JP2013159184A

JP2013159184A - Amphibious vehicle

Info

Publication number: JP2013159184A
Application number: JP2012021294A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Nobuyasu Sakata; 展康坂田; Manabu Oda; 学小田
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2012-02-02
Filing date: 2012-02-02
Publication date: 2013-08-19

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an amphibious vehicle with small water resistance during navigation and to provide usage thereof.SOLUTION: An amphibious vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 20 configured to float on water, propeller propelling machines 40 provided at a rear part of the vehicle body 20, side surface covers 31 provided on both side surfaces of the vehicle body 20, and cover driving devices 32 for driving the side surface covers 31. The vehicle body 20 includes a plurality of wheels 25-1 to 25-4 for travelling on the land, and a steering mechanism 24 for changing steering angles of the wheels 25-1 and 25-2 for steering. The cover driving device 31 drives the side surface cover 31 at a position between a first position outside the steering wheels 25-1 and 25-2 and a second position higher than the first position.

Description

本発明は、水陸両用車に関する。 The present invention relates to an amphibious vehicle.

陸上を走行し、海上を航行可能な水陸両用車が知られている。水陸両用車は、民生的用途などに適用されている。例えば、特開平１−２５７６１０号公報（特許文献１：対応米国特許ＵＳＰ５，０３１，５６５号）には、２レベル水陸両用クリーピング車が開示されている。この２レベル水陸両用クリーピング車は、船首部（Ａ）と、主区画（Ｂ）と、後部（Ｃ）という三つの主な部分を備えている。後部（Ｃ）は、プロペラを備えている。また、米国特許６，４８２，０５２号（特許文献２）には、水陸両用車が開示されている。この水陸両用車は、エンジンの入ったポッドを有する船体と、車輪と、海洋推進手段と、制御手段とを備えている。海洋推進手段は、エンジンにより駆動可能なプロペラ又はジェットドライブを備えている。 Amphibious vehicles that run on land and can navigate the sea are known. Amphibious vehicles are used for consumer purposes. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-257610 (Patent Document 1: Corresponding US Pat. No. 5,031,565) discloses a two-level amphibious creeping vehicle. This two-level amphibious creeping vehicle has three main parts: a bow part (A), a main section (B), and a rear part (C). The rear part (C) includes a propeller. US Pat. No. 6,482,052 (patent document 2) discloses an amphibious vehicle. This amphibious vehicle includes a hull having a pod containing an engine, wheels, marine propulsion means, and control means. The marine propulsion means includes a propeller or a jet drive that can be driven by an engine.

特開平１−２５７６１０号公報JP-A-1-257610 米国特許６，４８２，０５２号US Pat. No. 6,482,052

本発明の目的は、航行時の水の抵抗が小さい水陸両用車及びその使用方法を提供することである。 An object of the present invention is to provide an amphibious vehicle with low water resistance during navigation and a method of using the amphibious vehicle.

以下に、（発明を実施するための形態）で使用される番号を用いて、課題を解決するための手段を説明する。これらの番号は、（特許請求の範囲）の記載と（発明を実施するための形態）との対応関係を明らかにするために付加されたものである。ただし、それらの番号を、（特許請求の範囲）に記載されている発明の技術的範囲の解釈に用いてはならない。 The means for solving the problem will be described below using the numbers used in the (DETAILED DESCRIPTION). These numbers are added to clarify the correspondence between the description of (Claims) and (Mode for Carrying Out the Invention). However, these numbers should not be used to interpret the technical scope of the invention described in (Claims).

本発明の一の観点による水陸両用車（１０、１０Ａ、１０Ｂ）は、水に浮くように構成された車体（２０）と、前記車体の後部に設けられたプロペラ推進器（４０）と、前記車体の両側面に設けられた側面カバー（３１）と、前記側面カバーを駆動するカバー駆動装置（３２）とを具備する。前記車体は、陸上を走行するための複数の車輪（２５−１〜２５−４）と、前記複数の車輪のうちの操舵用車輪（２５−１、２５−２）の舵角を変化させる操舵機構（２４）とを備える。前記カバー駆動装置は、前記側面カバーを前記操舵用車輪の外側の第１位置と前記第１位置より高い第２位置との間で駆動する。 An amphibious vehicle (10, 10A, 10B) according to one aspect of the present invention includes a vehicle body (20) configured to float on water, a propeller propulsion device (40) provided at a rear portion of the vehicle body, A side cover (31) provided on both side surfaces of the vehicle body and a cover driving device (32) for driving the side cover are provided. The vehicle body is steered to change the rudder angle of a plurality of wheels (25-1 to 25-4) for traveling on land and a steering wheel (25-1, 25-2) among the plurality of wheels. And a mechanism (24). The cover driving device drives the side cover between a first position outside the steering wheel and a second position higher than the first position.

前記第１位置は、前記操舵用車輪が左折位置及び右折位置の少なくとも一方のときに前記操舵用車輪と前記側面カバーとが干渉する位置であることが好ましい。前記第２位置は、前記操舵用車輪が左折位置及び右折位置のいずれのときも前記操舵用車輪と前記側面カバーとが干渉しない位置であることが好ましい。 The first position is preferably a position where the steering wheel and the side cover interfere when the steering wheel is at least one of a left turn position and a right turn position. The second position is preferably a position where the steering wheel and the side cover do not interfere with each other when the steering wheel is in a left turn position or a right turn position.

本発明の他の観点による水陸両用車の使用方法は、水陸両用車（１０、１０Ａ、１０Ｂ）が陸上を走行するステップと、前記水陸両用車が水中又は水上を航行するステップとを具備する。前記水陸両用車は、水に浮くように構成された車体（２０）と、前記車体の後部に設けられたプロペラ推進器（４０）と、前記車体の両側面に設けられた側面カバー（３１）とを備える。前記車体は、複数の車輪（２５−１〜２５−４）と、操舵機構（２４）とを備える。前記水陸両用車が陸上を走行する前記ステップは、前記複数の車輪が地面の上を転がるステップと、前記操舵機構が前記複数の車輪のうちの操舵用車輪（２５−１、２５−２）の舵角を変化させるステップとを含む。前記水陸両用車が水中又は水上を航行する前記ステップは、前記プロペラ推進器が推進力を発生するステップを含む。前記水陸両用車が水中又は水上を航行する前記ステップにおいて、前記側面カバーは前記操舵用車輪の外側の第１位置に配置される。前記水陸両用車が陸上を走行する前記ステップにおいて、前記側面カバーは前記第１位置より高い第２位置に配置される。 The method of using an amphibious vehicle according to another aspect of the present invention includes a step in which an amphibious vehicle (10, 10A, 10B) travels on land, and a step in which the amphibious vehicle navigates in water or on water. The amphibious vehicle includes a vehicle body (20) configured to float on water, a propeller propulsion device (40) provided at a rear portion of the vehicle body, and side covers (31) provided on both side surfaces of the vehicle body. With. The vehicle body includes a plurality of wheels (25-1 to 25-4) and a steering mechanism (24). The step of the amphibious vehicle traveling on land includes the step of rolling the plurality of wheels on the ground, and the steering mechanism of the steering wheels (25-1, 25-2) among the plurality of wheels. Changing the rudder angle. The step of the amphibious vehicle navigating underwater or water includes the step of generating propulsion by the propeller propulsion device. In the step of the amphibious vehicle navigating underwater or on the water, the side cover is disposed at a first position outside the steering wheel. In the step of the amphibious vehicle traveling on land, the side cover is disposed at a second position higher than the first position.

上記水陸両用車の使用方法は、前記側面カバーを前記第１位置と前記第２位置との間で移動するステップを更に具備することが好ましい。 The method for using the amphibious vehicle preferably further includes a step of moving the side cover between the first position and the second position.

本発明によれば、航行時の水の抵抗が小さい水陸両用車及びその使用方法が提供される。 ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the amphibious vehicle with small water resistance at the time of navigation and its usage method are provided.

図１Ａは、本発明の第１の実施形態に係る水陸両用車の概略側面図であって、水陸両用車の陸上走行状態を示す。FIG. 1A is a schematic side view of an amphibious vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows a land running state of the amphibious vehicle. 図１Ｂは、第１の実施形態に係る水陸両用車の概略底面図であって、水陸両用車の陸上走行状態における車輪と側面カバーとの位置関係を示す。FIG. 1B is a schematic bottom view of the amphibious vehicle according to the first embodiment, and shows the positional relationship between the wheels and the side covers in the land running state of the amphibious vehicle. 図２Ａは、第１の実施形態に係る水陸両用車の概略側面図であって、水陸両用車の水中又は水上航行状態を示す。FIG. 2A is a schematic side view of the amphibious vehicle according to the first embodiment, showing an underwater or surface navigation state of the amphibious vehicle. 図２Ｂは、第１の実施形態に係る水陸両用車の概略底面図であって、水中又は水上航行時における水陸両用車の近傍の水流を示す。FIG. 2B is a schematic bottom view of the amphibious vehicle according to the first embodiment, and shows a water flow in the vicinity of the amphibious vehicle during underwater or surface navigation. 図３は、比較例に係る水陸両用車の概略底面図であって、水中又は水上航行時における水陸両用車の近傍の水流を示す。FIG. 3 is a schematic bottom view of an amphibious vehicle according to a comparative example, and shows a water flow in the vicinity of the amphibious vehicle during underwater or surface navigation. 図４は、本発明の第２の実施形態に係る水陸両用車の概略側面図であって、水陸両用車の陸上走行状態を示す。FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of an amphibious vehicle according to the second embodiment of the present invention, showing the land running state of the amphibious vehicle. 図５は、本発明の第３の実施形態に係る水陸両用車の概略側面図であって、水陸両用車の陸上走行状態を示す。FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of an amphibious vehicle according to the third embodiment of the present invention, showing the land running state of the amphibious vehicle.

添付図面を参照して、本発明による水陸両用車及びその使用方法を実施するための形態を以下に説明する。 With reference to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of an amphibious vehicle according to the present invention and a method for using the amphibious vehicle will be described below.

（第１の実施形態）
図１Ａを参照して、本発明の第１の実施形態に係る水陸両用車１０は、車体２０と、前部車輪側面カバー３１と、カバー駆動装置３２と、プロペラ推進器４０とを備える。車体２０は、水密構造を備え、水に浮くように構成されている。車体２０は、車体前部２１と、浮力体２２と、後方側面カバー２３と、車輪２５−１〜２５−４と、エンジン（図示されず）とを備える。浮力体２２、後方側面カバー２３、車輪２５−１〜２５−４、及びプロペラ推進器４０は、車体２０の下部に配置される。浮力体２２、後方側面カバー２３、車輪２５−１〜２５−４、前部車輪側面カバー３１、カバー駆動装置３２、プロペラ推進器４０は、車体２０の左右両側にそれぞれ設けられる。車輪２５−１は、車体前部２１の後方に配置される。車輪２５−２は、車輪２５−１の後方に配置される。浮力体２２は、車輪２５−２の後方に配置される。車輪２５−３は、浮力体２２の後方に配置される。車輪２５−４は、車輪２５−３の後方に配置される。プロペラ推進器４０は、車体２０の後部、より具体的には、車輪２５−４の後方に配置される。後方側面カバー２３は、プロペラ推進器４０の外側、すなわち、左側のプロペラ推進器４０の左側及び右側のプロペラ推進器４０の右側に配置される。図１Ａでは、プロペラ推進器４０を透かして見るように表示している。図２Ａ、４、及び５においても、プロペラ推進器４０を透かして見るように表示している。 (First embodiment)
Referring to FIG. 1A, the amphibious vehicle 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a vehicle body 20, a front wheel side cover 31, a cover driving device 32, and a propeller propulsion device 40. The vehicle body 20 has a watertight structure and is configured to float on water. The vehicle body 20 includes a vehicle body front portion 21, a buoyancy body 22, a rear side surface cover 23, wheels 25-1 to 25-4, and an engine (not shown). The buoyancy body 22, the rear side surface cover 23, the wheels 25-1 to 25-4, and the propeller propulsion device 40 are disposed at the lower part of the vehicle body 20. The buoyancy body 22, the rear side surface cover 23, the wheels 25-1 to 25-4, the front wheel side surface cover 31, the cover driving device 32, and the propeller propulsion device 40 are provided on both the left and right sides of the vehicle body 20. The wheel 25-1 is disposed behind the vehicle body front portion 21. The wheel 25-2 is disposed behind the wheel 25-1. The buoyancy body 22 is disposed behind the wheel 25-2. The wheel 25-3 is disposed behind the buoyancy body 22. The wheel 25-4 is disposed behind the wheel 25-3. The propeller propulsion device 40 is disposed at the rear portion of the vehicle body 20, more specifically, behind the wheel 25-4. The rear side cover 23 is disposed outside the propeller propulsion unit 40, that is, on the left side of the left propeller propulsion unit 40 and on the right side of the right propeller propulsion unit 40. In FIG. 1A, the propeller propulsion device 40 is displayed as seen through. 2A, 4 and 5 also show the propeller propulsion device 40 as seen through.

水陸両用車１０が陸上を走行するとき、車輪２５−１〜２５−４が上記エンジンによって駆動されて地面の上を転がる。多くの車輪を駆動することで、不整地の走破性が向上する。車輪２５−１及び２５−２は、陸上走行時の水陸両用車１０の操舵（例えば、左折や右折）に用いられる。 When the amphibious vehicle 10 travels on land, the wheels 25-1 to 25-4 are driven by the engine and roll on the ground. By driving many wheels, the running ability of rough terrain is improved. The wheels 25-1 and 25-2 are used for steering the amphibious vehicle 10 during land travel (for example, left turn or right turn).

プロペラ推進器４０は、水中又は水上航行時に用いられる。プロペラ推進器４０は、アジマススラスター（ａｚｉｍｕｔｈｔｈｒｕｓｔｅｒ）のようなポッド型のプロペラ推進器に例示される。このアジマススラスターは、水平方向に３６０度回転するポッドにプロペラを装備して推進軸を任意の方向に向けることができる推進器である。プロペラ推進器４０においてダクトプロペラが採用されている。すなわち、プロペラ推進器４０は、プロペラ４１と、その周囲に設けられたダクト４２とを備える。ダクト４２は、水陸両用車１０が水中又は水上を航行するときにプロペラ４１が異物を取り込むことを防止する。後方側面カバー２３は、水陸両用車１０が水中又は水上を航行するときに浮遊物がプロペラ推進器４０にぶつかることを防止し、水陸両用車１０が陸上を走行するときに地上の障害物がプロペラ推進器４０にぶつかることを防止する。プロペラ推進器４０は、上記エンジンによって駆動されてもよいし、別の原動機によって駆動されてもよい。 The propeller propulsion device 40 is used during underwater or water navigation. The propeller propulsion device 40 is exemplified by a pod type propeller propulsion device such as an azimuth thruster. This azimuth thruster is a propeller that can be equipped with a propeller on a pod that rotates 360 degrees in the horizontal direction to direct the propulsion shaft in any direction. The propeller propeller 40 employs a duct propeller. That is, the propeller propulsion device 40 includes a propeller 41 and a duct 42 provided around the propeller 41. The duct 42 prevents the propeller 41 from taking in foreign objects when the amphibious vehicle 10 navigates underwater or on the water. The rear side cover 23 prevents floating objects from colliding with the propeller propeller 40 when the amphibious vehicle 10 sails underwater or on the water, and obstacles on the ground are propeller when the amphibious vehicle 10 travels on land. This prevents the thruster 40 from being hit. The propeller propulsion device 40 may be driven by the engine or may be driven by another prime mover.

カバー駆動装置３２は、前部車輪側面カバー３１を駆動して上下にスライドさせる。例えば、カバー駆動装置３２はリニアアクチュエータを備える。水陸両用車１０が陸上を走行するとき、前部車輪側面カバー３１は図１Ａに示すように走行位置で保持される。このとき、水陸両用車１０を横から見ると、操舵用の車輪２５−１及び２５−２の上方に前部車輪側面カバー３１が位置し、車輪２５−１及び２５−２は前部車輪側面カバー３１に隠れない。走行位置にある前部車輪側面カバー３１が車体２０の車体外板２０ａの外側に配置されると、車体２０の内部空間を広くとることができるので好ましい。 The cover drive device 32 drives the front wheel side cover 31 to slide up and down. For example, the cover driving device 32 includes a linear actuator. When the amphibious vehicle 10 travels on land, the front wheel side cover 31 is held in the travel position as shown in FIG. 1A. At this time, when the amphibious vehicle 10 is viewed from the side, the front wheel side cover 31 is located above the steering wheels 25-1 and 25-2, and the wheels 25-1 and 25-2 are positioned on the front wheel side surfaces. The cover 31 is not hidden. It is preferable that the front wheel side cover 31 in the traveling position is disposed outside the vehicle body outer plate 20a of the vehicle body 20 because the internal space of the vehicle body 20 can be widened.

図１Ｂを参照して、水陸両用車１０は、操舵機構２４を備える。操舵機構２４は、水陸両用車１０が陸上を走行するとき、運転手のハンドル操作に基づいて操舵用の車輪２５−１及び２５−２の舵角を変化させる。図１Ｂに示すように操舵用の車輪２５−１及び２５−２が左折位置になっても、前部車輪側面カバー３１が上述の走行位置にあるため、操舵用の車輪２５−１及び２５−２と前部車輪側面カバー３１とが干渉しない。操舵用の車輪２５−１及び２５−２が右折位置になっても、前部車輪側面カバー３１が上述の走行位置にあるため、操舵用の車輪２５−１及び２５−２と前部車輪側面カバー３１とが干渉しない。したがって、陸上走行時の水陸両用車１０の操舵が前部車輪側面カバー３１によって妨げられない。 With reference to FIG. 1B, the amphibious vehicle 10 includes a steering mechanism 24. When the amphibious vehicle 10 travels on land, the steering mechanism 24 changes the steering angle of the steering wheels 25-1 and 25-2 based on the steering operation of the driver. As shown in FIG. 1B, even if the steering wheels 25-1 and 25-2 are in the left turn position, the front wheel side cover 31 is in the above-described traveling position, so the steering wheels 25-1 and 25- 2 and the front wheel side cover 31 do not interfere with each other. Even if the steering wheels 25-1 and 25-2 are in the right turn position, the front wheel side cover 31 is in the above-described travel position, so the steering wheels 25-1 and 25-2 and the front wheel side surfaces are The cover 31 does not interfere. Therefore, the steering of the amphibious vehicle 10 during land travel is not hindered by the front wheel side cover 31.

図２Ａを参照して、水陸両用車１０が水中又は水上を航行するとき、前部車輪側面カバー３１は、上記走行位置より低い航行位置で保持される。前部車輪側面カバー３１が航行位置にあるとき、操舵用の車輪２５−１及び２５−２の外側、すなわち、左側の操舵用の車輪２５−１及び２５−２の左側及び右側の操舵用の車輪２５−１及び２５−２の右側に前部車輪側面カバー３１が配置される。このとき水陸両用車１０を横から見ると、車輪２５−１及び２５−２の上側部分（例えば、少なくとも上側半分）が前部車輪側面カバー３１に隠れる。カバー駆動装置３２は、前部車輪側面カバー３１を上述の走行位置と、走行位置より高い上述の航行位置との間で移動する。水陸両用車１０が水中又は水上を航行するとき、車体前部２１、浮力体２２、後方側面カバー２３、車輪２５−１〜２５−４、及びプロペラ推進器４０の各々は、少なくとも部分的に水没する。 Referring to FIG. 2A, when the amphibious vehicle 10 navigates underwater or on the water, the front wheel side cover 31 is held at a navigation position lower than the travel position. When the front wheel side cover 31 is in the navigation position, the steering wheels 25-1 and 25-2 are arranged outside the steering wheels 25-1 and 25-2, that is, the left and right steering wheels 25-1 and 25-2. A front wheel side cover 31 is disposed on the right side of the wheels 25-1 and 25-2. At this time, when the amphibious vehicle 10 is viewed from the side, the upper portions (for example, at least the upper half) of the wheels 25-1 and 25-2 are hidden by the front wheel side cover 31. The cover driving device 32 moves the front wheel side surface cover 31 between the above traveling position and the above navigation position higher than the traveling position. When the amphibious vehicle 10 sails underwater or on the water, each of the vehicle body front portion 21, the buoyant body 22, the rear side cover 23, the wheels 25-1 to 25-4, and the propeller propulsion device 40 is at least partially submerged. To do.

図２Ｂを参照して、水陸両用車１０が水中又は水上を航行するとき、操舵機構２４が操舵用の車輪２５−１及び２５−２を直進位置に保持し、プロペラ推進器４０が水を後方へ押し出して推進力を発生する。上述の航行位置にある前部車輪側面カバー３１のために水流が車輪２５−１及び２５−２や浮力体２２にぶつからないため、水陸両用車１０は水の抵抗が小さい。そのため、水陸両用車１０は航行時の推進性能が優れている。また、前部車輪側面カバー３１のようなカバーがプロペラ推進器４０に近い車輪２５−３及び２５−４には設けられないため、プロペラ推進器４０への水の流入が妨げられない。 Referring to FIG. 2B, when the amphibious vehicle 10 sails underwater or on the water, the steering mechanism 24 holds the steering wheels 25-1 and 25-2 in the straight traveling position, and the propeller propulsion device 40 moves the water backward. To generate thrust. Since the water flow does not hit the wheels 25-1 and 25-2 and the buoyant body 22 because of the front wheel side cover 31 in the navigation position described above, the amphibious vehicle 10 has low resistance to water. Therefore, the amphibious vehicle 10 has excellent propulsion performance during navigation. Further, since a cover such as the front wheel side cover 31 is not provided on the wheels 25-3 and 25-4 close to the propeller propeller 40, the inflow of water to the propeller propeller 40 is not hindered.

ここで、上述の航行位置にある前部車輪側面カバー３１と車輪２５−１及び２５−２との距離が小さいほど、水陸両用車１０は水の抵抗が小さい。例えば、車輪２５−１及び２５−２が左折位置及び右折位置の少なくとも一方のときに車輪２５−１及び２５−２と前部車輪側面カバー３１とが干渉するくらい、航行位置にある前部車輪側面カバー３１と車輪２５−１及び２５−２との距離が小さいことが好ましい。 Here, as the distance between the front wheel side cover 31 and the wheels 25-1 and 25-2 at the navigation position is smaller, the amphibious vehicle 10 has a lower resistance to water. For example, when the wheels 25-1 and 25-2 are at least one of the left-turn position and the right-turn position, the front wheels in the navigation position such that the wheels 25-1 and 25-2 interfere with the front wheel side cover 31. It is preferable that the distance between the side cover 31 and the wheels 25-1 and 25-2 is small.

（比較例）
図３を参照して、水陸両用車１０の効果をより明らかにするために、比較例に係る水陸両用車１００が水中又は水上を航行するときの水陸両用車１００の近傍の水流を説明する。水陸両用車１００は、前部車輪側面カバー３１及びカバー駆動装置３２を備えていない点を除いて水陸両用車１０と同様に構成されている。水陸両用車１０が水中又は水上を航行するとき、水流が車輪２５−１及び２５−２や浮力体２２にぶつかるため、水陸両用車１００は水の抵抗が大きい。尚、車体前部２１の形状が抵抗の小さいものであるほど、速い水流が車体２０の側面の近くを流れるため、前部車輪側面カバー３１の効果が大きい。 (Comparative example)
With reference to FIG. 3, in order to clarify the effect of the amphibious vehicle 10, the water flow in the vicinity of the amphibious vehicle 100 when the amphibious vehicle 100 according to the comparative example sails in water or on water will be described. The amphibious vehicle 100 is configured in the same manner as the amphibious vehicle 10 except that the front wheel side cover 31 and the cover driving device 32 are not provided. When the amphibious vehicle 10 sails underwater or on the water, the water current hits the wheels 25-1 and 25-2 and the buoyant body 22, and thus the amphibious vehicle 100 has a high resistance to water. In addition, since the quick water flow flows near the side surface of the vehicle body 20 as the shape of the vehicle body front portion 21 is smaller, the effect of the front wheel side surface cover 31 is greater.

（第２の実施形態）
図４を参照して、本発明の第２の実施形態に係る水陸両用車１０Ａは、車輪２５−１〜２５−４の各々にタイヤカバー５１が設けられている点を除いて第１の実施形態に係る水陸両用車１０と同様に構成されている。タイヤカバー５１は、車輪２５−１〜２５−４の接地面に沿って設けられている。タイヤカバー５１は、水陸両用車１０Ａが陸上を走行する時の泥除けとして機能する。車輪２５−３及び２５−４に設けられたタイヤカバー５１は、車輪２５−１〜２５−４が跳ね上げる泥や小石等からプロペラ推進器４０を保護する。 (Second Embodiment)
Referring to FIG. 4, an amphibious vehicle 10A according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the first embodiment except that a tire cover 51 is provided on each of the wheels 25-1 to 25-4. It is comprised similarly to the amphibious vehicle 10 which concerns on a form. The tire cover 51 is provided along the ground contact surfaces of the wheels 25-1 to 25-4. The tire cover 51 functions as a mudguard when the amphibious vehicle 10A travels on land. The tire cover 51 provided on the wheels 25-3 and 25-4 protects the propeller propulsion device 40 from mud, pebbles and the like that the wheels 25-1 to 25-4 spring up.

（第３の実施形態）
図５を参照して、本発明の第３の実施形態に係る水陸両用車１０Ｂは、後部車輪側面カバー５２が設けられている点を除いて第２の実施形態に係る水陸両用車１０Ｂと同様に構成されている。後部車輪側面カバー５２は、車輪２５−３及び２５−４に設けられたタイヤカバー５１の上側空間の外側を覆うように、且つ、車輪２５−３及び２５−４に設けられたタイヤカバー５１の下側空間の外側を覆わないように形成されている。すなわち、後部車輪側面カバー５２は、左側の車輪２５−３及び２５−４に設けられたタイヤカバー５１の上側空間の左側及び右側の車輪２５−３及び２５−４に設けられたタイヤカバー５１の上側空間の右側を覆うが、左側の車輪２５−３及び２５−４に設けられたタイヤカバー５１の下側空間の左側及び右側の車輪２５−３及び２５−４に設けられたタイヤカバー５１の下側空間の右側を覆わない。すなわち、水陸両用車１０Ｂを横から見ると、車輪２５−３及び２５−４は後部車輪側面カバー５２に隠れない。後部車輪側面カバー５２が車輪２５−３及び２５−４に設けられたタイヤカバー５１の上側空間の外側を覆うため、水陸両用車１０が水中又は水上を航行するときに浮遊物がプロペラ推進器４０にぶつかることが防止される。後部車輪側面カバー５２が車輪２５−３及び２５−４に設けられたタイヤカバー５１の下側空間の外側を覆わないため、水陸両用車１０が水中又は水上を航行するときにプロペラ推進器４０への水の流入が妨げられない。尚、本実施形態においてタイヤカバー５１は設けられなくてもよい。 (Third embodiment)
Referring to FIG. 5, an amphibious vehicle 10B according to the third embodiment of the present invention is the same as the amphibious vehicle 10B according to the second embodiment except that a rear wheel side cover 52 is provided. It is configured. The rear wheel side cover 52 covers the outside of the upper space of the tire cover 51 provided on the wheels 25-3 and 25-4, and the tire cover 51 provided on the wheels 25-3 and 25-4. It is formed so as not to cover the outside of the lower space. That is, the rear wheel side surface cover 52 is provided on the left and right wheels 25-3 and 25-4 of the tire cover 51 provided on the left wheels 25-3 and 25-4. While covering the right side of the upper space, the tire cover 51 provided on the left and right wheels 25-3 and 25-4 in the lower space of the tire cover 51 provided on the left wheels 25-3 and 25-4. Do not cover the right side of the lower space. That is, when the amphibious vehicle 10 </ b> B is viewed from the side, the wheels 25-3 and 25-4 are not hidden by the rear wheel side cover 52. Since the rear wheel side cover 52 covers the outside of the upper space of the tire cover 51 provided on the wheels 25-3 and 25-4, the floating object is propeller propeller 40 when the amphibious vehicle 10 sails underwater or on the water. It is prevented from hitting. Since the rear wheel side cover 52 does not cover the outside of the lower space of the tire cover 51 provided on the wheels 25-3 and 25-4, when the amphibious vehicle 10 sails underwater or on the water, the propeller thruster 40 Inflow of water is not hindered. In the present embodiment, the tire cover 51 may not be provided.

以上、実施の形態を参照して本発明による水陸両用車及びその使用方法を説明したが、本発明による水陸両用車及びその使用方法は上記実施形態に限定されない。例えば、走行位置にある前部車輪側面カバー３１が車体２０の車体外板２０ａの内側に配置されるようにしてもよい。車輪２５−１〜２５−４の一部だけがエンジンによって駆動されるようにしてもよい。陸上走行時の操舵に車輪２５−１だけを用いてもよいし、車輪２５−１〜２５−４の全部を用いてもよい。上記実施形態では８輪の水陸両用車を説明したが、本発明を４輪の水陸両用車、６輪の水陸両用車、１０輪以上の水陸両用車に適用してもよい。 As described above, the amphibious vehicle and the method of use thereof according to the present invention have been described with reference to the embodiment, but the amphibious vehicle and the method of use thereof according to the present invention are not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the front wheel side cover 31 in the traveling position may be disposed inside the vehicle body outer plate 20 a of the vehicle body 20. Only a part of the wheels 25-1 to 25-4 may be driven by the engine. Only the wheel 25-1 may be used for steering during land travel, or all of the wheels 25-1 to 25-4 may be used. In the above-described embodiment, the eight-wheel amphibious vehicle has been described. However, the present invention may be applied to a four-wheel amphibious vehicle, a six-wheel amphibious vehicle, and ten or more amphibious vehicles.

１０、１０Ａ、１０Ｂ、１００…水陸両用車
２０…車体
２０ａ…車体外板
２１…車体前部
２２…浮力体
２３…後方側面カバー
２４…操舵機構
２５−１〜２５−４…車輪
３１…前部車輪側面カバー
３２…カバー駆動装置
４０…プロペラ推進器
４１…プロペラ
４２…ダクト
５１…タイヤカバー
５２…後部車輪側面カバー DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10A, 10B, 100 ... Amphibious vehicle 20 ... Vehicle body 20a ... Vehicle body outer plate 21 ... Vehicle body front part 22 ... Buoyant body 23 ... Rear side cover 24 ... Steering mechanism 25-1 to 25-4 ... Wheel 31 ... Front part Wheel side cover 32 ... Cover drive device 40 ... Propeller propulsion device 41 ... Propeller 42 ... Duct 51 ... Tire cover 52 ... Rear wheel side cover

Claims

A vehicle body configured to float on water,
A propeller thruster provided at the rear of the vehicle body;
Side covers provided on both sides of the vehicle body;
A cover driving device for driving the side cover;
The vehicle body is
Multiple wheels for running on land,
A steering mechanism for changing a steering angle of a steering wheel among the plurality of wheels,
The cover driving device is an amphibious vehicle for driving the side cover between a first position outside the steering wheel and a second position higher than the first position.

An amphibious vehicle according to claim 1,
The first position is a position where the steering wheel and the side cover interfere when the steering wheel is at least one of a left turn position and a right turn position;
The amphibious vehicle, wherein the second position is a position where the steering wheel and the side cover do not interfere when the steering wheel is in a left turn position or a right turn position.

An amphibious vehicle traveling on land,
The amphibious vehicle navigating underwater or on water,
The amphibious vehicle is
A vehicle body configured to float on water,
A propeller thruster provided at the rear of the vehicle body;
A side cover provided on both side surfaces of the vehicle body,
The vehicle body is
Multiple wheels,
A steering mechanism,
The step of the amphibious vehicle traveling on land includes:
Rolling the plurality of wheels on the ground;
The steering mechanism changing a steering angle of a steering wheel among the plurality of wheels,
The step of the amphibious vehicle navigating underwater or over water includes the step of generating propulsion by the propeller propulsion unit;
In the step of the amphibious vehicle navigating underwater or water, the side cover is disposed at a first position outside the steering wheel;
In the step of the amphibious vehicle traveling on land, the side cover is disposed at a second position higher than the first position.

A method of using an amphibious vehicle according to claim 3,
A method of using an amphibious vehicle, further comprising the step of moving the side cover between the first position and the second position.