JPH11355915A - Vehicle speed controller for steering of electric three-wheeler - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To decelerate the vehicle velocity of an electric three-wheeler quickly when its steering wheel is turned, and accelerate the vehicle speed quickly to an original speed when the steering wheel is returned. SOLUTION: A vehicle speed controller for the steering of an electric three-wheeler decelerates the vehicle speed of the electric three-wheeler when a steering angle is not less than a predetermined value and, further, accelerates the vehicle speed to an original speed when the steering angle is restored to a value less than the predetermined value. The vehicle speed controller has a 1st steering angle detecting means 10a which detects a 1st steering angle, a 2nd steering angle detecting means 10b which detects a 2nd steering angle larger than the 1st steering angle, and a control means 10c which controls the vehicle speed in accordance with the detection signals of both the steering angle detecting means 10a and 10b. The control means 10c decelerates or accelerates the vehicle speed in accordance with the detection signal of the 1st steering angle when the steering angle is in a small value range, and accelerates the vehicle speed to the original speed in accordance with the detection signal of 2nd steering angle when the steering angle is in a large value range.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle speed control device for operating a steering wheel of an electric tricycle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For people who cannot walk for a long time or who cannot smoothly walk, there is an electric tricycle running at low speed as an alternative to walking. The electric tricycle has a maximum speed set to a low speed of, for example, 6 km / h to ensure safety during traveling. However, if the driver turns abruptly while traveling at the maximum speed, the electric tricycle may fall. For this reason, in the electric tricycle, when the steering wheel is turned, the vehicle speed is reduced from the maximum speed to a predetermined low speed, and
It is equipped with a vehicle speed control device that functions to increase the decelerated vehicle speed to the maximum speed when the steering wheel is returned.

The vehicle speed control device includes a steering angle detecting means for detecting a predetermined steering angle of the steering wheel, and a control device for controlling the vehicle speed based on a detection signal from the steering angle detecting means. When the steering angle is equal to or more than the predetermined value, the vehicle speed is reduced, and when the steering angle returns within the predetermined value, the vehicle speed is increased.

[0004]

By the way, for an occupant of an electric tricycle, when the steering wheel is turned, the vehicle speed is rapidly reduced to ensure safety, and when the steering wheel is returned, the vehicle speed is reduced. It is desirable that the vehicle be quickly restored to a higher speed so that comfortable running can be achieved.

[0005] However, in the conventional vehicle speed control device, the steering angle of the steering wheel, which is the starting point of deceleration of the vehicle speed, and the steering angle of the steering wheel, which is the starting point of increasing the decelerated vehicle speed, match. Decreasing the vehicle speed early in the turning operation is inconsistent with increasing the speed in the returning operation of the steering wheel at an early stage. The acceleration return will be delayed.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electric three-wheeled vehicle of this type in which when the steering wheel is turned, the vehicle speed is rapidly reduced, and when the steering wheel is largely turned, the returning operation is performed early. The object is to make the decelerated vehicle speed return to the increased speed quickly.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention detects a steering angle of a steering wheel of an electric three-wheeled vehicle, reduces the vehicle speed when the steering angle is equal to or more than a predetermined value, and returns the steering angle to within a predetermined value. In some cases, the present invention relates to a vehicle speed control device for operating a steering wheel of an electric tricycle that increases the decelerated vehicle speed.

Thus, the vehicle speed control device according to the present invention
First steering angle detecting means for detecting a predetermined first steering angle value of the steering wheel, and second steering angle detecting means for detecting a predetermined second steering angle value larger than the first steering angle value of the steering wheel And control means for controlling the vehicle speed based on the detection signals from both of these steering angle detection means, wherein the control means is based on the detection signal of the first steering angle value in a range where the steering angle of the steering wheel is small. Reduce or increase the vehicle speed, and
In a range where the steering angle of the steering wheel is large, the vehicle speed is reduced or increased based on the detection signal of the second steering angle value.

In the vehicle speed control apparatus according to the present invention, the first steering angle detecting means has a cam groove and an outer circumferential arc portion which are attached to the steering wheel so as to be integrally rotatable and extend a predetermined length in a circumferential direction on an outer circumferential edge. A first cam plate which is slidably in contact with the outer peripheral edge of the first cam plate and is opened when located in the cam groove or the outer circular arc portion and is closed when located in the outer peripheral arc portion or the cam groove; And a second cam plate having a cam groove and an outer peripheral arc portion which are attached to the handle so as to be integrally rotatable and extend in the outer peripheral edge by a predetermined length in the circumferential direction, wherein the second steering angle detecting means is provided with a detection switch.
A second detection switch slidably in contact with the outer peripheral edge of the second cam plate and opened when located in the cam groove or the outer circular arc portion and closed when located in the outer peripheral arc portion or the cam groove. can do.

Further, in the vehicle speed control device according to the present invention, the first cam plate may include a cam groove extending a predetermined length in the left-right direction around the neutral position of the handle, and an outer circumferential arc portion following the cam groove. And the second
The cam plate has an outer circumferential arc portion extending a predetermined length in the left-right direction around the neutral position of the handle, and a cam groove following the outer circumferential arc portion, and the cam groove of the first cam plate is formed by the second The cam plate may be formed to be shorter than the outer circular arc portion, and each of the detection switches may be opened when it is positioned in the cam groove of each cam plate and closed when it is positioned in the outer circular arc portion.

Further, in the vehicle speed control device according to the present invention, the first cam plate may include an outer peripheral arc portion extending a predetermined length in the left-right direction around the neutral position of the handle, and a cam groove following the outer peripheral arc portion. The second cam plate is provided with a cam groove extending a predetermined length in the left-right direction around the neutral position of the handle, and an outer circumferential arc portion following the cam groove. The outer peripheral arc portion is formed to be shorter than the cam groove of the second cam plate, and each of the detection switches is set to be opened when located at the outer peripheral arc portion of each cam plate and to be closed when located at the cam groove. be able to.

[0012]

In the vehicle speed control device according to the present invention, when the occupant of the electric tricycle turns the steering wheel exceeding the first steering angle value during traveling (hereinafter referred to as steering wheel operation), the first steering angle is detected. The means detects the first steering angle value and outputs a detection signal of the steering angle value to the control means. The control means reduces the vehicle speed based on the detection signal to change the direction of the electric tricycle in a safe low-speed state. Thereafter, when the occupant returns the steering wheel to drive straight ahead (referred to as steering wheel return operation), the first steering angle detecting means detects the first steering angle value and outputs a detection signal of the steering angle value to the control means. I do. The control means increases the speed of the vehicle based on the detection signal and returns the vehicle to a comfortable speed.

[0013] When an occupant of the electric tricycle turns a large steering wheel exceeding the second steering angle value during traveling, the first operation is performed.
The steering angle detecting means detects the first steering angle value, and in the same manner as described above, the control means reduces the vehicle speed based on the detection signal so as to change the direction of the electric tricycle in a safe low speed state. To Thereafter, when the occupant returns the steering wheel to travel straight, the second steering angle detecting means detects the second steering angle value and outputs a detection signal of the steering angle value to the control means. The control means increases the speed of the vehicle based on the detection signal and returns the vehicle to a comfortable speed.

[0014] When a large steering wheel turning operation exceeding the second steering angle value is performed, the occupant once performs a steering wheel returning operation exceeding the second steering angle value, and then further performs a steering wheel turning operation exceeding the second steering angle value. Then, the second steering angle detecting means detects the second steering angle value and outputs a detection signal of the steering angle value to the control means. For this reason, the control means reduces the vehicle speed again to achieve a safe direction change, and at the time of the subsequent returning operation of the steering wheel, the vehicle speed is increased and returned with the second steering angle value as the starting point of increasing the speed, thereby making the electric tricycle comfortable. Run at a reasonable speed.

As described above, in the vehicle speed control device, when the steering wheel turning operation is in a small range, the first steering angle value becomes the starting point of deceleration and acceleration of the vehicle speed, and the vehicle speed is changed to the steering wheel turning operation. It is possible to quickly decelerate in response and to quickly return to the speed increase in response to the steering wheel returning operation. When the steering wheel turning operation is in a large range, the first steering angle value is the starting point of the vehicle speed deceleration, but the second steering angle value is the second steering angle value.
Becomes the starting point of the vehicle speed increase return, and the vehicle speed can be quickly decelerated in response to the steering wheel turning operation, and can be quickly restored in response to the steering wheel return operation.

In the vehicle speed control device according to the present invention, the first
A cam plate having a cam groove and an outer circular arc portion which are attached to the steering wheel so as to be integrally rotatable and which extend in the outer peripheral edge by a predetermined length in the circumferential direction;
Easily formed by a configuration having a detection switch that slides on the outer peripheral edge of the cam plate and is opened when located in the cam groove or the outer circular arc portion and closed when located in the outer peripheral arc portion or the cam groove. can do.

In this configuration, the first cam plate of the first steering angle detecting means is provided with a cam groove extending a predetermined length in the left-right direction around the neutral position of the steering wheel and an outer circumferential arc portion following the cam groove. And a second cam plate of the second steering angle detecting means is provided with an outer circumferential arc portion extending a predetermined length in the left-right direction around the neutral position of the steering wheel, and a cam groove following the outer circumferential arc portion. The cam groove of the first cam plate is formed shorter than the outer circular arc portion of the second cam plate, and each detection switch is opened when it is located in the cam groove of each cam plate and closed when it is located in the outer circular arc portion. Set.

Instead of this configuration, the first cam plate of the first steering angle detecting means is provided with an outer peripheral arc portion extending a predetermined length in the left-right direction around the neutral position of the steering wheel, and a cam groove following the outer peripheral arc portion. The second cam plate of the second steering angle detecting means is provided with a cam groove extending a predetermined length in the left-right direction around the neutral position of the handle, and an outer circumferential arc portion following the cam groove, The outer peripheral arc portion of the first cam plate is formed shorter than the cam groove of the second cam plate, and each detection switch is opened when the outer peripheral arc portion of each cam plate is located and is closed when located in the cam groove. You may make it.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows an example of a vehicle speed control device according to the present invention. The vehicle speed control device includes a first steering angle detecting unit 10a, a second steering angle detecting unit 10b,
Control means 10c is provided.

The first steering angle detecting means 10a comprises a first cam plate 11 fixed so as to penetrate a handle shaft 21 of the electric tricycle, and a first detecting switch 12 fixed to the vehicle body. And the first cam plate 1
1 has a cam groove 11a of a predetermined length and an outer circular arc portion 1
1b.

The first detection switch 12 has a movable contact 12a
And the pusher 12b, and the pusher 12b is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral edge of the first cam plate 11. First detection switch 12
Is opened when the pusher 12b is positioned in the cam groove 11a. When the pusher 12b rides on the outer circular arc portion 11b, the movable contact 12a is pushed and closed. The first detection switch 12 is connected to a controller serving as the control unit 10c.

The second steering angle detecting means 10b is composed of a second cam plate 13 fixed so as to penetrate the handle shaft 21 of the electric tricycle, and a second detecting switch 14 fixed to the vehicle body. Have been. Second cam plate 1
3 is located on the handle shaft 21 in parallel with the first cam plate 11, and the second detection switch 14 is located symmetrically with respect to the first detection switch 12 with the handle shaft 21 interposed therebetween. The outer peripheral edge of the second cam plate 13 is formed with an outer peripheral arc portion 13a having a predetermined length and a pair of cam grooves 13b.

The second detection switch 14 has a movable contact 14a
And the pressing element 14b, and the pressing element 14b is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral edge of the second cam plate 13. Second detection switch 14
Indicates that the second detection switch 14 is closed when the pusher 14b is located in the outer peripheral arc portion 13a.
Is dropped into the cam groove 13b, the pressing movement against the movable contact 13a is released and the movable contact 13a is opened. The second detection switch 14 is connected to a controller that is the control unit 10c.

The controller 10c controls the rotation speed of the drive motor 22, which is the drive source of the electric tricycle, to control the vehicle speed to be reduced and increased.

In the vehicle speed control device, the first cam plate 11 is arranged so that the cam groove 11a extends the same length to the left and right from the neutral position of the handle shaft 21 when the handle shaft 21 is in the neutral state. The second cam plate 13 is fixed on the handle shaft 2.
When 1 is located in the neutral state, the outer circumferential arc portion 13a is fixed on the handle shaft 21 so as to extend the same length to the left and right from the neutral position of the handle shaft 21. The cam groove 11 a of the first cam plate 11 is formed to be shorter than the outer peripheral arc portion 13 a of the second cam plate 13.

In the vehicle speed control device, the detection switches 12, 14 are closed (ON) and opened (OFF) by turning and returning the steering wheel of the electric tricycle.
FIG. 2 shows a timing chart of the ON / OFF operation of the operation. In the timing chart, the vertical line L0 indicates the neutral position of the steering wheel, the vertical line L1 indicates the position where the steering wheel is fully turned leftward, and the vertical line L2 indicates the position where the steering wheel is fully turned rightward. I have.

When the steering wheel is at the neutral position, the first detection switch 12 operates the cam groove 1 of the first cam plate 11.
1a, which is in the OFF state, and the outer peripheral arc portion 11 of the first cam plate 11 is
When riding on b, ON operation is performed at point a when turning left, and at point b when turning right. On the other hand, in the second detection switch 14, when the handle is in the neutral position, it is located on the outer circumferential arc portion 13a of the second cam plate 13 and is in the ON state.
When it falls into the cam groove 13b of the second cam plate 13, it is O at the point c in the case of the left turn and at the point d in the case of the right turn.
FF operation is performed.

FIG. 3 shows the state of the O of each of the detection switches 12 and 14.
6 is a timing chart showing a relationship between N, OFF operation and vehicle speed control by a controller 22, and shows a case of a right turn operation of a steering wheel.

In the vehicle speed control device, when the steering angle of the steering wheel exceeds a predetermined first steering angle value by the steering wheel right turning operation while the occupant of the electric tricycle is traveling, the first detection is performed at this time (point b). When the switch 12 is turned on, this operation signal is output to the controller 22. The controller 10c reduces the drive rotation of the drive motor 10c based on the operation signal, and reduces the speed of the electric tricycle to a vehicle speed that is safe for the direction change. In this case, when the steering wheel is turned back within a small range of the right turn operation of the steering wheel, the controller 10c increases the drive rotation of the drive motor 22 based on the operation signal at the time point b at which the first detection switch 12 is turned off. Then, the electric tricycle is caused to return at an increased speed so that the electric tricycle runs at a comfortable speed. In the vehicle speed column of FIG. 3, the deceleration state is indicated by a solid line, and the acceleration return state is indicated by a one-dot chain line.

When the occupant of the electric tricycle turns a large steering wheel exceeding the second steering angle value during traveling, the first steering operation is performed.
The detection switch 12 is turned on, and the second detection switch 14 is turned off. In this case, based on the ON operation signal of the first detection switch 12, the controller 10c lowers the drive rotation of the drive motor 23, decelerates the electric tricycle to a safe vehicle speed for the direction change, and moves the electric tricycle to a safe low speed. Change the direction in the state.

Thereafter, when the occupant returns the steering wheel so as to travel straight, the second detection switch 14 is turned ON at the time point d, and this operation signal is output to the controller 10c.
The controller 10c increases the drive rotation of the drive motor 22 at the time point d based on the operation signal, causes the electric tricycle to return to the increased speed, and causes the electric tricycle to run at a comfortable speed. In the vehicle speed column of FIG. 3, this deceleration status is shown by a solid line, and the speed-up recovery status is shown by a two-dot chain line.

When a large steering wheel turning operation exceeding the second steering angle value is performed, the occupant once performs a steering wheel returning operation exceeding the second steering angle value, and then further performs a steering wheel turning operation exceeding the second steering angle value. Then, the second detection switch 1
4 turns OFF at the time point d, and outputs this operation signal to the controller 10c. For this reason, the controller 10c reduces the vehicle speed again at the time point d to achieve a safe direction change, and when the steering wheel is subsequently returned, the second detection switch 14 is turned ON at the time point d, and the vehicle speed is increased and returned at the time point d. To drive the electric tricycle at a comfortable speed.

As described above, in the vehicle speed control device, when the steering wheel turning operation is in a small range, the first steering angle value becomes the starting point of the deceleration and acceleration of the vehicle speed, and the vehicle speed responds to the steering wheel operation. As a result, the vehicle can be quickly decelerated, and the speed can be quickly restored in response to the steering wheel returning operation. Also, if the steering wheel turning operation is in a large range,
The first steering angle value is the starting point of the vehicle speed deceleration, but the second steering angle value is the starting point of the vehicle speed increase return, and the vehicle speed is quickly decelerated in response to the steering wheel turning operation, and the steering wheel is returned. The speed can be restored quickly in response to the operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vehicle speed control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows O of each detection switch constituting the vehicle speed control device.
6 is a timing chart of N, OFF operation.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing a relationship between ON / OFF operation of each detection switch and vehicle speed control by a controller.

[Explanation of symbols]

10a: first steering angle detecting means, 10b: second steering angle detecting means, 10c: controller, 11: first cam plate, 12: first detection switch, 13: second cam plate,
14: second detection switch, 11a, 13b: cam groove, 11
b, 13a: outer peripheral arc portion, 12a, 14a: movable contact,
12b, 14b: pusher, 21: handle shaft, 22: drive motor.

Claims (4)

[Claims] The steering angle of a steering wheel of an electric tricycle is detected, and if the steering angle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the vehicle speed is reduced, and if the steering angle returns within the predetermined value, the decelerated vehicle speed is increased. A steering speed control device for operating a steering wheel of an electric three-wheeled vehicle for returning to speed, a first steering angle detecting means for detecting a first steering angle value of the steering wheel, and a predetermined steering angle value larger than the first steering angle value of the steering wheel. Detecting the second steering angle value of
Steering angle detection means, and control means for controlling the vehicle speed based on the detection signals from both of these steering angle detection means, wherein the control means comprises: a first steering angle value for the steering angle of the steering wheel in a small range. The vehicle speed is reduced or increased based on a detection signal, and the vehicle speed is reduced or increased based on the detection signal of the second steering angle value in a range where the steering angle of the steering wheel is large. Vehicle speed control device when operating the handle of a tricycle. 2. A vehicle speed control device according to claim 1, wherein said first steering angle detecting means is mounted on said handlebar so as to be integrally rotatable and extends along an outer peripheral edge by a predetermined length in a circumferential direction and an outer peripheral arc portion. A first cam plate having an opening and being opened when slidably in contact with the outer peripheral edge of the first cam plate and located in the cam groove or the outer circular arc portion and closed when located in the outer peripheral arc portion or the cam groove. A first detection switch,
A second cam plate having a cam groove and an outer circumferential arc portion which are attached to the handle so as to be rotatable integrally with the handle and which extend in the outer peripheral edge by a predetermined length in the circumferential direction; and an outer peripheral edge of the second cam plate A second detection switch which is opened when slidably in contact with the cam groove or the outer peripheral arc portion and closed when located in the outer peripheral arc portion or the cam groove. Vehicle speed control device during operation. 3. The vehicle speed control device according to claim 2,
The first cam plate includes a cam groove extending a predetermined length in the left-right direction around the neutral position of the handle, and an outer circumferential arc portion following the cam groove. The second cam plate defines the neutral position of the handle. An outer peripheral arc portion extending a predetermined length in the left-right direction with respect to the center, and a cam groove following the outer peripheral arc portion, the cam groove of the first cam plate is formed shorter than the outer peripheral arc portion of the second cam plate; The vehicle speed control device at the time of operating a steering wheel of an electric three-wheeled vehicle, wherein each of the detection switches is set to be opened when located in a cam groove of each of the cam plates and closed when located in an outer circumferential arc portion. 4. The vehicle speed control device according to claim 2,
The first cam plate includes a peripheral arc portion extending a predetermined length in the left-right direction around a neutral position of the handle, and a cam groove continuing to the peripheral arc portion. The second cam plate includes:
A cam groove extending a predetermined length in the left-right direction around the neutral position of the handle; and an outer circumferential arc portion following the cam groove, wherein the outer circumferential arc portion of the first cam plate is shorter than the cam groove of the second cam plate. Wherein each of the detection switches is set to be opened when it is located on the outer circumferential arc of each of the cam plates and closed when it is located in the cam groove. Vehicle speed control device.