JPS59149873A - Collapsible automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To fold an automobile body to a smaller size when it is not used, by pivotally coupling a movable frame to a fixed frame. CONSTITUTION:To fold an automobile body, links 20 are first separated from link plates 17, 19. At that time, the link 20 does not drop off from the first link plate 17 because a stopper 18 is provided on the link plate. The rear of a fixed frame 1 is then lifted. Rear wheels 5b are then displaced forward. As a result, the link plates 17, 19 are turned about the pivots and elongated and a movable frame 11 is turned forward about a rear suspension arm shaft 6. In a prescribed folded position, hooks 12 are engaged on a reinforcing bar 15 to keep the frames 1, 11 from being turned relative to each other.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a foldable vehicle whose body can be folded up and downsized when not in use.

Conventional car body structures can be roughly divided into parts that serve as strength members for attaching the entire power train and chassis, and parts that serve as body structural materials.
The monocoque structure, which is mainly used in small cars, and the strength members that attach the entire power train and chassis are assembled into a ladder-like frame structure, and the entire car body is supported on these 7 frames. It is broadly divided into the ladder-type frame structure used in trucks.

However, in automobiles with such conventional body structures, when the vehicle is not in use, for example, part or all of the body can be folded up to reduce the overall length of the body. Since the structure is not such that the diameter can be shortened, it is natural that a parking space larger than the shape of the vehicle body is required when parking. For this reason, valuable living space was sacrificed to secure 2 parking spaces.
Another problem is that vehicle ownership is restricted, and in overcrowded cities, it is a contributing factor to traffic chaos.

In order to solve this problem, the present applicant has already filed an application for a folding vehicle in which the front frame and the rear frame of the vehicle body are foldably connected (Japanese Patent Application No. 57-1S).
s455).

However, in this invention, the connecting portion between the two frames is located approximately in the center of the vehicle, and the weight of the vehicle, the weight of the occupants, and the loaded weight are concentrated at the connecting portion, so that two reinforcements are particularly required for the strength of the vehicle body. In addition to the problem of having to move the vehicle over and over again, the suspension means for absorbing shock during driving were also insufficient, and it was hoped that a more practical folding vehicle would be devised that would improve upon these features.

The present invention was devised to meet such expectations, and also solves all of the problems of the prior invention.

The object of the present invention is to provide a folding type moving vehicle which can be fully equipped with suspension means and which can be put into practical use.

The configuration of the present invention will be explained below according to each embodiment shown in one drawing.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the first invention, in which a front suspension arm 2 for attaching a front wheel 5ai is attached to a fixed frame 1 on the front side of the vehicle.
A steering unit 4 is installed through three spring damper units that perform the buffering function of a, and is linked to the steering system.

On the other hand, on the vehicle rear side of the fixed frame 1, a rear suspension arm shaft 6 is rotatably installed between the side frames 1a and lb of the fixed frame 1, and further around the rear suspension arm shaft 6. , a pair of rear suspension arms 7, 7 are installed, and an axle tube 8 having a built-in driving force transmission means is horizontally installed at the tips of the rear suspension arms 7, 7, and both ends of the axle tube 80 are installed. The rear wheels 5b, 5b-1)E
It will be installed.

That is, the rear suspension arm shaft 6. Su7? The suspension arm 7, 7.7 and the suspension arm 8 constitute a movable frame 11, and the movable frame 11
is the rear wheel 5b centered around the rear suspension arm shaft 6.
, 5b is rotatable from the traveling position to a predetermined folding position in the direction of reducing the wheel base.

The suspension arm 7 also has an auxiliary bar 1 horizontally installed on the fixed frame 1 in this folded position.
A hook 12 is provided on the periphery of the axle tube 8 to engage with the rear wheels 5b and 5btl'' to prevent rotation of the movable frame 11. In addition, one end of a spring damper unit (10.10) for damping is pivotally mounted.

The other end of the spring damper unit 1O110 is horizontally installed at the rearmost part of the fixed frame 1. A first link plate 17 whose one end is loosely fitted to the rearmost frame 1c
and a second link plate 19, which is connected at one end to the free end side of the first link plate 17 and whose other end is engaged to the rear spring damper unit 10, is installed laterally at the rearmost part of the fixed frame 1. [Last frame]C.

Furthermore, a ring 20 is fitted into the first link plate 17, and the ring 20 is fitted onto the first link plate 17 when the two link plates 17 and 19 are folded over each other. A stopper 18 for stopping is provided in a protruding manner. Note that the drive system 9 that drives the rear wheels 5b is connected to the − side (
, is loosely fitted to the IJ suspension arm shaft 6 and fixed to the axle tube 8 on the other side, and is constructed between both members.

In the first embodiment of the above configuration, in the running state, as shown in FIG. Fit both link plates 17.
19 is prevented from elongation.

As a result, the rear wheels 5b, 5b are disposed, the movable frame 11 is completely prevented from rotating, and the vehicle runs on the wheel base A as shown in FIG. 2(A).

During this running, the shock applied to the vehicle body via the rear wheels 5b is absorbed by the rear spring damper unit 10, while the shock applied to the vehicle body via the front wheels 5a (z) is absorbed by the front spring damper unit 3, providing sufficient cushioning. will be done.

Next, when fully folding the vehicle after it has stopped, the occupants must first fold the 20 rings after getting off the vehicle.
Make them more detached. At this time, since the first link plate 17 is provided with a stopper 18, the ring 20 is
It will not fall off from the link plate 17. Further, the rear end portion of the fixed frame 1 is lifted up and the rear wheel 5b is moved forward of the vehicle body. Therefore, both link plates 17 and 19 rotate from their respective pivot points and extend, and the movable frame 11 rotates forward of the vehicle body about the rear suspension arm axis σ. Then, the hook 12 is engaged with the reinforcing bar 15 at a predetermined folding position, and both frames 1, 1
1 relative rotation is completely blocked. This allows the vehicle to move as shown in Figure 2 (
From foil base A to foil base B as shown in b)
Furthermore, the body 16, which is fixed to the fixed frame 1 at several points, can be displaced obliquely to reduce the parking space.

Next, when returning the vehicle to its running condition, attach the hook 12 to the reinforcing bar 1 while supporting the rear end of the fixed frame 1.
5 and gradually lower the fixed frame 1. At this time, the first link plate 17 and the second link plate 19
is relatively rotated, and when one fixed frame has been lowered, ring 20? It is externally fitted onto both link plates 17 and 19 which are folded and overlapped. As a result, the vehicle returns to its running state with the wheelbase A as shown in FIG. 2(a), and is now ready to run.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which only the structure for fixing the link plate, which extends 10 rear spring damper units, during running is different. That is, the pair of first link plates 25 are loosely fitted to the rearmost frame IC, and one end of each of the second link plates 26 and 26 is pivotally attached to the distal end thereof. A rear spring damper unit 10 is connected to the other end of this second link plate 26.
A bridged bar 13 is inserted between them.

- Rubber mount (14.14) in which the rearmost 7 frame 1c is provided with a retaining part that can be freely attached to and detached from the bar 13.
is fixed.

In the second embodiment having the above configuration, during running, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (a), the bar 13
The rear spring damper unit 10 is fixed by engaging the rubber mount 14 to completely prevent both link plates 25 and 26 from elongating, thereby obtaining the above-mentioned buffering effect. Next, when it is folded, the bar 13 is separated from the rubber mount 14 as shown in FIG. Preventing relative rotation of both frames 1.11. Furthermore, to return to the driving condition, remove the hook 12 and re-engage the bar 13 with the vertex mount 14, and the rear spring damper unit 10 will be fixed and the vehicle will be ready to travel. According to this embodiment, the pair of link plates can be released from their fixation with a single operation, making operations such as folding easier.

FIG. 5.6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, in which only the next structure for extending the rear spring damper unit tf is different. That is, the rear spring damper unit 10' in this embodiment has a piston 23 provided at its upper end, as shown in detail in FIG.
Is it tubular and has the required length inside? A rod 24 having a structure is slidably inserted therein, and the protruding end of the rod 24 is rotatably pivoted to the rearmost frame IC. The piston 23 and the rod 24 are provided with a through hole 22a that coincides with each other when the vehicle is running, and the bottle 22 is removably inserted into the through hole 22a. In this embodiment having the above configuration, when driving, the bottle 22 is inserted into the through hole 22a and the rear spring damper unit 10 is inserted into the through hole 22a as shown in FIGS. 'Fix it. When folding, each bin 224 is removed from the through hole 22a, the fixed frame 1 is completely lifted up, the rod 24 is pulled out from the piston 23, and the entire hook 12 is engaged with the reinforcing bar 15.

When returning to the running state, the rear spring damper unist 10' is released by releasing the hook 12, housing the rod 24 in the piston 23, and inserting the bottle 22 into the through hole 2211. It is now fixed and ready to travel.

This third embodiment is a rear spring damper unit 1.0
The piston 23.' is supported by a rigid member during running.
Rod 24? Since this is carried out through Il-, the strength of this part is excellent.

7 and 8 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which only the structure for extending 10 rear spring damper units is completely different. That is, the end of the rear spring damper unit 10 of this embodiment is loosely fitted to the rearmost frame IC, and the movable frame 11 is at the folded position 1.
A long hole with a purple diameter is provided to enable rotation, and a guide plate 27.27 is fixed thereto, and a bar 13 similar to the fJ2 example is provided between the guide plates 27.27. A rubber mount 14 similar to that of the second embodiment is also provided on the rearmost frame la. In the same way as in the second embodiment, the bar 13 is fitted into the rubber mount 14 to completely fix the rear spring damper unit 10 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). )).

When folding the bar 13 to the rubber mount 1
4 and lift the fixed frame 1. As a result, the rearmost frame IC moves fully upward within the elongated hole of the guide plate 27, and the rear spring damper unit 10 relatively extends. Then, when the rear wheel 5b reaches a predetermined position, the hook 12 is engaged with the reinforcing bar 15, and the movable frame is fixed to the folded state. (Figure 8 (b)).

Furthermore, when returning to the driving state again, the rear spring damper unit 10? It is fixed. This embodiment has a simpler structure than the previous embodiment, and can therefore be manufactured at relatively low cost.

Figures 9 and 10 show the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
Wire 28 in place of guide plate 27 in the embodiment
It uses

That is, 28 wires have a required length, one end of which is fixed to the rearmost frame 1eK, the other end of which is fixed to the bar 13, and the wire 28 is fixed to the guide plate 27.
The configuration is the same as that of the fourth embodiment except for the configuration in place of . Therefore, the traveling state and the folding state can be made in the same manner as in the fourth embodiment. In other words, when folded, the wire 28 is tensioned to prevent the rear spring damper unit 1 from moving as shown in FIG. Since it is extremely simple, it can be manufactured at the lowest cost.

FIG. 11 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and is an example in which the rear spring damper unit 10, which is a strut, can be completely removed. That is, a bar 13 is installed horizontally at the end of the rear spring damper unit 10, and a rubber mount 14' to which the core bar 13 is removably fitted is fixed to the rearmost frame IC. - The rear suspension arm shaft 6 is provided with a metal holder 22 that engages the bar 13 in the folded state. In the sixth embodiment having the above structure, when the vehicle is running, the bar 13 is fitted into the rubber mount 14', and the rear spring damper unit 10 is fixed and performs a predetermined buffering function.

Next, when folding, the bar 18 is first detached δ from the vertex mount 14'. At this time, the rubber mount 14
Since ' is an elastic body, the bar 13 can be easily removed as shown in FIGS. Next, lift the rear end of the fixed frame 1 and
b'(ll- While moving the bar 13 forward and stretching the spring holder of the rear spring damper unit 10 appropriately, place the bar 13 on the metal 22.

When the movement is completed, 12 hooks and 15 reinforcing bars are attached.
11 movable frames are fixed, and folding is completed.

Furthermore, when returning to the running state, the hook 12 and the bar 18' are detached from each other, and the bar 1st mount rubber 14' is fitted to the bar 1st mount rubber 14' while lowering the fixed frame 1.
Once it is completely lowered, the vehicle is ready to drive.

In this sixth embodiment, unlike the other embodiments described above, there is a compact member that extends 10 rear spring damper units. Since it is not necessary, costs can be reduced and the importance of the vehicle body can be reduced.

Next, the second invention will be explained based on the first embodiment shown in FIG. 14. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent parts 9 members as those of the first invention described above, and redundant explanation will be omitted. That is, in this first embodiment, the receiver in the sixth embodiment of the invention of Tei@1 mentioned above is replaced with gold 22,
A guide plate 29 is used to guide the rear spring damper unit 10, which is a strut, to a predetermined position. The guide plate 29 is located at both ends of the bar 13? Loosely fit and one end of the rearmost frame lc.

The other end has a curved long hole 29ak extending to the vicinity of each of the rear suspension arm shafts 6, and is fixed to the fixed frame l. In this embodiment having the above-described configuration, when traveling, -18 is located at the rear end of the elongated hole 29a, and as in the above embodiment, the rubber mount 1
4' is fitted.

When folding, first lift the rear end of the fixed frame l and move it to the rear wheel 5b'.

Drive system 9 at this time. The rear spring damper unit 10 is stretched by the weight of the rear wheel 5b, and the tension causes the bar 13 to separate from the vertex 14' (
Figure 13 (a) (b) (/i). The hook 13 is automatically guided to the front end of the long hole 29m as the movable frame 11 rotates, and by engaging the hook 12 with the auxiliary bar 15, the bar 13 is guided to the front end of the long hole 2na. Position to,
Rear Spring Damba Units) 10! It fixes r.

Next, when returning to the running condition, remove the 12 hooks and move the fixed frame 1 downward, the movable frame 11 will rotate, while the bar 13 will slide backward in the elongated hole 291L. Then, due to the weight of the fixed frame 1, etc., the bar 13 automatically moves to the rubber mount 1 as shown in FIGS.
4', and the rear spring damper unit 10 returns to its running state.

Therefore, in this embodiment, while driving, the rear spring damper unit 10 performs a predetermined buffering function, and folding can be performed by lifting the fixing member 7 and the person 1 and releasing the hook 12. In order to return to the state at the time of restarting running, it is sufficient to simply release the 12 hooks, so the folding operation etc. can be performed extremely easily.

Are Figures 16 to 19 a second embodiment of the second invention? In this figure, guidance by a wire is further added to guidance by a guide plate 29.

That is, in this embodiment, two sets of wires are used, and the first wire 30 is used exclusively for folding.
As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, one end thereof is fixed to the rearmost frame IC, a pulley 30a is pivoted to the rear suspension arm 7, and a front end of the guide plate 29 is pivoted to the rear suspension arm 7. Tabu IJ 80 b,
The other end is fixed to the bar 13 through the vi-sequential. On the other hand, the second wire 31, which is used exclusively when returning from the folded state to the running state, has one end fixed to the rear suspension arm 7 and attached to the reinforcing bar 15, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 18. Provided wire receiver 81 &
Pulley 31b pivoted to H side frame 1b, pulley 31C9 pivoted to reinforcing bar 15, rearmost frame I
The other end is fixed to the bar 13 via a pulley 81dTh which is pivoted to C.

This first. Spring units 82 and 82 are provided midway through the second wires 80 and 81, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 19, the spring unit 32 has a cylinder 82a connected to one end of a wire, a spring 82b housed in the cylinder 32, and a spring 82b connected to the other end of the wire. Piston 8 is urged by 82b in a direction to bring both wire ends closer to each other.
It consists of 2c.

In this embodiment with the above configuration, when folding, the rear end of the fixed frame l is lifted up and the rear wheel 5b (z
move it forward. As a result, the pulley 30a also moves, and tension is generated in the first wire 30 and the spring unit 32
The bar 13 moves along the guide plate 29 by the repulsive force of the spring 32b inside, and when the folding is completed, the bar 13 reaches the front end of the elongated hole 29a. By engaging the hooks 12 with the reinforcing bars 15, the 11 movable frames are fixed. Next, when returning from the folded state to the state when the vehicle is running, see Figure 18 (a) and (b).
As shown in , remove the hook 12 from the reinforcing bar 15 and lower the rear end of the fixed frame 1.

As a result, the pulley ale also moves downward, and the second wire 31 is pulled by the pulley 81e to generate tension, and the repulsive force of the spring 82b in the spring unit 32 causes the bar 1 to move downward.
3 moves along the guide plate 29, reaches the rear end of the elongated hole 29a, and is fitted into the rubber mount 14' fixed to the rearmost frame IC, and the spring damper unit 10 is placed in the running position. It is fixed.

In this embodiment, the bar 13 is linked to the movement of the movable frame 11 by wires and is biased by the spring unit 32, so that the bar 13 moves the fixed frame up and down except when the hook 12 is engaged and released. It is possible to perform folding operations etc. with just one hand.

FIG. 20 shows a third embodiment of the second invention, in which 33 handles are added to the first embodiment of the second invention to detach the bar 13 from the vertex bar mound 14'. . That is, the handle 33 is rotatably attached to the fixed frame 1 via the brackets 34, and its end 33a is in contact with the rear part of the vehicle body 18 of the H bar 13, and is also supported by a return spring (not shown).
The handle 8B'z is biased in the direction of lowering the handle 8B'z. When the handle 8B'z is folded in this embodiment with the above configuration, when the handle 8B'z is lifted, the end 88a is pressed against the 13 bars and 13 Kera bar mount 14'
to separate from The subsequent operation is the same as in the first embodiment, including folding and returning to the running state. In this embodiment, since the bar 13 is detached from the rubber mount 14' by the handle 33, more reliable operation can be expected.

Is Fig. 21 the fourth embodiment of the second invention? It shows
A pedal 35 is used in place of the handle of the third embodiment. That is, the pedal 85 is rotatably provided on the axle tube 8 via a platen, and an arm 36 is implanted therein to cooperate with the rotation. Wires 37 are attached to the ends of the pedal 35 and the arm 36, respectively.
．． One end of the wire 37 is fixed, and the other end of the wire 37 is connected via a pulley to a bushing rod 88.38 rotatably planted in the fixed frame 1 and whose peripheral surface is in contact with the bar 13. has been done. In this embodiment with the above configuration, folding? In this case, when the 35 pedals are depressed, the wire 37, 37 VC is pulled and the bushing rod 38, 38 rotates, pressing the 13 bars and separating them from the rubber mount 14'. The subsequent operation 1 involves folding and returning to the running state in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the mount 14 of the bar 13 is
Since the detachment operation from '' can be performed with the feet, both hands can be used to lift the interview fixing frame 1, thereby reducing the burden on the operator.

As explained above with reference to each embodiment, the present invention has -10,000 sets of wheels. A supporting fixed frame and the other set of wheels? Does the wheel base support the wheel from its running position? ft in the specified folding direction in the shrinking direction! ! , a movable frame rotatably pivoted to the fixed frame;
The movable frame is supported in the traveling position, and a strut is provided between both frames that can be extended or detached when folded. By using a spring damper unit or the like as the strut, the movable frame can be moved while traveling. It is possible to demonstrate the shock absorption function of the vehicle, and the ride comfort performance of the foldable moving vehicle can be completely improved. It is also a hot topic that it is possible to reduce the parking space by folding, and when folding, it can be done quickly with simple operation, and movable frame struts etc. can be fixed in real time. In particular, in the second aspect of the invention, since a guide mechanism is provided to guide the struts to a predetermined position, folding can be performed with an even simpler operation.

In addition to the common effects described above, each of the embodiments also has the following effects.

(1) In the second embodiment of the first invention, since the pair of link plates are released from fixation by a single operation, operations such as folding are easier.

(2) The third embodiment has excellent strength because the rear spring damper unit is supported during running through a strong piston and rod.

(3) Embodiment 4.5.8 has a simple configuration and can be manufactured at low cost.

(4) In the second embodiment of the second invention, except for attaching and detaching the hook, seven operations such as folding operations can be performed by simply moving the fixed frame up and down.

(5) In the third embodiment, the handle can be used as a barque rubber.
Since it is detached from the mount, more reliable operation can be expected.

(6) In the fourth embodiment, since the folding operation is also performed using the feet, both hands can be used to directly lift the fixed frame, thereby reducing the burden on the operator. It is.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the first embodiment of the first invention; Figs. 2(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams of the same operation; A) (B) is an explanatory diagram of the same operation, Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the third embodiment, Fig. 6 (A) and (B) are explanatory diagrams of the same operation, and Fig. 6 (C) is a detailed cross section of the same part. Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the fourth embodiment, Fig. 8 (a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams of the same operation, Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the fifth embodiment, and Fig. 10 (a). (b) is an explanatory diagram of the same operation, FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the sixth embodiment,
Figure 12 (Ibaro) is an explanatory diagram of the same operation, and Figure 13 (A) (
B) (C) shows the engagement and disengagement operation of the bar.
Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the first embodiment of the second invention, Figs. 15 (a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams of the same operation, and Fig. 16 is the second embodiment of the same? Explanatory diagrams shown in Figure 17 (A) (see Figure 18 (A))
B) is an explanatory diagram of the same operation, FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the spring unit, FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of the third embodiment, and FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of the fourth embodiment. 1...Fixed frame, 5a...Front wheel, 5b
...Rear wheel, 6...Rear suspension arm axis,
7... Rear suspension arm, 8... Axle tube, 10... Rear spring damper unit, 11... Movable frame, 12... Hook, 13... Bar, 14.14'... Rubber mount, 15... Reinforcement bar, 16... Body, 17... First link plate, 18...
・Stopper, 19...Second link plate, 2
0... Ring, 22... Holder is gold, 30... First wire, 31... Second wire, 35... Pedal, 36... Arm, 37... Wire, 3
8...Putsushi Nirod. 2nd (a) Figure (b) 4th (b) 8th (a) Figure (b) Figure 10 (a) 450- (b) Whistle: 1%J (a) (b) c mouth) (7 , ) Fig. 15 (a) (b) Fig. 17 (a) 453- (b) :) O5b No. (n) Fig. 18 (b)

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) - A fixed frame that supports one set of wheels, and a fixed frame that supports the other set of wheels, and rotates the fixed frame from the running position of the wheels to a predetermined folded position in the direction of reducing the wheel base. A second movable frame that is pivotably movable and the movable frame in the traveling position? support,
Does it consist of a strut installed between both frames that can be extended or detached when folded? 11-Featured foldable moving wheel. (2) - A fixed frame that supports one set of wheels, and a fixed frame that supports the other set of wheels, and rotates the fixed frame from the running position of the wheel to a predetermined folded position in the direction of contracting the wheel base. A movable frame pivotally mounted for free movement, and a movable frame in the traveling position? support,
A foldable moving wheel consisting of a strut that is installed between both frames so that it can be removed when folded, and a guide mechanism that guides the strut to a predetermined position when the strut is removed. (3) A foldable gear wheel according to claim 2, characterized in that the guide mechanism is provided with a wire that guides the strut to a predetermined position as the movable frame rotates.