JP2020079071A - Three-wheel bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a three-wheel bicycle configured so that self-standing of a front frame can be suppressed from becoming unstable at low speed, for instance.SOLUTION: A three-wheel bicycle 1 comprises a frame 2, and one front wheel 92 and two rear wheels 91 mounted on the frame 2. The frame 2 comprises a front frame 21 mounted with the one front wheel 92, a rear frame 28 mounted with the two rear wheels 91 and a connection frame 32. The connection frame 32, extended along a longitudinal direction in a planar view, which connects the front frame 21 to the rear frame 28. The connection frame 32 is connected rotatably to either of the front frame 21 and the rear frame 28 through a rotary shaft disposed along a longitudinal direction of the connection frame 32 and is unrotatably connected to the other through the rotary shaft. The three-wheel bicycle 1 further comprises a connection frame braking device 8 that brakes rotation through the rotary shaft of the connection frame 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a tricycle.

  Patent Document 1 describes a conventional three-wheeled bicycle. The three-wheeled bicycle described in Patent Document 1 includes a front frame to which front wheels are attached via a front fork and a rear frame to which two rear wheels are attached.

  A rear main pipe of the front frame is provided at the rear portion of the front frame. The rear main pipe of the front frame connects the front portion of the front frame and the rear frame. The front main frame rear main pipe is rotatably attached to the rear frame with the center axis of the front main frame rear pipe as a rotation axis.

  As described above, since the front frame is rotatable with respect to the rear frame, the user can move the center of gravity by tilting the front frame in either the left or right direction when he wants to turn in either the left or right direction. it can. As a result, the user can turn the three-wheeled bicycle in any one of the left and right directions.

JP, 2007-50723, A

  By the way, in the three-wheeled bicycle described in Patent Document 1, the front frame is rotatable with respect to the rear frame, but when the front frame is moving at a certain speed or more, inertial force or the like acts on the front frame. , Driving is stable.

  However, when the vehicle is moving at a speed less than a certain speed (in short, at low speed), the inertial force acting on the front frame is small, the self-standing of the front frame becomes unstable, and the traveling may not be stable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a three-wheeled bicycle that can prevent the independence of the front frame from becoming unstable at low speed, for example. It is in.

  A three-wheeled bicycle according to one aspect of the present invention includes a frame and one front wheel and two rear wheels attached to the frame. The frame includes a front frame to which the one front wheel is attached, a rear frame to which the two rear wheels are attached, and a connecting frame. The connection frame extends along the front-rear direction in a plan view and connects the front frame and the rear frame. The connection frame is rotatably connected to one of the front frame and the rear frame by a rotation shaft along the longitudinal direction of the connection frame, and is non-rotatably connected to the other by the rotation shaft. It is connected. The three-wheeled bicycle further includes a connecting frame braking device that brakes rotation of the connecting frame on the rotation shaft.

  The three-wheeled bicycle of the above aspect of the present invention has an advantage that it is possible to suppress instability of the front frame independence at low speed, for example.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the tricycle according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the above-mentioned three-wheeled bicycle. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the rear frame in FIG. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the above-mentioned rear frame. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the rear frame of the above, omitting the configuration of the connecting portion and the like. 6A to 6C are enlarged views showing the operation of the swing restoring mechanism in the above-mentioned three-wheeled bicycle. FIG. 7 is a rear view showing the above-described connecting frame braking device. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the speed sensor, the control unit, and the connecting frame braking device of the above. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state in which the front frame of the above-mentioned three-wheeled bicycle is tilted. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the rear frame of Modification 1. FIG. 11 is a side view of the three-wheeled bicycle of the second modification. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a hub motor in the above-mentioned three-wheeled bicycle.

(1) Embodiment (1.1) Overview As shown in FIG. 1, a three-wheeled bicycle 1 according to this embodiment includes a frame 2, one front wheel 92 attached to the frame 2, and two rear wheels 91. , Is provided. The frame 2 includes a front frame 21 to which a front wheel 92 is attached, a rear frame 28 to which a rear wheel 91 is attached, and a connecting frame 32. The connection frame 32 extends in the front-rear direction in a plan view and connects the front frame 21 and the rear frame 28. Here, the “plan view” in the present disclosure means that the object is viewed from above in the direction orthogonal to the traveling surface 100.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the connection frame 32 is rotatably connected to either one of the front frame 21 and the rear frame 28 (here, the rear frame 28). The rotating shaft 331 extends along the longitudinal direction of the connecting frame 32. The connecting frame 32 is non-rotatably connected to the other of the front frame 21 and the rear frame 28 (here, the front frame 21) by the rotating shaft 331.

  The three-wheeled bicycle 1 includes a connecting frame braking device 8 that brakes the rotation of the connecting frame 32 on the rotating shaft 331.

  Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent the independence of the front frame 21 from becoming unstable at low speed. Therefore, the three-wheeled bicycle 1 according to the present embodiment can easily realize stable running. The “low speed” in the present disclosure means a speed at which the front frame 21 becomes unstable when the inertial force generated by the forward movement of the tricycle 1 is generated in the front frame 21. In the present disclosure, “low speed” is, for example, 1 to 5 km/h.

(1.2) Details (1.2.1) Overall configuration Hereinafter, the three-wheeled bicycle according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the three-wheeled bicycle 1 according to the present embodiment is an electrically assisted bicycle, and includes a motor unit 7 that outputs rotational power to at least one of a front wheel 92 and a rear wheel 91. The “electrically assisted bicycle” in the present disclosure means a bicycle having a motor unit 7 that supplements a user's stepping force (hereinafter referred to as “stepping force”) with a drive assist output. Therefore, the "electrically assisted bicycle" in the present disclosure includes not only the electrically assisted bicycle in accordance with the regulations but also the bicycle having the motor unit 7 which does not belong to the electrically assisted bicycle in accordance with the regulations. The “drive assist output” in the present disclosure means a rotation output given to the wheels by the motor.

  The three-wheeled bicycle 1 according to the present embodiment is an electrically assisted bicycle, but in the present disclosure, a drive system (human power drive system) that gives power to the wheels by pedaling force and a drive system (motor drive system that gives power to the wheels by a motor). ) And () are independent bicycles (bicycles that can run only with a motor). Here, a bicycle including a bicycle in which a human power drive system and a motor drive system are independent and an electrically assisted bicycle is referred to as an “electric bicycle”. The “three-wheeled bicycle” according to the present disclosure does not have to be an electric bicycle, and may be a bicycle that does not have the motor unit 7 and has only a human power drive system.

  The users of the tricycle 1 according to the present embodiment are mainly elderly people, people with weak legs, people who are not good at balancing, people with disabilities, and the like. However, in the present disclosure, the user is not particularly limited, and may be a young person, a middle-aged person, a healthy person, or the like.

  Here, in the present disclosure, the direction in which the three-wheeled bicycle 1 travels along the traveling surface 100 is defined as a “front direction”, and the opposite direction is defined as a “rear direction”. Further, two directions of the front direction and the rear direction are defined as "front-back direction", and two directions orthogonal to the front-back direction and along the horizontal plane are defined as "left-right direction". In the present embodiment, the traveling surface 100 will be described as a horizontal surface. However, actually, the traveling surface 100 is not necessarily a horizontal plane, and may be, for example, an uneven surface, an inclined surface having a gradient with respect to a horizontal plane, a curved surface, a spherical surface, or the like. The definition of these directions is not intended to limit the usage of the tricycle 1. Further, the arrows indicating the respective directions in the drawings are shown for the sake of explanation only and do not have substance.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the tricycle 1 includes a frame 2, one front wheel 92, two rear wheels 91, a handle 38, a saddle 40, a pair of crank arms 96, a pair of pedals 95, and a battery device. 6, a motor unit 7 and a motor bracket 73. The three-wheeled bicycle 1 further includes a connecting frame braking device 8 (FIG. 2), a speed sensor 52, and a control board 5.

(1.2.2) Front Wheel/Rear Wheel The front wheel 92 and the rear wheel 91 support the frame 2 on the traveling surface 100. Each of the front wheel 92 and the rear wheel 91 includes a tire 920, a wheel 921 and a hub 922.

  A front wheel shaft 93 is passed through a hub 922 of the front wheel 92, and the front wheel 92 is rotatably attached to the front fork 26 of the front frame 21 by the front wheel shaft 93. The rotation axis of the front wheel 92 is the same as the center axis of the front wheel shaft 93, and is substantially parallel to the left-right direction.

  The two rear wheels 91 are rotatably attached to the rear frame 28 included in the frame 2. The two rear wheels 91 are separated from each other in the left-right direction as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, a rear wheel shaft 94 is passed through a hub 922 of the rear wheel 91, and the rear wheel 91 is rotatably attached to the rear frame 28 by the rear wheel shaft 94. The rotation axis of the rear wheel 91 is the same as the center axis of the rear wheel shaft 94, and is substantially parallel to the left-right direction. In the three-wheeled bicycle 1 according to the present embodiment, one of the two rear wheels 91 is a driving wheel and the other is a driven wheel.

(1.2.3) Frame The frame 2 is a frame to which at least one front wheel 92 and two rear wheels 91 are attached. In the present embodiment, the frame 2 is made of an aluminum alloy containing aluminum as a main component. However, in the present disclosure, the frame 2 is not limited to the aluminum alloy, and may be made of iron, chromium molybdenum steel, high-tensile steel, titanium, magnesium, or the like. The frame 2 according to the present disclosure is not limited to metal, and may be made of carbon, wood, bamboo, fiber-reinforced synthetic resin (for example, CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics)), or the like. In the present embodiment, the frame 2 includes a front frame 21, a rear frame 28, and a connecting frame 32, as shown in FIG. 1.

(1.2.3.1) Front Frame The front frame 21 constitutes the front part of the frame 2. In the present embodiment, the front frame 92, the battery device 6, the handle 38, the saddle 40, the motor bracket 73, the motor unit 7, the crank arm 96, and the pedal 95 are attached to the front frame 21. Here, "attaching" in the present disclosure means that an object is directly or indirectly installed on an object to be attached. The term "directly install an object on the object to be attached" as used herein means to install the object in contact with the object to be attached. "Indirectly installing an object to an object to be attached" means installing an object to the object to be attached with a packing or the like between the object to be attached and the object to be attached. On the other hand, it means that an object is installed by a fixture or the like.

  The front frame 21 is composed of a plurality of pipes. In the present embodiment, the front frame 21 includes a front fork 26, a head pipe 24, a down tube 22 and a seat tube 23. The front frame 21 also includes a seat stay 25 and a battery bracket 27.

  The "pipe" in the present disclosure means an elongated hollow member. The cross-sectional shape of the pipe according to the present disclosure may be, for example, a circular shape (including a perfect circle, an ellipse, and an ellipse), a rectangular shape (including a square), a hexagonal shape, an octagonal shape, or the like.

  The front fork 26 supports the front wheel 92. The front fork 26 includes a pair of legs 261, a crown 262 connecting upper ends of the pair of legs 261, and a steering column 263 protruding from the crown 262. A front wheel 92 is rotatably attached to the pair of legs 261 via a front wheel shaft 93 passed through a hub 922. The rotation axis of the front wheel 92 is substantially parallel to the traveling surface 100, and is the same as the central axis of the front wheel shaft 93 that supports the front wheel 92. The projecting direction (longitudinal direction) of the steering column 263 is inclined with respect to the traveling surface 100 so as to go rearward from the crown 262 as it goes upward.

  The head pipe 24 supports the front fork 26. The central axis of the head pipe 24 is inclined with respect to the traveling surface 100 so as to go backward as it goes upward. The steering column 263 is passed through the head pipe 24 so that the central axis of the head pipe 24 and the central axis of the steering column 263 coincide with each other. As a result, the head pipe 24 rotatably supports the steering column 263. The rotation axis of the steering column 263 is the same as the central axis of the head pipe 24 in this embodiment.

  The down tube 22 connects the head pipe 24 and the seat tube 23. The down tube 22 includes a first lower pipe 221 and a second lower pipe 222 in the present embodiment. The first lower pipe 221 connects the lower end of the seat tube 23 and the second lower pipe 222. The central axis of the first lower pipe 221 is inclined with respect to the traveling surface 100 so as to go upward as it goes forward. The front end of the first lower pipe 221 is connected to the rear end of the second lower pipe 222 in the front-rear direction, and is formed in an arc shape.

  The second lower pipe 222 connects the first lower pipe 221 and the head pipe 24. The second lower pipe 222 is formed in a linear shape, and the central axis of the second lower pipe 222 is inclined with respect to the traveling surface 100 so as to go upward as it goes forward. In the down tube 22 according to the present embodiment, the angle formed by the imaginary straight line (the second lower pipe 222 central axis) passing through the front end and the rear end of the second lower pipe 222 and the traveling surface 100 is the same as that of the first lower pipe 221. It is larger than the angle formed by the running surface 100 and a virtual straight line passing through the front end and the rear end. The second lower pipe 222 and the first lower pipe 221 are integral and continuous.

  The seat tube 23 holds the saddle 40. The lower end of the seat tube 23 is connected to the rear end of the down tube 22. The seat tube 23 is formed in a linear shape, and the central axis of the seat tube 23 is inclined with respect to the running surface 100 so as to go backward as it goes upward. The seat tube 23 is located between the front wheel 92 and the rear wheel 91 in the front-rear direction. A saddle 40 is attached to the seat tube 23 so as to be movable in a direction (longitudinal direction) along the central axis of the seat tube 23.

  The saddle 40 has a seat pillar 401. The seat pillar 401 projects downward from a portion of the saddle 40 on which the user sits. In the present embodiment, the seat pillar 401 is inclined with respect to the traveling surface 100 so as to move forward in the downward direction. The seat pillar 401 is passed through the seat tube 23 along the central axis of the seat tube 23.

  The battery device 6 is attached to the battery bracket 27. The battery bracket 27 is attached to the rear end of the down tube 22 in the longitudinal direction. In the present embodiment, the battery bracket 27 has a top plate portion 271 on which the battery device 6 is placed. Here, the battery device 6 includes a battery 62 and a mounting portion 61 to which the battery 62 is detachably mounted. Details of the battery device 6 will be described later in the section “(1.2.6) Battery device”.

  The mounting portion 61 is attached to the top plate portion 271. More specifically, the mounting portion 61 is attached in a state of being placed on the top surface of the top plate portion 271, and is fixed to the top plate portion 271.

  The seat stay 25 reinforces the seat tube 23. In the present embodiment, the seat stay 25 connects the seat tube 23 and the battery bracket 27. The seat stay 25 includes a pair of vertical supports 251 and a horizontal support 252. The pair of vertical supports 251 are arranged apart from each other in the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, each vertical support body 251 is a pipe, and its central axis is substantially parallel to the central axis of the seat tube 23. The horizontal support member 252 connects the pair of vertical support members 251 and the seat tube 23. The lateral support 252 is formed in a T shape in a plan view in this embodiment. The central axis of the vertical support 251 may not be parallel to the central axis of the seat tube 23.

(1.2.3.2) Rear Frame The rear frame 28 constitutes a rear portion of the frame 2. Rear wheels 91 are attached to the rear frame 28. As shown in FIG. 2, the rear frame 28 is arranged rearward of the front frame 21 in plan view. The rear frame 28 and the front frame 21 are connected via a connecting frame 32. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rear frame 28 includes a connecting portion 29 (FIG. 4), a rear wheel bearing portion 30, and a swing restoring mechanism 31.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the connecting portion 29 is a portion where the rear frame 28 and the connecting frame 32 are connected. The shaft 33 included in the connecting frame 32 is rotatably connected to the connecting portion 29. The rotation axis 331 of the shaft 33 is the same as the central axis of the shaft 33 in this embodiment. In the present embodiment, the connection part 29 includes a case 291 and a plurality of (here, two) bearings 292.

  A plurality of bearings 292 are attached to the case 291. In this embodiment, the case 291 is formed in a tubular shape (here, a cylindrical shape), and both end surfaces in the central axis direction are open surfaces. However, in the present disclosure, the case 291 only needs to be able to support the plurality of bearings 292, and may have a rectangular tube shape, or the lower surface may be an open surface. The case 291 is attached to the rear wheel bearing portion 30.

  The plurality of bearings 292 support the shaft 33 of the connection frame 32. The plurality of bearings 292 are attached to the case 291 such that the respective rotary shafts are located on a straight line. The bearing 292 is a slide bearing in the present embodiment, but may be a rolling bearing in the present disclosure. Examples of the sliding bearing include a static pressure gas bearing, a dynamic pressure gas bearing, a static pressure fluid bearing, a dynamic pressure fluid bearing, a squeeze oil film bearing, a hybrid bearing, a solid lubrication bearing, a non-lubricated bearing, a self-lubricated bearing, and a porous self-lubricated bearing. It may be a bearing, a sintered oil-impregnated bearing, a self-contained sliding bearing unit, or the like. The rolling bearing may be, for example, a radial ball bearing, a radial roller bearing, or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the rear wheel bearing portion 30 rotatably supports a plurality of rear wheel shafts 94. The rotation axis of the rear wheel shaft 94 is substantially parallel to the left-right direction and is the same as the central axis of the rear wheel shaft 94. As shown in FIG. 3, the rotation axis of the rear wheel shaft 94 and the rotation axis 331 of the shaft 33 of the connection frame 32 are orthogonal to each other in a plan view. Here, FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the rear wheel bearing portion 30 in which the connecting body 303 is omitted. As shown in FIG. 5, the rear wheel bearing portion 30 includes a rear frame body 301 and a plurality of (four here) bearings 304.

  The rear frame body 301 is a skeleton of the rear wheel bearing portion 30. The rear frame main body 301 includes a plurality of (here, six) plates 302 along the vertical plane, and a plurality (here, two) of coupling bodies 303 (FIG. 2) that connect the plurality of plates 302.

  The bearing 304 or the rear wheel brake 41 is attached to each of the plurality of plates 302. In the present embodiment, the rear wheel brake 41 is attached to the outermost plate 302 in the left-right direction among the plurality of plates 302, and the bearing 304 is attached to the other plates 302. The plurality of plates 302 are connected by a plurality of connecting bodies 303, as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of connected bodies 303 are arranged apart from each other in the vertical direction. A case 291 is attached to the lowest connecting body 303 of the plurality of connecting bodies 303. As a result, the case 291 is fixed to the rear frame body 301.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of bearings 304 rotatably support the rear wheel shaft 94. The bearings 304 are attached to the plates 302.

  Here, in this embodiment, the two rear wheel shafts 94 are separated from each other in the left-right direction. The two rear wheel axles 94 are separated and can rotate independently of each other. One rear wheel shaft 94 is attached to the hub 922 of one rear wheel 91 of the two rear wheels 91. The other rear wheel shaft 94 is attached to the hub 922 of the other rear wheel 91 of the two rear wheels 91.

  A rear sprocket 305 is fixed to one rear wheel shaft 94. Therefore, the rotation axis of the rear sprocket 305 is the same as the rotation axis of the rear wheel shaft 94. As shown in FIG. 1, the rear sprocket 305 is connected to the drive sprocket 71 of the motor unit 7 via the power transmission body 74. As a result, the rotational power output from the drive sprocket 71 is transmitted to the rear sprocket 305 via the power transmission body 74 and rotates one of the rear wheels 91.

  In the present embodiment, the rear wheel shaft 94 to which the rear sprocket 305 is not fixed is rotatable with respect to the rear frame body 301. Therefore, in this embodiment, one of the two rear wheels 91 is a driving wheel and the other is a driven wheel. However, both rear wheels 91 may be drive wheels. By using a differential gear (differential device), it is possible to realize that both rear wheels 91 are drive wheels.

(12.3.2.1) Swing Restoration Mechanism The swing restoration mechanism 31 moves the front frame 21 relative to the rear frame 28 when the front frame 21 rotates about the rotation shaft 331. It is a mechanism that applies a force to return to the reference position to the front frame 21. Therefore, in the three-wheeled bicycle 1 according to the present embodiment, when the user changes the traveling direction to one of the left and right directions while riding, the front frame 21 is inclined to the left and right directions with respect to the rear frame 28. In this case, the front frame 21 easily returns to the reference position.

  The “reference position” in the present disclosure means the position of the front frame 21 when the central axis of the seat tube 23 is orthogonal to the traveling surface 100 in the front view of the three-wheeled bicycle 1. In other words, the front frame 21 in the reference position is in a position upright from the traveling surface 100. Below, the position of the connecting frame 32 when the front frame 21 is at the reference position may also be referred to as the “reference position”.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the swing restoring mechanism 31 according to the present embodiment is attached to the shaft 33 in front of the rear frame 3. However, the swing restoring mechanism 31 may be attached to the shaft 33 behind the rear frame 3, for example, and the attaching position is not particularly limited. As shown in FIG. 6A, the swing restoration mechanism 31 includes a first lever 313, a second lever 317, and an elastic body 318.

  The rotating body 310 transmits the rotational power of the shaft 33 to the first lever 313 or the second lever 317. The rotating body 310 is attached to the shaft 33 as shown in FIG. 4, and is fixed to the shaft 33 in the present embodiment. Therefore, the rotating shaft of the rotating body 310 is the same as the rotating shaft 331 of the shaft 33. In the present embodiment, the rotating body 310 is directly fixed to the shaft 33. The rotating body 310 includes a fixture 311 and a shaft member 312.

  The fastener 311 separates the shaft member 312 from the rotation shaft 331 of the shaft 33 in the radial direction. In the present embodiment, the fastener 311 is formed in a block shape, and projects from the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 33 in the radial direction. However, in the present disclosure, the fixing tool 311 may be formed in, for example, a rod shape, a plate shape, or the like. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the fastener 311 projects upward when the shaft 33 is at the reference position on a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis 331.

  The shaft member 312 is attached to the fastener 311. The longitudinal direction of the shaft member 312 is substantially parallel to the central axis of the shaft 33. The shaft member 312 is separated from the rotation shaft 331 of the shaft 33 in the radial direction. The rotation axis of the shaft member 312 is the same as the central axis of the shaft 33, and the shaft member 312 rotates together with the shaft 33 as the shaft 33 rotates.

  Each of the first lever 313 and the second lever 317 is rotatably attached to the shaft 33, as shown in FIGS. The rotation shafts of the first lever 313 and the second lever 317 are the same as the rotation shaft 331 (the central axis of the shaft 33) of the case 35. The first lever 313 rotates in one direction when pushed by the shaft member 312. The second lever 317 rotates in the other direction by being pushed by the shaft member 312. The “one direction” and the “other direction” in the present disclosure are directions that are opposite to each other around the rotation shaft 331. The “one direction” and the “other direction” in the present disclosure are merely expressions meaning that they are opposite to each other around the rotation axis 331, and are not intended to express a specific direction such as a right direction or a left direction.

  Each of the first lever 313 and the second lever 317 includes a lever body 320 and an elastic body mounting portion 314. In the present embodiment, the two levers 313 and 317 are formed in the same shape as each other, but they may be formed in mirror symmetry with each other. In the present embodiment, since the two levers 313 and 317 have the same structure, the first lever 313 will be mainly described, and the description of the second lever 317 will be omitted.

  The lever main body 320 is a member that constitutes the main body of the first lever 313, and includes a mounting portion for the shaft 33. The lever body 320 is rotatably attached to an intermediate portion of the shaft 33 in the axial direction. The rotation axis of the lever body 320 is the same as the rotation axis 331 of the shaft 33. In the present embodiment, the lever main body 320 is formed in a substantially L shape when viewed in the direction along the rotation axis 331 of the shaft 33. However, the lever main body 320 may be formed in, for example, a circular shape, a rectangular shape, or the like when viewed in the direction along the rotation axis 331 of the shaft 33, and the shape is not particularly limited.

  When the lever main body 320 is at the reference position, the lever main body 320 has the pushing portion 315 above the rotating shaft 331 in the vertical direction. The pushing portion 315 is a surface facing the side surface of the shaft member 312. The pushing portion 315 pushes the shaft member 312 when the shaft member 312 moves in one direction (the other direction in the case of the second lever 317). The lever body 320 rotates about the rotation axis (the rotation axis 331 of the shaft 33) when the pushing portion 315 is pushed. The rotation axis of the lever main body 320 is located between the pushing portion 315 and the movement restricting portion 316 in the vertical direction.

  The lever body 320 has a plurality of rising pieces 3190. The plurality of rising pieces 3190 are provided at a position where the elastic body mounting portion 314 is mounted and a position where the movement restricting portion 316 is mounted. The rising piece 3190 is formed in a rib shape protruding in a direction intersecting a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis 331. By providing the rising piece 3190, the strength of the lever main body 320 is increased and the movement restricting portion 316 and the elastic body attaching portion 314 are easily attached.

  The elastic body attachment portion 314 is attached to the lever body 320. The elastic body 318 is attached to the elastic body attachment portion 314. In the present embodiment, the elastic body mounting portion 314 is located above the rotary shaft 331 in the vertical direction when the lever body 320 is at the reference position. The elastic body attachment portion 314 is an eyebolt in this embodiment, and is attached to the lever body 320 with a nut. However, in the present disclosure, the elastic body attachment portion 314 is not limited to an eyebolt and may be a hook or a notch formed in the rising piece 3190 as long as the elastic body 318 can be attached. Good. Further, the elastic body attachment portion 314 may not be attached to the rising piece 3190, and may be attached to the surface of the lever body 320 that faces the axial direction of the shaft 33.

  The elastic body 318 gives a force to the first lever 313 or the second lever 317 in a direction opposite to the rotational force due to the force from the shaft member 310. The elastic body 318 is a tension coil spring in this embodiment. However, in the present disclosure, the elastic body 318 need only be able to apply a force to the levers 313 and 317 and need not be a tension coil spring. Examples of the elastic body 318 include a leaf spring, a torsion coil spring, and rubber. In the present embodiment, the elastic body 318 is stretched over the elastic body mounting portion 314 of the first lever 313 and the elastic body mounting portion 314 of the second lever 317. Therefore, for example, when the elastic body 318 receives a tensile force due to the rotation of the first lever 313, the second lever 317 is pulled in the same direction. At this time, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, the movement restricting portion 316 contacts the fixed body 319 to prevent the second lever 317 from rotating due to the pulling force from the first lever 313, causing the second lever 317 to rotate. Is limited.

  The movement restricting portion 316 is a portion that abuts on the fixed body 319 when a rotational force in the other direction of the rotating shaft 331 (one direction in the second lever 317) is applied to the first lever 313 at the reference position. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6C, when a force is applied in the other direction from the shaft member 310 to the second lever 317, a rotational force in the other direction is applied from the elastic body 318 to the first lever 313. However, the rotation is restricted by the movement restricting portion 316 hitting the fixed body 319. In the present embodiment, the movement restricting portion 316 is a bolt and is attached to the lever main body 320 (specifically, the rising piece 3190) by a nut. By adjusting the protrusion size of the head of the bolt with respect to the rising piece 3190, the tensile force of the elastic body 318 can be adjusted.

  The movement restricting portion 316 is also provided on the second lever 317. The fixed body 319 hits the movement restricting portion 316 of the second lever 317 to rotate the second lever 317 in the reference position in one direction (the same direction as the rotation of the first lever 313) as shown in FIG. 6B. Regulate.

  The movement restricting portion 316 may be omitted, and a part of the lever body 320 may directly contact the fixed body 319.

  The fixed body 319 is fixed to the case 291. As shown in FIG. 4, the fixed body 319 includes a fixture 351 and a shaft body 352. The fixture 351 is fixed to the rear frame body 301. In the present embodiment, the fixture 351 projects downward in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis 331 of the shaft 33.

  The shaft body 352 is attached to the fixture 351. The shaft body 352 is substantially parallel to the rotation axis 331 of the shaft 33. 6A to 6C, the shaft body 352 is arranged between the movement restricting portion 316 of the first lever 313 and the movement restricting portion 316 of the second lever 317.

  When the shaft 33 rotates (here, this direction is defined as one direction), as shown in FIG. 6B, the rotating body 310 rotates around the rotation shaft 331 in one direction (the direction of the black arrow in FIG. 6B). Then, the shaft member 312 of the rotating body 310 pushes the pushing portion 315 of the first lever 313 to rotate the first lever 313 in one direction. When the first lever 313 rotates in one direction, one end of the elastic body 318 is pulled (to the right side here) by the elastic body mounting portion 314 of the first lever 313.

  At this time, the other end of the elastic body 318 applies a tensile force to the second lever 317. When the second lever 317 receives a tensile force from the elastic body 318, it tries to rotate in one direction, but the movement restricting portion 316 contacts the fixed body 319. Therefore, the second lever 317 does not rotate in one direction. Therefore, the elastic body 318 elastically expands and applies a rotational force in the other direction (white arrow in FIG. 4B) to the first lever 313.

  As a result, the rotating body 310 that rotates in one direction from the reference position is applied with a rotational force from the first lever 313 toward the other direction toward the reference position. Therefore, when the front frame 21 is tilted from the reference position, a force is applied to the front frame 21 connected to the case 35 to return to the reference position.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6C, when the shaft 33 rotates in the other direction, the rotating body 310 rotates around the rotation shaft 331 in the other direction (the direction of the black arrow in FIG. 6C). Then, the shaft member 312 of the rotating body 310 pushes the pushing portion 315 of the second lever 317 to rotate the second lever 317 in the other direction. When the second lever 317 rotates in the other direction, one end of the elastic body 318 is pulled (here, to the left) by the elastic body mounting portion 314 of the second lever 317.

  At this time, the other end of the elastic body 318 gives a tensile force to the first lever 313. When the first lever 313 receives a tensile force from the elastic body 318, it tries to rotate in the other direction, but the movement restricting portion 316 contacts the fixed body 319. Therefore, the first lever 313 does not rotate in the other direction. Therefore, the elastic body 318 elastically extends and gives a rotational force in one direction (white arrow in FIG. 6C) to the second lever 317.

  As a result, the rotating body 310 that rotates in the other direction from the reference position is applied with a rotational force from the second lever 317 toward one direction to return to the reference position.

(1.2.3.3) Connection Frame The connection frame 32 extends along the front-rear direction in a plan view and connects the front frame 21 and the rear frame 28, as shown in FIG. 2. In the present disclosure, “extending along the front-rear direction in a plan view” may be inclined with respect to the traveling surface 100 or may be inclined with respect to the traveling surface 100 in a side view, as shown in FIG. 4, for example. It means that they may be substantially parallel to each other. As shown in FIG. 4, the connection frame 32 includes a shaft 33 and a fitting 34.

  The shaft 33 is rotatably attached to the frames 21 and 28 to be attached. The “attachment target” here means the frame of the front frame 21 and the rear frame 28 that supports the shaft 33. In the present embodiment, the shaft 33 is rotatably attached to the rear frame 28. However, the shaft 33 may be rotatably attached to the front frame 21. The rotation axis 331 of the shaft 33 is the same as the central axis of the shaft 33 as described above. The shaft 33 is connected to the connection portion 29 of the rear frame 28 in this embodiment.

  The fixture 34 is fixed to the shaft 33, and is non-rotatably connected to the frames 21 and 28 to be attached around the rotation axis 331 of the shaft 33. The “attachment target” here means the frame of the front frame 21 and the rear frame 28 to which the fixture 34 is directly attached. Therefore, when the shaft 33 is attached to the rear frame 28, the attachment target is the front frame 21. However, the attachment target of the attachment 34 may be the rear frame 28. Further, in the present disclosure, “non-rotatably connected around the rotation axis 331 of the shaft 33 ”means that the shaft 33 is connected to the attachment target in a mode in which the shaft 33 is not rotated by the rotation axis 331. In the present embodiment, the fixture 34 is rotatably attached to the front frame 21, but the rotation axis of the fixture 34 is substantially parallel to the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, the fixture 34 is attached to the battery bracket 27 by the attachment shaft 341. The rotation axis of the attachment tool 34 is the same as the central axis of the attachment axis 341.

  The fixture 34 is fixed to the shaft 33. In the present embodiment, the fixing of the fixture 34 and the shaft 33 is realized by welding. However, the fixture 34 and the shaft 33 may be fixed to each other by, for example, bolting, fitting, spline connection, key connection, or the like.

  The three-wheeled bicycle 1 according to the present embodiment includes a damping device 36, as shown in FIG. The damping device is provided so as to straddle the fixture 34 and the seat stay 25. The damping device 36 damps the vibration input from the fixture 34. This makes it difficult for the vibration of the rear frame 28 to be transmitted to the front frame 21.

  The damping device 36 is, in the present embodiment, a suspension including a spring and an oil damper. However, in the present disclosure, the damping device 36 may be configured only by an elastic body such as a spring, or may be configured only by a damper.

  The longitudinal direction of the connecting frame 32 (in this embodiment, a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis 331 of the shaft 33) is inclined with respect to the traveling surface 100. Specifically, the angle formed by the longitudinal direction of the connection frame 32 and the horizontal plane is greater than 0° and 30° or less. More preferably, the angle formed by the longitudinal direction of the connection frame 32 and the horizontal plane is 15°±5°.

  The running surface 100 here corresponds to an imaginary plane that passes through the lower end of the front wheel 92 (point of contact with the ground) and the lower end of the rear wheel 91. Therefore, the longitudinal direction of the connection frame 32 is inclined with respect to the virtual plane.

  By the way, in the three-wheeled bicycle 1 of the present embodiment, when the front frame 21 is tilted with respect to the rear frame 28, it operates as follows. As shown in FIG. 9, when the front frame 21 is tilted to the left, the connection frame 32 rotates about the rotation axis 331 of the shaft 33 with respect to the rear frame 28. At this time, the front side of the shaft 33 follows the displacement of the front frame 21, and therefore moves to the left around the lower end of the front wheel 92. The rear side of the shaft 33 supported by the rear frame 28 stays in place in plan view due to the independent rotation of the two rear wheels 91. In short, when the front frame 21 tilts, the shaft 33 rotates about the intersection of the rotation axis 331 of the shaft 33 and the rotation axis of the rear wheel shaft 94 in plan view. At this time, one of the two rear wheels 91 rotates in the direction in which the three-wheeled bicycle 1 moves forward, and the other rear wheel 91 rotates in the opposite direction. In short, when the front frame 21 is tilted, the rear wheel 91 on the one hand and the rear wheel 91 on the other hand rotate in opposite directions in conjunction with it.

(1.2.4) Connecting Frame Braking Device The connecting frame braking device 8 brakes the rotation of the connecting frame 32 on the rotating shaft 331. The term “braking the rotation” in the present disclosure means applying a braking force to the rotational force. Therefore, "braking the rotation" includes stopping the rotation of the object as a result of exerting a braking force on the object, or reducing the angular velocity of the object without stopping the object. Be done. As shown in FIG. 7, the connecting frame braking device 8 includes a plate 81 and a brake 85.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the plate 81 is attached to the connecting frame 32, and thereby fixed to the connecting frame 32. In the present embodiment, the plate 81 includes a mounting portion 82 and an arcuate portion 83 provided on the mounting portion 82, as shown in FIG. 7.

  The attachment portion 82 includes a portion (here, a through hole) attached to the shaft 33. In the present embodiment, the attachment portion 82 is a plate-shaped portion attached to the shaft 33 and the shaft member 312 at a plurality of locations (here, two locations). The shaft member 312 and the mounting portion 82 are fixed by, for example, bolting, screwing, or the like.

  The arcuate portion 83 is a portion sandwiched by the brakes 85. The arcuate portion 83 is integrally formed with the attachment portion 82 in the present embodiment. The upper edge of the arc-shaped portion 83 is a circular arc, and the center of the circular arc is substantially the same as the central axis of the shaft 33. However, the center of the arcuate portion 83 does not have to be the same as the central axis of the shaft 33.

  The plate 81 rotates together with the shaft 33 when the shaft 33 rotates. The rotation axis of the plate 81 is the same as the rotation axis 331 of the shaft 33 (in other words, the rotation axis of the connection frame 32).

  The brake 85 applies a braking force to the movement of the plate 81. The brake 85 is attached to the rear frame 28 (connector 303) as shown in FIG. The brake 85 is a wire brake in the present embodiment, but in the present disclosure, for example, a negative pressure booster type that uses negative pressure, a pneumatic booster type that uses compressed air, and a hydraulic booster that uses hydraulic pressure. It may have a booster such as a mold. The brake 85 can move the pair of brake pads 86 in a direction toward each other and a direction away from each other. The brake 85 is a plate that moves by moving the pair of brake pads 86 toward each other with the plate 81 positioned between the pair of brake pads 86, and sandwiching the plate 81 by the pair of brake pads 86. A braking force is applied to 81.

  Hereinafter, moving the pair of brake pads 86 toward each other to sandwich the plate 81 is referred to as "braking the brake 85", and moving the pair of brake pads 86 away from each other is referred to as "releasing the brake 85". ".

  The control board 5 (FIG. 1) has a control unit 51 (FIG. 8) that controls the brake 85. The control board 5 is a printed board in the present embodiment. The control unit 51 mainly includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. That is, the function of the control unit 51 is realized by the processor of the microcontroller executing the program recorded in the memory of the microcontroller. The program may be recorded in a memory in advance, or may be recorded in a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card and provided. A brake 85 and a speed sensor 52 are connected to the control unit 51.

  The speed sensor 52 detects the traveling speed of the three-wheeled bicycle 1. The “running speed” in the present disclosure is the speed at which the three-wheeled bicycle 1 is running on the running surface 100. In the present embodiment, the speed sensor 52 includes a magnet 520 provided on a part of the spoke of the front wheel 92 and a hall sensor 521 for detecting movement of the magnet 520, and a detection signal of the hall sensor 521 is sent to the control unit 51. The traveling speed is detected from the angular velocity of the front wheels 92 by outputting and calculating. However, the speed sensor 52 may employ a Doppler type or a spatial filter type, for example. Further, the speed sensor 52 may include the detection element and the control unit 51 that calculates the speed from the electric signal received from the detection element, in one housing.

  The control unit 51 controls the brake 85 of the coupling frame braking device 8 based on the detection result of the speed sensor 52. In the present embodiment, the control unit 51 controls the coupling frame braking device 8 so as to apply the braking force to the rotation of the shaft 33 about the rotation shaft 331 when the detection result of the speed sensor 52 is equal to or lower than the predetermined speed. To do. Here, the connection frame braking device 8 only needs to be able to apply the braking force to the rotation of the shaft 33 about the rotating shaft 331, and may gradually weaken the braking force while releasing the brake 85.

  The control unit 51 according to the present embodiment controls the motor capable of winding the wire of the wire brake as the brake 85. The control unit 51 can control the brake 85 by controlling the motor. When the brake 85 is a hydraulic brake, the control unit 51 controls the hydraulic pump.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 51 changes the braking force by the connecting frame braking device 8 according to the detection result of the speed sensor 52. Specifically, the control unit 51 controls the connecting frame braking device 8 so that the braking force is gradually weakened as the traveling speed of the three-wheeled bicycle 1 increases.

  On the other hand, the control unit 51 controls the connected frame braking device 8 to release the braking when the detection result of the speed sensor 52 exceeds the predetermined speed. “Release braking” in the present disclosure means that the braking force for the rotation of the shaft 33 on the rotation shaft 331 by the coupling frame braking device 8 is not generated.

  The “predetermined speed” referred to in the present disclosure means a speed at which the front frame 21 becomes stable by the inertial force. The “predetermined speed” is, for example, 7 km/h or less, and more preferably 5 km/h or less.

(1.2.5) Handle The handle 38 operates the direction of the front wheel 92. In the present embodiment, the handle 38 is formed in a substantially U shape when viewed from the front. The handle 38 has a grip 381 at the tip. The handle 38 is fixed to the upper end of the steering column 263. A basket 39 is attached above the connecting portion between the handle 38 and the steering column 263.

(1.2.6) Battery Device The battery device 6 is a device that supplies electric power to at least the motor. As shown in FIG. 1, the battery device 6 includes a mounting portion 61 and a battery 62.

  The mounting portion 61 is a portion to which the battery 62 is mounted. A battery 62 is detachably attached to the mounting portion 61. The mounting portion 61 is fixed to the top plate portion 271 of the battery bracket 27 in a mounted state.

  The battery 62 is a secondary battery that stores electric energy supplied to the motor. The battery 62 contains a single cell or a plurality of cells. The battery 62 is electrically connected to the mounting portion 61. Thereby, the battery 62 can supply electric power to the motor.

  In the present disclosure, the battery device 6 may be configured to supply electric power only to the motor unit 7, and in addition to the motor unit 7, for example, a headlight, a motor ON/OFF operation unit, or the like. May be configured to supply power to.

(1.2.7) Motor Unit/Motor Bracket The motor unit 7 outputs a force that assists the pedaling force input from the pedal 95. In the motor unit 7, when the user pedals the pedal 95 and a pedaling force (external force) is input to the crank shaft via the crank arm 96, the crank shaft rotates. When the crankshaft receives a pedaling force and rotates, the motor unit 7 according to the present embodiment detects the rotational speed of the crankshaft and the torque generated in the crankshaft, and outputs a force according to the detection result. In short, the motor unit 7 according to the present embodiment can output the force obtained by adding the drive assist output to the pedal effort.

  The motor unit 7 according to the present embodiment has a motor (not shown) and a drive sprocket 71 on which the power transmission body 74 is mounted. The drive sprocket 71 includes a first drive sprocket 710 rotated by a pedaling force and a second drive sprocket (not shown) rotated by a motor. In short, the motor unit 7 according to the present embodiment is a biaxial motor unit that separately transmits the pedal effort and the drive assist output to the power transmission body 74.

  However, in the present disclosure, the motor unit 7 transmits the pedaling force transmitted via the pedal 95 and the crank arm 96 and the output of the motor to the drive sprocket 71, and then transmits the power to the power transmission body 74. The uniaxial motor unit 7 may be used.

  A crank arm 96 and a pedal 95 are attached to each of both ends of the crank shaft of the motor unit 7. In short, the pair of crank arms 96 and the pair of pedals 95 are arranged on the right side and the left side of the frame 2. In the present embodiment, the pedal 95 drives at least one of the two rear wheels 91.

  In the embodiment, the power transmission body 74 is a chain, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the power transmission body 74 may be a belt, a wire, or the like.

  The motor unit 7 is attached to the frame 2 via a motor bracket 73. The motor bracket 73 is attached to the first lower pipe 221. In the present embodiment, the motor bracket 73 is arranged in front of the battery bracket 27 and in front of the extension line of the central axis of the seat tube 23. The motor bracket 73 and the battery bracket 27 may be connected.

  In the present embodiment, since the motor bracket 73 is arranged in front of the extension line of the center axis of the seat tube 23, the user pedals more than the aspect in which the motor bracket 73 is on the extension line of the center axis of the seat tube 23. Easy to row 95. This is because if the motor bracket 73 is disposed in front of the extension line of the central axis of the seat tube 23, it is easy to increase the distance between the pedal 95 and the saddle 40.

(2) Modifications The above embodiment is only one of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above embodiment can be variously modified according to the design and the like as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved.

(2.1) Modification 1
In the three-wheeled bicycle 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the connection frame 32 is rotatably attached to the rear frame 28 about the rotation shaft 331, and rotates with respect to the front frame 21 about the rotation shaft 331. It was installed improperly. On the other hand, in this modified example, as shown in FIG. 11, the connection frame 32 is rotatably attached to the front frame 21 about the rotation shaft 331 and is rotatable with respect to the rear frame 28. It is different in that it is attached so as not to rotate about the shaft 331. In the following, differences from the three-wheeled bicycle 1 according to the above-described embodiment are mainly described, and common points are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The front frame 21 according to the present modification is the same as that in the above embodiment.

(2.1.2) Rear Frame The rear frame 28 constitutes a rear portion of the frame 2. As shown in FIG. 11, the rear frame 28 includes a connecting portion 29, a rear wheel bearing portion 30, and a swing restoring mechanism 31. The rear wheel bearing portion 30 has the same structure as that of the above-described embodiment, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

  The connection portion 29 is a portion that connects the connection frame 32 to the rear wheel bearing portion 30. In the present embodiment, the connecting portion 29 has the shaft 33 of the connecting frame 32 fixed to the rear wheel bearing portion 30. Specifically, the connection portion 29 and the shaft 33 are fixed to each other by, for example, welding connection, spline connection, key groove and key connection, wedge connection, fitting connection, screw connection, or the like. .. Further, the connecting portion 29 is fixed to the connecting body 303. The connection portion 29 is fixed to the connecting body 303 by, for example, welding connection, wedge connection, fitting connection, screw connection, or the like.

  The “spline connection” in the present disclosure includes, for example, connection by a square spline, an involute spline, a ball spline, a triangular mountain serration, an involute serration, or the like.

(2.1.3) Connection Frame The connection frame 32 has a shaft 33 having a longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction in a plan view. The connection frame 32 includes a fixture 34, an outer cylinder body 35, a shaft 33, and a plurality of (here, two) bearings 353.

  The attachment 34 is an attachment portion of the connection frame 32 to the front frame 21. The attachment 34 is rotatably attached to the battery bracket 27 by an attachment shaft 341. The rotation axis of the attachment tool 34 is the same as the central axis of the attachment axis 341 and is substantially parallel to the left-right direction.

  The outer cylindrical body 35 is attached to the attachment 34. The outer cylindrical body 35 according to the present embodiment is fixed to the fixture 34. The outer tubular body 35 is formed in a tubular shape. The central axis of the outer tubular body 35 is substantially parallel to the front-rear direction in a plan view. In the present embodiment, the central axis of the outer cylindrical body 35 is inclined with respect to the traveling surface 100 so as to go downward as it goes backward.

  The shaft 33 is attached so as to be rotatable relative to the outer tubular body 35. The rotation axis 331 of the shaft 33 with respect to the outer cylinder body 35 is the same as the central axis of the outer cylinder body 35, and is also the same as the central axis of the shaft 33. The rear end of the shaft 33 in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the rear frame 28 by a connecting portion 29. In short, the shaft 33 allows the front frame 21 to rotate with respect to the rear frame 28. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the rotation axis 331 of the front frame 21 with respect to the rear frame 28 is the central axis of the shaft 33 and extends along the front-rear direction in plan view. The rotary shaft 331 that makes relative rotation between the shaft 33 and the outer cylinder body 35 may be referred to below as the “rotary shaft 331 of the shaft 33” or the “rotary shaft 331 of the outer cylinder body 35”, but both are the same shaft 331. That is.

  The longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft 331 of the shaft 33 is inclined with respect to the traveling surface 100. Specifically, the angle formed by the longitudinal direction of the rotation axis 331 of the shaft 33 and the horizontal plane is greater than 0° and 30° or less. More preferably, the angle formed by the longitudinal direction of the rotation axis 331 of the shaft 33 and the horizontal plane is 15°±5°.

  The movement of the shaft 33 relative to the outer cylinder 35 in a direction parallel to the central axis is restricted. The restriction of the movement of the shaft 33 with respect to the outer tubular body 35 in the direction parallel to the central axis is realized by, for example, an E-shaped retaining ring 354.

  A plurality of bearings 353 are provided between the shaft 33 and the outer cylinder body 35. In the present embodiment, the plurality of bearings 353 are attached to both ends of the outer tubular body 35 in the longitudinal direction. The bearing 353 according to this embodiment is, for example, a sliding bearing.

  The tricycle 1 according to the present embodiment includes a damping device 36. Since the damping device 36 has the same structure as that of the embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

(2.1.4) Rotating Body The rotating body 310 rotates on the rotating shaft 331 according to the rotation of the front frame 21 with respect to the rear frame 28. As shown in FIG. 4, the rotating body 310 is attached to the outer tubular body 35 and is fixed to the outer tubular body 35. Therefore, the rotating shaft of the rotating body 310 is the same as the rotating shaft 331 of the outer cylindrical body 35. The rotating body 310 includes a fixture 3101 and a shaft member 312. The shaft member 312 has the same structure as that of the embodiment.

  The fixture 3101 is a member that separates the shaft member 312 from the rotation shaft 331 of the outer tubular body 35 in the radial direction. In the present embodiment, the fastener 3101 is formed in a plate shape and protrudes in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the outer tubular body 35. However, in the present disclosure, the fixing tool 3101 may be formed in, for example, a rod shape, a block shape, or the like. The fastener 3101 according to the present embodiment projects upward from the outer peripheral surface of the outer tubular body 35 in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis 331 when the front frame 21 is at the reference position.

  When the rotating body 310 rotates about the rotating shaft 331, the shaft member 312 rotates about the rotating shaft 331 and applies a force to the swing restoring mechanism 31. Since the configuration of the swing restoration mechanism 31 is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, the description will be omitted.

  When the rotating body 310 rotates about the rotating shaft 331, the plate 81 rotates along the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 33. The rotating shaft of the plate 81 is the same as the rotating shaft 331 of the outer cylindrical body 35. .. The movement of the plate 81 is braked by the brake 85 as in the above embodiment.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the connection frame 32 is rotatably attached to the front frame 21 about the rotation shaft 331, and is incapable of rotating with respect to the rear frame 28 about the rotation shaft 331. However, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment is obtained.

(2.2) Modification 2
The three-wheeled bicycle 1 of the above-described embodiment includes the so-called center unit type motor unit 7 in which the motor unit 7 is attached to the down tube 22, but as shown in FIG. 11, the motor unit 7 is a front hub unit type. You may. In this modified example, in FIG. 11, the same configurations as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the three-wheeled bicycle 1 of this modified example includes a hub motor 75 as the motor unit 7, a pedaling force detection unit 70, and a pedaling force detection unit bracket 730.

  The pedal effort detection unit bracket 730 attaches the pedal effort detection unit 70 to the first lower pipe 221 of the down tube 22. In the present modification, the pedaling force detection unit bracket 730 is arranged in front of the battery bracket 27 and in front of the extension line of the central axis of the seat tube 23. The pedal effort detection unit bracket 730 of the present modification has the same structure as the motor bracket 73 of the above embodiment, and can be commonly used for the pedal effort detection unit bracket 730 and the motor unit 7. The pedal effort detection unit bracket 730 and the motor bracket 73 may be collectively referred to as a “mounting bracket”.

  The pedal effort detection unit 70 detects the pedal effort input from the pedal 95 connected to the crankshaft. In this modification, the pedal effort detection unit 70 detects torque as the detection of the pedal effort. The detection of the torque is performed, for example, by detecting the strain generated in the crankshaft with a magnetostrictive torque sensor. As the detection of the pedaling force, the rotation of the crankshaft about the axis may be detected by a rotation sensor.

  The detection result detected by the pedal effort detection unit 70 is output to the hub motor 75.

  The hub motor 75 generates an assist force based on the detection result of the pedal effort detection unit 70. The hub motor 75 according to the present embodiment is concentrically attached to the front wheel shaft 93 of the front wheel 92. As shown in FIG. 12, the hub motor 75 includes a pair of fixed shafts 76, a motor device 77, a speed reduction mechanism 78, and a hub case 79.

  The fixed shaft 76 extends along the rotation axis of the front wheel and is attached to the frame 2. In the present embodiment, the fixed shaft 76 is attached to the pair of legs 261 and fixed to the pair of legs 261.

  The motor device 77 uses the motor 771 as a drive source and outputs rotational power. The motor device 77 includes a motor 771 and a housing 772. One of the fixed shafts 76 is fixed to the housing 772. The motor 771 is arranged inside the housing 772. The motor 771 includes a rotor 774 and a stator 773. An output shaft 775 is attached to the rotor 774, and the rotor 774 and the output shaft 775 are fixed to each other. A tooth portion 776 is formed on the outer periphery of the output shaft 775.

  When the rotational power output from the motor device 77 is input, the deceleration mechanism 78 decelerates and then rotates the hub case 79. In the present modification, the reduction mechanism 78 includes a plurality of spur gears 781 arranged around the output shaft 775 and meshed with the teeth 776. In this modification, the plurality of spur gears 781 do not revolve around the output shaft 775, but may be configured by revolving planetary gears. The speed reduction mechanism 78 is arranged inside the hub case 79. The spur gear 781 meshes with the tooth portion 776 and also meshes with the inner peripheral surface of the hub case 79.

  The hub case 79 is rotatable with respect to the fixed shaft 76. In this modification, the hub case 79 is rotatably attached to the housing 772 of the motor device 77 via a bearing 791. The spokes 942 included in the wheel 921 of the front wheel 92 are attached to the hub case 79. It should be noted that the hub case 79 is configured to be rotatable about the front wheel rotation shaft even when the motor 771 is stopped.

  When the rotor 774 of the motor device 77 rotates, the power thereof is transmitted to the speed reduction mechanism 78 to rotate the hub case 79. The hub case 79 rotated around the fixed shaft 76 rotates the wheel 921 and transmits the assist force to the front wheel 92.

  In the three-wheeled bicycle 1 of the modified example 2, since the motor unit 7 is composed of the hub motor 75, the lower portion of the down tube 22 can have a simple structure.

(2.3) Other Modified Examples Hereinafter, modified examples of the embodiment will be listed. The modifications described below can be applied in appropriate combination.

  In the above-described embodiment, the connecting frame braking device 8 includes the plate 81 and the brake 85, but in the present disclosure, like the caliper brake and the drum brake, the connecting frame 32 is rubbed by the frictional force between the connecting frame 32. The rotation of the rotary shaft 331 may be braked.

  In the three-wheeled bicycle 1 according to the above embodiment, the rotation of the rotating shaft 331 of the coupling frame 32 is braked according to the traveling speed. However, for example, the control unit 51 brakes when the vehicle is stopped (traveling speed 0 km/h). The connecting frame braking device 8 may be controlled so that 85 is applied. According to this, the front frame 21 can be prevented from inclining when the vehicle is stopped, and the user can easily get on when straddling the saddle 40.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the three-wheeled bicycle 1 controls the connecting frame braking device 8 by the control unit 51, but in the present disclosure, the connecting frame braking device 8 may be operated by a manual operation. For example, the grip 381 of the handle 38 may be provided with an operating lever, and the connecting frame braking device 8 may be operated by operating the operating lever.

  In the above-described embodiment, the connection frame 32 is rotatably connected to the rear frame 28 about the rotation axis 331 of the connection frame 32, but in the present disclosure, the connection frame 32 is connected to the front frame 21. On the other hand, it may be rotatably connected around the rotation shaft 331. In this case, it is preferable that the connection frame 32 and the rear frame 28 be connected so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the left-right direction.

  In the above-described embodiment, the connection frame 32 and the front frame 21 are rotatably attached about the axis extending in the left-right direction, but in the present disclosure, the connection frame 32 and the end opposite to the shaft 33 are provided. , And the corresponding frame 2 may be fixed to each other. For example, in the above embodiment, the connection frame 32 and the front frame 21 may be fixed by welding. In this case, the connection frame 32 and the battery bracket 27 may be integrated.

  In the above-described embodiment, the swing restoring mechanism 31 is provided in the rear frame 28, but in the present disclosure, the front frame 21 may be provided. Further, in the present disclosure, the swing restoration mechanism 31 may be omitted.

  In the above embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the connecting frame 32 intersects the running surface 100, but in the present disclosure, it may be substantially parallel to the running surface 100.

  Although the pedal 95 drives one of the two rear wheels 91 in the above embodiment, it may drive both of the two rear wheels 91. Further, the pedal 95 may drive only the front wheel 92.

  Although the three-wheeled bicycle 1 is described based on the electric bicycle in the above embodiment, the present disclosure may be a three-wheeled bicycle 1 that is not an electric bicycle.

  In Modification 2, the front hub unit type motor unit 7 is used. However, a so-called rear hub unit type motor unit in which the hub motor 75 of Modification 2 is attached to the hub of the driving wheel of the two rear wheels 91. It may be 7.

  In the present disclosure, an expression with "substantially" such as "substantially parallel" may be used. For example, “substantially parallel” means substantially “parallel”, and includes not only a strictly “parallel” state but also an error of about several degrees. The same applies to expressions with other "abbreviations".

  Further, in the present disclosure, expressions such as “front end” and “front end” that are distinguished by “...end” and “...end” are used. For example, “front end” means a portion having a certain range including “front end”. The same applies to other expressions involving "... edge".

(3) Aspect As described above, the three-wheeled bicycle (1) according to the first aspect includes the frame (2), one front wheel (92) and two rear wheels (91) attached to the frame (2). ), and. The frame (2) includes a front frame (21) to which one front wheel (92) is attached, a rear frame (28) to which two rear wheels (91) are attached, and a connecting frame (32). Prepare The connection frame (32) extends in the front-rear direction in a plan view and connects the front frame (21) and the rear frame (28). The connecting frame (32) is rotatably connected to either one of the front frame (21) and the rear frame (28) by a rotation shaft (331) along the longitudinal direction of the connecting frame (32), and It is connected to the other by a rotation shaft (331) so that it cannot rotate. The three-wheeled bicycle (1) further comprises a connecting frame braking device (8) for braking the rotation of the connecting frame (32) on the rotating shaft (331).

  According to this aspect, for example, instability of the front frame (21) can be prevented from becoming unstable at low speed, and stable traveling can be easily realized.

  A three-wheeled bicycle (1) according to a second aspect is the three-wheeled bicycle (1) according to the first aspect, wherein a speed sensor (52) for detecting a traveling speed and a coupled frame braking device (8) based on a detection result of the speed sensor (52). ) Is further provided.

  According to this aspect, for example, when the three-wheeled bicycle (1) becomes low speed, the speed sensor (52) can be used to actuate the connecting frame braking device (8), and stable traveling can be realized. ..

  In the three-wheeled bicycle (1) according to the third aspect, in the second aspect, the control unit (51) changes the braking force by the coupling frame braking device (8) according to the detection result of the speed sensor (52). Let

  According to this aspect, for example, when the vehicle speed is lower, the braking force can be strengthened, and the braking force can be weakened as the speed increases, so that more stable traveling can be realized.

  In the three-wheeled bicycle (1) according to the fourth aspect, in the second or third aspect, the control unit (51), when the detection result is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed, the rotation shaft (331) of the coupling frame (32). ) To brake the rotation. Further, the control unit (51) controls the connecting frame braking device (8) so as to release the braking of the rotation of the rotating shaft (331) of the connecting frame (32) when the detection result exceeds a predetermined speed. Control.

  According to this aspect, when the speed of the three-wheeled bicycle (1) rises to such an extent that the front frame (21) is stably self-supporting, the braking by the coupling frame braking device (8) is released, so that the coupling frame braking device is released. Stable running can be realized without depending on (8). Further, at this time, turning in the left-right direction becomes easy.

  In the three-wheeled bicycle (1) according to the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the connecting frame braking device (8) includes a plate (81) fixed to the connecting frame (32), A brake (85) for braking the movement of the plate (81).

  According to this aspect, a strong braking force can be exerted in the connecting frame braking device (8) as needed.

  In the three-wheeled bicycle (1) according to the sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the longitudinal direction of the connecting frame (32) is such that the lower end of one front wheel (92) and two rear wheels ( 91) is inclined with respect to an imaginary plane passing through the lower end.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to realize stable traveling at a low speed while using the front frame (21) that easily tilts in the left-right direction.

  A three-wheeled bicycle (1) according to a seventh aspect is any one of the first to sixth aspects, further including a motor unit (7). The motor unit (7) has a motor and outputs rotational power to at least one of one front wheel (92) and two rear wheels (91).

  According to this aspect, it is possible to realize stable traveling of the electric bicycle even at low speed.

  The configurations according to the second to seventh aspects are not essential for the three-wheeled bicycle (1) and can be appropriately omitted.

2 frame 21 front frame 28 rear frame 32 connecting frame 331 rotating shaft 51 control unit 52 speed sensor 7 motor unit 8 connecting frame braking device 81 plate 85 brake 91 rear wheel 92 front wheel

Claims (7)

Frame and
One front wheel and two rear wheels attached to the frame;
Equipped with
The frame is
A front frame to which the one front wheel is attached,
A rear frame to which the two rear wheels are attached,
A connecting frame that extends along the front-rear direction in a plan view and that connects the front frame and the rear frame,
Have
The connection frame is rotatably connected to one of the front frame and the rear frame by a rotation shaft along the longitudinal direction of the connection frame, and is non-rotatably connected to the other by the rotation shaft. Connected,
Further comprising a connecting frame braking device for braking rotation of the connecting frame on the rotating shaft,
Tricycle. A speed sensor for detecting the traveling speed,
A control unit for controlling the connection frame braking device based on a detection result of the speed sensor,
The three-wheeled bicycle according to claim 1. The control unit changes a braking force by the connecting frame braking device according to a detection result of the speed sensor,
The three-wheeled bicycle according to claim 2. The control unit is
When the detection result is less than or equal to a predetermined speed, braking the rotation of the connecting frame on the rotating shaft,
When the detection result exceeds the predetermined speed, the connecting frame braking device is controlled so as to release the braking of the rotation of the connecting frame on the rotating shaft.
The three-wheeled bicycle according to claim 2 or 3. The connecting frame braking device,
A plate fixed to the connecting frame,
A brake for braking the movement of the plate,
Has,
The tricycle according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The longitudinal direction of the connecting frame is inclined with respect to an imaginary plane passing through the lower ends of the one front wheel and the two rear wheels.
The tricycle according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A motor unit that has a motor and outputs rotational power to at least one of the one front wheel and the two rear wheels;
The tricycle according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images