented from interfering with the operation member, so that the clutch disengaged state can be maintained while sitting on the seat cushion. Therefore, for example, the electric vehicle can be pushed by hand while an elderly person or the like is seated.

  According to the invention of claim 4, when the operation member is operated in the clutch disengaged state, a part of the operation member protrudes from the seat cushion. It is easy to grasp the appearance.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the operation member protrudes from the seat cushion, it is easily noticeable due to the difference in color, and it can be surely recognized that the clutch is disengaged.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The small electric vehicle 1 in this embodiment has a vehicle frame 2 extending in the front-rear direction, and the whole is covered with a plurality of body panels. A front portion of the vehicle frame 2 is provided with a pair of front wheels 4 (idling wheels) that are steered by an operation handle 3. On the other hand, a rear portion of the vehicle frame 2 is provided with a pair of rear wheels 5 (drive wheels) driven by a drive device (not shown) having an electric motor, a gear case, and the like. A clutch device is built in the gear case 6 and between the electric motor and the rear wheel. From the clutch device, the switching arm 7 is exposed so as to be exposed from the gear case, and the switching arm 7 is operated via a cable 9 by an operation lever 8 described later, so that the clutch engaged state and the clutch disengaged state are established. Can be switched in both directions.

  A plurality of batteries are incorporated in a region from the center portion to the rear portion of the vehicle frame 2 while being covered with a battery cover. In addition, a pair of support columns 10 are erected on both sides in the width direction near the rear portion of the vehicle frame 2 and their upper ends are connected to each other, and at the center in the width direction below the opening of the cover 11 A support 12 is erected. The seat support 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape that opens upward, and a seat leg 13 is inserted into the seat support 12 through the opening of the cover 11 so as to be freely inserted and removed.

  The seat 14 is divided and configured from a seat cushion 14A and a seat back 14B, and both are framed by a seat frame. The seat frame includes a pair of seat cushion frames 15 disposed on both sides in the width direction of the seat cushion 14A, and a seat back frame 16 connected at the rear end portion thereof as shown in FIG. The frame 16 as a whole extends slightly diagonally backward. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of clamp pieces 17 are suspended from the lower surface of the seat cushion 14A, and three pieces on one side are arranged on both sides in the width direction. Each clamp piece 17 is arranged to extend along the length direction above these corresponding to both seat cushion frames 15 when the seat cushion is in a seatable position (original position). The seat cushion 14A is formed in a C-shape that can be bent in the direction, and the seat cushion 14A is always fitted and clamped with an elastic force to hold the seat cushion 14A in a seatable state. By lifting upward, the clamp of each clamp piece 17 is forcibly released and the seat cushion 14A can be removed.

  Further, a base plate 18 is disposed in a horizontal posture between the two seat cushion frames 15, and is installed on the seat cushion frame 15 by a plurality of connecting arms 19. The above-described seat leg 13 is suspended from the lower surface and the rear side of the base plate 18, and is inserted into the seat support 12 through the opening of the cover 11, thereby supporting the entire seat 14.

  A mounting recess 21 is formed in the center of the front portion of the base plate 18, and an operation member 20 for switching on and off of the clutch is mounted here. A substantially rectangular window hole 22 is opened in the mounting recess 21. The operation member 20 is provided on the upper surface plate 23 and assembled to the front edge portion 22A of the window hole 22 described above. (See FIGS. 8 to 10). As shown in FIG. 10, a mounting piece 24 is formed upright at one corner of the top plate 23 by bending, is closely attached to the piece 21A upstanding from the mounting recess 21 side, and both are tightened with bolts 25. . Further, a lower surface plate 26 is disposed on the lower surface side of the region on the opposite side of the mounting piece 24 in the upper surface plate 23, and the front edge portion 22A of the window hole 22 of the mounting recess 21 is sandwiched between the upper and lower plates 23, 26, The whole is fixed by tightening the bolts into the three through holes 27 shown in the figure with bolts and nuts.

  In this embodiment, the operation member 20 includes a rod-shaped operation lever 8 and a mounting plate 29 integrated with the operation lever 8 and a bracket 28. An insertion hole 30 is penetrated through one end of the mounting plate 29, a hole 41 aligned with the insertion hole 30 is penetrated through the lower surface of the upper surface plate 23, and a nut 34 is coaxially formed by welding on the back side thereof. It is fixed. When the mounting plate 29 is fixed to the upper surface plate 23, the bolt 33 serving as the center of rotation is loosely inserted into the insertion hole 30 and the hole 41 with the wave washer 32 interposed, and tightened to the nut 34. . As a result, the operating member 20 is urged so as to be in close contact with the upper surface plate 23 by the spring force of the wave washer 32, but by operating the operating lever 8 in two different directions, that is, with respect to the operating member 20. It is possible to perform a lifting operation while bending the wave washer 32 and a rotating operation in a horizontal plane around the bolt 33.

  A connecting piece 35 for connecting one end of the push-pull cable 9 is formed on the upper edge of the bracket 28 of the operating member 20 by bending outward and horizontally. The cable 9 is further passed through a groove 36A of a cable fixing piece 36 provided adjacent to the mounting piece 24 in the upper surface plate 23, and is fixed by a cable support 37 so as not to be displaced in the axial direction. In addition, the cable 9 passes through the base plate 18 and the cover 11 and is connected to the switching arm 7 of the clutch device. Thus, as the operating member 20 is operated, the switching arm 7 can be rotated via the cable 9, and the clutch can be switched on and off.

  A stopper plate 38 having a substantially fan shape is formed integrally and flush with the end of the mounting plate 29 on the opposite side of the bolt 33 to which the bolt 33 is attached. On the other hand, a locking piece 39 is formed on the top plate 23 side. The locking piece 39 is formed by cutting and raising the end edge of the upper surface plate 23 in a step shape. The inner side edge of the cut and raised portion can be locked with the side edge of the stopper plate 38, and the operation member 20 is rotated in the clockwise direction as shown in the position shown in FIG. 3 (hereinafter referred to as the clutch engagement position). Rotation is restricted. However, when the user holds the operation lever 8 and raises the entire operation member 20 while bending the wave washer 32, the engagement between the engagement piece 39 and the stopper plate 38 can be released. The operation member 20 is allowed to rotate. That is, in the present embodiment, in order to switch on / off of the clutch, a two-stage operation is required in which the rotation is not allowed unless the operating member 20 is lifted.

  Further, a clamping piece 40 is formed upright at a position diagonally opposite to the attachment piece 24 in the upper surface plate 23. When the operating member 20 is in the clutch engagement position, the clamping piece 40 is locked to the substantially central portion of the operating lever 8 to restrict the operation member 20 from being rotated counterclockwise as shown in FIG. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the operation member 20 is in the clutch engagement position, the entire operation lever 8 is concealed below the seat cushion 14A and cannot be easily operated from the outside. Yes. However, when the seat cushion 14A is removed and the operation member 20 is exposed, and then the operation member 20 is unlocked between the stopper plate 38 and the engagement piece portion 39 through the two-stage operation described above, The member 20 can be operated to a position as shown in FIG. 5 (hereinafter referred to as a clutch disengagement position). When the seat cushion 14A is attached again at such a position and returned to the original state, the distal end portion of the operation lever 8 protrudes from the seat cushion 14A. In this embodiment, the entire operation member 20 is colored differently from the seat cushion 14A (for example, the operation cushion 20 is colored yellow while the seat cushion 14A is gray), and is externally applied. In addition, it is ensured that the operation member 20 is in the clutch disengagement position. Further, when the operation member 20 is in the clutch disengagement position, the side edge of the stopper plate 38 is prevented from being inadvertently returned to the clutch engagement position by being engaged with the outer side edge of the engagement piece portion 39. ing.

  Next, the effect of this embodiment comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated concretely. Since the operation member 20 is in the clutch engaged state during normal times, the driving force of the electric motor is transmitted to the rear wheel 5 via the clutch device, and the electric vehicle 1 is in a state where it can travel. However, for example, when the battery runs out while an elderly person or the like is driving, the electric vehicle 1 cannot be pushed by hand unless the clutch is disengaged.

  Therefore, it is necessary to switch the clutch. For this purpose, first, an elderly person or the like gets off the vehicle, and then lifts the seat cushion 14A. Thereby, since each clamp piece 17 is dissociated from the seat cushion frame 15, the seat cushion 14A can be removed, and thereby the operation member 20 can be exposed (state of FIG. 5).

  Next, the operation lever 8 is lifted against the spring force of the wave washer 32 so that the stopper plate 38 is positioned higher than the locking piece 39. Thereby, since the latching with the stopper plate 38 latching piece 39 is released, the entire operation member 20 can be rotated clockwise in FIG. When the operation lever 8 is released when the stopper plate 38 rotates to the position where it completely passes through the locking piece 39, the operation member 20 is displaced downward by the spring force of the wave washer 32, and the stopper plate. 38 is locked to the outer side edge of the locking piece 39. Thus, the operation member 20 reaches the clutch disengagement position. During this time, the cable 9 is pulled and the switching arm 7 of the clutch device is displaced, so that the clutch is disengaged. In this state, the electric vehicle 1 can be pushed by hand, but in the present embodiment, the seat cushion 14A can be returned to the original position while the operation member 20 is kept in the clutch disengaged position. Since the electric vehicle 1 can be pushed and driven while the elderly person or the like is seated, the burden on the elderly person or the like is not imposed.

  When the operation lever 8 is returned to the clutch engagement position again, an operation in the reverse order as described above is performed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operation member 20 cannot perform clutch switching unless it is lifted and then rotated, that is, unless it is operated in two different directions. In addition, it is possible to avoid a situation where the clutch is inadvertently switched at any of the clutch engagement position and the clutch disengagement position. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the operation member 20 is concealed below the seat cushion 14A in the clutch engagement position, an inadvertent operation is reliably avoided. On the other hand, the seat cushion 14A can be in the attached state even at the clutch disengagement position, so that it is possible to carry out the hand-climbing while sitting on an elderly person or the like, which is excellent in usability. In addition, the operation lever 8 protrudes from the seat cushion 14A when in the clutch disengagement position, and the operation member 20 is colored differently from the seat cushion 14A, so the operation member 20 is in the clutch disengagement position. This can also be reliably recognized from the outside, and this also contributes to the elimination of inadvertent switching operations.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention other than the following. Various modifications can be made.

  (1) The seat cushion 14A is not limited to a removable one as in the present embodiment, and may be configured to be connected by a hinge and lifted rearward or sideward, and further to move horizontally. It is done. Further, the operation member 20 may be switched as it is without moving the seat cushion 14A.

  (2) In the present embodiment, the operation member 20 is arranged in a concealed state below the seat cushion 14A. However, if the operation member 20 enables switching on the condition of a two-stage operation, the seat cushion 14A. Even if the position is always exposed outside, the inadvertent clutch switching is eliminated as much as possible.

  (3) However, the switching operation is not necessarily performed in two stages, and can be performed through more stages.

Side view of an electric vehicle with the operation lever broken and shown Top view of an electric vehicle with the seat cushion broken away Plan view showing enlarged main part Same side sectional view Plan view showing a state in which the seat cushion is opened Same side sectional view The top view which shows the state by which the operation lever was operated to the clutch release position The top view which shows a state when an operation lever exists in a clutch engagement position Same side view An exploded perspective view showing the assembly state of the operation lever and the substrate plate (A) is a front sectional view showing the positional relationship between the stopper plate and the locking piece when the operating member is in the clutch engagement position, and (B) is the same side sectional view. (A) is a front sectional view showing the positional relationship between the stopper plate and the locking piece when the operating member is lifted, and (B) is a sectional view on the same side. (A) is a front sectional view showing the positional relationship between the stopper plate and the locking piece when the operating member is switched to the clutch disengagement position, and (B) is a sectional view on the same side.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electric vehicle 5 ... Rear wheel (drive wheel)
8 ... Operation lever 14A ... Seat cushion 20 ... Operation member 32 ... Wave washer 33 ... Bolt 38 ... Stopper plate 39 ... Locking piece

Claims (5)

A clutch mechanism is interposed between the drive wheel and the motor in the electric vehicle, and the operation of the operation member connected by this clutch mechanism and the power transmission means can be switched. A clutch device,
The clutch device for an electric vehicle, wherein the operation member can be switched by operations in a plurality of directions. The operation member is disposed below the seat cushion, and the seat cushion is movably provided so as to be exposed so that the switching operation of the operation member can be performed when the operation member moves from a normal position. Item 4. The clutch device for an electric vehicle according to Item 1. 3. The clutch device for an electric vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the operation member is configured such that the seat cushion can be returned to the original position when the clutch mechanism is operated to a position where the clutch is disengaged. . The operation member is concealed by the seat cushion when the clutch mechanism is in the clutch engaged state, but when the seat cushion is returned to the original position in the clutch disengaged state, a part of the operation member is the seat. 4. The clutch device for an electric vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the clutch device protrudes outward from the cushion. 5. The electric vehicle clutch device according to claim 4, wherein a color different from that of the seat cushion is attached to a portion where the operation member protrudes from the seat cushion.

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