JPH0789478A - Auxiliary driving mechanism of wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the driving force by converting the load of a car body to the propulsion force, and to regulate the propulsion force produced by the load according to the running status of a car body. CONSTITUTION:A hub 2 is provided on the central part of a wheel 1. The inner peripheral surface of the hub 2 is taken as a caterpillar 4, a driving wheel 5 is inscribed in the lower side thereof without slip, and plural pulleys 3 for supporting the hub 2 are inscribed in the upper side thereof. The driving wheel 5 receives the load of a car body and driven in rotation by a main driving mechanism provided on the car body. A rotating lever 14 is rotated by an operation lever 15 to deflect the inscribing point of the driving wheel 5 in the caterpillar 4 forward and backward along the caterpillar 4. When the inscribing point is deflected forward, the propulsion force produced by the load works forward. When the inscribing point is deflected backward, the propulsion force produced by the load works backward. If the deflection amount is changed, the propulsion force can be regulated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is mounted on a traveling body using wheels such as an automobile and a bicycle, and converts the load thereof into a rotational force of the wheels to assist in reducing the driving force. Regarding the drive mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electric vehicles have been developed from the viewpoints of energy saving and protection of the natural environment. However, its popularity has been delayed due to heavy batteries and lack of power.

In view of such circumstances, the applicant of the present invention first developed an auxiliary drive mechanism for a wheel for converting the load of the vehicle body into a propulsive force to reduce the drive force, and disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-61. 6760
No. 2 publication. The principle will be described with reference to FIG.

In a general wheel, as shown in FIG. 1 (A), when the vehicle is stopped and on a flat ground, the point where the load of the vehicle body is applied (load point X) is located directly above the ground contact point Y. . Therefore, the load of the vehicle body does not contribute to propulsion. However, if the load point X is located in front of the ground contact point Y, the load of the vehicle body is converted into the propulsive force of the wheels. The auxiliary drive mechanism of the wheel previously developed by the applicant of the present invention is a concrete example of this, and as shown in FIG. 1 (B), a cylindrical hub 2 is provided at the center of the wheel 1, and The inner peripheral surface of the hub is the endless track 4, and the drive wheels 5 are inscribed in the lower part thereof without slipping.

Here, the drive wheel 5 receives the load of the vehicle body and transmits it to the hub 2, and is rotationally driven by a main drive mechanism mounted on the vehicle body to transmit the rotation to the hub 2.
Further, the center thereof, that is, the load point X is slightly displaced along the endless track 4 of the hub 2 in front of the ground contact point Y. Therefore, the load of the vehicle body is converted into the rotational force of the wheel 1, the battery consumption is suppressed in the electric vehicle, and the pedal effort is reduced in the bicycle.

[0006]

However, the electric vehicle not only moves forward but also moves backward. When moving backward, the propulsive force due to the load of the vehicle body acts in the opposite direction to the traveling of the vehicle body, resulting in wasting the battery. Further, when a bicycle is traveling on a steep downhill, the propulsive force due to the load of the vehicle body further accelerates the bicycle, which is in a very dangerous state.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate these inconveniences and to provide an auxiliary drive mechanism for a wheel that can always obtain an appropriate propulsive force according to the running state of a vehicle body.

[0008]

An auxiliary drive mechanism for a wheel according to the present invention is arranged coaxially with respect to the center of the wheel and has a cylindrical hub whose inner peripheral surface forms an endless track, and is rotatable with respect to a vehicle body. And a drive wheel that is rotationally driven by a main drive mechanism mounted on the vehicle body, is inscribed in the lower part of the endless track so that slip does not occur, and transmits the rotation and the vehicle body load to the hub, The hub is rotatably supported, and the inner contact of the drive wheel inscribed in the lower part of the endless track of the hub is displaced forward or backward from the position directly above the ground contact point of the wheel by one or more steps. And hub operating means for operating.

[0009]

When the drive wheels are rotated by the main drive mechanism mounted on the vehicle body, the rotation is transmitted to the hub and the wheels rotate. When the inner contact of the drive wheel is displaced forward from the position directly above the ground contact point of the wheel, the load on the vehicle body is converted to forward propulsive force, and when it is displaced rearward, the vehicle load is rearwardly propelled. Is converted to. When the displacement is in multiple stages, the propulsive force due to the load is switched to multiple stages.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 2 is a side view of a bicycle showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a bicycle. The rear wheel 1 of the bicycle is concentrically fixed to the outside of a cylindrical hub 2 by a large number of spokes (not shown). The hub 2 is rotatably supported by a plurality of pulleys 3 with bearings attached to a flat plate-shaped rotating lever 14 of hub operating means described later.

The hub 2 has a two-piece structure divided into two parts in the axial direction, and accommodates a drive wheel 5 having a small diameter therein.
The inner peripheral surface of the hub 2 forms an endless track 4 continuous in the circumferential direction. The plurality of pulleys 3 with bearings are inscribed in the upper part of the endless track 4, and the drive wheels 5 are inscribed in the lower part thereof. Both sides of the endless track 4 are reduced in diameter toward the outside. Internal gears 6 and 6 are formed on the reduced diameter portions on both sides. Correspondingly, the outer surfaces of both side portions of the drive wheel 5 are reduced in diameter toward the outside, and the external gears 7, 7 formed on the reduced diameter portions on both sides mesh with the internal gears 6, 6. Therefore, the drive wheel 5 is inscribed in the endless track 4 without slipping. The load received by the drive wheel 5 is transmitted to the hub 2 via the flat portion excluding the gear portion.

The drive wheel 5 is fixed to a rotatable support shaft 8 attached to the vehicle body. The support shaft 8 is connected to a pedal gear 11 via a gear 9 and a chain 10. Therefore, when the pedal 12 is pedaled, its rotation is transmitted to the support shaft 8 and further transmitted to the hub 2 via the drive wheel 5. Further, since the support shaft 8 receives a rear load of the bicycle, the load is transmitted to the hub 2 via the drive wheel 5.
Reference numeral 18 is a brake attached to the support shaft 8, and 19 is a dustproof cover for preventing the inside of the hub 2 from being soiled.

On the other hand, the hub 2 has a flat plate-shaped turning lever 14
It is rotatably supported with respect to the hub 2 by a plurality of pulleys 3 with bearings attached to the hub 2. The plurality of pulleys 3 with bearings are inscribed in the upper part of the endless track 4 and
We are trying to stabilize. Here, the rotation lever 14 is supported so as to be rotatable around the support shaft 8,
An operation lever 15 rotatably attached to a support shaft of the pedal gear 11 is connected by a pair of upper and lower connecting rods 16, 16. The operating lever 15 is the brake lever 1
By gripping 7, it can freely rotate back and forth, rotate backward in four steps, and rotate forward in two steps. Then, the rotating lever 14, the operating lever 15, and the connecting rods 16, 16
Constitutes a parallel link mechanism and also constitutes a hub operating means in the present embodiment.

That is, when the operation lever 15 is rotated rearward from the neutral position, the rotation lever 14 is also rotated rearward, and the drive wheel 5 with respect to the hub 2 is displaced along with the displacement of the hub 2.
The inner contact of the above moves from immediately above the grounding point of the rear wheel 1 to the front along the endless track 4 of the hub 2. On the contrary, when the operation lever 15 is rotated forward from the neutral position, the rotation lever 14 is also rotated forward, and the displacement of the hub 2 is caused by the rotation lever 14.
The inner contact point of the drive wheel 5 with respect to the hub 2 moves rearward from directly above the grounding point of the rear wheel 1 along the endless track 4 of the hub 2. After rotating the operation lever 15, the brake lever 1
When 7 is released, the operation lever 15 is fixed at the rotating position.

Such a bicycle has the following functions.

When the pedal 12 is depressed, the drive wheel 5 is passed through the gear.
Rotates. The rotation is transmitted to the hub 2 via the gears 6 and 7 to rotate the wheel 1. At this time, the operating lever 15
Is fixed to the neutral position, the inner contact of the drive wheel 5 with respect to the hub 2 is located directly above the grounding point of the rear wheel 1. Therefore, neither the speed increasing function nor the speed reducing function can be obtained.

When the operation lever 15 is rotated backward by one step, the rotation lever 14 moves backward about the support shaft 8.
Rotate one step. With this displacement of the hub 2, the inner contact of the drive wheel 5 with respect to the hub 2 moves forward from directly above the grounding point of the rear wheel 1 along the endless track 4 of the hub 2. Here, the drive wheel 5 receives the rear load of the bicycle. Therefore, the load point moves forward of the ground contact point of the rear wheel 1, and the load is converted into the forward force of the bicycle. Therefore, the bicycle is accelerated. That is, the downhill is reproduced.

When the bicycle is approaching an uphill or the like, the pedal 12 can be rotated by rotating the operation lever 15 rearward.
Labor to go through is reduced. If the operation lever 15 is rotated backward in two steps or three steps according to the slope of the slope, the speed increasing function is further enhanced, and the pedal 12 can be easily pedaled even on a steep uphill.

When traveling downhill, the operating lever 15
Rotate forward. As a result, the rotation lever 14
It rotates forward around the rotary shaft 8. With this displacement of the hub 2, the inner contact of the drive wheel 5 with respect to the hub 2 becomes
From just above the grounding point of the rear wheel 1, it moves rearward along the endless track 4 of the hub 2. As a result, the load point moves to the rear of the grounding point of the rear wheel 1, the load is converted into the backward force of the bicycle, and the bicycle is decelerated. That is, an uphill is reproduced, a bicycle can be decelerated without using a handbrake, and a function like an engine brake of a car can be obtained. Therefore, it is possible to drive safely on a steep downhill.

When the operation lever 15 is rotated forward by two steps, a stronger braking force is obtained than when it is rotated by one step.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the load of the bicycle can be converted into the propulsive force in both the front and rear directions, and the running condition on a downhill or an uphill can be reproduced. As a result, not only the effort of pedaling is reduced, but also safe and stable running on a downhill becomes possible.

Although the above-mentioned embodiment applies the present invention to a bicycle, the present invention is not limited to this.
It can be widely applied to running bodies that use wheels such as engine cars, rail cars, three-wheeled bicycles, wheel tacks, and water cars.
Further, it can be applied to non-running bodies such as wind power generation and hydroelectric power generation.

When applied to an electric vehicle, not only the traveling of the vehicle is assisted by the load of the vehicle body during normal traveling to save the power consumption of the battery, but also the assisting force thereof hinders the driving when the vehicle retreats. Prevents and positively assists the driving. Therefore, it contributes to the spread of electric vehicles.

Even when applied to an engine vehicle, an appropriate propulsive force can always be obtained regardless of the running state of the vehicle body, and fuel consumption can be improved.

When applied to an orbiting passenger freight car, low cost transportation becomes possible by saving energy and speeding up.

Since a three-wheeled bicycle is cheaper than an electric bicycle, the one to which the present invention is applied is a motorbike or a small automobile for shopping for a housewife in a town with a slope, for the elderly to take a walk, or for a physically handicapped person. Will be accepted worldwide instead.

The one to which the present invention is applied to the wheel tak has a light pedal and good stability, so that it is not only for developing countries but also
It will also be useful for domestic tourism.

The water vehicle to which the present invention is applied becomes a low-cost water transportation means for leisure, water buses, and water trucks.

The present invention can be applied to wind power generation and hydroelectric power generation to increase its power generation efficiency.

In a heavy load such as an automobile, the hub 2 for displacing the inner contact is mechanically operated by using power.

[0032]

As described above, in the auxiliary drive mechanism for a wheel according to the present invention, the inner contact point of the drive wheel inscribed in the lower part of the endless track of the hub is 1 forward and backward from the position directly above the grounding point of the wheel.
Since it is configured to be displaced in multiple steps or a plurality of steps, for example, in an automobile, not only the traveling of the vehicle is assisted by the load of the vehicle body during normal traveling to save the driving energy,
It prevents the assisting force from hindering the driving at the time of retreating and positively assists the driving. Therefore, regardless of the running state of the vehicle body, it is possible to always obtain an appropriate propulsive force,
It has a great effect on saving driving energy. Also,
On a bicycle, when traveling on a flat road or an uphill, the load of the vehicle body is converted into a forward propulsive force to reduce the labor, and when traveling downhill, the load of the vehicle body is directed backward. It can be converted to propulsive force to apply a natural-feeling braking to the vehicle, improving driving safety and stability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a power reduction effect in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a bicycle showing an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Wheel 2 Hub 4 Endless Track 5 Drive Wheel 6, 7 Gear 8 Support Shaft 14 Rotating Lever 15 Operation Lever

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] November 19, 1993

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 2

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Fig. 2]

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 3

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 3]

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A cylindrical hub coaxially arranged with respect to the center of a wheel and having an inner peripheral surface forming an endless track, and a main drive mechanism mounted rotatably on a vehicle body and mounted on the vehicle body. At the same time, the driving wheels that inscribe the lower part of the endless track so as to prevent slippage and that transmit the rotation and the load of the vehicle body to the hub and the hub are rotatably supported and the endless track of the hub. Hub operating means for operating the hub so that the inner contact of the drive wheel inscribed in the lower part is displaced forward or backward from the position directly above the ground contact point of the wheel by one or more steps. Auxiliary drive mechanism for wheels.