JP2015157615A - vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To compactify a structure for keeping the self-standing state of a vehicle frame in a vehicle having two steerable front wheels.SOLUTION: Both upper and lower ends of an inner tube 75 of a first pillow ball 36, which has the inner tube 75 and an outer tube 76 shorter than the inner tube 75, are supported on a front frame 15. A knuckle for rotatably supporting front wheels is steerably supported on a knuckle support which is provided on a steering arm fixed to the outer tube 76. A first lever 56 at the lower end of a steering shaft 13 is connected to a second lever 58 at the upper end of a sub steering shaft 57, which rotatably penetrates the inner tube 75, via a connection rod 59. A third lever 62 at the lower end of the sub steering shaft 57 is connected to the knuckle via a tie rod, and the outer tube 76 is connected to the vehicle frame F.

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle in which a steering handle for steering a pair of left and right front wheels is attached to an upper end of a steering shaft, and the steering shaft is rotatably supported on a head pipe constituting a part of a body frame.

A head pipe constituting a part of the vehicle body frame is rotatably connected to a central portion of a steering arm extending in the vehicle width direction, and a steering handle is provided at an upper end of a steering shaft that is rotatably supported by the head pipe. A lever attached to the lower end of the steering shaft is connected to one of a pair of left and right front wheels that are pivotally supported at both ends of the steering arm and connected to each other by a connecting rod. Patent Document 1 discloses a tricycle in which a pair of left and right coil springs for holding the head pipe in a self-supporting state are provided between the head pipe and the steering arm.

JP 2010-064560 A

In the tricycle disclosed in Patent Document 1, a pair of left and right coil springs for holding the head pipe in a self-supporting state are provided between the head pipe and the steering arm. Therefore, a relatively wide space is required, and it is desired to make the structure for maintaining the self-supporting state of the body frame compact.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in a vehicle such as a three-wheeled vehicle or a four-wheeled vehicle having a front two-wheel capable of being steered, the structure for maintaining the self-supporting state of the body frame can be made compact. The object is to provide a vehicle.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a steering handle for steering a pair of left and right front wheels is attached to an upper end of a steering shaft, and the steering shaft is rotatable on a head pipe constituting a part of a vehicle body frame. The vehicle body frame includes a front frame extending forward from the head pipe, an inner cylinder having a central axis extending vertically, and a shorter than the inner cylinder, Upper and lower ends of the inner cylinder of the first pillow ball having an outer cylinder that coaxially surrounds an axially intermediate part are supported at a center part in the vehicle width direction of the front frame, and an upper part and a lower part of the inner cylinder are respectively provided. An inner end along the vehicle width direction of a pair of left and right steering arms, which is provided between the first pillow ball and the front frame, and has a pair of left and right steering arms extending in the vehicle width direction. A pair of left and right knuckles that individually pivotally support the pair of left and right front wheels can be steered on a knuckle support portion that is fixed to the outer cylinder and provided at outer end portions along the vehicle width direction of the pair of left and right steering arms. The first lever attached to the lower end portion of the steering shaft so as to rotate together with the steering shaft is attached to the upper end portion of the sub steering shaft that pivotally penetrates the inner cylinder. A third lever provided at a lower end portion of the sub steering shaft is connected to a pair of left and right knuckles via individual tie rods, and the outer cylinder is connected to the vehicle body frame. This is the first feature.

According to the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first feature, a fourth lever fixed to the outer cylinder and extending rearward is connected to a support plate fixed to the vehicle body frame via a second pillow ball, A steel ball disposed between the fourth lever and the support plate is held by the fourth lever so as to be able to roll, and a spherical roll that is recessed so as to roll the steel ball on the support plate side. A second feature is that the surface is formed.

According to the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second feature, a U-shaped bracket that opens toward the rear of the vehicle body is supported at a vehicle width direction central portion of a front end portion of the front frame, and the inner cylinder The upper and lower ends are fixed to the bracket, and a part of a pair of the annular elastic members and the first pillow ball sandwiched between the annular elastic members are disposed in the bracket. It is characterized by.

In addition to the configuration of the third feature, the fourth feature of the present invention is that the bracket is provided with a lever regulating member that regulates a rotation range of the third lever.

According to the present invention, in addition to any of the configurations of the first to fourth features, the vehicle body frame including a seat tube that extends vertically so as to support an occupant seat on which an occupant sits is driven by an electric motor. A single rear wheel is suspended, and the seat tube or the head pipe
A fifth feature is that a battery for supplying electric power to the electric motor is provided.

According to the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fifth feature, the vehicle body frame includes the head pipe, a main frame extending rearward from the head pipe, and the seat erected at a middle portion in the front-rear direction of the main frame. A suspension frame connecting between the tube and an intermediate portion of the seat tube and a rear end portion of the main frame, and a step floor on which an occupant sitting on the occupant's seat places his / her foot is forward of the seat tube It is fixed on the main frame so that at least a part thereof is disposed, and the rear wheel is rotatably supported by the rear end portion of the main frame and the connecting portion of the suspension frame. Features.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the steering handle is operated, the steering shaft is pivoted through the first lever, the connecting rod, the sub steering shaft, the second lever, and the pair of left and right tie rods. The front wheels that are pivotally supported by the pair of left and right knuckles are steered. In addition, the inner cylinder of the first pillow ball having an inner cylinder having a central axis extending vertically and an outer cylinder surrounding the inner cylinder is supported at the center in the vehicle width direction of the front frame extending forward from the head pipe. A knuckle support portion that supports the pair of left and right knuckles so as to be steerable is provided at the outer end portion in the vehicle width direction. The inner end portions in the vehicle width direction of the pair of left and right steering arms are at the upper and lower ends of the outer cylinder of the first pillow ball. Fixed, the outer cylinder is connected to the vehicle body frame, and a pair of annular elastic members that surround the upper and lower portions of the inner cylinder of the first pillow ball are provided between the first pillow ball and the front frame, so that the vehicle body tilts left and right The turning center point of the vehicle body frame at the time of turning is the center of the first pillow ball, and the turning is performed by the elastic force exerted by the two annular elastic members with a space between the pair of annular elastic members. The first pillow ball has a structure for maintaining the self-supporting state of the body frame by generating a twist with respect to the point and urging the front frame, that is, the body frame back to the neutral position by the elastic force. It can be arranged in a compact manner around the inner cylinder. Moreover, since not only turning (turning) but also swinging + turning is performed, the turning reference point becomes ambiguous only with the elastic member, whereas the elastic force is generated based on the reference point. The body frame can be returned to the self-supporting position.

According to the second feature of the present invention, the fourth lever extending rearward from the outer cylinder is connected to the support plate fixed to the vehicle body frame via the second pillow ball so that the fourth lever can roll. Since the rolling surface that is recessed in a spherical shape is formed on the support plate side so as to roll the held steel ball,
The distance between the fourth lever and the support plate is increased by rolling the steel ball when the body frame falls down, thereby generating an urging force to return to the original side, and the urging force is transmitted via the fourth lever. Acts on the outer cylinder of the first pillow ball, and in combination with the elastic force of the annular elastic member, it can ensure the independence of the body frame more reliably, and the excellent rising effect from the tilting position of the body frame to the standing position Can be obtained.

According to the third feature of the present invention, the upper and lower ends of the inner cylinder of the first pillow ball are fixed to the U-shaped bracket supported by the front frame, and a part of the pair of annular elastic members and Since the first pillow ball overlaps and is disposed in the bracket, the inner cylinder of the first pillow ball can be compactly fixed to the vehicle body frame.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the turning angle of the front wheel can be regulated such that the rotation range of the third lever is regulated by the lever regulating member provided on the bracket.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a battery for supplying electric power to an electric motor for driving a single rear wheel is disposed on a seat tube or a head pipe constituting a part of the body frame. The battery can be arranged compactly while avoiding an increase in the size of the vehicle due to the arrangement of the battery.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a head pipe, a main frame extending rearward from the head pipe, a seat tube erected at a middle portion in the front-rear direction of the main frame, an intermediate portion of the seat tube, and a main tube By configuring the vehicle body frame to include a suspension frame that connects the rear ends of the frame, a compact vehicle body frame suitable for a front two-wheel vehicle can be obtained, and the step floor is located in front of the seat tube. Since it is fixed on the main frame so that at least a part of it is placed, the feet of the occupant sitting on the occupant's seat can be stably placed, and the rear end of the main frame and the suspension frame are connected to each other. Since the rear wheel is rotatably supported by the portion, the rear wheel can be stably supported.

It is a left view of a tricycle. It is the perspective view seen from the diagonally left rear of a tricycle. FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of arrow 3 in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. It is the perspective view seen from the 5 arrow direction of FIG. It is the perspective view seen from the 6 arrow direction of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of a 4th lever and a support plate. It is a perspective view corresponding to Drawing 2 of a tricycle in the state where an auxiliary wheel was grounded.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying FIGS. In the following description, front and rear, left and right, and top and bottom refer to directions as viewed from a passenger on the vehicle.

First, in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vehicle includes front two wheels WF and WF that are steered when a passenger sitting on a saddle 11 that is a passenger seat steers a bar-shaped steering handle 12. The body frame F is a tricycle, and includes a head pipe 14 that rotatably supports a steering shaft 13 to which a steering handle 12 is attached at an upper end, a front frame 15 that extends forward from the head pipe 14, and the head pipe. Main frame 16 extending rearward from 14
A seat tube 17 erected at the front-rear direction intermediate portion of the main frame 16, a pair of left and right suspension frames 18 connecting the intermediate portion of the seat tube 17 and the rear end portion of the main frame 16, and the head A seat post 20 having an intermediate portion of the pipe 14 and a sub-frame 19 provided between the intermediate portion of the seat tube 17 and having the saddle 11 at an upper end thereof, the insertion length into the seat tube 17 being adjustable. The sheet tube 17 is inserted and fixed.

The main frame 16 is composed of a pair of left and right first and second frame pipes 21 and 22 whose front end portions are connected to the rear portion of the head pipe 14, and the first frame pipe 21 includes the head A first front inclined portion 21a extending rearward from the middle portion of the pipe 14 and rearward, and a rear angle of the first front inclined portion 21a at a steeper inclination angle than that of the first front inclined portion 21a. A second front inclined portion 21b extending downward from the end and a second front inclined portion 21b
A second frame pipe 22 is integrally formed with an intermediate horizontal portion 21c extending horizontally rearward from the rear end and a rear inclined portion 21d extending rearward upward from the rear end of the intermediate horizontal portion 21c. Is formed symmetrically with the first frame pipe 21 with respect to a vertical plane PL (see FIG. 3) passing through the central axis of the head pipe 14 and the steering shaft 13 in the front-rear direction. The rear ends of the first and second frame pipes 21 and 22 are arranged so as to sandwich the single rear wheel WR from both sides, and the rear ends of the pair of left and right suspension frames 18 and 18 are the first and second frames. The pipes 21 and 22 are connected to the rear ends of the pipes 21 and 22.

The seat tube 17 has a lower end fixed to a cross member 23 (see FIG. 1) provided between the first and second frame pipes 21 and 22 at a position corresponding to the rear portion of the intermediate horizontal portion 21c in the first frame pipe 21. In this manner, the main frame 16 is erected so as to incline slightly rearward from the middle part in the front-rear direction.

A step for a passenger sitting on the saddle 11 to place his / her feet on the first and second frame pipes 21 and 22 in the main frame 16 at a position corresponding to the intermediate horizontal portion 21c of the first frame pipe 21. The floor 24 is fixed so that at least a part thereof is disposed in front of the seat tube 17. The rear end of the main frame 16, that is, the rear ends of the first and second frame pipes 21 and 22, and the suspension frame 1
An axle 25 of a single rear wheel WR is rotatably supported by the connecting portions 8 and 18. In addition, in the wheel 26 of the rear wheel WR, an electric motor 27 (FIG. 1) that exerts power for driving the rear wheel WR.
Reference) is housed.

Further, a battery 28 for supplying electric power to the electric motor 27 is disposed in the seat tube 17 or the head pipe 14, in this embodiment, the head pipe 14. That is, a battery cradle 30 is provided on the lower rear surface of the head pipe 14, and a battery box 29 containing the battery 28 is disposed on the head pipe 14 so as to be supported by the battery cradle 30. The battery box 29 may contain a control unit that controls the operation of the electric motor 27. A battery box 29 containing the battery 28 may be disposed in the seat tube 17 as indicated by a chain line in FIG.

4 to 6, the front frame 15 is composed of a pair of left and right frame members 33, 34 that are connected to lower portions on both sides of the head pipe 14. , 34 is formed by bending a pipe, and is disposed below the axis of the first frame portion 33a, 34a that is provided on both sides of the head pipe 14 and extends downward, and the axle 35 of the front wheel WF. Second frame portions 33b, 34b extending forward from the lower ends of the first frame portions 33a, 34a, third frame portions 33c, 34c extending upward from the front ends of the second frame portions 33b, 34b, and the axle 35 of the front wheel WF It is arranged at a position higher than the axis of the third
Fourth frame portions 33d and 34 extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper ends of the frame portions 33c and 34c.
d, and the head pipe 14 and the steering shaft 1 in the front-rear direction.
3 is formed in a symmetric shape with respect to the vertical plane PL passing through the central axis 3. In addition, in this embodiment, the inner ends in the vehicle width direction of the pair of left and right fourth frame portions 33d and 34d are butt-joined to each other.

A central portion in the vehicle width direction of the front end portion of the front frame 15, that is, an inner end portion in the vehicle width direction of the pair of left and right fourth frame portions 33 d and 34 d in the front frame 15, has a U-shape that opens toward the rear of the vehicle body. A bracket 40 is supported. In this embodiment, the bracket 4 is supported.
0 integrally has an upper plate portion 40a and a lower plate portion 40b provided with coaxial insertion holes 41 and 42, respectively, and is fixed to the inner ends in the vehicle width direction of the fourth frame portions 33d and 34d.

The upper and lower end portions of the inner cylinder 75 of the first pillow ball 36 are supported by the upper plate portion 40a and the lower plate portion 40b of the bracket 40 at the vehicle width direction center portion of the front frame 15. The first pillow ball 36 has a central axis 75 that extends vertically while slightly tilting forward, and is formed shorter than the inner cylinder 75 so as to coaxially surround the axial intermediate portion of the 75. An outer cylinder 76 having a spherical outer periphery and penetrating the inner cylinder 75, and a holding member 78 provided on the inner periphery of the outer cylinder 76 and in sliding contact with the outer surface of the spherical body 77.

The upper and lower end portions of the inner cylinder 75 in the first pillow ball 36 are inserted into the insertion holes 41 and 42 of the upper plate portion 40a and the lower plate portion 40b in the bracket 40. An upper end portion of the inner cylinder 75 is integrally provided with a flange portion 75a that overlaps the upper plate portion 40a from above, and is engraved on the outer surface of the protruding portion of the inner tube 75 from the lower plate portion 40b. By tightening a nut 44 to be engaged with the male screw 43 and engaging and contacting the lower surface of the lower plate portion 40b, the inner cylinder 75
The upper and lower ends of the bracket are fixed to the bracket 40.

The spherical body 77 in the first pillow ball 36 and the upper plate portion 40 of the bracket 40.
Cylindrical collars 79 and 80 surrounding the inner cylinder 75 are interposed between the a and the lower plate portion 40b, respectively, and the upper and lower portions of the inner cylinder 75 are enclosed with the collars 79 and 80, respectively. A pair of elastic bushes 37 and 38, which are a pair of annular elastic members, are respectively provided between the first pillow ball 36 and the bracket 40 in the front frame 15, and a part of the pair of elastic bushes 37 and 38. The first pillow ball 36 sandwiched between the elastic bushes 37 and 38 is disposed in the bracket 40.

The outer cylinder 76 of the first pillow ball 36 is an outer cylinder holding member 39 that surrounds the outer cylinder 76.
The inner end portion along the vehicle width direction of the pair of left and right steering arms 47 that are respectively constituted by a pair of front and rear pipes 45 and 46 and extend in the vehicle width direction is fixed to the outer cylinder holding member 39. . Cylindrical knuckle support portions 48 are respectively provided at the vehicle width direction outer ends of the steering arms 47, and a pair of left and right knuckles 49 that individually support the pair of left and right front wheels WF are supported by the knuckle support. It is supported by the part 48 via the king pin 50 so that steering is possible.

The steering arm 47 includes a third frame portion 33c in the front frame 15,
The third frame portions 33c and 34d are disposed so as to extend forward from the front ends of the second frame portions 33b and 34b in front of the steering arm 47.

Incidentally, each of the pair of left and right front wheels WF includes a disc brake 54 provided with a brake disc 52 attached to the wheel 51 of the front wheel WF and a caliper 53 supported by the knuckle 49 so as to straddle the brake disc 52. Installed.

A first lever 56 that rotates together with the steering shaft 13 is attached to a lower end portion of the steering shaft 13 that has penetrated the head pipe 14, and penetrates the inner cylinder 75 of the first pillow ball 36 in a rotatable manner. A second lever 58 is attached to the upper end portion of the sub steering shaft 57, and one end portion of the connecting rod 59 is connected to the first lever 56 via the first universal joint 60, and the other end of the connecting rod 59 is connected. The portion is connected to the second lever 58 via the second universal joint 61.

Also, one end of a pair of left and right tie rods 63 individually corresponding to the pair of left and right front wheels WF is connected to a third lever 62 provided at the lower end of the sub steering shaft 57 via a third universal joint 64. The The other end portions of both tie rods 63 are connected to the pair of left and right knuckles 49 via a fourth universal joint 65.

The lower plate portion 40b of the bracket 40 has the sub steering shaft 5
A lever restricting member 81 having a pair of restricting surfaces 81a and 81b extending radially from the center axis of the sub steering shaft 57 at a predetermined angle centered on the center axis of the The rotation range of the third lever 62 is regulated by contact with the regulation surfaces 81a and 81b.

The outer cylinder 76 in the first pillow ball 36 is connected to the vehicle body frame F. In this embodiment, the front end portion is fixed to the outer cylinder holding member 39 to which the outer cylinder 76 is fixed. A fourth lever 66 is disposed so as to extend rearward from the outer cylinder 76, and the fourth lever 66 is connected to a support plate 67 fixed to the vehicle body frame F via a second pillow ball 68. In this embodiment, the first frame 15 in the front frame 15 of the vehicle body frame F is used.
In the lower part of the first frame portions 33a, 34a of the second frame members 33, 34,
The stays 69 extending downward are fixed to each other, and 5 of the sub steering shaft.
Two sets of bolts 84 and nuts 8 with both ends of the support plate 67 in the vehicle width direction along the plane parallel to the central axis of the plate 7 interposed between the stay 69 and a flat spacer 86.
5 is concluded.

Referring also to FIG. 7, the fourth lever 66 has a connecting plate portion 66 a facing the support plate 67 from the front, and the upper portion of the connecting plate portion 66 a and the vehicle width of the support plate 67. The upper part of the central portion in the direction is connected via the second pillow ball 68. For example, 2 for gap adjustment
A bolt 88 inserted into the second pillow ball 68, the two washers 87 and the connecting plate portion 66a in a state where the two washers 87 are interposed between the second pillow ball 68 and the upper portion of the connecting plate portion 66a. The nut 89 that contacts and engages with the connecting plate portion 66a from the side opposite to the support plate 67 is screwed and tightened so that the upper portion of the connecting plate portion 66a is connected to the support plate 67 by the second pillow ball. 68.

Further, a steel ball 82 disposed between the connection plate portion 66a and the support plate 67 is held at the lower portion of the connection plate portion 66a in the fourth lever 66 so as to be able to roll. This embodiment Then, the holding hole 90 into which a part of the steel ball 82 is fitted so as to be able to roll is formed in the connecting plate portion 66.
It is provided in the lower part of a. On the other hand, on the side of the support plate 67, a spherical rolling surface 94 that is recessed so as to roll the steel ball 82 is formed. A receiving plate 91 made of a material harder than the support plate 67 is fastened to the surface on the side of the connecting plate portion 66 a by four bolts 92 and nuts 93.
1, the rolling surface 94 for rolling the steel ball 82 and the positioning hole 95 opened at the center of the rolling surface 94 are formed, and the vehicle body frame F is not tilted and is self-supporting. A part of the steel ball 82 is fitted into the positioning hole 95.

Paying attention to FIGS. 1 and 2, one end of a pair of left and right auxiliary wheel support arms 71 is rotatably supported via a support shaft 72 at the rear portion of the main frame 16 in the vehicle body frame F. An auxiliary wheel 73 is rotatably supported at the other end of the auxiliary wheel support arm 71.

In addition, the auxiliary wheel support arm 71 is arranged such that the auxiliary wheel 73 is rear wheel W as shown in FIGS.
It is rotatable between a non-use position disposed above R and a use position in which the auxiliary wheel 73 is grounded to the ground behind the rear wheel WR, as shown in FIG. The non-use position and the use position of both auxiliary wheel support arms 71 are fixedly held.

The auxiliary wheel support arms 71 are supported on the rear portion of the main frame 16 so that the auxiliary wheels 73 are close to each other in the non-use position. Protruding the auxiliary wheel 73 from the vehicle body width can be suppressed by bringing the 73 close to each other.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The vehicle body frame F is connected to the head pipe 14.
An inner cylinder 75 having a front axis 15 extending forward from a central axis extending vertically,
An outer cylinder 76 that is formed shorter than the inner cylinder 75 and coaxially surrounds an axially intermediate portion of the inner cylinder 75.
The upper and lower ends of the inner cylinder 75 of the first pillow ball 36 are supported at the center in the vehicle width direction of the front frame 15 and surround the upper and lower portions of the inner cylinder 75, respectively. , 38 are provided between the first pillow ball 36 and the front frame 15, and the inner end portions along the vehicle width direction of the pair of left and right steering arms 47 extending in the vehicle width direction are fixed to the outer cylinder 76. A pair of left and right knuckles 49 that individually pivotally support a pair of left and right front wheels WF are supported on a knuckle support portion 48 provided at an outer end portion of the steering arm 47 along the vehicle width direction so that the steering shaft can be steered. The first lever 56 attached to the lower end portion of the steering shaft 13 so as to rotate together with the inner shaft 7
The third lever 62 connected to the second lever 58 attached to the upper end portion of the sub steering shaft 57 penetrating the shaft 5 via the connecting rod 59 and provided at the lower end portion of the sub steering shaft 57 The pair of knuckles 49 are connected via individual tie rods 63, and the outer cylinder 76 is connected to the vehicle body frame F.

Therefore, when the steering handle 12 is operated, the rotation of the steering shaft 13 is transmitted to the pair of left and right knuckles 49 via the first lever 56, the connecting rod 59, the sub steering shaft 57, the second lever 58 and the pair of left and right tie rods 67. Thus, the front wheels WF that are pivotally supported by the pair of left and right knuckles 49 are steered, and steering stability close to that of a four-wheeled vehicle can be obtained.

In addition, since a pair of elastic bushings 37 and 38 surrounding the upper and lower portions of the inner cylinder 75 of the first pillow ball 36 are provided between the first pillow ball 36 and the front frame 15,
The center of rotation of the vehicle body frame F when the vehicle body is tilted to the left and right is the center of the first pillow ball 36, and the elastic bushes 37 and 38 exhibit a space between the pair of elastic bushings 37 and 38. A twist is generated by the force with respect to the turning center point, and the front frame 15, that is, the vehicle body frame F is urged to return to the neutral position by the elastic force, and the vehicle body frame F is maintained in a self-supporting state. The structure for this purpose can be compactly arranged around the inner cylinder 75 of the first pillow ball 36. Moreover, since not only turning (turning) but also swinging + turning is performed, the turning reference point becomes ambiguous only with the elastic member, whereas the elastic force is generated based on the reference point. Thus, the vehicle body frame F can be returned to the self-supporting position.

A fourth lever 66 fixed to the outer cylinder 76 of the first pillow ball 36 and extending rearward is connected to a support plate 67 fixed to the vehicle body frame F via a second pillow ball 68, and the fourth lever 66 is fixed. A steel ball 82 disposed between the fourth lever 66 and the support plate 67 is provided on the lever 66.
Is formed so as to be able to roll, and a spherical rolling surface 94 that is recessed so as to roll the steel ball 82 is formed on the support plate 67 side. As a result of the rolling of 82, the distance between the fourth lever 66 and the support plate 67 is increased, thereby generating a biasing force toward the returning side, and the biasing force is transmitted through the fourth lever 66 to the first pillow ball. It acts on the outer cylinder 76 of 36, and it can secure the independence of the vehicle body frame F together with the elastic force of the elastic bushes 37 and 38, and it is excellent from the tilting posture of the vehicle body frame F to the self-supporting posture. A rising effect can be obtained.

Further, the front frame 15 is disposed below the pair of left and right first frame portions 33a and 34a that are connected to the lower portions on both sides of the head pipe 14 and extend downward, and the axle 35 of the front wheel WF.
A pair of left and right second frame portions 33b, 3 extending forward from the lower ends of the frame portions 33a, 34a.
4b and the second frame portions 33b, 3 disposed in front of the steering arm 47.
A pair of left and right third frame portions 33c, 34c extending upward from the front end of 4b, and the axle 35
And a pair of left and right fourth frame portions 33d and 34d extending inwardly in the vehicle width direction from the upper ends of the pair of left and right third frame portions 33c and 34c. Since it is formed in a shape that is symmetric with respect to the vertical plane PL passing through the central axis of the shaft 13, the front frame 15 can be configured compactly so as to surround the steering mechanism including the first pillow ball 36.

Further, a U-opening toward the rear of the vehicle body at the center in the vehicle width direction of the front end of the front frame 15
A letter-shaped bracket 40 is supported, and upper and lower ends of the inner cylinder 75 are fixed to the bracket 40, a part of the pair of elastic bushings 37, 38, and the elastic bushings 37, 38.
Since the first pillow ball 36 sandwiched therebetween is disposed in the bracket 40, the inner cylinder 75 of the first pillow ball 36 can be fixed to the vehicle body frame F in a compact manner.

Further, a lever restricting member 81 for restricting the rotation range of the third lever 62 is provided on the bracket 40.
Therefore, the turning angle of the front wheel WF can be regulated such that the rotation range of the third lever 62 is regulated by the lever regulating member 81.

A single rear wheel WR driven by an electric motor 27 is suspended on the vehicle body frame F including a seat tube 17 extending vertically so as to support a saddle 11 on which an occupant sits, and the seat tube 17 or the head Since a battery 28 for supplying electric power to the electric motor 27 is disposed on the pipe 14 (the head pipe 14 in this embodiment),
The battery 2 is compact while avoiding an increase in the size of the vehicle due to the arrangement of the battery 28.
8 can be arranged.

The vehicle body frame F includes a head pipe 14, a main frame 16 extending rearward from the head pipe 14, a seat tube 17 erected in the front-rear direction intermediate portion of the main frame 16, and an intermediate portion of the seat tube 17. And a suspension frame 18 connecting between the rear ends of the main frame 16, and a step floor 24 on which a passenger sitting on the saddle 11 puts his / her foot is arranged at least partially in front of the seat tube 17. Since the rear wheel WR is rotatably supported by the rear end portion of the main frame 16 and the connecting portion of the suspension frame 18, the feet of the passenger sitting on the saddle 11 are stabilized. The rear wheel WR can be stably supported.

Further, a pair of left and right foldable auxiliary wheels 73 are supported at the rear portion of the vehicle body frame F so as to be able to turn to contact with the ground behind the rear wheels WR in the state of use. This is possible, and can contribute to the stabilization of the vehicle body posture particularly when the vehicle travels on a slope.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made without departing from the present invention described in the claims. Is possible.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the rear wheel WR is driven by the electric motor 27. However, the electric motor 27 and the step floor 24 can be omitted, and the rear wheel WR can be configured as a bicycle or a foot skater. It is also possible to use an assist bicycle. Further, the auxiliary wheel support arm 71 and the auxiliary wheel 73 are not essential and can be omitted.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the front two-wheeled tricycle, but can be configured as a four-wheeled vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Saddle 12 which is passenger | crew seat ... Steering handle 13 ... Steering shaft 14 ... Head pipe 15 ... Front frame 16 ... Main frame 17 ... Seat tube 18 ... Suspension frame 24 ... Step floor 27 ... Electric motor 28 ... Battery 36 ... First pillow balls 37, 38 ... Elastic bush 40, which is an annular elastic member ... Bracket 47 ... Steering arm 48 ... Knuckle support 49 ... Knuckle 56 ... First lever 57 ... Sub steering shaft 58 ... Second lever 59 ... Connecting rod 62 ... Third lever 63 ..Tie rod 66 ... fourth lever 67 ... support plate 68 ... second pillow ball 75 ... inner cylinder 76 ... outer cylinder 81 ... lever regulation Material 82 ... steel balls 94 ... rolling surface F ... vehicle body frame WF ... front wheel WR ... rear wheel

Claims (6)

A steering handle (12) for steering a pair of left and right front wheels (WF) is connected to the steering shaft (1
3) In a vehicle that is attached to the upper end of 3) and is rotatably supported by a head pipe (14) that constitutes a part of the body frame (F), the body frame (F) An inner cylinder (75) having a front frame (15) extending forward from the head pipe (14) and having a central axis extending vertically, and an inner cylinder (75) formed shorter than the inner cylinder (75) 75) The upper and lower ends of the inner cylinder (75) of the first pillow ball (36) having an outer cylinder (76) that coaxially surrounds the axially intermediate portion of the front frame (15) in the vehicle width direction. A pair of annular elastic members (37, 38) supported at the center and surrounding the upper and lower portions of the inner cylinder (75) are provided between the first pillow ball (36) and the front frame (15). , Extending in the vehicle width direction Inner end portions along the vehicle width direction of the pair of right steering arms (47) are fixed to the outer cylinder (76), and knuckle provided at outer end portions along the vehicle width direction of the pair of left and right steering arms (47). A pair of left and right front wheels (WF) is mounted on the support portion (48).
A pair of left and right knuckles (49) that individually pivotally support the first knuckle (49) is supported so as to be steerable, and is attached to a lower end portion of the steering shaft (13) so as to rotate together with the steering shaft (13). 56) is connected to the second lever (58) attached to the upper end of the sub-steering shaft (57) rotatably passing through the inner cylinder (75).
9) and a third lever (62) provided at the lower end of the sub steering shaft (57) is connected to the pair of left and right knuckles (49) via individual tie rods (63), The vehicle, wherein the outer cylinder (76) is connected to the vehicle body frame (F). A fourth lever (66) fixed to the outer cylinder (76) and extending rearward is connected to a support plate (67) fixed to the vehicle body frame (F) via a second pillow ball (68), A steel ball (82) disposed between the fourth lever (66) and the support plate (67) is held on the fourth lever (66) so as to be able to roll, and on the support plate (67) side, The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a spherical rolling surface (94) that is recessed so as to roll the steel ball (82) is formed. U opened toward the rear of the vehicle body at the center in the vehicle width direction of the front end of the front frame (15)
A letter-shaped bracket (40) is supported, and upper and lower ends of the inner cylinder (75) are fixed to the bracket (40), a part of the pair of annular elastic members (37, 38), and their annular shapes The first pillow ball (36) sandwiched between the elastic members (37, 38) and the bracket (
40) The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the vehicle is disposed within 40). The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the bracket (40) is provided with a lever restricting member (81) for restricting a rotation range of the third lever (62). A seat tube (up and down extending so as to support the passenger seat (11) on which the passenger sits)
17) a single rear wheel (WR) driven by an electric motor (27) is suspended on the vehicle body frame (F) provided with the electric motor (27), and the electric motor is mounted on the seat tube (17) or the head pipe (14). The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a battery (28) for supplying electric power to the motor (27). The vehicle body frame (F) is erected on the head pipe (14), a main frame (16) extending rearward from the head pipe (14), and an intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the main frame (16). An occupant sitting on the occupant seat (11), comprising a seat tube (17), and a suspension frame (18) connecting the intermediate portion of the seat tube (17) and the rear end of the main frame (16) A step floor (24) for placing a foot is fixed on the main frame (16) so that at least a part of the step floor (24) is disposed in front of the seat tube (17). The rear wheel (WR) is rotatably supported by a rear end portion and a continuous portion of the suspension frame (18).
Vehicle described in.

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