JP3266303B2 - Drive for auxiliary steps for getting on and off - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a driving device for an auxiliary step provided at a step of an entrance of a high floor vehicle such as a bus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a vehicle such as a large tall bus or a microbus having a high entrance and exit step, a step is provided to make it easy and safe for an elderly person, a child and a physically handicapped person to get on and off the vehicle. It is necessary to provide an auxiliary step at a position one step lower than the step. In addition, it is necessary to take care that the auxiliary step projects downward so that an elderly person or the like easily hangs his / her legs when getting on and off, and does not hinder the traveling by retreating when not getting on and off.

From such a situation, an auxiliary step as shown in FIG. 6 has been developed. In this auxiliary step, four arms 102 are rotatably supported on the lower surface of the step 101, and a plate-shaped auxiliary step piece 103 is supported on the tip of each arm 102. The auxiliary step piece 103 is configured to be able to advance and retreat between a projecting position indicated by a solid line and a retracted position indicated by a dotted line by a motor and a worm wheel (not shown). When the elderly person gets on and off, the switch provided in the driver's seat is turned on to make the auxiliary step piece 103 protrude to facilitate getting on and off, and at the end of getting on and off, the switch is turned off and the auxiliary step piece is put on the underside of the vehicle body. Evacuation.

However, since the auxiliary step projects to the side of the vehicle body by the drive mechanism, it collides with an obstacle such as a curb or a person's leg at the time of projecting, damaging the obstacle or the person's leg, or assisting by an overload. This causes problems such as damage to the drive mechanism of the step. In particular, in the case of a route bus, the use frequency of the auxiliary steps is increased, so that the risk of the above-mentioned damage accident is increased and the drive mechanism is easily deteriorated with time.

Conventionally, if the auxiliary step is in a protruding state when the drive mechanism stops due to a wiring failure or the like,
Since the auxiliary step was locked in the protruding state, the running had to be stopped to prevent danger.

[0006]

An object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary step provided at a step at an entrance of a high-floor vehicle at the time of getting on and off so as to protrude into an appropriate position below the step and to be used by passengers such as an elderly person. An object of the present invention is to provide a drive device for an auxiliary step for getting on and off which automatically stops the protruding operation when it comes into contact with a human body or the like, and does not lock the auxiliary step in the protruding state even if a failure occurs in wiring or the like. I have.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is directed to a vehicle provided with an auxiliary step which can be freely protruded toward the side of a vehicle body on a lower surface of a step of an entrance / exit.
The link mechanism is fixed to the lower surface of the vehicle body and is supported by a link mechanism that expands and contracts so as to be able to protrude and retract. The link mechanism is connected to an output arm of a drive mechanism, and the output arm of the drive mechanism drives a drive force from a motor. The planetary gear mechanism is transmitted through a planetary gear mechanism provided in a casing of the mechanism, and the planetary gear mechanism is provided on a plurality of planetary gears rotatably supported by an output shaft integrated with the output arm, and on an inner peripheral side of each of the planetary gears. A sun gear that is positioned and constantly meshes with these, and transmits the driving force from the motor to the planetary gear;
A ring gear that has a gear portion located on the outer periphery of the planetary gear and that always meshes with the planetary gear, and a ring gear that also has a gear portion on the outer periphery; And the eccentric cam is fixed to the shaft of the pinion gear, and the outer peripheral surface of the eccentric cam is engaged with an operating plate movable between a projecting position and a retracted position, The operating plate is constantly pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the eccentric cam by a spring, and when the operating plate is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the eccentric cam by the spring force, the pinion gear locks the ring gear, thereby driving force from the sun gear. Is transmitted to the output arm by the revolution of the planetary gear, and when an external force against the driving force from the motor acts on the output arm, The driving force from the sun gear is transmitted to the ring gear by the rotation of the planetary gear that has stopped revolving, and by rotating the eccentric cam via the pinion, the operating plate is displaced in the projecting direction against the spring, A switch for turning on and off the operation of the motor is turned off.

Further, a switching lever for intercepting the pressing force from the spring to the operating plate and switching to a manual operation is disposed between the spring and the operating plate.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 (a) and (b)
FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing an entire configuration of an embodiment of the present invention ((b)
AA sectional view) and a side view, FIG. 2 is a plan view, and FIG. 3 is a front view showing a storage state of an auxiliary step. The auxiliary step 1 is held in a horizontal position by a link mechanism 4 which is fixed to the lower surface 2 of the vehicle such as a bus and expands and contracts. The link mechanism 4 is connected to an output arm 7 of a drive mechanism 6 via a connecting rod 5. Have been.

The link mechanism 4 includes a pair of fixed bases 10 which are arranged to face each other at a predetermined interval and are fixed to the lower surface 2 of the vehicle body.
And a pair of fixed side shafts 1 inserted between the fixed bases 10.
1a, 11b and four link pieces 12, 13 whose upper ends are pivotally supported by the axial ends of the fixed shafts 11a, 11b.
And pivot shafts 15, 1 at the lower ends of the link pieces 12, 13, respectively.
6, an auxiliary step base 1a integrated with the auxiliary step 1 and an inner fixed side shaft 11b.
The first diagonal link 18 is pivotally supported at one end and extends in a diagonal direction (outward diagonally downward), and one end is connected to the other end of the first diagonal link 18 by a pin 20. A second diagonal link 19 pivotally mounted and having a free end at the other end. A reinforcing plate 22 having an L-shaped cross section is fixed from the outer surface to the bottom surface of the outer link piece 12,
The reinforcing plate 22 prevents the link mechanism 4 from swinging right and left and back and forth.

The pin 20 pivotally supports the distal end of the connecting rod 5, and when it protrudes in the protruding direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 1A, the two diagonal links 18, 19 are substantially straight as shown in the figure. The pin 20 is pressed outward (to the left in the drawing) so as to form a shape. At this time, the free distal end 19a of the second diagonal link 19 comes into contact with the bottom corner of the reinforcing plate 22 so that the link mechanism 4 can maintain the protruding posture shown in FIG.

The reference numeral 25 in FIG. 2 denotes an air damper, which is constantly urged in the direction of the arrow to store the entire link mechanism 4 in the retracted position shown in FIG.

The connecting rod 5 reciprocates in the protruding and retracting directions by the forward and reverse rotation of the output arm 7 connected to the output shaft 30 of the drive mechanism. When the connecting arm 5 protrudes, as shown in FIG. Is set to the protruding posture, the auxiliary step 1 is protruded to the side of the vehicle body, and when retracted, the link mechanism 4 is contracted and stored in the bottom surface of the vehicle body in cooperation with the air damper 25 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a plan sectional view showing the structure of the drive mechanism 6, and FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b) are a front vertical sectional view and a right side view. The output shaft 30 integrally supporting the base end of the output arm 7 has a disk-shaped support plate 32 at the upper end thereof, and a center shaft 33 coaxially and integrally with the output shaft 30 from the center of the support plate 32. It is protruding. The output shaft 30 and the center shaft 33 which are arranged coaxially and rotate relative to each other are rotatably supported by a casing 35. A sun gear 33a is formed on the outer periphery of the center shaft 33, an input gear 33b is integrated on the center shaft 33 shifted from the sun gear 33a, and an output of a motor (not shown) is connected to the input gear 33b. The worm gear 34 which is a gear meshes. The motor is integrally fixed to the casing 35.

The driving torque from the worm gear 34, which is the output shaft of the motor, is applied to the input gear 33b, the center shaft 33,
The power is transmitted to the output arm 7 via a planetary gear 38 and an output shaft 30, which will be described later, to operate the link mechanism 4. When the motor is driven in the forward direction, the output shaft 30 is also rotated in the forward direction, and the connecting rod 5 is moved in the projecting direction via the output arm 7 so that the auxiliary step 1 projects to the side of the vehicle body as shown in FIG. Let it. When the motor rotates in the reverse direction, the torque in the reverse direction is output to the output shaft 30 through the same path, so that the output arm 7 moves in the retracting direction to retract the auxiliary step 1 as shown in FIG.

On the support plate 32, the shaft 3 is spaced at 120 intervals.
7, three shafts 37 rotatably support the axis of a planetary gear 38, respectively. Each planetary gear 38 is always meshed with the sun gear 33a. The outer peripheral side of each planetary gear 38 is always meshed with the inner peripheral gear part 40a of the ring-shaped ring gear 40 having the inner peripheral part and the outer peripheral part 40a, 40b, respectively.

The sun gear 33a, the planetary gear 3
8, the ring gear 40 and the like constitute a planetary gear mechanism.
Reference numeral 42 denotes a pinion gear that meshes with the outer peripheral gear portion 40b of the ring gear 40.
2a is rotatably supported by a casing 35. One end of the shaft 42a protrudes to the front of the casing, and an eccentric cam 45 is integrated with the protruding end. As shown in FIG. 5A, the eccentric cam 45 has an outer peripheral edge in contact with an edge of an operating plate 50 disposed adjacently.

The operating plate 50 has a long hole 52 supported by a screw 51 screwed to the surface of the casing 35.
2 is configured to be able to advance and retreat in the length direction, and is urged by a spring 55 in the evacuation direction. Eccentric cam 45
When the edge 45a closest to the shaft 42a is in contact with the operating plate 50, the operating plate 50 is
The drive force from the motor is transmitted to the output arm 7 via the driven gear 33b, the center shaft 33, and the output shaft 30 in order to turn on a limit switch (not shown) in the retracted position shown in FIG. Limit switch 50
The switch piece is fixed so as to be close to the end face 50a of the end face 50a.
0a, the switch piece is pressed in the same direction to turn off the limit switch body.

More specifically, the cam 55 is moved by the spring 55.
5 is held in the position shown in FIGS.
Since the pinion gear 42 integrated with the cam 45 does not rotate, the ring gear 40 meshing with the pinion gear 42 is locked. When the ring gear 40 is not rotating, the ring gear 4
Each planetary gear 38 meshing with the inner peripheral gear portion 40a
Can revolve around the sun shaft 33a around the center shaft 33 while rotating around each shaft 37. Therefore, when the drive torque from the motor is input from the worm gear 34 and the output shaft 30 rotates due to the revolution of the planetary gear 30, the link mechanism 4 is operated via the output arm 7.

When the motor rotates in the normal rotation direction while the ring gear 40 is locked and the auxiliary step 1 hits an obstacle in the process of protruding in the protruding direction, the motor rotates in the direction against the driving torque from the motor. Since the external torque enters the output shaft 30, the rotation of the output shaft 30 and the planetary gear 38 stop revolving. Even if the planetary gear 38 stops revolving, the drive torque from the motor is
Since the planetary gear 38 is transmitted to the planetary gear 38 via the third sun gear 33a, the planetary gear 38 continues to rotate, and the ring gear 40 is rotated by the planetary gear 38.

When the ring gear 40 rotates, the pinion gear 42 meshing with the ring gear 40 rotates, and the eccentric cam 45 integrated with the pinion gear 42 rotates by a predetermined angle from the posture shown in FIG. Part 45b or the edge 4
The edge near 5b abuts on the operation plate 50, moves the operation plate 50 in the protruding direction against the spring 55, turns off the limit switch, and stops the motor.

Therefore, for example, when the auxiliary step 1 attempts to protrude due to the forward rotation of the motor and collides with an obstacle such as a curb or a human leg, the torque in the forward rotation direction of the motor is output via the output arm 7. The cam 45 activates the operation plate 50 to turn off the limit switch to stop the motor, thereby preventing the auxiliary step from being damaged by an obstacle and the human body from being damaged by the auxiliary step. be able to.

Reference numeral 60 in FIGS. 4 and 5 denotes a lever for switching to manual operation.
Reference numeral 0 denotes a base end of a shaft member 61 that holds the spring 55 so as to be rotatably pivotally supported.
a is always pressed. A disc-shaped cam member 62 is integrated on one surface of the lever facing the operation plate 50. The cam member 62 has a cam surface 62a formed thereon, and is engaged with a cam follower 63 (fixed) protruding from the casing of the drive mechanism. Combine. As shown in FIG.
The spring 55 is in the expanded state and urges the operating plate 50 in the retreating direction when the cam plate 62a has fallen into the recess of the cam surface 62a. Since the cam follower 63 moves relatively along the lever, the lever 60 moves in the protruding direction as a whole against the spring 55. Thus, the cam member 62 is
From the spring 55 through the operating plate 50 until then.
The eccentric cam 4 held in the posture shown in FIG.
5 (pinion gear 42) is in a free state, and the ring gear 40 is also free, so that the output arm 7 can be manually operated. At the same time as the shift to the manual operation, the air damper 25 operates to retract the auxiliary step to the lower surface of the vehicle body.

The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and all configurations having the functions and effects of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention. Therefore, for example, the location of the eccentric cam,
The location of the limit switch and the like can be variously changed.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, the auxiliary step provided at the step of the entrance of the high-floor vehicle is protruded to a proper place under the step at the time of getting on and off, so that it can be used by passengers such as the elderly and the like. When it comes into contact with obstacles, human body, etc. during the projecting operation of the step, it automatically stops the projecting operation,
Further, even when a failure occurs in the wiring or the like, it is possible to prevent the auxiliary step from being locked in a protruding state.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) are a front sectional view (a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1 (b)) and a side view showing the entire configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1 (a).

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a storage state of an auxiliary step.

FIG. 4 is a plan sectional view showing a configuration of a driving mechanism 6.

FIGS. 5 (a) and (b) are a front vertical sectional view and a right side view.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 auxiliary step, 1a step base, 2 body bottom, 4 link mechanism, 5 connecting rod, 6 drive mechanism, 7 output arm, 10 fixed base, 11a, 11b fixed side shaft,
12, 13 link pieces, 15, 16 pivot shaft, 18 first diagonal link, 19 second diagonal link, 20 pins, 22 reinforcing plate, 25 air damper, 30 output shaft,
32 support plate, 33 center shaft, 33a sun gear,
33b input gear, 34 worm gear, 35 casing, 37 shaft, 38 planetary gear, 40 ring gear, 45 eccentric cam, 50 operating plate, 51 screw, 52
Long hole, 55 spring, 60 switching lever

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60R 3/02

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A vehicle provided with an auxiliary step which is capable of protruding toward the side of a vehicle body at a lower surface of a step of an entrance / exit, wherein the auxiliary step is supported by a link mechanism which is fixed to the lower surface of the vehicle body and which expands / contracts and deforms. The link mechanism is connected to an output arm of a drive mechanism, and the output arm of the drive mechanism transmits a driving force from a motor via a planetary gear mechanism provided in a casing of the drive mechanism. The planetary gear mechanism includes a plurality of planetary gears rotatably supported by an output shaft integrally formed with the output arm, and is located on an inner peripheral side of each of the planetary gears, and constantly meshes with these planetary gears, and transmits driving force from the motor to the planetary gears. A sun gear for transmitting the gears to the outside, and a gear portion located on the outer peripheral side of the planetary gear and constantly meshing with the sun gear are provided on the inner periphery, and a gear portion is also provided on the outer periphery. A ring gear, wherein the casing rotatably supports a pinion gear always meshing with a gear portion on the outer periphery of the ring gear, and an eccentric cam is fixed to a shaft of the pinion gear, and the outer peripheral surface of the eccentric cam is fixed to the shaft. Engages an operating plate movable between a projecting position and a retracted position, and constantly presses the operating plate against the outer peripheral surface of the eccentric cam by a spring, and the operating plate presses against the outer peripheral surface of the eccentric cam by the spring force. When the pinion gear locks the ring gear, the driving force from the sun gear is transmitted to the output arm by the revolution of the planetary gear, and an external force against the driving force from the motor is applied to the output arm. Is actuated, the driving force from the sun gear is transmitted to the ring gear by the rotation of the planetary gear that has stopped revolving, A step of turning the eccentric cam through a nonion to displace the operating plate in a protruding direction against the spring, and turning off a switch for turning on and off the operation of the motor; Drive. 2. The getting-on / off assistance according to claim 1, further comprising a switching lever disposed between the spring and the operating plate to switch a pressing force from the spring to the operating plate to switch to a manual operation. Step drive.