JP2007083958A - Mirror mounting structure for steering wheel of small motor-driven vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide mirror mounting structure of a small motor-driven vehicle capable of sufficiently ensuring visibility in consideration of safety, fixing stability upon mounting, and rigidity, and increasing a degree of freedom in the shape of a steering wheel to make effective use of space for the steering wheel. <P>SOLUTION: In the mirror mounting structure for the steering wheel of the small motor-driven vehicle, a mirror stay 10 is mounted to a mirror stay bracket 128 provided on a handlebar 123, and a mirror arm 121 is mounted on the mirror stay 10. Also, a rearview mirror 122 is mounted on an end part of the mirror arm 121. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mirror mounting structure in a handle of a four-wheeled small electric vehicle for use by an elderly person or a person with reduced mobility.

  Small electric vehicles are classified as self-operating handle type wheelchairs, and are extremely useful as substitutes for elderly people. In the basic configuration of such a small electric vehicle, for example, a seat on which the occupant sits is installed at the rear of the vehicle body, a floor for the occupant to put his / her foot on is provided in front of the seat, and a steering shaft for steering the front wheels in front of the seat. Is established. A handle is attached to the upper end of the steering shaft, and an occupant is seated on the seat and operates the handle.

  The handle type of this type of small electric vehicle is mainly a bar handle and a loop handle. In the loop handle, a full mold type in which the loop portion of the handle bar is covered with a soft material such as urethane, and a handle bar are operated. There is a grip type in which a soft grip such as rubber is provided only on the part where the hand is placed.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a full-mold type loop handle configured so as not to expose the handlebar in order to achieve harmony with the vehicle body design. In many of the loop handle types, a switch box in which a display device or the like is mounted is arranged at the center of the handle. The switch box improves the appearance of the handle by preventing the wiring of the display device inside the handle and the exposure of the handlebar.

  Further, a small electric vehicle adopting a handle type is generally equipped with a rearview mirror. In view of securing the field of view, the rearview mirror is preferably attached to a position as high as possible in the vehicle, and is often attached to a handle disposed at a high position in the vehicle. For example, a screw part is provided at a predetermined position of the handle, and a rearview mirror is attached. The rearview mirror includes a mirror arm that extends upward with respect to the vehicle from a predetermined position of the handle and bends laterally with respect to the vehicle at an appropriate height, and a mirror that is attached to the tip of the mirror arm. In this case, as described above, the rearview mirror is preferably mounted as high as possible, but at the same time, it is desirable to extend the vehicle laterally appropriately in terms of expanding the field of view to the rear.

JP 2000-237245 A

  In the above-mentioned full mold type handle, since it is performed by insert molding in order to mold a soft material on the handlebar, a predetermined gap is provided from the end of the soft material to be fixed, and a screw portion for attaching the rearview mirror is provided. Provide. Therefore, it is difficult to say that the mounting position of the threaded portion and the like for mounting the mirror arm on the handle bar is limited because of the molding, and space can be effectively utilized.

  In addition, if the threaded part of the mirror arm is close to the inside of the center of the steering wheel, the rearview mirror cannot be extended to a suitable position in the vehicle width direction, and the rearview mirror view is blocked by the driver's body and the view cannot be secured. Malfunctions can occur. As a countermeasure, it can be avoided by extending the arm portion of the mirror arm itself in the vehicle width direction. However, when the arm part is lengthened, the arm part is easily affected by vibration during traveling, and it is difficult to say that the visibility is lowered due to shaking, the instability with respect to fixation, and the rigidity.

  In addition, a switch box located in the center of the steering wheel that is installed in many cases may reduce the driver's forward view. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the size of the switch box while maintaining a good appearance.

  In view of the actual situation, the present invention has a mirror mounting structure that is attached to a steering wheel in a small electric vehicle, ensuring sufficient visibility, securing stability and rigidity at the time of mounting, and enabling effective use of space. A mirror mounting structure for a small electric vehicle is provided.

The present invention is a mirror mounting structure for a handle of a small electric vehicle, characterized in that a separate stay extending in the vehicle width direction of the handle is attached, and a rearview mirror is supported and fixed via the stay. To do.
Further, in the handle, the stay is attached to a pair of fixing portions provided at a predetermined symmetrical part, and a rearview mirror is supported and fixed to both ends of the stay.
In addition, the handle bar has a switch box arranged at a center portion of the handle bar, and a soft member is fixed to the handle bar from the end surface of the switch box to the inside, and both ends of the stay are end portions of the soft member. It extends to the side.

  In the present invention, the handle bar and a flange portion provided on the steering shaft are attached via a base portion, and the stay is attached by fastening together with the flange portion and the base portion. The rear mirror is supported and fixed to the part.

  In addition, a switch box is disposed at the center of the handlebar, and a soft member is fixed to the handlebar from the end face of the switch box to the inside, and both ends of the stay extend to the end of the soft member. It is characterized by being put out.

According to the present invention, when the rearview mirror is attached to the handle of the small electric vehicle, the separate stay is attached to the handle, and the rearview mirror is attached to the stay so that the rearview mirror is extended to a suitable position on the side of the vehicle. Can be issued. Therefore, the field of view of the rearview mirror can be expanded and the front field of view can be expanded.
Moreover, even when the insert-molded soft member is fixed to the handle, the rearview mirror can be easily extended from the restricted space, and effective space utilization can be achieved. Can improve the performance.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a mirror mounting structure for a handle of a small electric vehicle according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing an overall configuration of a small electric vehicle 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view, and FIG. 3 is a plan view. First, the overall configuration of the small electric vehicle 100 in the present embodiment will be described. In the small electric vehicle 100, a pair of left and right front wheels 102 and a pair of left and right rear wheels 103 are supported by a body frame 101 via a suspension (not shown). The body frame 101 is covered with a resin cover including a front cover 104, a leg shield 105, a floor 106, a rear cover 107, and the like, except for a part thereof.

  A substantially box-shaped rear cover 107 projects upward at the rear of the vehicle body, and components (not shown) for driving the left and right rear wheels 103 on the inner side of the rear cover 107, such as a drive motor and a drive. A gear unit, a battery, and the like that transmit the output of the motor to the axle are accommodated.

  A seat 109 on which a passenger sits is mounted on the upper side of the rear cover 107 via a bracket 108 that rises in a gate shape from the body frame 101. The seat 109 includes a seat cushion 110 and a seat back (backrest) 111, and is supported on the rear cover 107 so as to be turnable in the horizontal direction.

  Further, armrests 112 are provided on both sides of the seat back 111, and each armrest 112 is supported so as to be rotatable around a fulcrum 113. A blinker may be provided on each side surface of each armrest 112.

  The leg shield 105 protrudes upward at the front of the vehicle body and protects the legs of the occupant seated on the seat 109 from being exposed to wind or the like. Inside the leg shield 105, a steering shaft 126 (described later) for steering the front wheels 102 is erected. A handle unit 114 is rotatably attached to the upper end of the steering shaft 126. The driver is seated on the seat 109 and operates by gripping the handle unit 114. A front basket 115 that can be used as a storage basket is mounted on the front surface of the leg shield 105 at a position lower than the handle unit 114.

  Here, the handle unit 114 will be described. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the handle unit 114, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the inside of the handle unit 114. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 116 denotes a handle body. The handle body 116 constitutes a substantially rectangular loop handle. A switch box 117 is installed in the center of the inside of the handle body 116, and a display device 118 used when the vehicle is traveling is mounted on the upper surface of the switch box 117. In addition, a pair of accelerator levers 119 for controlling the speed of the vehicle is provided on both sides of the switch box 117 inside the handle body 116. In this example, a part of the accelerator lever 119 protrudes forward below the handle body 116. To do. Further, a brake lever 120 extends to the left at the front portion of the switch box 117. A mirror arm 121 extends symmetrically from a through hole provided at a predetermined position of the switch box 117, and a rearview mirror 122 is attached to the end of the mirror arm 121.

  Next, FIG. 5 shows the inside of the handle unit 114. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 123 denotes a handle bar, which is a member constituting the handle main body 116. The shape is a substantially rectangular shape, and is formed by bending a pipe material or the like so as to cut off the central portion of one side of the long side. The handle bar 123 is provided with brackets 124 having through holes in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the bracket 124 is coupled to the base 125 with bolts. The base 125 is fixed to a flange portion (not shown) fixed to the upper end of the steering shaft 126.

  The handlebar 123 is insert-molded with a mold part 127 made of a soft material such as urethane symmetrically. By providing the mold part 127, the driver can grip the handle comfortably. In forming the mold part 127, a mirror stay bracket 128 described later must be provided with a predetermined gap from the end of the soft material to be fixed (FIG. 5, gap L). This clearance (L) needs to be secured at least about 15 to 20 mm, and restricts the mounting position of the mirror stay bracket 128.

  As described above, the mirror stay bracket 128 is disposed on the vehicle front side of the handle bar 123, has a substantially bowl shape, and is welded to the handle bar 123. In addition, since the mold part 127 is a heat-sensitive material such as urethane, the mirror stay bracket 128 is welded in a process preceding the molding process of the mold part 127 in consideration of this point. As described above, when the mirror stay bracket 128 is provided, in addition to the restriction on the mounting position, restrictions on the process are also attached.

  In the mirror mounting structure of the present invention, the mirror stay 10 is fastened to the mirror stay bracket 128 from the lower side of the vehicle with a bolt. The mirror stay 10 is configured to extend in the vehicle width direction, and has insertion holes 11 for mounting bolts of the mirror arm 121 at both ends as will be described later, and is fastened to the mirror stay bracket 128. A bolt insertion hole 12 is provided at the position. By attaching the mirror stay 10 extending in the vehicle width direction in this way, the insertion hole 11 at the end can be disposed near the end of the mold part 127, and the mirror arm 121 is supported from the insertion hole 11. The rearview mirror 122 can be extended to a suitable position in the vehicle width direction.

  A plan view and a side view of the mirror stay 10 are shown in FIG. The mirror stay 10 has a mirror arm mounting bolt insertion hole 11 at both ends thereof, and a bolt insertion hole 12 is disposed at an appropriate position where the mirror stay bracket 128 can be screwed together. Further, the mirror stay 10 bends in a convex shape slightly above the vehicle at the center. The handle bar 123 is formed at the center so as to match the appearance (design) of the switch box 117 and to be slightly bent in a convex shape with respect to the upper part of the vehicle in order to improve the grip feeling of the handle. The mirror stay 10 is also folded. By forming it so as to follow the music, the mirror stay bracket 128 can be made common to the left and right, and the bolts can be screwed together without difficulty. Further, by bending, it is possible to ensure rigidity for mounting and rigidity for vibration received during traveling.

  In the above case, the mounting position is limited by providing the mold portion 127. In the conventional case, the mirror arm 121 that has been mounted at the position of the mirror stay bracket 128 or the like is mounted in the vehicle width direction by mounting the mirror stay 10. It becomes possible to arrange in the extended position (FIG. 5).

  In addition, since it is not necessary to lengthen the part of the mirror arm 121 extending in the vehicle width direction, the mirror arm 121 that is optimally considered for fixing stability and rigidity can be attached as it is, and the rearview mirror 122 can be attached. It can extend in the vehicle width direction and can expand the rear view.

  Further, the mirror stay 10 is not limited to the example of the present embodiment attached using the mirror stay bracket 128. For example, a modified V-shaped or gull-wing mirror stay 20 as shown in FIG. 7 will be described as a second embodiment. The mirror stay 20 has an insertion hole 21 for a bolt for mounting a mirror arm at both upper ends, and a through hole 22 at the bottom that is flat. Even if the bracket 124 of the handle bar 123 is used and the bolt is inserted into the through hole 22 and fastened together with a flange portion (not shown) fixed to the base 125 and the steering shaft 126, it is fixed according to the purpose of the present invention. The mirror 122 can be extended to a suitable position in the lateral direction of the vehicle.

  As described above, according to the present invention, by providing the mirror stay 10 or 20 as a single component, the rearview mirror can be extended to a suitable position in the vehicle width direction. A small electric vehicle with high performance can be provided. At that time, since the mirror arm 121 can be extended from the space restricted by the molding of the mold part 127, the space can be effectively used.

  Further, since the mirror stay 10 or 20 has a simple structure and can be handled as a single part, it can easily cope with a design change of the handle unit 114. For example, the switch box 117 can be miniaturized to increase the forward field of view, and the mirror stay 10 or 20 can be attached, so that the rearview mirror can be arranged at an appropriate position. Even if it is not covered with the box 117, the end of the mirror stay 10 or 20 is only slightly exposed, and the good appearance is not impaired.

  Moreover, even if the length of the arm portion of the mirror arm 121 is shortened to reduce the influence of vibration or the like, the rearview mirror 122 at an appropriate position can be arranged by attaching the mirror stay 10 or 20, Even if the mold part 127 is enlarged, a suitable arrangement of the rearview mirror can be maintained.

  As described above, a design that takes into account the three elements of the switch box 117, the mirror arm 121, and the mold part 127 in a well-balanced manner and that makes effective use of space becomes possible.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the loop handle in the present embodiment. For example, even when a bar handle is used and the mold part is fixed using a mold, an unnecessary space as a handle shape must be secured by insert molding, and a mirror stay is provided in the space. You may make it comprise so that it may extend.

  Needless to say, the mirror stay 10 or 20 of the present embodiment is not limited to that shape.

1 is a side view of a small electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a front view of a small electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a plan view of a small electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a principal part top view of the small electric vehicle which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the small electric vehicle which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the front view and side view of a mirror attachment component which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of the small electric vehicle which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Mirror stay 11 Insertion hole 12 Insertion hole 20 Mirror stay 21 Insertion hole 22 Through-hole 100 Small electric vehicle 101 Body frame 102 Front wheel 103 Rear wheel 104 Front cover 105 Leg shield 106 Floor 107 Rear cover 108 Bracket 109 Seat 110 Seat cushion 111 Seat back 112 Armrest 113 Support point 114 Handle unit 115 Front basket 116 Handle body 117 Switch box 118 Display device 119 Accelerator lever 120 Brake lever 121 Mirror arm 122 Rearview mirror 123 Handlebar 124 Bracket 125 Base 126 Steering shaft 127 Mold part 128 Mirror stay bracket

Claims (5)

  A handle for a small electric vehicle comprising a mirror mounting structure for a handle of a small electric vehicle, wherein a separate stay extending in the vehicle width direction of the handle is attached, and a rearview mirror is attached via the stay. Mirror mounting structure.   The handle of a small electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the stay is attached to a pair of fixing portions provided at predetermined left and right symmetrical portions of the handle, and rear mirrors are supported and fixed at both ends of the stay. Mirror mounting structure.   A handlebar of the handle and a flange portion provided on the steering shaft are attached via a base portion, and the stay is attached by fastening together with the flange portion and the base portion, and rear mirrors are attached to both ends of the stay. The mirror mounting structure for a handle of a small electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the mirror is supported and fixed.   A switch box is disposed at the center of the handlebar, a soft member is fixed to the handlebar from the end face of the switch box to the inside, and both ends of the stay extend to the end of the soft member. 4. A mirror mounting structure for a handle of a small electric vehicle according to claim 2 or 3.   The mirror mounting structure for a handle of a small electric vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the handle is curved and formed in a loop shape.

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