JP5220478B2 - Bicycle with posture maintenance device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a bicycle provided with a posture maintaining device that stabilizes the posture of a driver regardless of the ground contact height of left and right wheels.

  There is a bicycle in which a front wheel or a rear wheel is a pair of left and right wheels. When the bicycle is inclined in the left-right direction, the bicycle is inclined in the inclination direction of the inclined surface. On this slope with a large slope, the slope of the bicycle is also large. On a slope with a large slope, this bicycle may fall. When riding on the ground with large irregularities, this bicycle is shaken greatly from side to side. This bicycle is inferior in stability when traveling on an inclined surface in the left-right direction and traveling on a ground with large unevenness. This bicycle cannot tilt its body during cornering on flat ground. This bicycle is inferior in stability during cornering.

  FIG. 7 is a side view of a conventional wheelchair 102. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-299820 discloses a wheelchair 102 that keeps a seat surface 104 horizontal on an inclined surface in the left-right direction. The wheelchair 102 includes wheels 106 on the left and right sides of the seat surface 104. The left and right wheels 106 are attached to a wheel frame 108. The wheel frame 108 is pivotally attached to the link bars 110 and 112 at the upper and lower ends. The left and right wheel frames 108 and the link bars 110 and 112 form a parallel link mechanism 114. A support frame 118 extends vertically downward from the seat frame 116. The support frame 118 is pivotally attached to the center of the link bars 110 and 112 in the length direction.

When the left and right wheels 106 of the wheelchair 102 are in contact with the inclined surface in the left-right direction, a difference in height occurs between the left and right wheels 106. The link bars 110 and 112 are inclined parallel to the slope. The wheel frame 108 and the support frame 118 are maintained in a state of extending in the vertical direction. Thereby, the seat surface 104 is kept horizontal even on the inclined surface in the left-right direction.
JP 2001-299820 A

  The support frame 118 of the wheelchair 102 is pivotally attached to the link bars 110 and 112. The weight of the vehicle body is transmitted to the left and right wheels 106 via the shaft attachment portion of the support frame 118. The support frame 118 is applied with a force in a direction in which the support frame 118 is inclined, with a portion pivotally attached to the link bar 110 as a rotation center. The seat frame 116 is likely to swing in a direction inclined in the left-right direction.

  The wheelchair 102 includes a guide device 120. The roller 122 of the guide device 120 is in contact with the inside of the wheel frame 108. The distance in the left-right direction of the wheel frame 108 changes depending on the height difference between the left and right wheels 106. In a state where there is no height difference between the left and right wheels 106, the gap between the roller 122 and the wheel frame 108 is large. In a state where the height difference between the left and right wheels 106 is large, the gap between the roller 122 and the wheel frame 108 is small. The distance between the roller 122 and the wheel frame 108 changes. The roller 122 is pressed against the inside of the wheel frame 108 by a spring (not shown). In order to stabilize the seating surface 104 of the wheelchair 102, a special guide device 120 is required.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle including a posture maintaining device that is excellent in running stability regardless of the ground contact height of the left and right wheels.

  A bicycle according to the present invention includes a main frame, a pair of left and right wheels, and a posture maintaining device. This posture maintaining device is fixed to the main frame at a position vertically below the rotational axis of the wheel. This posture maintaining apparatus includes a wheel lifting part and a pair of left and right wheel support parts. This wheel support part is supported by the wheel raising / lowering part. The wheel support portion is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction. This wheel is rotatably supported by a wheel support portion. When one wheel moves in any direction in the vertical direction, the other wheel moves in the opposite direction to one wheel.

  Preferably, in the bicycle according to the present invention, the distance in the left-right direction between the one wheel and the other wheel is kept constant.

  Preferably, in the bicycle according to the present invention, absolute values of the vertical movement distance of the one wheel support part and the vertical movement distance of the other wheel support part are equal.

  Preferably, the wheel lifting / lowering portion of the bicycle according to the present invention includes a support frame, a first roller, a second roller, a third roller, a fourth roller, and a belt. The support frame rotatably supports the first roller, the second roller, the third roller, and the fourth roller. The first roller is located at the upper right of the main frame. The second roller is located at the lower right of the main frame. The third roller is located at the upper left of the main frame. The fourth roller is located at the lower left of the main frame. A belt is stretched around the first roller, the second roller, the third roller, and the fourth roller. The belt between the first roller and the second roller extends parallel to the vertical direction of the main frame. The belt between the third roller and the fourth roller extends parallel to the vertical direction of the main frame. One wheel support portion is attached to a belt between the first roller and the second roller. The other wheel support is attached to the belt between the third roller and the fourth roller.

  Preferably, the main frame of the bicycle according to the present invention includes a pair of auxiliary arms. One auxiliary arm is located on the right side of the main frame. The other auxiliary arm is located on the left side of the main frame. The front end of the auxiliary arm is rotatably supported by the main frame. The auxiliary arm is rotatable on a plane parallel to the front-rear direction and the vertical direction of the main frame. The rear end of the auxiliary arm supports the wheel support portion.

  Preferably, in the bicycle according to the present invention, the first roller, the second roller, the third roller, and the fourth roller can move the belt in the direction of the rotation axis of the roller.

  Preferably, the wheel lifting part of the bicycle according to the present invention includes a support frame and a center frame. The central frame is fixed to the main frame. The support frame is fixed to the central frame. The support frame includes a lower frame, an upper frame, a guide frame, and a swing arm. The center frame rotatably supports the center of the swing arm above the position where the main frame is fixed. One end of the guide frame is fixed to the upper frame. The other end of the guide frame is fixed to the lower frame. The guide frame extends in the vertical direction of the main frame. The wheel support portion is supported so as to be slidable along the axis of the guide frame. Both ends of the swing arm are engaged with wheel support portions.

  The bicycle according to the present invention is excellent in running stability even if there is a height difference between the left and right wheels. This bicycle has excellent running stability in both straight running and cornering running.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments with appropriate reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a bicycle 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The rightward direction in FIG. 1 is the forward direction of the bicycle 2. The left direction in FIG. 1 is the rear direction of the bicycle 2. The bicycle 2 includes a main frame 4, front wheels 6, a pair of rear wheels 8, a steering device 10, a drive device 12, and a posture maintaining device 14. In this bicycle 2, the front wheels 6 are driven as drive wheels. The front wheel 6 is a steering wheel. The rear wheel 8 is a driven wheel.

  The main frame 4 includes a saddle 16, a shaft 18, and a pair of left and right auxiliary arms 20. The saddle 16 is located above the main frame 4. The shaft 18 is located behind the main frame 4. The shaft 18 is a round bar. The shaft 18 extends in the left-right direction of the main frame 4. The front end of the auxiliary arm 20 is rotatably supported at both left and right ends of the shaft 18. The auxiliary arm 20 is supported so as to be rotatable on a plane parallel to the vertical direction and the front-rear direction of the main frame 4.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the steering device 10 includes a handle 22 and a steering shaft 24. A handle 22 is fixed to the upper end of the steering shaft 24. The center of the ring of the handle 22 is fixed to the upper end of the steering shaft 24. The steering shaft 24 is located in front of the main frame 4. The steering shaft 24 is supported by the main frame 4 so as to be rotatable about its axis. A front wheel 6 is rotatably attached to the lower side of the steering shaft 24.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the drive device 12 includes a pair of left and right cranks 26, a drive gear 28, a first chain 30, a drive rotating body 32, a second chain 34, and a driven gear 36.

  The pair of left and right cranks 26 are rotatably attached to the main frame 4. The crank 26 is located on the left and right side surfaces of the main frame 4. A drive gear 28 is rotatably attached to the main frame 4. The rotating shaft of the crank 26 and the rotating shaft of the drive gear 28 are horizontal and coaxial. A drive rotator 32 is located in front of the main frame 4. A first chain 30 is bridged between the drive gear 28 and the drive rotator 32. The second chain 34 is spanned between the drive rotating body 32 and the driven gear 36.

  FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the bicycle 2 of FIG. 1 viewed from the rear. The posture maintaining device 14 includes a wheel lifting unit 15. The wheel lifting unit 15 includes a support frame 38, a first roller 40, a second roller 42, a third roller 44, a fourth roller 46, and a belt 48. The support frame 38 rotatably supports the first roller 40, the second roller 42, the third roller 44, and the fourth roller 46. The rotation axis directions of the first roller 40, the second roller 42, the third roller 44, and the fourth roller 46 are parallel to the front-rear direction of the bicycle 2. The first roller 40, the second roller 42, the third roller 44, and the fourth roller 46 are located at the four corners of the support frame 38.

  The support frame 38 is fixed to the main frame 4. The first roller 40 is located on the upper right side of the main frame 4. The second roller 42 is located on the lower right side of the main frame 4. The third roller 44 is located on the upper left side of the main frame 4. The fourth roller 46 is located on the lower left side of the main frame 4.

  The belt 48 is a continuous belt without an end. The belt 48 is stretched around the first roller 40, the second roller 42, the third roller 44 and the fourth roller 46. A portion of the belt 48 positioned between the first roller 40 and the second roller 42 extends in parallel with the vertical direction of the main frame 4. A portion of the belt 48 positioned between the third roller 44 and the fourth roller 46 extends in parallel with the vertical direction of the main frame 4.

  The posture maintaining device 14 includes a pair of wheel support portions 50. One wheel support portion 50 is located on the right side of the main frame 4. The other wheel support portion 50 is located on the left side of the main frame 4. The right wheel support 50 is attached to a belt 48 between the first roller 40 and the second roller 42. The left wheel support portion 50 is attached to a belt 48 between the third roller 44 and the fourth roller 46. The attachment position of the wheel support portion 50 to the belt 48 is above the position where the support frame 38 is fixed to the main frame 4.

  The rear wheel 8 is rotatably supported by the wheel support portion 50. The pair of rear wheels 8 are located on the left and right side surfaces of the bicycle 2 with the main frame 4 interposed therebetween. The posture maintaining device 14 is fixed to the main frame 4 at a position vertically below the rotation axis of the rear wheel 8.

  The right wheel support portion 50 is supported by the rear end of the right auxiliary arm 20. The left wheel support portion 50 is supported by the rear end of the left auxiliary arm 20. The wheel support portion 50 is supported so as to be movable in the rotation direction of the auxiliary arm 20. The auxiliary arm 20 restricts the movement of the wheel support portion 50 in the left-right direction.

  The crank 26 of the bicycle 2 in FIG. The crank 26 rotates. As the crank 26 rotates, the drive gear 28 rotates. The rotation of the drive gear 28 is transmitted to the drive rotator 32 by the first chain 30. The rotation of the drive rotator 32 is transmitted to the second chain 34. The driven gear 36 is rotated by the second chain 34. The front wheel 6 is rotated by the rotation of the driven gear 36. The bicycle 2 is driven by the rotation of the front wheel 6.

  The handle 22 is rotated by the driver. The steering shaft 24 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the handle 22. By the rotation of the steering shaft 24, the traveling direction of the front wheels 6 is changed. Thereby, the traveling direction of the bicycle 2 is changed. The steering shaft 24 can rotate 360 degrees. The traveling direction of the front wheel 6 can be changed by 360 degrees.

  FIG. 3 is a partial side view showing the use state of the bicycle 2 of FIG. In FIG. 3, the right rear wheel 8 is grounded at a position higher than the left rear wheel 8. When the rear wheel 8 on the right side of the bicycle 2 in FIG. 2 rides on the convex portion, a force that pushes the main wheel 4 upward acts on the rear wheel 8 on the right side. As a result, the belt 48 is fed counterclockwise. The belt 48 lowers the left rear wheel 8 downward relative to the main frame 4. Thus, the use state of the bicycle 2 of FIG. 2 becomes the use state of FIG.

  Although not shown, the right rear wheel 8 is lowered with respect to the main frame 4 in the recess. As a result, the belt 48 is fed clockwise. As a result, the left rear wheel 8 moves upward with respect to the main frame 4. The right rear wheel 8 is grounded at a position lower than the left rear wheel 8. In this bicycle 2, when a difference in height occurs between the left and right rear wheels 8, one wheel moves in either the vertical direction. The other wheel moves in the opposite direction to the one wheel.

  In the bicycle 2, the belt 48 is fed along the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the main frame 4. The left and right rear wheels 8 are moved in parallel with the belt 48 in the vertical direction of the main frame 4. The absolute values of the movement distances of the left and right rear wheels 8 in the vertical direction are equal.

  4 (a) to 4 (c) are enlarged views showing a part of the bicycle 2 of FIG. FIG. 4A shows a part of the use state of the bicycle 2 in which the right rear wheel 8 is grounded at a normal height. FIG. 4B shows a part of the use state of the bicycle 2 that is in contact with the right rear wheel 8 at a high position. FIG. 4C shows a part of the use state of the bicycle 2 that is grounded at a position where the right rear wheel 8 is low.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, when the right rear wheel 8 moves upward, the auxiliary arm 20 rotates upward. Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the right rear wheel 8 moves downward, the auxiliary arm 20 rotates downward. The auxiliary arm 20 rotates in the vertical direction of the main frame 4. The auxiliary arm 20 restricts the rear wheel 8 from moving in the left-right direction.

  Although not shown, an elastic body that expands and contracts by rotating the auxiliary arm 20 in the vertical direction may be provided. For example, a coil spring is raised as the elastic body. One end of the coil spring is fixed to the main frame 4, and the other end is fixed to the auxiliary arm 20. Thereby, rotation of auxiliary arm 20 becomes smoother.

  A double arrow W1 in FIG. 4A is the width of the belt receiving surface of the first roller 40. Although not shown, the widths of the belt receiving surfaces of the second roller 42, the third roller 44, and the fourth roller 46 are also the width W1. The positions of the belt receiving surfaces of these four rollers coincide with the rotation axis direction of the rollers. A double-headed arrow W2 is the width of the belt 48. As shown in FIG. 4, the width W1 is wider than the width W2. Within the range of the width W1, the belt 48 having the width W2 is movable in the direction of the rotation axis of the roller. Thereby, even if the auxiliary arm 20 rotates and the position of the wheel support part 50 shifts in the rotation axis direction of the roller, the belt 48 is smoothly fed.

  On the slope inclined left and right, the left and right rear wheels 8 move up and down in accordance with the slope. The main frame 4 is not inclined at the slope inclined right and left. In this bicycle 2, the posture of the driver while traveling is stable. On the other hand, even if the rear wheel 8 rides on the convex portion of the road surface, the bicycle 2 does not tilt. On the other hand, even if the rear wheel 8 is taken in the recess of the road surface, the bicycle 2 does not tilt. In this bicycle 2, the vertical direction of the main frame 4 coincides with the vertical direction even if there is a height difference between the left and right ground planes. With this posture maintaining device 14, the bicycle 2 can maintain a stable posture. In this bicycle 2, the posture of the driver while traveling is stable. In the bicycle 2, the handle 22 is prevented from being taken. This bicycle 2 is excellent in handling stability.

  In the bicycle 2, the weight of the vehicle body and the driver acts on the posture support device 14 via the main frame 4. This posture maintaining device 14 is fixed to the main frame 4 at a position vertically below a straight line connecting the rotation axis of one rear wheel 8 and the rotation axis of the other rear wheel 8. The portion of the support frame 38 to which the main frame 4 is fixed is located below the rotation axis of the wheel 8. Thereby, it is suppressed that the main frame 4 is shaken to right and left. The bicycle 2 does not require a special guide device for suppressing the horizontal inclination of the main frame 4. The bicycle 2 is stable when traveling straight on a flat ground.

  A double arrow W in FIGS. 2 and 3 is a distance in the left-right direction of the left and right rear wheels 8. In this bicycle 2, the interval W is constant even if there is a height difference between the left and right rear wheels 8. In this bicycle 2, even if the rear wheel 8 moves in the vertical direction, the force for moving the rear wheel 8 in the axial direction does not act. The traveling of the bicycle 2 is stable. The rear wheel 8 of the bicycle 2 is restrained from frictional force in the rotation axis direction.

  In the bicycle 2, the pair of rear wheels 8 moves in the vertical direction from a state where there is no height difference between the left and right rear wheels 8 to a state where a height difference occurs between the left and right rear wheels 8. In this bicycle 2, the vertical movement distance of one rear wheel 8 is equal to the absolute value of the vertical movement distance of the other rear wheel 8. Thereby, it is suppressed that the main frame 4 and the attitude | position support apparatus 14 earth | ground. The amount of vertical movement of the main frame 4 is also suppressed small. This bicycle 2 is excellent in running stability.

  FIG. 5 is a partial side view showing the use state of the bicycle 2 of FIG. A straight line L in FIG. 5 is a straight line extending in the vertical direction. The straight line L1 is a straight line extending in the vertical direction of the main frame 4. From the state shown in FIG. 2, the driver puts weight on the right side and tilts the main frame 4 to the right side. As shown in FIG. 5, the straight line L1 is inclined to the right with respect to the straight line L. The bicycle 2 can be run at an angle. This bicycle 2 is capable of high-speed cornering running in a stable posture.

  In the bicycle 2, the pair of rear wheels 8 may be supported by the posture maintaining device 14, and the front wheel 6 may be a pair of wheels. The pair of front wheels 6 may be supported by the posture maintaining device 14. Both the front wheel 6 and the rear wheel 8 may be a pair of wheels. Both the front wheel 6 and the rear wheel 8 or any pair of wheels may be supported by the posture maintaining device 14.

  FIG. 6 is a partial side view showing an attitude maintaining device 54 for a bicycle 52 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The bicycle 52 includes a posture maintaining device 54 different from the bicycle 2. The other configuration of the bicycle 52 is the same as that of the bicycle 2, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The posture maintaining device 54 includes a wheel lifting unit 56 and a wheel support unit 58. The wheel lifting unit 56 includes a support frame 60 and a center frame 62. The support frame 60 includes a lower frame 64, an upper frame 66, a pair of guide frames 68, and a swing arm 70. The swing arm 70 includes a pin hole 72. The wheel support portion 58 includes a pin 74.

  The lower frame 64 and the upper frame 66 extend in the left-right direction of the main frame 4. The lower end of the left guide frame 68 is fixed to the left end of the lower frame 64. The upper end of the left guide frame 68 is fixed to the left end of the upper frame 66. The lower end of the right guide frame 68 is fixed to the right end of the lower frame 64. The upper end of the right guide frame 68 is fixed to the right end of the upper frame 66. In FIG. 6, the support frame 60 forms a quadrangle having a lower frame 64, an upper frame 66, and a pair of guide frames 68 as one side. The pair of guide frames 68 extend in the vertical direction of the main frame 4.

  A central frame 62 extends upward from the central portion of the lower frame 64. The central frame 62 is fixed to the support frame 60. A swing arm 70 is located at the upper end of the central frame 62. A central portion of the swing arm 70 is attached to the central frame 62. The swing arm 70 is rotatable. The main frame 4 is fixed to the center frame 62.

  The rear wheel 8 is supported by a wheel support portion 58. The main frame 4 is fixed to the central frame 62 below a straight line connecting the rotation axes of the pair of rear wheels 8. Pin holes 72 are formed at the left and right ends of the swing arm 70. The wheel support portion 58 includes a pin 74. The wheel support portion 58 is slidably supported by the guide frame 68. The pin 74 is engaged with the pin hole 72 of the swing arm 70.

  In the bicycle 52, when one of the rear wheels 8 is grounded at a position higher than the other rear wheel 8, one of the wheel support portions 58 slides upward along the guide frame 68. A pin 74 of one wheel support 58 is engaged with one pin hole 72 of the swing arm 70. As a result, the swing arm 70 rotates. The other pin hole 72 of the swing arm 70 rotates downward. The pin 74 of the other wheel support 58 is engaged with the other pin hole 72. The other wheel support 58 slides downward along the guide frame 68.

  Although not shown, an elastic body may be interposed between the wheel support 58 and the upper frame 66. An elastic body may be interposed between the wheel support portion 58 and the lower frame 64. Thereby, the movement of the wheel support portion 58 in the vertical direction becomes smooth. The vertical movement of the rear wheel 8 becomes smoother.

  In this bicycle 52, even if there is a difference in height between the left and right rear wheels 8, the seating surface of the driver is kept horizontal. The left-right distance W between the left and right rear wheels 8 is kept constant. The absolute value of the vertical movement amount of one rear wheel 8 is equal to the vertical movement amount of the other rear wheel 8. The bicycle 52 can travel by tilting the bicycle 52 to the left and right by the driver's weight shift. By tilting the bicycle 52, high-speed cornering traveling is possible in a stable posture.

  In the bicycle according to the present invention, the driver's posture is stabilized regardless of the ground contact height of the left and right wheels. This bicycle is excellent in running stability in both straight running and cornering running.

  The bicycle according to the present invention includes a wheelchair.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a bicycle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the bicycle of FIG. 1 viewed from the rear. FIG. 3 is a partial side view showing the use state of the bicycle of FIG. 4 (a) to 4 (c) are enlarged views showing a part of the bicycle of FIG. FIG. 5 is a partial side view showing the usage state of the bicycle of FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a partial side view showing a bicycle posture maintaining apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a side view of a conventional wheelchair.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Bicycle 4 ... Main frame 6 ... Front wheel 8 ... Rear wheel 10 ... Steering device 12 ... Driving device 14 ... Posture maintenance device 15 ... Wheel raising / lowering part 16. .... Saddle 18 ... Shaft 20 ... Auxiliary arm 22 ... Handle 24 ... Steering shaft 26 ... Crank 28 ... Drive gear 30 ... First chain 32 ... Drive rotator 34 ... second chain 36 ... driven gear 38 ... support frame 40 ... first roller 42 ... second roller 44 ... third roller 46 ... fourth roller 48 ... -Belt 50 ... Wheel support part 52 ... Bicycle 54 ... Posture maintenance device 56 ... Wheel lifting / lowering part 58 ... Wheel support part 60 ... Support frame 62 ... Center frame 64 ...・ Lower frame 66 ... Upper frame 68 ... Guide frame 70 ... Swing arm 72 ... Pin hole 74 ... Pin

Claims (4)

A main frame, a pair of left and right wheels, and a posture maintaining device;
This attitude maintenance device is fixed to the main frame at a position vertically below the rotation axis of the wheel,
This posture maintaining device includes a wheel lifting part and a pair of left and right wheel support parts,
This wheel support part is supported by the wheel lifting part,
This wheel support is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction,
This wheel is rotatably supported by the wheel support,
When one wheel moves in either direction, the other wheel moves in the opposite direction to one wheel ,
The absolute values of the vertical movement distance of the one wheel support part and the vertical movement distance of the other wheel support part are equal,
The wheel lifting unit includes a support frame, a first roller, a second roller, a third roller, a fourth roller, and a belt,
This support frame rotatably supports the first roller, the second roller, the third roller, and the fourth roller,
The first roller is located in the upper right of the main frame,
The second roller is located in the lower right corner of the main frame,
The third roller is located at the upper left of the main frame,
The fourth roller is located at the lower left of the main frame,
A belt is stretched over the first roller, the second roller, the third roller, and the fourth roller,
The belt between the first roller and the second roller extends parallel to the vertical direction of the main frame,
The belt between the third roller and the fourth roller extends parallel to the vertical direction of the main frame,
One wheel support is attached to the belt between the first roller and the second roller,
A bicycle in which the other wheel support is attached to a belt between a third roller and a fourth roller .   The bicycle according to claim 1, wherein a distance in the left-right direction between the one wheel and the other wheel is maintained at a constant distance. The main frame has a pair of auxiliary arms;
One auxiliary arm is located on the right side of the main frame, the other auxiliary arm is located on the left side of the main frame,
The front end of this auxiliary arm is rotatably supported by the main frame,
This auxiliary arm is rotatable on a plane parallel to the front-rear direction and the vertical direction of the main frame,
The self-propelled vehicle according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein a rear end of the auxiliary arm supports the wheel support portion. The bicycle according to claim 3 , wherein the first roller, the second roller, the third roller, and the fourth roller are capable of moving the belt in the rotation axis direction of the roller.

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