Small electric vehicle

Abstract

To improve stability and occupant protection function for a small electric vehicle to pass a sidewalk or a side strip side.SOLUTION: A small electric vehicle includes: a lower frame 2 provided with right and left lower wall parts 22 that include upper regions 24 protruding upward on both right and left sides of a floor part 20 and extend in a front-rear direction, a central rear part 31 that extends in a vehicle width direction to connect rear ends of the upper regions 24 and extends upward, and a seat part 32 that extends forward from an upper portion of the central rear part; front and rear wheels 5 and 6 disposed on front and rear sides of the right and left lower wall parts 22 of the lower frame 2; and an upper frame 4. The upper frame 4 is integrally configured to include: right and left front wall parts 41 extending obliquely rearward and upward from a front portion of the right and left lower wall parts 22; right and left upper wall parts 42 extending rearward from upper portions of the right and left front wall parts; and an upper rear wall part 43 extending in a width direction to connect rear ends of the right and left upper wall parts. A backrest 33 corresponding to the seat part 32 is defined on the front of the upper wall part 43.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a small electric vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Small electric vehicles such as senior cars and electric wheelchairs are treated as pedestrians under the law if they meet regulations regarding speed, vehicle size, etc., and are permitted to drive on pedestrian zones such as sidewalks and shoulders rather than on the roadway (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-230879 DISCLOSURE OF THEINVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, small electric vehicles are expected to be increasingly used as a means of short-distance transportation for individuals (personal mobility, small cars for transportation) for use on sidewalks.

[0005] However, even though they are all called sidewalks, there are various types of paving, such as blocks and tiles in addition to asphalt and concrete, and they may also have steps or slopes caused by curbs, etc., so they are not necessarily suitable for the travel of small electric vehicles.

[0006] In addition, the shoulders are adjacent to the roadway, and bicycles and other vehicles may pass through them, creating various obstacles for traffic. Despite this, conventional small electric vehicles generally have a riding style in which the occupant's body, especially the upper body and arms, are exposed to the outside, and the protection function against collisions with other vehicles and falls cannot be said to be sufficient.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and has an object to improve the stability and occupant protection function when a small electric vehicle travels on a sidewalk or roadside. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the small electric vehicle according to the present invention comprises: a lower frame including a floor portion, left and right lower wall portions extending in a front-rear direction including upper areas extending upward on both left and right sides of the floor portion, a central rear portion extending in the vehicle width direction and upward so as to connect rear ends of the upper areas of the left and right lower wall portions at the rear of the floor portion, and a seat portion extending forward from an upper portion of the central rear portion; front wheels and rear wheels disposed in front and behind the left and right lower wall portions of the lower frame; an upper frame integrally formed including left and right front wall portions extending obliquely upward and rearward from front portions of the left and right lower wall portions, left and right upper wall portions extending rearward from upper portions of the left and right front wall portions, and an upper rear wall portion extending in the width direction so as to connect rear ends of the left and right upper wall portions; Equipped with A backrest portion corresponding to the seat portion is defined on a front surface of the upper rear wall portion. Effect of the Invention

[0009] As described above, the small electric vehicle of the present invention is provided with an upper frame that extends diagonally upward and rearward from the front of the lower frame supported by wheels located at the front and rear of the left and right lower wall portions, i.e., at the four corners, and surrounds the sides and back of the occupant, which is advantageous in improving occupant protection against rollovers and collisions, particularly side and front-side collisions.

[0010] Furthermore, in the small electric vehicle of the present invention, the upper frame is formed with a flat, extending side wall structure, and the upper wall and upper rear wall portions surrounding the occupant are supported only by the left and right front wall portions extending diagonally upward from the lower frame. This, together with the configuration of the lower frame (running body portion) that defines the floor portion, is advantageous in maintaining the center of gravity at a low position and ensuring stability. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a small electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a front view showing a small electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a right front perspective view showing a small electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a right rear perspective view showing a small electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, a small electric vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a vehicle body consisting of a lower frame 2 (lower running body), an upper frame 4 extending upward from the front of the lower frame 2, and a rear frame 3 including a seat section 32, and front wheels 5 (driven wheels) and rear wheels 6 (driving wheels) arranged at the front and rear of both the left and right sides of the lower frame 2.

[0013] The left and right front wheels 5 (driven wheels) are composed of swivel wheels (omniwheels, omnidirectional wheels) equipped with multiple rollers 51, 52 rotatably supported around a circumferential axis on the contact portion, and are supported rotatably on the front side of the lower frame 2 via a shock absorber (not shown).

[0014] The left and right rear wheels 6 (drive wheels) are configured to be driven independently via left and right motor units mounted inside the lower frame 2 or on the hubs of the rear wheels 6 via reduction gears not shown, and the small electric vehicle 1 can be steered and driven by simply controlling the left and right motor units using the operating unit 10 described below.

[0015] The lower frame 2 has a flat box shape with a flat floor section 20 defined on the upper surface, and a battery is mounted inside. The front side of the floor section 20 can be used as a footrest, and the rear side can be used as an under-seat luggage space, and is preferably provided with an anti-slip block pattern all over.

[0016] Although detailed illustration is omitted, an internal structure for ensuring the structural strength of the vehicle body (lower running body) is provided inside the lower frame 2. As such an internal structure, preferably, an internal frame is provided that is made up of left and right side members extending parallel to each other from the front portion 21 to the rear portion 23 and a plurality of cross members connecting these, and is configured so that the floor portion 20 is supported on the upper surface of the internal frame.

[0017] On both the left and right sides of the floor portion 20, left and right lower wall portions 22 are provided which extend in the front-rear direction and include an upper region 24 extending upward. The lower wall portion 22 includes an internal structural element which extends in the front-rear direction between the front wheels 5 and the rear wheels 6 and is fixed to a side portion (side member) of the internal frame of the lower frame 2, and the lower wall portion 22, which defines the wheel arches 25, 26 of the front wheels 5 and the rear wheels 6 in the front-rear direction, is fixed to its outer surface. As will be described later, the internal structural element is rigidly connected at its front end side to an internal structural element of the upper frame 4 (front wall portion 41), and constitutes a mounting portion for the entire upper frame 4.

[0018] The upper regions 24 of the left and right lower wall portions 22 extend upward from both the left and right sides of the floor portion 20, thereby functioning as side walls when the floor portion 20 is used as a luggage space. Furthermore, a central rear portion 31 is provided at the rear portion 23 of the floor portion 20, extending in the vehicle width direction and upward so as to connect the rear ends of the upper regions 24, and the front surface of this central rear portion 31 functions as a rear wall when the floor portion 20 is used as a luggage space. With these configurations, a wide luggage space surrounded by the upper regions 24 of the lower wall portions 22 and the front surface of the central rear portion 31 is defined in the floor portion 20.

[0019] The central rear portion 31 extends obliquely upward and forward from the rear portion 23 of the floor portion 20, with the seat portion 32 extending forward from its upper portion. Inside the central rear portion 31, there is provided an internal structural element (side frame) rigidly connected to the rear end of the internal frame (side member) of the lower frame 2, which serves as a support structure for the seat portion 32. The outer surface of the central rear portion 31 is covered with an outer surface member that is integral with the floor portion 20 and the lower wall portion 22. The outer surface member is made of a resin molded part or a press-molded part made of metal plate, or a composite of these.

[0020] Next, the upper frame 4 constituting the occupant protection structure will be described.

[0021] The upper frame 4 is integrally formed including left and right front wall portions 41 extending diagonally upward and rearward from the front portions of the left and right lower wall portions 22, left and right upper wall portions 42 extending rearward from the upper portions of the left and right front wall portions 41, and an upper rear wall portion 43 extending in the width direction to connect their rear ends. A backrest portion 33 corresponding to the seat portion 32 is defined on the front surface of the upper rear wall portion 43, forming a "wraparound frame" that surrounds and protects an occupant seated in the seat portion 32.

[0022] An armrest portion 44 corresponding to the seat portion 32 protrudes from the inside of the left and right upper wall portions 42, and a joystick that constitutes the operating unit 10 of the small electric vehicle 1 is disposed in the front end region of the upper surface of one of the armrest portions 44.

[0023] The armrest portion 44 extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle at the vertically intermediate portion on the inside of the left and right upper wall portions 42, i.e., the upper regions (431) of the left and right upper wall portions 42 extend upward beyond the armrest portion 44. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the inner surface of the upper wall portion 42 forms a curved surface that curves inward above the armrest portion 44 and extends to surround the forearms and hands of an occupant seated on the seat portion 32.

[0024] The upper frame 4 having the above-described basic structure is continuous with a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape in the extension direction of the front wall portion 41, the upper wall portion 42, and the upper rear wall portion 43, including the lower wall portion 22 of the lower frame 2 which is its starting point. Furthermore, the upper frame 4 in the illustrated example has an outer periphery cross-sectional portion 401 which is bent and continuous on the outer periphery side with respect to the extension direction of the front wall portion 41, the upper wall portion 42, and the upper rear wall portion 43, and an inner periphery cross-sectional portion 402 which is bent and continuous on the inner periphery side.

[0025] In other words, the outer circumferential cross-sectional portion 401 is continuous with the front regions 411 of the left and right front wall portions 41, the upper regions 421 of the left and right upper wall portions 42, and the upper region 431 of the upper rear wall portion 43, and is the main part that defines the external shape of the small electric vehicle 1 in side view (Figure 1), with headlamps 11 provided in the left and right front regions 411 and a tail lamp 12 that also serves as a turn signal light provided in the upper region 431 of the upper rear wall portion 43.

[0026] The outer peripheral cross-sectional portion 401 has a hollow closed cross-section that is continuous in its extending direction, and an internal structural element having a cross-section smaller than the hollow closed cross-section is extended inside. This internal structural element is rigidly connected to the internal structural element of the lower wall portion 22 at the left and right lower ends or is continuous through a bent portion, and is rigidly connected to or is continuous through a bent portion in the transition region from the left and right front wall portions 41 (front region 411) to the upper wall portion 42 (upper region 421) and in the transition region from the upper wall portion 42 (upper region 421) to the upper rear wall portion 43 (upper region 431), thereby providing rigidity to the upper frame 4.

[0027] The internal structural element is formed, for example, of a metal pipe frame, and extends inside the outer circumferential cross-sectional portion 401 along the inner circumferential cross-sectional portion 402. A reinforcing plate or the like may be provided on the inner circumferential side of the bent portion of the portion of the lower wall 22 that is continuous with the internal structural element and that straddles the inner circumferential cross-sectional portion 402 (upper region 24 and rear region 412).

[0028] Furthermore, in the remaining portion of the hollow closed cross-section of the outer circumferential cross-section portion 401, communication wiring and power wiring leading from the operating unit 10, head lamp 11, and tail lamp 12 to the control unit and battery on the lower frame 2 side are arranged, and further, cushioning material (shock absorbing material) such as foam may be inserted at least partially.

[0029] On the other hand, the inner cross-sectional portion 402 is continuous (adjacent) to the inner side of the outer cross-sectional portion 401 via a step portion, and is continuous with the rear regions 412 of the left and right front wall portions 41 which are continuous with the front ends of the upper regions 24 of the left and right lower wall portions 22, the lower regions 422 of the left and right upper wall portions 42, and the lower region 432 of the upper rear wall portion 43, thereby defining an access opening to the luggage space (rear side of the floor portion 20) on the side or rear of the small electric vehicle 1, and is also a portion which expands the cross-section of the upper frame 4 (outer cross-sectional portion 401) inwardly, thereby supplementing the rigidity of the upper frame 4.

[0030] In particular, the inner circumferential cross-sectional portion 402 is formed thin so as to have a smaller widthwise cross-section than the outer circumferential cross-sectional portion 401 in order to limit the area of ​​the access opening while suppressing an increase in the weight of the upper frame 4 and to supplement the rigidity of the upper frame 4. The step between the inner circumferential cross-sectional portion 402 and the outer circumferential cross-sectional portion 401 is formed on the outer surface side of the inner circumferential cross-sectional portion 402, and the inner surface of the inner circumferential cross-sectional portion 402 facing the floor portion 20 and the seat portion 32 is continuous and flush with the inner surface of the outer circumferential cross-sectional portion 401, forming a simple inner surface.

[0031] The inner surface of the upper frame 4 is covered with an inner surface member that is continuous with the inner surfaces of the floor portion 20 and the upper region 24. This inner surface member is not particularly limited, but is preferably composed of a resin molded part.

[0032] The outer surface of the upper frame 4 is covered with an outer surface member similar to the outer surface of the lower wall portion 22. This outer surface member is made of a resin molded part, a press molded part made of a metal plate, or a composite of these.

[0033] (Main components and effects) As described above, the small electric vehicle 1 of the present invention comprises an upper frame 4 which is integrally formed including left and right front wall portions 41 extending diagonally upward and rearward from the front portions of the left and right lower wall portions 22 of the lower frame 2 which constitutes the lower running body, left and right upper wall portions 42 extending rearward from the upper portions of the left and right front wall portions 41, and an upper rear wall portion 43 extending in the width direction so as to connect the rear ends of the left and right upper wall portions 42, and a backrest portion 33 corresponding to the seat portion 32 is defined on the front surface of the upper rear wall portion 43, and the upper frame 4 forms a "wraparound frame" which surrounds an occupant seated on the seat portion 32, which is advantageous in terms of improving occupant protection function against falls and collisions, particularly collisions from the side or front side.

[0034] For example, in the event of a collision with a vehicle or bicycle while riding on a shoulder strip, or a collision with a pedestrian or obstacle while riding on a sidewalk, the upper frame 4 (front wall portion 41, upper wall portion 42, upper rear wall portion 43) will be positioned between the vehicle and the object struck, protecting the vehicle occupant and reducing damage from the collision. Also, in the event of a fall caused by the impact of the above-mentioned collision, road surface characteristics, or steps, the upper frame 4 will be positioned between the vehicle occupant and the obstacle or road surface, and is expected to reduce damage from the fall.

[0035] In particular, the left and right upper wall portions 42 extending upward from the armrest portion 44 surround the occupant's forearms and hands, thereby not only protecting the occupant's forearms and hands in the event of a collision or fall as described above, but also having the advantage that the occupant's forearms and hands are not exposed to traffic flow during normal driving, thereby reducing interference with traffic flow and obstacles.

[0036] In addition, since the front wall portion 41 of the upper frame 4 extends diagonally upward and rearward from the front of the lower wall portion 22, it is expected that the shape of the frame will have the effect of deflecting traffic flow or obstacles even if interference with traffic flow or obstacles occurs.

[0037] Furthermore, in the small electric vehicle 1 of the present invention, the lower frame 2 constituting the lower running body is configured with a low center of gravity by the floor portion 20, the left and right lower wall portions 22, the central rear portion 31 and the seat portion 32. In addition, the upper frame 4 is formed with a flat extending side wall structure, and the upper wall portion 42 and upper rear wall portion 43 surrounding the occupant are supported only by the left and right front wall portions 41 extending diagonally upward and rearward from the lower frame, resulting in a minimal structure that suppresses weight increase and is advantageous in maintaining the center of gravity at a low position and ensuring stability during driving.

[0038] In particular, due to the configuration of the front wall portion 41 extending diagonally upward and rearward from the front of the lower wall portion 22, and the configuration of the central rear portion 31 extending diagonally upward and forward from the rear of the floor portion 20, the small electric vehicle 1 has a trapezoidal shape with the lower frame 2 (lower running body) as the base when viewed from the side (Figure 1), which is advantageous for improving stability by lowering the center of gravity while providing occupant protection function.

[0039] On the other hand, in the small electric vehicle 1 of the present invention, the left and right front wall portions 41 of the upper frame 4 extend diagonally upward and rearward within the range of the width of the wheel arches 25 (26) of the front wheels 5 (rear wheels 6) when viewed from the front (Figure 2). This means that even though the upper frame 4 surrounds the occupants, a maximum amount of space is secured inside the upper frame 4 for the occupants, resulting in a comfortable ride and an advantage in that a large luggage space is secured below the seat portion 32.

[0040] In the above embodiment, an omniwheel is used as the front wheel 5 (driven wheel), but a caster-type free wheel may also be used.

[0041] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the present invention based on the technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1. Small electric vehicles 2 Lower frame 3 Rear Frame 4 Upper Frame 5 Front wheels (driven wheels, swivel wheels) 6 Rear wheels (drive wheels) 10 Control section 11 Headlamp 12 Tail lamp 20 Floor section 22 Lower wall 24 Upper area 25,26 Wheel arch 31 Center rear 32 Seat section 33 Backrest section 41 Front wall 42 Upper wall 43 Upper rear wall 44 Armrest section 401 Outer circumference side cross section 402 Inner circumference side cross section

Claims

1. a lower frame including a floor portion, left and right lower wall portions extending in a front-rear direction including upper areas extending upward on both left and right sides of the floor portion, a central rear portion extending in the vehicle width direction and upward so as to connect rear ends of the upper areas of the left and right lower wall portions at the rear of the floor portion, and a seat portion extending forward from an upper portion of the central rear portion; front wheels and rear wheels disposed in front and behind the left and right lower wall portions of the lower frame; an upper frame integrally formed including left and right front wall portions extending obliquely upward and rearward from front portions of the left and right lower wall portions, left and right upper wall portions extending rearward from upper portions of the left and right front wall portions, and an upper rear wall portion extending in the width direction so as to connect rear ends of the left and right upper wall portions; Equipped with A backrest portion corresponding to the seat portion is defined on a front surface of the upper rear wall portion. Small electric vehicle.

2. The small electric vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the central rear portion of the lower frame extends obliquely upward and forward from a rear portion of the floor portion.

3. 2. The small electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein an armrest portion corresponding to the seat portion is protruded from the inside of the left and right upper wall portions, an operating portion is disposed in a front end region of the armrest portion, and the left and right upper wall portions extend upward beyond the armrest portion.

4. The small electric vehicle according to claim 3 , wherein inner surfaces of the left and right upper wall portions form curved surfaces that curve inwardly above the armrest portions.

5. 2. The small electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the front wall portion, the upper wall portion, and the upper rear wall portion of the upper frame each have a hollow closed cross-sectional structure that is continuous in the direction in which they extend.

6. The upper frame is an outer circumferential cross-sectional portion that is continuous with a front region of the left and right front wall portions, an upper region of the left and right upper wall portions, and an upper region of the upper rear wall portion; an inner circumferential cross-sectional portion that is continuous with a rear region of the left and right front wall portions, a lower region of the left and right upper wall portions, and a lower region of the upper rear wall portion; 6. The small electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 5, wherein the outer circumferential side cross-sectional portions have a first thickness in a thickness direction perpendicular to a direction in which they extend, and the inner circumferential side cross-sectional portions have a second thickness in a thickness direction perpendicular to the direction in which they extend, the second thickness being thinner than the first thickness.

7. 2. The small electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein wheel arches for the front and rear wheels are defined in front and behind the left and right lower wall portions of the lower frame, and the left and right front wall portions of the upper frame extend diagonally upward and rearward within a width range of the wheel arches in a front view.

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