Vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicle that can provide improved operability at the time of running at high speed and can be prevented from easily falling down at the time of running at low speed.SOLUTION: A three-wheel bike 1 includes a saddle 2, wheels 3, a handle 4, a frame 5, and a differential lean mechanism 6. The three-wheel bike 1 includes: a control device 8 configured to control the three-wheel bike 1; and a differential lean mechanism adjustment device 7 configured to adjust damping force of the differential lean mechanism 6. The control device 8 includes: a running speed detection unit 81 configured to detect the running speed of the three-wheel bike 1; and a differential lean mechanism control unit 82 configured to control the differential lean mechanism adjustment device 7 to adjust the damping force of the differential lean mechanism 6 to decrease the damping force when the running speed detected by the running speed detection unit 81 is high and to control the differential lean mechanism adjustment device 7 to adjust the damping force of the differential lean mechanism 6 to increase the damping force when the running speed detected by the running speed detection unit 81 is slow.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle equipped with at least three wheels. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, vehicles have been known that include a seating section on which a human body sits, at least three wheels, a handle for steering the wheels, and a frame that supports the wheels and the handle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The vehicle described in Patent Document 1 has a pair of left and right rear wheels, and the pair of left and right rear wheels are equipped with a lean device (differential lean mechanism) that lowers one wheel as one wheel rises and lowers the other wheel as the other wheel rises. The lean device is configured to be able to tilt the vehicle body in the left and right directions by driving a lean motor, so that the vehicle can turn stably by driving the lean device to tilt the vehicle body when turning. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-69672 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in a vehicle equipped with such a differential lean mechanism, if the damping force of the differential lean mechanism is set to a constant, although the vehicle can run more stably at high speeds compared to low speeds, the maneuverability of the vehicle will be reduced, and the vehicle may be more likely to tip over when running at low speeds compared to high speeds.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle that can improve operability when traveling at high speeds and is less likely to tip over when traveling at low speeds. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle of the present invention is a vehicle having a seating section on which a human body sits, at least three wheels, a handlebar for steering the wheels, and a frame supporting the wheels and the handlebar, wherein either the front wheels or the rear wheels have a pair of left and right wheels, and the pair of left and right wheels are equipped with a differential lean mechanism that lowers one wheel as the other wheel rises and lowers one wheel as the other wheel rises, and the vehicle is characterized in that it is equipped with a control device that controls the vehicle and a differential lean mechanism adjustment device that adjusts the damping force of the differential lean mechanism, and the control device is equipped with a traveling speed detection unit that detects the traveling speed of the vehicle, and a differential lean mechanism control unit that causes the differential lean mechanism adjustment device to adjust the damping force of the differential lean mechanism to reduce the damping force when the traveling speed detected by the traveling speed detection unit is fast, and causes the differential lean mechanism adjustment device to adjust the damping force of the differential lean mechanism to increase the damping force when the traveling speed detected by the traveling speed detection unit is slow.

[0007] According to this configuration, the differential lean mechanism control unit controls the differential lean mechanism adjustment device to adjust the damping force of the differential lean mechanism to a smaller damping force when the traveling speed detected by the traveling speed detection unit is fast, and controls the differential lean mechanism adjustment device to adjust the damping force of the differential lean mechanism to a larger damping force when the traveling speed detected by the traveling speed detection unit is slow, so that the vehicle can be made more maneuverable when traveling at high speeds and less likely to tip over when traveling at low speeds. Also, by adjusting the damping force of the differential lean mechanism to an extremely large value, the vehicle can stand on its own when stopped without limiting the maximum lean inclination angle to a constant value.

[0008] In the present invention, the differential lean mechanism comprises a predetermined cylindrical shaft, a differential lean link rotatably attached to the predetermined cylindrical shaft, one end of which is connected to one wheel via a swing arm and the other end of which is connected to the other wheel via a swing arm, an annular first cam portion rotatably attached to the predetermined cylindrical shaft and rotates integrally with the differential lean link, an annular second cam portion non-rotatably attached to the predetermined cylindrical shaft and engages with the first cam portion, and a moving mechanism that moves the position of the second cam portion along the predetermined cylindrical shaft, and the differential lean mechanism adjustment device comprises a biasing means that biases the second cam portion toward the first cam portion and an adjustment means that adjusts the biasing force of the biasing means, and it is preferable that the first cam portion and the second cam portion are engaged with each other by fitting corresponding concave and convex surfaces together.

[0009] According to this configuration, the first cam portion rotates integrally with the differential lean link, and the first cam portion and the second cam portion are engaged by fitting corresponding concave and convex surfaces together, so that the second cam portion moves in a direction away from the first cam portion via the moving mechanism as the differential lean link rotates. The differential lean mechanism adjustment device includes a biasing means for biasing the second cam portion toward the first cam portion and an adjustment means for adjusting the biasing force of the biasing means, so that the damping force of the differential lean mechanism can be adjusted to be larger by increasing the biasing force of the biasing means, and the damping force of the differential lean mechanism can be adjusted to be smaller by decreasing the biasing force of the biasing means.

[0010] In the present invention, the differential lean mechanism preferably includes a restricting means for restricting movement of the second cam portion in a direction away from the first cam portion.

[0011] According to this configuration, the differential lean mechanism includes a restricting means for restricting the movement of the second cam portion in a direction away from the first cam portion, so that the clearance at the mating portion of the first cam portion and the second cam portion can be reduced by bringing the position at which the restricting means restricts the movement of the second cam portion closer to the first cam portion, and the clearance at the mating portion of the first cam portion and the second cam portion can be increased by moving the position at which the restricting means restricts the movement of the second cam portion away from the first cam portion. Therefore, the differential lean mechanism can adjust the maximum lean inclination angle.

[0012] In the present invention, the restricting means is preferably configured to be capable of restricting the position at which the movement of the second cam portion is restricted to a position at which the second cam portion engages with the first cam portion.

[0013] According to this configuration, the regulating means is configured to be able to regulate the position at which the movement of the second cam portion is regulated to a position where it engages with the first cam portion, so that the clearance at the engagement portion of the first cam portion and the second cam portion can be made zero, and the rotation of the differential lean link can be locked. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a three-wheeled motorcycle according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] Enlarged perspective view showing the left front wheel [Diagram 3] Close-up perspective view of a three-wheeled bike with reduced caster angle [Figure 4] Close-up perspective view of a three-wheeled bike with increased caster angle [Diagram 5] Enlarged perspective view of the differential lean mechanism seen from the front wheel side [Figure 6] An enlarged perspective view showing the operation of the differential lean mechanism [Figure 7] Partial perspective view of the differential lean mechanism seen from the right side [Figure 8] Front view and cross-sectional view of the differential lean mechanism [Figure 9]FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view showing the operation of the differential lean mechanism in a state in which one wheel is lowered as the other wheel is raised; [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of the differential lean mechanism when the spring holder is moved, as viewed from the right side; [Figure 11] 1A and 1B are a front view and a cross-sectional view of the differential lean mechanism with the spring holder moved; [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view showing the operation of the differential lean mechanism in a state where one wheel is lowered as the other wheel is raised in a state where the spring holder is moved until it abuts against a stopper; [Figure 13] A schematic diagram showing the overall structure of a three-wheeled bike [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of a differential lean mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the right side; [Figure 15] Front view and cross-sectional view of the differential lean mechanism [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view showing the operation of the differential lean mechanism in a state in which one wheel is lowered as the other wheel is raised; [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of the differential lean mechanism when the spring holder is moved, as viewed from the right side; [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view showing the operation of the differential lean mechanism in a state in which one wheel is lowered as the other wheel is raised; [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of the differential lean mechanism when the spring holder is moved, as viewed from the right side; [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a three-wheeled motorcycle according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a three-wheeled bike according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the three-wheeled bike 1 is a vehicle that includes a saddle 2, which is a seating area for a human body to sit on, three wheels 3, a handlebar 4 for steering the wheels 3, and a frame 5 that supports the wheels 3 and the handlebar 4. 1, the vertical direction is defined as the +Z axis direction, and two axes perpendicular to the Z axis are defined as the X and Y axes. This also applies to the following drawings.

[0016] The wheels 3 include a front wheel 31 attached to the +Y axis direction side of the frame 5, and a rear wheel 32 attached to the -Y axis direction side of the frame 5. The front wheels 31 include a left front wheel 33 attached to the -X axis direction side of the frame 5 and a right front wheel 34 attached to the +X axis direction side of the frame 5, forming a pair of left and right wheels. The rear wheel 32 is connected to a motor 35 attached to the frame 5. The motor 35 rotates the rear wheel 32, which is a drive wheel, about a rotation axis in response to an accelerator operation input by a rider of the three-wheeled bike 1.

[0017] In this embodiment, the wheels 3 include front wheels 31 each having a pair of left and right wheels, but may include rear wheels each having a pair of left and right wheels. The wheels may also include both front wheels each having a pair of left and right wheels and rear wheels each having a pair of left and right wheels, and the vehicle may include at least three wheels.

[0018] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the left front wheel. As shown in FIG. 2, the front wheel 31 includes a wheel 311, a hub 312 attached to the center of the wheel 311 and having a steering shaft (not shown) therein extending radially, and a tire 313 attached along the outer periphery of the wheel 311. The steering shaft of hub 312 is connected to cylindrical caster variable shaft 314. Therefore, the front wheel 31 is capable of changing the caster angle, which is the angle of the steering shaft, by rotating caster variable shaft 314 about its axis.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the frame 5 is formed in a rectangular column shape and includes a swing arm 51 whose base end is supported so as to be freely rotatable around the X-axis. The caster variable shaft 314 is supported so as to be freely rotatable around the central axis by being inserted into a hole formed at the tip of the swing arm 51.

[0020] 1, the frame 5 is equipped with two setting plates 52 attached to both sides in the X-axis direction on the -Z-axis direction side of the saddle 2. Each setting plate 52 has a plurality of holes for attaching a steering link 53 that transmits the operation input of the handlebars 4 by the rider of the three-wheeled bike 1, and a caster link rod 54 for rotating the caster variable shaft 314 around the X-axis.

[0021] The steering link 53 includes a steering rod 531 having one end connected to a steering arm 530 attached to the end of the handle 4 on the -Z axis direction side, a link member 532 having an end on the +Z axis direction side connected to the other end of the steering rod 531 and rotatably attached to a hole formed in the setting plate 52, and a tie rod 533 having one end connected to the end of the link member 532 on the -Z axis direction side. The other end of the tie rod 533 is connected to the front wheel 31 via a knuckle arm 534.

[0022] Operation input of the handlebars 4 by a rider of the three-wheeled bike 1 moves the tie rod 533 back and forth along the Y-axis direction via the steering arm 530, the steering rod 531, and the link member 532. By moving back and forth, the tie rod 533 transmits the operation input of the handlebars 4 to the front wheel 31 via the knuckle arm 534, and the front wheel 31 rotates around the steering axis.

[0023] In this way, the three-wheeled bike 1 is supported by the frame 5 and is equipped with a hub center steering mechanism having a pair of left and right swing arms 51 that swing each front wheel 31 up and down, and a steering link 53 that connects the handlebars 4 and the hubs 312 of the front wheels 31 and steers each front wheel 31 based on operation of the handlebars 4.

[0024] The caster link rod 54 has a base end attached to a hole formed in the setting plate 52, and a tip end attached to one end of the reaction lever 55. The other end of the reaction lever 55 is connected to the end of the caster variable shaft 314 opposite the front wheel 31. Therefore, by moving the position of the hole in the setting plate 52 to which the base end of the caster link rod 54 is attached in the Y-axis direction, the caster angle can be changed by rotating the caster variable shaft 314 via the reaction lever 55.

[0025] Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the three-wheeled bike with a small caster angle, and Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the three-wheeled bike with a large caster angle. By moving the position of the hole in the setting plate 52 in the +Y-axis direction, as shown in FIG. 3, the reaction lever 55 can be rotated around the X-axis (see the clockwise arrow in the figure) to reduce the caster angle, and by moving it in the -Y-axis direction, as shown in FIG. 4, the reaction lever 55 can be rotated around the X-axis (see the counterclockwise arrow in the figure) to increase the caster angle. Therefore, the setting plate 52, the caster link rod 54, and the reaction lever 55 function as a caster angle adjustment mechanism 50 (see FIG. 13) that adjusts the caster angle of the steering shaft of the steered wheel.

[0026] In addition, the pair of left and right front wheels 31 are equipped with a differential lean mechanism 6 that lowers one wheel (e.g., the right front wheel 34) as the other wheel (e.g., the left front wheel 33) rises, and lowers one wheel as the other wheel rises.

[0027] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the differential lean mechanism as viewed from the front wheel side. As shown in FIG. 5, the differential lean mechanism 6 includes a pair of left and right shock absorbers 61 attached to the pair of left and right swing arms 51, respectively, a differential lean link 62 connecting each shock absorber 61, and a rotation mechanism 63 supporting the differential lean link 62 rotatably relative to the frame 5, with the central position of the differential lean link 62 in the X-axis direction as the rotation center.

[0028] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the operation of the differential lean mechanism. 6, the differential lean link 62 rotates about the Y axis (counterclockwise in the figure) as the left front wheel 33, which is one of the wheels, rises, thereby enabling the right front wheel 34, which is the other wheel, to be lowered. In addition, the differential lean link 62 rotates about the Y axis (clockwise in the figure) as the right front wheel 34, which is the other wheel, rises, thereby enabling the left front wheel 33, which is one of the wheels, to be lowered (not shown).

[0029] Fig. 7 is a partial perspective view of the differential lean mechanism as seen from the right side, Fig. 8(A) is a view of the differential lean mechanism as seen from the front side, and Fig. 8(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 8(A). As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the rotation mechanism 63 is inserted into a hole formed in a substantially L-shaped shaft holder 56 attached to the frame 5 and includes a cylindrical shaft 631 (a predetermined cylindrical shaft) fixed to the shaft holder 56 (see Fig. 8(B)). As shown in Fig. 8(B), the differential lean link 62 has a round hole formed in its center, and is rotatably supported by being inserted through the shaft 631 via a bearing 621. In other words, the differential lean link 62 is rotatable around the center axis of the shaft 631. The differential lean link 62 is rotatably attached to the shaft 631, and has one end connected to one wheel via the swing arm 51 and the other end connected to the other wheel via the swing arm 51.

[0030] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the rotation mechanism 63 includes a first cam 632 having a circular ring shape that is inserted through the shaft 631 and fixed to the differential lean link 62 so as to be coaxial with the shaft 631, and a second cam 633 having a circular ring shape that is inserted through the shaft 631 and engages with the first cam 632. Furthermore, the rotation mechanism 63 includes a cylindrical slider 634 that is inserted through the shaft 631 and fixed to the second cam 633, a cylindrical spring holder 635 that is inserted through the shaft 631 and attached adjacent to the slider 634, a spring 636 that is inserted through the shaft 631 and held between the slider 634 and the spring holder 635 (see Figure 8 (B)), and a disk-shaped stopper 637 that is attached to the end face of the shaft 631 on the +Y axis direction side.

[0031] 7, the first cam 632 has a wavy end face on the +Y axis direction side (the second cam 633 side). As described above, the first cam 632 is fixed to the differential lean link 62 so as to be coaxial with the shaft 631, and therefore rotates around the central axis of the shaft 631 in conjunction with the rotation of the differential lean link 62. The second cam 633 has a wavy end face that corresponds to the wavy end face of the first cam 632 on the −Y axis direction side (first cam 632 side) and is adapted to mate with the first cam 632.

[0032] 8(B), the slider 634 has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the first cam 632 and the inner diameter of the second cam 633, and is inserted into the inside of the first cam 632 and the inside of the second cam 633. The slider 634 has a sliding portion 6341 formed at the end on the -Y axis direction side and slidingly mating with a key groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft 631, and a flange portion 6342 formed at the end on the +Y axis direction side and fixed to the second cam 633. Therefore, the second cam 633 and the slider 634 are attached to the shaft 631 so as to slide integrally along the axial direction of the shaft 631 by moving the sliding portion 6341 along the key groove of the shaft 631. In other words, the slider 634 and the key groove of the shaft 631 function as a moving mechanism that moves the position of the second cam 633 along the shaft 631.

[0033] Thus, the differential lean mechanism 6 includes an annular first cam 632 (first cam portion) that is rotatably attached to the shaft 631 and rotates integrally with the differential lean link 62, an annular second cam 633 (second cam portion) that is non-rotatably attached to the shaft 631 and engages with the first cam 632, and a slider 634 (movement mechanism) that moves the position of the second cam 633 along the shaft 631. The first cam 632 and the second cam 633 are engaged with each other by fitting their corresponding wavy end faces (uneven surfaces).

[0034] In this embodiment, the first cam portion and the second cam portion are adapted to engage with each other by fitting corresponding wavy end faces together, but they may be simple inclined surfaces, or may have any shape as long as they are adapted to engage with each other by fitting corresponding uneven surfaces together.

[0035] The spring holder 635 has an inner diameter that is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the slider 634. The spring holder 635 has a screw-fitting portion 6351 formed at the end on the +Y axis direction side, and having an inner thread that screws into an outer thread formed on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft 631 on the +Y axis side. Therefore, spring holder 635 is attached to shaft 631 so as to move along the axial direction of shaft 631 by rotating it about the axis of shaft 631. Note that stopper 637 has a function of preventing spring holder 635 from falling off by restricting movement of spring holder 635 in the +Y axis direction side.

[0036] Spring 636 is disposed between the outer periphery of shaft 631, the inner periphery of slider 634, and the inner periphery of spring holder 635. Spring 636 is sandwiched between sliding portion 6341 of slider 634 and screw portion 6351 of spring holder 635. Therefore, the spring 636 is compressed by the sliding of the second cam 633 and the slider 634 toward the +Y axis direction and the movement of the spring holder 635 toward the -Y axis direction, and is extended by the sliding of the second cam 633 and the slider 634 toward the -Y axis direction and the movement of the spring holder 635 toward the +Y axis direction.

[0037] FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view showing the operation of the differential lean mechanism in a state in which one wheel is lowered as the other wheel is raised. As shown in FIG. 9, for example, in conjunction with the raising of the swing arm 51 (the swing arm 51 on the -X-axis direction in the figure) of the left front wheel 33, which is one of the wheels, the differential lean link 62 can rotate about the Y-axis and lower the swing arm 51 (the swing arm 51 on the +X-axis direction in the figure) of the right front wheel 34, which is the other wheel.

[0038] The first cam 632 rotates around the central axis of the shaft 631 in association with the rotation of the differential lean link 62. Here, the first cam 632 and the second cam 633 have wavy end faces that engage with each other, so that the second cam 633 and the slider 634 slide integrally toward the +Y axis direction along the axial direction of the shaft 631 in association with the rotation of the first cam 632 (see the arrow in the figure). The spring 636 is compressed by the sliding of the second cam 633 and the slider 634 toward the +Y axis direction. Therefore, the differential lean link 62 is able to rotate against the elastic force of the spring 636 .

[0039] Fig. 10 is a partial perspective view of the differential lean mechanism when the spring holder has been moved, as seen from the right side, Fig. 11(A) is a view of the differential lean mechanism when the spring holder has been moved, as seen from the front, and Fig. 11(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 11(A). The spring holder 635 is attached to the shaft 631 so that it can be moved along the axial direction of the shaft 631 by rotating it around the axis of the shaft 631, and can therefore be moved until it abuts against the stopper 637, as shown in Figures 10 and 11.

[0040] FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view showing the operation of the differential lean mechanism in a state where one wheel is lowered as the other wheel is raised in a state where the spring holder is moved until it abuts against a stopper. As shown in FIG. 12, for example, in conjunction with the raising of the swing arm 51 (the swing arm 51 on the -X-axis direction in the figure) of the left front wheel 33, which is one of the wheels, the differential lean link 62 can rotate about the Y-axis and lower the swing arm 51 (the swing arm 51 on the +X-axis direction in the figure) of the right front wheel 34, which is the other wheel.

[0041] The first cam 632 rotates around the central axis of the shaft 631 in association with the rotation of the differential lean link 62. Here, the first cam 632 and the second cam 633 have wavy end faces that engage with each other, so the second cam 633 and the slider 634 slide integrally toward the +Y axis direction along the axial direction of the shaft 631 in association with the rotation of the first cam 632. The spring 636 is compressed by the sliding of the second cam 633 and the slider 634 toward the +Y axis direction. Therefore, the differential lean link 62 is able to rotate against the elastic force of the spring 636 .

[0042] Here, as described above, the spring 636 is extended by the movement of the spring holder 635 toward the +Y axis direction, and the differential lean link 62 is then able to rotate against the elastic force of the spring 636, which has become smaller compared to the state in which the spring holder 635 is moved toward the -Y axis direction. In other words, the damping force of the differential lean mechanism 6 can be reduced by moving the spring holder 635 toward the +Y axis direction, and the damping force of the differential lean mechanism 6 can be increased by moving the spring holder 635 toward the -Y axis direction, so that the spring holder 635 functions as part of the differential lean mechanism adjustment device 7 (see Figure 13) that adjusts the damping force of the differential lean mechanism 6.

[0043] Thus, in this embodiment, the differential lean mechanism adjustment device 7 is equipped with a spring 636 (biasing means) that biases the second cam 633 toward the first cam 632, and a spring holder 635 (adjustment means) that adjusts the biasing force of the spring 636. In this embodiment, the differential lean mechanism adjustment device adjusts the damping force of the differential lean mechanism by being equipped with a biasing means and an adjustment means, but other structures may be adopted as long as they are capable of adjusting the damping force of the differential lean mechanism.

[0044] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a three-wheeled motorcycle. As shown in FIG. 13, the three-wheeled bike 1 is equipped with a saddle 2, three wheels 3, a handlebar 4, a frame 5, a differential lean mechanism 6, and a differential lean mechanism adjustment device 7, as well as a control device 8 that controls the three-wheeled bike 1.

[0045] The control device 8 includes a traveling speed detection unit 81 and a differential lean mechanism control unit . The traveling speed detection unit 81 detects the traveling speed of the three-wheeled bike 1 by detecting the rotation speed of the motor 35, for example. In this embodiment, the running speed detection unit 81 detects the running speed of the three-wheeled bike 1 by detecting the rotation speed of the motor 35, but the running speed of the three-wheeled bike 1 may be detected by other methods, such as detecting the rotation speed of the motor 35.

[0046] The differential lean mechanism control unit 82 causes the differential lean mechanism adjustment device 7 to adjust the damping force of the differential lean mechanism 6 to be smaller when the traveling speed detected by the traveling speed detection unit 81 is fast. Also, the differential lean mechanism control unit 82 causes the differential lean mechanism adjustment device 7 to adjust the damping force of the differential lean mechanism 6 to be larger when the traveling speed detected by the traveling speed detection unit 81 is slow. Specifically, the three-wheeled bike 1 is equipped with a drive unit (not shown) that rotates the spring holder 635, and the differential lean mechanism control unit 82 adjusts the damping force of the differential lean mechanism 6 by rotating the spring holder 635 with this drive unit to move the spring holder 635 along the Y-axis direction.

[0047] According to this embodiment, the following actions and effects can be achieved. (1) The differential lean mechanism control unit 82 causes the differential lean mechanism adjustment device 7 to adjust the damping force of the differential lean mechanism 6 to be smaller when the traveling speed detected by the traveling speed detection unit 81 is fast, and causes the differential lean mechanism adjustment device 7 to adjust the damping force of the differential lean mechanism 6 to be larger when the traveling speed detected by the traveling speed detection unit 81 is slow, so that the three-wheeled bike 1 can improve operability when traveling at high speeds and is less likely to tip over when traveling at low speeds. Also, by adjusting the damping force of the differential lean mechanism 6 to be extremely large, the three-wheeled bike 1 can stand on its own when stopped without limiting the maximum lean angle to a constant value.

[0048] (2) The differential lean mechanism adjustment device 7 includes a spring 636 that biases the second cam 633 toward the first cam 632, and a spring holder 635 that adjusts the biasing force of the spring 636. Therefore, by increasing the biasing force of the spring 636, the damping force of the differential lean mechanism 6 can be adjusted to increase the damping force, and by decreasing the biasing force of the spring 636, the damping force of the differential lean mechanism 6 can be adjusted to decrease the damping force.

[0049] (3) Because the three-wheeled bike 1 is equipped with a hub center steering mechanism, a space can be formed between the handlebars 4 and the front wheel 31, compared to a vehicle equipped with a front fork mechanism, improving the design freedom of the vehicle. For example, the three-wheeled bike 1 can install a storage battery, a control device 8, etc. in this space. In addition, the design of the three-wheeled bike 1 can be improved by decorating this space.

[0050] Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 14 is a partial perspective view of a differential lean mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention, seen from the right side. Fig. 15(A) is a view of the differential lean mechanism seen from the front side, and Fig. 15(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 15(A). In the first embodiment, the differential lean mechanism 6 includes the rotating mechanism 63 , and the rotating mechanism 63 includes the spring 636 . In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a differential lean mechanism 6A includes a rotating mechanism 63A, which differs from the first embodiment in that the rotating mechanism 63A does not include a spring. In the following description, parts that have already been described will be given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0051] FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view showing the operation of the differential lean mechanism in a state in which one wheel is lowered as the other wheel is raised. As shown in FIG. 16, for example, in conjunction with the raising of the swing arm 51 (the swing arm 51 on the -X-axis direction side in the figure) of the left front wheel 33, which is one of the wheels, the differential lean link 62 can rotate about the Y-axis and lower the swing arm 51 (the swing arm 51 on the +X-axis direction side in the figure) of the right front wheel 34, which is the other wheel.

[0052] The first cam 632 rotates around the central axis of the shaft 631 in association with the rotation of the differential lean link 62. Here, the first cam 632 and the second cam 633 have wavy end faces that engage with each other, so that the second cam 633 and the slider 634 slide integrally toward the +Y axis direction along the axial direction of the shaft 631 in association with the rotation of the first cam 632 (see the arrow in the figure). Then, the second cam 633 and the slider 634 come into contact with the spring holder 635, and thus the movement toward the +Y axis direction is restricted. Therefore, the spring holder 635 functions as a restricting means for restricting the movement of the second cam 633 in a direction away from the first cam 632. In this embodiment, the spring holder 635 does not sandwich a spring, but may sandwich a spring as in the first embodiment.

[0053] FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view of the differential lean mechanism when viewed from the right side with the spring holder moved. The spring holder 635 is attached to the shaft 631 so that it can move along the axial direction of the shaft 631 by rotating it around the axis of the shaft 631, and therefore can be moved in a direction approaching the first cam 632, as shown in FIG. 17.

[0054] FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view showing the operation of the differential lean mechanism in a state in which one wheel is lowered as the other wheel is raised. As shown in FIG. 18, for example, in conjunction with the raising of the swing arm 51 (the swing arm 51 on the -X-axis direction side in the figure) of the left front wheel 33, which is one of the wheels, the differential lean link 62 can rotate about the Y-axis and lower the swing arm 51 (the swing arm 51 on the +X-axis direction side in the figure) of the right front wheel 34, which is the other wheel.

[0055] The first cam 632 rotates around the central axis of the shaft 631 in association with the rotation of the differential lean link 62. Here, the first cam 632 and the second cam 633 have wavy end faces that engage with each other, so the second cam 633 and the slider 634 slide integrally toward the +Y axis direction along the axial direction of the shaft 631 in association with the rotation of the first cam 632 (see the arrow in the figure). Then, the second cam 633 and the slider 634 come into contact with the spring holder 635, so that the movement toward the +Y axis direction is restricted. Here, in the example of FIG. 18, the spring holder 635 is moved in a direction approaching the first cam 632, so the maximum lean inclination angle is smaller than that in the example of FIG. 16.

[0056] FIG. 19 is a partial perspective view of the differential lean mechanism when viewed from the right side with the spring holder moved. Since the spring holder 635 is attached to the shaft 631 so as to move along the axial direction of the shaft 631 by rotating the spring holder 635 around the axis of the shaft 631, the second cam 633 can be moved until it engages with the first cam 632, as shown in Fig. 19. Therefore, in this embodiment, the spring holder 635 is configured to be able to regulate the position at which the movement of the second cam 633 is restricted to the position at which the spring holder 635 engages with the first cam 632. In this embodiment, the spring holder 635 is configured to be capable of restricting the position that restricts the movement of the second cam 633 to a position where it engages with the first cam 632, but it does not have to be configured to be capable of restricting the position to the position where it engages with the first cam 632.

[0057] According to this embodiment, in addition to being able to achieve the same functions and effects as those of (3) in the first embodiment, the following functions and effects can be achieved. (4) The differential lean mechanism 6A includes the spring holder 635 that restricts the movement of the second cam 633 in the direction away from the first cam 632. Therefore, by bringing the position where the spring holder 635 restricts the movement of the second cam 633 close to the first cam 632, the clearance at the mating portion of the first cam 632 and the second cam 633 can be reduced, and by moving the position where the spring holder 635 restricts the movement of the second cam 633 away from the first cam 632, the clearance at the mating portion of the first cam 632 and the second cam 633 can be increased. Therefore, the differential lean mechanism 6A can adjust the maximum lean inclination angle.

[0058] (5) The spring holder 635 is configured to be able to regulate the position that regulates the movement of the second cam 633 to a position where it engages with the first cam 632. Therefore, the clearance at the engagement portion of the first cam 632 and the second cam 633 can be set to zero, and the rotation of the differential lean link 62 can be locked.

[0059] Third Embodiment A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a three-wheeled bike according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the caster angle adjustment mechanism 50 adjusts the caster angle of the steering shaft of the steered wheels by moving the position of the hole of the setting plate 52, to which the caster link rod 54 is attached, in the Y-axis direction. In addition, the control device 8 includes a traveling speed detection unit 81 and a differential lean mechanism control unit 82. In contrast, in this embodiment, caster angle adjustment mechanism 50B includes a rod drive unit 57 that moves caster link rod 54 along the Y-axis direction as shown in Fig. 20, and the caster angle of the steering shaft of the steered wheel is adjusted by moving caster link rod 54 in the Y-axis direction with this rod drive unit 57. Also, in this embodiment, control device 8B differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a driving condition detection unit 83 and a caster angle adjustment mechanism control unit 84.

[0060] The riding condition detection unit 83 detects the straight-line and turning riding conditions of the three-wheeled bike 1 by detecting the rotation angle of the handlebars 4, for example. In this embodiment, the riding condition detection unit 83 detects the straight and turning riding conditions of the three-wheeled bike 1 by detecting the rotation angle of the handlebars 4, but the straight and turning riding conditions of the three-wheeled bike 1 may also be detected by other methods, such as detecting angular velocity using a gyro sensor.

[0061] When the riding condition detection unit 83 detects that the three-wheeled bike 1 is moving straight, the caster angle adjustment mechanism control unit 84 causes the caster angle adjustment mechanism 50B to adjust the caster angle to increase by moving the caster link rod 54 in the -Y-axis direction using the rod drive unit 57, and when the riding condition detection unit 83 detects that the three-wheeled bike 1 is turning, the caster angle adjustment mechanism control unit 84 causes the caster angle adjustment mechanism 50B to adjust the caster angle to decrease by moving the caster link rod 54 in the +Y-axis direction using the rod drive unit 57.

[0062] According to this embodiment, in addition to being able to achieve the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment, the following functions and effects can be achieved. (6) When the riding condition detection unit 83 detects that the three-wheeled bike 1 is traveling straight, the caster angle adjustment mechanism control unit 84 controls the caster angle adjustment mechanism 50B to adjust the caster angle of the steering wheel so as to increase the caster angle, and when the riding condition detection unit 83 detects that the three-wheeled bike 1 is turning, the caster angle adjustment mechanism 50B adjusts the caster angle of the steering wheel so as to decrease the caster angle. Therefore, the three-wheeled bike 1 can have improved stability when traveling straight and improved maneuverability when turning.

[0063] [Modifications of the embodiment] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications and improvements within the scope of the present invention that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the spring holder 635 functions as a regulating means for regulating the movement of the second cam 633 in a direction away from the first cam 632, but the differential lean mechanism does not need to be provided with a regulating means for regulating the movement of the second cam portion in a direction away from the first cam portion. In addition, in the above embodiment, the three-wheeled bike 1 was equipped with a hub center steering mechanism that was supported by the frame 5 and had a pair of left and right swing arms 51 that swing each front wheel 31 up and down, and a steering link 53 that connects the handlebars 4 and the hubs 312 of the front wheels 31 and steers each front wheel 31 based on operation of the handlebars 4, but it is not necessary to have a hub center steering mechanism. [Industrial Applicability]

[0064] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the present invention can be suitably used in vehicles having at least three wheels. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1. Three-wheeled motorcycle 2 Saddle (seating part) 3 wheels 4 Handle 5 Frames 6,6A Differential lean mechanism 7. Differential lean mechanism adjustment device 8,8B Control device 31 Front wheel 32 Rear wheel 50,50B Caster angle adjustment mechanism 51 Swingarm 52 Setting plate 53 Steering link 54 Caster link rod 55 Reaction Lever 56 Shaft holder 57 Rod drive unit 61 Shock absorber 62 Differential lean link 63,63A Rotation mechanism 81 Travel speed detection unit 82 Differential lean mechanism control unit 83 Driving condition detection unit 84 Caster angle adjustment mechanism control unit 311 Wheel 312 Hub 313 Tires 314 Caster variable shaft 530 Steering arm 531 Steering rod 532 Link member 533 Tie Rod 534 Knuckle Arm 621 Bearing 631 Shaft (prescribed cylindrical axis) 632 First cam (first cam part) 633 Second cam (second cam part) 634 Slider (moving mechanism) 635 Spring holder (adjustment means, regulation means) 636 Spring (biasing means) 637 Stopper 6341 Sliding part 6342 Flange 6351 Threaded part

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising a seating section for seating a human body, at least three wheels, a handle for steering the wheels, and a frame for supporting the wheels and the handle, Either the front wheels or the rear wheels have a pair of left and right wheels, The pair of left and right wheels each include a differential lean mechanism that lowers one wheel as the other wheel rises and lowers one wheel as the other wheel rises, The vehicle is A control device for controlling the vehicle; a differential lean mechanism adjustment device that adjusts the damping force of the differential lean mechanism, The control device includes: a traveling speed detection unit for detecting a traveling speed of the vehicle; a differential lean mechanism control unit that causes the differential lean mechanism adjustment device to adjust the damping force of the differential lean mechanism so as to reduce the damping force when the traveling speed detected by the traveling speed detection unit is fast, and that causes the differential lean mechanism adjustment device to adjust the damping force of the differential lean mechanism so as to increase the damping force when the traveling speed detected by the traveling speed detection unit is slow.

2. 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, The differential lean mechanism includes: A predetermined cylinder axis; a differential lean link that is rotatably attached to the predetermined cylindrical shaft, and has one end connected to one wheel via a swing arm and the other end connected to the other wheel via a swing arm; a first cam portion having an annular shape that is rotatably attached to the predetermined cylindrical shaft and rotates integrally with the differential lean link; a second cam portion having an annular shape and being non-rotatably attached to the predetermined cylindrical shaft and engaging with the first cam portion; a moving mechanism for moving the position of the second cam portion along the predetermined cylindrical axis, The differential lean mechanism adjustment device is a biasing means for biasing the second cam portion toward the first cam portion; and an adjustment means for adjusting the biasing force of the biasing means, The vehicle, wherein the first cam portion and the second cam portion are engaged with each other by fitting corresponding concave and convex surfaces together.

3. 3. The vehicle according to claim 2, The vehicle, wherein the differential lean mechanism includes a restricting means for restricting movement of the second cam portion in a direction away from the first cam portion.

4. 4. The vehicle according to claim 3, The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the restricting means is configured to be capable of restricting a position at which the second cam portion is restricted in movement to a position at which the second cam portion engages with the first cam portion.

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