JP3230231U - Small electric vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small electric vehicle which facilitates an operation of changing a vehicle body into a riding form or a cart or a walking assistance vehicle form. SOLUTION: In a small electric vehicle C, a wheelbase of a vehicle body 1 is expanded and contracted by moving a seat 4 in the front-rear direction, and a riding form in which a user rides and travels, and a cart or a cart or a cart used by the user by hand. It is changed to a walking assist vehicle form, and each form is held by a lock mechanism. The seat frame 5 is formed in a substantially gate shape, includes an upper frame 501 and a pair of side frames 502, and an operation unit for switching the lock mechanism between the locked state and the unlocked state on the upper frame 501 of the seat frame 5. 15 is provided. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

The present invention relates to a small electric vehicle, and in particular, is a small electric vehicle that can be used by changing to two vehicle body forms, a riding form in which the user rides and travels, and a cart or walking assistance vehicle form used by the user by hand. Regarding.

A small electric vehicle of this type has been proposed by the applicant of the present application in Patent Document 1.
The small electric vehicle of this document 1 includes at least one front wheel arranged at the front portion of the vehicle body and steered by a steering wheel, a pair of left and right rear wheels arranged at the rear portion of the vehicle body and driven by a motor, and front and rear wheels of the vehicle body. A floor placed near the front wheels in the direction, a seat placed behind the floor in the car body and higher than the floor, a basket placed at the rear of the car body to store luggage, and rear wheels. It is equipped with a first link mechanism that connects to the car body and bends in a mountain shape at the middle part, and the car body form is a riding form for carrying a person and a cart form used by a person to carry an object. Can be changed.

In this small electric vehicle, in particular, a second link mechanism that is interlocked with the first link mechanism and bends in a mountain shape with the upper side as a mountain at the bent portion is arranged below the first link mechanism, and the second link mechanism is arranged. Is equipped with a bracket whose position moves upward as the second link mechanism bends at the bent portion. Attach the basket to this bracket.

By doing so, when the vehicle is changed from the riding form to the cart form, the position of the basket can be moved diagonally upward and brought closer to the steering wheel. Therefore, when the cart is used, the user can put the luggage in and out of the basket without bending down, and the functionality of the cart can be improved.

Japanese Patent No. 6485737

In Patent Document 1, the lock mechanism for holding each form of the vehicle body riding form, the body cart, or the walking assistance vehicle form is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state or vice versa, and the vehicle body is changed to each form. At that time, the ease of operation is not an issue.

The present invention has an object of ease of such operation. Therefore, in the present invention, in this type of small electric vehicle, an operation of switching the lock mechanism for holding each form of the riding form of the vehicle body, the cart of the vehicle body, or the walking assistance vehicle form from the locked state to the unlocked state or vice versa is performed. Including, the purpose is to facilitate the operation of changing the vehicle body to each form.

In order to achieve the above object, the small electric vehicle of the present invention
A vehicle body having a front base having a front wheel and a rear base having a rear wheel, the front base and the rear base being expandable and contractible in the front-rear direction and having a variable wheelbase, and the front base of the vehicle body. , A lock mechanism that limits the expansion and contraction of the rear base, and a seat frame that is movably operated and connected to the vehicle body in the front-rear direction and is raised, so as to be movable in the front-rear direction on the vehicle body. The wheelbase of the vehicle body is expanded and contracted by the movement of the seat in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, and the riding mode in which the user rides and travels, and the cart or walking that the user manually uses. It is a small electric vehicle that can be changed to an auxiliary vehicle form.
The seat frame is formed in a substantially gate shape and includes an upper frame and a pair of side frames.
The upper frame of the seat frame is provided with an operation unit for switching the lock mechanism between a locked state and an unlocked state.
The gist is that.

According to the small electric vehicle of the present invention, the vehicle body is changed to each form including the operation of switching the lock mechanism for holding each form of the vehicle body riding form, the body cart or the walking assistance vehicle form between the locked state and the unlocked state. It has a special effect unique to the present invention that the operation of changing can be easily performed.

An overall perspective view showing a configuration of a small electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Top view showing the configuration of the small electric vehicle Partially omitted side view showing the configuration of the small electric vehicle (X-ray side view of FIG. 2) Partially omitted plan view showing the configuration of the small electric vehicle (A-A line plan view of FIG. 3) An enlarged plan view showing the configuration of the lock mechanism of the small electric vehicle. Enlarged rear view showing the configuration of the lock mechanism of the small electric vehicle. Partially broken enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of the operation part of the lock mechanism of the small electric vehicle. As an example of using the small electric vehicle, a side view showing a state in which the vehicle body has been changed to a riding form. As an example of using the small electric vehicle, a side view showing a state in which the vehicle body is changed to a cart or a walking assistance vehicle form.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the small electric vehicle C (hereinafter, simply referred to as the present vehicle C) according to the embodiment of the present invention has a front side base 11 having a front wheel 113 and a rear side having a rear wheel 124. A vehicle body 1 having a base 12 and having a wheelbase that can be expanded and contracted, a lock mechanism 14 (see FIG. 4) that limits the expansion and contraction of the wheelbase of the vehicle body 1, and a vehicle body 1 that moves in the front-rear direction on the vehicle body 1. A seat 4 is provided on the vehicle body 1 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction via a possible seat frame 5, and the wheelbase of the vehicle body 1 is expanded and contracted as the vehicle body 1 of the seat 4 moves in the front-rear direction. It is possible to freely change between a riding form in which a person rides and travels, and a cart or walking assistance vehicle form used by the user by hand.

Then, in the present vehicle C, in particular, the seat frame 5 is formed in a substantially gate shape and is composed of an upper frame 501 and a pair of side frames 502, and the lock mechanism 14 is locked to the upper frame 501 of the seat frame 5. An operation unit 15 for switching between the state and the unlocked state is provided.

In this way, the vehicle body 1 is changed to each form, including the operation of switching the lock mechanism 14 for holding each form of the vehicle body 1 riding form, the cart of the vehicle body 1, or the walking assistance vehicle form between the locked state and the unlocked state. Make it easy to perform operations.

The front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions used in the following description correspond to the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the vehicle C or the vehicle body 1, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle C includes a vehicle body 1, a lock mechanism 14, and a seat 4.

The vehicle body 1 has a front base 11 having front wheels 113 and a rear base 12 having rear wheels 124, and the front base 11 and the rear base 12 can be expanded and contracted in the front-rear direction so that the wheelbase can be changed. The lock mechanism 14 limits the expansion and contraction of the front base 11 and the rear base 12 of the vehicle body 1. The seat 4 is movably arranged on the vehicle body 1 in the front-rear direction via a seat frame 5 that is movably connected and raised on the vehicle body 1.

In this way, in the vehicle C, the wheelbase of the vehicle body 1 is extended by the movement of the seat 4 in the front-rear direction, and the riding mode in which the user rides and travels and the wheelbase of the vehicle body 1 are shortened, so that the user It is in a format that can be changed to a cart or walking assistance vehicle that is used by hand.

Then, in the vehicle C, the seat frame 5 is formed in a substantially gate shape, has an upper frame 501 and a pair of side frames 502, and the lock mechanism 14 is locked to the upper frame 501 of the seat frame 5. And an operation unit 15 for switching to the unlocked state.

In this way, in the vehicle C, the operation unit 15 of the lock mechanism 14 is provided on the upper part of the seat frame 5 which is easy for the user to grasp. As a result, the operation of switching the lock mechanism 14 on the upper part of the seat frame 5 between the locked state and the unlocked state and the operation of grasping the upper part of the seat frame 5 and moving the seat frame 5 in the front-rear direction can be easily performed with one hand. it can. Therefore, the user can easily and quickly change the form of the vehicle body 1 by changing the vehicle body 1 from the riding form to the cart or the walking assistance vehicle form or vice versa.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the vehicle C, the operation unit 15 and the lock mechanism 14 are operatively connected via an operation line 147 arranged along the upper frame 501 and the side frame 502 of the seat frame 5. To.

In this way, the operation unit 15 and the lock mechanism 14 are actuated and connected by the operation rope 147, and the operation rope 147 is arranged along the seat frame 5 to the operation rope 147 by moving the seat frame 5 in the front-rear direction. There is no load. Moreover, since the seat frame 5 plays a role of protecting and fixing the operation rope 147, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated part for protecting and fixing the operation rope 147 on the vehicle body 1, which contributes to weight reduction of the vehicle C. Can be done.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the vehicle C, the operation unit 15 is arranged eccentrically in one of the left and right directions, which is the side opposite to the vehicle riding side from the center in the left and right direction in the upper frame 501 of the seat frame 5. Will be done.

By doing so, when the user grips and moves the seat frame 5 while operating the operation unit 15 of the lock mechanism 14 on the riding side of the vehicle C, the user's seat frame 5 is moved. The gripping position is guided so as to be at or near the center of the upper frame 501 in the left-right direction. When the user grips the center of the upper frame 501 in the left-right direction or its vicinity, the user can easily apply a force, and this force can be easily transmitted to the seat frame 5, facilitating the movement operation of the seat frame 5. be able to.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, a pair of armrests 26 are provided on the vehicle body 1 via a pair of armrest frames 25 at predetermined support positions at appropriate heights on both sides of the seat 4, and are arranged on the vehicle riding side. It is preferable that one armrest 26 is movably attached to one armrest frame 25 on the vehicle riding side in an arbitrary retracting direction from a predetermined support position.

By providing the pair of armrests 26 at predetermined support positions on both sides of the seat 4 on the vehicle body 1 at appropriate heights in this way, the user can take a comfortable posture when seated on the seat 4. Then, the armrest 26 on the vehicle riding side is movably attached from a predetermined support position in an arbitrary retracting direction, and the armrest 26 is retracted from the predetermined support position so that the armrest 26 does not get in the way. , The above-mentioned movement operation of the seat frame 5 can be easily performed.

1 to 4 and 5 to 7 show the vehicle body 1, the lock mechanism 14, its operation unit 15, the seat 4, and the armrest 26, together with other parts of the vehicle C, as an example more specifically. Shown.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle body 1 is composed of a front base 11 and a rear base 12.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the front base 11 includes a front base frame 110, a front wheel support portion 111, a front wheel 113, a support frame engaging portion 114, a vehicle body floor 115, and the like.

The front base frame 110 includes a rear base accommodating space having an opening on the rear surface so that the rear base 12 can be inserted and removed and accommodated.

In this case, the front base frame 110 is formed in a box shape in which the rear end portion is opened in the front-rear direction front view at the front portion of the vehicle C, and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle C. The front base frame 110 is composed of a front frame, both side frames, an upper frame, and a bottom frame, the rear end is an opening, and the space surrounded by each of the above frames is the rear base accommodating space.

Further, in the front base frame 110, a groove-shaped plate is integrally joined to the vertical intermediate portion of the frame on both sides along the front-rear direction, and a groove portion having an inner surface side as an opening surface is formed on each side plate. The inner surface of each groove is a guide rail 131 forming a slide guide 13. A plurality of lock pin insertion holes 140 that can be engaged with a lock mechanism 14 to be described later provided on the rear base 12 are bored in both side frames for each riding mode, cart, or walking assist vehicle form of the vehicle C. Will be set up. In this case, the lock pin insertion hole 140 is formed through the upper part of the rear end portion and the upper portion of the front end portion side of the both side frames so that they can be engaged with each other in the riding mode, cart, or walking assist vehicle form of the vehicle C.

The front wheel support portion 111 is provided on the front side of both side frames of the front side base frame 110 and forms a part of the front wheel steering mechanism. A pair of front wheels 113 are pivotally supported by front wheel support portions 111 on both sides.

The support frame engaging portion 114 is attached to a predetermined position closer to the rear portion in the front-rear direction intermediate portion of the both side frames of the front base frame 110. A guide pin G1 projects from the protruding end of the support frame engaging portion 114.

The vehicle body floor 115 is arranged above the rear base accommodating space of the front base frame 110. In this case, the vehicle body floor 115 can be installed in the upper part of the rear base accommodating space portion. In this case, the vehicle body floor 115 is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view and includes a tip portion, a bottom portion, and both side portions. The vehicle body floor 115 is installed on the upper part of the front base frame 110 to form a footrest and a luggage rest.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rear base 12 includes a rear base frame 120, a lock mechanism 14 (see FIGS. 5 and 6), a motor case 122 containing an electric motor, and a battery containing a battery. It is configured to include a case 123, a rear wheel 124, a tray 125, and the like.

The rear base frame 120 is configured to be accommodating in the rear base accommodating space of the front base 11.

In this case, the rear base frame 120 is formed in a box shape in which the tip portion is opened in the front-rear direction front view at the rear portion of the vehicle C and extends in the front-rear direction, and the height and width are slightly smaller than those of the front base frame 110. Formed small. Thus, the rear base frame 120 is composed of a bottom frame, an upper frame, a rear end frame, and both side frames, and has an opening at the front end. In this way, the entire rear base frame 120 can be accommodated in the rear base accommodating space of the front base 11.

Further, a bearing plate is integrally joined to the rear base frame 120 along the vertical direction intermediate portion of both side frames in the vertical direction, and a predetermined value closer to the tip side at the tip of each bearing plate and the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction. Bearings are formed in two upper and lower stages at each position. Then, the guide roller 132 is rotatably attached to the upper and lower two-stage bearing portions by inserting and supporting a rotating shaft provided at the center of the guide roller 132. These guide rollers 132 can be engaged with the guide rail 131 of the front base 11, and together with the guide rail 131, form a slide guide 13. A rear frame 121 (see FIG. 1) is projected from the rear of both side frames in the vehicle width direction.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lock mechanism 14 has a form in which the front base 11 and the rear base 12 are fixed for each riding mode, cart, or walking assist mode of the vehicle C. In this case, the lock mechanism 14 is installed on the tip end side of the upper frame of the rear base 12. Further, in this case, the lock mechanism 14 advances and retreats the pair of lock pins 141 and the lock pins 141 which are arranged so as to be able to advance and retreat toward the respective lock pin insertion holes 140 provided on the upper portions of the frames on both sides of the front base 11. It is configured to include a driving unit 14D for driving. The pair of lock pins 141 are arranged on both sides of the upper frame of the rear base 12 on both sides of the upper frame via the pair of bearings 142. In this case, each lock pin 141 is normally pressed and urged via the coil spring 143 so that it can be inserted into the lock pin insertion hole 140 of the front base 11. As shown in FIG. The drive unit 14D includes a lever 144, first and second link plates 145 and 146, and a wire 147 as an operating rope. The lever 144 is rotatably attached to the center of the upper frame of the rear base 12 via a shaft on the tip end side. The first link plate 145 is link-coupled between one end of the lever 144 and the base end of one of the lock pins 141. The second link plate 146 is linked between the other end of the lever 144 and the base end of the other lock pin 141. An operating rope 147 is linked to the other end of the lever 144, and the operating rope 147 extends in the direction opposite to the second link 146 and is operatively connected to the operating portion 15 described later.

In this way, in each form of the vehicle body 1, each lock pin 141 of the rear base 12 is normally inserted into each lock pin insertion hole 140 of the front base 11, and the front base 11 and the rear base 12 are inserted. It is designed to lock. Then, the operation rope 147 is pulled and driven by the unlocking operation of the lock mechanism 14 in the operation unit 15 described later. As a result, the lever 144 is rotated, the first and second links 145 and 146 are driven in the pulling direction of each lock pin 141, each lock pin 141 is released from each lock pin insertion hole 140, and the lock is released. It is supposed to be done.

As shown in FIG. 3, the motor case 122 is installed at the rear portion of the rear base frame 120 and is extended in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the battery case 123 is installed on the upper part of the motor case 122 and extends in the left-right direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rear wheels 124 are arranged at both ends of the motor case 122 and are operatively connected to the electric motor.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tray 125 is arranged above the rear base 12 with a vehicle body floor storage space 126 in which the vehicle body floor 115 of the front base 11 can be inserted and removed and stored. In this case, the tray 125 can be arranged on the upper portion of the rear base 12, in this case, it is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view and includes a front end portion, a rear end portion, a bottom portion, and both side portions. Such a tray 125 is supported and fixed above the rear base frame 120 to form a plate on which luggage and the like can be placed.

In this way, in the front base 11 and the rear base 12, the rear base frame 120 is placed in the rear base accommodating space of the front base frame 110, and the guide rails 131 on both sides of the front base frame 110 and both sides of the rear base frame 120. Inserted via a plurality of guide rollers 132, the front base frame 110 can slide in the front-rear direction along the outer surface of the rear base frame 120, and the vehicle body floor 115 moves from directly below the tray 125 in the front-rear direction. Assembled to be slidable.

Therefore, the vehicle body 1 is configured such that the front base 11 and the rear base 12 can be expanded and contracted in the front-rear direction and the wheelbase can be changed. That is, by sliding the front base 11 forward in the front-rear direction with respect to the rear base 12, the front base frame 110, the rear base frame 120, the vehicle body floor 115, and the tray 125 are arranged in the front-rear direction. Then, in this state, the lock pins 141 on both sides of the upper tip side of the rear base frame 120 are inserted into the lock pin insertion holes 140 on both side rear ends of the front base frame 110 and locked. As a result, the wheelbase of the vehicle body 1 is extended to the maximum, resulting in a riding mode in which the user rides and travels.

Further, from this state, after the lock mechanism 14 is unlocked, the front base 11 is slid backward in the front-rear direction with respect to the rear base 12, so that the front base frame 110, the rear base frame 120, and the vehicle body floor 115. The tray 125, each of which is polymerized vertically. Then, this state is also locked by the lock mechanism 14. That is, the lock pins 141 on both sides of the upper end side of the rear base frame 120 are inserted into and locked in the lock pin insertion holes 140 at predetermined positions on both side front end sides of the front base frame 110. As a result, the wheelbase of the vehicle body 1 is shortened to the minimum, and the user can manually push the wheelbase into a cart or a walking assist vehicle for carrying things.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the seat 4 is rotatably arranged on the vehicle body 1 in the front-rear direction via the fixed frame 2 and the seat frame 5.

As shown in FIG. 3, the fixed frame 2 has a substantially U-shape having a predetermined height and an open lower portion, that is, a substantially gate shape, and an upper frame 201 extending in the left-right direction and left and right of the upper frame 201. It consists of a pair of side frames 202 extending in a dogleg shape in the vertical direction from both ends. Each side frame 202 is projected forward in the middle in the vertical direction, and a bracket 3 composed of a pair of plates 31 is attached to the side frame 202 and is projected forward. In this fixed frame 2, the lower ends of both side frames 202 are installed and fixed to each rear frame 121 of the rear base 12 of the vehicle body 1, and the fixed frame 2 is raised on the rear base 12.

A handle mounting portion frame 22 is attached to the upper frame 201 of the fixed frame 2, and a handle 23 forming a cart of the vehicle C or an operating tool in a walking assist form is attached via the handle mounting portion frame 22. The handle mounting portion frame 22 is a frame that extends linearly in the vertical direction, is welded and joined through the center of the upper frame 201 in the horizontal direction, and is raised on the upper frame 201. The handle 23 is mounted on the upper portion of the handle mounting portion frame 22, and is arranged in parallel above the upper frame 201. The handle mounting portion frame 22 is provided with a fastener 24 for holding the upright state of the seat back 6, which will be described later, and in this case, a clip (hereinafter referred to as a clip 24).

As shown in FIG. 3, the seat frame 5 has a substantially U-shape having a predetermined height higher than the height of the fixed frame 2 and is formed in a substantially U-shape, that is, a substantially gate shape, and extends in the left-right direction. It is composed of 501 and a pair of side frames 502 extending linearly in the vertical direction from both left and right ends of the upper frame 501. A connecting pin insertion hole (not shown) is provided in the vertical intermediate portion of each side frame 502. The seat frame 5 is hollow. The seat frame 5 is arranged close to the front side of the fixed frame 2 on the vehicle body 1, and each side frame 502 passes between each plate 31 of each bracket 3 arranged so as to project forward from each side frame 202 of the fixed frame 2. Will be done. Each connection pin insertion hole at the tip of each plate 31 and each connection pin insertion hole of each side frame 502 of the seat frame 5 are aligned, and the connection pin 51 is inserted between these connection pin insertion holes to form the seat frame 5. It is rotatably connected to the fixed frame 2 in the front-rear direction via a link mechanism. Then, in this seat frame 5, the lower ends of both side frames 502 are vertically elongated guide holes G2 (see FIG. 3) formed at the lower ends of each side frame 502, and the front bases 11 are engaged with each support frame. By engaging with the guide pin G1 projecting from the portion 114 in the left-right direction, the vehicle body 1 is connected to each support frame engaging portion 114 of the front base 11 and is raised on the vehicle body 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the seat 4 is attached to the seat frame 5 and is arranged on the vehicle body 1 via the seat frame 5. In this case, the seat 4 includes a support frame 41 fixed to the seat frame 5 and a seat portion 42 mounted and fixed on the support frame 41, and one end of the support frame 41 is a side frame 502 of the seat frame 5. It is joined to the upper side and attached to the seat frame 5.

In this way, the seat 4 is movably arranged on the vehicle body 1 in the front-rear direction according to the riding form of the vehicle C or the cart or walking assistance vehicle form, and is arranged on the vehicle body 1 in the front-rear direction of the seat 4. The front base 11 of the vehicle body 1 is operably connected to the rear base 12 in conjunction with the movement, and the wheelbase of the vehicle body 1 is configured to be expandable and contractible by the movement of the seat 4 in the front-rear direction.

That is, the seat 4 is fixed to the upper side of each side frame 502 of the seat frame 5 and arranged on the vehicle body 1, and the upper side of the seat frame 5 rotates in the front-rear direction with the tip of the bracket 3 of the fixed frame 2 as the center of rotation. By being moved, the seat 4 can rotate in the front-rear direction between the seating position on the front side of the rear base 12 and the retracting position on the front side of the rear base 12.

Then, when the upper side of the seat frame 5 is rotated rearward and the seat 4 is moved rearward, the seat 4 is arranged at the seating position with the seating surface of the seat portion 42 facing upward, and the seat frame 5 is arranged. By rotating the lower side toward the front, the front base 11 connected to the lower end of each side frame 502 of the seat frame 5 is slid forward with respect to the rear base 12. When each side frame 502 of the seat frame 5 is arranged substantially parallel to the upper side of each side frame 202 of the fixed frame 2, the front base 11 is slid forward to the longest with respect to the rear base 12 of the vehicle body 1. The wheelbase is extended to the maximum, and the vehicle body 1 becomes a riding form. The riding mode of the vehicle body 1 is fixedly held by the lock mechanism 14 described above.

On the contrary, when the upper side of the seat frame 5 is rotated forward and the seat 4 is moved forward, the seat 4 is arranged in the retracted position with the seating surface of the seat portion 42 facing forward, and the seat frame 5 The front side base 11 connected to the lower end of each side frame 502 of the seat frame 5 is slid rearward with respect to the rear side base 12 by rotating the lower side of the seat frame 5 toward the rear. When each side frame 502 of the seat frame 5 is arranged substantially parallel to the lower side of each side frame 202 of the fixed frame 2, the front base 11 is rearward with respect to the rear base 12, and the front base frame 110 and the rear side. The base frame 120, the vehicle body floor 115 and the tray 125 are each slid up and down until they are overlapped, the wheelbase of the vehicle body 1 is shortened to the minimum, and the vehicle body 1 becomes a cart or a walking assistance vehicle. The cart or walking assist form of the vehicle body 1 is fixedly held by the lock mechanism 14 described above.

At the same time, a pair of armrest frames 25 are attached to each side frame 202 of the fixed frame 2, and a pair of armrests are placed at predetermined support positions at appropriate heights on both left and right sides of the seat 4 via the armrest frames 25. 26 will be added. These armrests 26 are attached to the top of each armrest frame 25 and extend forward. In this case, when the upper side of the seat frame 5 is rotated forward to the retracted position of the seat 4, and the side frames 502 of the seat frame 5 are arranged in parallel close to the front side of each armrest frame 25, The upper frame 501 of the seat frame 5 can be arranged between the armrests 26. A joystick 27 is erected on each of these armrests 26 at the tip of the upper surface as an operating tool when the vehicle C is in a riding mode. The joystick 27 is electrically connected to an electric motor, a battery, or the like. Further, of these armrests 26, one armrest 26 arranged on the vehicle riding side does not interfere with the operation (rotation operation) of the seat frame 5 from a predetermined support position on the one armrest frame 25 on the vehicle riding side. It can be mounted so that it can be moved in any retracting position direction. In this case, the left armrest 25 of the vehicle C is rotatably supported by the fixed frame 2 in the front-rear direction, and the left armrest 26 is at a predetermined support position and a retracted position parallel to the upper side of the fixed frame 2. It is movable between.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the seat back 6 is attached to the upper frame 201 of the fixed frame 2 and is arranged behind the seat 4 on the vehicle body 1 via the fixed frame 2. The seat back 6 has a seat back frame 61 on the back side and a seat back cushion 62 on the front side, and can rotate undulatingly in the vertical direction on the upper frame 201 of the fixed frame 2 via a hinge 7. Attached to. The seat back 6 has a standing position that is raised by the hinge 7 in front of the handle mounting portion frame 22 of the fixed frame 2 with the front surface of the seat back 6 facing forward, and the hinge 7 with the back surface of the seat back 6 facing upward. It is rotatably attached to and from the lodging position that is tilted forward.

In this way, the seat back 6 is configured to be variable to a backrest (seat back) or a loading platform (carrier) according to the riding form of the vehicle C or the cart or walking assistance vehicle form.

In this way, in the vehicle C, the wheelbase of the vehicle body 1 is extended by the movement of the seat 4 in the front-rear direction, and the riding form in which the user rides and travels and the wheelbase of the vehicle body 1 are shortened so that the user can ride. It can be changed to a cart or walking assistance vehicle form to be used by hand, and each form is locked and held by the lock mechanism 14. Then, in the vehicle C, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper frame 501 of the seat frame 5 is provided with an operation unit 15 for switching the lock mechanism 14 between the locked state and the unlocked state. As shown in FIG. 4, the lock mechanism 14 and the operation unit 15 are operatively connected via an operation rope 147 arranged along the upper frame 501 and the side frame 502 of the seat frame 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 15 is eccentrically arranged in the upper frame 501 of the seat frame 5 in either the left-right direction from the center in the left-right direction to the side opposite to the vehicle riding side. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, a rectangular opening 501A long in the left-right direction is formed on the upper surface of the upper frame 501 of the seat frame 5 at a position closer to the right side from the center in the left-right direction, and a side view is formed in the opening 501A. A grooved case 16 having a substantially right triangle is fitted and fixed. The groove-shaped case 16 is made of metal, and an operating cable insertion hole 160 is formed on one surface of the bottom portion facing the side frame 502 on the right side. The operation unit 15 is a tension type and has a pin shape having a ring portion 150 at the tip. In this case, a strap 151 (see FIG. 3) is attached to the ring portion 150. The operation unit 15 is arranged in the grooved case 16 so as to be slantably pulled out from the opening 501A on the upper surface of the upper frame 501.

A wire or cable is used for the operating cable 147. Here, the operation rope 147 is a wire (hereinafter, referred to as a wire 147). One end of the wire 147 is operatively connected to the drive unit 14D (the other end of the lever 144) as shown in FIG. 5, and the upper portion of the rear base frame 120 is crawled as shown in FIG. , It is taken out in the vicinity of the side frame 202 on the right side of the fixed frame 2. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the wire 147 is attached to the inner side surface of the lower side of the side frame 202 on the right side of the fixed frame 2 via a clip 8, and the inner side surface of the side frame 502 on the right side of the seat frame 5 is attached. It is inserted and arranged in the seat frame 5 toward the upper frame 501 through the operation rope insertion hole 50 formed substantially in the center in the vertical direction. The other end of the wire 147 is operatively connected to the operating portion 15 in the upper frame 501 through the operating cable insertion hole 160 (see FIG. 7) of the grooved case 16.

In this way, the strap 151 of the operation unit 15 is pulled laterally along the upper surface of the upper frame 501 toward the vehicle riding side (in this case, the left side of the vehicle C), and the operation unit 15 is opened in the upper surface of the upper frame 501. By pulling it onto 501A, this pulling force (driving force) is transmitted to the driving unit 14D via the wire 147. As a result, the drive unit 14D operates in the direction of pulling each lock pin 141, each lock pin 141 is separated from each lock pin insertion hole 140 of the front base 11, and the lock state by the lock mechanism 14 is released. Then, by releasing the hand from the strap 151, the driving force for the operation unit 15 is released. As a result, the drive unit 14D operates in the direction of pushing each lock pin 141 by the urging force of the coil spring 143, each lock pin 141 is inserted into each lock pin insertion hole 140 of the front base 11, and the lock mechanism 14 is locked. It is automatically returned to the state. At the same time, the operating unit 15 is automatically pulled under the opening 501A on the upper surface of the upper frame 501.

8 and 9 show an example of using the vehicle C. FIG. 8 shows a vehicle body in which the seat support frame 5 of the seat 4 is in the seating position of the seat 4, and the front base 11 of the vehicle body 1 extends to the maximum from the front portion of the rear base 12 in the riding state of the vehicle C. 1 is the riding form. At this time, the riding mode of the vehicle body 1 is held (locked) by the lock mechanism 14. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, in the drive unit 14D of the rear base 12, each lock pin 141 is inserted into each lock pin insertion hole 140 on the rear end side of the front base 11, and the lock mechanism 14 is locked. , The riding form of the vehicle body 1 is maintained.

FIG. 9 shows the cart or walking assistance vehicle form of the vehicle C. When changing from the riding state of FIG. 8 to the state of the cart or walking assistance vehicle, a series of the following operation unit 15 and seat frame 5 By the operation, the lock mechanism 14 is released, and the seat frame 5 of the seat 4 is rotated from the seating position of the seat 4 to the retracted position of the seat 4.

Before this operation, it is preferable to rotate the armrest 26 on the vehicle riding side to the retracted position. By doing so, the armrest 26 does not get in the way and it is easy to perform this operation.

First, the user holds the strap 151 with one hand and pulls the strap 151 laterally along the upper surface of the upper frame 501 toward the vehicle riding side (in this case, the left side of the vehicle C) to pull the operation unit 15. When pulled out over the opening 501A on the upper surface of the upper frame 501, this pulling force (driving force) is transmitted to the driving unit 14D via the wire 147. As a result, the drive unit 14D operates in the direction of pulling each lock pin 141, each lock pin 141 is separated from each lock pin insertion hole 140 of the front base 11, and the lock state by the lock mechanism 14 is released. Then, while holding the strap 151 with the same one hand, the user holds the upper frame 501 substantially in the left-right direction, and rotates the seat frame 5 from the seating position of the seat 4 to the retracted position of the seat 4 as it is. As a result, the front base 11 is guided toward the rear base 12, and the guide rails 131 extending in the front-rear direction on the front base 11 side are guided by a plurality of guide rollers 132 arranged in the front-rear direction on the rear base 12 side. Slide. Then, when the seat frame 5 is rotated to the retracted position of the seat 4, the front base 11 is moved to the rear base 12, polymerized on the rear base 12, and the vehicle body 1 is changed to the cart or walking assistance vehicle form. ..

Here, the driving force of the operating unit 15 is released by operating the operating unit 15, in this case, releasing the hand from the strap 151. As a result, the drive unit 14D of the lock mechanism 14 operates in the direction of pushing each lock pin 141 by the urging force of the coil spring 143, and each lock pin 141 is inserted into each lock pin insertion hole 140 of the front base 11 to lock. The mechanism 14 is automatically returned to the locked state. At the same time, the operating unit 15 is automatically pulled under the opening 501A on the upper surface of the upper frame 501. The lock of the lock mechanism 14 holds the cart or walking assist vehicle form of the vehicle body 1.

According to this cart or walking assistance vehicle form, the user can use the vehicle C as a cart or walking assistance vehicle and push the steering wheel 23. Further, in this cart or walking assistance vehicle form, the seat back 6 can be used as a loading platform. In this case, by pushing the seat back 6 forward from the steering wheel mounting frame 22, the seat back frame 61 is removed from the clip 24 of the steering wheel mounting frame 22, and the seat back 6 is rotated forward. In this way, the seat back 6 is tilted forward to a predetermined lodging position, the back surface of the seat back 6 is directed upward, and the back surface of the seat back 6 is changed to a carrier surface (loading platform), and luggage is loaded on this carrier surface. Can be carried directly or with a basket containing luggage. If the luggage or basket is large, the luggage or basket can be placed between the back surface and the upper surface of the upper frame 501 of the seat frame 5, and in this case, the left and right armrests 26 further support the left and right sides of the luggage or basket. Can be supported. In this way, the luggage and the basket can be stably placed on the back surface of the seat back 6, and the user can stably carry the luggage.

When changing from the cart or walking assistance vehicle form of FIG. 9 to the riding form of FIG. 8, the lock mechanism 14 is unlocked by the operation of the operation unit 15, and the seat frame 5 of the seat 4 is changed to the seat 4. It rotates from the retracted position to the seating position of the seat 4.

In this case, the user holds the strap 151 with one hand and pulls the strap 151 laterally along the upper surface of the upper frame 501 toward the vehicle riding side (in this case, the left side of the vehicle C), and the operation unit 15 Is pulled out over the opening 501A on the upper surface of the upper frame 501, and this pulling force (driving force) is transmitted to the driving unit 14D via the wire 147. As a result, the drive unit 14D operates in the direction of pulling each lock pin 141, each lock pin 141 is separated from each lock pin insertion hole 140 of the front base 11, and the lock state by the lock mechanism 14 is released. Here, the user holds the strap 151 with the same one hand while holding the upper frame 501 substantially in the left-right direction, and rotates the seat frame 501 from the retracted position of the seat 4 to the seating position of the seat 4 as it is. As a result, the front base 11 is directed forward from the rear base 12, and guide rails 131 extending in the front-rear direction on the front base 11 side are guided by a plurality of guide rollers 132 arranged in the front-rear direction on the rear base 12 side. And slide. Then, when the seat frame 5 is rotated to the seating position of the seat 4, the front base 11 is moved forward from the rear base 12 to the maximum, and the vehicle body 1 is changed to the riding form.

Here, the driving force of the operating unit 15 is released by operating the operating unit 15, in this case, releasing the hand from the strap 151. As a result, the drive unit 14D of the lock mechanism 14 operates in the direction of pushing the lock pin 141 by the urging force of the coil spring 143, and each lock pin 141 is inserted into each lock pin insertion hole 140 of the front base 11, and the lock mechanism 14 is automatically returned to the locked state. At the same time, the operating unit 15 is automatically pulled under the opening 501A on the upper surface of the upper frame 501. By the lock of the lock mechanism 14, the riding form of the vehicle body 1 is maintained.

According to this riding mode, the user can sit on the seat 4 and drive the vehicle C by driving the joystick 27 at the tip of the armrest 26.

As described above, as is clear from this specific example, in the vehicle C, by rotating the seat frame 5 in the front-rear direction on the vehicle body 1, the seat 4 is rotated in the front-rear direction on the vehicle body 1 to rotate the vehicle body. The wheelbase of 1 is expanded and contracted to change the riding form in which the user rides and runs, and the cart or walking assistance vehicle form used by the user by hand, and the seat frame 5 is formed in a substantially gate shape. Since the upper frame 501 is provided and the seat frame 5 can be easily gripped by the upper frame 501, the rotation operation of the seat frame 5 can be facilitated. Then, since the operation unit 15 of the lock mechanism 14 that holds each form of the vehicle C in the riding form, the cart, or the walking assistance vehicle form is provided in the upper frame 501, the operation of the operation unit 15 is rotated by the seat frame 5. It can be easily performed with one hand along with the operation.

Moreover, since the operation unit 15 is a tension type and the operation unit 15 is arranged in the upper frame 501 of the seat frame 5 at a position closer to the side opposite to the vehicle riding side from the center in the left-right direction, the operation unit 15 is pulled. It is possible to grip the substantially central position of the upper frame 501. By being able to grip the substantially central position of the upper frame 501, the user can easily apply force to the rotation operation of the seat frame 5, and can easily transmit this force, which is excellent in operability, and the rotation operation of the seat frame 5 can be performed. It can be done easily and reliably.

Further, the operation portion 15 has a pin shape, the strap 151 is attached to the ring portion 150 at the tip, and the operation portion 15 is arranged in the grooved case 16 fitted in the opening 501A on the upper surface of the upper frame 501, and the strap 151 is arranged. Is pulled laterally along the upper frame 501, so that the upper frame 501 can be easily gripped while pulling the operation unit 15. This makes it easier to pull the operation unit 15 and rotate the seat frame 5. Further, in this case, since the grooved case 16 is made of metal, the opening 501A on the upper surface of the upper frame 501 can be protected and the durability against the wire 147 can be improved.

Further, in the vehicle C, since the operation unit 15 is a tension type and the operation unit 15 and the lock mechanism 14 are operated and connected by a wire 147, the operation unit 15 is made a simple mechanical type to improve durability and cost. Can be reduced.

In this embodiment (specific example), the operation unit 15 is a tension type, but as long as the lock mechanism 14 can be operated with one action of one hand, the operation form can be various such as pushing and grasping. Can be changed to. Further, although the operation unit 15 is mechanical, the drive unit of the lock mechanism may be electric and the operation unit may be electric. In this case, it is preferable to use a push button type. Even in this way, the same effect as that of the above embodiment can be obtained.

In addition, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiment with well-known components as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

C Small electric vehicle (vehicle)
1 Body 11 Front base 113 Front wheel 12 Rear base 124 Rear wheel 14 Lock mechanism 147 Wire (operation cable)
15 Operation unit 25 Armrest frame 26 Armrest 4 Seat 5 Seat frame 501 Upper frame 502 Side frame

Claims (4)

A vehicle body having a front base having a front wheel and a rear base having a rear wheel, the front base and the rear base being expandable and contractible in the front-rear direction and having a variable wheelbase, and the front base of the vehicle body. , A lock mechanism that limits the expansion and contraction of the rear base, and a seat frame that is movably operated and connected to the vehicle body in the front-rear direction and is raised, so as to be movable in the front-rear direction on the vehicle body. The wheelbase of the vehicle body is expanded and contracted by the movement of the seat in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, and the riding mode in which the user rides and travels, and the cart or walking that the user manually uses. It is a small electric vehicle that can be changed to an auxiliary vehicle form.
The seat frame is formed in a substantially gate shape and includes an upper frame and a pair of side frames.
The upper frame of the seat frame is provided with an operation unit for switching the lock mechanism between a locked state and an unlocked state.
A small electric vehicle characterized by this. The small electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit and the lock mechanism are actuated and connected via an operation rope arranged along the upper frame and the side frame of the seat frame. The small size according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation unit is eccentrically arranged in the upper frame of the seat frame in either the left-right direction, which is the side opposite to the vehicle riding side from the center in the left-right direction of the vehicle body. Electric vehicle. A pair of armrests are provided on the vehicle body at predetermined support positions at appropriate heights on both sides of the seat via a pair of armrest frames, and one of the armrests arranged on the vehicle riding side is one of the armrest frames on the vehicle riding side. The small electric vehicle according to claim 3, which is movably mounted in an arbitrary retracting direction from the predetermined support position.

Images