JP5991959B2 - Wheel equipment - Google Patents

Description

  In the present invention, for example, a carry case with wheels, a carry cart for carrying baggage, and other transporting devices that can be moved via wheels are objects (also referred to as “attachment objects”), and this attachment object. The present invention relates to a wheel device used by being attached to an object.

  The applicant of the present application has proposed a wheel device having a function of overcoming a step as described in Patent Document 1, and paragraphs 0117 to 0118 and FIG. 10 (particularly, FIG. (See FIG. 10B.) In the wheel device 50, when the stepped portion 20 is exceeded, the stepped wall surface 22 is directed upward while the small-diameter auxiliary wheel 4 (A) on the front side is in contact with the stepped wall surface 22. The large-diameter auxiliary wheel 3 (B) abuts on the stepped lower step surface 21 (flat traveling road surface 21) and rolls and approaches the stepped wall surface 22, and the entire swing arm 55 remains in the traveling form. By rotating integrally around the main axle 2 a, the front portion of the swing arm 55 is raised, and the large-diameter auxiliary wheel 3 (A) and the main wheel 2 are lifted away from the traveling road surface 21. Have been described.

Japanese Patent No. 4613250

  However, in the wheel device 50 described in Patent Document 1, when the step 20 is exceeded, the small-diameter auxiliary wheel 4 (A) on the front side thereof is brought into contact with the step wall surface 22, and the back frame 12 of the carry cart 10 is tilted forward and obliquely upward. When pulled up, the front end arm 55b (A) on the front side of the swing arm 55 swings downward about the connecting shaft 55c (A), and the front small-diameter auxiliary wheel 4 (in contact with the step wall 22) It is later revealed that A) rolls downward on the stepped wall surface 22 and the front end arm 55b (A) is folded between the wheel device 50 and the stepped lower step surface 21. did.

  However, even if the tip arm 55b (A) is bent downward in this way, for example, the back frame 12 is once lifted, and the wheel device 50 is lifted from the road surface into the air, so that the swing arm 55 is brought into a non-grounding configuration. Later (see FIG. 7 of Patent Document 1), the downward bending of the tip arm 55b (A) can be eliminated by re-positioning it on the road surface.

  If the bending of the tip arm 55b (A) is eliminated in this way, the swing arm 55 of the wheel device 50 returns to the traveling form, and after this, retrying to get over the step 20, or Although the carry cart 10 can be lifted and pulled up from the step lower step surface 21 to the step upper step surface 23, the unintentional bending of the tip arm 55b (A) as described above results in complicated operations for the user. This is a problem that should be resolved positively.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a step over a step is performed for a wheel device used for an attachment object that is moved by pushing or pulling an operation member. It is an object of the present invention to provide a wheel device that can smoothly roll up an auxiliary wheel that is in contact with a stepped wall surface.

In order to achieve this object, the wheel device of the first invention includes a mounting base that is attached to the mounting target and supports the mounting target, a tip fixed to the mounting base and extending upward from the mounting base An operation member that is pulled or pushed by a user, a vehicle body frame in which the mounting base is connected through a connecting shaft so as to be relatively swingable in the front-rear direction, and a vehicle body frame that is rotatable through the axle A traveling body that has a front wheel and a rear wheel that are pivotally supported, supports a load acting on the mounting base, and travels by rolling the front wheel and the rear wheel by an external force acting via the operation member; A swing arm that is swingably connected to a vehicle body frame of the traveling body via a swing shaft, and extends from the swing shaft toward the front of the traveling body, and an extension in the swing arm Axle at the tip of the part In the traveling posture in which the auxiliary wheel rotatably supported and the front wheel and the rear wheel of the traveling body are in contact with the traveling plane, the outer peripheral front end of the auxiliary wheel is in front of the outer peripheral front end of the front wheel and The center of rotation of the auxiliary wheel is located in front of and above the center of swing of the swing arm, and the straight line between the center of rotation of the auxiliary wheel and the center of swing of the swing arm is forward of the traveling plane. A support mechanism that supports the swing arm at a position that is inclined upward (hereinafter referred to as “standby position”), and the swing arm that is supported by the support mechanism at the standby position are in the standby state. Allowing to swing up and down between the position and the upper limit position above it, and prohibiting the upward swing exceeding the upper limit position by stopping the swing arm at the upper limit position Stopper means The auxiliary wheel is abutted against the step wall surface when the traveling body moves forward in the traveling posture, and rolls up and rolls on the step wall surface. in by the auxiliary wheel is increased rolling step wall, the der from the standby position which rises swung toward the upper limit position is, the traveling body, the mounting base coupled to the vehicle frame By supporting the load of the mounting object acting on the vehicle body, the load of the mounting object acts on the swing arm that is separate from the body frame, thereby preventing the swinging movement of the swing arm from being disturbed. Furthermore, the traveling body in the traveling posture is moved forward on the traveling plane toward the stepped wall surface by the pulling force of the operation member, and this forward movement causes the shaft to be supported at the forefront of the traveling direction. The auxiliary wheel is brought into collision contact with the step wall surface, and external force accompanying the collision contact acts on the swing arm, so that the auxiliary wheel rolls upward along the step wall surface and moves upward. By this rolling, the swing arm is lifted and swung from the standby position toward the upper limit position and reaches the upper limit position to be stopped by the stopper means, and in this stopped state, the operation member is further pulled upward. it allows the traveling body is rotated around the connecting shaft of said mounting pedestal, Ru der made a step beyond posture lifted by the front portion of the traveling body is moved away from the traveling plane.

The wheel device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the wheel device according to the first aspect , wherein the support mechanism supports the swing arm at the standby position in the traveling posture, thereby supporting the auxiliary wheel and the front wheel of the traveling body. In addition, the rear wheel is held at an aerial position separated from the traveling plane on which the rear wheel comes into contact.

Wheel devices of the third invention, in the wheel assembly of the second invention, the support mechanism is a wheel that is rotatably supported via an axle to the swinging arm, in the traveling position, the traveling A support wheel that can be grounded to a traveling plane on which the front and rear wheels of the body are grounded and supports the swing arm at the standby position by the grounding with the traveling plane is provided.

Wheel devices of the fourth invention, in the wheel device of the third aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary wheel is a wheel of smaller diameter and lighter than the support wheels.

A wheel device according to a fifth aspect is the wheel device according to the first aspect , wherein the auxiliary wheel is formed so as to be able to come into contact with a traveling plane together with a front wheel and a rear wheel of the traveling body in the traveling posture.

The wheel device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is a mounting base that is attached to the mounting target and supports the mounting target, and is fixed to the mounting base and extends upward from the mounting base, and the tip is pulled by the user. An operating member to be pushed, a vehicle body frame in which the mounting base is pivotably connected in the front-rear direction via a connecting shaft, and a front wheel and a rear wheel that are pivotally supported by the vehicle body frame via an axle A traveling body that has wheels and supports the load acting on the mounting pedestal and travels by rolling the front wheels and the rear wheels by an external force acting through the operation member, and a vehicle body frame of the traveling body. An oscillating arm connected to the oscillating shaft through an oscillating shaft and extending forward from the oscillating shaft toward the front of the traveling body, and an axle at an end of the extending portion of the oscillating arm. Is pivotally supported via A wheel that is pivotally supported via a wheel axle between a first auxiliary wheel and an axle of the first wheel and a swing shaft of the swing arm, the front wheel of the traveling body; In a traveling posture in which the rear wheel is in contact with the traveling plane, (a) the front end of the outer periphery of the wheel is in front of the front end of the outer periphery of the front wheel, and is rearward and lower than the front end of the outer periphery of the first auxiliary wheel. (B) by contact with the traveling plane, the outer peripheral front end of the first auxiliary wheel is located in front of the outer peripheral front end of the front wheel, and the rotation center of the first auxiliary wheel is swung by the ground contact with the traveling plane. The swing arm is supported at a position that is forward and upper than the swing center of the arm (hereinafter referred to as “standby position”), and (c) the swing arm is supported in this manner, thereby 1 Auxiliary wheel separated from the running plane The second auxiliary wheel supported at the position and the swinging arm supported at the standby position by the second auxiliary wheel are swung up and down between the standby position and an upper limit position above the standby position. Stopper means for permitting rocking and inhibiting the rocking arm at the upper limit position to prevent ascending rocking exceeding the upper limit position, and the first auxiliary wheel has the running posture When the traveling body moves forward, it is brought into contact with the stepped wall surface and rolls up and down the stepped wall surface. The swing arm is configured such that the first auxiliary wheel moves the stepped wall surface in the traveling posture. Ascending and rolling, the second auxiliary wheel swings upward from the standby position toward the upper limit position, and the second auxiliary wheel moves in the state in which the swing arm is lifted and swings from the standby position. 1 auxiliary wheel At the same time, or in place of the first auxiliary wheel, it is possible to contact the step wall surface. In the contact state with the step wall surface, the rotation center of the second auxiliary wheel is the swing center of the swing arm. It is the upper front.

A wheel device according to a seventh aspect is the wheel device according to the sixth aspect , wherein the swing arm further moves toward the upper limit position when the second auxiliary wheel rolls up and rolls on the step wall surface in the traveling posture. Ascending and swinging.

A wheel device according to an eighth aspect is the wheel device according to the sixth or seventh aspect , wherein the first auxiliary wheel is a wheel having a smaller diameter and a lighter weight than the second auxiliary wheel.

A wheel device according to a ninth aspect is the wheel device according to the first or fifth aspect , wherein the support mechanism is a wheel that is pivotally supported by the swing arm via an axle, and the travel posture The vehicle can be grounded on a traveling plane where the front and rear wheels of the traveling body are grounded, and is also used as an auxiliary wheel for supporting the swing arm at the standby position by grounding with the traveling plane.

According to the wheel device of any one of the first to ninth inventions described above, the attachment object is attached to and supported by the attachment base.

  When the wheel device is normally traveled on the travel plane, the user tilts the operation member forward in the traveling direction (also simply referred to as “front”) or backward in the traveling direction (also simply referred to as “rear”). When the front end of the member is pulled forward obliquely upward or pushed forward obliquely downward, an external force acting in a direction that matches the inclination direction of the operating member is applied to the body frame of the traveling body, and this external force becomes a propulsive force. Thus, the traveling body travels forward and the attachment object is moved.

  Thus, when the vehicle travels normally on the traveling plane, the wheel device has a traveling posture and rolls in a state where the front wheels and the rear wheels are grounded together (simultaneously) on the traveling plane. Move towards. In addition, when the step wall surface is erected in front of the traveling plane, this wheel device is over the step wall by, for example, pulling the operation member obliquely upward and forward, and is on the step wall. It can move up to the traveling plane.

  When the wheel device gets over the step (step wall surface), if the traveling body in the running posture moves forward on the travel plane toward the step wall while applying an external force that is pulled upward and obliquely upward via the operation member, the wheel An auxiliary wheel (or a first auxiliary wheel) that is pivotally supported at the forefront portion in the traveling direction of the apparatus is caused to collide (contact) with the step wall surface.

  The auxiliary wheel (or the first auxiliary wheel) is pivotally supported at the tip of the swing arm, and when the traveling body travels in the traveling posture, the swing arm is supported by the support mechanism (or the second auxiliary wheel). When it is supported at the standby position, it is disposed in front of the front wheels, so that it collides first with the stepped wall surface, and an external force caused by this collision is applied to the swing arm.

  Here, after the auxiliary wheel (or the first auxiliary wheel) collides with the stepped wall surface, when the traveling body is further moved forward, the auxiliary wheel (or the first auxiliary wheel) is moved along with the forward movement. The step wall surface is rolled upward to move upward, and the swing arm is swinged upward from the standby position toward the upper limit position. When the swing arm reaches the upper limit position, the swing arm is stopped by the stopper means.

  And when the operating member is further pulled forward and obliquely upward in a state where the swinging movement of the swinging arm is restricted in this way, the traveling body (body frame) is rotated around the connecting shaft of the operating member, Along with this, the front portion of the traveling body is raised. Then, the front wheel pivotally supported on the vehicle body frame of the traveling body is lifted away from the traveling plane, and the front portion of the traveling body (body frame) is lifted, and the wheel device can easily be stepped over the step.

  According to the wheel device of the present invention, when the traveling body is in the traveling posture, the support mechanism (or the second auxiliary wheel) can support the swing arm at the standby position, and by supporting the swing arm at the standby position. The outer peripheral front end of the auxiliary wheel (or the first auxiliary wheel) can protrude forward from the outer peripheral front end of the front wheel, and the rotation center of the auxiliary wheel (or first auxiliary wheel) is the swing center of the swing arm. It can arrange | position to the front upper direction rather than.

  Then, when the traveling body is in the traveling posture, the straight line between the axes connecting the rotation center of the auxiliary wheel (or the first auxiliary wheel) and the swing center of the swing arm is inclined forward and upward with respect to the travel plane. Therefore, when the auxiliary wheel (or the first auxiliary wheel) collides with the stepped wall surface in this appearance, the auxiliary wheel can be naturally rolled above the stepped wall surface.

  Then, as the auxiliary wheel (or first auxiliary wheel) moves up and down, the swing arm is swung from the standby position side toward the upper limit position. Thus, the front side portion of the traveling body that has been in the running posture can be raised, and as a result, there is an effect that the front side can be raised and the rear side can be lowered to smoothly move to a tilted posture.

  In addition, as a result of the swing arm being supported at the standby position by the support mechanism (or the second auxiliary wheel) in the traveling posture, the axis connecting the rotation center of the auxiliary wheel (or the first auxiliary wheel) and the swing center of the swing arm. Since the straight line is inclined forward and upward with respect to the traveling plane, after the auxiliary wheel (or first auxiliary wheel) abuts (collises) with the stepped wall surface, the traveling body is operated to approach the stepped wall surface. By pulling the member, the auxiliary wheel (or the first auxiliary wheel) is pushed by the swinging arm by the external force accompanying the pulling, and the stepped wall surface is naturally rolled up. The arm is also raised and swung naturally.

  For this reason, when the auxiliary wheel (or the first auxiliary wheel) collides with the stepped wall surface, the auxiliary wheel (or the first auxiliary wheel) rolls the stepped wall surface downward like the wheel device of Patent Document 1 described above. As a result, there is an effect that the problem that the swing arm is folded between the traveling body and the traveling plane can be prevented.

Here, in the wheel device according to any one of the sixth to eighth inventions , when the difference in level of the step is relatively small, before the swing arm reaches the upper limit position (before being stopped by the stopper means). In addition, the first auxiliary wheel gets over the stepped wall surface, or the first auxiliary wheel does not contact the stepped wall surface or the traveling plane above the step, and the second auxiliary wheel directly contacts the stepped wall surface. Cases are also envisaged.

However, in the wheel device according to any one of the sixth to eighth inventions , even if the second auxiliary wheel is in contact with the stepped wall surface instead of the first auxiliary wheel, Since the inter-axis straight line connecting the rotation center of the second auxiliary wheel and the swing center of the swing arm is inclined forward and upward with respect to the travel plane, the second auxiliary wheel is brought into contact with the step wall surface and then traveled. When the operating member is pulled so as to bring the body closer to the stepped wall surface, the second auxiliary wheel is pushed by the swing arm by the force, and the stepped wall surface is naturally raised and rolled.

  For this reason, when the second auxiliary wheel comes into contact with the stepped wall surface, the second auxiliary wheel rolls downward on the stepped wall surface as in the wheel device of Patent Document 1 described above, and the swing arm is moved away from the traveling body. There is an effect that it is possible to prevent the problem of being folded between the traveling plane.

  In addition, the mounting object is supported by the mounting base, and this mounting base is supported by the body frame of the traveling body separate from the swinging arm, so that the load of the mounting target acts on the swinging arm. Thus, there is an effect that it can be prevented from becoming a load, and the upward swing of the swing arm can be prevented from being disturbed by the action of the load.

  Further, since the swing arm comes into contact with the stepped wall surface via the auxiliary wheel (or the first auxiliary wheel or the second auxiliary wheel), the swinging arm of the swing arm is brought into contact with the stepped wall surface while rolling. Since the upward swing is performed, the frictional resistance generated between the swing arm and the stepped wall surface can be reduced, and the lift swing of the swing arm can be smoothly performed correspondingly.

In particular, according to the wheel device of any one of the second invention or the sixth to eighth inventions , the auxiliary wheel (or the first auxiliary wheel) is supported at an aerial position separated from the traveling plane in the traveling posture. There is no need for rolling on the traveling plane, and there is an effect that the traveling resistance generated between the traveling plane and the corresponding traveling plane can be reduced.

Moreover, according to the wheel device of any of the third invention or the sixth invention to the eighth invention , the swing arm can be supported at the standby position by the support wheel (or the second auxiliary wheel), and the auxiliary wheel ( Alternatively, a complicated mechanism for supporting the first auxiliary wheel) in the air becomes unnecessary, and the structure of the entire wheel device can be simplified.

Further, according to the wheel device of the fourth invention or the eighth invention , the auxiliary wheel (or the first auxiliary wheel) is a wheel having a smaller diameter and lighter than the supporting wheel (or the second auxiliary wheel). When rolling (or the first auxiliary wheel) on the stepped wall surface, there is an effect that the inertia required for the rolling can be made smaller than that of the support wheel (or the second auxiliary wheel) to facilitate the rolling. As a result, there is an effect that the swinging and swinging of the swinging arm can be performed smoothly.

Further, according to any one of the fifth to eighth inventions , the auxiliary wheel (or the second auxiliary wheel) can be grounded to the traveling plane together with the front and rear wheels of the traveling body in the traveling posture. Therefore, there is no need for a separate mechanism for supporting the auxiliary wheel (or the second auxiliary wheel) in the air, and the structure of the wheel device can be simplified.

Further, according to the wheel device of the ninth aspect of the invention , the auxiliary wheel itself serves as a support mechanism, and the swing arm can be supported at the standby position, and the traveling plane is moved together with the front and rear wheels of the traveling body in the traveling posture. Therefore, there is no need to separately provide a complicated mechanism for supporting the auxiliary wheel in the air, and the structure of the entire wheel device can be further simplified.

It is the figure which showed the carry cart to which the wheel apparatus which is one Example of this invention was attached, (a) is a front view of a carry cart, (b) is a side view of a carry cart. (A) is a side view of a wheel device, and (b) shows the connection structure of a mounting base, a traveling body, and a swing arm with respect to (a). For convenience, each wheel is illustrated by a two-dot chain line. Is. It is a top view of a wheel apparatus. It is a front view of a wheel apparatus. It is the side view of the wheel apparatus which showed the rocking | fluctuation range of the rocking | fluctuating arm. It is the side view which illustrated the process in which a wheel apparatus goes up a level | step difference. It is a side view of the wheel apparatus in the state in the middle of getting over a level | step difference. It is a side view of the wheel apparatus in the state in the middle of descending a level | step difference. It is the figure which showed the use condition of the wheel apparatus of 2nd Example, (a) is a front view of a carry cart, (b) is a side view of a carry cart. (A) is a side view of the wheel device of the second embodiment, and (b) shows the connection structure of the mounting base, the traveling body, and the swing arm with respect to (a). This is illustrated by the dotted line. It is a top view of the wheel device of the second example. It is a front view of the wheel apparatus of a 2nd Example. It is the side view of the wheel apparatus 20 of the 2nd Example which showed the rocking | fluctuation range of the rocking | fluctuating arm. It is the side view which illustrated the process in which the wheel apparatus of 2nd Example climbs a level | step difference. It is a side view of the wheel apparatus of the 2nd example in the state in the middle of getting over a level | step difference. It is a side view of the wheel apparatus of the 2nd example in the state in the middle of descending a level | step difference. (A) is a side view of the wheel device of the third embodiment, and (b) shows the connection structure of the mounting base, the traveling body, and the swing arm with respect to (a). This is illustrated by the dotted line. It is a top view of the wheel apparatus of a 3rd example. It is a front view of the wheel apparatus of a 3rd Example. It is a side view of the wheel device of the third example showing the swing range of the swing arm. It is the side view which illustrated the process in which the wheel apparatus of 3rd Example climbs a level | step difference. (A) is a side view of the wheel device of the fourth embodiment, and (b) shows the connection structure of the mounting base, the traveling body, and the swing arm with respect to (a). This is illustrated by the dotted line. It is a top view of the wheel device of the 4th example. It is a front view of the wheel apparatus of a 4th example. It is a side view of the wheel device of the 4th example showing the swinging range of the swinging arm. It is the side view which illustrated the process in which the wheel apparatus of 4th Example climbs a level | step difference. It is the side view which illustrated the running posture of the wheel device of the 5th example. It is a side view of the wheel device of the fifth embodiment showing the swing range of the swing arm.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

First, about the invention which concerns on 1st invention , the wheel apparatus (1) of 1st embodiment is:
An attachment pedestal (2) attached to the attachment object (90) and supporting the attachment object (90);
An operating member (92) fixed to the mounting base (2) and extending upward from the mounting base (2) side, and the tip (93) being pulled or pushed by the user;
A vehicle body frame (5A) in which the mounting pedestal (2) is connected to the vehicle body frame (5A) via the connecting shaft (2A) so as to be relatively swingable in the front-rear direction and the vehicle body frame (5A) through the axles (3A, 4A). It has a front wheel (3) and a rear wheel (4) that are movably supported, and supports the load acting on the mounting base (2) and the front wheel (3 by external force acting through the operating member (92). ) And the rear body (4) rolls and travels (5),
The traveling body (5) is connected to the vehicle body frame (5A) via a swing shaft (6A) so as to be swingable, and extends from the swing shaft (6A) toward the front of the traveling body (5). A swinging arm (6) to be taken out;
An auxiliary wheel (7) pivotally supported on the tip of the extending portion of the swing arm (6) via an axle (7A);
In the traveling posture (the posture shown in FIGS. 2 and 6A, the same applies hereinafter) in which the front wheels (3) and the rear wheels (4) of the traveling body (5) are in contact with the traveling plane (RP), the auxiliary wheels (7 ) Is on the front side of the outer front end (ef3) of the front wheel (3), and the rotation center (P7) of the auxiliary wheel (7) is the swing center (P6) of the swing arm (6). A support mechanism (8) for supporting the swing arm (6) at a standby position (a position shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
The swing arm (6) supported at the standby position by the support mechanism (8) is between the standby position and the upper limit position (the position shown in FIG. 6B, the same applies hereinafter) located above the standby position. Stopper means (10A) that allows upward and downward swinging and inhibits the upward and downward swing exceeding the upper limit position by stopping the swing arm (6) at the upper limit position;
The auxiliary wheel (7) is brought into contact with the step wall surface (SW) when the traveling body (5) moves forward in the running posture, and rolls up the step wall surface (SW).
In the running posture, the swing arm (6) swings upward from the standby position toward the upper limit position when the auxiliary wheel (7) rolls up the stepped wall surface (SW).

About the invention which concerns on 1st invention , the wheel apparatus (20) of 2nd embodiment is
An attachment pedestal (2) attached to the attachment object (90) and supporting the attachment object (90);
An operating member (92) fixed to the mounting base (2) and extending upward from the mounting base (2) side, and the tip (93) being pulled or pushed by the user;
A vehicle body frame (25A) in which the mounting pedestal (2) is connected to the vehicle body frame (25A) via the connection shaft (2A) so as to be relatively swingable in the front-rear direction, and the vehicle body frame (25A) is rotated through the axles (23A, 4A) It has a front wheel (23) and a rear wheel (4) that are pivotally supported, and supports the load acting on the mounting base (2), and the front wheel (3 by external force acting through the operating member (92). ) And the traveling body (25) in which the rear wheel (4) rolls and travels,
The traveling body (25) is swingably coupled to the vehicle body frame (25A) via a swing shaft (26A), and extends from the swing shaft (26A) toward the front of the traveling body (25). A swing arm (26) to be taken out;
An auxiliary wheel (7) pivotally supported on the tip of the extending portion of the swing arm (26) via an axle (7A);
In the traveling posture (the posture shown in FIGS. 10 and 14A, the same applies hereinafter) in which the front wheels (23) and the rear wheels (4) of the traveling body (25) are in contact with the traveling plane (RP), the auxiliary wheels (7 ) Is on the front side of the front peripheral end (ef23) of the front wheel (23), and the rotation center (P7) of the auxiliary wheel (7) is the swing center (P26) of the swing arm (26). A support mechanism (8) that supports the swing arm (26) at a standby position (a position shown in FIG. 10 and FIG.
The swing arm (26) supported at the standby position by the support mechanism (8) is between the standby position and an upper limit position (a position shown in FIG. 14B, the same applies hereinafter) located above the standby position. Stopper means (10A) that allows upward and downward swinging and inhibits the upward and downward swinging beyond the upper limit position by stopping the swinging arm (26) at the upper limit position;
The auxiliary wheel (7) is brought into contact with the step wall surface (SW) when the traveling body (25) moves forward in the running posture, and rolls up the step wall surface (SW).
The swing arm (26) swings upward from the standby position toward the upper limit position when the auxiliary wheel (7) rolls up the stepped wall surface (SW) in the running posture.

About the invention which concerns on 1st invention , the wheel apparatus (30) of 3rd embodiment is
An attachment pedestal (2) attached to the attachment object (90) and supporting the attachment object (90);
An operating member (92) fixed to the mounting base (2) and extending upward from the mounting base (2) side, and the tip (93) being pulled or pushed by the user;
A vehicle body frame (35A) in which the mounting base (2) is connected to the vehicle body frame (35A) via the connection shaft (2A) so as to be swingable relatively in the front-rear direction, and the vehicle body frame (35A) is rotated through the axles (3A, 4A). It has a front wheel (3) and a rear wheel (4) that are movably supported, and supports the load acting on the mounting base (2) and the front wheel (3 by external force acting through the operating member (92). ) And the rear wheel (4) rolls and travels (35),
The traveling body (35) is swingably coupled to the vehicle body frame (35A) via a swing shaft (36A), and extends from the swing shaft (36A) toward the front of the traveling body (35). A swinging arm (36) to be taken out;
An auxiliary wheel (8) pivotally supported at the tip of the extending portion of the swing arm (36) via an axle (8A);
In the traveling posture (the posture shown in FIGS. 17 and 21A, the same applies hereinafter) in which the front wheels (3) and the rear wheels (4) of the traveling body (35) are in contact with the traveling plane (RP), the auxiliary wheels (8 ) Is on the front side of the front outer end (ef3) of the front wheel (3), and the rotation center (P8) of the auxiliary wheel (8) is the swing center (P36) of the swing arm (36). A support mechanism (8) for supporting the swing arm (36) at a standby position (a position shown in FIG. 17 and FIG.
The swing arm (36) supported at the standby position by the support mechanism (8) is between the standby position and an upper limit position above it (the position shown in FIG. 21 (b); the same applies hereinafter). Stopper means (10A) that allows upward and downward swinging and inhibits the upward and downward swinging exceeding the upper limit position by stopping the swinging arm (36) at the upper limit position;
The auxiliary wheel (8) is brought into contact with the stepped wall surface (SW) when the traveling body (35) moves forward in the traveling posture, and rolls up the stepped wall surface (SW).
The swing arm (36) swings upward from the standby position toward the upper limit position when the auxiliary wheel (8) rolls up the stepped wall surface (SW) in the running posture.

About the invention which concerns on 1st invention , the wheel apparatus (40) of 4th embodiment is:
An attachment pedestal (2) attached to the attachment object (90) and supporting the attachment object (90);
An operating member (92) fixed to the mounting base (2) and extending upward from the mounting base (2) side, and the tip (93) being pulled or pushed by the user;
A vehicle body frame (45A) to which the mounting pedestal (2) is connected via a connecting shaft (2A) so as to be relatively swingable in the front-rear direction, and the vehicle body frame (45A) is rotated through the axles (23A, 4A). It has a front wheel (23) and a rear wheel (4) that are pivotally supported, and supports the load acting on the mounting base (2) and also by means of an external force acting via the operating member (92). ) And the traveling body (45) on which the rear wheel (4) rolls and travels,
The traveling body (45) is swingably coupled to the vehicle body frame (45A) via a swing shaft (46A), and extends from the swing shaft (46A) toward the front of the traveling body (45). A swinging arm (46) to be taken out;
An auxiliary wheel (8) pivotally supported on the tip of the extending portion of the swing arm (46) via an axle (8A);
In the traveling posture (the posture shown in FIGS. 22 and 26A, the same applies hereinafter) in which the front wheels (23) and the rear wheels (4) of the traveling body (45) are in contact with the traveling plane (RP), the auxiliary wheels (8 ) Is on the front side of the outer front end (ef23) of the front wheel (23), and the rotation center (P8) of the auxiliary wheel (8) is the swing center (P46) of the swing arm (46). A support mechanism (8) for supporting the swing arm (46) at a standby position (a position shown in FIG. 22 and FIG.
The swing arm (46) supported at the standby position by the support mechanism (8) is between the standby position and the upper limit position (the position shown in FIG. 26 (b), the same applies hereinafter) located above the standby position. Stopper means (10A) that allows upward and downward swinging and inhibits the upward and downward swinging exceeding the upper limit position by stopping the swinging arm (46) at the upper limit position;
The auxiliary wheel (8) is brought into contact with the step wall surface (SW) when the traveling body (45) moves forward in the running posture, and rolls up the step wall surface (SW).
In the traveling posture, the swing arm (46) swings upward from the standby position toward the upper limit position when the auxiliary wheel (8) rolls up the stepped wall surface (SW).

About the invention which concerns on 1st invention , the wheel apparatus (50) of 5th embodiment is:
An attachment pedestal (2) attached to the attachment object (90) and supporting the attachment object (90);
An operating member (92) fixed to the mounting base (2) and extending upward from the mounting base (2) side, and the tip (93) being pulled or pushed by the user;
A vehicle body frame (25A) in which the mounting pedestal (2) is connected to the vehicle body frame (25A) via the connection shaft (2A) so as to be relatively swingable in the front-rear direction, and the vehicle body frame (25A) is rotated through the axles (23A, 4A) It has a front wheel (23) and a rear wheel (4) that are pivotally supported, and supports the load acting on the mounting base (2) and also by means of an external force acting via the operating member (92). ) And the traveling body (25) in which the rear wheel (4) rolls and travels,
The traveling body (25) is swingably coupled to the vehicle body frame (25A) via a swing shaft (26A), and extends from the swing shaft (26A) toward the front of the traveling body (25). A swing arm (26) to be taken out;
An auxiliary wheel (7) pivotally supported on the tip of the extending portion of the swing arm (26) via an axle (7A);
In the traveling posture (the posture shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 (thick line); the same applies hereinafter) in which the front wheels (23) and the rear wheels (4) of the traveling body (25) are in contact with the traveling plane (RP), the auxiliary wheels (7 ) Is on the front side of the front peripheral end (ef23) of the front wheel (23), and the rotation center (P7) of the auxiliary wheel (7) is the swing center (P26) of the swing arm (26). A support mechanism (51) for supporting the swing arm (26) at a standby position (a position shown in FIG. 27 and FIG. 28 (thick line); the same applies hereinafter) at the front upper side.
The swing arm (26) supported at the standby position by the support mechanism (51) is between the standby position and an upper limit position (position shown in FIG. 28 (thin line); the same applies hereinafter) located above the standby position. Stopper means (10A) that allows upward and downward swinging and inhibits the upward and downward swinging beyond the upper limit position by stopping the swinging arm (26) at the upper limit position;
The auxiliary wheel (7) is brought into contact with the step wall surface (SW) when the traveling body (25) moves forward in the running posture, and rolls up the step wall surface (SW).
The swing arm (26) swings upward from the standby position toward the upper limit position when the auxiliary wheel (7) rolls up the stepped wall surface (SW) in the running posture.

About the invention which concerns on 2nd invention , the wheel apparatus (1, 20, 50) of 1st, 2nd or 5th embodiment is as follows.
The support mechanism (8, 8, 51) supports the swinging arm (6, 26, 26) at the standby position in the traveling posture, thereby supporting the auxiliary wheels (7, 7, 7) to the traveling body (5, 5). The front wheels (3, 23, 23) and the rear wheels (4, 4, 4) of the 25, 25) are held at an aerial position separated from the traveling plane (RP) where they contact the ground.

Regarding the invention according to the third invention , the wheel device (1, 20) of the first or second embodiment is
The support mechanism (8, 8) is a wheel that is rotatably supported by the swing arm (6, 26) via the axle (6A, 26A). ) Can be grounded to the traveling plane (RP) where the front wheels (3, 23) and the rear wheels (4, 4) are grounded, and the swing arm (6, 26) is placed in the standby position by the grounding with the traveling plane (RP). Wheel device (1, 20) which is a support wheel (8, 8) supported by

About the invention which concerns on 4th invention , the wheel apparatus (1, 20) of 1st or 2nd embodiment is,
The auxiliary wheels (7, 7) are small-diameter and lightweight wheels compared to the support wheels (8, 8).

About the invention which concerns on 5th invention , the wheel apparatus (30, 40) of 3rd or 4th embodiment is,
The auxiliary wheels (8, 8) are formed so as to be able to come into contact with the traveling plane (RP) together with the front wheels (3, 23) and the rear wheels (4, 4) of the traveling body (35, 45) in the traveling posture. It is.

About the invention which concerns on 9th invention , the wheel apparatus (1, 20, 30, 40) of 1st thru | or 4th embodiment is
The support mechanism (8, 8, 8, 8) is a wheel that is rotatably supported on the swing arm (6, 26, 36, 46) via the axle (8A, 8A, 8A, 8A). In the running posture, the ground (5, 25, 35, 45) of the traveling body (5, 25, 35, 45) is grounded on the traveling plane (RP) where the front wheels (3, 23, 3, 23) and the rear wheels (4, 4, 4, 4) are grounded It can be used as an auxiliary wheel that supports the swing arm (6, 26, 36, 46) at the standby position by grounding with the travel plane (RP).

About the invention which concerns on 6th invention , the wheel apparatus (1) of 1st embodiment is
An attachment pedestal (2) attached to the attachment object (90) and supporting the attachment object (90);
An operating member (92) fixed to the mounting base (2) and extending upward from the mounting base (2) side, and the tip (93) being pulled or pushed by the user;
A vehicle body frame (5A) in which the mounting pedestal (2) is connected to the vehicle body frame (5A) via the connecting shaft (2A) so as to be relatively swingable in the front-rear direction and the vehicle body frame (5A) through the axles (3A, 4A). It has a front wheel (3) and a rear wheel (4) that are movably supported, and supports the load acting on the mounting base (2) and the front wheel (3 by external force acting through the operating member (92). ) And the rear body (4) rolls and travels (5),
The traveling body (5) is connected to the vehicle body frame (5A) via a swing shaft (6A) so as to be swingable, and extends from the swing shaft (6A) toward the front of the traveling body (5). A swinging arm (6) to be taken out;
A first auxiliary wheel (7) pivotally supported on the tip of the extending portion of the swing arm (6) via an axle (7A);
Wheels (8) pivotally supported via the axle (8A) between the axle (7A) of the first auxiliary wheel (7) and the oscillation axis (6A) of the oscillation arm (6). ), In a traveling posture (the posture shown in FIGS. 2 and 6A, the same applies hereinafter) in which the front wheels (3) and the rear wheels (4) of the traveling body (5) are in contact with the traveling plane (RP). (A) The outer peripheral front end (ef8) of the wheel (8) is in front of the outer peripheral front end (ef3) of the front wheel (3) and is rearward and lower than the outer peripheral front end (ef7) of the first auxiliary wheel (7). The wheel (8) is grounded to the travel plane (RP), and (b) the outer peripheral front end (ef7) of the first auxiliary wheel (7) is brought into contact with the travel plane (RP) by the ground contact with the travel plane (RP). The center of rotation (P7) of the first auxiliary wheel (7) is in front of the outer peripheral front end (ef3) and the center of swing of the swing arm (6). 6A), the swing arm (6) is supported at the standby position (the posture shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6A, the same applies hereinafter) at the front upper position, and (c) the swing arm in this way. A second auxiliary wheel (8) supporting the first auxiliary wheel (7) at an aerial position spaced from the travel plane (RP) by supporting (6);
The swing arm (6) supported at the standby position by the second auxiliary wheel (8) is located between the standby position and an upper limit position (position shown in FIG. 6 (b), which is the same hereinafter) located above the standby position. And stopper means (10A) that allows the rocking arm (6) to swing up and down and stop the rocking arm (6) at the upper limit position, thereby prohibiting the upward rocking beyond the upper limit position. ,
The first auxiliary wheel (7) is brought into contact with the step wall surface (SW) when the traveling body (5) moves forward in the running posture, and rolls up the step wall surface (SW).
The swing arm (6) is configured to swing upward from the standby position toward the upper limit position when the first auxiliary wheel (7) rolls up the stepped wall surface (SW) in the running posture.
The second auxiliary wheel (8), together with the first auxiliary wheel (7) or in place of the first auxiliary wheel (7), with the swing arm (6) swinging upward from the standby position. The center of rotation (P8) of the second auxiliary wheel (8) is the center of swing of the swing arm (6) in contact with the step wall (SW). (P6) is located on the front upper side.

About the invention which concerns on 6th invention , the wheel apparatus (20) of 1st embodiment is
An attachment pedestal (2) attached to the attachment object (90) and supporting the attachment object (90);
An operating member (92) fixed to the mounting base (2) and extending upward from the mounting base (2) side, and the tip (93) being pulled or pushed by the user;
A vehicle body frame (25A) in which the mounting pedestal (2) is connected to the vehicle body frame (25A) via the connection shaft (2A) so as to be relatively swingable in the front-rear direction, and the vehicle body frame (25A) is rotated through the axles (23A, 4A) It has a front wheel (23) and a rear wheel (4) that are pivotally supported, and supports the load acting on the mounting base (2) and also by means of an external force acting via the operating member (92). ) And the traveling body (25) in which the rear wheel (4) rolls and travels,
The traveling body (25) is swingably coupled to the vehicle body frame (25A) via a swing shaft (26A), and extends from the swing shaft (26A) toward the front of the traveling body (25). A swing arm (26) to be taken out;
A first auxiliary wheel (7) pivotally supported on the tip of the extending portion of the swing arm (26) via an axle (7A);
Wheels (8) pivotally supported via the axle (8A) between the axle (7A) of the first auxiliary wheel (7) and the oscillation axis (26A) of the oscillation arm (26). ) In a traveling posture (the posture shown in FIGS. 10 and 14A, the same applies hereinafter) in which the front wheels (23) and the rear wheels (4) of the traveling body (25) are in contact with the traveling plane (RP). (A) The outer peripheral front end (ef8) of the wheel (8) is in front of the outer peripheral front end (ef3) of the front wheel (3) and is rearward and lower than the outer peripheral front end (ef7) of the first auxiliary wheel (7). And the wheel (8) is grounded to the travel plane (RP), and (b) the outer peripheral front end (ef7) of the first auxiliary wheel (7) is brought to the front wheel ( 3) and the center of rotation (P7) of the first auxiliary wheel (7) on the front side of the outer peripheral front end (ef3) of the first auxiliary wheel (7). The swing arm (26) is supported at the standby position (the posture shown in FIGS. 10 and 14A, the same shall apply hereinafter) at the front upper side of the swing center (6A) of (6). c) a second auxiliary wheel (8) supporting the first auxiliary wheel (7) at an aerial position separated from the traveling plane (RP) by supporting the swing arm (26) in this way;
The swing arm (26) supported at the standby position by the second auxiliary wheel (8) is located between the standby position and an upper limit position (position shown in FIG. 14 (b), which is the same hereinafter) located above the standby position. And stopper means (10A) for allowing upward and downward swinging between the upper limit position and prohibiting upward swinging movement beyond the upper limit position by stopping the swing arm (26) at the upper limit position. ,
In the traveling posture, the first auxiliary wheel (7) is brought into contact with the step wall surface (SW) by the traveling body (25) moving forward, and rolls up the step wall surface (SW).
The swing arm (26) swings upward from the standby position toward the upper limit position when the first auxiliary wheel (7) rolls up the stepped wall surface (SW) in the running posture.
The second auxiliary wheel (8), together with the first auxiliary wheel (7) or in place of the first auxiliary wheel (7), with the swing arm (26) swinging upward from the standby position. The center of rotation (P8) of the second auxiliary wheel (8) is the center of swing of the swing arm (26) in contact with the step wall (SW) and in contact with the step wall (SW). (P6) is located on the front upper side.

About the invention which concerns on 7th invention , the wheel apparatus (1, 20) of 1st or 2nd embodiment is,
The swing arm (6, 26) is further swung upwardly toward the upper limit position when the second auxiliary wheel (8) rolls up and down on the step wall surface (SW) in the running posture.

Regarding the invention according to the eighth invention , the wheel device (1, 20) of the first or second embodiment is
The first auxiliary wheels (7, 7) are small-diameter and lightweight wheels compared to the second auxiliary wheels (8, 8).

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a view showing a carry cart 90 to which a wheel device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached. FIG. 1 (a) is a front view of the carry cart 90, and FIG. These are side views of the carry cart 90.

<Wheel device>
As shown in FIG. 1, the wheel apparatus 1 is used by being attached to both sides in the width direction (left and right sides in FIG. 1A) of a cart carrier 91 of a carry cart 90 that is an attachment target. Here, the attachment object is, for example, a carry case with wheels (carry back), a carry cart 90 for carrying baggage, or other transport equipment that can be moved via wheels. As an example of the attachment object to which 1 is attached, the following will be described using the carry cart 90 for carrying baggage.

<Carry cart>
The carry cart 90 includes a cart carrier 91 for placing a load (not shown) and an operation handle 92 that is operated by being pulled or pushed by a user. The mounting base 2 of the wheel device 1 is attached to the cart carrier 91 of the carry cart 90. The carry cart 90 is connected to and supported by the wheel device 1 by the mounting base 2.

  The operation handle 92 is connected and fixed to the mounting base 2 of the wheel device 1 via the cart carrier 91. The operation handle 92 extends upward from the mounting base 2 side, and a tip portion thereof is a grip portion 93 that is pulled or pushed by the user.

  Note that when the attachment object is the carry cart 90, the “operation member” of the present invention corresponds to the “operation handle 92 and the grip portion 93”. For example, when the attachment object is a carry case, the carry case The operating handle for pulling and the gripping portion, etc., which are equipped with, correspond to the “operating member” of the present invention.

  2 to 4 are projection views of the wheel device 1 of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 (a) is a side view of the wheel device 1, and FIG. 2 (b) is a diagram of FIG. 2 (a). In order to show the connection structure of the mounting base 2, the traveling body 5, and the swing arm 6, for convenience, wheels 3, 4, 7, 8, and 9 to be described later are shown by two-dot chain lines. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the wheel device 1, and FIG. 4 is a front view of the wheel device 1. In FIG. 2, “front” (front side) refers to the left side in the figure, and “rear” (rear side) refers to the right side in the figure.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the wheel apparatus 1 includes a traveling body 5 having a front wheel 3 and a rear wheel 4, a swing arm 6, a first auxiliary wheel 7, in addition to the mounting base 2 described above. A second auxiliary wheel 8, a third auxiliary wheel 9, and a stopper mechanism 10 are provided.

<Mounting base>
The mounting base 2 is connected to the front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 4 of the vehicle body frame 5A of the traveling body 5 via a connecting shaft 2A so as to be relatively swingable in the front-rear direction. The connecting shaft 2A of the mounting base 2 transmits a load acting on the mounting base 2 to the vehicle body frame 5A. Further, the axial center height of the connecting shaft 2A (referred to as the height from the travel plane RP to the axial center; the same applies hereinafter) h2 is equal to the axial center height h4 of the axle 4A of the rear wheel 4.

  The center of rotation P2 of the mounting base 2 is within the WB between the axles of the front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 4 (however, inside the vertical line passing through the rotation centers P3 and P4 of the front wheel 3 and rear wheel 4 and perpendicular to the traveling plane RP). It is preferably provided on the rear wheel 4 side (rear part) with respect to the intermediate point (midpoint) between the axles WB of the front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 4 of the body frame 5A. It has been.

  The center of rotation of the mounting base 2 is the center of the connecting shaft 2A of the mounting base 2, and the center of rotation of the wheels 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 is the center of the axle 3A, 4A, 7A, 8A, 9A. The center of swing of the moving arm 6 corresponds to the center of the swing shaft 6A.

  For this reason, the weight distribution of the load acting on the vehicle body frame 5A via the mounting base 2 is larger in the rear wheel 4 than in the front wheel 3, and thus reducing the weight distribution on the front wheel 3 side (front portion). The front portion of the traveling body 5 is easily lifted when climbing over the step.

<Running body>
The traveling body 5 directly supports the load of the carry cart 90 and the like acting on the mounting base 2, and the front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 4 roll by receiving an external force applied via the operation handle 92 (see FIG. 1). And run. In the following description, a posture state in which the front wheels 3 and the rear wheels 4 of the traveling body 5 are in contact with the traveling plane RP as shown in FIG.

  The front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 4 of the traveling body 5 are pivotally supported by the vehicle body frame 5A via axles 3A and 4A. The front wheel 3 has an outer diameter smaller than that of the rear wheel 4 and is lighter than that of the rear wheel 4. For this reason, the front side portion of the traveling body 5 is more easily lifted when climbing over the step.

  The traveling body 5 is provided with a gap 5B having a predetermined width in the front-rear direction between the outer peripheral rear end er3 of the front wheel 3 and the outer peripheral front end ef4 of the rear wheel 4.

  The gap 5B of the traveling body 5 is a recess that makes it easy for the step corner to fit between the front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 4 when the step is exceeded. The wheel device 1 riding on the upper travel plane RP is less likely to slip off the step corner (see FIG. 7).

  The vehicle body frame 5A of the traveling body 5 is bent in a mountain shape from the disposition portion of the axle 3A of the front wheel 3 to the disposition portion of the connecting shaft 2A of the mounting base 2, and is bent in a “<” shape. The upper part of the gap part 5B of the ring 4 is a notch part 5A1 recessed upward.

  The vehicle body frame 5A of the traveling body 5 extends rearward in parallel with the traveling plane RP from the portion where the connecting shaft 2A is disposed to the portion where the axle 4A of the rear wheel 4 is disposed. It is bent rearward and upward at the arrangement portion of the axle 4A, and forms the same angle as the inclination angle (for example, about 30 °) of the forearm portion 6C of the swing arm 6 described later with respect to the travel plane RP from this bent portion. Then, it is further extended linearly rearward and upward.

<Oscillating arm>
The swing arm 6 is swingably connected to a vehicle body frame 5A of a traveling body 5 formed separately from the swing arm 6 via a swing shaft 6A, and travels from a connecting portion by the swing shaft 6A. It extends further forward than the body 5.

  According to the swing arm 6, the first auxiliary wheel 7 comes into contact with the step wall surface SW and rolls upward while the traveling body 5 travels forward in the traveling posture, so that the standby position (see FIG. 6A). .) From the upper limit position (see FIG. 6B).

  Here, the standby position of the swing arm 6 refers to the outer peripheral front end ef7 of the first auxiliary wheel 7 in front of the outer peripheral front end ef3 of the front wheel 3 in the traveling posture of the traveling body 5 (posture shown in FIG. 2), and The rotation center P7 of the first auxiliary wheel 7 is a position that is forward and upper than the swing center P6 of the swing arm 6 (see FIG. 2A).

  The swing shaft 6A of the swing arm 6 is located at the front end of the vehicle body frame 5A of the traveling body 5 and is coaxially integrated with the axle 3A of the front wheel 3. As a result, the swing shaft 6A of the swing arm 6 The axle 3A of the front wheel 3 is in the same position.

  Here, since the front wheel 3 is a small-diameter wheel having an outer diameter smaller than that of the rear wheel 4, when the traveling body 5 is in the traveling posture, the rotation center of the front wheel 3 (referred to as the center of the axle; hereinafter the same) P3 and The swinging center P6 of the swinging arm 6 (referring to the center of the swinging shaft 6A, hereinafter the same) is lower than the rotation center P4 of the rear wheel 4.

  The shape of the swing arm 6 extends from the base end where the swing shaft 6 </ b> A is located toward the front upper side of the travel body 5 when the travel body 5 is in the travel posture and the swing arm 6 is in the standby position. A base arm portion 6B, and a tip arm portion 6C extending in a straight line with a predetermined angle (for example, about 30 °) from the tip of the base arm portion 6B toward the front upper side. In addition, a continuous portion of the tip arm portion 6C and the base arm portion 6B is a bent portion 6D that is folded into a “U” shape when viewed from the side and bent into a “U” shape.

<First auxiliary wheel>
The first auxiliary wheel 7 is a wheel that is pivotally supported on the tip end portion of the forearm portion 6C of the swing arm 6 via an axle 7A. The first auxiliary wheel 7 is a wheel that is smaller in diameter and lighter than the front wheel 3, the rear wheel 4, and the second auxiliary wheel 8.

<Second auxiliary wheel>
The second auxiliary wheel 8 includes a portion between the axle 7A of the first auxiliary wheel 7 and the swing shaft 6A of the swing arm 6, specifically, a base arm portion 6B and a front arm portion 6C of the swing arm 6. It is a wheel that is pivotally supported by a bent portion 6D corresponding to a continuous portion of the above through an axle 8A.

  The second auxiliary wheel 8 is the same type of wheel having the same outer diameter and weight as the rear wheel 4 of the traveling body 5, and is in contact with the traveling plane RP together with the front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 4 of the traveling body 5. The axial height h8 is equal to the axle 4A of the rear wheel 4 and the connecting shaft 2A of the mounting base 2 to the axial heights h4 and h2. For this reason, the rotation center P8 of the second auxiliary wheel 8 is the same height position as the rotation center P4 of the rear wheel 4 and the rotation center P2 of the mounting base 2. In contrast, the outer diameter of the second auxiliary wheel 8 and the axial center height h8 of the axle 8A are larger than the outer diameter and the axial center height h3 of the front wheel 3 of the traveling body 5.

  Here, the second auxiliary wheel 8 is as shown in the following (a) to (c) in the traveling posture of the traveling body 5 (the posture shown in FIG. 2).

  (A) The outer peripheral front end ef8 of the second auxiliary wheel 8 is on the front side of the outer peripheral front end ef3 of the front wheel 3, and is rearward and lower than the outer peripheral front end ef7 of the first auxiliary wheel 7, and the second auxiliary wheel 8 is Then, it is grounded to the traveling plane RP and rolled together with the front wheels 3 and the rear wheels 4 of the traveling body 5 (see FIG. 2A).

  (B) The second auxiliary wheel 8 supports the swing arm 6 at the standby position when the second auxiliary wheel 8 contacts the travel plane RP (see FIG. 2A). Therefore, in the traveling posture of the traveling body 5, the outer peripheral front end ef 7 of the first auxiliary wheel 7 is in front of the outer peripheral front end ef 3 of the front wheel 3, and the rotation center P 7 of the first auxiliary wheel 7 is the swing arm 6. It is located in front of and above the swing center P6 (see FIG. 2A).

  (C) The second auxiliary wheel 8 supports the swing arm 6 as in (a) and (b) above, thereby supporting the first auxiliary wheel 7 at an aerial position away from the travel plane RP ( (See FIG. 2 (a)).

  Thus, since the second auxiliary wheel 8 supports the swing arm 6 in the traveling posture of the traveling body 5 in the states shown in the above (a) to (c), the rotation center P7 of the first auxiliary wheel 7 and As shown in FIG. 2B, the inter-axis straight line L1 connecting the swing center P6 of the swing arm 6 has a predetermined inclination angle (inclination angle φ1 in FIG. 5) forward and upward with respect to the traveling plane RP. It will be inclined to form.

  Further, the second auxiliary wheel 8 is in a state in which the swing arm 6 is supported at the standby position in the traveling posture of the traveling body 5, and the outer peripheral front end ef8 is in front of the outer peripheral front end ef3 of the front wheel 3 (FIG. )), And the rotation center P8 is located in front of and above the swing center P6 of the swing arm 6 (see FIG. 2B).

  Therefore, the inter-axis straight line L2 connecting the swing center P6 of the swing arm 6 and the rotation center P8 of the second auxiliary wheel 8 is also forward and upward with respect to the travel plane RP as shown in FIG. It inclines so as to form a predetermined inclination angle (inclination angle φ2 in FIG. 5).

<Third auxiliary wheel>
The third auxiliary wheel 9 is pivotally supported on the tip end portion of the rear end inclined portion 5A2 of the vehicle body frame 5A via an axle 9A. The third auxiliary wheel 9 is the same type of wheel as the first auxiliary wheel 7, the axial center height h9 of the axle 9A is equal to the axial center height h7 of the axle 7A of the first auxiliary wheel 7, and the outer diameter thereof. Is also equal to the first auxiliary wheel 7.

<Stopper mechanism>
The stopper mechanism 10 has an upper limit stopper 10A that stops the swing arm 6 at the upper limit position in order to stop the swing arm 6 at the upper limit position (see FIG. 5). Arranged and fixed to 5A. The upper limit stopper 10 </ b> A makes a stop on the swing arm 6 to prohibit the upward swing exceeding the upper limit position.

  The stopper mechanism 10 has a lower limit stopper 10B that stops the swing arm 6 at the lower limit position in order to stop the swing arm 6 at the lower limit position (see FIG. 5). It is disposed and fixed on the body frame 5A. The lower limit stopper 10 </ b> B makes a stop on the swing arm 6 and prohibits the downward swing over the lower limit position.

  In other words, the stopper mechanism 10 allows the swing arm 6 to swing up and down between the standby position and a predetermined upper limit position above it, and the swing arm 6 is in standby. It is allowed to swing up and down between a position and a predetermined lower limit position below it.

<Oscillation range of the oscillating arm>
FIG. 5 is a side view of the wheel device 1 showing the swing range of the swing arm 6, and shows a state where the swing arm 6 is in the upper limit position and a state where the swing arm 6 is in the lower limit position, respectively. It is illustrated.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the swing range θ <b> 1 of the first auxiliary wheel 7 (interaxial straight line L <b> 1) is the axis of the swing arm 6 in the standby traveling posture due to the swing limit by the stopper mechanism 10 via the swing arm 6. From the standby position where the straight line L1 forms an inclination angle φ1 with respect to the travel plane RP, to the upper limit position (φ1 + α) swinging upward by the upper limit angle α, the lower limit position swinging downward from the standby position by the lower limit angle β The range is (φ1−β ≦ θ1 ≦ φ1 + α) up to (φ1−β).

  For example, when the inclination angle φ1 is about 20 °, the upper limit angle α is about 30 °, and the lower limit angle β is about 100 °, the swing range θ1 of the first auxiliary wheel 7 is the travel plane RP (inclination angle 0 °). An upper limit position (about 50 °) that swings further upward by about an upper limit angle of about 30 ° from a standby position with an inclination angle of about 20 °, and a lower limit position (about about 100 ° that swings downward from this standby position) −80 °) (approximately −80 ° ≦ θ1 ≦ 50 °).

  Further, the swing range θ2 of the second auxiliary wheel 8 (the straight line L2 between the axes) is such that the straight line L2 between the swing arms 6 in the standby traveling posture is limited by the swing limit of the stopper mechanism 10 via the swing arm 6. A lower limit position (φ2-β) that swings downward from the standby position by a lower limit angle β from a standby position that forms an inclination angle φ2 with respect to the travel plane RP to an upper limit position (φ2 + α) that swings upward by an upper limit angle α. ) Until the range (φ2−β ≦ θ2 ≦ φ2 + α).

  For example, when the inclination angle φ2 is about 10 ° and the rest is the same as the first auxiliary wheel 7, the upper limit angle α is about 30 ° and the lower limit angle β is about 100 °. The moving range θ2 includes an upper limit position (about 40 °) that is swung further by an upper limit angle of about 30 ° from a standby position having an inclination angle of 10 ° with respect to the travel plane RP (inclination angle 0 °), and a downward direction from the standby position. A range (approximately −90 ° ≦ θ2 ≦ 40 °) between the lower limit position (about −90 °) swung by the lower limit angle of about 100 ° is obtained.

<Climbing the step of the wheel device>
FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a process in which the wheel device 1 ascends the step ST. As will be described below, in the process of ascending the step ST, the wheel device 1 travels the traveling body 5 when the second auxiliary wheel 8 contacts the traveling plane RP and the swing arm 6 is in the standby position. (Hereinafter referred to as “standby travel posture”) (see FIG. 6A), the travel posture of the traveling body 5 (hereinafter referred to as “upward travel travel posture”) when the swing arm 6 is in the upwardly swinging state. (See FIG. 6B).

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the traveling body 5 takes a standby traveling posture, the wheel device 1 travels on the traveling plane RP toward the step wall surface SW, and the first auxiliary wheel 7 collides with the step wall surface SW. Thereafter, when the traveling body 5 further advances in the traveling plane RP in the traveling posture, the first auxiliary wheel 7 is pushed by the swing arm 6 toward the position shown in FIG. The rolling arm 6 is swung upward, and the swinging arm 6 is swung upwardly about the swinging shaft 6A.

  At this time, the swing arm 6 is configured to receive an external force in which the front end portion of the front arm portion 6C is relatively pushed backward (left side in FIG. 6) due to the collision of the first auxiliary wheel 7 with the stepped wall surface SW. This external force is a rotational force that rotates the swing arm 6 upward about the swing shaft 6A, and moves the swing arm 6 from the position (standby position) in FIG. 6 (a) to FIG. 6 (b). ) To the position (upper limit position). Then, by the upward swing of the swing arm 6, the traveling body 5 is in an up-traveling posture in which the second auxiliary wheel 8 is separated from the travel plane RP and floats to the aerial position.

  Thereafter, when the traveling body 5 further moves forward, the first auxiliary wheel 7 further rolls upward and the swing arm 6 further swings upward, the swing arm 6 is moved to the stopper mechanism as shown in FIG. Ten upper limit stoppers 10A stop at the upper limit position.

  As a result, the rotation center P7 of the first auxiliary wheel 7 is located in front of and above the swing center P6 of the swing arm 6, and the distance between the pivot center P6 of the swing arm 6 and the rotation center P7 of the first auxiliary wheel 7 is between. The straight line L1 is inclined forward and upward with a predetermined inclination angle (φ1 + α) (see FIG. 5) with respect to the travel plane RP.

  Further, the rotation center P8 of the second auxiliary wheel 8 is located in front of and above the swing center P6 of the swing arm 6, and an axis connecting the swing center P6 of the swing arm 6 and the rotation center P8 of the second auxiliary wheel 8. The intermediate straight line L2 forms a predetermined inclination angle (φ2 + α) (see FIG. 5) with respect to the traveling plane RP and is inclined forward and upward.

  In such a state, when an external force is applied to the wheel device 1 to be lifted forward and upward via the operation handle 92 (see FIG. 1), the pulling is naturally accompanied by the lifting as shown in FIG. ) From the position of FIG. 6 (c) to the position of FIG. 6 (c), the first auxiliary wheel 7 further rolls upward, and the front wheel 3 is lifted from the travel plane RP below the level difference. ), The second auxiliary wheel 8 comes into contact with the stepped wall surface SW together with the first auxiliary wheel 7.

  In the process in which the traveling body 5 further advances from the position of FIG. 6C to the position of FIG. 6D, the second auxiliary wheel 8 is brought into contact with the step wall surface SW instead of the first auxiliary wheel 7. Rolled up. Thus, the second auxiliary wheel 8 exhibits a function of rolling up the stepped wall surface SW instead of the first auxiliary wheel 7 when the first auxiliary wheel 7 is separated from the stepped wall surface SW. .

  Thereafter, when an external force that pulls up the operation handle 92 (see FIG. 1) continues to be further applied, the second auxiliary wheel 8 rides on the traveling plane RP above the step, and assumes the posture shown in FIG. Then, when the front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 4 ride in order from the step wall surface SW to the travel plane RP above the step, the step over the wheel device 1 is completed.

  FIG. 7 is a side view of the wheel device 1 that is in the middle of overcoming the step ST. As shown in FIG. 7, when the wheel device 1 gets over the step ST, the stepped corner portion SA enters the gap portion 5B of the traveling body 5 so that the two fit together. The front wheel 3 riding on the RP can hardly fall from the traveling plane RP on the upper side of the step.

  Moreover, while the wheel device 1 gets over the step ST, the front wheel 3 comes into contact with the travel plane RP above the step so that the step corner SA is fitted into the gap 5B of the traveling body 5, and the rear wheel 4 is the step wall SW. In the case of contact, the traveling body 5 is prevented from contact interference between the vehicle body frame 5A and the step corner SA because the portion of the vehicle body frame 5A located above the gap 5B is the cutout portion 5A1. The

<Operation to descend the step of the wheel device>
FIG. 8 is a side view of the wheel device 1 in a state in which the step ST is being lowered. As shown in FIG. 8, when the wheel device 1 descends the step ST with the third auxiliary wheel 9 as the head, the third auxiliary wheel 9 is first grounded on the traveling plane RP below the step, Assists the stepping of the wheel device 1.

<Other examples>
A modification of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Hereinafter, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted.

<Second Example>
First, the wheel device 20 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 9 is a view showing a use state of the wheel device 20 of the second embodiment, FIG. 9A is a front view of the carry cart 90, and FIG. 9B is a side view of the carry cart 90. FIG. 10 to 12 are projection views of the wheel device 20 of the second embodiment, FIG. 10 (a) is a side view of the wheel device 20, and FIG. 10 (b) is a perspective view of FIG. 2), for the sake of convenience, wheels 23, 4, 7, 8, and 9 to be described later are illustrated by two-dot chain lines in order to show the connection structure of the mounting base 2, the traveling body 25, and the swing arm 26. Further, FIG. 11 is a plan view of the wheel device 20, and FIG. 12 is a front view of the wheel device 20. In FIG. 10, “front” (front side) refers to the left side in the figure, and “rear” (rear side) refers to the right side in the figure.

<Wheel device>
The wheel device 20 of the second embodiment is different from the wheel device 1 of the first embodiment described above in that the shape of the traveling frame and the swing arm is changed as the diameter of the front wheel increases.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the wheel device 20 of the second embodiment is also used by being attached to a carry cart 90, as in the first embodiment.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 10, a posture state in which the front wheels 23 and the rear wheels 4 of the traveling body 25 are in contact with the traveling plane RP is referred to as a “traveling posture”.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the wheel device 20 mainly includes a mounting base 2, a traveling body 25 having a front wheel 23 and a rear wheel 4, a swing arm 26, a front auxiliary wheel 7, and a support wheel. 8, a rear auxiliary wheel 9, and a stopper mechanism 10.

<Mounting base>
The mounting base 2 is connected to the front wheel 23 and the rear wheel 4 of the vehicle body frame 25A of the traveling body 25 via a connecting shaft 2A so as to be relatively swingable in the front-rear direction. The connecting shaft 2A transmits a load acting on the mounting base 2 to the vehicle body frame 25A. The connecting shaft 2A has the axial center height h2 equal to the axial center height h4 of the rear wheel 4 in the traveling posture of the traveling body 25 (the posture shown in FIG. 10) (see FIG. 10B). ).

  The center of rotation P2 of the mounting base 2 is within the WB between the axles of the front wheel 23 and the rear wheel 4 (however, inside the vertical line passing through the centers of rotation P23, P4 of the front wheel 23 and the rear wheel 4 and perpendicular to the traveling plane RP). It is preferably provided on the rear wheel 4 side (rear side portion) with respect to the intermediate point (midpoint) between the front wheels 23 of the vehicle body frame 5A and the axle WB of the rear wheels 4. It is done.

  The center of rotation of the mounting base 2 is the center of the connecting shaft 2A of the mounting base 2, and the center of rotation of the wheels 23, 4, 7, 8, 9 is the center of the axle 23A, 4A, 7A, 8A, 9A. The center of swing of the moving arm 26 corresponds to the center of the swing shaft 26A.

  For this reason, the weight distribution of the load acting on the vehicle body frame 25A via the mounting base 2 is larger in the rear wheel 4 than in the front wheel 23, and thus reducing the weight distribution on the front wheel 23 side (front portion). The front portion of the traveling body 25 is likely to float when climbing over the step.

<Running body>
The traveling body 25 directly supports the load acting on the mounting base 2 and travels by the front wheel 23 and the rear wheel 4 rolling by receiving an external force applied via the operation handle 92 (see FIG. 1). It is. The front wheel 23 and the rear wheel 4 are pivotally supported by the vehicle body frame 25A via axles 23A and 4A.

  The front wheel 23 and the rear wheel 4 are the same type of wheels having the same outer diameter and weight. The vehicle body frame 25A differs from that of the first embodiment in that the arrangement of the axle 23A of the front wheel 23 and the connecting shaft 2A of the mounting base 2 are arranged from the arrangement of the oscillation shaft 26A of the oscillation arm 26. It extends linearly to the arrangement portion of the axle 4A of the rear wheel 4 through the installation portion.

  The vehicle body frame 25A passes from the portion where the swing shaft 26A of the swing arm 26 is disposed to the portion where the axle 23A of the front wheel 23 is disposed and the portion where the connection shaft 2A of the mounting base 2 is connected to the axle 4A of the rear wheel 4. A base 25A1 extending rearward in parallel to the travel plane RP is provided up to the disposition portion.

  Further, the vehicle body frame 25A is bent rearward and upward from the arrangement portion of the axle 4A of the rear wheel 4 in the base portion 25A1, and the forearm portion described later of the swing arm 26 with respect to the travel plane RP from the bent portion. It has a tip portion 25A2 that further extends linearly rearward and upward with the same inclination angle as that of 26C (for example, about 30 °).

  In the running posture, the connection form of the body frame 25A and the swing arm 26 is line symmetric with respect to the vertical line L0 passing through the center of the axle 23A of the front wheel 23.

  Further, the traveling body 25 does not correspond to the “gap part 5B” of the first embodiment between the outer peripheral rear end er23 of the front wheel 23 and the outer peripheral front end ef4 of the rear wheel 4, and instead of this gap part 5B. The front wheel 23 and the rear wheel 4 are relatively large with a contour of a rear lower quarter arc on the outer periphery of the front wheel 23 and a front lower quarter arc on the outer periphery of the rear wheel 4. The inter-wheel recess 25B is provided.

  The inter-wheel recess 25B is a recess that makes it easy to fit the step corner when the step is over, and the wheel that rides on the traveling plane RP above the step by hooking the step corner into the recess. It becomes difficult for the device 20 to slide down from the step corner (see FIG. 15).

<Oscillating arm>
The swing arm 26 is swingably connected to a vehicle body frame 25A of a traveling body 25 formed separately from the swing arm 26 via a swing shaft 26A, and the traveling body is connected from a connecting portion by the swing shaft 26A. It extends linearly further forward than 25.

  According to the swing arm 26, the front auxiliary wheel 7 abuts on the step wall surface SW and rolls upward while the traveling body 25 travels forward in the traveling posture, so that the standby position (see FIG. 14A). ) To the upper limit position (see FIG. 14B).

  Here, the standby position of the swing arm 26 refers to the outer peripheral front end ef7 of the front auxiliary wheel 7 in front of the outer peripheral front end ef23 of the front wheel 23 in the traveling posture of the traveling body 25 (posture shown in FIG. 10), and This means a position where the rotation center P7 of the front auxiliary wheel 7 is forward and upper than the swing center P26 of the swing arm 26 (see FIG. 10A).

  The swinging shaft 26A of the swinging arm 26 is located at the front end portion of the vehicle body frame 25A of the traveling body 25, and is positioned further forward than the axle 23A of the front wheel 23. The center height h26 is equal to the shaft center heights h23, h4, h2 of the front wheels 23 and the axles 23A, 4A of the rear wheels 4 and the connecting shaft 2A.

  Therefore, in the running posture, the rotation center P2 of the mounting base 2, the rotation centers P23 and P4 of the front wheel 23 and the rear wheel 4, and the swing center P26 of the swing arm 26 are all at the same height position. .

  The shape of the oscillating arm 26 is such that when the traveling body 25 is in the traveling posture and the oscillating arm 26 is in the standby position, the oscillating arm 26 extends horizontally from the base end where the oscillating shaft 26A is located to the front of the traveling body 25. A base arm portion 26B, and a front arm portion 26C extending in a straight line with a predetermined angle (for example, about 30 °) from the front end of the base arm portion 26B toward the front upper side. The connecting portion between the tip arm portion 26C and the base arm portion 26B is a bent portion 26D that is bent in a valley shape in a side view.

<Front auxiliary wheel>
The front auxiliary wheel 7 is a wheel that is pivotally supported at the tip of the forearm portion 26C of the swing arm 26 via an axle 7A. The front auxiliary wheel 7 is a wheel having a smaller diameter and lighter weight than the front wheel 23, the rear wheel 4, and the support wheel 8.

<Support wheel>
The support wheel 8 is a portion between the axle 7A of the front auxiliary wheel 7 and the swing shaft 26A of the swing arm 26, specifically, a base arm portion 26B and a leading arm portion 26C of the swing arm 26 connected to each other. It is a wheel that is pivotally supported by a bent portion 26D corresponding to a portion via an axle 8A.

  The support wheel 8 is a wheel of the same type that has the same outer diameter and weight as the front wheel 23 and the rear wheel 4 of the traveling body 25, and is in contact with the traveling plane RP together with the front wheel 23 and the rear wheel 4 of the traveling body 25, The axial height h8 is equal to the axial heights h23, h4, h2 of the axles 23A, 4A of the front wheel 23 and the rear wheel 4 and the connecting shaft 2A of the mounting base 2. Therefore, the rotation center P8 of the support wheel 8 is such that the rotation center P23, P4 of the front wheel 23, the rear wheel 4, the rotation center P2 of the mounting base 2, and the swing center P26 of the swing arm 26 are all at the same height position. It has become.

  Here, the support wheel 8 is as shown in the following (a) to (c) in the traveling posture of the traveling body 25 (the posture shown in FIG. 10).

  (A) The outer peripheral front end ef8 of the support wheel 8 is on the front side of the outer peripheral front end ef23 of the front wheel 23, and is rearward and lower than the outer peripheral front end ef7 of the front auxiliary wheel 7, and the support wheel 8 is on the travel plane RP. It is grounded and rolled together with the front wheel 23 and the rear wheel 4 of the traveling body 25 (see FIG. 10A).

  (B) The support wheel 8 supports the swing arm 26 at the standby position when the support wheel 8 contacts the traveling plane RP (see FIG. 10A). Therefore, in the traveling posture of the traveling body 25, the outer peripheral front end ef7 of the front auxiliary wheel 7 is in front of the outer peripheral front end ef23 of the front wheel 23, and the rotation center P7 of the front auxiliary wheel 7 is the swing of the swing arm 26. It is on the front upper side than the center P26 (see FIG. 10A).

  (C) The support wheel 8 supports the front auxiliary wheel 7 at an aerial position away from the travel plane RP by supporting the swing arm 26 as in the above (a) and (b) (FIG. 10 ( See a).).

  Thus, since the support wheel 8 supports the swing arm 26 in the state shown in (a) to (c) in the travel posture of the traveling body 5, the support wheel 8 swings with the rotation center P7 of the first auxiliary wheel 7. As shown in FIG. 10B, the inter-axis straight line L1 connecting the swing center P26 of the arm 26 forms a predetermined inclination angle (inclination angle φ1 in FIG. 13) forward and upward with respect to the traveling plane RP. So that it can tilt.

<Rear assist wheel>
The rear auxiliary wheel 9 is pivotally supported at the front end portion of the front portion 25A2 of the vehicle body frame 25A via an axle 9A. The rear auxiliary wheel 9 is the same type of wheel as the front auxiliary wheel 7, the axial center height h9 of the axle 9A is equal to the axial center height h7 of the axle 7A of the front auxiliary wheel 7, and its outer diameter is also the front auxiliary. It is equal to that of wheel 7.

<Stopper mechanism>
The stopper mechanism 10 has an upper limit stopper 10A that stops the swing arm 26 at the upper limit position in order to stop the swing arm 26 at the upper limit position (see FIG. 13). It is arranged and fixed at 25A. The upper limit stopper 10A stops against the swing arm 26, thereby prohibiting upward swing over the upper limit position.

  The stopper mechanism 10 has a lower limit stopper 10B that stops the swing arm 26 at the lower limit position in order to stop the swing arm 26 at the lower limit position (see FIG. 13). It is disposed and fixed on the body frame 25A. The lower limit stopper 10 </ b> B stops the swinging arm 26 so as to prevent the lowering swinging beyond the lower limit position.

  In other words, the stopper mechanism 10 allows the swing arm 26 to swing up and down between the standby position and a predetermined upper limit position above the standby position, and the swing arm 26 is on standby. It is allowed to swing up and down between a position and a predetermined lower limit position below it.

<Oscillation range of the oscillating arm>
FIG. 13 is a side view of the wheel device 20 showing the swing range of the swing arm 26. The swing arm 26 is in the upper limit position and the swing arm 26 is in the lower limit position. It is illustrated.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the swing range θ1 of the front auxiliary wheel 7 (the inter-axis straight line L1) is set between the axes of the swing arm 26 in the standby traveling posture by the swing limit by the stopper mechanism 10 via the swing arm 26. From a standby position where the straight line L1 forms an inclination angle φ1 with respect to the travel plane RP, a lower limit position (φ1 + α) that swings upward by an upper limit angle α and a lower limit position that swings downward from the standby position by a lower limit angle β ( (φ1−β)) (φ1−β ≦ θ1 ≦ φ1 + α).

  For example, when the inclination angle φ1 is about 15 °, the upper limit angle α is about 30 °, and the lower limit angle β is about 90 °, the swing range θ1 of the front auxiliary wheel 7 is relative to the travel plane RP (inclination angle 0 °). An upper limit position (about 45 °) swinging further upward by an upper limit angle of about 30 ° from a standby position having an inclination angle of about 15 °, and a lower limit position (about −90 °) swinging downward from the standby position by a lower limit angle of about 90 ° 75 °) (approximately −75 ° ≦ θ1 ≦ 45 °).

  Further, the swing range θ2 of the support wheel 8 (straight axis L2) is set so that the axis straight line L2 of the swing arm 26 in the standby travel posture is the travel plane due to the swing limit of the stopper mechanism 10 via the swing arm 26. From a standby position with an inclination angle of 0 ° to the RP, to an upper limit position (α) that swings upward by an upper limit angle α, to a lower limit position (β) that swings downward from the standby position by a lower limit angle β. The range is (−β ≦ θ2 ≦ α).

  For example, when the upper limit angle α is about 30 ° and the lower limit angle β is about 100 °, the swing range θ2 of the support wheel 8 is upward from the standby position where the inclination angle is 0 ° with respect to the travel plane RP (inclination angle 0 °). A range (approximately −90 °) between an upper limit position (about 30 °) swung by an upper limit angle of about 30 ° and a lower limit position (about −90 °) swung downward from the standby position by a lower limit angle of about 90 °. 90 ° ≦ θ2 ≦ 30 °).

<Climbing the step of the wheel device>
FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating a process in which the wheel device 20 ascends the step ST. As will be described below, when the wheel device 20 ascends the step ST, the traveling posture of the traveling body 25 when the support wheel 8 contacts the traveling plane RP and the swing arm 26 is in the standby position (hereinafter, “ (Referred to as “standby traveling posture”) (see FIG. 14A), the traveling posture of the traveling body 25 (hereinafter referred to as “upwardly moving traveling posture”) when the swinging arm 26 is in the state of rising and swinging. (See FIG. 14B.)

  As shown in FIG. 14 (a), the traveling body 25 takes a standby traveling posture, the wheel device 20 travels on the traveling plane RP toward the stepped wall surface SW, and the front auxiliary wheel 7 collides with the stepped wall surface SW. Thereafter, when the traveling body 25 moves forward on the traveling plane RP in the traveling posture, the front auxiliary wheel 7 is pushed by the swing arm 26 toward the position shown in FIG. In accordance with this rolling, the swing arm 26 is swung upward about the swing shaft 26A.

  At this time, the swing arm 26 is configured to receive an external force in which the front end portion of the front arm portion 26C is relatively pushed backward (left side in FIG. 14) due to the collision of the front auxiliary wheel 7 with the stepped wall surface SW. This external force becomes a rotational force that rotates the swing arm 26 upward about the swing shaft 26A, and moves the swing arm 26 from the position (standby position) in FIG. 14 (a) to FIG. 14 (b). ) To the position (upper limit position). Then, as the swing arm 26 moves up and down, the traveling body 25 is in an up-traveling posture where the support wheel 8 is separated from the travel plane RP and floats to the aerial position.

  Thereafter, when the traveling body 25 further moves forward, the front auxiliary wheel 7 further rolls up and the swing arm 26 moves up and swings further, the swing arm 26 is moved to the stopper mechanism 10 as shown in FIG. The upper limit stopper 10A stops at the upper limit position.

  As a result, the rotation center P7 of the front auxiliary wheel 7 is located in front of and above the rocking center P26 of the rocking arm 26, and a straight line L1 between the axes connecting the rocking center P26 of the rocking arm 26 and the rotation center P7 of the front auxiliary wheel 7. Is inclined forward and upward with a predetermined inclination angle (φ1 + α) (see FIG. 13) with respect to the traveling plane RP.

  Further, since the rotation center P8 of the support wheel 8 is also located forward and upward relative to the swing center P26 of the swing arm 26, an axis between the swing center P26 of the swing arm 26 and the rotation center P8 of the support wheel 8 is connected. The straight line L2 looks forward and upward with a predetermined inclination angle (α) (see FIG. 13) with respect to the travel plane RP.

  In such a state, when an external force is applied to the wheel device 20 through the operation handle 92 (refer to FIG. 9) to the front and upward, naturally, the pulling is performed as shown in FIG. 14) to the position of FIG. 14 (c), the front auxiliary wheel 7 further moves up and rolls, and the front wheel 23 is lifted from the travel plane RP below the step, and FIG. 14 (c). As shown, the support wheel 8 is brought into contact with the stepped wall surface SW together with the front auxiliary wheel 7.

  Then, in the process in which the traveling body 25 further advances from the position of FIG. 14C to the position of FIG. 14D, the support wheel 8 is brought into contact with the step wall surface SW in place of the front auxiliary wheel 7 and rises. Be made. In this way, the support wheel 8 exhibits a function of rolling up the stepped wall surface SW in place of the front auxiliary wheel 7 when the front auxiliary wheel 7 is separated from the stepped wall surface SW.

  Thereafter, when an external force that pulls up the operation handle 92 (see FIG. 9) continues to be further applied, the support wheel 8 rides on the traveling plane RP on the upper side of the step and assumes the posture shown in FIG. When the front wheel 23 and the rear wheel 4 ride in order from the step wall surface SW to the travel plane RP on the upper side of the step, the step over the wheel device 20 is completed.

  FIG. 15 is a side view of the wheel device 20 in a state in the middle of overcoming the step ST. As shown in FIG. 15, in the middle of the wheel device 20 over the step ST, the stepped corner portion SA enters the recess 25 </ b> B between the wheels of the traveling body 25, so that the two fit together. It is possible to make it difficult for the front wheel 23 riding on the travel plane RP to fall from the travel plane RP above the level difference.

  Moreover, the stepped corner portion SA fitted in the inter-wheel recess 25B is blocked by the front wheel 23 and the rear wheel 4 while the wheel device 20 gets over the step ST, and may contact and interfere with the vehicle body frame 25A of the traveling body 25. Is prevented.

<Operation to descend the step of the wheel device>
FIG. 16 is a side view of the wheel device 20 in a state in which the step ST is being lowered. As shown in FIG. 16, when the wheel device 20 descends the step ST with the rear auxiliary wheel 9 side as the head, the rear auxiliary wheel 9 is first grounded on the traveling plane RP below the step, and the wheel device Assist 20 steps running.

<Third embodiment>
Next, the wheel device 30 of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  17 to 19 are projection views of the wheel device 30 of the third embodiment, FIG. 17 (a) is a side view of the wheel device 30, and FIG. 17 (b) is for FIG. 17 (a). In order to show the connecting structure of the mounting base 2, the traveling body 35, and the swing arm 36, wheels 3, 4, and 8 to be described later are shown by two-dot chain lines for convenience. FIG. 18 is a plan view of the wheel device 30, and FIG. 19 is a front view of the wheel device 30. In FIG. 17, “front” (front side) refers to the left side in the figure, and “rear” (rear side) refers to the right side in the figure.

<Wheel device>
The wheel device 30 of the third embodiment excludes the first auxiliary wheel and the third auxiliary wheel, and makes the second auxiliary wheel a single auxiliary wheel, with respect to the wheel device 1 of the first embodiment described above. Accordingly, the shapes of the traveling frame and the swing arm are changed.

  In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the wheel apparatus 30 of 3rd Example is the width direction both sides of the cart carrier 91 of the carry cart 90 which is an attachment target object similarly to the wheel apparatus 1 of 1st Example (Fig.1 (a ) It is used by being attached to both the left and right sides).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 17, a posture state in which the front wheels 3 and the rear wheels 4 of the traveling body 35 are in contact with the traveling plane RP is referred to as a “traveling posture”. In this traveling posture, the body frame 35A and the swing arm 36 are used. The connection form is symmetrical with respect to a vertical line L0 passing through the center of the axle 3A of the front wheel 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, the wheel device 30 mainly includes a mounting base 2, a traveling body 35 having a front wheel 3 and a rear wheel 4, a swing arm 36, an auxiliary wheel 8, and a stopper mechanism 10. And.

<Mounting base>
The mounting base 2 is connected to the front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 4 of the vehicle body frame 35A of the traveling body 35 via a connecting shaft 2A so as to be relatively swingable in the front-rear direction. The connecting shaft 2A transmits a load acting on the mounting base 2 to the body frame 35A. Further, the connecting shaft 2A has an axial height h2 equal to the axial height h3 of the axle 3A of the front wheel 3 in the traveling posture of the traveling body 35 (the posture shown in FIG. 17) (FIG. 17B). )reference.).

  The center of rotation P2 of the mounting base 2 is within the WB between the axles of the front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 4 (however, inside the vertical line passing through the rotation centers P3 and P4 of the front wheel 3 and rear wheel 4 and perpendicular to the traveling plane RP). In this embodiment, it is slightly closer to the front wheel 3 side (front side portion) than the intermediate point (middle point) between the axles WB of the front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 4 of the body frame 35A. Is provided.

  For this reason, a part of the entire load acting on the vehicle body frame 35A via the mounting base 2 can be distributed and acted on the rear wheel 4, and the portion acts on the front wheel 3 side (front portion) accordingly. Since the load can be reduced, the front side portion of the traveling body 35 is easily lifted when climbing over the step.

<Running body>
The traveling body 35 directly supports a load acting on the mounting base 2 and travels by the front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 4 rolling by receiving an external force applied via the operation handle 92 (see FIG. 1). It is.

  The front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 4 of the traveling body 35 are pivotally supported on the body frame 35A via axles 3A and 4A. The front wheel 3 has an outer diameter smaller than that of the rear wheel 4 and is lighter than that of the rear wheel 4. For this reason, the front side portion of the traveling body 35 is more easily lifted when climbing over the step.

  The vehicle body frame 35A of the traveling body 35 is provided with a swing shaft 26A of the swing arm 36 at the foremost end thereof, and the axle 3A of the front wheel 3 is arranged from the mounting portion of the swing shaft 36A of the swing arm 36. The base 35A1 is provided so as to extend linearly rearward in parallel to the traveling plane RP, through the disposing portion to the disposing portion of the connecting shaft 2A of the mounting base 2.

  The vehicle body frame 35A is bent in a “<” shape when viewed from the side at the portion where the connecting shaft 2A is disposed in the base portion 35A1, and the rear portion of the bent portion is inclined with respect to the travel plane RP as the swing arm 36. It is a tip portion 35A2 that forms an angle (for example, about 20 °) and further extends linearly rearward and upward.

  The rear wheel 4 is pivotally supported by a tip end portion of a front portion 35A2 of the body frame 35A via an axle 4A. The rear wheel 4 is a wheel of the same kind as the auxiliary wheel 8, the axial center height h 4 of the axle 4 A is equal to the axial center height h 8 of the axle 8 A of the auxiliary wheel 8, and the outer diameter thereof is that of the auxiliary wheel 8. It is equal to.

<Oscillating arm>
The swing arm 36 is swingably connected to the front end portion of the base portion 35A1 of the vehicle body frame 35A of the traveling body 35 formed separately from the swing arm 36 via a swing shaft 36A. Is extended in a straight line from the connecting portion to the front upper side of the traveling body 35.

  According to the swing arm 36, the auxiliary body 8 comes into contact with the step wall surface and rolls upward while the traveling body 35 travels forward in the traveling posture, so that the swinging arm 36 moves from the standby position (see FIG. 20A). Ascending and swinging toward the upper limit position (see FIG. 20B) can be performed.

  Here, the standby position of the swing arm 36 means that in the traveling posture of the traveling body 35 (the posture shown in FIG. 17), the outer peripheral front end ef8 of the auxiliary wheel 8 is in front of the outer peripheral front end ef3 of the front wheel 3, and This refers to a position where the rotation center P8 of the auxiliary wheel 8 is forward and upper than the swing center P36 of the swing arm 36 (see FIG. 17A).

  The swinging shaft 36A of the swinging arm 36 is located at the foremost end of the vehicle body frame 35A of the traveling body 35 and is located further forward than the axle 3A of the front wheel 3, and the traveling body 35 is in the traveling posture. In this case, the axial center height h36 is equal to the axial center heights h3 and h2 of the axle 3A and the connecting shaft 2A of the front wheel 3, and the axial center heights of the axles 4A and 8A of the rear wheel 4 and the auxiliary wheel 8 are. It becomes lower than h4 and h8.

  For this reason, in the running posture, the rotation center P2 of the mounting base 2, the rotation center P3 of the front wheel 3, and the swing center P36 of the swing arm 36 are all at the same height position.

  The swing arm 36 is located at the standby position in a state where the traveling body 35 is in the travel posture and the auxiliary wheel 8 is in contact with the travel plane RP. From the arrangement part of 36A, it extends in the shape of a straight line with a predetermined angle (for example, about 20 °) toward the front upper side of the traveling body 35 and inclined.

<Auxiliary wheel>
The auxiliary wheel 8 is a wheel that is pivotally supported at the tip of the swing arm 36 via an axle 8A. The outer diameter of the auxiliary wheel 8 and the axial height h8 of the axle 8A are equal to the outer diameter and axial height h4 of the rear wheel 4 of the traveling body 35, and the outer diameter and axial center of the front wheel 3 of the traveling body 35. It is larger than the height h3.

  Here, the auxiliary wheels 8 are as shown in the following (a) and (b) in the traveling posture of the traveling body 35 (the posture shown in FIG. 17).

  (A) The outer peripheral front end ef8 of the auxiliary wheel 8 is in front of the outer peripheral front end ef3 of the front wheel 3, and the auxiliary wheel 8 is grounded to the traveling plane RP and rolls together with the front wheel 3 and the rear wheel 4 of the traveling body 35. (See FIG. 17A).

  (B) The auxiliary wheel 8 supports the swing arm 36 at the standby position when the auxiliary wheel 8 contacts the traveling plane RP (see FIG. 17A). Therefore, in the traveling posture of the traveling body 35, the outer peripheral front end ef8 of the auxiliary wheel 8 is in front of the outer peripheral front end ef3 of the front wheel 3, and the rotation center P8 of the auxiliary wheel 8 is the swing center P36 of the swing arm 36. (See FIG. 17A).

  Thus, since the auxiliary wheel 8 supports the swing arm 36 in the state shown in (a) and (b) in the traveling posture of the traveling body 5, the rotation center P8 of the auxiliary wheel 8 and the swing arm 36 are supported. As shown in FIG. 17 (b), the inter-axis straight line L1 connecting the swing center P36 of FIG. 17 forms a predetermined inclination angle (inclination angle φ1 in FIG. 20) forward and upward with respect to the travel plane RP. Inclined.

<Stopper mechanism>
The stopper mechanism 10 has an upper limit stopper 10A that stops the swing arm 36 at the upper limit position in order to stop the swing arm 36 at the upper limit position (see FIG. 20). It is disposed and fixed at 35A. The upper limit stopper 10 </ b> A makes a stop on the swing arm 36, thereby prohibiting upward swing over the upper limit position.

  The stopper mechanism 10 has a lower limit stopper 10B that stops the swing arm 36 at the lower limit position in order to stop the swing arm 36 at the lower limit position (see FIG. 20). It is disposed and fixed on the body frame 35A. The lower limit stopper 10 </ b> B makes a stop on the swing arm 36, thereby prohibiting downward swing over the lower limit position.

  In other words, the stopper mechanism 10 allows the swing arm 36 to swing up and down between the standby position and a predetermined upper limit position above it, and the swing arm 36 is in standby. It is allowed to swing up and down between a position and a predetermined lower limit position below it.

<Oscillation range of the oscillating arm>
FIG. 20 is a side view of the wheel device 30 showing the swing range of the swing arm 36. The swing arm 36 is in the upper limit position and the swing arm 36 is in the lower limit position. It is illustrated.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the swing range θ <b> 1 of the auxiliary wheel 8 (straight axis L <b> 1) is between the axes of the swing arm 36 in the standby traveling posture due to the swing limit of the stopper mechanism 10 via the swing arm 36. From a standby position where the straight line L1 forms an inclination angle φ1 with respect to the travel plane RP, a lower limit position (φ1 + α) that swings upward by an upper limit angle α and a lower limit position that swings downward from the standby position by a lower limit angle β ( (φ1−β)) (φ1−β ≦ θ1 ≦ φ1 + α).

  For example, when the inclination angle φ1 is about 20 °, the upper limit angle α is about 30 °, and the lower limit angle β is about 135 °, the swing range θ1 of the auxiliary wheel 8 is inclined with respect to the travel plane RP (inclination angle 0 °). An upper limit position (about 50 °) swung further upward by an upper limit angle of about 30 ° from a standby position having an angle of 20 °, and a lower limit position (about −90 °) swung downward from the standby position by a lower limit angle of about 135 ° ) (Approximately −115 ° ≦ θ1 ≦ 50 °).

<Climbing the step of the wheel device>
FIG. 21 is a side view illustrating a process in which the wheel device 30 ascends the step ST. As will be described below, when the wheel device 20 ascends the step ST, the traveling posture of the traveling body 35 when the auxiliary wheel 8 contacts the traveling plane RP and the swing arm 36 is in the standby position (hereinafter, “ (Referred to as “standby travel posture”) (see FIG. 21A), the travel posture of the traveling body 35 when the swing arm 36 is in the upwardly swinging state (hereinafter referred to as “upward travel travel posture”). (See FIG. 21B.)

  As shown in FIG. 21A, the traveling body 35 takes a standby traveling posture, the wheel device 30 travels on the traveling plane RP toward the stepped wall surface SW, and the auxiliary wheel 8 collides with the stepped wall surface SW. When the traveling body 35 moves forward on the traveling plane RP in the traveling posture, the auxiliary wheel 8 is pushed by the swing arm 36 toward the position shown in FIG. With this rolling, the swing arm 36 is swung upward about the swing shaft 36A.

  At this time, the swing arm 36 is configured to receive an external force in which the tip portion is relatively pushed backward (left side in FIG. 21) due to the collision of the auxiliary wheel 8 with the stepped wall surface SW. This external force becomes a rotational force that rotates the swing arm 36 upward about the swing shaft 36A, and moves the swing arm 36 from the position (standby position) in FIG. 21 (a) to FIG. 21 (b). ) To the position (upper limit position). Then, as the swing arm 36 is lifted and swinged, the traveling body 35 is in an upwardly moving traveling posture in which the auxiliary wheel 8 is separated from the traveling plane RP and floats to the aerial position.

  Thereafter, when the traveling body 35 further moves forward, the auxiliary wheel 8 further rolls upward, and the swing arm 36 further swings upward, the swing arm 36 moves to the stopper mechanism 10 as shown in FIG. The upper limit stopper 10A stops at the upper limit position.

  After that, when an external force is applied to the wheel device 30 through the operation handle 92 (see FIG. 1), the traveling body 35 is naturally moved from the position shown in FIG. Is further advanced, the auxiliary wheel 8 further rolls up, the front wheel 3 is lifted from the traveling plane RP below the step, and then the auxiliary wheel 8 rides on the traveling plane RP above the step, When the wheel 4 sequentially climbs from the step wall surface SW to the travel plane RP above the step, the step over the wheel device 30 is completed.

<Fourth embodiment>
Next, a wheel device 40 according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  22 to 24 are projection views of the wheel device 40 of the fourth embodiment, FIG. 22 (a) is a side view of the wheel device 40, and FIG. 22 (b) is for FIG. 22 (a). In order to show the connection structure of the mounting base 2, the traveling body 45, and the swing arm 46, wheels 23, 4, and 8 to be described later are illustrated by two-dot chain lines for convenience. FIG. 23 is a plan view of the wheel device 40, and FIG. 24 is a front view of the wheel device 40. In FIG. 22, “front” (front side) refers to the left side in the figure, and “rear” (rear side) refers to the right side in the figure.

<Wheel device>
In the wheel device 40 of the fourth embodiment, the front auxiliary wheel and the rear auxiliary wheel are excluded from the wheel device 20 of the second embodiment described above, and the support wheel is a single auxiliary wheel. The shape of the traveling frame and the swing arm is changed.

  In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the wheel apparatus 40 of 4th Example is the width direction both sides of the cart carrier 91 of the carry cart 90 which is an attachment target object similarly to the wheel apparatus 20 of 2nd Example (Fig.1 (a ) It is used by being attached to both the left and right sides).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 22, a posture state in which the front wheels 23 and the rear wheels 4 of the traveling body 45 are in contact with the traveling plane RP is referred to as a “traveling posture”. In this traveling posture, the body frame 45A and the swing arm 46 are Unlike the case of the second embodiment, the connection form is asymmetric with respect to the vertical line L0 passing through the center of the axle 23A of the front wheel 23.

  As shown in FIGS. 22 to 24, the wheel device 40 includes a mounting base 2, a traveling body 45 having a front wheel 23 and a rear wheel 4, a swing arm 46, an auxiliary wheel 8, and a stopper mechanism 10. ing.

<Mounting base>
The mounting base 2 is connected to the front wheel 23 and the rear wheel 4 of the vehicle body frame 45A of the traveling body 45 via a connecting shaft 2A so as to be relatively swingable in the front-rear direction. The connecting shaft 2A transmits a load acting on the mounting base 2 to the vehicle body frame 45A. Further, in the traveling posture of the traveling body 45 (the posture shown in FIG. 22), the connecting shaft 2A has an axial center height h2 that is equal to the axial center height h23 of the axle 23A of the front wheel 23 (FIG. 22 (a)). )reference.).

  The center of rotation P2 of the mounting base 2 is within the axle WB between the front wheels 23 and the rear wheels 4 (however, inside the vertical line perpendicular to the travel plane RP through the rotation centers P3 and P4 of the front wheels 23 and rear wheels 4). In this embodiment, it is slightly closer to the front wheel 23 side (front part) than the middle point (midpoint) between the front wheels 23 of the body frame 45A and the rear wheel 4 between the axles WB. Is provided.

  For this reason, a part of the entire load acting on the vehicle body frame 45A via the mounting base 2 can be distributed and acted on the rear wheel 4, and accordingly, acts on the front wheel 23 side (front side part). Since the load can be reduced, the front side portion of the traveling body 45 is easily lifted when climbing over the step.

<Running body>
The traveling body 45 directly supports a load acting on the mounting base 2 and travels by the front wheel 23 and the rear wheel 4 rolling by receiving an external force applied via the operation handle 92 (see FIG. 1). It is.

  The front wheel 23 and the rear wheel 4 of the traveling body 45 are pivotally supported on the vehicle body frame 45A via axles 23A and 4A. The front wheel 23 is the same type of wheel that has the same outer diameter and weight as the rear wheel 4.

  The vehicle body frame 45A of the traveling body 45 is located on the traveling plane RP from the arrangement portion of the axle 23A of the front wheel 23 through the arrangement portion of the connecting shaft 2A of the mounting base 2 to the arrangement portion of the axle 4A of the rear wheel 4. On the other hand, a base 45A1 is provided which extends linearly rearward in parallel. A tip portion 45A2 that extends linearly forward in parallel to the traveling plane RP from a position immediately below the arrangement portion of the axle 23A of the front wheel 23 is connected to the distal end portion of the base portion 45A1.

  A swing arm 46 is swingably connected to the front end portion of the front portion 45A2 of the vehicle body frame 45A via a swing shaft 26A. The rear wheel 4 is connected to the rear end portion of the base portion 45A1. It is pivotally supported via 4A.

  The front wheel 23, the rear wheel 4, and the auxiliary wheel 8 of the traveling body 45 are all the same type of wheels, and the axial heights h23, h4, h8 of the axles 23A, 4A, 8A are all equal, and The outer diameter of each wheel is the same. These axial heights h23, h4, and h8 are also equal to the axial height h2 of the connecting shaft 2A. In the traveling posture of the traveling body 45, the rotational center P2 of the mounting base 2 and the rotation of the front wheel 23 are the same. The center P3, the rotation center P4 of the rear wheel 4, and the rotation center P8 of the auxiliary wheel 8 are all at the same height position.

<Oscillating arm>
The swing arm 46 is swingably connected to the front end portion of the front portion 45A2 of the vehicle body frame 45A of the traveling body 45 formed separately from the swing arm 46 via a swing shaft 46A. 46A is extended in a straight line from the connecting portion by 46A further to the front upper side than the traveling body 45.

  According to the swing arm 46, the traveling body 45 moves forward in the traveling posture, and the auxiliary wheel 8 comes into contact with the stepped wall surface and rolls upward, thereby starting from the standby position (see FIG. 25A). Ascending and swinging toward the upper limit position (see FIG. 25B) is possible.

  Here, the standby position of the swing arm 46 means that in the traveling posture of the traveling body 45 (the posture shown in FIG. 22), the outer peripheral front end ef8 of the auxiliary wheel 8 is in front of the outer peripheral front end ef23 of the front wheel 23, and This refers to a position where the rotation center P8 of the auxiliary wheel 8 is located in front of and above the swing center P46 of the swing arm 46 (see FIG. 22A).

  The swinging arm 46A of the swinging arm 46 is located at the front end of the front portion 45A2 of the vehicle body frame 45A of the traveling body 45 and is positioned further forward than the axle 23A of the front wheel 23, so that the traveling body 45 travels. In the case of the posture, the axial height h46 is lower than the axial heights h23, h4, h8, and h2 of the axle 23A of the front wheel 23, the axle 4A of the rear wheel 4, the auxiliary wheel 8, and the connecting shaft 2A. It is like that.

  The swing arm 46 is located at the standby position when the traveling body 45 is in the traveling posture and the auxiliary wheel 8 is in contact with the traveling plane RP. From the arrangement part of the moving shaft 46A, it extends in a straight line with a predetermined angle (for example, about 20 °) toward the front upper side of the traveling body 45 and inclined.

<Auxiliary wheel>
The auxiliary wheel 8 is a wheel that is pivotally supported at the tip of the swing arm 46 via an axle 8A. The outer diameter of the auxiliary wheel 8 and the axial center height h8 of the axle 8A are equal to the outer diameters and axial center heights h23 and h4 of the front wheel 23 and the rear wheel 4 of the traveling body 45.

  Here, the auxiliary wheels 8 are as shown in the following (a) and (b) in the traveling posture of the traveling body 45 (the posture shown in FIG. 22).

  (A) The outer peripheral front end ef8 of the auxiliary wheel 8 is in front of the outer peripheral front end ef23 of the front wheel 23, and the auxiliary wheel 8 is grounded to the traveling plane RP and rolls together with the front wheel 23 and the rear wheel 4 of the traveling body 45. (See FIG. 22A).

  (B) The auxiliary wheel 8 supports the swing arm 46 at the standby position when the auxiliary wheel 8 contacts the traveling plane RP (see FIG. 22A). Therefore, in the traveling posture of the traveling body 45, the outer peripheral front end ef8 of the auxiliary wheel 8 is in front of the outer peripheral front end ef23 of the front wheel 23, and the rotation center P8 of the auxiliary wheel 8 is the swing center P46 of the swing arm 46. (See FIG. 22A).

  As described above, since the auxiliary wheel 8 supports the swing arm 46 in the state shown in (a) and (b) in the traveling posture of the traveling body 5, the rotation center P8 of the auxiliary wheel 8 and the swing arm 46 are supported. As shown in FIG. 22 (b), the inter-axis straight line L1 that connects the swing center P46 of the first and second axes has a predetermined inclination angle (inclination angle φ1 in FIG. 25) forward and upward with respect to the travel plane RP. Inclined.

<Stopper mechanism>
The stopper mechanism 10 has an upper limit stopper 10A that stops the swing arm 46 at the upper limit position in order to stop the swing arm 46 at the upper limit position (see FIG. 25). It is disposed and fixed at 45A. The upper limit stopper 10 </ b> A makes a stop on the swing arm 46 and prohibits the upward swing over the upper limit position.

  The stopper mechanism 10 has a lower limit stopper 10B that stops the swing arm 46 at the lower limit position in order to stop the swing arm 46 at the lower limit position (see FIG. 25). It is disposed and fixed on the body frame 45A. The lower limit stopper 10 </ b> B makes a stop against the swing arm 46, thereby prohibiting the downward swing exceeding the lower limit position.

  In other words, the stopper mechanism 10 allows the swing arm 46 to swing up and down between the standby position and a predetermined upper limit position above it, and the swing arm 46 is in standby. It is allowed to swing up and down between a position and a predetermined lower limit position below it.

<Oscillation range of the oscillating arm>
FIG. 25 is a side view of the wheel device 40 showing the swing range of the swing arm 46. The swing arm 46 is in the upper limit position and the swing arm 46 is in the lower limit position. It is illustrated.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the swing range θ1 of the auxiliary wheel 8 (straight axis L1) is the distance between the axes of the swing arm 46 in the standby traveling posture due to the swing limit of the stopper mechanism 10 via the swing arm 46. From a standby position where the straight line L1 forms an inclination angle φ1 with respect to the travel plane RP, a lower limit position (φ1 + α) that swings upward by an upper limit angle α and a lower limit position that swings downward from the standby position by a lower limit angle β ( (φ1−β)) (φ1−β ≦ θ1 ≦ φ1 + α).

  For example, when the inclination angle φ1 is about 20 °, the upper limit angle α is about 30 °, and the lower limit angle β is about 135 °, the swing range θ1 of the auxiliary wheel 8 is inclined with respect to the travel plane RP (inclination angle 0 °). An upper limit position (about 50 °) swung further upward by an upper limit angle of about 30 ° from a standby position having an angle of 20 °, and a lower limit position (about −90 °) swung downward from the standby position by a lower limit angle of about 135 ° ) (Approximately −115 ° ≦ θ1 ≦ 50 °).

<Climbing the step of the wheel device>
FIG. 26 is a side view illustrating a process in which the wheel device 40 ascends the step ST. As will be described below, when the wheel device 40 ascends the step ST, the traveling posture of the traveling body 45 (hereinafter, “the auxiliary wheel 8 contacts the traveling plane RP and the swing arm 46 is in the standby position”). (Referred to as “standby travel posture”) (see FIG. 26 (a)), the travel posture of the traveling body 45 when the swing arm 46 is in a state of rising and swinging (hereinafter referred to as “upward travel travel posture”) ( (See FIG. 26B.)

  As shown in FIG. 26 (a), the traveling body 45 is in the standby traveling posture, the wheel device 40 travels on the traveling plane RP toward the stepped wall surface SW, and the auxiliary wheel 8 collides with the stepped wall surface SW. When the traveling body 45 moves forward on the traveling plane RP in the traveling posture, the auxiliary wheel 8 is pushed by the swing arm 46 toward the position shown in FIG. With this rolling, the swing arm 46 is swung upward about the swing shaft 46A.

  At this time, the swing arm 46 is configured to receive an external force in which the tip portion is relatively pushed rearward (left side in FIG. 26) due to a collision with the stepped wall surface SW of the auxiliary wheel 8. This external force is a rotational force that rotates the swing arm 46 upward about the swing shaft 46A, and moves the swing arm 46 from the position (standby position) in FIG. 26 (a) to FIG. 26 (b). ) To the position (upper limit position). Then, as the swing arm 46 is lifted and swinged, the traveling body 45 is in an up-traveling posture in which the auxiliary wheel 8 is separated from the travel plane RP and floats to the aerial position.

  Thereafter, when the traveling body 45 further advances, the auxiliary wheel 8 further moves up and rolls, and the swing arm 46 further moves up and swings, the swing arm 46 moves to the stopper mechanism 10 as shown in FIG. The upper limit stopper 10A stops at the upper limit position.

  After that, when an external force that pulls forward upward is applied to the wheel device 40 via the operation handle 92 (see FIG. 1), the traveling body 45 naturally moves from the position of FIG. Is further advanced, the auxiliary wheel 8 further rolls up, the front wheel 23 is lifted from the traveling plane RP below the step, and then the auxiliary wheel 8 rides on the traveling plane RP above the step, and the front wheel 23 and the rear When the wheel 4 rides in order from the step wall surface SW to the traveling plane RP above the step, the step over the wheel device 40 is completed.

<Fifth embodiment>
Next, with reference to FIG.27 and FIG.28, the wheel apparatus 50 of 5th Example is demonstrated.

  The wheel device 50 according to the fifth embodiment excludes the support wheel from the wheel device 20 according to the second embodiment described above, and includes a lower limit stopper for restricting the downward swing of the stopper mechanism, and the swing arm at the standby position. It is also used as a support mechanism for supporting. In other words, the swing arm support mechanism uses the limit position by the lower limit stopper of the stopper mechanism as the standby position and the lower limit position of the swing arm as the standby position.

  FIG. 27 is a side view illustrating the traveling posture of the wheel device 50 of the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 27, the stopper mechanism 10 has an upper limit stopper 10A that stops the swing arm 26 at the upper limit position in order to stop the swing arm 26 at the upper limit position (see FIG. 28). The upper limit stopper 10A is disposed and fixed on the vehicle body frame 25A. The upper limit stopper 10A stops against the swing arm 26, thereby prohibiting upward swing over the upper limit position.

  The stopper mechanism 10 has a lower limit stopper 10B that stops the swing arm 26 at the standby position in order to stop the swing arm 26 at the standby position (see FIG. 28). It is disposed and fixed on the body frame 25A. The lower limit stopper 10B is used as a support mechanism 51 that supports the swing arm 26 at the standby position while preventing the swing arm 26 from descending beyond the standby position by stopping against the swing arm 26.

  In other words, the stopper mechanism 10 allows the swing arm 26 to swing up and down between the standby position and a predetermined upper limit position above it, and as the support mechanism 51, the stopper mechanism The moving arm 26 is supported at the standby position.

  FIG. 28 is a side view of the wheel device 50 showing the swing range of the swing arm 26. The state where the swing arm 26 is in the upper limit position and the state where the swing arm 26 is in the lower limit position are respectively shown. It is illustrated.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the swing range θ1 of the front auxiliary wheel 7 (the inter-shaft straight line L1) is set between the axes of the swing arm 26 in the standby traveling posture due to the swing limit of the stopper mechanism 10 via the swing arm 26. The straight line L1 is in a range (φ1 ≦ θ1 ≦ φ1 + α) from a standby position where the straight line RP forms an inclination angle φ1 to an upper limit position (φ1 + α) swung upward by an upper limit angle α.

  For example, when the inclination angle φ1 is about 15 ° and the upper limit angle α is about 30 °, the swing range θ1 of the front auxiliary wheel 7 is a standby position with an inclination angle of about 15 ° with respect to the travel plane RP (inclination angle 0 °). To an upper limit position (approximately 45 °) that is swung further upward by about 30 ° (approximately 15 ° ≦ θ1 ≦ 45 °).

  Thus, according to the wheel device 50 of the fifth embodiment, instead of the second auxiliary wheel 8 of the first embodiment and the support wheel 8 of the second embodiment, the stopper mechanism 10 has the lower limit stopper 10B and the swing arm 26. Therefore, the front auxiliary wheel 7 is supported at an aerial position away from the traveling plane without using the second auxiliary wheel 8 of the first embodiment or the support wheel 8 of the second embodiment. can do.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be easily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It can be guessed.

  For example, the wheel device 50 of the fifth embodiment excludes the support wheel 8 from the wheel device 20 of the second embodiment, and includes a lower limit stopper 10B for limiting the downward swing of the stopper mechanism 10 and a swing arm 26. Although used also as the support mechanism 51 that supports at the standby position, such a modification is not necessarily limited to the second embodiment base, and may be, for example, the first embodiment base.

  For example, the second auxiliary wheel 8 is excluded from the wheel device 1 of the first embodiment, and the lower limit stopper for limiting the downward swing of the stopper mechanism is also used as a support mechanism for supporting the swing arm 6 at the standby position. Also good. That is, the support mechanism of the swing arm 6 may be a position where the limit position by the lower limit stopper of the stopper mechanism is used and the lower limit position of the swing arm 6 is the standby position.

  Further, the axle of each wheel, the swinging shaft of the swinging arm, and the connecting shaft of the mounting base may be pivotally supported via a bearing provided on each wheel, swinging arm, and mounting base. .

1, 20, 30, 40, 50 Wheel device 2 Mounting base 2A Connection shaft 3, 23 Front wheel 3A, 23A Front wheel axle 4 Rear wheel 4A Rear wheel axle 5, 25, 35, 45 Traveling bodies 5A, 25A, 35A, 45A body frame 6, 26, 36, 46 swing arm 6A, 26A, 36A, 46A swing shaft 7 first auxiliary wheel / front auxiliary wheel (axle of first auxiliary wheel, axle of auxiliary wheel)
7A Axle of first auxiliary wheel / axle of front auxiliary wheel (axle of first auxiliary wheel, axle of auxiliary wheel)
8 Second auxiliary wheel, support wheel (second auxiliary wheel, auxiliary wheel, support wheel, support mechanism)
8A Axle of second auxiliary wheel / axle of support wheel (axle of second auxiliary wheel, axle of auxiliary wheel, axle of support wheel)
10A Upper limit stopper (stopper means)
51 Support mechanism (support mechanism)
90 Carry cart (object to be mounted)
92 Operation handle (operation member)
93 Gripping part (tip of the operating member)
ef3, ef23 Front outer periphery front end ef7 First auxiliary wheel outer periphery front end / front auxiliary wheel outer periphery front end (first auxiliary wheel outer periphery front end, auxiliary wheel outer periphery front end)
P6, P26, P36, P46 Swing center of swing arm P7 Rotation center of first auxiliary wheel / Rotation center of front auxiliary wheel (Rotation center of first auxiliary wheel, rotation center of auxiliary wheel)
RP Travel plane SW Step wall

Claims (6)

A mounting base that is attached to the mounting object and supports the mounting object;
An operation member that is fixed to the mounting base and extends upward from the mounting base side, and the tip is pulled or pushed by the user;
The mounting base has a vehicle body frame that is connected via a connecting shaft so as to be relatively swingable in the front-rear direction, and a front wheel and a rear wheel that are rotatably supported by the vehicle body frame via an axle, A traveling body that supports the load acting on the mounting base and travels by rolling the front wheels and the rear wheels by an external force acting via the operation member;
A swing arm that is swingably connected to a vehicle body frame of the traveling body via a swing shaft, and extends from the swing shaft toward the front of the traveling body;
An auxiliary wheel that is pivotally supported via the axle at the tip of the extending portion of the swing arm;
In a traveling posture in which the front and rear wheels of the traveling body are in contact with a traveling plane, the outer peripheral front end of the auxiliary wheel is in front of the outer peripheral front end of the front wheel, and the rotation center of the auxiliary wheel is the swing of the swing arm. A position where the inter-axis straight line connecting the rotation center of the auxiliary wheel and the swing center of the swing arm is inclined forward and upward with respect to the travel plane (hereinafter referred to as “standby position”) A support mechanism for supporting the swing arm;
The swing arm supported at the standby position by the support mechanism is allowed to swing up and down between the standby position and an upper limit position above the standby position, and the swing arm Stopper means for prohibiting ascending and swinging beyond the upper limit position by stopping at the upper limit position,
In the traveling posture, the auxiliary wheel is brought into contact with the stepped wall surface when the traveling body moves forward, and rolls up the stepped wall surface.
The swing arm is in the running position, by the auxiliary wheel is increased rolling step wall state, and are not raised swung toward the upper limit position from the standby position,
The traveling body supports the load of the mounting object acting on the mounting base connected to the vehicle body frame, so that the load of the mounting object acts on the swing arm separate from the vehicle body frame. This prevents the swinging movement of the swinging arm from being obstructed,
Furthermore,
Due to the pulling force of the operation member, the traveling body in the traveling posture is moved forward on the traveling plane toward the stepped wall surface, and the auxiliary wheel that is pivotally supported at the foremost part in the traveling direction by this forward movement collides against the stepped wall surface When the external force accompanying the collision contact acts on the swing arm, the auxiliary wheel rolls upward with the stepped wall surface upward, and the swing arm is put on standby by this rolling. When it is swung upward from the position toward the upper limit position and reaches the upper limit position, it is restrained by the stopper means, and the operating member is further pulled upward in this restrained state, so that the traveling body is connected to the mounting base. is rotated about an axis, the traveling body wheel device, characterized in der Rukoto made a step beyond attitude lifted the front portion is away from the running plane of the.   The support mechanism holds the auxiliary wheel at an aerial position separated from a traveling plane where the front and rear wheels of the traveling body are grounded by supporting the swing arm at the standby position in the traveling posture. The wheel device according to claim 1, wherein the wheel device is a thing.   The support mechanism is a wheel that is pivotally supported by the swing arm via an axle, and in the traveling posture, can be grounded on a traveling plane on which the front and rear wheels of the traveling body are grounded, 3. The wheel device according to claim 2, further comprising a support wheel that supports the swing arm at the standby position by contact with the traveling plane.   The wheel device according to claim 3, wherein the auxiliary wheel is a wheel having a smaller diameter and a lighter weight than the support wheel.   The wheel device according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary wheel is formed so as to be able to come into contact with a traveling plane together with a front wheel and a rear wheel of the traveling body in the traveling posture.   The support mechanism is a wheel that is pivotally supported by the swing arm via an axle, and in the traveling posture, can be grounded on a traveling plane on which the front and rear wheels of the traveling body are grounded, 6. The wheel device according to claim 1, wherein the wheel device is also used as an auxiliary wheel for supporting the swing arm at the standby position by contact with the traveling plane.

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