JP2010228545A - Tricycle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a rocking mechanism with a simple structure to reduce the number of parts. <P>SOLUTION: The tricycle 1 includes a first vehicle body member 2, a second vehicle body member 3, a connection member 4, and a stopper part. The first vehicle body member 2 includes a front wheel 15, and the second vehicle body member 3 includes rear wheels 33R and 33L. The first vehicle body member 2 and the second vehicle body member 3 are connected to be relatively rocked by the torsionally-deformable connection member 4. Further, the stopper part is provided in order to restrict relative rocking of the first vehicle body member 2 and second vehicle body member 3 in the predetermined range. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a tricycle in which a first vehicle body member having one front wheel is swingably connected to a second vehicle body member having two rear wheels.

  Conventionally, a tricycle including one front wheel and two rear wheels is known. When such a tricycle turns at a certain speed, the rear wheel located on the inner side (corner side) is lifted, making it difficult to balance. Therefore, a general tricycle is provided with a swing mechanism that tilts a part of the vehicle body including the front wheels to the left and right with respect to the traveling direction when turning.

  An example of such a tricycle swing mechanism is described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 describes a joint structure of a rocking tricycle. In the joint structure of the oscillating tricycle described in this Patent Document 1, the front part of the joint shaft is inserted into the joint case, and the rotation of the joint shaft is elastically supported by the Knighthard damper built in the joint case. . The joint structure includes a rotary damper that attenuates the rotational motion between the joint case and the joint shaft.

  Further, as a technique of a swing mechanism of a tricycle, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 2. That is, Patent Document 2 describes a swing restoring mechanism for a three-wheeled bicycle. The swing restoring mechanism of a three-wheeled bicycle described in Patent Document 2 includes left and right levers, left and right springs, and a stopper portion.

  One end of each of the left and right levers is pivotally supported by a rear frame that supports two rear wheels, and the other end is in contact with a front frame that supports one front wheel. The left and right springs urge the left and right levers in the reverse rotation direction around the shaft support. The stopper portion is provided on the rear frame. In the swing restoring mechanism of the three-wheeled bicycle configured as described above, when the front frame swings with respect to the rear frame, the other end of one of the left and right levers contacts the front frame, and the middle of the other lever. The portion comes into contact with a stopper portion provided on the rear frame.

JP-A-11-334670 JP-A-9-156563

  However, the swing mechanism described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 includes a rotation shaft attached to one of the front frame (front vehicle body) or the rear frame (rear vehicle body), and a bearing portion attached to the other. The biasing member for returning the front frame to the neutral position is required. This complicates the swing mechanism and makes it difficult to reduce the number of parts.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to realize a swing mechanism that connects a front frame and a rear frame with a simple structure.

  In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object of the present invention, a tricycle of the present invention includes a first vehicle body member, a second vehicle body member, a connecting member, and a stopper portion. The first vehicle body member has one front wheel, and the second vehicle body member has two rear wheels. The first vehicle body member and the second vehicle body member are connected so as to be swingable by a connection member capable of twisting deformation. In addition, a stopper portion is provided to limit relative swinging of the first body member and the second body member within a predetermined range.

  In the tricycle of the present invention, the first vehicle body member swings with respect to the second vehicle body member due to the torsional deformation of the connecting member. Then, when the connecting member is restored to the original shape, the first vehicle body member returns to the reference position with respect to the second vehicle body member.

  According to the present invention, the swing mechanism that connects the first vehicle body member and the second vehicle body member so as to be swingable can have a simple structure, and the number of parts can be reduced.

It is the perspective view which looked at the 1st embodiment of the tricycle of the present invention from the front. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the tricycle shown in FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at 1st Embodiment of the tricycle of this invention from back. It is explanatory drawing of the connection member which concerns on 1st Embodiment of the tricycle of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment state of the connection member which concerns on 1st Embodiment of the tricycle of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the attachment state of the connection member which concerns on 1st Embodiment of the tricycle of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the restriction | limiting link member which concerns on 1st Embodiment of the tricycle of this invention. FIG. 3 is a front view of a state in which the first vehicle body member according to the first embodiment of the tricycle of the present invention is swung with respect to the second vehicle body member. It is a perspective view which shows the twisted state of the connection member in the tricycle of the state shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows 2nd Embodiment of the tricycle of this invention. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the tricycle shown in FIG. 10 taken along line BB ′. It is a side view which shows the example which moved the attachment position of the tension rod which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of the tricycle of this invention to the up-down direction. It is a top view which shows the example which moved the attachment position of the tension rod which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of the tricycle of this invention to the left-right direction. It is explanatory drawing which shows 3rd Embodiment of the tricycle of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the connection member which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of the tricycle of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the tricycle of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the common member. In the following description, the traveling direction of the tricycle is the front-rear direction, and the up-down direction and the left-right direction are shown in a state of facing forward in the traveling direction.
The description will be given in the following order.
1. 1. First embodiment 2. Second embodiment Third embodiment

<1. First Embodiment>
[Tricycle]
First, the configuration of the first embodiment of the tricycle of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the tricycle of the present invention as viewed from the front.

  The tricycle 1 is a so-called tricycle. The tricycle 1 includes a first vehicle body member 2, a second vehicle body member 3, a connecting member 4 that connects the first vehicle body member 2 to the second vehicle body member 3 in a swingable manner, and a stopper portion. A pair of wires 5A and 5B (see FIG. 3).

[First body member]
Next, the first vehicle body member 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the tricycle 1 shown in FIG. 1 taken along line AA ′.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first vehicle body member 2 includes a front frame 11, an operation shaft 12, a handle 13, a front fork 14, a front wheel 15, and a seat 16. The front frame 11 extends in the front-rear direction and is formed of a substantially U-shaped member (see FIG. 2) that opens downward. A head pipe portion 18 through which the operation shaft 12 is rotatably inserted is provided at the front portion of the front frame 11.

  The operation shaft 12 extends in a direction inclined with respect to the vertical direction, and a lower end portion is inserted through the head pipe portion 18. A handle 13 extending in the left-right direction is connected to the upper end of the operation shaft 12. A brake lever 19R for braking the front wheel 15 is attached to the right end portion of the handle 13, and a brake lever 19L for braking rear wheels 33R and 33L described later is attached to the left end portion.

  The lower end of the operation shaft 12 is fixed to the front fork 14. The front fork 14 is provided with a front axle 21 that rotatably supports the front wheel 15 and a fender 22 positioned above the front wheel 15. The seat 16 is fixed to the upper portion of the front frame 11 via a fixing bracket 23.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a crankshaft 25 is rotatably supported on the front frame 11 of the first vehicle body member 2. The crankshaft 25 penetrates the front frame 11 in the left-right direction. Cranks 26 </ b> A and 26 </ b> B are fixed to both ends of the crankshaft 25 by fixing screws 30 and 30, respectively. Pedals 27A and 27B are rotatably attached to one ends of the cranks 26A and 26B, respectively.

  A front sprocket 28 is fixed to the other end of the crank 26A. The front sprocket 28 is rotated integrally with the cranks 26A and 26B and the crankshaft 25. An endless chain 29 is engaged with the front sprocket 28 and a rear sprocket 37 (see FIG. 3) described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the front frame 11 includes an upper plate portion 11a, a right plate portion 11b, a left plate portion 11c, and a cover portion 11d continuous to the right plate portion 11b. The cover part 11 d covers the front sprocket 28 and the chain 29. That is, the front frame 11 serves to support the seat 16 and to cover a part of the front sprocket 28 and the chain 29.

[Second body member]
Next, the second vehicle body member will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tricycle 1 of the present invention as viewed from the rear.

  The second vehicle body member 3 is located below the seat 16 and faces the rear portion of the front frame 11 in the vertical direction. The second vehicle body member 3 includes a rear frame 31, bearings 32R and 32L (see FIG. 5 for bearings 32R), and rear wheels 33R and 33L. The rear frame 31 is formed of a substantially rectangular frame, and includes a front piece 31a, a pair of rear pieces 31b and 31c, a right piece 31d, a left piece 31e, and reinforcing pieces 31f and 31f. Yes.

  The front piece 31a is formed of a rectangular tube extending in the left-right direction. At both ends of the front piece 31a, connecting pieces 35a and 35b connected to axle pipes 34R and 34L, which will be described later, are provided. The pair of rear pieces 31b and 31c are each formed of a rectangular tube extending in the left-right direction, and face each other in the up-down direction.

  The right side piece 31d and the left side piece 31e are made of a plate, and their planes are opposed to each other in the left-right direction. The right side piece 31d is continuous with one end of the pair of rear pieces 31b and 31c and an intermediate portion of the front piece 31a. Further, the left side piece 31e is continuous with one end of the pair of rear pieces 31b and 31c and an intermediate portion of the front piece 31a.

  The reinforcing pieces 31f and 31f are disposed between the right side piece 31d and the left side piece 31e. These reinforcing pieces 31f, 31f are formed of rectangular cylinders extending in the front-rear direction, and are provided at an appropriate interval in the left-right direction. One end of the reinforcing pieces 31f and 31f is continuous with the front piece 31a, and the other end is continuous with the rear piece 31b.

  The bearing portions 32R and 32L are connected to the rear frame 31 via axle pipes 34R and 34L. The axle pipes 34R, 34L are formed in a cylindrical shape that is continuous with the left and right side pieces 31d, 31e of the rear frame 31 and protrudes outward in the left-right direction. The bearing portions 32R and 32L are provided at the tip portions of the axle pipes 34R and 34L. A rear axle 36 is rotatably fitted to these bearing portions 32R and 32L. The rear axle 36 passes through the axle pipes 34R, 34L and the left and right side pieces 31d, 31e of the rear frame 31. A rear wheel 33R is fixed to one end of the rear axle 36, and a rear wheel 33L is fixed to the other end.

  A rear sprocket 37 is fixed to an intermediate portion of the rear axle 36. As described above, the chain 29 is engaged with the rear sprocket 37 and the front sprocket 28. The rotational force of the cranks 26A, 26B applied using the pedals 27A, 27B is transmitted to the rear sprocket 37 via the front sprocket 28 and the chain 29. As a result, the rear axle 36 rotates integrally with the rear sprocket 37, and the rear wheels 33R and 33L are driven to rotate.

[Stopper part]
Next, wires 5A and 5B showing a specific example of the stopper portion will be described.
The wires 5A and 5B limit relative swinging between the second vehicle body member 3 and the first vehicle body member 2 within a predetermined range. One end of these wires 5A and 5B is connected to the front frame 11, and the other end is connected to the rear piece 31c of the rear frame 31.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the first vehicle body member 2 is in the reference position (a position that does not swing with respect to the second vehicle body member 3), the wires 5 </ b> A and 5 </ b> B are loosened. . When the first body member 2 swings to the right with respect to the reference position to a predetermined angle, the wire 5A is in a tensioned state, and the swinging of the first body member 2 to the right is restricted. Similarly, when the first body member 2 swings leftward to a predetermined angle with respect to the reference position, the wire 5B is in a tensioned state, and the swinging of the first body member 2 to the left is restricted. Is done.

  In this embodiment, the wires 5A and 5B are used as the stopper portion, but the stopper portion according to the present invention is not limited to this. As the stopper portion according to the present invention, for example, the engaging portion provided in the first vehicle body member 2 and the second vehicle body member 3 are provided when the first vehicle body member 2 is swung. You may comprise from the latching | locking part which a joint part contacts.

[Connecting member]
Next, the connecting member will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the connecting member 4.

  The connecting member 4 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape, and is an elastic body that can be twisted and deformed with the longitudinal direction as an axis, and can also be bent and deformed. The connecting member 4 is made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). That is, the connecting member 4 includes a composite material laminate 4a made of carbon fiber and a surface layer portion 4b made of aramid fiber that covers the surface of the composite material laminate 4a.

  When the connecting member 4 is formed using carbon fibers, the rigidity of the connecting member 4 with respect to torsional deformation and the rigidity with respect to bending deformation can be made different. In the present embodiment, the rigidity with respect to the torsional deformation of the connecting member 4 is set so that the first vehicle body member 2 swings with respect to the second vehicle body member 3, and the rigidity with respect to the bending deformation is set higher than the rigidity with respect to the torsional deformation. Is also high. Further, since the carbon fiber has a higher attenuation coefficient than that of the metal, the time required for the connecting member 4 that has been twisted or bent to return to the original shape can be shortened.

  Examples of carbon fibers include those using pitch-based materials (by-products such as petroleum, coal, coal tar, etc.) as raw materials and those using PAN-based materials (polyacrylonitrile fibers) as raw materials. As the carbon fiber forming the composite laminate 4a, it is preferable to apply a pitch-based material having excellent damping characteristics (high damping coefficient).

  The connecting member according to the present invention may be any member that can be twisted and bent, and may be formed of, for example, steel, aluminum, or glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP). The rigidity of the connecting member according to the present invention with respect to torsional deformation and flexural deformation can be appropriately set in consideration of the weight of the first vehicle body member 2, the setting of the swing angle range, the attenuation coefficient, and the like.

[Mounting state of connecting member]
Next, a state where the connecting member 4 is attached to the first vehicle body member 2 and the second vehicle body member 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the attachment state of the connecting member 4, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the attachment state of the connecting member 4.

  A front bracket 41 for attaching one end of the connecting member 4 is provided on the front frame 11 of the first vehicle body member 2. The front bracket 41 is formed in a horizontally long rectangular parallelepiped. One end of the front bracket 41 in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the right plate portion 11 b of the front frame 11, and the other end is fixed to the left plate portion 11 c of the front frame 11. Therefore, the front bracket 41 also has a role as a reinforcing member for increasing the rigidity of the front frame 11.

  Note that shaft support portions 42, 42 for attaching one end of the limit link member 51 are provided on the upper plate portion 11 a of the front frame 11. The restriction link member 51 will be described in detail later.

  A rear bracket 43 for attaching one end of the connecting member 4 is provided on the rear frame 31 of the second vehicle body member 3. The rear bracket 43 is formed in a substantially L shape, and includes a fixed piece 43a and a mounting piece 43b (see FIG. 6). The fixing piece 43a of the rear bracket 43 is fixed to the front piece 31a of the rear frame 31 by a fixing method such as a screw, an adhesive, or welding. On the upper surface of the attachment piece 43b, shaft support portions 44, 44 for attaching the other end of the limit link member 51 are provided.

  One end of the connecting member 4 in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the front bracket 41 by a bolt 47 and a nut 48. The other end of the connecting member 4 in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the attachment piece 43 b of the rear bracket 43 by a bolt 47 and a nut 48. Thus, the first vehicle body member 2 and the second vehicle body member 3 are coupled so as to be relatively swingable and relatively movable in the vertical direction.

  In the state where the connecting member 4 is fixed to the front bracket 41 and the rear bracket 43, the short direction of the connecting member 4 is parallel to the horizontal direction. That is, the connection member 4 connects the first vehicle body member 2 and the second vehicle body member 3 in a state where the connection member 4 is not inclined with respect to the left-right direction.

[Restricted link member]
Next, the restriction link member 51 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the limiting link member 51.

  The restriction link member 51 is rotatably attached to the first vehicle body member 2 and the second vehicle body member 3, and the relative vertical movement of the first vehicle body member 2 and the second vehicle body member 3 is performed. Limit. The restriction link member 51 includes spherical axes 52 and 53 and a link main body 54.

  The spherical shaft 52 is fixed to shaft support portions 42, 42 provided on the upper plate portion 11 a of the front frame 11 by bolts 57 and nuts 58. The spherical shaft 53 is fixed to shaft support portions 44, 44 provided on the rear bracket 43 of the rear frame 31 by bolts 57 and nuts 58.

  The link main body 54 is configured to be expandable and contractible, and includes an outer cylinder portion 55 and an inner cylinder portion 56 that is slidably fitted to the outer cylinder portion 55. The outer shaft portion 55 is formed in a cylindrical shape. A spherical bearing 55 a that is rotatably fitted to the spherical shaft 52 is provided at one end of the outer cylinder portion 55. The inner cylinder part 56 is formed in a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the outer cylinder part 55. At the other end (lower end) of the inner cylindrical portion 56, a spherical bearing 56a that is rotatably fitted to the spherical shaft 53 is provided.

  The link body 54 is set to be the shortest in an empty state where the user is not sitting on the seat 16. Therefore, the vertical distance between the front frame 11 and the rear frame 31 is always kept at a predetermined distance (a distance substantially equal to the limit link member 51) or more. That is, the front frame 11 and the rear frame 31 do not approach in the vertical direction.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent the rear frame 31 from moving upward and interfering with the front frame 11. Further, even if a load that presses the front frame 11 downward is applied due to a user's load or the like, the force due to the load can be prevented from being transmitted to the connecting member 4. As a result, it is possible to prevent the connecting member 4 from being bent when a load is applied to the front frame 11.

  By the way, the limiting link member 51 is rotatably attached to the front frame 11 and the rear frame 31 by spherical shafts 52 and 53 and spherical bearings 55a and 56a. Therefore, the restriction link member 51 can move within a range in which the attitude of the spherical bearings 55a and 56a with respect to the spherical axes 52 and 53 can be changed.

  Therefore, the limit link member 51 can move according to the bending deformation of the connecting member 4 within a movable range. As a result, vibration due to road surface unevenness during traveling can be mitigated by the connecting member 4.

[Oscillating motion of first body member]
Next, the swinging motion of the first vehicle body member 2 relative to the second vehicle body member 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.
FIG. 8 is a front view of the tricycle 1 in a state where the first vehicle body member 2 is swung with respect to the second vehicle body member 3. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a twisted state of the connecting member in the tricycle 1 in the state shown in FIG.

  For example, when the user sits on the seat 16 and tilts the posture to the right, a force that pushes the first vehicle body member 2 to the right is generated. The force that pushes the first vehicle body member 2 in the right direction is applied to the connection member 4 that connects the first vehicle body member 2 and the second vehicle body member 3, and the connection member 4 is twisted and deformed (see FIG. 9). Thereby, the first vehicle body member 2 swings with respect to the second vehicle body member 3 and tilts to the right (see FIG. 8). At this time, the limit link member 51 rotates with respect to the front frame 11 and the rear frame 31 so as to follow the swing of the first vehicle body member 2.

  The swinging of the first vehicle body member 2 in the right direction is restricted by a predetermined angle by the wire 5A. On the other hand, a restoring force (reaction force) that tries to return to the original shape is generated in the connecting member 4 that is twisted and deformed. Therefore, when the force to push the first vehicle body member 2 in the right direction disappears, the first vehicle body member 2 swings leftward with respect to the second vehicle body member 3 and returns to the reference position.

  The leftward swing of the first vehicle body member 2 with respect to the second vehicle body member 3 is performed in the same manner as the above-described swinging to the right direction, and thus the description thereof is omitted. The leftward swing of the first body member 2 is limited by a predetermined angle by the wire 5B.

[Effect of the first embodiment]
According to the tricycle 1 of the present embodiment, a swing mechanism that swings the first vehicle body member 2 with respect to the second vehicle body member 3 can be realized only by the connecting member 4. Therefore, the swing mechanism can have a simple structure, and the number of parts can be reduced.

  According to the tricycle 1 of the present embodiment, the restriction link member 51 prevents the front frame 11 and the rear frame 31 from approaching in the vertical direction. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the rear frame 31 moving upward and interfering with the front frame 11. Moreover, it can prevent or suppress that the connection member 4 bends and deforms. As a result, the connecting member 4 can be designed in consideration of rigidity against torsional deformation without considering rigidity against bending deformation.

  According to the tricycle 1 of the present embodiment, the surface layer portion 4 b made of aramid fiber is provided on the surface of the connecting member 4. Therefore, even if the composite material laminate 4a serving as the base material of the connecting member 4 is subjected to stress exceeding the physical property limit and the composite material laminate 4a breaks, the broken composite material laminate 4a can be prevented from scattering. . In addition, as a surface layer part which concerns on this invention, it can comprise from the other material which prevents that the composite material laminated board 4a, such as a resin tube, scatters.

  According to the tricycle 1 of the present embodiment, the front frame 11 has the cover portion 11d. Therefore, a part of the front sprocket 28 and the chain 29 can be covered by the front frame 11.

  In the tricycle 1 of the present embodiment, the restriction link member 51 that restricts the relative movement in the vertical direction of the first body member 2 and the second body member 3 is provided. However, as the tricycle according to the present invention, Can be configured such that the restriction link member 51 is not provided.

  When the restriction link member 51 is not provided, when a load is applied to the front frame 11, the connecting member 4 is bent and deformed. Further, the connecting member 4 that has been bent and deformed generates a restoring force (reaction force) that attempts to return to the original shape. Therefore, when the restriction link member 51 is not provided, the connecting member 4 can be bent and deformed following the unevenness of the road surface during traveling, and the connecting member 4 can exhibit a buffer function. In addition, since the bending deformation and the torsional deformation can be caused at the same time with respect to the connecting member 4, it is possible to perform the follow-up operation with respect to the unevenness of the road surface with higher accuracy than a tricycle having a general suspension. And stability can be improved.

  In the tricycle 1 of the present embodiment, the link main body 54 of the restriction link member 51 is set to be the shortest in the empty state so that the front frame 11 and the rear frame 31 do not approach in the vertical direction. However, as the restriction link member according to the present invention, a range in which the front frame 11 and the rear frame 31 can be extended and contracted may be set so that the front frame 11 and the rear frame 31 approach each other by an appropriate distance. When such a restriction link member is used, the rear frame 31 can be prevented from moving upward and interfering with the front frame 11, and the buffering function of the connecting member 4 can be improved.

  Moreover, as a restriction | limiting link member concerning this invention, it can also comprise using the link main body by which length was fixed. That is, you may comprise a link main body from one axial part. In this case, spherical bearings are provided at both ends of one link body. Even in such a limit link member, the same effect as that of the limit link member 51 according to the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In the tricycle 1 of the present embodiment, when the first vehicle body member 2 is at the reference position with respect to the second vehicle body member 3, the planar portion of the connecting member 4 is directed in the vertical direction. You may attach the connection member 4 so that it may face the left-right direction.

  In this case, the short direction of the connecting member 4 substantially matches the vertical direction. Since the connecting member 4 has a shape that is difficult to bend in the lateral direction, when the planar portion of the connecting member 4 is directed in the left-right direction, the first vehicle body member 2 and the second vehicle body member 3 are relatively moved in the vertical direction. The range of becomes shorter.

<2. Second Embodiment>
[Tricycle]
Next, a second embodiment of the tricycle of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a second embodiment of the tricycle of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the tricycle shown in FIG. 10 taken along line BB ′.

  The tricycle 61 of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the tricycle 1 of the first embodiment, and is different in that a pair of tension rods 62A and 62B are provided. Therefore, here, the pair of tension rods 62A and 62B will be described, and portions common to the tricycle 1 will be assigned the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted.

[Tension rod]
As shown in FIG. 10, the pair of tension rods 62 </ b> A and 62 </ b> B of the tricycle 61 are respectively disposed on both sides of the connecting member 4 in the left-right direction. The tension rod 62A is swingably attached to a rod bracket 64 fixed to the left plate portion 11c of the front frame 11 and a rod bracket 64 fixed to the front piece 31a of the rear frame 31.

  The tension rod 62B is connected to a rod bracket (not shown) fixed to the right plate portion 11b (see FIG. 7) of the front frame 11 and a rod bracket 64 fixed to the front piece 31a of the rear frame 31. It is attached so that it can swing. A rod bracket (not shown) is the same as the rod bracket 64.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the rod bracket 64 has a U-shaped cross section, and has screw fixing portions 64 a and 64 b that face in the vertical direction and side portions that are orthogonal to the screw fixing portions 64 a and 64 b. 64c. Through holes 64d and 64e through which the bolts 68 pass are provided at the central portions of the screw fixing portions 64a and 64b. A cylindrical shaft 66 is interposed between the screw fixing portions 64a and 64b. The cylindrical shaft 66 is fixed by bolts 68 and nuts 69.

  Collar connection portions 71 are provided at both ends of the tension rods 62A and 62B. A cylindrical shaft 66 fixed to the rod bracket 64 by a bolt 68 and a nut 69 passes through the through hole of the connecting portion 71. An elastic bush 72 is interposed between the connecting portion 71 and the cylindrical shaft 66. Thus, the tension rods 62A and 62B are swingably connected to the front frame 11 and the rear frame 31.

  The tension rods 62 </ b> A and 62 </ b> B generate a resistance force against the relative swinging of the first vehicle body member 2 and the second vehicle body member 3. Thereby, the characteristic that the first vehicle body member 2 is inclined with respect to the second vehicle body member 3 can be controlled and adjusted. The speed at which the first body member 2 tilts can be adjusted by the hardness of the bush, the attachment positions of the tension rods 62A and 62B, and the like.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the attachment positions of the tension rods 62A and 62B are moved in the vertical direction.
In FIG. 12, tension rods 62A and 62B of the tricycle 61 are indicated by solid lines. That is, in the second embodiment, the tension rods 62 </ b> A and 62 </ b> B are attached at substantially the same height as the connecting member 4 in substantially parallel.

  When the attachment positions of the tension rods 62A and 62B are moved downward (see broken line C), the resistance force to the relative swinging of the first vehicle body member 2 and the second vehicle body member 3 can be increased. . As a result, the characteristic that the first vehicle body member 2 is inclined with respect to the second vehicle body member 3 can be controlled and adjusted. Even when the attachment positions of the tension rods 62A and 62B are moved upward, the characteristic that the first vehicle body member 2 is inclined with respect to the second vehicle body member 3 can be controlled and adjusted.

  Further, even when the tension rods 62A and 62B are attached to the connecting member 4 so as to be inclined (see the broken line D), resistance to relative swinging between the first vehicle body member 2 and the second vehicle body member 3 is achieved. The force is increased, and the speed at which the first vehicle body member 2 is tilted can be further reduced.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which the attachment positions of the tension rods 62A and 62B are moved in the left-right direction.
In FIG. 13, the tension rods 62A and 62B of the tricycle 61 are indicated by solid lines. That is, the attachment positions of the tension rods 62A and 62B in the second embodiment are separated by an appropriate distance L with the connecting member 4 sandwiched in the left-right direction.

  When the interval and angle of the attachment positions of the tension rods 62A and 62B are changed (see the broken line E), the resistance force to the relative swinging of the first vehicle body member 2 and the second vehicle body member 3 is increased. Can do. As a result, the speed at which the first vehicle body member 2 tilts with respect to the second vehicle body member 3 can be further reduced. Thus, the speed at which the first vehicle body member 2 tilts can be adjusted by the attachment positions of the tension rods 62A and 62B.

  In the tricycle 61 of the present embodiment, a bush 72 having elasticity is interposed between the connecting portion 71 of the tension rods 62A and 62B and the cylindrical shaft 66. However, as a tension rod according to the present invention, for example, both ends may be attached to the front frame 11 and the rear frame 31 using a spherical axis and a spherical bearing, and the middle part may be formed of an elastic body.

<3. Third Embodiment>
[Tricycle]
Next, a third embodiment of the tricycle of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing a third embodiment of the tricycle of the present invention. FIG. 15 is an explanatory view of a connecting member according to a third embodiment of the tricycle of the present invention.

  The tricycle 81 of the third embodiment has the same configuration as the tricycle 1 of the first embodiment, and the only difference is the connecting member 84. Therefore, here, the connecting member 84 will be described, and the same reference numerals will be given to portions common to the tricycle 1, and redundant description will be omitted.

[Connecting member]
The connecting member 84 of the tricycle 81 includes a composite material laminated rod 85 made of carbon fiber and a surface layer portion 86 that covers the surface of the composite material laminated rod 85. The surface layer portion 86 is formed of aramid fiber or the like. The composite material laminated rod 85 has a planar shape formed in an H shape, and includes a deformed portion 85a formed in an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape, and attachment portions 85b and 85c continuous to both ends of the deformed portion 85a. .

  The deformable portion 85a is an elastic body that can be twisted and deformed with the longitudinal direction as an axis and can be bent and deformed in the thickness (vertical) direction. The deformed portion 85a is longer in the thickness direction than in the short direction. For this reason, the deformable portion 85a has higher rigidity against bending deformation than rigidity against torsional deformation.

  The attachment portion 85b of the connecting member 4 is fixed to the front bracket 41, and the attachment portion 85c is fixed to the rear bracket 43 (see FIG. 14). Thus, the first vehicle body member 2 and the second vehicle body member 3 are coupled so as to be relatively swingable and relatively movable in the vertical direction.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention described in the claims. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the connecting member is formed in a plate shape or an H shape. However, the connecting member according to the present invention only needs to be capable of torsional deformation and flexural deformation, and can be appropriately set in shape in consideration of rigidity against the torsional deformation and flexural deformation, damping characteristics, installation space, and the like. .

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,61,81 ... Tricycle, 2 ... 1st vehicle body member, 3 ... 2nd vehicle body member, 4,84 ... Connection member, 5A, 5B ... Wire (stopper part), 11 ... Front frame, 11d ... Cover part 15 ... Front wheel, 31 ... Rear frame, 33L, 33R ... Rear wheel, 41 ... Front bracket, 43 ... Rear bracket, 51 ... Restriction link member, 52, 53 ... Spherical shaft, 54 ... Link body, 55 ... Outer shaft 56: Inner shaft 62A, 62B: Tension rod 64: Rod bracket

Claims (9)

A first vehicle body member rotatably supporting one front wheel;
A second vehicle body member rotatably supporting the two rear wheels;
A connecting member capable of torsional deformation connecting the first body member and the second body member so as to be swingable;
A stopper for restricting relative swinging of the first body member and the second body member within a predetermined range;
Tricycle equipped with. The tricycle according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is bent and deformed by a relative movement of the first body member and the second body member in the vertical direction. The tricycle according to claim 2, further comprising a restriction link member that restricts relative movement of the first body member and the second body member in the vertical direction. The tricycle according to claim 3, wherein the restriction link member is rotatably attached to the first vehicle body member and the second vehicle body member using a spherical axis and a spherical bearing, respectively. The tricycle according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the restriction link member is configured to be extendable and contractible. The tricycle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connecting member is formed of a carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The tricycle according to claim 6, wherein the connecting member has a surface layer portion made of an aramid fiber covering the carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The tricycle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the connecting member is formed in a plate shape. 2. A tension rod that is swingably attached to the first body member and the second body member, and that generates a resistance force to the swinging of the first body member relative to the second body member. A tricycle according to any one of -8.

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