JP2017025948A - Wheel unit and hand mobile body including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely recognize connection/disconnection states of a clutch.SOLUTION: A driving unit 20A includes a motor 21 with a decelerator, a wheel 13r, and a clutch mechanism C1 capable of switching an assist state for transmitting torque of a driving shaft 240 to the wheel 13r and a free state for blocking transmission of torque of the driving shaft 240 to the wheel 13r. The clutch mechanism C1 includes a clutch plate 25 disposed movably in an axial direction of the driving shaft 240, a spline plate 23 disposed integrally with the wheel 13r, and engageable with the clutch plate 25, an operation knob 26 for moving the clutch plate 25 to an engagement position with the spline plate 23, and a coil spring 31 for energizing the clutch plate 25 toward the operation knob 26. The operation knob 26 reaches an operation terminal end position of the operation knob 26 only when the clutch plate 25 is engaged with the spline plate 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a wheel unit applied to a hand-carried moving body such as a silver car, a stroller, a shopping cart, a rehabilitation walking car, a carriage, and the like, and a hand-carried moving body including the wheel unit.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, wheelchairs are electrically driven with wheels that are driven to rotate by a motor. In addition, it is also considered to perform assist by a motor even in a manually-moving body such as a silver car that assists walking by pushing an elderly person while leaning on it.

  In such electric wheelchairs and hand-pushing moving bodies, the rotation of the motor is normally transmitted to the wheel, and when the propulsive force by the motor is unnecessary, the rotation of the motor is not transmitted to the wheel. Some have a clutch mechanism for intermittent connection (see, for example, Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3).

The clutch mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1 intermittently engages the motor-side gear and the wheel-side rotating member by operating the slide member (operation member) to move the motor-side gear in the axle direction. To do.
In such a configuration, when the connection between the motor and the wheel is released, the slide member is pushed in the axle direction from the state where the gear on the motor side and the internal teeth formed on the rotating member on the wheel side mesh with each other. Then, the coil spring is compressed, the gear moves in the axle direction, the meshing between the gear and the internal teeth is released, and the connection between the motor and the wheel is cut off. The slide member pushed in the axle direction is locked by rotating around the axis, and maintains the state where the meshing between the gear and the internal gear is released.

  When connecting the motor and the wheel, if the slide member is rotated about its axis, the pressing force of the coil spring in the compressed state causes the gear to move together with the slide member toward the rotary member side along the axle direction, and the internal teeth of the rotary member Engage with. Here, when the gear and the internal tooth do not mesh with each other, the wheel is rotated by shaking the vehicle body or the like, and the gear and the internal tooth are relatively rotated. Then, when the gear and the internal gear match, the gear moves to the rotating member side along the axle direction by the pressing force of the coil spring and meshes with the internal teeth.

In order to intermittently connect the motor and the wheel with the clutch mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 2, the dog on the motor side is moved by moving the dog formed on the dog member on the motor side in the axle direction. The meshing with the engagement hole formed in the wheel-side rotating member is intermittently operated.
In such a configuration, when connecting the motor and the wheel, the spring is compressed by turning the knob while pushing it in the axle direction. Then, the motor-side dog is pressed and moved toward the wheel-side engagement hole by the spring force of the spring, and is engaged with the wheel-side engagement hole to connect the motor and the wheel.
Here, when the dog and the engagement hole do not mesh with each other, the wheel is rotated. Then, when the dog and the engagement hole match, the dog jumps into the engagement hole and engages with the pressing force of the spring.

In order to intermittently connect the motor and the wheel with the clutch mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 3, the knob is operated, and the key provided on the wheel side is moved in the axle direction along the locking groove formed on the motor side. Move.
In such a configuration, when connecting the motor and the wheel, the key is moved along the locking groove by screwing the knob and engaged with the key groove formed on the wheel side. As a result, the key groove on the wheel side and the locking groove on the motor side are engaged via the key, and the motor and the wheel are connected.
Here, when the key is not aligned with the key groove even when the knob is screwed in, the coil spring provided between the knob and the key is compressed to urge the key toward the key groove. When the wheel rotates and the key and the key groove coincide with each other, the key jumps into the key groove and engages with the urging force of the coil spring.

Japanese Patent No. 3139581 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-194658 JP 2006-336663 A

However, in the clutch mechanisms disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, even if operation members such as a slide member, a knob, and a knob are operated, engagement members such as a gear on the motor side, a dog and a key, and a wheel side The engaged portion such as the internal teeth, the engagement hole, and the keyway may be displaced in the circumferential direction and may not be engaged. In such a case, when the wheel is rotated with respect to the motor by shaking the vehicle body, the positions of the engaging member on the motor side and the engaged portion on the wheel side match, and the biasing force of the spring or coil spring As a result, the engaging member on the motor side jumps into and engages with the engaged portion on the wheel side.
That is, by operating the operation members such as the slide member, the knob, and the knob, the operator side recognizes that the motor side and the wheel side are connected, but in fact, the motor side The wheel side may not be connected.

  An object of the present invention made there is to provide a wheel unit capable of reliably detecting the engagement / disengagement state of a clutch, and a hand moving body including the wheel unit.

The present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above problems.
That is, the wheel unit of the present invention includes a motor that rotates a drive shaft, a wheel that is supported so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the drive shaft, an assist state that transmits the rotational force of the drive shaft to the wheel, A clutch mechanism that can be switched to a free state that interrupts transmission of the rotational force of the drive shaft to the wheel, and the clutch mechanism rotates integrally with the drive shaft and extends in the axial direction of the drive shaft. A clutch plate provided movably, a spline plate provided integrally with the wheel and engageable with the clutch plate, and the clutch plate at an engagement position with the spline plate along the axial direction of the drive shaft. And an urging member that urges the clutch plate toward the operation member. Only when Chipureto are engaged with the spline plate, characterized in that to reach the operating end position of the operating member.

  According to such a configuration, the operation member reaches the operation end position only when the clutch plate and the spline plate are engaged with each other, that is, unless the clutch plate and the spline plate are engaged with each other, the operation member is at the operation end position. Not reach. Thereby, the engagement state of the clutch can be easily sensed depending on whether or not the operation member reaches the operation end position.

  In the present invention, the operation member may include a lock mechanism that is restrained to the operation end position when the clutch plate is engaged with the spline plate.

According to such a configuration, when the clutch plate is engaged with the spline plate, the operation member is restrained to the operation end position by the lock mechanism, so that the engagement state between the clutch plate and the spline plate is maintained.
Further, the engagement state of the clutch can be reliably sensed depending on whether or not the operation member is restrained to the operation end position by the lock mechanism.

  Further, the present invention is such that the operation member is urged toward the operation start end position of the operation member by the urging member, except in a state where the operation member is restrained at the operation end position by the lock mechanism. Also good.

  According to such a configuration, unless the clutch plate and the spline plate are engaged with each other, the operation member is not locked, and the operation member is urged toward the operation start end position by the urging member. Therefore, when the clutch plate and the spline plate are not engaged with each other, if the operation member that has applied the operation force in the direction of moving the clutch plate toward the engagement position with the spline plate is released, the urging force of the urging member As a result, the operation member returns to the original operation start position side together with the clutch plate. Thereby, the engagement state of the clutch can be reliably detected.

  Further, according to the present invention, the operation member directly presses the clutch plate from the side opposite to the spline plate side toward the spline plate side, and the urging member includes the clutch plate and the spline plate. You may make it urge toward the said operation member side from the side.

  According to such a configuration, the operation member directly presses the clutch plate. Thereby, the operation of the operating member is not absorbed by the biasing member, and the clutch plate can be operated directly. Therefore, it is possible to reliably detect whether or not the clutch plate is engaged with the spline plate and whether or not the operation member has reached the operation end position.

  In addition, the present invention is provided integrally with the wheel and guides a movement locus of the operation member when operating the clutch plate, and is formed on the operation member and guided by the guide unit. And a guide unit.

  According to such a configuration, the guided portion is guided along the guide portion provided on the wheel side, so that the operation of the operating member when operating the clutch plate is guided, and the operating member is reliably operated. can do.

  Further, the present invention is such that the guide portion is a groove formed in a spiral shape around the axial direction of the drive shaft, and the guided portion is a convex portion movable along the groove. Also good.

According to such a configuration, the operation member is operated by moving the clutch plate toward the spline plate along the axial direction of the drive shaft while rotating around the axis of the drive shaft by the convex portion being guided by the groove. To be Therefore, the operator can reliably move the clutch plate in the axial direction by rotating the operation member.
In addition, such operation of the operation member causes the clutch plate to rotate together with the operation member by a frictional force generated between the operation member and the clutch plate. Therefore, when the clutch plate and the spline plate do not mesh with each other, the clutch plate rotates with the rotation of the operation member, so that it can be easily meshed with the spline plate. As a result, the clutch plate and the spline plate can be reliably engaged with each other.

  In the present invention, the drive shaft may be provided with a stopper member that restrains the amount of movement of the clutch plate toward the operation member.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the clutch plate urged toward the operation member side by the urging member when the clutch mechanism is in a free state from coming into contact with the operation member and causing resistance.

  In the present invention, an end position display unit that displays that the operation member is at the operation end position may be formed.

  According to such a configuration, by clearly indicating the operation end position of the operation member, the operator can surely recognize the meshing state of the clutch plate and the spline plate when the operation member visually recognizes the end position display portion. can do.

  Furthermore, the hand moving body of the present invention includes the wheel unit as described above.

  According to such a configuration, the operation member does not reach the operation end position unless the clutch plate and the spline plate are engaged with each other. Therefore, the clutch engagement state can be easily determined depending on whether the operation member reaches the operation end position. Can be detected.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably detect the engaged / disengaged state of the clutch.

It is a perspective view which shows an example of the hand moving body provided with the wheel unit in embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective developed view showing a configuration of a drive unit in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the reduction gear motor in embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the clutch mechanism in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the drive shaft in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed the structure of the clutch mechanism in the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and followed the axial direction of the drive shaft. It is a perspective view which shows the holder in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the guide groove formed in the inner side of the holder in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the guide groove formed in the inner side of the holder in the 1st Embodiment of this invention from the angle different from FIG. It is the figure which expanded and showed the guide groove seen from the inner side of the holder in the 1st Embodiment of this invention in the circumferential direction. It is sectional drawing which shows the clutch mechanism in the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which meshed | engaged the clutch plate with the spline plate. It is a perspective view which shows the state which has arranged the operation knob inside the holder in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the holder which distribute | arranged the operation knob in the 1st Embodiment of this invention inside from the direction different from FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the clutch plate and the spline plate when the guide pin gets over the convex portion of the guide groove in the clutch mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the wheel unit in embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the wheel unit in the embodiment of the present invention from the direction different from FIG. It is a perspective developed view which shows the structure of the bracket in embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment state to the flame | frame of the bracket in embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the bracket in embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the wheel unit in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective developed view which shows the structure of the drive unit in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the clutch mechanism in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the holder in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the operation knob in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Next, a wheel unit according to an embodiment of the present invention and a hand-pushing moving body including the wheel unit will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a hand-held moving body including a wheel unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(Electric assist silver car)
As shown in FIG. 1, the electrically assisted silver car (hand push moving body) 10 includes a frame 11, a storage portion 12, and wheels 13.

The frame 11 includes a seat frame 11a that supports the storage unit 12, a back frame 11b that is provided at one end of the seat frame 11a and extends upward, and a leg frame 11c that extends downward from the seat frame 11a. And comprising.
Here, in the following description, in a plan view, the side on which the back frame 11b is provided with respect to the seat frame 11a is the rear side, the opposite side is the front side, and the left and right sides are sideways in the front-rear direction. Sometimes called.

  The storage unit 12 includes an article storage unit 12a that can store articles and the like therein, and a base unit 12b that covers the upper side of the article storage unit 12a and on which an article can be placed or seated. ing.

The wheel 13 is provided at the lower end of the leg frame 11c. The wheel 13 includes a wheel 13w and a tire 13t attached to the outer periphery of the wheel 13w.
In this embodiment, the leg frame 11c extends from the upper side to the lower side toward the four corners of the electrically assisted silver car 10 in a plan view. Thus, the wheels 13 are arranged at the four corners of the electrically assisted silver car 10. Here, of the four wheels 13, two wheels 13f provided on both sides in the width direction in front of the frame 11 are provided in pairs on both sides of the leg frame 11c. Further, the wheels 13r provided on both sides in the width direction behind the frame 11 are provided on the side of the leg frame 11c.

  The electrically assisted silver car 10 includes, for example, an electrically assisted mechanism that rotationally drives the wheels 13r on both sides in the rear width direction. The electric assist mechanism includes a drive unit (electric assist device) 20A that rotationally drives the wheel 13r, and a control unit 18 that is housed in the housing unit 12 and controls the operation of the drive unit 20A.

(First embodiment)
(Drive unit)
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a drive unit provided in the wheel unit.
As shown in the figure, the drive unit 20A includes a motor (motor) 21 with a speed reducer, wheels 13r, and a clutch mechanism C1.

(Motor with reduction gear)
The reduction gear-equipped motor 21 includes a case 210, a motor portion 220 provided in the case 210, a reduction gear portion 230, and a drive shaft 240.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the speed reducer motor constituting the drive unit.
As shown in the figure, a motor 21 with a speed reducer operates in a case 210 by a motor unit 220 and a hypocycloid speed reduction method, decelerates rotation input from the motor unit 220, and outputs reduced rotation. And a reduction gear unit 230 that performs.

  The case 210 includes a substantially plate-shaped partition wall 211 having an opening 211h formed at the center, a first housing 212 that extends in a cylindrical shape on one side of the partition wall 211, and that houses the motor unit 220, and a partition wall A second housing 213 that extends in a cylindrical shape on the other side of 211 and accommodates the reduction gear unit 230 is integrally provided.

  An end 212 a of the first housing 212 formed on one side of the partition wall 211 is closed by a lid 215.

  The motor unit 220 is fixed to an annular stator 221 fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the first housing 212 and a rotor 231 that is fixed to one end 231a of an input shaft 231 to be described later and is rotatable inside the stator 221. 222 and a power distribution board 214 that supplies a control current from the outside to the stator 221.

The stator 221 includes a stator core 221a formed by stacking steel plates, and a coil 221c wound around the stator core 221a via insulators 221b and 221b.
The rotor 222 includes a bowl-shaped rotor body 222a and a magnet 222b attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rotor body 222a.

  In such a motor unit 220, by applying a control current supplied from the power distribution board 214 to the stator 221, the rotor 222 is rotationally driven around the central axis together with the input shaft 231.

  The reduction gear unit 230 operates according to a hypocycloid reduction method, decelerates the rotation input from the motor unit 220, and outputs the reduced rotation. The reduction gear unit 230 includes an input shaft 231, a first internal gear 232, a rotating member 233, a first external gear 234, a second internal gear 235, a second external gear 236, and an output A member 237.

  The input shaft 231 is supported by an opening 211h formed in the partition wall 211 of the case 210 so as to be rotatable around its central axis via a bearing B1. The input shaft 231 is provided such that one end 231 a protrudes to one side of the partition wall 211 and the other end 231 b protrudes to the other side of the partition wall 211. The rotor 222 is provided at one end 231 a of the input shaft 231. Thus, the input shaft 231 is rotated around the central axis CL together with the rotor 222 by driving the motor unit 220.

  The first internal gear 232 has an annular shape and is fitted in the second housing 213. A plurality of internal teeth 232 g are formed along the inner peripheral surface of the first internal gear 232.

  The rotating member 233 has a substantially disk shape, and is rotatably provided on an eccentric shaft portion 231h formed at an intermediate portion of the input shaft 231 via bearings B2 and B2. The eccentric shaft portion 231h has an eccentric shaft center EL that is positioned parallel to the central axis CL of the input shaft 231 with a predetermined dimension δ. Thereby, when the input shaft 231 rotates, the rotating member 233 revolves around an arc having a radius δ.

The first external gear 234 has an annular shape and is integrally attached to the outer periphery of the rotating member 233. The first external gear 234 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the first internal gear 232. The first external gear 234 has a plurality of external teeth 234g that mesh with the internal teeth 232g of the first internal gear 232 along the outer periphery thereof. In the first external gear 234, the pitch circle radius of the external teeth 234 g is set larger than the pitch circle radius of the internal teeth 232 g of the first internal gear 232.
Such a first external gear 234 revolves by meshing with the first internal gear 232 while revolving integrally with the rotating member 233 by the rotation of the input shaft 231.

The second internal gear 235 is annular, is provided integrally with the first external gear 234, and is formed to extend from the first external gear 234 to the side opposite to the side facing the partition wall 211. Yes. A plurality of internal teeth 235 g are formed along the inner peripheral surface of the second internal gear 235.
The second internal gear 235 rotates while revolving integrally with the first external gear 234, and performs a so-called planetary motion.

The second external gear 236 has an annular shape and is disposed inside the second internal gear 235. The second external gear 236 has a plurality of external teeth 236g formed along the outer peripheral surface thereof. The pitch circle radius of the second external gear 236 is set larger than the pitch circle radius of the second internal gear 235. The second external gear 236 is externally fitted to a cylindrical gear holding portion 237 a formed on the output member 237.
The external teeth 236g of the second external gear 236 mesh with the internal teeth 235g of the second internal gear 235 that performs a planetary operation by the rotation of the input shaft 231 inside.

  The output member 237 has a substantially disk shape, and an outer peripheral portion thereof is held on the inner peripheral portion of the second housing 213 via a bearing B3 so as to be rotatable about the center axis CL of the input shaft 231. The output member 237 supports the other end 231b of the input shaft 231 rotatably around the central axis CL via a bearing B4 provided on the side facing the partition wall 211.

  The output member 237 is configured such that the second external gear 236 meshes with the second internal gear 235 that performs a planetary operation by the rotation of the input shaft 231, so that the central axis CL of the input shaft 231 is integrated with the second external gear 236. Rotate around. In this way, the output member 237 is linked to the first external gear 234 via the second external gear 236 and the second internal gear 235.

At this time, by the rotation input to the input shaft 231 by the operation of the motor unit 220, the first external gear 234 revolves at the rotation speed of the input shaft 231 and is decelerated at a predetermined ratio with respect to the revolving motion. Autorotates at the number of rotations. Since the second internal gear 235 is provided integrally with the first external gear 234, the second internal gear 235 performs revolution and rotation at the same rotational speed as the first external gear 234.
Further, the output member 237 rotates by the rotational output of the rotational speed decelerated (accelerated) at a predetermined ratio by the rotation of the second external gear 236 provided integrally with the output member 237.

As shown in FIG. 2, a drive shaft 240 is attached to the output member 237.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a clutch mechanism constituting the drive unit.
As shown in the figure, the drive shaft 240 is integrally provided with a disc-shaped base portion 241 fixed to the output member 237 (see FIG. 2) and an output shaft portion 242 protruding from the center of the base portion 241. ing.

  The base portion 241 is fixed to the output member 237 by a plurality of bolts 243 arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a drive shaft constituting the clutch mechanism.
As shown in the figure, the output shaft portion 242 has a fixed length on the base portion 241 side as a support shaft portion 242a having a circular shape in cross section, and the fixed length on the tip portion side is processed in two directions so as to be substantially oval in cross section. The guide shaft portion 242b.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the motor 21 with a reduction gear is arranged on one side of the wheel 13r. The speed reducer-equipped motor 21 presses the base portion 241 of the drive shaft 240 against the center hub portion 13C formed at the center portion of the wheel 13r via an annular spacer 27 and is formed at the center hub portion 13C. The output shaft portion 242 is inserted through the through hole 13h.

(Clutch mechanism)
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction of the drive shaft, showing the configuration of the clutch mechanism.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the clutch mechanism C <b> 1 includes a bearing 22, a spline plate 23, a holder 24 </ b> A, a clutch plate 25, and an operation knob (operation member) 26.

The bearing 22 is mounted around a through hole 13h formed at the center of the wheel 13w. A support shaft portion 242a (see FIG. 5) of the output shaft portion 242 is inserted inside the bearing 22, so that the wheel 13w is rotatably supported by the output shaft portion 242 via the bearing 22.
Here, the output shaft portion 242 of the drive shaft 240 is provided such that the guide shaft portion 242b at the tip portion passes through the bearing 22 and protrudes to the other side of the wheel 13w.

  The spline plate 23 has a substantially disk shape, and an opening 23h is formed at the center thereof. A plurality of internal teeth 23g are formed in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the opening 23h. The spline plate 23 is accommodated in a recess 13d formed in the center hub portion 13C of the wheel 13w.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a holder constituting the clutch mechanism. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a guide groove formed inside the holder. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the guide groove formed inside the holder as viewed from an angle different from that in FIG. FIG. 10 is a view showing the guide groove as viewed from the inside of the holder, developed in the circumferential direction.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 to 9, the holder 24 </ b> A is disposed on the side opposite to the wheel 13 w side with respect to the spline plate 23. The holder 24A is integrally provided with an annular base portion 24a and a cylindrical portion 24b extending from the inner peripheral portion of the base portion 24a toward the side opposite to the spline plate 23.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the holder 24 </ b> A is a plurality of holders 24 </ b> A arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction with the base portion 24 a abutting against the spline plate 23 accommodated in the recess 13 d of the center hub portion 13 </ b> C. The bolt 28 is passed through a through hole 23k (see FIG. 6) formed in the spline plate 23, and is fixed by screwing into the recess 13d of the center hub portion 13C. Thereby, the holder 24A and the spline plate 23 are fixed to the center hub portion 13C of the wheel 13w.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a guide groove (guide portion, groove) 24g for guiding the operation of the operation knob 26 described later is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the holder 24A. The guide grooves 24g are formed in pairs at positions facing each other in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 24b.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, each guide groove 24g includes an introduction groove portion 24c that opens in the axial direction both ends of the holder 24A continuously in the axial direction of the holder 24A, and a base portion 24a side of the introduction groove portion 24c. A slide groove 24d extending in the circumferential direction from the end, a guide groove 24e that communicates with the slide groove 24d and is spaced from the slide groove 24d along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 24b, Is provided.

  The guide groove portion 24e is continuous with the slide groove portion 24d in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 24b, and extends in a direction away from the base portion 24a. The first end portion (operation start position) 24m is cylindrical with respect to the first end portion 24m. Formed at positions spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 24b, and formed between the second end 24n continuous in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 24b, and the first end 24m and the second end 24n. A spiral portion 24h, a convex portion 24j, and a lock portion (operation end position, lock mechanism) 24k.

The spiral portion 24h is formed in a spiral shape so as to gradually approach the base portion 24a side from the first end portion 24m side to the second end portion 24n side.
The convex portion 24j is formed at the end portion on the second end portion 24n side of the spiral portion 24h so as to protrude toward the base portion 24a side along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 24b.
The lock portion 24k is formed on the second end portion 24n adjacent to the convex portion 24j so as to extend to the side away from the base portion 24a along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 24b.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the clutch plate 25 has a disc shape, and a plurality of external teeth 25 g are formed along the outer peripheral portion thereof. A shaft insertion hole 25 h having a substantially oval cross section is formed in the center of the clutch plate 25, through which the guide shaft portion 242 b of the output shaft portion 242 is inserted. When the guide shaft portion 242b of the output shaft portion 242 is inserted into the shaft insertion hole 25h, the clutch plate 25 is not rotatable with respect to the guide shaft portion 242b and is slidable in the axial direction along the guide shaft portion 242b. Retained.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, a stopper pin (stopper member) 30 </ b> A penetrating in the radial direction perpendicular to the central axis of the guide shaft portion 242 b is provided at the distal end portion of the guide shaft portion 242 b of the output shaft portion 242. ing. The stopper pin 30A is provided on the side opposite to the wheel 13w side with respect to the clutch plate 25, and both end portions 30t thereof are provided so as to protrude in the radial direction from the guide shaft portion 242b. The stopper pin 30A restricts the stroke of the clutch plate 25 moving in the direction away from the wheel 13w along the guide shaft portion 242b.

A snap ring 29 is disposed between the clutch plate 25 and the bearing 22. The snap ring 29 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the guide shaft portion 242b of the output shaft portion 242.
A coil spring (biasing member) 31 is provided in a compressed state between the snap ring 29 and the clutch plate 25. The clutch spring 25 is pressed by the coil spring 31 in the direction away from the stopper pin 30A, that is, from the wheel 13w.
Here, as shown in FIG. 2, annular shims 33 are sandwiched between the snap ring 29 and the bearing 22 and between the snap ring 29 and the coil spring 31, respectively, and clearance adjustment and biasing force adjustment are performed. Etc. have been made.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, in such a configuration, in a normal state, the clutch plate 25 is separated from the wheel 13 w on the guide shaft portion 242 b of the output shaft portion 242 by the pressing force of the coil spring 31. Are positioned so as to abut against the stopper pin 30A. In this state, the clutch plate 25 is not engaged with the spline plate 23 and is in a clutch “disengaged” state.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the clutch plate is engaged with the spline plate in the clutch mechanism.
As shown in the figure, when the clutch plate 25 is moved toward the wheel 13 w along the guide shaft portion 242 b of the output shaft portion 242 against the pressing force of the coil spring 31, the clutch plate 25 meshes with the spline plate 23 and the clutch “ The status is “continue”.
Such an operation of intermittently engaging the clutch plate 25 and the spline plate 23 by moving the position of the clutch plate 25 along the guide shaft portion 242b of the output shaft portion 242 is performed by the operation knob 26.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the operation knob is arranged inside the holder. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the holder with the operation knob disposed on the inner side when viewed from a direction different from that in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 2, 12, and 13, the operation knob 26 includes a disc-shaped base portion 26a, a knob portion 26b provided on the side of the base portion 26a that protrudes away from the wheel 13w, and a base portion. A cylindrical portion 26c extending from the outer peripheral portion of 26a to the side facing the wheel 13w, and a plate pressing portion 26d formed at the tip end portion of the cylindrical portion 26c and abutting on the outer peripheral side of the shaft insertion hole 25h of the clutch plate 25; Are provided as a unit. In addition, guide pins (guided portions, convex portions) 32 protruding to the outer peripheral side are fixed to the cylindrical portion 26 c of the operation knob 26 at positions facing each other in the radial direction.

  The operation knob 26 is inserted and arranged in the cylindrical portion 24b of the holder 24A. Inside the tubular portion 24b, a guide pin 32 provided on the operation knob 26 is engaged with a guide groove 24g formed on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 24b.

  The operation knob 26 is shown in FIG. 6 in a state where the guide pin 32 is positioned on the first end 24m side of the spiral portion 24h of the guide groove 24e in the guide groove 24g of the holder 24A (position P1 in FIG. 10). As shown, the clutch plate 25 and the operation knob 26 slide in a direction away from the wheel 13w along the guide shaft portion 242b of the output shaft portion 242 by the pressing force of the coil spring 31, and the clutch plate 25 is moved to the stopper pin 30A. I hit it. In this state, the clutch plate 25 is not engaged with the spline plate 23 and the clutch is disengaged.

  When the operation knob 26 is turned in a predetermined direction from this state, the guide pin 32 relatively moves in the circumferential direction from the first end portion 24m side to the second end portion 24n side in the guide groove portion 24e of the guide groove 24g. Moving. Then, the guide pin 32 is pressed in the axial direction by the spiral portion 24h of the guide groove portion 24e. Accordingly, as the operation knob 26 is rotated, the operation knob 26 is pulled toward the wheel 13w in the holder 24A, and the clutch plate 25 together with the operation knob 26 moves along the guide shaft portion 242b of the output shaft portion 242. Approach the side.

Then, the clutch plate 25 enters the inside of the spline plate 23, and the outer teeth 25 g of the clutch plate 25 mesh with the inner teeth 23 g of the spline plate 23.
When the operation knob 26 is further rotated, the clutch plate 25 slides along the guide shaft portion 242b of the output shaft portion 242 while the outer teeth 25g are engaged with the inner teeth 23g of the spline plate 23 inside the spline plate 23. To do.

The guide pin 32 moves in the circumferential direction along the spiral portion 24h, gets over the convex portion 24j (position P2 in FIG. 10), and enters the lock portion 24k at the second end portion 24n.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the clutch plate and the spline plate when the guide pin gets over the convex portion of the guide groove in the clutch mechanism.
As shown in the figure, when the guide pin 32 gets over the convex portion 24j of the guide groove 24g, the clutch plate 25 is located closest to the wheel 13r. At this time, a part of the clutch plate 25 protrudes to the wheel 13w side from the spline plate 23, and the remaining part of the clutch plate 25 on the operation knob 26 side maintains the state where the outer teeth 25g mesh with the inner teeth 24g. The thickness of the plate 23 may be set. Thereby, the thickness of the spline plate 23 can be minimized.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the guide pin 32 gets over the convex portion 24j and enters the lock portion 24k (position P3 in FIG. 10), the guide pin 32 abuts against the second end portion 24n, so that The above rotation is restricted. As a result, the clutch plate 25 is positioned inside the spline plate 23 and maintains the state in which the external teeth 25g of the clutch plate 25 are engaged with the internal teeth 23g of the spline plate 23.
At this time, the operator of the operation knob 26 can sense that the guide pin 32 enters the lock portion 24k and that the guide pin 32 hits the second end portion 24n from the circumferential direction.
In this way, the clutch plate 25 can be engaged with the spline plate 23 to put the clutch in the “continuous” state.

Here, as shown in FIG. 12, the cylindrical shape of the holder 24 </ b> A so that the user can recognize that the knob 26 b of the operation knob 26 is in the “continuous” state or the “disconnected” state. Display portions 24N and 24F such as “ON” and “OFF” can be formed in the portion located on the outer peripheral side of the operation knob 26 in the portion 24b.
That is, when the guide pin 32 is positioned at the first end portion 24m, the knob portion 26b is aligned with the “OFF” display portion 24F, and the guide pin 32 is positioned at the lock portion 24k of the second end portion 24n. The knob 26b matches the “ON” display 24N. Accordingly, the operator can easily recognize that the clutch is in the “continuous” state or the “disconnected” state by visually recognizing the direction of the knob portion 26b and the display portion 24N or 24F. it can.

  Thus, when the operation knob 26 is rotated in a predetermined direction in order to put the clutch in the “continuous” state, the phases of the outer teeth 25g of the clutch plate 25 and the inner teeth 23g of the spline plate 23 are shifted in the circumferential direction. The outer teeth 25g and the inner teeth 23g may interfere with each other and may not mesh. In this case, the guide pin 32 is positioned in front of the convex portion 24j (position P4 in FIG. 10), does not go over the convex portion 24j of the spiral portion 24h, enters the lock portion 24k, and hits the second end portion 24n. Absent.

  Accordingly, the operator of the operation knob 26 cannot sense that the guide pin 32 has entered the lock portion 24k and the rotation of the operation knob 26 has been locked. Further, when the operation knob 26 is not locked and the operator releases the operation knob 26, the operation knob 26 is rotated and returned to the original position by the pressing force of the coil spring 31. Therefore, the operator of the operation knob 26 can easily and reliably detect that the guide pin 32 enters the lock portion 24k and the rotation is not locked, that is, the clutch is not in the “continuous” state.

  Even if the operation knob 26 is rotated in a predetermined direction in order to bring the clutch into a “continuous” state, the phases of the external teeth 25g of the clutch plate 25 and the internal teeth 23g of the spline plate 23 are shifted in the circumferential direction. When 25g and the internal teeth 23g interfere and do not mesh, the operation knob 26 is further rotated. Then, the clutch plate 25 can be rotated together with the operation knob 26 by the friction force generated between the operation knob 26 and the clutch plate 25, and can be easily engaged with the spline plate 23.

  In order to shift the clutch from the “continuous” state to the “disconnected” state, the operation knob 26 is once pushed into the wheel 13w side and then rotated in the opposite direction. Then, after the guide pin 32 moves to the base portion 24a side and comes out of the lock portion 24k, it moves over the convex portion 24j and moves to the spiral portion 24h. When the operation knob 26 is further rotated, the guide pin 32 moves to the side away from the base portion 24a while moving in the circumferential direction along the spiral portion 24h.

  Accordingly, the operation knob 26 and the clutch plate 25 are separated from the spline plate 23 and slide away from the wheel 13w while being pressed by the pressing force of the coil spring 31. When the guide pin 32 abuts against the first end 24m with the spiral portion 24h, further rotation of the operation knob 26 is restricted. As a result, the operator of the operation knob 26 can sense that the clutch is in the “disengaged” state by restricting the rotation of the operation knob 26.

When the guide pin 32 is in the state where it abuts against the first end 24m at the guide groove 24e (position P1 in FIG. 10), when the operation knob 26 is pushed in and rotated in the opposite direction, the guide pin 32 causes the slide groove 24d to move. Street (position P5 in FIG. 10) enters the introduction groove 24c (position P6 in FIG. 10).
Thereby, the operation knob 26 can be pulled out from the cylindrical portion 24b of the holder 24A in a direction away from the wheel 13w. Accordingly, the operation knob 26 can be removed from the holder 24A, and maintenance such as grease up can be performed.

(Frame mounting structure)
FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the wheel unit. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the wheel unit as seen from a direction different from FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the drive unit 20 </ b> A can be attached to the frame 11 via a bracket 100. Here, the drive unit 20A and the bracket 100 constitute an electrically assisted wheel unit A.

FIG. 17 is a perspective developed view showing a configuration of a bracket constituting the wheel unit. FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing an attachment state of the bracket to the frame. FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a bracket.
As shown in FIGS. 15 to 19, the bracket 100 includes a main bracket 101, a fixed bracket 102, and a brake member 110.

As shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, the main bracket 101 is formed with a support part 101a having a substantially arc-shaped cross section along the lower end part of the leg part frame 11c of the frame 11, and above and below the support part 101a. Spring latches 101b, 101b extending from the support portion 101a in the vertical direction and extending from the support portion 101a to the both sides in the width direction to form spring lock holes 101h. Part 101c.
In addition, bolt fastening holes 101g are formed at the center in the width direction on the upper and lower sides of the support portion 101a, respectively.
Further, columnar motor support portions 101m and 101m are formed above and below the support portion 101a so as to extend toward the wheel 13r side and support the motor 21 with a speed reducer.

  Here, the main bracket 101 is formed symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the support portion 101a, and the screw seat portions 101b and 101b, the spring locking portion 101c, the bolt fastening holes 101g, and the motor support portions 101m and 101m are Each is provided in a pair on the left and right.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, the fixing bracket 102 is disposed so as to face the upper and lower portions of the main bracket 101. The fixed bracket 102 includes a support part 102a having an arcuate cross section along the outer peripheral surface of the leg part frame 11c of the frame 11, a flange part 102b extending from the support part 102a to the side in the width direction and having a bolt insertion hole 102h. Are provided as a unit.

  In such a fixing bracket 102, the leg frame 11c is sandwiched between the support portion 101a of the main bracket 101 and the support portion 102a of each fixing bracket 102, and the bolt 105 is inserted into the bolt insertion hole 102h of the flange portion 102b. Screw into a female screw hole 101n formed in the screw seat portion 101b. Thus, the leg frame 11c of the frame 11 can be sandwiched between the main bracket 101 and the upper and lower fixed brackets 102, respectively.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the positioning of the main bracket 101 to the leg frame 11c is performed by inserting a positioning bolt 106 into a through hole 11h formed in the leg frame 11c in advance, thereby supporting the main bracket 101. This is done by screwing into a bolt fastening hole 101g formed in 101a.
Here, as the through hole 11h used for positioning the leg frame 11c of the main bracket 101, for example, a brake mounting hole for originally mounting a brake, an axle hole, or the like can be used.

  As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the brake member 110 includes a support arm 111, a brake arm 112, and a spring 113.

The support arm 111 is connected to the main bracket 101 so as to extend upward from the upper end portion of the main bracket 101.
The brake arm 112 is provided on the upper end portion 111 b of the support arm 111 so as to be rotatable in a vertical plane via a shaft 114. The brake arm 112 is integrally provided with a plate-like arm plate portion 112a extending in one direction and a shoe support portion 112b formed to be bent so as to extend laterally from one end 112c of the arm plate portion 112a. The brake arm 112 is formed symmetrically about the center line in the width direction of the arm plate portion 112a connecting the one end 112c and the other end 112d of the arm plate portion 112a.

As shown in FIG. 19, the operation wire 120 is connected to the other end 112 d of the brake arm 112.
As shown in FIG. 1, the operation wire 120 is provided so as to extend upward via a wire guide 121 fixed to the leg frame 11c. The brake arm 112 is swung in the vertical plane by operating the operation wire 120 with an operation lever 123 or the like provided on the frame 11.

As shown in FIGS. 16, 18, and 19, a shoe 115 is mounted on the shoe support portion 112b. The shoe 115 exerts a braking force by pressing against the tire 13t of the wheel 13r from the outer peripheral side.
The spring 113 is provided between the other end 112 d of the arm plate portion 112 a of the brake arm 112 and the spring locking hole 101 h of the spring locking portion 101 c of the main bracket 101.
In such a brake member 110, when the brake arm 112 swings by the operation of the operation wire 120, the shoe 115 provided at the one end 112c of the brake arm 112 is pressed against the tire 13t of the wheel 13r and exhibits a braking force. .

  In order to assemble such an electric assist wheel unit A to the frame 11, first, the main bracket 101 and the fixed bracket 102 are attached to the leg frame 11 c of the frame 11. At this time, a brake arm 112 is attached to the support arm 111 provided on the main bracket 101, and a spring 113 is locked between the brake arm 112 and the support arm 111.

  And the motor 21 with a reduction gear of the drive unit 20A assembled | attached integrally with the wheel 13r beforehand to the main bracket 101 is mounted | worn.

  Here, the electric assist wheel unit A may be assembled in advance before being assembled to the leg frame 11 c of the frame 11.

(effect)
According to the first embodiment, the drive unit 20 </ b> A and the clutch mechanism C <b> 1 are attached to the lock portion 24 k that is the operation end position of the operation knob 26 only when the operation knob 26 is engaged with the spline plate 23. To reach. That is, unless the clutch plate 25 and the spline plate 23 mesh with each other, the operation knob 26 does not reach the operation end position. Thereby, the meshing state of the clutch mechanism C1 can be easily detected depending on whether or not the operation knob 26 reaches the operation end position.

  When the clutch plate 25 is engaged with the spline plate 23, the operation knob 26 is restrained by the lock portion 24k at the operation end position, so that the engagement state between the clutch plate 25 and the spline plate 23 is maintained. At this time, by detecting that the operation knob 26 is restrained by the lock portion 24k, it is possible to reliably detect the meshing state of the clutch mechanism C1.

  Further, the operation knob 26 is biased toward the first end 24m of the operation knob 26 by the coil spring 31 except in a state where it is restrained by the lock portion 24k. According to such a configuration, the operation knob 26 is not locked unless the clutch plate 25 and the spline plate 23 are engaged with each other. Therefore, the operation force is applied in the direction in which the clutch plate 25 is moved toward the engagement position with the spline plate 23. When the hand is released from the operation knob 26 that has been added, the operation knob 26 is restored together with the clutch plate 25 by the biasing force of the coil spring 31. Thereby, the meshing state of the clutch mechanism C1 can be reliably grasped.

  Further, since the operation knob 26 directly presses the clutch plate 25, the operation of the operation knob 26 is not absorbed by the coil spring 31, and the clutch plate 25 can be directly operated. Therefore, it is possible to reliably detect whether or not the clutch plate 25 is engaged with the spline plate 23 and whether or not the operation knob 26 has reached the operation end position.

  Further, since the guide pin 32 is guided along the guide groove 24g provided on the wheel 13r side, the operation of the operation knob 26 when operating the clutch plate 25 is guided, and the operation knob 26 is reliably operated. be able to.

  Further, the operation of the operation knob 26 is such that both end portions (convex portions) of the guide pin 32 are guided by the guide grooves 24g, so that the clutch plate 25 rotates in the axial direction of the drive shaft 240 while rotating around the drive shaft 240. Accordingly, the clutch plate 25 can be reliably moved.

  In addition, such operation of the operation knob 26 rotates the clutch plate 25 together with the operation knob 26 by the frictional force generated between the operation knob 26 and the clutch plate 25. Therefore, when the clutch plate 25 and the spline plate 23 do not mesh with each other, the clutch plate 25 can be rotated with the rotation of the operation knob 26 to facilitate the meshing with the spline plate 23. Thereby, the clutch plate 25 and the spline plate 23 can be reliably engaged with each other.

  The drive shaft 240 is provided with a stopper pin 30 </ b> A that restricts the amount of movement of the clutch plate 25 toward the operation knob 26. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the clutch plate 25 that is biased toward the operation knob 26 by the coil spring 31 from being detached from the drive shaft 240.

  In addition, a display unit 24N is formed as an end position display unit that displays that the operation knob 26 is in the lock unit 24k that is the operation end position. According to such a configuration, the operator can surely recognize the meshing state of the clutch plate 25 and the spline plate 23 by visually confirming whether or not the knob portion 26b of the operation knob 26 is on the display portion 24N. can do.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of a wheel unit according to the present invention and a hand-held moving body including the wheel unit will be described. Note that in the second embodiment described below, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as in the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a wheel unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a perspective developed view showing the configuration of the drive unit provided in the wheel unit in the second embodiment of the present invention.

(Drive unit)
As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the drive unit (wheel unit) 20 </ b> B includes a motor 21 with a speed reducer, wheels 13 r, and a clutch mechanism C <b> 2.

(Motor with reduction gear)
As shown in FIG. 21, the motor 21 with a speed reducer includes a case 210, a motor part 220 provided in the case 210, a speed reducer part 230, and a drive shaft 240.

The drive shaft 240 is integrally provided with a disc-shaped base portion 241 fixed to the output member 237 of the speed reducer portion 230 and an output shaft portion 242 protruding from the center of the base portion 241.
The output shaft portion 242 is a support shaft portion 242a having a constant length on the base portion 241 side having a circular shape in cross section, and a guide shaft portion 242b having a constant length on the tip portion side processed in two directions to have a substantially oval shape in cross section. It is said that.

  Such a motor 21 with a reduction gear is arranged on one side of the wheel 13r. The motor 21 with a speed reducer presses the base portion 241 of the drive shaft 240 against the center hub portion 13C formed at the center portion of the wheel 13r via an annular spacer 27 and is formed at the center hub portion 13C. The output shaft portion 242 is inserted into the through hole 13h.

(Clutch mechanism)
As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the clutch mechanism C <b> 2 includes a bearing 22, a spline plate 23, a holder 24 </ b> B, a clutch plate 25, and an operation knob (operation member) 36.

The bearing 22 is mounted in a through hole 13h formed at the center of the wheel 13w. A support shaft portion 242 a of the output shaft portion 242 is inserted inside the bearing 22, whereby the wheel 13 w is rotatably supported by the output shaft portion 242 via the bearing 22.
Here, the output shaft portion 242 of the drive shaft 240 is provided such that the guide shaft portion 242b at the tip portion passes through the bearing 22 and protrudes to the other side of the wheel 13w.

  The spline plate 23 has a substantially disk shape, and an opening 23h is formed at the center thereof. A plurality of internal teeth 23g are formed in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the opening 23h. The spline plate 23 is accommodated in a recess 13d formed in the center hub portion 13C of the wheel 13w.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a clutch mechanism constituting the drive unit. FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a holder constituting the clutch mechanism.
As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the holder 24 </ b> B is disposed on the side opposite to the wheel 13 w side with respect to the spline plate 23. The holder 24B is integrally provided with an annular base portion 24a and a cylindrical portion 24t extending from the inner peripheral portion of the base portion 24a toward the side opposite to the spline plate 23.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the holder 24B includes a plurality of bolts arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction with the base portion 24a abutting against the spline plate 23 accommodated in the recess 13d of the center hub portion 13C. 28 is fixed by screwing into the recess 13d of the center hub portion 13C through a through hole (not shown) formed in the spline plate 23. Thereby, the holder 24B and the spline plate 23 are fixed to the center hub portion 13C of the wheel 13w.

  The clutch plate 25 has a disc shape, and a plurality of external teeth 25g are formed along the outer peripheral portion thereof. A shaft insertion hole 25 h having a substantially oval cross section is formed in the center of the clutch plate 25, through which the guide shaft portion 242 b of the output shaft portion 242 is inserted. When the guide shaft portion 242b of the output shaft portion 242 is inserted into the shaft insertion hole 25h, the clutch plate 25 is not rotatable with respect to the guide shaft portion 242b and is slidable in the axial direction along the guide shaft portion 242b. Retained.

  A stopper pin 30B penetrating in the radial direction perpendicular to the central axis of the guide shaft portion 242b is provided at the distal end portion of the guide shaft portion 242b of the output shaft portion 242. The stopper pin 30B is provided on the side opposite to the wheel 13w side with respect to the clutch plate 25, and both end portions thereof are provided so as to protrude in the radial direction from the guide shaft portion 242b. The stopper pin 30B regulates the stroke that the clutch plate 25 moves in the direction away from the wheel 13w along the guide shaft portion 242b.

A snap ring 29 is disposed between the clutch plate 25 and the bearing 22. The snap ring 29 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the guide shaft portion 242b of the output shaft portion 242.
A coil spring 31 is provided in a compressed state between the snap ring 29 and the clutch plate 25. By this coil spring 31, the clutch plate 25 is pressed in the direction away from the stopper pin 30B, that is, from the wheel 13w.
Here, an annular shim 33 is sandwiched between the snap ring 29 and the bearing 22 and between the snap ring 29 and the coil spring 31, respectively, and clearance adjustment, biasing force adjustment, and the like are performed.

In such a configuration, in a normal state, the clutch plate 25 is positioned so as to be separated from the wheel 13w and hit the stopper pin 30B on the guide shaft portion 242b of the output shaft portion 242 by the pressing force of the coil spring 31. Yes. In this state, the clutch plate 25 is not engaged with the spline plate 23 and is in a clutch “disengaged” state.
Further, when the clutch plate 25 moves toward the wheel 13w along the guide shaft portion 242b of the output shaft portion 242 against the pressing force of the coil spring 31, the clutch plate 25 meshes with the spline plate 23, and the clutch "continuation" state is established. Is done.

  The operation knob 36 intermittently engages the clutch plate 25 and the spline plate 23 by moving the position of the clutch plate 25 along the guide shaft portion 242b of the output shaft portion 242.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing an operation knob constituting the clutch mechanism.
As shown in FIGS. 21 and 24, the operation knob 36 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and has a bottomed cylindrical shape in which one end 36a side is closed and the other end 36b side is opened. On the one end 36a side of the operation knob 36, there is formed an operation portion 36d having flat portions 36c and 36c facing each other in the radial direction. The other end 36b side of the operation knob 36 is cylindrical, and the distal end portion of the output shaft portion 242 is inserted. The operation knob 36 is provided such that the other end 36b abuts on the outer peripheral side of the shaft insertion hole 25h of the clutch plate 25. On the other end 36b side of the operation knob 36, a guide groove (guide portion, groove) 37 penetrating inside and outside is formed.

As shown in FIG. 24, the guide groove 37 moves the clutch plate 25 along the guide shaft portion 242 b of the output shaft portion 242, and is located at positions opposite to each other in the circumferential direction on the other end 36 b side of the operation knob 36. , Are formed in pairs.
Each guide groove 37 includes an introduction groove 37a having one end opened to the other end 36b continuously in the axial direction of the operation knob 36, a slide groove 37b extending in the circumferential direction from the other end of the introduction groove 37a, and a slide groove And a guide groove portion 37c formed at a position spaced apart from the slide groove portion 37b in the circumferential direction of the operation knob 36.

  The guide groove portion 37c is continuous with the slide groove portion 37b in the axial direction of the operation knob 36 and extends in a direction away from the base portion 24a. The first end portion (operation start position) 37m and the operation knob with respect to the first end portion 37m. A spiral shape formed between a second end portion 37n which is formed at a circumferentially spaced position in the circumferential direction of the operation knob 36 and is continuous between the first end portion 37m and the second end portion 37n. A portion 37h, a convex portion 37j, and a lock portion (operation end position, lock mechanism) 37k.

  The spiral portion 37h is formed in a spiral shape so as to approach the one end 36a side of the operation knob 36 from the first end portion 37m side to the second end portion 37n side. A convex portion 37j that protrudes toward the one end 36a along the axial direction of the operation knob 36 is formed at the end portion on the second end portion 37n side of the spiral portion 37h. Further, a lock portion 37k extending toward the other end 36b along the axial direction of the operation knob 36 is formed at the second end portion 37n of the guide groove portion 37c adjacent to the convex portion 37j.

The operation knob 36 is inserted and disposed in the cylindrical portion 24t of the holder 24B. Inside the cylindrical portion 24t, both end portions 30s of the stopper pin 30B provided at the distal end portion of the guide shaft portion 242b of the output shaft portion 242 are engaged with guide grooves 37 formed in the operation knob 36.
In the state where the end 30s of the stopper pin 30B is located on the first end 37m side of the spiral portion 37h of the guide groove portion 37c, the operation knob 36 has the clutch plate 25 and the operation knob 36 connected to the coil spring 31. Due to the pressing force, it slides in the direction away from the wheel 13w along the guide shaft portion 242b of the output shaft portion 242, and the clutch plate 25 hits the stopper pin 30B. In this state, the clutch plate 25 is not engaged with the spline plate 23 and the clutch is disengaged.

  When the operation knob 36 is turned in a predetermined direction from this state, the stopper pin 30B is relatively moved in the circumferential direction from the first end portion 37m side to the second end portion 37n side in the guide groove portion 37c of the guide groove 37. Moving. Then, the stopper pin 30B is pressed in the axial direction by the spiral portion 37h of the guide groove portion 37c. Thus, as the operation knob 36 is rotated, the operation knob 36 is pulled toward the wheel 13w in the holder 24B, and the clutch plate 25 together with the operation knob 36 extends along the guide shaft portion 242b of the output shaft portion 242. Approach the side.

  When the operation knob 36 is further rotated, the stopper pin 30B moves in the circumferential direction along the spiral portion 37h, gets over the convex portion 37j, and enters the lock portion 37k at the second end portion 37n. With the stopper pin 30B entering the lock portion 37k, the clutch plate 25 is positioned inside the spline plate 23, and the outer teeth 25g of the clutch plate 25 mesh with the inner teeth 23g of the spline plate 23. At this time, when the stopper pin 30B enters the lock portion 37k, the stopper pin 30B abuts against the second end portion 37n, thereby restricting further rotation of the operation knob 36.

The operator of the operation knob 36 can sense that the stopper pin 30B enters the lock portion 37k and that the stopper pin 30B hits the second end portion 37n from the circumferential direction.
In this way, the clutch plate 25 can be engaged with the spline plate 23 to put the clutch in the “continuous” state.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 22, the operation knob 36 is positioned on the outer peripheral side of the operation knob 36 in the cylindrical portion 24t of the holder 24B so that the user can recognize that the clutch is in the “continuous” state. A display portion 24N such as “ON” can be formed in the position. That is, when the end portion 30s of the stopper pin 30B is positioned at the lock portion 37k, the flat surface portion 36c of the operation knob 36 is made to coincide with the “ON” display portion 24N. Accordingly, the operator can easily recognize whether or not the clutch is in the “continuous” state by visually recognizing the direction of the operation knob 36 and the display unit 24N.

  Thus, when the operation knob 36 is rotated in a predetermined direction, the phases of the external teeth 25g of the clutch plate 25 and the internal teeth 23g of the spline plate 23 are shifted in the circumferential direction, and the external teeth 25g and the internal teeth 23g interfere with each other. And may not mesh. In this case, the stopper pin 30B is positioned before entering the lock portion 37k and does not hit the second end portion 37n of the spiral portion 37h. Therefore, the operator of the operation knob 36 cannot sense that the stopper pin 30B has entered the lock portion 37k and the rotation is locked.

  In other words, the stopper pin 30B does not enter the lock portion 37k unless the clutch plate 25 enters the inside of the spline plate 23 and the outer teeth 25g of the clutch plate 25 mesh with the inner teeth 23g of the spline plate 23. Therefore, when the operation knob 36 is not locked and the operator releases the operation knob 36, the operation knob 36 is rotated and returned to the original position by the pressing force of the coil spring 31. Therefore, the operator of the operation knob 36 can easily sense that the stopper pin 30B enters the lock portion 37k and the rotation is not locked.

  Further, even when the operation knob 36 is rotated in a predetermined direction to bring the clutch into the “continuous” state, the phases of the outer teeth 25 g of the clutch plate 25 and the inner teeth 23 g of the spline plate 23 are shifted in the circumferential direction, When the outer teeth 25g and the inner teeth 23g interfere with each other and do not mesh with each other, the operation knob 36 is further rotated. Then, the clutch plate 25 can be rotated together with the operation knob 36 by the frictional force generated between the operation knob 36 and the clutch plate 25, and can be easily engaged with the spline plate 23.

  In order to shift the clutch from the “continuous” state to the “disengaged” state, the operation knob 36 is once pushed into the wheel 13 w side and then rotated in the opposite direction. Then, after the stopper pin 30B moves to the one end 36a side of the operation knob 36 and comes out of the lock part 37k, it moves over the convex part 37j and moves to the spiral part 37h. When the operation knob 36 is further rotated, the stopper pin 30B moves relative to the other end 36b side of the operation knob 36 while moving in the circumferential direction along the spiral portion 37h.

  As a result, the operation knob 36 and the clutch plate 25 are separated from the spline plate 23 and slide away from the wheel 13 w while being pressed by the pressing force of the coil spring 31. When the stopper pin 30B hits the first end portion 37m by the spiral portion 37h, further rotation of the operation knob 36 is restricted. Thereby, the operator of the operation knob 36 can sense that the clutch is in the “disengaged” state by restricting the rotation of the operation knob 36.

  When the stopper pin 30B is in contact with the first end portion 37m in the guide groove portion 37c, when the operation knob 36 is pushed in and rotated, the stopper pin 30B passes through the slide groove portion 37b and enters the introduction groove portion 37a. Thereby, the operation knob 36 can be pulled out from the cylindrical part 24t of the holder 24B. As a result, the operation knob 36 can be removed from the holder 24B for maintenance and the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the drive unit 20 </ b> B is attached to the frame 11 via the bracket 100, similarly to the drive unit 20 </ b> A shown in the first embodiment. Here, the drive unit 20 </ b> B and the bracket 100 constitute an electric assist wheel unit B.

(effect)
According to the second embodiment, the stopper pin 30B reaches the lock portion 37k of the operation knob 36 only when the clutch plate 25 and the spline plate 23 are engaged with each other, that is, the clutch plate 25 and the spline plate 23 As long as is not engaged, the stopper pin 30B does not reach the lock portion 37k of the operation knob 36. Thus, the meshing state of the clutch mechanism C2 can be easily detected depending on whether or not the stopper pin 30B is engaged with the lock portion 37k of the operation knob 36.

Further, when the clutch plate 25 is engaged with the spline plate 23, the stopper pin 30B is engaged with the lock portion 37k and the rotation of the operation knob 36 is restrained, so that the clutch plate 25 and the spline plate 23 are engaged. Is maintained.
Furthermore, by detecting that the rotation of the operation knob 36 is restrained by the lock portion 37k, the meshing state of the clutch mechanism C2 can be reliably detected.

  Further, since the operation knob 36 is not locked unless the clutch plate 25 and the spline plate 23 are engaged with each other, the operation knob 36 that has applied an operation force in the direction of moving the clutch plate 25 toward the engagement position with the spline plate 23 is applied. When the hand is released, the operation knob 36 is returned together with the clutch plate 25 by the urging force of the coil spring 31. Thereby, the meshing state of the clutch mechanism C2 can be reliably grasped.

  Further, since the operation knob 36 directly presses the clutch plate 25, the operation of the operation knob 36 is not absorbed by the coil spring 31, and the clutch plate 25 can be directly operated. Therefore, it is possible to reliably detect whether or not the clutch plate 25 is engaged with the spline plate 23.

  In addition, since the stopper pin 30B is guided along the guide groove 37 provided on the wheel 13r side, the operation of the operation knob 36 when operating the clutch plate 25 is guided, and the operation knob 36 is reliably operated. be able to.

Further, the operation of the operation knob 36 is such that both end portions 30t of the stopper pin 30B are guided by the guide grooves 37, so that the clutch plate 25 is moved along the axial direction of the drive shaft 240 while rotating around the drive shaft 240. The clutch plate 25 can be reliably moved by moving the spline plate 23 side.
Such an operation of the operation knob 36 rotates the clutch plate 25 together with the operation knob 36 by a frictional force generated between the operation knob 36 and the clutch plate 25. Therefore, when the clutch plate 25 and the spline plate 23 do not mesh with each other, the clutch plate 25 can be rotated with the rotation of the operation knob 36 to facilitate the meshing with the spline plate 23. Thereby, the clutch plate 25 and the spline plate 23 can be reliably engaged with each other.

  The drive shaft 240 is provided with a stopper pin 30B that restrains the amount of movement of the clutch plate 25 toward the operation knob 36. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the clutch plate 25 biased toward the operation knob 36 by the coil spring 31 from coming into contact with the operation knob 36 and becoming resistance when the clutch is “disengaged”.

  Further, a display unit 24N is formed for displaying that the operation knob 36 is at the operation end position. According to such a configuration, the operator can surely recognize the meshing state of the clutch plate 25 and the spline plate 23 by visually confirming that the direction of the operation knob 36 matches the display unit 24N. Can do.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modifications made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in each of the embodiments described above, the clutch knobs 25 are pressed by rotating the operation knobs 26 and 36 spirally, but the present invention is not limited to this. The operation knobs 26 and 36 can be moved linearly by a plunger or the like so that the clutch plate 25 is moved toward and away from the spline plate 23.

In each of the above embodiments, the electrically assisted silver car 10 is exemplified as the hand-held moving body. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Can be applied to.
In addition to this, the configuration described in the above embodiment can be selected or changed to another configuration as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.

10 ... Electric assist silver car (hand-held moving body)
11 ... Frame 11c ... Leg frame 11h ... Through hole 13r ... Wheels 20A, 20B ... Drive unit (wheel unit)
21 ... Motor with reduction gear (motor)
23 ... Spline plates 24A, 24B ... Holder 24g ... Guide groove (guide portion, groove)
24k ... Lock part (operation end position, lock mechanism)
24m ... first end (operation start position)
24n ... second end 24N ... display section (terminal position display section)
25 ... Clutch plate 26 ... Operation knob (operation member)
30A ... Stopper pin (stopper member)
30B: Stopper pin (stopper member, guided portion, convex portion)
31 ... Coil spring (biasing member)
32 ... Guide pin (guided part, convex part)
36 ... Operation knob (operation member)
36k ... Lock part (operation end position, lock mechanism)
36 m ... first end (operation start position)
37 ... Guide groove (guide part, groove)
100 ... Bracket 240 ... Drive shaft A, B ... Electric assist wheel unit (wheel unit)
C1, C2 ... Clutch mechanism

Claims (9)

A motor that rotates the drive shaft;
Wheels supported to be rotatable relative to the drive shaft;
A clutch mechanism switchable between an assist state for transmitting the rotational force of the drive shaft to the wheel and a free state for interrupting transmission of the rotational force of the drive shaft to the wheel;
The clutch mechanism is
A clutch plate that rotates integrally with the drive shaft and is movable in the axial direction of the drive shaft;
A spline plate provided integrally with the wheel and meshable with the clutch plate;
An operation member for moving the clutch plate toward the meshing position with the spline plate along the axial direction of the drive shaft;
A biasing member that biases the clutch plate toward the operation member,
The wheel unit according to claim 1, wherein the operation member reaches an operation end position of the operation member only when the clutch plate is engaged with the spline plate.   The wheel unit according to claim 1, wherein the operation member includes a lock mechanism that is restrained to the operation end position when the clutch plate is engaged with the spline plate.   3. The operation member according to claim 2, wherein the operation member is urged toward the operation start end position of the operation member by the urging member except in a state where the operation member is constrained to the operation end position by the lock mechanism. The wheel unit described. The operation member directly presses the clutch plate from the side opposite to the spline plate side toward the spline plate side,
The wheel unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the urging member urges the clutch plate from the spline plate side toward the operation member side. A guide unit that is provided integrally with the wheel and guides a movement locus of the operation member when the clutch plate is operated;
A guided portion formed on the operating member and guided by the guide portion;
The wheel unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: The guide part is a groove formed in a spiral shape around the axial direction of the drive shaft,
The wheel unit according to claim 5, wherein the guided portion is a convex portion that is movable along the groove.   The wheel unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a stopper member that restricts a movement amount of the clutch plate to the operation member side is provided on the drive shaft.   The wheel unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an end position display unit that displays that the operation member is at the operation end position is formed.   A hand-pushing moving body comprising the wheel unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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