JP2014008933A - Vehicle steering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle steering device for reducing a driver's steering load.SOLUTION: A steering device has a transmission device 500 for transmitting power transmitted from a driving device of a three-wheel bicycle to an input disc 82 of a gear box 80 to a transmission part 85 of the gear box 80 when a steering lever is operated by a driver. The transmission part 85 operates so as to adjust the rotation speed difference between the input disc 82 and an output disc 83 on the basis of the power transmitted from the transmission device 500.

Description

  The present invention is provided in a vehicle including a transmission that changes a rotational speed difference between a first driving wheel and a second driving wheel according to a speed ratio set by an operation of an operated part by a driver. The present invention relates to a steering apparatus.

  Conventionally, as a three-wheeled bicycle having one front wheel and two left and right rear wheels, for example, a three-wheeled bicycle described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. In this three-wheeled bicycle, the difference in rotational speed between the left rear wheel and the right rear wheel is changed differentially by providing a bevel gear between the axle of the left rear wheel and the axle of the right rear wheel. .

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-146692

  By the way, the steering of the above three-wheeled bicycle is performed by operating a handle directly connected to the front wheel with a driver's hand. Therefore, for example, it is difficult for a person who has difficulty in operating the handle, such as a person with a disability in the upper limbs, to steer. Therefore, in recent years, there is a demand for a steering device that can easily turn a three-wheeled bicycle even if it is difficult for a person to operate a steering wheel.

  Note that the above problems are not limited to three-wheeled bicycles, and even for four-wheeled bicycles having two front wheels and two rear wheels, any vehicle that adjusts the traveling direction of the vehicle by the operation of the steering wheel by the driver. Can occur as well.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle steering apparatus that can reduce a driver's steering load.

In the following, means for achieving the above object and its operation will be described.
One aspect of the present invention is operated when setting a gear ratio of the rotational speed of the second drive wheel to the rotational speed of the first drive wheel among the pair of drive wheels rotating by the power from the drive device of the vehicle. An operation part to be operated, an input part drivingly connected to the driving device, an output part drivingly connected to the second drive wheel, and a rotational speed difference between the input part and the output part to the gear ratio. And a transmission having a speed change unit according to the speed difference, wherein the first driving wheel is rotated by power from the driving device, and the second driving wheel is transmitted via the transmission. In the vehicle steering apparatus that rotates by the motive power from the driving device, the power transmitted from the driving device to the input portion of the transmission is changed when the operated portion is operated. Further transfer device And summarized in that provided.

  According to the above configuration, when the operated part is operated by the driver to change the traveling direction of the vehicle while the vehicle is running, the power transmitted from the drive device to the input unit is transmitted to the transmission unit. Then, in the transmission, the rotational speed difference between the input unit and the output unit is changed to a speed difference according to the speed ratio set by the operation of the operated unit by the driver by the operation of the transmission unit. As a result, the rotational speed difference between the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel is adjusted, and the traveling direction of the vehicle is changed. By adjusting the traveling direction of the vehicle using the power from the drive device in this way, the driver's steering is compared with the case where the traveling direction of the vehicle is adjusted only by the operating force of the operated portion by the driver. The load is reduced.

  The vehicle steering apparatus according to the present invention includes a rotating body that rotates based on a force transmitted from the operated portion, and the transmission device includes a first connecting portion that rotates integrally with the rotating body, and the transmission. The transmission device is provided with a second connecting portion, and the transmission device is configured such that an angular difference between a rotation angle of the first connecting portion and a rotation angle of the second connecting portion is an allowable value. When it is above, it is preferable to transmit the motive power currently transmitted from the said drive device to the input part of the said transmission to the said transmission part through the said 2nd connection part.

  According to the above configuration, when the rotating body and the first connecting portion are rotated by the operation of the operated portion by the driver, an angular difference is generated between the rotation angle of the first connecting portion and the rotation angle of the second connecting portion. Is generated. And if this angle difference becomes more than an allowable value, the motive power transmitted from the drive unit to the input unit of the transmission is transmitted to the transmission unit through the second connecting unit. As a result, using the power from the driving device, the rotational speed difference between the input unit and the output unit is set to a speed difference corresponding to the speed ratio set by the operation of the operated unit by the driver.

  In the vehicle steering apparatus according to the present invention, the second connecting portion is coaxially arranged with the first connecting portion, and the transmission device includes the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. It is preferable that a twisted portion that is twisted to allow the occurrence of the angle difference is provided.

  According to the above configuration, the rotation of the first connecting portion is transmitted to the second connecting portion via the twisted portion. That is, steering by the driver is assisted by the power from the drive device. Thereby, even if the operating force of the operated part by the driver is weak, the traveling direction of the vehicle can be appropriately adjusted.

  In the vehicle steering apparatus according to the present invention, the transmission device is provided with a connection member that connects the rotating body and the transmission unit of the transmission, and the connection member is located at a midway position in the longitudinal direction. Providing a twisted portion, providing the first connecting portion closer to the rotating body than the twisted portion in the connecting member, and providing the second connecting portion closer to the transmission portion than the twisted portion in the connecting member; It is preferable to become.

  According to the above-described configuration, the drive member is added to the transmission according to the operation of the operated part by the driver in the transmission unit of the transmission by causing the connecting member to twist by the operation of the operated part by the driver. The power from is transmitted. That is, steering by the driver is assisted by the power from the drive device. Thereby, even if the operating force of the operated part by the driver is weak, the traveling direction of the vehicle can be appropriately adjusted.

  In the vehicle steering apparatus according to the present invention, the transmission device includes an extension portion that rotates integrally with the first connection portion and extends radially outwardly about the rotation axis of the first connection portion; A power transmission portion that rotates integrally with the second connecting portion, and that is in contact with the extending portion and displaced radially outward when the angular difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value that is smaller than the allowable value; Preferably, the power transmission unit is configured to be able to transmit power to the input unit of the transmission when the angular difference is equal to or greater than the allowable value.

  According to the above configuration, when the angular difference between the rotation angle of the first connection portion and the rotation angle of the second connection portion is equal to or greater than a specified value, the extension portion that rotates integrally with the first connection portion is a power transmission portion. Abut. In this state, when the above-described angular difference is increased, the power transmission unit is pushed by the extending unit and is displaced radially outward. And if said angle difference becomes more than an allowable value, a power transmission part will be able to transmit power with the input part of a transmission, and the power from a drive device will be the input part of a transmission, a power transmission part, and a 2nd connection part. To the transmission of the transmission. As a result, using the power from the driving device, the rotational speed difference between the input unit and the output unit is set to a speed difference corresponding to the speed ratio set by the operation of the operated unit by the driver.

  In the vehicle steering apparatus according to the present invention, the transmission device includes an enclosure portion that rotates integrally with the input portion of the transmission device and surrounds the second coupling portion from a radially outer side. It is preferable that the transmission portion abuts on the surrounding portion when the angular difference is equal to or greater than the allowable value.

  According to the above configuration, the power transmission unit displaced outward in the radial direction by the contact with the extending portion contacts the surrounding portion that rotates integrally with the input unit of the transmission. Then, the power transmitted from the drive device to the input unit of the transmission is transmitted to the transmission unit of the transmission through the surrounding unit, the power transmission unit, and the second connecting unit.

  In the vehicle steering apparatus according to the present invention, when the vehicle turns in the first direction, the rotating body rotates in a first rotation direction that is a direction along the rotation direction of the input unit of the transmission, and When turning in a second direction which is the reverse direction of the first direction, the rotary device rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, and the transmission device is driven to rotate. A roller is provided, and the power transmission unit contacts the enclosure when the rotating body rotates in the first rotation direction and the angular difference becomes equal to or greater than the allowable value. It is preferable that when the body rotates in the second rotation direction and the angle difference becomes equal to or greater than the allowable value, power can be transmitted to the surrounding portion via the roller.

  According to the above configuration, when the operated portion is operated by the driver to turn the vehicle in the first direction, the rotating body rotates in the first rotation direction. When the angular difference between the rotation angle of the first connecting portion and the rotation angle of the second connecting portion becomes a specified value or more due to the rotation of the rotating body in the first rotation direction, the power transmission portion is Displaced radially outward. And if said angle difference becomes still larger and the angle difference becomes more than an allowable value, a power transmission part will contact | abut to an enclosure part. Then, the power from the drive device is transmitted to the second connecting portion through the power transmission portion and the second connecting portion as a force acting in the first rotation direction. As a result, the rotational speed difference between the input unit and the output unit becomes a speed difference according to the speed ratio set by the operation of the operated part by the driver, and the moving direction of the vehicle is adjusted to the first direction side. .

  On the other hand, when the operated portion is operated by the driver to turn the vehicle in the second direction, the rotating body rotates in the second rotation direction. When the angular difference between the rotation angle of the first connecting portion and the rotation angle of the second connecting portion becomes a specified value or more due to the rotation of the rotating body in the second rotating direction, the power transmission portion is Displaced radially outward. And if said angle difference becomes still larger and the angle difference becomes more than an allowable value, a power transmission part will be able to transmit power with an enclosure part via a roller. Then, the rotation of the input unit of the transmission is reversed by the roller and transmitted to the power transmission unit. That is, the power from the driving device is transmitted to the second connecting portion as a force acting in the second rotation direction through the roller, the power transmission portion, and the second connecting portion. As a result, the rotational speed difference between the input unit and the output unit becomes a speed difference according to the speed ratio set by the operation of the operated part by the driver, and the moving direction of the vehicle is adjusted to the second direction side. .

  According to the present invention, the driver's steering load can be reduced.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an automatic three-wheeled vehicle including an embodiment of a vehicle steering apparatus according to the present invention. (A), (b) is sectional drawing which shows a transmission and an operation device typically. Sectional drawing which shows a transmission and an operation device typically. Sectional drawing which shows an operating device typically. The action figure which shows operation | movement of the operating device in the case of turning a three-wheeled bicycle. The action figure which shows operation | movement of the operating device in the case of turning a three-wheeled bicycle. Sectional drawing which shows the operating device of another embodiment typically. Sectional drawing which shows typically the operating device of other another embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A vehicle steering apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the directions of “front”, “rear”, “left” and “right” are based on the driver of the tricycle.

  As shown in FIG. 1, at the front part of the frame 12 of the three-wheeled bicycle 11, one front wheel 13 that is a driven wheel is rotatably provided. A U-shaped support frame 14 is attached to the rear portion of the frame 12. Inside the support frame 14, a pair of rear wheels 15L and 15R which are drive wheels are arranged. The left rear wheel 15L as the second drive wheel is rotatably supported on the left side portion of the support frame 14 (that is, one side portion in the vehicle width direction) via the left axle 16L. Further, the right rear wheel 15R as the first drive wheel is rotatably supported on the right side portion of the support frame 14 (that is, the other side portion in the vehicle width direction) via the right axle 16R.

  The three-wheel bicycle 11 is provided with a drive device 20 that generates power for running the three-wheel bicycle 11, and a power transmission device 30 that transmits power from the drive device 20 to the rear wheels 15L and 15R. Yes. Further, the three-wheel bicycle 11 is provided with an operating device 50 for adjusting the traveling direction of the three-wheel bicycle 11 and a transmission 80 for adjusting a difference in rotational speed between the left rear wheel 15L and the right rear wheel 15R. . In the present embodiment, the operating device 50 and the transmission 80 constitute a vehicle steering device.

  The drive device 20 includes a left foot pedal 21L and a right foot pedal 21R that are stepped on by a driver, and a drive shaft 22 connected to the pedals 21L and 21R. The drive shaft 22 is rotatably supported by the frame 12 via a first bearing 23. And the drive shaft 22 rotates by the depression operation of each pedal 21L and 21R by a driver | operator.

  The transmission 80 shifts and outputs the rotation of the drive shaft 22 of the drive device 20 disposed in front of the transmission 80. For example, the transmission 80 is provided with a sleeve-like input shaft 81 to which the rotation of the drive shaft 22 is input, and an input disk 82 as an input unit that rotates integrally with the input shaft 81. The input disk 82 is attached to one end of the input shaft 81 in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the transmission 80 includes an output disk 83 as an output section disposed on the left side of the input disk 82 and an output shaft 84 disposed on the left side of the output disk 83 and coaxially disposed on the input shaft 81. Is provided. The other end of the output shaft 84 in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the output disk 83.

  Further, the transmission 80 is provided with a transmission 85 that is disposed between the input disk 82 and the output disk 83. The transmission unit 85 is a known mechanism unit for adjusting the rotational speed difference between the input disk 82 and the output disk 83. The transmission unit 85 of this embodiment has two balls 851 for transmitting the rotation of the input disk 82 to the output disk 83. The transmission unit 85 will be described later.

  The power transmission device 30 includes a drive sprocket 31 fixed to the drive shaft 22 of the drive device 20, an input sprocket 32 fixed to the input shaft 81 of the transmission 80, and an output sprocket 33 fixed to the output shaft 84. Have. Further, the power transmission device 30 is provided with a transmission shaft 34 that is disposed on the rear side of the transmission 80 and extends in the left-right direction. The transmission shaft 34 is rotatably supported by the frame 12 via a second bearing 35. A right intermediate sprocket 36 is fixed to the right end portion of the transmission shaft 34. A left intermediate sprocket 37 is fixed to the left end of the transmission shaft 34. Further, the power transmission device 30 is provided with a right rear wheel sprocket 38 fixed to the right axle 16R and a left rear wheel sprocket 39 fixed to the left axle 16L.

  An endless input chain 40 is wound around the drive sprocket 31, the input sprocket 32, and the right rear wheel sprocket 38. In other words, the input disk 82 and the right rear wheel 15R of the transmission 80 are drivingly connected to the driving device 20. An endless right output chain 41 is wound around the output sprocket 33 and the right intermediate sprocket 36. An endless left output chain 42 is wound around the left intermediate sprocket 37 and the left rear wheel sprocket 39. That is, the left rear wheel 15L is drivably coupled to the drive device 20 via the transmission 80. When the driver depresses the pedals 21L and 21R, the power generated by the drive device 20 is transmitted to the right rear wheel 15R via the drive sprocket 31, the input chain 40, and the right rear wheel sprocket 38. The power generated by the drive device 20 is driven by the drive sprocket 31, the input chain 40, the input sprocket 32, the transmission 80, the output sprocket 33, the right output chain 41, the right intermediate sprocket 36, the transmission shaft 34, the left intermediate sprocket 37, It is transmitted to the left rear wheel 15L via the left output chain 42 and the left rear wheel sprocket 39.

Next, the transmission 80 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b).
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the plurality of balls 851 constituting the transmission unit 85 are supported by the input support surface 82 </ b> A of the input disk 82 and the output support surface 83 </ b> A of the output disk 83. When each ball 851 rotates, each ball 851 corresponds to each of an input transmission surface 82B as a curved surface formed on the input support surface 82A and an output transmission surface 83B as a curved surface formed on the output support surface 83A. Slide.

  The transmission unit 85 is provided with a screw mechanism (not shown) for changing the inclination of the rotation shaft 85A of the ball 851 with respect to the input disk 82 and the output disk 83. When the inclination of the rotation shaft 85A of the ball 851 is changed by the operation of the transmission unit 85 including this screw mechanism, the distance (hereinafter referred to as the rotation shaft 85A) between the portion where the ball 851 contacts the input transmission surface 82B And the distance between the portion where the ball 851 contacts the output transmission surface 83B and the rotary shaft 85A (hereinafter also referred to as “second working radius R2”) are changed. The As a result, the transmission ratio of the transmission 80 is changed.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, in the axial direction of the input shaft 81 and the output shaft 84, the rotation shaft 85A of the ball 851 is inclined from the outside toward the inside in the radial direction from the input shaft 81 side toward the output shaft 84 side. In this case, the second action radius R2 is larger than the first action radius R1. Thereby, the rotation speed of the output shaft 84 becomes faster than the rotation speed of the input shaft 81. As a result, the rotational speed of the left rear wheel 15L becomes faster than the rotational speed of the right rear wheel 15R, and the traveling direction of the three-wheel bicycle 11 is adjusted to the right direction as the first direction.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, in the axial direction of the input shaft 81 and the output shaft 84, the rotational shaft 85A of the ball 851 extends from the inner side to the outer side in the radial direction from the input shaft 81 side toward the output shaft 84 side. Is inclined, the first action radius R1 is larger than the second action radius R2. Thereby, the rotational speed of the output shaft 84 becomes slower than the rotational speed of the input shaft 81. As a result, the rotational speed of the left rear wheel 15L is slower than the rotational speed of the right rear wheel 15R, and the traveling direction of the three-wheeled bicycle 11 is adjusted to the left as the second direction.

  Note that when the rotation shaft 85A of the ball 851 is not inclined with respect to the input shaft 81 and the output shaft 84, that is, when the rotation shaft 85A is parallel to the center line of the input shaft 81 and the output shaft 84, the first working radius. R1 and the second action radius R2 have the same size. For this reason, the gear ratio of the transmission 80 is set to “1: 1”. As a result, the rotation speed of the left rear wheel 15L becomes substantially the same as the rotation speed of the right rear wheel 15R, and the three-wheeled bicycle 11 goes straight.

Next, the operation device 50 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 to 6. 4 to 6, the illustration of the input shaft 81 is omitted for the convenience of understanding the description.
As shown in FIG. 1, the operating device 50 is provided with a left handle 51L for the driver to operate with the left hand and a right handle 51R for the driver to operate with the right hand. These handles 51L and 51R are provided with a steering lever 52 as an operated portion that is operated by a driver's hand (especially a fingertip) when turning the vehicle.

  Further, the operating device 50 is provided with a transmission device 500 for transmitting the power transmitted from the drive device 20 to the input disk 82 of the transmission 80 to the transmission unit 85 when the steering lever 52 is operated. It has been. For example, the transmission device 500 includes a transmission drum 53 as a rotating body that is coaxially disposed on the input shaft 81 of the transmission 80. The speed change drum 53 is connected to the steering lever 52 via a wire 54. When the steering lever 52 provided on the right handle 51R is operated, the speed change drum 53 is in a direction along the rotation direction of the input shaft 81 of the transmission 80 that rotates to advance the three-wheel bicycle 11 (this embodiment). In the form, it rotates in the first rotation direction that is the same direction). On the other hand, when the steering lever 52 provided on the left handle 51L is operated, the speed change drum 53 rotates in a second rotation direction that is opposite to the first rotation direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, such a speed change drum 53 is connected to a speed change shaft 55 as a connection member extending toward the speed change device 80. The transmission shaft 55 passes through the input shaft 81 of the transmission 80. A portion on the distal end side (the portion on the left end side in FIG. 3) of the transmission shaft 55 is drivably coupled to the transmission unit 85 of the transmission 80. A through hole 821 through which the transmission shaft 55 passes is formed in the center of the input disk 82 of the transmission 80. The speed change shaft 55 is rotatably supported by the input disk 82 via a bearing 56.

  The speed change shaft 55 of this embodiment is a torsion bar. At a midway position in the longitudinal direction of the speed change shaft 55, a twisted portion 55A having a smaller diameter than other portions is formed. In the twisted portion 55A, when the transmission drum 53 rotates, the first connecting portion 55B that is a portion of the twisted portion 55A on the transmission drum 53 side is the second connecting portion that is a portion of the twisted portion 55A on the transmission 80 side. Twist occurs so that it rotates ahead of 55C. That is, at the stage where the transmission drum 53 starts to rotate, an angle difference is generated between the rotation angle of the first connecting portion 55B and the rotation angle of the second connecting portion 55C. After that, when the rotation angle of the first connecting portion 55B becomes a constant angle, the twist of the torsion portion 55A is eliminated by the elastic return force of the transmission shaft 55, and the rotation angle of the second connecting portion 55C is changed to the first connecting portion. It almost coincides with the rotation angle of 55B.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, two cams (extending portions) 57 </ b> A and 57 </ b> B are attached to the first connecting portion 55 </ b> B so as to be integrally rotatable. Each of these cams 57A, 57B is in a state of extending outward in the radial direction around the rotation axis 551 of the transmission shaft 55. Further, the cams 57A and 57B are arranged at a constant angular interval. When the first connecting portion 55B is rotated by the rotation of the transmission drum 53, the cams 57A and 57B rotate integrally with the first connecting portion 55B.

  A disc-shaped support disk 60 is attached to the second connecting portion 55C so as to be integrally rotatable. Such a support disk 60 supports two shoes (power transmission portions) 61A and 61B. The shoes 61A and 61B are rotatably supported by the support disk 60 via a support shaft 62.

  The shoes 61A and 61B are configured to become wider as they move away from the portion supported by the support shaft 62. Then, the first connecting portion 55B rotates relative to the second connecting portion 55C, and the angular difference between the rotation angle of the first connecting portion 55B and the rotation angle of the second connecting portion 55C becomes the specified value θth1. When reaching, the cams 57A and 57B rotating integrally with the first connecting portion 55B come into contact with the contacted portion 611 of the shoes 61A and 61B. In this state, when the difference in angle is further increased, the shoes 61A and 61B are pushed by the cams 57A and 57B and rotate (displace) radially outward about the support shaft 62. In the present embodiment, when the first connecting portion 55B rotates relative to the second connecting portion 55C in the first rotation direction C1, the cam 57A contacts the shoe 61A. On the other hand, when the first connecting portion 55B rotates relative to the second connecting portion 55C in the second rotation direction C2, the cam 57B contacts the shoe 61B.

  In FIG. 4, a reversing roller 63 is provided on the outer side in the radial direction of the shoe 61B. The reversing roller 63 is supported by the support disk 60 via a guide groove 601 extending radially inward from the periphery of the support disk 60. The reversing roller 63 is supported while being urged radially inward with respect to the support disk 60. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the reverse roller 63 is urged radially inward of the support disk 60 by a coil spring 64. When the shoe 61B is pushed by the cam 57B and rotates around the support shaft 62, the reversing roller 63 is given a pressing force radially outward from the shoe 61B. As a result, the reversing roller 63 moves radially outward along the edge of the guide groove 601 against the urging force from the coil spring 64.

  On the input disk 82 of the transmission 80, an assist drum 65 as a cylindrical enclosing portion is attached on the radially inner side of the input shaft 81 so as to be integrally rotatable. The assist drum 65 is arranged coaxially with the speed change shaft 55. The shoe 61 </ b> A and the reverse roller 63 can contact the inner peripheral surface 651 of the assist drum 65.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the angular difference between the first connecting portion 55B and the second connecting portion 55C becomes a specified value θth1, and the cam 57A comes into contact with the shoe 61A. When further increased, the shoe 61A rotates outward in the radial direction around the support shaft 62 so as to be pushed by the cam 57A. When the angle difference is equal to or larger than the allowable value θth2 that is larger than the specified value θth1, the sliding contact portion 612 of the shoe 61A comes into sliding contact (contact) with the inner peripheral surface 651 of the assist drum 65. Accordingly, the rotation of the input disk 82 is transmitted to the second connecting portion 55C through the assist drum 65, the shoe 61A, and the support disk 60 as rotation in the first rotation direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when the angle difference between the first connecting portion 55B and the second connecting portion 55C becomes a specified value θth1, the cam 57B comes into contact with the shoe 61B, and then the angle difference further increases. The shoe 61B rotates outward in the radial direction about the support shaft 62 so as to be pushed by the cam 57B. Then, the reverse roller 63 is moved radially outward by the shoe 61B. When the angle difference is equal to or greater than the allowable value θth2, the reversing roller 63 comes into sliding contact (contact) with the inner peripheral surface 651 of the assist drum 65. Then, the rotation of the input disk 82 is reversed by the reversing roller 63 and transmitted to the shoe 61B. Such inverted rotation is transmitted to the second connecting portion 55C through the shoe 61B and the support disk 60 as rotation in the second rotation direction.

Next, the operation when turning the three-wheeled bicycle 11 will be described.
When the steering lever 52 of the right handle 51R is operated by the driver while the three-wheeled bicycle 11 is moving forward based on the depression operation of the pedals 21L and 21R by the driver, the steering lever 52 is connected to the steering lever 52 via the wire 54. The transmission drum 53 thus rotated rotates in the first rotation direction C1. Then, the transmission shaft 55 rotates in the first rotation direction C1.

  A twisted portion 55 </ b> A is provided at a midway position in the longitudinal direction of the speed change shaft 55. Therefore, in the transmission shaft 55, the first connecting portion 55B positioned on the transmission drum 53 side of the twisted portion 55A precedes the second connecting portion 55C positioned on the transmission device 80 side of the twisted portion 55A. Rotate. Then, an angle difference is generated between the rotation angle of the first connecting portion 55B and the rotation angle of the second connecting portion 55C.

  As a result, the cam 57A supported by the first connecting portion 55B relatively rotates so as to approach the shoe 61A that rotates integrally with the second connecting portion 55C. When the angle difference reaches the specified value θth1, the cam 57A comes into contact with the contacted portion 611 of the shoe 61A. When the angle difference further increases in this state, the shoe 61A is pushed by the cam 57A and rotates so as to approach the assist drum 65 about the support shaft 62 as an axis. When the angle difference is equal to or larger than the allowable value θth2, the sliding contact portion 612 of the shoe 61A comes into sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface 651 of the assist drum 65. As a result, the power transmitted from the drive device 20 to the input disk 82 is transmitted to the shoe 61A via the assist drum 65. At this time, the greater the force with which the driver operates the steering lever 52, the greater the pressing force from the shoe 61A against the assist drum 65. As a result, the power transmitted from the assist drum 65 to the shoe 61A increases.

  The power transmitted to the shoe 61A is transmitted to the second connecting portion 55C as power in the first rotation direction C1. As a result, the second connecting portion 55 </ b> C rotates in the first rotation direction C <b> 1 by the power generated by the drive device 20 in addition to the operation force based on the operation of the steering lever 52 by the driver. That is, steering by the driver is assisted by the power generated by the drive device 20. Therefore, when the speed ratio of the rotation speed of the left rear wheel 15L to the rotation speed of the right rear wheel 15R is set by the operation of the steering lever 52 by the driver, the operation force and power described above are used to make the transmission 80 The rotational speed difference between the input disk 82 and the output disk 83 is adjusted to a speed difference corresponding to the above gear ratio. As a result, the rotational speed of the left rear wheel 15L is higher than the rotational speed of the right rear wheel 15R. Thereby, the three-wheeled bicycle 11 turns right by the driver's steering.

  On the other hand, when the steering lever 52 of the left handle 51L is operated while the three-wheel bicycle 11 is moving forward, the transmission drum 53 connected to the steering lever 52 via the wire 54 rotates in the second rotation direction C2. Then, the transmission shaft 55 rotates in the second rotation direction C2. At this time, the cam 57B supported by the first connecting portion 55B relatively rotates in the second rotation direction C2 so as to approach the shoe 61B that rotates integrally with the second connecting portion 55C. When the angle difference reaches the specified value θth1, the cam 57B comes into contact with the contacted portion 611 of the shoe 61B. When the angle difference further increases in this state, the shoe 61B is pushed by the cam 57B and rotates so as to approach the assist drum 65 about the support shaft 62 as an axis. At this time, the reverse roller 63 is pushed by the shoe 61 </ b> B and moves toward the periphery of the support disk 60.

  When the angle difference is equal to or larger than the allowable value θth2, the reversing roller 63 comes into sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface 651 of the assist drum 65. Then, the reverse roller 63 is rotated by the power transmitted from the driving device 20 to the input disk 82. At this time, power corresponding to the rotation of the reverse roller 63 is transmitted to the shoe 61B in contact with the reverse roller 63. Note that the greater the force with which the driver operates the steering lever 52, the greater the pressing force from the reverse roller 63 against the assist drum 65. As a result, the power transmitted from the assist drum 65 to the shoe 61A through the reverse roller 63 increases.

  The power transmitted to the shoe 61B is transmitted to the second connecting portion 55C as power in the second rotational direction C2. As a result, the second connecting portion 55 </ b> C rotates in the second rotation direction C <b> 2 by the power generated by the drive device 20 in addition to the operation force based on the operation of the steering lever 52 by the driver. That is, steering by the driver is assisted by the power generated by the drive device 20.

  Therefore, when the gear ratio is set by the driver operating the steering lever 52, the difference between the rotational speeds of the input disk 82 and the output disk 83 of the transmission 80 is calculated using the above-described operating force and power. The speed difference is set according to the gear ratio. As a result, the rotation speed of the right rear wheel 15R is higher than the rotation speed of the left rear wheel 15L. Thereby, the three-wheeled bicycle 11 turns to the left by the driver's steering.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When the steering lever 52 is operated while the three-wheeled bicycle 11 is traveling, the power transmitted from the drive device 20 to the input disk 82 of the transmission 80 is transmitted to the transmission 85 of the transmission 80. . Thereby, the rotational speed difference between the input disk 82 and the output disk 83 is adjusted. In this way, by adjusting the traveling direction of the three-wheeled bicycle 11 using the power from the drive device 20, compared with the case where the traveling direction of the three-wheeled bicycle 11 is adjusted only by the operating force of the steering lever 52 by the driver. As a result, the driver's steering load can be reduced.

  (2) In the present embodiment, when the driver operates the steering lever 52, the angle difference between the rotation angle of the first connection portion 55B and the rotation angle of the second connection portion 55C becomes equal to or greater than the allowable value θth2. The power from the driving device 20 is transmitted to the second connecting portion 55C via the input disk 82. As a result, when the driver operates the steering lever 52 with an operation force that makes the above-mentioned angle difference about the allowable value θth2, a difference in rotational speed between the right rear wheel 15R and the left rear wheel 15L is generated. Will be able to.

  (3) In this embodiment, when the driver operates the steering lever 52, the power generated by the drive device 20 is transmitted to the speed change portion 85 of the speed change device 80 in addition to the rotational force accompanying the rotation of the speed change drum 53. The That is, the steering by the driver is assisted by the power from the drive device 20. Thereby, even if the operating force of the steering lever 52 by the driver is weak, the traveling direction of the three-wheeled bicycle 11 can be appropriately adjusted.

  (4) As a method of assisting the steering by the driver, a method in which an electric motor such as a motor is provided separately from the drive device 20 is conceivable. However, in this method, in addition to the electric motor, a battery for supplying electric power to the electric motor is newly provided in the vehicle, and the weight and cost of the three-wheeled bicycle 11 are increased. In this regard, in the present embodiment, steering is assisted with the power from the drive device 20. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the driver's force required for steering while suppressing an increase in the weight of the three-wheeled bicycle 11.

  (5) When the three-wheel bicycle 11 is turned to the right, the shoe 61A provided on the second connecting portion 55C is brought into contact with the assist drum 65, whereby the second connecting portion 55C is moved in the first rotation direction. Rotation is assisted. As a result, the three-wheeled bicycle 11 can be turned to the right even if the operating force of the steering lever 52 by the driver is weak.

  (6) On the other hand, when the three-wheeled bicycle 11 is turned to the left, the shoe 61B provided in the second connecting portion 55C can transmit power to the assist drum 65 through the reversing roller 63. The rotation of 55C in the second rotation direction is assisted. As a result, the three-wheeled bicycle 11 can be turned to the left even if the operating force of the steering lever 52 by the driver is weak.

  (7) The reversing roller 63 is positioned radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the assist drum 65 by the biasing force from the coil spring 64 when the reversing roller 63 is not pressed radially outward by the shoe 61B. That is, the reversing roller 63 does not contact the assist drum 65 except when the three-wheeled bicycle 11 is turned left. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in load on the input disk 82 during non-left turning as compared with the case where the reverse roller 63 is always in contact with the assist drum 65.

The above embodiment may be changed to another embodiment as described below.
The reversing roller 63 may always be brought into contact with the assist drum 65. In this case, compared with the case of the said embodiment, it becomes possible to abbreviate | omit the coil spring 64 for providing urging | biasing force to the inversion roller 63. FIG.

  The assist drum 65 may be omitted. Then, when the angle difference between the first connecting portion 55B and the second connecting portion 55C is equal to or larger than the allowable value θth2, the shoes 61A and 61B can transmit power to the input shaft 81 so that power can be transmitted. It is preferable to change the shape. In this case, the input shaft 81 also functions as an enclosure portion.

  -It is good also considering a 1st connection part and a 2nd connection part as a separate member. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a first shaft 101 as a first connecting part connected to the speed change drum 53 and a second connecting part as a second connecting part connected to the speed change part 85 of the transmission 80. Two shafts 102 may be provided. In this case, the second shaft 102 may be arranged coaxially with the first shaft 101.

  When such a configuration is adopted, when the transmission drum 53 is rotated by steering by the driver, the cams 57A and 57B attached to the first shaft 101 are rotated. At this time, when the angle difference between the rotation angle of the first shaft 101 and the rotation angle of the second shaft 102 reaches the specified value θth1, the cams 57A and 57B are attached to the shoes 61A and 61B that rotate integrally with the second shaft 102. Abut. When the angle difference is equal to or greater than the allowable value θth2, the shoes 61A and 61B are pushed by the cams 57A and 57B and approach the assist drum 65 so that power can be transmitted to the assist drum 65. Then, the power transmitted from the drive device 20 to the input disk 82 is transmitted to the second shaft 102 through the shoes 61A and 61B. Thus, the rotational speed difference between the input disk 82 and the output disk 83 is adjusted by the operation of the transmission unit 85. As a result, the rotational speed difference between the right rear wheel 15R and the left rear wheel 15L is adjusted. That is, the traveling direction of the three-wheeled bicycle 11 is changed.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first shaft 111 as the first connecting portion may be rotatably supported by the second shaft 112 as the second connecting portion.
7 and 8, even if the operation force resulting from the operation of the steering lever 52 by the driver is not transmitted to the transmission unit 85 of the transmission 80, the drive unit 20 is connected to the transmission unit 85. By transmitting the power generated in step 1, the traveling direction of the three-wheeled bicycle 11 can be adjusted.

  -You may connect the 1st connection part and 2nd connection part which were provided separately by the elastic body which can be elastically deformed. In this case, the elastic body functions as a twisted portion. Even if such a configuration is adopted, the same effects as the effects (1) to (7) of the above embodiment can be obtained.

  -It is good also as only one cam attached to the 1st connection part 55B. When the cam rotates relative to the support disk 60 in the first rotation direction C1, the cam may be brought into contact with the shoe 61A. Further, when the cam rotates relative to the support disk 60 in the second rotation direction C2, the cam may be brought into contact with the shoe 61B.

  When there is one cam, there may be one shoe that is rotatably supported by the support disk 60. In this case, one shoe may be supported by the support disk 60 via a support shaft at the center in the circumferential direction. When the cam rotates relative to the support disk 60 in the first rotational direction C1, the shoe may be rotated about the support shaft and brought into contact with the assist drum 65 by contact with the cam. On the other hand, when the cam rotates relative to the support disk 60 in the second rotational direction C2, the shoe is rotated about the support shaft by contact with the cam, and the assist drum 65 is powered via the reverse roller 63. It is good also as a state which can be transmitted. Even if such a configuration is adopted, the same effects as the effects (1) to (7) of the above embodiment can be obtained.

  The operated portion may have any configuration other than the steering lever 52 as long as it can rotate the speed change drum 53. For example, when the seat on which the driver is seated can be moved, the seat may function as the operated portion. In this case, when the seat is moved in the first movement direction, the speed change drum 53 is rotated in the first rotation direction C1, and the seat is moved in the second movement direction opposite to the first movement direction. Sometimes the speed change drum 53 rotates in the second rotational direction C2.

  The three-wheeled bicycle may have a configuration including two front wheels as driving wheels and one rear wheel as driven wheels. In this case, the traveling direction of the tricycle is adjusted by adjusting the difference in rotational speed between the right front wheel and the left front wheel.

  The vehicle may have a configuration including two front wheels and two rear wheels. In this case, each front wheel or each rear wheel functions as a drive wheel. Even in such a configuration, the traveling direction of the vehicle is adjusted by adjusting the difference in rotational speed between the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel.

  The vehicle drive device may be configured not to use energy such as electric power or fuel, that is, a drive device such as an internal combustion engine or a motor, instead of a human drive device.

  15L ... Left rear wheel as second drive wheel, 15R ... Right rear wheel as first drive wheel, 20 ... Drive device, 52 ... Steering lever as operated portion, 53 ... Shift drum as rotating body, 55 ... Shaft for transmission as a connecting member, 55A ... Twist part, 55B ... First connecting part, 55C ... Second connecting part, 57A, 57B ... Cam as extension part, 61A, 61B ... Power transmission part , 63 ... reversing roller, 65 ... assist drum as enclosure portion, 80 ... transmission device, 82 ... input disc (enclosure portion) as input portion, 83 ... output disc as output portion, 85 ... transmission portion, 101 , 111... First shaft as the first connecting portion, 102, 112... The second shaft as the second connecting portion, 500... Transmission device, .theta.th1.

Claims (7)

An operated portion that is operated when setting a speed ratio of the rotational speed of the second drive wheel to the rotational speed of the first drive wheel among the pair of drive wheels that are rotated by power from the drive device of the vehicle;
The rotational speed difference between the input unit that is drivingly connected to the driving device, the output unit that is drivingly connected to the second drive wheel, and the input unit and the output unit is a speed difference corresponding to the gear ratio. A transmission having a transmission unit,
In the vehicle steering apparatus, the first driving wheel is rotated by power from the driving device, and the second driving wheel is rotated by power from the driving device transmitted via the transmission.
A vehicle steering system, further comprising: a transmission device configured to transmit power transmitted from the drive device to the input unit of the transmission to the transmission unit of the transmission when the operated unit is operated. apparatus. A rotating body that rotates based on the force transmitted from the operated portion;
The transmission device includes a first connecting portion that rotates integrally with the rotating body, and a second connecting portion that is connected to the transmission portion of the transmission.
The transmission device is transmitted from the drive device to the input portion of the transmission when the angular difference between the rotation angle of the first connection portion and the rotation angle of the second connection portion is greater than or equal to an allowable value. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power that is being transmitted is transmitted to the transmission unit through the second connecting unit. The second connecting portion is disposed coaxially with the first connecting portion,
The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the transmission device includes a torsion portion that connects the first connection portion and the second connection portion and is twisted to allow the occurrence of the angle difference. Steering device. The transmission device is provided with a connecting member that connects the rotating body and a transmission portion of the transmission.
The connecting member is provided with the twisted portion at a midway position in the longitudinal direction thereof, the first connecting portion is provided on the rotating body side with respect to the twisted portion of the connecting member, and the twisted portion of the connecting member is more than the twisted portion. The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second connecting portion is provided on a transmission portion side. In the transmission device,
An extension portion that rotates integrally with the first connection portion and extends radially outwardly about the rotation axis of the first connection portion;
A power transmission portion that rotates integrally with the second connecting portion, and that is in contact with the extending portion and displaced radially outward when the angular difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value that is smaller than the allowable value; Provided,
5. The vehicle steering device according to claim 3, wherein the power transmission unit is capable of transmitting power to and from the input unit of the transmission when the angular difference is equal to or greater than the allowable value. The transmission device includes a surrounding portion that rotates integrally with the input portion of the transmission and surrounds the second connecting portion from the outside in the radial direction.
The vehicle steering apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the power transmission unit abuts on the surrounding portion when the angular difference is equal to or greater than the allowable value. When the vehicle turns in the first direction, the rotating body rotates in a first rotation direction that is a direction along the rotation direction of the input unit of the transmission, and the vehicle is in a direction opposite to the first direction. When turning in the second direction, it rotates in the second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction,
The transmission device is provided with a driven rotating roller,
The power transmission unit is
While the rotating body rotates in the first rotation direction and the angle difference is equal to or greater than the allowable value, the rotating body abuts on the surrounding portion,
The vehicle steering system according to claim 6, wherein when the rotating body rotates in the second rotation direction and the angular difference becomes equal to or greater than the allowable value, power can be transmitted to the enclosure through the roller. apparatus.