Vehicle for running on rail

Abstract

A vehicle for running on rail is provided, which has the capability of achieving smooth running, while moderately gripping the rail. This vehicle has a base, a pair of first and second wheels held by the base to be rotatable on an upper surface of the rail and spaced from each other in an extending direction of the rail, a third wheel held by the base to be rotatable on a lower surface of the rail, and a motor for rotating the first wheel. The first wheel is positioned between the second and third wheels in the extending direction of the rail, and the second wheel is held by the base through a cushioning member. When the vehicle is tilted due to an elastic deformation of the cushioning member for the second wheel, gripping forces of the first and third wheels on the rail increase.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle for running on rail (tracked vehicle), and particularly the vehicle having the capability of providing smooth running, while moderately maintaining a grip force on the rail. BACKGROUND ART [0002] In a vehicle for running on rail, there is a case that a reduction in grip force that is friction resistance between a drive wheel and the rail poses a problem for the vehicle's running. For example, slippage easily occurs on the rail in the rain. In particular, when the vehicle runs on an inclined rail in the rain, it becomes a serious problem. [0003] To solve this problem, it is needed to increase the grip force by pressing the drive wheel against the rail. However, an excessive increase in the grip force leads to an increase in energy needed for the vehicle's running. As a result, it becomes difficult to provide efficient running of the vehicle on the rail. [0004] In addition, to obtain a moderate grip force, it has been p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] According to the present invention, when the cushioning member such as a coil spring is elastically deformed downward by receiving a weight of the vehicle and loads carried on the vehicle, the vehicle takes an inclined posture such that the second wheel side having the cushioning member of the base comes close to the rail. At this time, the third wheel positioned at a side opposed to the second wheel through the first wheel is pressed against the lower surface of the rail according to the principle of leverage with a fulcrum that is the contact point between the first wheel and the rail. Thereby a force for holding the rail between the first wheel and the third wheel, i.e., the gripping force is obtained. In addition, since an amount of the elastic deformation of the cushioning member, i.e., an inclination degree of the vehicle changes according to the weight of received from the vehicle, the rail gripping mechanism of the present invention can provide a moderate gripping force according to the vehicle's weight. Therefore, when the elastic deformation capability of the cushioning member and the position of the third wheel are appropriately determined, it is possible to provide the moderate gripping force between the wheel and the rail according to the weight of the vehicle (including the loads) without using a special device for monitoring the vehicle's weight and controlling the spr

Problems solved by technology

In a vehicle for running on rail, there is a case that a reduction in grip force that is friction resistance between a drive wheel and the rail poses a problem for the vehicle's running.

For example, slippage easily occurs on the rail in the rain.

In particular, when the vehicle runs on an inclined rail in the rain, it becomes a serious problem.

However, an excessive increase in the grip force leads to an increase in energy needed for the vehicle's running.

As a result, it becomes difficult to provide efficient running of the vehicle on the rail.

However, there are problems that the control becomes complex, and a total cost of the vehicle track system increas

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