JP6514096B2 - Folding vehicle - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a foldable vehicle capable of switching between a deployed state for traveling and a folded state for storing and transporting.

  Conventionally, various techniques relating to vehicles capable of switching between the deployed state and the folded state have been proposed. For example, in a lock device in a folding bicycle described in Patent Document 1 below, each hinge pin connecting each cam shaft to the front frame and the main frame and the center frame to the rear end of the front frame and the front end of the main frame. It is rotatably supported around an axis parallel to the Each cam is fixed to each cam shaft.

  To unlock the hinge pins in order to fold the bicycle, the toggle mechanism of the toggle mechanism pulls from the stretched state beyond the dead point of the toggle link to the reverse state where the dead point exceeds the opposite side. At this time, each cam shaft is rotated, each cam moves the front rod in the backward direction, and the rear rod moves forward, the front hook is a spring, and the rear hook is a spring. The lock is released between the head frame and the front frame and between the main frame and the rear fork.

  As a result, in the lock device described in Patent Document 1 below, locking and unlocking of multiple places can be obtained by one-touch operating the toggle mechanism at one place, and usability is improved, and folding and unfolding are quick in a short time. It has the advantages that can be done.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 10-291488

  However, in the switching structure between folding and unfolding that is performed in this way, since the toggle mechanism is at the lower position of the folding bicycle, the toggle mechanism must be operated in a posture that places a heavy load on the body, such as the middle and lower back. It does not. Therefore, there is a continuing need for technological development of new structures that further improve usability.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described point, and is a new structure for switching between the expanded state and the folded state, having two lock mechanisms, and releasing one of the lock mechanisms. An object of the present invention is to provide a foldable vehicle that can be further improved in usability by a structure in which the other of the lock mechanisms is released and fixed while being interlocked with a link mechanism that will be operable later.

The invention according to claim 1 which has been made to solve this problem, a foldable vehicle that can switch between the folded state for deployment state storage conveyance for traveling, is released at the time of switching The first lock mechanism to be performed, the cam mechanism that can be turned by releasing the first lock mechanism, the link mechanism that reciprocates according to the turning direction of the cam mechanism, and the lock mechanism is released or fixed according to the reciprocation direction of the link mechanism A second lock mechanism, a saddle frame having a saddle attached to the upper end and a first lock mechanism provided at the lower end, and an operation portion provided on the upper end of the saddle frame for releasing the first lock mechanism And.

The invention according to claim 2 is the foldable vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein a front frame having a handle attached to an upper end and a front wheel attached to a lower end, and a front end pivotally supported by the front frame A base frame that is rotatable relative to the front frame, has a rear end pivotally supported by the saddle frame, and is rotatable relative to the saddle frame, and has a rear wheel attached to the rear end A rear frame pivotally supported by the base frame at the front end thereof and rotatable with respect to the base frame, wherein the cam mechanism comprises the drive cam and the driven cam, and the drive cam of the cam mechanism The lower end portion of the saddle frame is provided, and the driven cam of the cam mechanism is provided at the rear end portion of the base frame and is connected to one end portion of the link mechanism, and the second lock mechanism Characterized in that provided in the front frame while being connected to the end.

  In the foldable vehicle of the invention according to claim 1, a new structure capable of switching between the unfolded state and the folded state is constituted by the first lock mechanism, the cam mechanism, the link mechanism, and the second lock mechanism. There is. In this configuration, when the release of the first lock mechanism is performed at the time of switching, the cam mechanism becomes rotatable, the link mechanism reciprocates in accordance with the rotation direction, and the second lock mechanism is released or fixed in accordance with the reciprocation direction. Be done.

  Therefore, a new structure for switching between the unfolded state and the folded state, which is configured by the foldable vehicle of the invention according to claim 1, has the first lock mechanism and the second lock mechanism, (1) The second lock mechanism is released and fixed while being interlocked with the link mechanism which becomes operable via the cam mechanism after the release of the lock mechanism.

  Moreover, in such a structure, for example, if the input operation for releasing the first lock mechanism at the time of switching is performed at a high position in the unfolded state or the folded state, usability is further improved. It is possible.

In the foldable vehicle of the invention according to claim 1 , the saddle frame is attached to the upper end and the first lock mechanism is provided to the lower end, and the saddle frame is provided on the upper end and the first lock mechanism is released. And an operation unit for performing an operation. Thus, the operation unit is provided in the vicinity of the saddle, so that the release operation of the first lock mechanism can be performed in an easy posture.

Furthermore, in the foldable vehicle of the invention according to claim 1 , the operation portion and the first lock mechanism are at both ends of the saddle frame and separated, and the operation of the operation portion is separated from the operation area of the first lock mechanism. Since the operation is performed at the position, it is possible to improve the safety when operating the operation unit.

In the folding type vehicle according to the second aspect of the present invention, the cam mechanism is configured by the driving side cam and the driven side cam, the driving side cam of the cam mechanism is provided at the lower end of the saddle frame, and the driven side cam of the cam mechanism The second lock mechanism is provided at the rear end of the base frame and connected to one end of the link mechanism, and the second lock mechanism is connected to the other end of the link mechanism and provided on the front frame. As a result, since the operation of the operation unit is performed at a position apart from the operation areas of the cam mechanism, the link mechanism, and the second lock mechanism, it is possible to improve the safety at the time of operation of the operation unit. is there.

It is a perspective view showing the basic composition of the folding type vehicle of this embodiment. It is a side view showing the unfolded state and folded state of the folding type vehicle. It is a side view showing the circumference of the 1st rotation axis of the folding type vehicle, and the 2nd rotation axis. It is a side view showing the circumference of the 1st rotation axis of the folding type vehicle. It is a side view showing the circumference of the 2nd rotation axis of the folding type vehicle.

[1. Outline of folding vehicle]
Hereinafter, a foldable vehicle according to the present invention will be described based on the embodied embodiment with reference to the drawings. The foldable vehicle of the present embodiment is an electric tricycle capable of folding a frame. In each drawing used for the following explanation, a part of basic composition may be omitted and drawn, and a dimensional ratio etc. of each part drawn may not necessarily be exact. Moreover, the brake relation, the electrical wiring relation, etc. are omitted and drawn.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the foldable vehicle 1 of the present embodiment includes a front frame 3, a base frame 5, a saddle frame 7, and a pair of rear frames 9. A handle 11 is attached horizontally to the upper end of the front frame 3 via a handle stem 13. At the lower end portion of the front frame 3, a front wheel 15 is rotatably supported via a front fork 17. At the rear end of the front frame 3, a base frame 5 is rotatably supported via a first rotation shaft 19.

  A saddle frame 7 and a pair of rear frames 9 are rotatably supported by a rear end portion of the base frame 5 via a second rotation shaft 21. Thus, the saddle frame 7 is rotatably supported by the base frame 5 and the pair of rear frames 9 via the second pivot shaft 21. Further, the pair of rear frames 9 is rotatably supported relative to the base frame 5 and the saddle frame 7 via the second rotation shaft 21.

  The pair of rear frames 9 are integrated by a connecting arm 23.

  A saddle 25 (see FIG. 2) is attached to the upper end of the saddle frame 7. Rear wheels 27 (see FIG. 2) are rotatably supported at the rear ends of the pair of rear frames 9 respectively.

  At the upper end portion of the saddle frame 7, an operation lever 29 is provided in the vicinity of the lower side of the saddle 25 (see FIG. 2). At a lower end portion of the saddle frame 7, a first lock mechanism 31 fixed and released by the operation lever 29 is provided. The first lock mechanism 31 will be described later.

  At the lower end portion of the saddle frame 7, drive side cams 33 are formed on both left and right sides with respect to the front direction. At the rear end of the base frame 5, the driven cams 35 are rotatably supported on both left and right sides with respect to the front direction. A cam mechanism 37 is configured by the driving side cam 33 and the driven side cam 35. The cam mechanism 37 will be described later.

  At the rear end of the front frame 3, second lock mechanisms 39 are respectively formed on both left and right sides with respect to the front direction. The second lock mechanism 39 is connected to the driven cam 35 by the link mechanism 41. The link mechanism 41 fixes and releases the second lock mechanism 39. The second lock mechanism 39 and the link mechanism 41 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the foldable vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment turns the saddle 25 toward the steering wheel 11 and rotates the rear wheel 27 counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 2 (counterclockwise around arrow A1). By moving the road surface S toward the front wheel 15 in the left direction in FIG. 2 (left direction of the arrow A2), the unfolded state is switched to the folded state.

  The rear end of the front frame 3 and the front end of the pair of rear frames 9 are connected by a first link 43. The first link portion 43 operates in accordance with the relative positional relationship between the rear end of the front frame 3 and the front end of the pair of rear frames 9 when switched from the unfolded state to the folded state.

[2. Operation when switching between unfolded state and folded state]
In the foldable vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, when switching from the unfolded state to the folded state, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the control lever 29, the first lock mechanism 31, the cam mechanism 37, the second lock The mechanism 39 and the link mechanism 41 operate.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the operation lever 29 forms a bent link portion, and is rotatably supported by the upper end portion of the saddle frame 7 via the first shaft support portion 45. On the other hand, at the lower end portion of the saddle frame 7, a first bent link 49 is rotatably supported via a second shaft support 47. The control lever 29 and the first bent link 49 are connected to both ends of the second link 55 via the first joint 51 and the second joint 53, respectively.

  Therefore, when the control lever 29 is turned counterclockwise in FIG. 3 (counterclockwise direction of the arrow B1), the second link 55 moves downward of the saddle frame 7 (lower left direction of the arrow B2). The first bent link portion 49 pivots counterclockwise in FIG. 3 (in the counterclockwise direction of the arrow B3).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the rear end of the third link 59 is connected to the lower end of the first bent link 49 via the third joint 57. A first roller 61 is provided at the front end of the third link 59. The first roller 61 is fitted in the bent guide groove 63. The bent guide groove 63 is provided at the lower end of the saddle frame 7. A first lock mechanism 31 is configured by the third link portion 59, the first roller 61, and the bent guide groove 63.

  Notches are formed at both ends of the bent guide groove 63. The first roller 61 is positioned at a notched portion formed at one end (lower side in FIG. 4) of the bent guide groove 63 in the unfolded state. The first roller 61 is positioned at the notched portion formed at the other end (upper side in FIG. 4) of the bent guide groove 63 in the folded state.

  Then, when the first bent link portion 49 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 3 (counterclockwise in the arrow B3), the third link portion 59 moves in the upper right direction in FIG. 4 (upper right direction of the arrow C). The first roller 61 moves to the center of the bent guide groove 63.

  Therefore, when the control lever 29 is turned counterclockwise in FIG. 3 (counterclockwise as indicated by arrow B1) in the unfolded state, the first roller 61 is located at one end of the bent guide groove 63 (downward in FIG. 4). Move from the notched part of) to the central part. Thereby, the first lock mechanism 31 is released.

  Incidentally, when the operation lever 29 is turned counterclockwise in FIG. 3 (counterclockwise direction of arrow B1) in the folded state, the first roller 61 is moved to the other end of the bent guide groove 63 (FIG. 4). Move from the upper notch to the center. Thereby, the first lock mechanism 31 is released.

  When the first lock mechanism 31 is released, the saddle frame 7 can be pivoted counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4 (counterclockwise around the arrow D). When the saddle frame 7 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 (counterclockwise direction of the arrow D), the motive force cam 33 is centered on the second rotation shaft 21 and is counterclockwise in FIGS. 3 and 4. Rotate around (counterclockwise around arrow E).

  The drive cam 33 is provided with a cutout 65 on the side surface facing the driven cam 35, and a first arc-shaped guide groove 67 is provided below the cutout 65. The second roller 69 is fitted in the first arc-shaped guide groove 67. The second roller 69 is provided at the rear end of the first link portion 43.

  When the drive side cam 33 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 (counterclockwise as indicated by the arrow E), the upper step portion of the notch 65 abuts against the driven side cam 35, and the driven side cam 35 shows FIG. It rotates clockwise as viewed in FIG. 4 (clockwise of arrow F).

  The rear end portion of the fourth link portion 71 is rotatably supported by the driven side cam 35 via a fourth joint portion 73. Therefore, when the driven side cam 35 rotates clockwise in FIGS. 3 and 4 (clockwise of the arrow F), the fourth link portion 71 moves forward in FIG. 3 and 4 (left of the arrow G1). Move to

  As shown in FIG. 5, the lower end portion of the second bent link portion 75 is rotatably supported at the front end portion of the fourth link portion 71 via the fifth joint portion 77. The second bent link portion 75 is rotatably supported by the base frame 5 via a third pivot support portion 79. The fourth link portion 71 and the second bent link portion 75 constitute a link mechanism 41.

  Therefore, when the fourth link 71 moves in the forward direction in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5 (left direction of the arrow G1), the second bent link 75 is clockwise in FIGS. 3 and 5 (right in the arrow G2). Rotate around).

  The rear end portion of the fifth link portion 81 is rotatably supported at the upper end portion of the second bent link portion 75 via a sixth joint portion 83. A third roller 85 is provided at the upper end portion of the fifth link portion 81. The third roller 85 is fitted into the second arc-shaped guide groove 87. The second arcuate guide groove 87 is provided at the lower end of the front frame 3. A second lock mechanism 39 is configured by the fifth link portion 81, the third roller 85, and the second arc-shaped guide groove 87.

  Notches 87A and 87B are formed at both ends of the second arc-shaped guide groove 87, respectively. The third roller 85 is positioned at the notch portion 87A formed at the lower end portion of the second arc-shaped guide groove 87 in the unfolded state. The third roller 85 is positioned at the notch portion 87B formed at the upper end portion of the second arc-shaped guide groove 87 in the folded state.

  Then, when the second bent link portion 75 rotates clockwise in FIGS. 3 and 5 (clockwise of the arrow G2), the fifth link portion 81 moves in the upper right direction (arrow H in FIGS. 3 and 5). The third roller 85 moves in the upper right direction (upper right direction of the arrow H) as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 5 of the second arc-shaped guide groove 87.

  Therefore, when the fourth link portion 71 moves in the forward direction in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5 (left direction of the arrow G1) in the unfolded state, the third roller 85 slips out of the notch 87A of the second arc-shaped guide groove 87. . Thereby, the second lock mechanism 39 is released.

  By the way, when the fourth link portion 71 moves in the forward direction in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5 (left direction of the arrow G1) in the folded state, the third roller 85 moves from the notch portion 87B of the second arcuate guide groove 87. Get out. Thereby, the second lock mechanism 39 is released.

  At the lower end portion of the front frame 3, a third arc-shaped guide groove 89 is provided below the second arc-shaped guide groove 87. The fourth roller 91 is fitted in the third arc-shaped guide groove 89. The fourth roller 91 is provided at the front end of the first link portion 43.

  That is, in the foldable vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, when switching from the unfolded state to the folded state, the control lever 29 is pivoted counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 3 (counterclockwise in the arrow B1). Then, the second link 55 moves in the downward direction of the saddle frame 7 (lower left direction of the arrow B2), and the first bent link 49 is counterclockwise viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4 (counterclockwise of the arrow B3). The third link portion 59 is moved in the upper right direction (upper right direction of the arrow C) as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4. As a result, the first roller 61 moves from one end (notched portion on the lower side in FIG. 4) of the bent guide groove 63 to the central portion, so that the first lock mechanism 31 is released.

  When the first lock mechanism 31 is released, the saddle frame 7 can be pivoted counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4 (counterclockwise around the arrow D). Therefore, when the saddle frame 7 is turned counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4 (left direction of the arrow D), the motive force cam 33 is counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4 (left direction of the arrow E). 3 and 4 in the clockwise direction (clockwise direction of arrow F), and the fourth link portion 71 is in the forward direction in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 (arrow G1). Move to the left of

  Furthermore, the second bent link portion 75 rotates clockwise in FIGS. 3 and 5 (clockwise of the arrow G2), and the fifth link portion 81 moves in the upper right direction (arrow H in FIGS. 3 and 5). Move to the upper right). As a result, the third roller 85 gets out of the notch 87A of the second arcuate guide groove 87, and the second lock mechanism 39 is released.

  After the second lock mechanism 39 is released, the saddle 25 is turned toward the steering wheel 11 in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2 (counterclockwise around arrow A1), and the rear wheel 27 is directed to the front wheel 15 as shown in FIG. The road surface S is moved in the left direction in the visual direction (the left direction of the arrow A2). Then, the rear frame 9 rotates clockwise in FIG. 3 (clockwise in the arrow I) and the base frame 5 rotates counterclockwise in FIGS. 3 and 5 (counterclockwise in the arrow J). The second roller 69 moves toward the upper end of the first arc-shaped guide groove 67, and the fourth roller 91 moves toward the lower end of the third arc-shaped guide groove 89.

  As a result, the third roller 85 moves along the second arc-shaped guide groove 87 toward the notch 87B.

  At the same time, the second roller 69 moves toward the upper end of the first arc-shaped guide groove 67, and the driving cam 33 rotates clockwise in FIGS. 3 and 4 (clockwise of arrow E). The lower step portion of the notch 65 abuts against the driven cam 35, and the driven cam 35 rotates counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4 (counterclockwise in the direction of arrow F).

  Furthermore, since the fourth link 71 moves in the rearward direction in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 (right direction of the arrow G1), the second bent link 75 is counterclockwise in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 (arrow G2 And the fifth link portion 81 moves in the lower left direction in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 (lower left direction of the arrow H). As a result, the third roller 85 is positioned at the notch 87B of the second arcuate guide groove 87, so the second lock mechanism 39 is fixed.

  Thereafter, the control lever 29 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 3 (clockwise of the arrow B1). Then, the second link 55 moves in the upper direction of the saddle frame 7 (upper right direction of the arrow B2), and the first bent link 49 rotates clockwise in FIGS. 3 and 4 (clockwise of the arrow B3). The third link portion 59 is rotated and moved in the lower left direction (lower left direction of the arrow C) in FIGS. 3 and 4. At this time, since the first roller 61 moves from the central portion of the bent guide groove 63 to the other end (the notch on the upper side in FIG. 4), the first lock mechanism 31 is fixed.

  Thus, the foldable vehicle 1 of the present embodiment shifts from the unfolded state to the folded state, and the folded state is fixed.

  On the other hand, in the foldable vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, when switching from the folded state to the unfolded state, after the control lever 29 is turned counterclockwise in FIG. 3 (counterclockwise in the arrow B1), The saddle 25 is moved away from the steering wheel 11 and turned clockwise in FIG. 2 (clockwise of arrow A1), and the rear wheel 27 is moved away from the front wheel 15 and rightward in FIG. 2 (right of arrow A2). Move on the road surface S. At this time, an operation opposite to the operation described above is performed.

[3. Summary]
That is, in the foldable vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, a new structure capable of switching between the unfolded state and the unfolded state is the first lock mechanism 31, the cam mechanism 37, the link mechanism 41, and the second lock mechanism 39. It consists of In this configuration, when release of the first lock mechanism 31 is performed at the time of switching, the cam mechanism 37 becomes rotatable, and the link mechanism 41 reciprocates in the front-rear direction according to the rotation direction, and the second lock The mechanism 39 is released or fixed.

  Therefore, the new structure for switching between the unfolded state and the folded state, which is configured by the foldable vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, includes the first lock mechanism 31 and the second lock mechanism 39, and The second lock mechanism 39 is released and fixed while being interlocked with the link mechanism 41 which becomes operable via the cam mechanism 37 after the first lock mechanism 31 is released.

  Further, in such a structure, for example, the input operation for releasing the first lock mechanism 31 at the time of switching is executed by the operation lever 29 located at the high position in the unfolded state or the folded state. It is possible to improve more.

  In the foldable vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, the saddle 25 is attached to the upper end and the saddle frame 7 is provided with the first lock mechanism 31 at the lower end, and is provided to the upper end of the saddle frame 7 And a control lever 29 for releasing the lock mechanism 31. As a result, since the operation lever 29 is provided in the vicinity of the saddle 25, the release operation of the first lock mechanism 31 can be performed in a comfortable posture.

  Furthermore, in the foldable vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, the operation lever 29 and the first lock mechanism 31 are separated from each other at both ends of the saddle frame 7, and the operation of the operation lever 29 corresponds to the operation range of the first lock mechanism 31. Since the operation is performed at different positions, it is possible to improve the safety at the time of operation of the operation lever 29.

  Further, in the foldable vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, the cam mechanism 37 is configured by the driving side cam 33 and the driven side cam 35, and the driving side cam 33 of the cam mechanism 37 is provided at the lower end portion of the saddle frame 7, The driven cam 35 of the mechanism 37 is provided at the rear end of the base frame 5 and connected to one end of the link mechanism 41, and the second lock mechanism 39 is connected to the other end of the link mechanism 41 and the front frame It is provided in 3. As a result, the operation of the operation lever 29 is performed at a position separated from the operation areas of the cam mechanism 37, the link mechanism 41, and the second lock mechanism 39, so that the safety at the time of operation of the operation lever 29 can be improved. It is possible to

  Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the operation lever 29 is an example of the “operation unit”.

[4. Other]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
For example, in the foldable vehicle 1 of the present embodiment, the grip may appear when the folded state is maintained or when the steering wheel 11 is locked. The emerging grip serves as a convenient part when carrying and storing the folded state.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 folding type vehicle 3 front frame 5 base frame 7 saddle frame 9 rear frame 11 handle 25 saddle 27 rear wheel 29 operation lever 31 first lock mechanism 33 driving side cam 35 driven side cam 37 cam mechanism 39 second lock mechanism 41 link mechanism

Claims (2)

A foldable vehicle capable of switching between a deployed state for traveling and a folded state for storing and transporting,
A first lock mechanism that is released at the time of switching;
A cam mechanism which can be turned by releasing the first lock mechanism;
A link mechanism that reciprocates in accordance with the rotational direction of the cam mechanism;
A second lock mechanism that is released or fixed according to the reciprocation direction of the link mechanism;
A saddle frame having a saddle attached to an upper end and the first lock mechanism provided at a lower end;
Provided at the upper end of the saddle frame, foldable vehicle you, comprising an operation unit for performing the release operation of the first locking mechanism. A front frame having a handle attached to the upper end and a front wheel attached to the lower end;
A base whose front end is pivotally supported by the front frame so as to be rotatable relative to the front frame, and whose rear end is pivotally supported by the saddle frame so as to be rotatable relative to the saddle frame With the frame
A rear wheel having a rear end attached to the rear end, a front end pivotally supported by the base frame, and a rear frame rotatable relative to the base frame;
The cam mechanism is composed of a driving cam and a driven cam,
The drive side cam of the cam mechanism is provided at the lower end of the saddle frame,
The driven cam of the cam mechanism is provided at the rear end of the base frame and connected to one end of the link mechanism,
The foldable vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the second lock mechanism is connected to the other end of the link mechanism and provided on the front frame.

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