JP2022146972A - Holding mechanism for spare tire - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a holding mechanism for a spare tire that prevents the spare tire from falling off without requiring effort.SOLUTION: A holding mechanism 10 for a spare tire 1 including a support member 11 supporting the spare tire 1, a winding device 13 that winds or unwind a chain 12 one end of which is connected to the support member 11, and a bracket 14 fixing the winding device 13 to a chassis 2, comprises: a detection device 15 attached to the support member 11 and the bracket 14 to detect whether a positional relation between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 indicates a positive position or not; and a notification device 16 that notifies that the detection device 15 has detected that the positional relation between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 does not indicate the positive position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a spare tire holding mechanism, and more particularly to a spare tire holding mechanism that holds a spare tire with a support member connected to a chain.

As a spare tire holding mechanism, a secondary chain is used in addition to the main chain to connect the spare tire and the carrier (bracket), and when the main chain is cut, the secondary chain is used. prevents the spare tire from coming off, and when a tension acts on the sub-strand, a switch is actuated to give an alarm (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Also, as a spare tire detachment notification device, there has been proposed a device that activates an annunciator when a wire passing through the spare tire is broken when the spare tire is detached (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-117779 JP 2019-89526 A

By the way, one of the factors that causes the spare tire held by the spare tire holding mechanism to fall off is the breakage of the chain. Chain breakage occurs when the chain rotates as the spare tire rotates about its vertical axis due to interference with an obstacle. Specifically, a state in which the chain is twisted off due to rotation of the chain, and a state in which the chain is stretched by rotation and plastically deformed while the vehicle is running and is cut due to vibration during running are exemplified. In other words, by detecting the rotation of the chain, it is possible to prevent the chain from being twisted, thereby preventing the spare tire from coming off.

However, the inventions described in Patent Literatures 1 and 2 above detect that the spare tire has fallen off, and cannot prevent the spare tire from falling off. In addition, these inventions require time and effort to connect the secondary cord-like body and the electric wire when installing a new spare tire, and in addition, the spare tire falls off due to forgetting to connect them. There is a problem that sometimes it is not reported. Also, when replacing with a spare tire, there is a problem that it takes time and effort to release the connection of the sub-cord-like body and remove the electric wire.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present disclosure is to provide a spare tire holding mechanism that prevents the spare tire from coming off without taking time and effort.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a spare tire holding mechanism that achieves the above object, comprising: a support member that supports the spare tire; and a bracket for fixing a pick-up device to a vehicle, the spare tire holding mechanism being attached to at least one of the supporting member and the bracket, and the positional relationship between the supporting member and the bracket holding the spare tire. a detection device for detecting whether or not the bracket is in the normal position in a state; and

According to one aspect of the present invention, instead of detecting that the spare tire has fallen off, by detecting and notifying that the positional relationship between the support member and the bracket is not in the correct position, twisting of the chain due to rotation of the chain can be prevented. can be resolved early. This is advantageous for preventing the chain from being twisted due to the twisting of the chain, and it is possible to prevent the spare tire from falling off.

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, the detection device is configured to be attached to at least one of the support member and the bracket, which eliminates the need for work on the spare tire. As a result, it is possible to prevent the spare tire from coming off without taking much time and effort as compared with the prior art.

It is a block diagram which illustrates the holding|maintenance mechanism of the spare tire of 1st embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the spare tire holding mechanism of FIG. 1 is attached to a chassis; 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the spare tire holding mechanism of FIG. 1 holds a spare tire, with the winding device and one bracket omitted; FIG. It is a block diagram which illustrates the holding|maintenance mechanism of the spare tire of 2nd embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a modification of the first embodiment of FIG. 1; It is an enlarged view which illustrates the modification of 1st embodiment of FIG.

An embodiment of a spare tire holding mechanism according to the present disclosure will be described below. In the drawings, the X direction indicates the longitudinal direction of the chassis, the Y direction indicates the width direction of the chassis, and the Z direction indicates the vertical direction. In the figure, a dashed line indicates a signal line. In these figures, the dimensions of the members are changed so that the configuration is easy to understand, and they do not necessarily match those actually manufactured.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, a spare tire 1 holding mechanism 10 of the first embodiment is a mechanism for holding a spare tire 1 of a large vehicle such as a truck or a bus on a chassis 2. As shown in FIGS. The holding mechanism 10 includes a support member 11, a chain 12, a winding device 13, a bracket 14, a detection device 15, and a notification device 16.

One end of a chain 12 is connected to the central portion of the support member 11 in plan view, and both ends of the chain 12 are hooked on the wheel 3 of the spare tire 1 to support the spare tire 1 . The chain 12 has one end connected to the support member 11 and the other end connected to the winding device 13 . The winding device 13 is a manual or electric device that winds up the chain 12 or lets out the chain 12 . A pair of brackets 14 facing each other in the X direction hold the winding device 13 between the pair of brackets 14 and fix it to the chassis 2 . Although not shown, the support member 11 has an engaging portion that engages with the edge of the hub hole 4 of the wheel 3. When the spare tire 1 interferes with the obstructing portion and rotates about the chain 12, In addition, it is configured to rotate around the chain 12 as it rotates.

A holding mechanism 10 for the spare tire 1 hooks both ends of a support member 11 to the wheel 3 of the spare tire 1, winds a chain 12 with a winding device 13, and places the upper end of the wheel 3 of the spare tire 1 on the lower end of a bracket 14. The spare tire 1 is held in contact. In this state, the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 is normal, and the vehicle can travel.

In the present disclosure, the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 includes both the positional relationship in the XY plane and the positional relationship in the Z direction. The normal position is a state in which the spare tire 1 is held in a state in which the chain 12 is not twisted, and the vehicle equipped with the holding mechanism 10 can run. In this embodiment, the normal position means that the support member 11 supports the spare tire 1, the chain 12 is wound by the winding device 13, and the upper end of the wheel 3 of the spare tire 1 is in contact with the lower end of the bracket 14. , and the longitudinal direction of the support member 11 is oriented in the X direction. A non-normal position is a state in which the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 is not normal.

The detection device 15 is a device for detecting whether or not the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 is the correct position when the spare tire 1 is held. The detection device 15 comprises a first connection member 17 , a second connection member 18 and a control device 19 . In the detection device 15, the first connection member 17, the second connection member 18, and the control device 19 form a closed circuit. When the support member 11 and the bracket 14 are in the normal position, the detection device 15 contacts the first connection member 17 and the second connection member 18 so that the first connection member 17 and the second connection member 18 are electrically connected to each other. is energized and electricity flows in the closed circuit. When the support member 11 and the bracket 14 are in the non-normal position, the detection device 15 cuts off the energization between the first connection member 17 and the second connection member 18, and no electricity flows through the closed circuit.

The first connection member 17 has a conductive metal plate shape and is fixed to the support member 11 in an insulated state. The first connection member 17 is arranged at a portion of the support member 11 exposed from the hub hole 4 formed in the center of the wheel 3 in plan view when the support member 11 is hooked on the wheel 3 of the spare tire 1. .

The second connection member 18 is L-shaped in XY plan view and fixed to the bracket 14 . One end of the second connection member 18 is fixed to the bracket 14 below the winding device 13 , and the other end of the L shape is positioned below the lower end of the bracket 14 . The second connection member 18 has a pair of connection terminals 18 a connected to two wires led out from the control device 19 . A pair of connection terminals 18a are fixed to the lower surface of the other end of the L-shape in an insulated state. 1 indicates the position of the lower end of the second connecting member 18. As shown in FIG.

The control device 19 is hardware composed of a central processing unit (CPU) that performs information processing, an internal storage device capable of reading and writing programs and information processing results used for performing various types of information processing, and various interfaces. . The control device 19 is electrically connected to the first connection member 17 , the second connection member 18 and the notification device 16 .

The control device 19 applies electricity to the closed circuit formed by the first connection member 17 and the second connection member 18, and when the applied electricity circulates in the closed circuit, the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 is normal. It has a functional element that detects that the current is not circulating in the closed circuit, and detects that the positional relationship is in the non-normal position. When the control device 19 detects that the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 is not normal, the control device 19 has a functional element that causes the notification device 16 to notify the fact. Each functional element is stored as a program in the internal storage device and executed by the central processing unit at appropriate times. In addition to the program, the functional element may be configured by a programmable controller (PLC) or an electric circuit that functions independently.

The notification device 16 is a device that displays an icon on the meter panel, and when the detection device 15 detects that the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 is not normal, the icon is used to notify the fact.

A holding mechanism 10 for the spare tire 1 hooks both ends of a support member 11 to the wheel 3 of the spare tire 1, winds a chain 12 with a winding device 13, and places the upper end of the wheel 3 of the spare tire 1 on the lower end of a bracket 14. The spare tire 1 is held in contact.

At this time, when the chain 12 is not twisted, the first connection member 17 and the second connection member 18 of the detection device 15 are brought into electrical contact. Since this contact causes electricity to flow in the closed circuit, the control device 19 detects that the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 is in the correct position.

On the other hand, in the operation of holding the spare tire 1, if the chain 12 is twisted, the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 is not normal. 17 and the second connection member 18 are disconnected. Since electricity does not flow in the closed circuit due to the disconnection of the energization, the control device 19 detects that the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 is not normal. Next, the control device 19 causes the notification device 16 to notify that the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 is incorrect. The driver of the vehicle can be notified by the notification device 16 that the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 is not normal. This makes it possible to inspect the holding mechanism 10 before starting the vehicle.

When the spare tire 1 interferes with an obstacle while the vehicle is running and the spare tire 1 rotates about the chain 12, the supporting member 11 rotates about the chain 12 along with the rotation. At this time, the energization between the first connection member 17 and the second connection member 18 of the detection device 15 is cut off. Since electricity does not flow in the closed circuit due to the disconnection of the energization, the control device 19 detects that the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 is not normal. Next, the control device 19 causes the notification device 16 to notify that the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 is incorrect. The driver of the vehicle can be notified by the notification device 16 that the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 is not normal. This makes it possible to stop the vehicle in an emergency and inspect the holding mechanism 10 .

As described above, the spare tire 1 holding mechanism 10 of the first embodiment does not detect that the spare tire 1 has fallen off, but detects that the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 is not in the correct position. to report. Therefore, according to the holding mechanism 10, the twisting of the chain 12 caused by the rotation of the chain 12 can be quickly eliminated. This is advantageous in preventing the twisting of the chain 12 from breaking the chain 12 and preventing the spare tire 1 from coming off.

Also, the holding mechanism 10 is configured such that the first connection member 17 of the detection device 15 is attached to the support member 11 and the second connection member 18 is attached to the bracket 14 . Therefore, in the work of replacing the spare tire 1 with the spare tire 1 or the work of holding the spare tire 1, the work for the spare tire 1 for preventing the spare tire 1 from falling off becomes unnecessary. As a result, it is possible to prevent the spare tire 1 from coming off without taking much time and effort as compared with the prior art.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the holding mechanism 10 for the spare tire 1 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the detection device 20 . The sensing device 20 of this embodiment comprises a switch 21 , a target 22 and a control device 23 .

The switch 21 is a proximity switch capable of contactlessly detecting the target 22 and is fixed to the bracket 14 . The target 22 has a plate shape and is fixed to the support member 11 . The switch 21 is configured to switch on and off when switching between a state in which the target 22 is detected and a state in which the target 22 is not detected. The controller 23 receives a signal that the switch 21 has detected the target 22 and detects that the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 is in the correct position. Further, when the switch 21 does not detect the target 22, the control device 23 detects that the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 is not normal.

As described above, according to the holding mechanism 10 of the second embodiment, the twisting of the chain 12 due to the rotation of the chain 12 can be quickly eliminated as in the first embodiment. This is advantageous in preventing the twisting of the chain 12 from breaking the chain 12 and preventing the spare tire 1 from coming off. In addition, it is possible to prevent the spare tire 1 from coming off without taking much time and effort as compared with the prior art.

The detection devices 15 and 20 of the above-described embodiments detect temporary displacement of the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 due to vibration during running of the vehicle or vibration caused by the winding operation of the chain 12 by the winding device 13. It is desirable to have a configuration that does not detect Examples of the configuration that does not detect this displacement include a configuration for displacement on the XY plane, a configuration for displacement in the Z direction, and a configuration for both displacements.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, as a configuration for displacement on the XY plane, the Y-direction length of the connection terminal 18a of the second connection member 18 of the detection device 15 is longer than the Y-direction length of the first connection member 17. A configuration is illustrated. As a result, the spare tire 1 rotates around the chain 12 due to vibrations during running of the vehicle or vibration caused by the winding operation of the chain 12 by the winding device 13, thereby displacing the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14. However, it is possible to prevent the first connection member 17 and the second connection member 18 from being deenergized. The displacement of the support member 11 and the bracket 14 in the XY plane is rotational displacement about the chain 12 as an axis. Therefore, the first connection member 17 and the connection terminal 18a may be members extending in the rotational circumferential direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, as a configuration for displacement in the Z direction, a configuration in which a displacement absorbing member 30 is interposed between the first connection member 17 of the detection device 15 and the support member 11 is exemplified. As the displacement absorbing member 30, a biasing member such as a spring that biases the first connecting member 17 upward in the Z direction is exemplified. As a result, the spare tire 1 moves up and down in the Z direction due to vibrations during running of the vehicle or vibration caused by the winding operation of the chain 12 by the winding device 13, displacing the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14. Also, it is possible to prevent the energization of the first connection member 17 and the second connection member 18 from being cut off. The displacement absorbing member 30 may absorb displacement due to vertical movement of the spare tire 1 in the Z direction, and may be configured by a slide mechanism that fixes the second connecting member 18 to the bracket 14 so as to be vertically movable. Also, instead of the displacement absorbing member 30, the first connecting member 17 and the second connecting member 18 may each have a spring property. The holding mechanism 10 has a mechanism for displacement in the Z direction, so that it is possible to cope with different shapes of the wheel 3 of the spare tire 1 . Specifically, it is possible to cope with the difference in the thickness of the wheel 3 of the spare tire 1 in the Z direction, and it is possible to avoid the situation where the detection devices 15 and 23 cannot detect due to the thickness of the wheel 3 .

As a configuration for both displacements, the control devices 19 and 23 count the elapsed time after detecting that the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 is in the non-normal position, and confirms that the positional relationship is in the normal position. A configuration that resets the counted elapsed time when is detected and compares the counted elapsed time with a preset threshold is exemplified. When the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the threshold, the control devices 19 and 23 cause the notification device 16 to notify, and when the elapsed time is less than the threshold, the control devices 19 and 23 prohibit the notification by the notification device 16 . As a result, even if the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 is displaced due to vibration during running of the vehicle or vibration caused by the winding operation of the chain 12 by the winding device 13, the first connecting member 17 and the second connecting member 17 can be connected. It is possible to prevent the member 18 from being de-energized.

Although the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the retaining mechanism 10 of the spare tire 1 of the present disclosure is not limited to a specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. It is possible.

For example, the bracket 14 of the holding mechanism 10 is not limited to being fixed to the chassis 2, and may be fixed to the vehicle body. It should be noted that the chassis 2 in the present disclosure is a frame component of the vehicle, to which drive system and power transmission system components, a cab, and a vehicle body are attached. The longitudinal direction of the support member 11 of the first embodiment may be in the Y direction, and the shape of the bracket 14 is not particularly limited either.

In the detection device 15 of the first embodiment, the first connection member 17 is made of a conductive metal, and the first connection member 17 has a connection terminal that contacts the connection terminal 18a of the second connection member 18. may Also, the height of the first connection member 17 in the Z direction is increased, the upper end of the first connection member 17 is higher than the lower end of the bracket 14, and the lower end of the second connection member 18 is higher than the lower end of the bracket 14. may be placed. Similarly, in the detection device 20 of the second embodiment, the arrangement positions of the switch 21 and the target 22 may be reversed.

If the detection device 15 of the first embodiment is configured such that the support member 11 and the bracket 14 are in direct contact with each other, the detection device 15 can be connected to the support member 11 and the bracket 14 without using the first connection member 17 and the second connection member 18 . A connection terminal may be provided directly. Also, a configuration may be adopted in which one of the support member 11 and the bracket 14 is provided with the connection member and the other is provided with the connection terminal. The detecting device 15 of the second embodiment may use a step at the upper end of the support member 11 or a step at the lower end of the bracket 14 instead of the target 22 . Further, the switch 21 is not limited to a proximity switch that can detect the target 22 without contact, and may be a limit switch that switches on and off by directly contacting the target 22 . The switch 21 is not limited to an on/off switch, and may be configured with a sensor that detects the distance between the switch 21 and the target 22 .

Although the notification device 16 described above is a device that displays an icon on the meter panel, the notification device 16 only needs to notify that the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 is not normal, and is limited to that configuration. not. For example, the notification device 16 may be composed of a device that emits a warning sound such as a buzzer. Alternatively, the notification device 16 may be configured to transmit a message to the mobile terminal of the driver.

The holding mechanism 10 of the above-described embodiment is configured to notify when it is detected that the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 is not normal. Therefore, it is notified when the spare tire 1 is to be replaced. As a configuration for prohibiting notification during this replacement work, a sensor capable of detecting the operating status is attached to the winding device 13, and when the winding device 13 operates to wind up or let out the chain 12, the notification device 16 is turned on. A configuration for prohibiting notification is exemplified. As a result, when the notification device 16 is composed of a device that emits a warning sound, it is possible to eliminate the troublesome notification of the notification device 16 .

In the holding mechanism 10 of the embodiment, even if the chain 12 unexpectedly breaks and the spare tire 1 falls off from the holding mechanism 10, the positional relationship between the support member 11 and the bracket 14 is no longer correct. 15 detects the state and the notification device 16 notifies.

1 Spare Tire 2 Chassis 10 Holding Mechanism 11 Supporting Member 12 Chain 13 Winding Device 14 Bracket 15 Detecting Device 16 Reporting Device

Claims (4)

A spare tire holding mechanism comprising: a support member for supporting a spare tire; a winding device for winding or reeling out a chain having one end connected to the support member; and a bracket for fixing the winding device to a vehicle ,
a detection device attached to at least one of the support member and the bracket for detecting whether or not the positional relationship between the support member and the bracket is correct in a state in which the spare tire is held; and an informing device for informing that it is detected that the positional relationship between the member and the bracket is not in the normal position. 3. The detection device has a configuration that does not detect temporary displacement of the positional relationship between the support member and the bracket due to vibration during running of the vehicle or vibration caused by the winding operation of the chain by the winding device. 2. The spare tire holding mechanism according to 1. The detection device comprises a pair of connection members fixed to the support member and the bracket, respectively, and electrically contacting each other when the support member and the bracket are in the normal position,
3. A spare tire according to claim 1, wherein said notification device is configured to notify that the positional relationship between said support member and said bracket is not in said normal position when the electrical connection between said connecting members is cut off. retention mechanism. The detection device has a switch fixed to one of the support member and the bracket and a target fixed to the other member, and the positional relationship between the support member and the bracket is the normal position. The switch is switched on and off by the target when switching between the non-normal positions,
In the notification device, the positional relationship between the support member and the bracket changes from the normal position to the non-normal position, and the positional relationship between the support member and the bracket is not the normal position when the on/off state of the switch is switched. 3. The spare tire holding mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spare tire holding mechanism is configured to notify.

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