JP2012006539A - Twin-wheel device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a twin-wheel device capable of improving turning performance and operation stability of various kinds of vehicles, in particular, bicycles and, moreover, causing the bicycle to stand itself stably without providing a stand.SOLUTION: The twin-wheel device includes: a right and left pair of front wheels 1A, 1B pivotally supported by a right and left pair of rocking arms 12A, 12B respectively independently supported to be freely vertically moved with respect to a vehicle body; and an energizing means 14 which energizes the rocking arms 12A, 12B downwards; wherein an interlocking means 13 which vertically moves both of the front wheels 1A, 1B in the inverse direction interlocking with each other is provided, the interlocking means 13 is interposed between a movable body 15 supported in a freely reciprocating manner with respect to the vehicle body and the rocking arms 12A, 12B, the energizing means 14 is interposed between the movable body 15 and the vehicle body to energize both of the front wheels 1A, 1B downwards via the movable body 15 and the interlocking means 13, and a locking means 21, which makes the interlocking means 13 so as not to operate when both of the front wheels 1A, 1B are lowered to a predetermined lowering position having the same height, is provided.

Description

  The present invention relates to a twin wheel device having a pair of left and right wheels that can be used as wheels of various vehicles.

  For example, as a twin-wheel device applied to the front wheel of a bicycle, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, each of a pair of left and right wheels constituting the front wheel is pivotally supported by a vertically swingable support arm, and each support arm is A left and right two-wheel independent suspension type with a biasing means for biasing downward and a hydraulic damper is known. This left and right two-wheel independent suspension type two-wheel device makes it possible to lean the vehicle body toward the center of turning when turning, as with a typical two-wheeled bicycle, and to drive both left and right wheels on uneven road surfaces. Each can move smoothly up and down independently, but when the left and right wheels move up and down relative to each other, a large difference occurs in the ground pressure of each wheel. There is a problem that the vehicle body easily skids when running sideways along the contour line. Therefore, it was considered to adopt a synchro system that forcibly interlocks the left and right wheels urged downward in the opposite directions.

JP 2006-192960 A

  According to a bicycle equipped with a twin-wheel device incorporating the above-mentioned synchro system as either front or rear wheel, one side of both the left and right wheels is on the vehicle body side when turning with a tilt of the vehicle body or traveling on an uneven road surface. This wheel will move up against the downward urging force, but the wheel on the other side will be forcibly lowered in conjunction with the upward movement of this wheel. Will be grounded. Therefore, even when turning with a tilt of the vehicle body or traveling on an uneven road surface, the left and right wheels are reliably grounded with substantially equal contact pressures on road surfaces of different heights. The balance in the left-right direction is not greatly lost, and the vehicle can be stably driven while preventing the vehicle from slipping. However, when an external force acting on the left and right side acts on the vehicle body when the driver is standing on his own when the driver is not on board, even if the external force is small, the vehicle is Can easily fall over, but it is a three-wheeled bicycle equipped with a twin-wheel device, but it cannot be made stable and independent without a stand.

  The present invention proposes a twin-wheel device suitable for constructing a bicycle capable of solving the conventional problems as described above, and the twin-wheel device according to the present invention according to claim 1 comprises: In order to make it easier to understand the relationship with the examples described later, the reference numerals used in the description of the examples are shown in parentheses, and are supported so as to be movable up and down separately with respect to the vehicle body (3). A pair of left and right wheels (front wheels 1A and 1B) pivotally supported by a pair of left and right wheel shaft support members (swing arms 12A and 12B) and a pair of left and right wheel shaft support members (swing arms 12A and 12B) face downward. In the twin-wheel apparatus provided with urging means (14) for urging, interlocking means (13) for interlocking raising and lowering the left and right wheels (front wheels 1A, 1B) in opposite directions is provided, and this interlocking means (13) A movable body (15) supported so as to be capable of reciprocating with respect to the vehicle body (3) and the pair of left and right wheel shafts The biasing means (14) is interposed between the movable body (15) and the vehicle body (3) and is interposed between the members (swinging arms 12A and 12B). ) And the interlocking means (13), the left and right wheels (front wheels 1A and 1B) are urged downward, and the left and right wheels (front wheels 1A and 1B) are lowered to a constant descending position having the same height. The interlocking means (13) is provided with a locking means (21) for disabling operation.

  When carrying out the present invention, specifically, as described in claim 2, the locking means (21) is configured so that the left and right wheels (front wheels 1A, 1B) are lowered to a constant lowering position having the same height. When the left and right wheels (front wheels 1A and 1B) are lifted from the fixed lowering position, the lock can be switched to the unlocked state. In this case, as described in claim 3, the interlocking means (13) includes an intermediate rotating body (16) pivotally supported by the movable body (15) and a pair of left and right intermediate rotating bodies (16). It comprises a transmission member (cord-like body 18, push-pull links 30a, 30b) that interlocks and connects the wheel shaft support members (swinging arms 12A, 12B), and the locking means (21) includes both left and right wheels. When the (front wheels 1A, 1B) are lowered to a constant descending position of the same height, they engage with the transmission member (cord-like body 18) or the intermediate rotating body (16), and the transmission member (cord-like body 18, push The pulling links 30a, 30b) or the intermediate rotating body (16) can be prevented from moving. Further, in this case, as described in claim 4, the pair of left and right wheel shaft support members is composed of swing arms (12A, 12B) in which an intermediate portion in the length direction is supported to be swingable up and down. The wheel (front wheels 1A, 1B) is pivotally supported at one end of the swing arm (12A, 12B), and the transmission member (the cord 18, the push-pull link 30a of the interlocking means (13) is supported at the other end. , 30b).

  When adopting the configuration according to claim 4, as described in claim 5, the intermediate rotating body (16) is provided with a peripheral edge (16 b) concentric with the center of rotation, and the pair of right and left A guide member (17A, 17B) having a peripheral edge (17a, 17b) concentric with the swing center of the swing arm (12A, 12B) is connected to the other end of the swing arm (12A, 12B). As the transmission member, an intermediate portion is stretched around the peripheral edge (16b) of the intermediate rotating body (16) and both ends are peripheral edges of the guide members (17A, 17B) of the swing arms (12A, 12B) ( 17a, 17b) is provided in a state of being hooked on the guide member (17A, 17B), and the locking means (21) is provided with the cord (18). ) Or the locked portion (23) provided on the intermediate rotating body (16), and the locking member (22) fixed to the vehicle body (3) side and engaged with the locked portion (23). Can be configured. In this case, as described in claim 6 or claim 7, the locked portion (23) of the locking means (21) is provided with a protrusion (24) or a protrusion (24) protruding from the cord-like body (18). Consists of a protrusion (26) projecting from the intermediate rotating body (16), and a recess (24, 26) into which the protrusion (24, 26) fits into the locking member (22) of the locking means (21). 22c, 27) can be provided.

  Further, as defined in claim 8, the biasing means (14) includes the pair of left and right wheel shaft support members in a region below the height at which the locking means (21) disables the interlocking means (13). A first spring (19a) having a large urging force for urging the (oscillating arms 12A, 12B) downward, and a pair of left and right wheel shafts from the end of the region where the urging force of the first spring (19a) acts The supporting member (swinging arm 12A, 12B) is composed of a second spring (19b) having a small urging force that urges the locking means (21) downward to a height at which the interlocking means (13) becomes inoperable. I can do it.

  The twin-wheel apparatus according to the present invention having the above-described configuration is generally equipped with a prime mover that can be self-propelled by various vehicles having wheels, for example, an internal combustion engine or an electric motor, in addition to a general two-wheel bicycle (including an electric assist bicycle). This two-wheeled vehicle can be used as a wheel of various vehicles such as a bicycle or an automatic traveling motorcycle called a motorcycle, or a load carrying cart that is pushed or pulled while being supported by a hand without being boarded. The operation and effect when the apparatus is used for a front wheel or a rear wheel of a bicycle, for example, will be described. Because it is biased downward by the means, when a wheel on one side rides on a convex part of the road surface, when traveling on a slope along a contour line, or when a wheel on one side is a concave part of the road surface When depressed, the upward reaction force acting on the higher wheel from the road surface increases, so the higher wheel rises against the urging force of the urging means, and with this, the opposite side The wheels will move down and come in contact with the road surface. That is, even if the above situation occurs, the vehicle body does not tilt to the side with the lower wheel, and the left and right wheels always touch the road surface at different heights with a ground pressure that is substantially equal to the vehicle body. The vehicle is maintained in a substantially vertical posture, and can travel safely. In addition, when the driver gets off the vehicle body, the downward load acting on both the left and right wheels is reduced below a certain level, and by holding the vehicle body in a substantially vertical posture, the left and right wheels are Therefore, the right and left wheels act on the vehicle body by disabling the interlocking means that interlocks the left and right wheels by operating the locking means at this time. It will be in a state where it can only be lifted up and down integrally according to the change of the load to be. Therefore, even if an external force is applied horizontally and laterally to the vehicle body, the vehicle body does not fall in the direction in which the external force acts with the left and right wheels relatively moving up and down. In other words, by utilizing the characteristics of twin wheels, it can be conveniently used as a bicycle that can be made to stand on its own without using a stand.

  The locking means may basically be one that performs switching to the locked state and switching to the unlocked state by a human operation, but according to the configuration of claim 2, the driver When the vehicle gets off and the vehicle body is held in a substantially vertical posture, the locking means automatically works, and the vehicle body can be made to stand stably in a vertical posture. Then, the locking means is automatically switched to the unlocked state, and the interlocking means can be operated as expected to run smoothly and safely. In addition, the vehicle body on which the driver is riding rides on the convex part of the road surface, and both the left and right wheels are shockedly lifted off the road surface at the same time. When it is lowered to the position, the locking means will work, but when the left and right wheels touch again and the load acting on both the left and right wheels exceeds a certain level, the locking means is automatically released and the original Since the vehicle is restored to the traveling state, there is no problem in traveling safety even if the lock means is automatically activated.

  Further, according to the configuration of claim 3, not only can the interlocking means for interlocking the left and right wheels in the opposite directions up and down can be implemented with a simple configuration at low cost, but also a transmission member or a constituent member of the interlocking means or Since the intermediate rotating body can be used to form a locking means capable of automatically locking and unlocking both the left and right wheels at the same time, the entire configuration of the present invention can be implemented simply and inexpensively. In this case, according to the configuration described in claim 4, it is easy to provide all of the biasing means, the interlocking means, and the locking means at a position sufficiently higher than the shaft centers of the left and right wheels. The fear that the biasing means, the interlocking means, and the locking means may come into contact with an obstacle on the road surface side can be substantially eliminated.

  The interlocking means according to claim 3 can be constituted by a link mechanism, but particularly according to the structure according to claim 5, the vertical momentums in the opposite directions of the left and right wheels are made equal to each other accurately. It is possible to run more stably. In this case, when the locked portion of the locking means is provided on the intermediate rotating body, it is necessary to increase the diameter of the intermediate rotating body so that it does not interfere with the bearing portion of the intermediate rotating body that the locked portion inquires about. However, according to the configuration described in claim 6, the locking means can be easily configured without being restricted such that the diameter of the intermediate rotating body must be reduced. On the contrary, according to the structure of claim 7, the diameter of the intermediate rotating body must be increased to some extent, but it is difficult to provide the locked portion as a cord-like body, for example, a wire rope can be used. .

  Further, according to the configuration of the eighth aspect, the vehicle body can be stably self-supported by being automatically locked by simply supporting the vehicle body that the driver has got off substantially vertically. Even if the driver does not ride in the same state as when driving, the lock can be automatically released as long as a certain load is applied to the two wheels of the car body, so the bicycle can be started smoothly. I can do it.

  In addition, when the twin-wheel apparatus of the present invention is used for the front wheel of a hand cart equipped with only one front wheel, it is possible to reduce the number of grounding fixed leg portions provided on the left and right sides to one in the past. At the same time, the manual movement on the uneven road surface can be performed smoothly and stably. Furthermore, in the case of a truck for transportation with three or more wheels, it can be made to stand by itself stably, but the twin wheel device of the present invention is utilized for the purpose of improving running stability on uneven road surfaces. You can also

Fig. A is a side view of the whole bicycle, and Fig. B is a front view thereof. It is a perspective view explaining the basic composition of the principal part of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the driving | running | working state when the driving | running | working road surface heights of right-and-left both wheels differ, Comprising: A figure is a front view when driving | running | working on the road surface where the left wheel is high toward FIG. It is a front view when drive | working a road surface. Fig. A is a front view for explaining the action when both the left and right wheels ride on the convex portion of the road surface, and Fig. B is a front view for explaining the action when the wheel on one side rides on the convex portion of the road surface. 5 to 14 are views showing a specific structure of the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a longitudinal side view of a main part. FIG. 5A is a partially cutaway view with the urging means and the interlocking means omitted from FIG. It is an enlarged side view which shows the principal part of FIG. Fig. A is a plan view of Fig. 7, and Fig. B is an enlarged view of a Y portion of Fig. A. FIG. 8B is an enlarged cross-sectional plan view of the main part of FIG. 8A. It is a vertical side view of the principal part which shows the locked state in which both the left and right wheels are lowered to the constant lowering position. It is an expansion Z arrow line view of FIG. FIG. A is an enlarged cross-sectional plan view of the main part of FIG. 11, and FIG. B is an enlarged vertical side view of the main part. FIG. 4A is a partially cutaway plan view of the main part showing another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a perspective view explaining other basic composition of the present invention. It is a cross-sectional top view which shows the other Example of the urging | biasing means in this invention.

  The bicycle shown in FIG. 1 adopting the configuration of the present invention includes a pair of left and right front wheels 1A and 1B, one rear wheel 2, a vehicle body 3 that pivotally supports the rear wheel 2 at the rear end portion, and on the vehicle body 3. Supported by a saddle 4 provided, a pair of left and right pedals 6 that are pivotally supported on the lower side of the vehicle body 3 and linked to each other via a rear wheel 2 and a transmission mechanism 5, and a handle support portion 7 provided at the front end of the vehicle body 3. A double wheel device 9 having a pair of left and right front wheels 1A and 1B is provided at the lower end portion of the rotary shaft 8a of the handle 8.

  The basic configuration of the twin wheel device 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. The vehicle body side member 10 attached to the lower end portion of the rotary shaft 8 a of the handle 8, and concentric horizontal supports on the left and right sides of the vehicle body side member 10. A pair of left and right oscillating arms 12A and 12B and both left and right oscillating arms 12A and 12B, which are supported by a shaft 11 so as to freely swing up and down and whose front ends 1A and 1B are supported at their free ends, are turned upside down. It is composed of interlocking means 13 that swings up and down in conjunction with each other, and biasing means 14 that biases both the left and right swinging arms 12A and 12B upward.

  The interlocking means 13 includes a movable body 15 comprising a lifting shaft rod 15a supported by the vehicle body side member 10 so as to be movable up and down, and a bearing member 15b connected to the upper end of the lifting shaft rod 15a, and a bearing member of the movable body 15. A pair of left and right guide members 17A, 17B that can rotate about the horizontal support shaft 11 integrally with the intermediate rotating body 16, the left and right swinging arms 12A, 12B, which are rotatably supported by the support shaft 16a. It is composed of a cord-like body 18 of a book. The intermediate rotating body 16 has a peripheral edge 16b concentric with the support shaft 16a, the pair of left and right guide members 17A and 17B has peripheral edges 17a and 17b concentric with the horizontal support shaft 11, and the cord-like body 18 is The intermediate portion is hooked to the peripheral edge 16b of the intermediate rotating body 16, and the both ends are hooked to the peripheral edges 17a and 17b of the guide members 17A and 17B. The urging means 14 is composed of a compression coil spring 19 interposed between the vehicle body side member 10 and the bearing member 15b in a state of loosely fitting on the lifting shaft rod 15a of the movable body 15.

  According to the twin wheel device 9 having the above basic configuration, the compression coil spring 19 of the biasing means 14 pushes up the intermediate rotating body 16 together with the movable body 15, and both ends of the cord-shaped body 18 are moved along with the upward movement of the intermediate rotating body 16. The left and right swing arms 12A and 12B are swung downward around the horizontal support shaft 11 through the left and right guide members 17A and 17B that are pulled up and turn upward. In other words, the left and right front wheels 1A and 1B are urged downward by the urging means 14. The strength of the compression coil spring 19 is set so that the reaction force of the urging force at this time lifts the front end portion of the vehicle body 3 on which the driver is not on board to a predetermined ascent limit position. That is, when the vehicle body 3 on which the driver is not riding is supported in a vertical posture on a horizontal road surface, the left and right front wheels 1A and 1B are balanced with an equal load received corresponding to the weight of the vehicle body 3 at that time. The vehicle body 3 is lowered to the constant lowering position having the same height and supports the vehicle body 3.

  When the driver gets on the vehicle body 3, the weight of the driver acts on the left and right front wheels 1A and 1B, and the left and right front wheels 1A and 1B are united with the swinging arms 12A and 12B upward around the horizontal support shaft 11. It swings and stabilizes at a height that balances with the urging force of the urging means 14. The rising positions of the left and right front wheels 1A and 1B with respect to the vehicle body 3 at this time are the same as the rising limit positions of the left and right front wheels 1A and 1B with respect to the vehicle body 3 when an allowable maximum load is applied to the vehicle body 3 and the vehicle body 3 described above. The strength of the compression coil spring 19 of the urging means 14 is set so as to be an intermediate position between the fixed lowering position of the left and right front wheels 1A, 1B with respect to the vehicle body 3 when the driver is not on board.

  Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, when the left and right front wheels 1A and 1B are grounded on road surfaces having different heights, the road surface on which the left and right front wheels 1A and 1B are grounded is placed on a relatively high road surface. The load on the vehicle body 3 side concentrates on the one front wheel 1A (or 1B) to be grounded, and the one front wheel 1A (or 1B) rises against the vehicle body 3 against the urging force of the urging means 14, and the opposite side The front wheel 1B (or 1A) descends with respect to the vehicle body 3 and comes into contact with the vehicle. That is, the guide member 17A (or 17B) pulls down the one end side of the cord-like body 18 as the swinging arm 12A (or 12B) pivotally supporting one front wheel 1A (or 1B) is swung upward. Rotate around the horizontal support shaft 11 in the direction, and by pulling down one end side of the cord-like body 18, the other end side of the cord-like body 18 is swung on the opposite side through the guide member 17B (or 17A) by the same amount. The arm 12B (or 12A) is forcibly swung downward. As a result, when one of the front wheels 1A (or 1B) is pushed up, the front wheel 1B (or 1A) on the opposite side is pushed down by the same amount, and the left and right front wheels 1A and 1B are on the road surface of different height with the same ground pressure. Since the contact is made with the ground, the risk of skidding when traveling on an uneven road surface or traveling along an inclined road surface along a contour line is reduced. In addition, even during cornering, the canvas thrust is increased, and the turning performance and steering stability more than those of conventional two-wheel bicycles can be exhibited.

  Further, the suspension effect by the urging means 14 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4A, when the left and right front wheels 1A, 1B impact on the obstacle (step) having a height H, the vehicle body 3 is affected by inertia. Since the left and right front wheels 1A and 1B are moved upward, the left and right swing arms 12A and 12B simultaneously swing upward with respect to the vehicle body 3 as the left and right front wheels 1A and 1B move upward. Both ends of the cord-like body 18 are pulled down simultaneously through 17A and 17B. As a result, the intermediate rotating body 16 and the movable body 15 together with the movable body 15 compress the compression coil spring 19 of the urging means 14 to the vehicle body side member 10 by a length h proportional to the rising amount H of the left and right front wheels 1A, 1B relative to the vehicle body 3. On the other hand, since it descends, the impact at that time is absorbed by the compression coil spring 19. If the force for pulling down both ends of the cord-like body 18 at this time is F, the force for compressing the compression coil spring 19 is F + F = 2F, and the compression coil spring 19 is compressed to a balance by the reaction force of 2F. It will be.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, when the front wheel 1A (or 1B) on one side rides on the convex part with the height H of the road surface impactively, the front wheel 1B (or 1A) on the other side is inertia and the height at that time Try to maintain. Therefore, the swing arm 12A (12B) pivotally supporting the front wheel 1A (or 1B) on one side swings upward, and the one end portion of the cord-like body 18 is impacted through the guide member 17A (or 17B). When pulled down, the swinging arm 12B (or 12A) that pivotally supports the front wheel 1B (or 1A) on the opposite side tries to maintain the position at that time due to inertia, so that the cord-like body 18 becomes the intermediate rotating body 16. Is pulled down against the compression reaction force of the compression coil spring 19. The amount of movement of the intermediate rotating body 16 (the amount of compression of the compression coil spring 19) h at this time is the intermediate rotating body when the left and right front wheels 1A and 1B ride on the obstacle (step) impactively according to the principle of the moving pulley. Thus, the compression coil spring 19 is compressed only to the point where it is balanced by a reaction force of 1F. Thus, according to the twin-wheel apparatus 9 of the said structure, it is equivalent to when each front wheel 1A, 1B is equipped with the independent suspension, using one urging means 14 common to both right-and-left front wheels 1A, 1B. The effect is obtained.

  Next, a specific example of the twin wheel device 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 12. The vehicle body side member 10 is connected to the lower end of the rotary shaft 8 a of the handle 8 and is a bent shaft extending obliquely forward and downward. Consists of a flange 10a, a protrusion 10b fixedly protruding on the upper side of the lower end of the bent shaft 10a, and a cylindrical guide 10c that penetrates and is fixed to the protrusion 10b in parallel with the bent shaft 10a. The elevating shaft rod 15a constituting the thirteen movable bodies 15 is supported through the cylindrical guide 10c so as to be reciprocally movable in parallel with the bending shaft rod 10a. The swing arms 12A and 12B are swingable up and down by the common horizontal support shafts 11 on the left and right sides near the lower end of the bending shaft 10a in the large-diameter cylindrical bearing portions 12a and 12b fixed to the bases thereof. The guide members 17A and 17B of the interlocking means 13 are fixed to the bearing portions 12a and 12b. Furthermore, the intermediate rotating body 16 of the interlocking means 13 is composed of a sprocket wheel, and the cord-like body 18 of the interlocking means 13 is a roller chain 18a that meshes with the teeth of the peripheral edge 16b of the intermediate rotating body (sprocket wheel) 16; The roller chain 18a is connected to both ends of the pair of left and right guide members 17a and 17b and is fitted with the arc-shaped peripheral edges 17a and 17b of the same length and two roller chains 18b and 18c. . Since the support shaft 16a serving as the rotation shaft center of the intermediate rotation body 16 and the horizontal support shaft 11 serving as the rotation shaft center of the guide members 17A and 17B are different from each other by 90 degrees, the roller chain constituting the cord-shaped body 18 is used. 18a and the two roller chains 18b and 18c are connected to each other in a state where the directions of the roller shafts are different by 90 degrees.

  In the figure, a fan-shaped plate having arc-shaped peripheral edges 17a and 17b is used as the guide members 17A and 17B. However, the guide members 17A and 17B are formed by cutting the sprocket wheel into a fan shape, The roller chains 18b and 18c may be engaged with the teeth of the peripheral edges 17a and 17b. Further, when the cord-like body 18 is constituted by a single wire rope, a concave groove for fitting the wire rope may be formed on the peripheral edge 16b of the intermediate rotating body 16 and the peripheral edges 17a and 17b of the guide members 17A and 17B. I can do it. In any case, both ends of the cord-like body 18 are locked to the guide members 17A and 17B.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the compression coil spring 19 of the urging means 14 has a small compression main strength coil spring 19a that supports the driver's weight and a compression strength used for locking when not on board. A small large-diameter sub-compression coil spring 19b is used. The main compression coil spring 19a and the sub compression coil spring 19b are provided between a pair of spring receiving seats 20a and 20b that are loosely fitted to the elevating shaft rod 15a of the movable body 15 and contact the bearing member 15b and the cylindrical guide 10c. The auxiliary compression coil spring 19b is loosely fitted to the elevating shaft rod 15a with the auxiliary compression coil spring 19b fitted to the compression coil spring 19a.

  Furthermore, a locking means 21 is provided. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 12, the locking means 21 is attached to the vehicle body 3 side outside the intermediate rotating body 16 constituting the interlocking means 13 on the upper side of the bending shaft rod 10 a constituting the vehicle body side member 10. The locking member 22 and the locked portion 23 provided on the roller chain 18a of the cord-like body 18 constituting the interlocking means 13 are configured. The locking member 22 has a locking plate 22b attached to a mounting seat 22a fixed to the bending shaft 10a, and the locked portion 23 is fitted on the side of the locking plate 22b facing the roller chain 18a. The recessed part 22c to be formed is formed. The locked portion 23 is composed of a protrusion 24 projecting outward at a central position in the length direction of the roller chain 18a, and is attached in place of the pair of outer chain links of the roller chain 18a. The same chain unit 24b as the chain unit that constitutes the roller chain 18a is attached between a pair of mounting plates 24a that protrude to the front. The chain unit 24b is composed of two rollers 24c and a pair of inner chain links 24e that connect both rollers 24c with roller shaft support pins 24d, and between the pair of attachment plates 24a with two roller shaft support pins 24b. Is attached. And as shown in FIG. 12, it is comprised so that the protrusion 24 (two rollers 24c) which is the to-be-latched part 23 may fit with respect to the recessed part 22c of the latching member 22. As shown in FIG.

  The state of the twin-wheel apparatus 9 provided with the locking means 21 shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 is a state in which the driver is on the vehicle body 3. In this state, as shown in the figure, the intermediate rotating body 16 of the interlocking means 13 is located away from the locking member 22 of the locking means 21, and the cord-like body 18 ( The locked portion 23 (projection body 24) on the roller chain 18 a side is separated from the concave portion 22 c of the locking member 22. That is, as described based on the basic configuration, when the driver's weight acts on the left and right front wheels 1A, 1B, the intermediate rotating body is interposed via the pair of left and right guide members 17A, 17B and the cord-like body 18 of the interlocking means 13. The swing arms 12A and 12B are moved upward around the horizontal support shaft 11 so as to pull down 16 against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 19 (both the main compression coil spring 19a and the sub compression coil spring 19b) of the biasing means 14. The intermediate rotating body 16 is moved in a direction away from the locking member 22 of the locking means 21 to a position where it swings and balances with the compression reaction force of the compression coil spring 19 of the urging means 14. Therefore, in this state, the cord-like body 18 (intermediate rotating body 16) is in a state where it can freely rotate, and as described above, the interlocking means 13 and the urging means 14 can be functioned to realize the intended action. .

  When the driver gets off the vehicle body 3, the load acting on the left and right front wheels 1A and 1B becomes below a certain level, and the main compression coil spring 19a constituting the compression coil spring 19 is stretched by the driver's weight not being applied. The intermediate rotating body 16 is moved to the locking member 22 side of the locking means 21 by the further extension of the auxiliary compression coil spring 19b having a compression reaction force sufficient to overcome the weight on the front wheel side of the vehicle body 3. Accordingly, both ends (roller chains 18b, 18c) of the cord-like body 18 move the swinging arms 12A, 12B (left and right front wheels 1A, 1B) downward around the horizontal support shaft 11 via the guide members 17A, 17B. Swing (see FIG. 10). At this time, when the vehicle body 3 is supported substantially vertically and the left and right front wheels 1A and 1B are at the same height with respect to the vehicle body 3, the cable-like body 18 is symmetric and is attached to the roller chain 18a. The locked portion 23 (projection body 24) is located on a straight line connecting the shaft center (support shaft 16 a) of the intermediate rotating body 16 and the locking member 22. Therefore, when the intermediate rotating body 16 is pushed up by the compression coil spring 19 of the urging means 14, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12b, it is engaged at substantially the end of the pushing-up process (before the extension limit of the sub compression coil spring 19b). The stop 23 is fitted into the recess 22 c of the locking member 22. Specifically, the two left and right rollers 23c of the protrusion 24 constituting the locked portion 23 are fitted into the recess 22c of the locking member 22 with rotation.

  As described above, when the driver gets off and the vehicle body 3 is supported in a substantially vertical posture, the locking means 21 is automatically operated, and the interlocking means is in a state where the left and right front wheels 1A, 1B are at substantially the same height. The thirteen cords 18 cannot be rotated. That is, the interlocking means 13 is locked, and both the left and right front wheels 1A and 1B cannot be swung upward with respect to the vehicle body 3 and are fixed at the same height. The vehicle body 3 can be stabilized in a self-supporting state with the three wheels 1B and the rear wheel 2. Of course, a stand may be provided if necessary.

  When the driver gets on the vehicle body 3, the load acting on the left and right front wheels 1A and 1B increases, so that the swing arms 12A and 12B that pivotally support the left and right front wheels 1A and 1B are as described above. Since the intermediate pivoting body 16 (the cord-like body 18) moves away from the locking member 22 of the locking means 21, the cable swings upward against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 19 of the biasing means 14, and the cord The locked portion 23 (projection body 24) on the side of the body 18 (roller chain 18a) is released from the inside of the recess 22c of the locking member 22, and the locking of the locking means 21 with respect to the interlocking means 13 is automatically released.

  The urging means 14 may be constituted by only one main compression coil spring 19a having a large compressive strength capable of supporting the weight of the driver. In this case, the driver is in the same state as that during driving. If you do not board 3 you will not be unlocked. That is, in the state where one foot or both feet are in contact with the road surface and the vehicle body 3 is supported, the load applied to the left and right front wheels 1A, 1B (biasing means 14) is not sufficient, so the side of the cable-like body 18 (roller chain 18a) There is a possibility that the locked portion 23 (projection body 24) remains fitted in the recess 22c of the locking member 22 and the lock is not released. However, according to the biasing means 14 configured as described above, the locked portion 23 (projection body 24) on the cable-like body 18 side is fitted into the recess 22 c of the locking member 22 in the locking means 21. Since it is the urging force of the auxiliary compression coil spring 19b having a compression reaction force that only overcomes the weight on the front wheel side, even if the driver riding on the vehicle body 3 supports the vehicle body 3 with one or both feet touching the road surface The lock means 21 can be reliably and automatically switched to the unlocked state as long as a load of a certain amount or more than the weight on the front wheel side of the vehicle body 3 is applied to the biasing means 14.

  In the case of the interlocking means 13 having the structure shown in the above embodiment, when the front wheel side of the vehicle body 3 that is not on board is lifted and the left and right front wheels 1A, 1B are intentionally lifted off the road surface, the locking member 22 of the locking means 21 is used. The intermediate rotating body 16 does not move further in the urging direction of the urging means 14 due to the fitting between the cable body 18 and the locked portion 23 on the cord-like body 18 side. The cord-like body 18 between the guide members 17A and 17B on the 12A and 12B side, that is, the roller chains 18b and 18c is bent by the compressive force, and the swinging of the swinging arms 12A and 12B downward is prevented. I can't. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, for example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the swinging arms 12A and 12B are swung downward by contacting the guide members 17A and 17B. Stoppers 25 that restrict movement can be provided on both the left and right sides of the bending shaft rod 10a of the vehicle body side member 10. Even when a single wire rope is used as the cord 18, it is desirable to provide the stopper 25.

  Although the protrusion 24 provided with a pair of left and right rollers 23c is shown as the locked portion 23 provided on the cord-like body 18 side, the structures of the locking member 22 and the locked portion 23 are not particularly limited. Moreover, although the to-be-latched part 23 was provided in the cable-shaped body 18 side, it can also be provided in the intermediate | middle rotation body 16. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, when the left and right front wheels 1 </ b> A and 1 </ b> B are at the same height with respect to the vehicle body 3, the movement of the intermediate rotating body 16 with respect to the axis of the intermediate rotating body 16 (support shaft 16 a). A pin-like projection 26 is projected from the intermediate rotating body 16 at a position farthest in the direction to form a locked portion 23, and the pin-like projection 26 is mounted on the bending shaft 10 a of the vehicle body side member 10. The locking means 21 can also be configured by attaching a locking member 22 having a recess 27 into which is inserted. In this configuration, the rotation angle of the intermediate rotating body 16 is limited to a range in which the pin-like protrusions 26 do not interfere with the bearing member 15 b of the movable body 15 that pivotally supports the intermediate rotating body 16. However, the bearing member 15b has a cantilever structure that pivotally supports the intermediate rotating body 16 only on the side without the pin-shaped protrusion 26, or a hole is provided in the intermediate rotating body 16 as the locked portion 23. When the locking member 22 provided on the side of the bending shaft 10a is composed of a movable pin that can be freely inserted into and removed from the hole and an operating means that drives the movable pin to move in and out, the rotation angle of the intermediate rotating body 16 is set. There is no limit.

  Regardless of the structure of the locking means 21, the stopper 25 works when the locked portion 23 is engaged with the locking member 22 so that the engaging portion between the locking member 22 and the locked portion 23 is engaged. It is also possible to configure so that a large load does not act on.

  FIG. 14 shows a modification of the interlocking means 13. In the interlocking means 13 shown in FIG. 14, the intermediate rotating body 16 that is pivotally supported by the tip of the movable body 15 via the bearing member 15b is swingable to the bearing member 15b at the center in the length direction by the support shaft 16a. The swing arms 28A and 12B are provided with lever portions 29a and 29b that protrude from the position of the horizontal support shaft 11 to the opposite side of the front wheels 1A and 1B. As a transmission member for interlockingly connecting the intermediate rotating body 16 and the swing arms 12A and 12B, a push-pull link for connecting both ends of the swing lever 28 and the lever portions 29a and 29b on the swing arm 12A and 12B side. 30a and 30b are provided. According to this configuration, the stopper member is provided with a pair of left and right restraining portions 31a and 31b which are simultaneously brought into contact with both the locked portions 23A and 23B, with both wings of the swing lever 28 being locked portions 23A and 23B. The locking means 21 can be configured simply by providing 32 as the locking member 22 separately. Further, since the transmission member for interlockingly connecting the intermediate rotating body 16 and the swing arms 12A and 12B is composed of links 30a and 30b having rigidity in both pushing and pulling directions, the locking member 22 (stopper member) of the locking means 21 is provided. 32), the stopper 25 can also be used.

  Note that although the swinging arms 12A and 12B are pivotally supported so as to be swingable in the vertical direction as wheel support members for supporting the pair of left and right wheels 1A and 1B. It is also possible to use a wheel shaft support member that moves up and down linearly along the path. In addition, when the twin-wheel apparatus of the present invention is applied to a bicycle, the twin-wheel apparatus of the present invention can be applied to the rear wheel instead of the front wheel.

  Further, the configuration of the urging force 14 required for the twin wheel device 9 is not limited to that of the above embodiment. That is, as shown in FIG. 15, the compression strength that supports the weight of the driver between the spring receiving seat 20 b supported by the upper end of the cylindrical guide 10 c of the vehicle body side member 10 and the bearing member 15 b of the movable body 15. A large-diameter main compression coil spring 19a having a large diameter is interposed in a state of being externally fitted to the elevating shaft rod 15a of the movable body 15, and between the protrusion 10b of the vehicle body side member 10 and the spring receiving seat 20b when not boarding. A large-diameter sub-compression coil spring 19b having a small compressive strength, which is used for locking, is interposed in a state of being externally fitted to the cylindrical guide 10c. Thus, even if the main compression coil spring 19a and the sub compression coil spring 19b arranged in the inner / outer double structure in the previous embodiment are arranged concentrically in series, the same urging action can be performed. Of course, depending on the case, the main compression coil spring 19a and the sub compression coil spring 19b may be arranged in parallel.

  The twin-wheel apparatus of the present invention can exhibit turning performance and steering stability that are higher than those of conventional two-wheel bicycles, and can be used as a bicycle wheel that can be made to stand on its own without providing a stand.

1A, 1B A pair of left and right front wheels 2 Rear wheels 3 Car body 7 Handle support portion 8 Handle 9 Twin wheel device 10 Car body side member 10a Bending shaft rod 10b Projection portion 10c Cylindrical guide 11 Horizontal support shafts 12A, 12B Swing arm 13 Interlocking means 14 Energizing means 15 Movable body 15a Elevating shaft rod 15b Bearing member 16 Intermediate rotating body 16a Support shaft 16b Peripheral 17A, 17B Guide member 17a, 17b Peripheral 18 Cord-like body 18a-18c Roller chain 19 Compression coil spring 19a Main compression coil spring 19b Sub compression Coil spring 21 Locking means 22 Locking member 22b Locking plate 22c Recess 23, 23A, 23B Locked portion 23a Mounting plate 23b Chain unit 23c Roller 24 Protrusion 25 Stopper 26 Pin-shaped protrusion 27 Recess 28 Swing lever 29a, 29b Lever part 30a, 30b Push-pull link 31a, 31b Stopping portion 32 Stopper member

Claims (8)

  A dual-wheel equipped with a pair of left and right wheels pivotally supported by a pair of left and right wheel pivot support members supported so as to be movable up and down separately with respect to the vehicle body, and a biasing means for biasing the pair of left and right wheel pivot support members downward In the apparatus, interlocking means for interlocking raising and lowering the left and right wheels in opposite directions is provided, and the interlocking means is provided between the movable body supported to be reciprocally movable relative to the vehicle body and the pair of left and right wheel shaft support members. The biasing means is interposed between the movable body and the vehicle body and biases the left and right wheels downward via the movable body and the interlocking means, so that the left and right wheels are the same. A twin-wheel device, provided with a locking means for disabling the interlocking means when the height is lowered to a constant lowering position.   The locking means switches to a locked state when both left and right wheels descend to a constant lowering position having the same height, and switches to an unlocked state when both left and right wheels rise from the constant lowering position. The described twin-wheel device.   The interlocking means includes an intermediate rotating body that is pivotally supported by the movable body, and a transmission member that interlocks and connects the intermediate rotating body and the pair of left and right wheel shaft supporting members. The twin wheel device according to claim 2, wherein when the wheel is lowered to a constant descending position having the same height, the transmission member or the intermediate rotating body is engaged to prevent movement of the transmission member or the intermediate rotating body.   The pair of left and right wheel shaft support members is composed of a swing arm whose middle portion in the length direction is pivotally supported so as to be swingable up and down. The wheel is pivotally supported at one end portion of the swing arm and the other end portion. The two-wheel device according to claim 3, wherein the transmission member of the interlocking unit is connected to the vehicle.   The intermediate rotating body is provided with a peripheral edge concentric with the center of rotation, and a guide having a peripheral edge concentric with the swing center of the swing arm at the other end of the pair of swing arms. As a transmission member, the intermediate portion is hooked on the peripheral edge of the intermediate rotating body and the both ends are hooked on the peripheral edge of the guide member of each swing arm and locked to the guide member. The locking means is engaged with the locked portion fixed to the vehicle body side and the locked portion provided on the rope or intermediate rotating body. The twin-wheel apparatus of Claim 4 comprised from a locking member.   6. The locked portion of the locking means is formed of a protrusion projecting from the cord-like body, and the locking member of the locking means includes a recess into which the protrusion is fitted. Twin wheel device.   6. The locked portion of the locking means is formed of a protrusion protruding from the intermediate rotating body, and the locking member of the locking means includes a recess into which the protrusion is fitted. Twin wheel device.   The urging means includes a first spring having a large urging force for urging the pair of left and right wheel shaft support members downward in a region below the height at which the locking means disables the interlocking means. A pair of left and right wheel shaft support members from the end of the region where the biasing force of the spring is applied is composed of a second spring having a small biasing force that biases the pair of left and right wheel shaft supporting members downward to a height at which the locking unit disables the interlocking unit. The twin-wheel apparatus of any one of Claims 2-7.

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