Electric cart

Abstract

To provide an electric cart that is relatively compact and can be smoothly changed in form between a hand-push type and a self-propelled type.SOLUTION: An intermediate area 23 of an electric cart 10 can be folded by a link mechanism and has a lock mechanism using a lower link 40 and a lock frame 70. The lock mechanism has a first lock mechanism that maintains a state in which the intermediate area 23 is unfolded and a second lock mechanism that maintains a state in which the intermediate area 23 is folded.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric cart used when moving on roads, golf courses, supermarkets, shopping malls, etc.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, shopping carts and golf carts that can accommodate and move luggage are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a push-type shopping cart having a cart body, front and rear wheels attached to the cart body, and a loading platform located on the front side of the cart body. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a single-seater electric golf cart having a vehicle body structure similar to that of an electric wheelchair.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] According to the push-type shopping cart disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to move while holding luggage on the loading platform, which is convenient for shopping and moving on the road. However, when the user is an elderly person or when there is a large amount of luggage, there is a limit to moving by pushing.

[0005] According to the electric golf cart disclosed in Patent Document 2, golf equipment or the like can be placed on the loading platform, and the user can move the golf cart by self-propelling it in a seated state, so there is no physical burden. However, it is relatively large, and for daily use, the moving space is limited and the cost burden is also large. Furthermore, it is relatively large, and it is difficult to secure a storage space, and a more compact electric cart has been demanded.

[0006] An object of the present invention is an improvement of the prior art, and to provide an electric cart that is relatively compact and can be smoothly deformed between a push-type and a self-propelled type.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the technical problems, the present invention relates to an electric cart having an up-down direction, a lateral direction, and a front-rear direction, and including a handle, a front region having a pair of front wheels that are steered by the handle, a rear region having a pair of rear wheels that are driven and controlled by a control device, and an intermediate region located between the front and rear regions.

[0008] The deformable electric cart according to the present invention is characterized in that the intermediate region can be folded by a link mechanism, and includes an upper link extending in the front-rear direction, a lower link spaced apart and opposed to the upper link in the up-down direction, a locking frame to which the lower link is connected, and a locking mechanism formed by the lower link and the locking frame. The locking mechanism has a first locking mechanism for maintaining the state in which the intermediate region is deployed and a second locking mechanism for maintaining the state in which the intermediate region is folded.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to one or more embodiments of the electric cart according to the present invention, by folding the intermediate region, it can be deformed into a more compact form and can be used in either a hand-pushed type or a self-propelled type according to the usage situation of the user. Further, by means of the locking mechanism, it can be used with confidence without the frame coming off in any usage mode.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] The drawings show specific embodiments of the electric cart according to the present invention and include not only the essential configurations of the invention but also optional and preferred embodiments.

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Referring to the attached FIGS. 1 to 10, the details of the electric cart 10 according to the present invention will be described as follows. Further, the following embodiments include, in addition to the essential requirements indispensable to the present invention, optional requirements that can be adopted and requirements that can be appropriately combined.

[0012] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the electric cart 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a vertical direction Y, a lateral direction X, and a longitudinal direction Z, and includes a front region 21 having a handle 2 and a pair of left and right front wheels 3, 3 that are steered by the handle 2, a rear region 22 having a pair of left and right rear wheels 4, 4 that are driven and controlled by a control device 5 having an electric motor, and an intermediate region 23 located between the front and rear regions 21, 22.

[0013] The control device 5 is composed of a microcomputer, a RAM, a ROM that stores programs and data for causing the microcomputer to execute control processing, an input / output interface, and the like. The electric cart 10 is provided with components related to the drive of a general electric cart. For example, it has components related to power supply such as a battery 7, and components related to drive such as a motor and an axle with an electromagnetic brake installed therein. As components related to power supply, a battery 7 and a charger are provided, and by connecting the charger to a commercial power supply, it can be charged, so it can be charged at home or the like.

[0014] Next, regarding the operation related components, it is provided with components related to a general electric cart. A power switch 2a is arranged beside the handle 2. By rotating the handles 2, the motor is controlled to drive, and by pulling the brake lever, the drive of the motor is released and the electric cart 10 stops.

[0015] The front region 21 has a handle bar extending in the lateral direction X, a handle frame extending downward from the handle bar, and a support frame (handle post) 25 to which the handle frame is connected. A pair of front wheels 3, 3 are drivably attached below the support frame 25.

[0016] Above the support frame 25, an annular auxiliary handle (steering frame) 27 is positioned. The auxiliary handle 27 is substantially rectangular, having a front end fixed to the support frame 25, both side portions extending obliquely downward from the front end toward the rear, and a rear end portion extending parallel to the front end portion.

[0017] On the handle bar, there are arranged a holder 11 for holding a mobile phone and a display 12 on which elements related to the power supply and driving of the electric cart 10, such as traveling speed, traveling distance, remaining battery level, forward and backward switching, and drive control of each wheel, are displayed. The display 12 is preferably a touch panel type and can freely control various settings. Also, below the auxiliary handle 25 of the support frame 25, a drink holder 13 is provided.

[0018] Between the auxiliary handle 27 and the front wheels of the support frame 25, there is positioned a battery holding portion for holding the battery 7. The battery holding portion has a pair of holding rings arranged in the vertical direction and a bottom plate on which the battery 7 is placed. Behind the battery 7, the control device 5 is attached to the support frame 25.

[0019] Below the battery holding portion, a loading platform arm 28 extending forward is positioned. At the tip of the loading platform arm 28, a loading platform 28a for placing luggage is attached. The loading platform arm 28 has a link mechanism and is movable so as to approach and separate from the support frame 25. Also, as an option, a storage cage for accommodating luggage may be arranged on the loading platform 28a. Also, at the tip of a support arm 29 extending forward from the holding ring of the battery holding portion, a holding belt 29a for holding luggage such as a golf bag placed on the loading platform 28a is attached. The support arm 29 may be telescopic and may have a mechanism capable of adjusting the angle in the front-rear direction Z.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in the intermediate region 23, there are upper and lower links 30 and 40 that extend in the front-rear direction Z and are arranged in the up-down direction Y. The upper link 30 has front and rear ends 31 and 32 that are spaced apart and opposed in the front-rear direction Z, and one through hole 31a and 32a is formed in each of the front and rear ends 31 and 32.

[0021] The lower link 40 has front and rear ends 41 and 42 that are spaced apart and opposed in the front-rear direction Z. One through hole 41a is formed in the front end 41, and a locked portion 43 is located in the rear end 42. The locked portion 43 has a through hole 44 that communicates with the mounting hole of the connecting frame described later, and a pair of through holes 45 that are located in front of the through hole.

[0022] In addition, the locked portion 43 has a first protrusion 46 that protrudes rearward along the upper edge of the lower link 40, an engaged protrusion 47 that extends obliquely downward, a second protrusion 48 that extends downward in front of the engaged protrusion 47, a first engagement recess 49A that is located between the first protrusion 46 and the engaged protrusion 47, and a second engagement recess 49B that is located between the engaged protrusion 47 and the second protrusion 48.

[0023] The connecting frame 50 has first and second mounting portions 51 and 52 that protrude from the main body portion, and a third mounting portion 53 that is located at the lower end of the main body portion and has a through hole.

[0024] The front ends 31 and 41 of the upper and lower links 30 and 40 are rotatably attached via a rotating shaft (bolt) that penetrates the through holes 31a and 41a formed therein and the through holes located in the mounting portion of the support frame 25. On the other hand, the rear ends 32 and 42 of the upper and lower links 30 and 40 are rotatably attached via a rotating shaft (bolt) that penetrates the through holes 32a and 42a formed therein and the through holes 51a and 52a located in the first and second mounting portions 51 and 52 of the connecting frame 50.

[0025] The rear region 22 has a floorboard 60 to which a pair of rear wheels 4 driven by a driving means such as a motor are attached, and a locking frame 70 extending forward from below the floorboard 60. The floorboard 60 has a front portion 61 that is concave forward and a footrest 62 located between the rear wheels 4, 4 for the user to place their feet. In front of the footrest 62, a support member 80 that penetrates the floorboard 60 in the vertical direction Y is arranged.

[0026] The support member 80 includes an upper end portion 81 having a pair of plate-like portions with through holes and a first gap formed between the plate-like portions, and a lower end portion 82 located below the floorboard 60 and having a pair of plate-like portions with through holes and a second gap formed between the plate-like portions.

[0027] The locking frame 70 is substantially L-shaped and has an arm portion 71 extending upward and a rear extension portion 72 extending rearward. At the base end of the arm portion 71, a connecting portion 73 connected to the lower link 40 is located, and at the tip, a locking projection 74 protruding forward is located. Further, a through hole 72a is located on the front side of the rear extension portion 72, and an operation step 75 located between the rear wheels 4 is located on the rear side. Also, an elastic means 78 composed of a compression spring is attached to the connecting portion 73, and a hook 77 is located at the tip of the elastic means 78.

[0028] The connecting frame 50 is rotatably connected to the support member 80 by inserting the third attachment portion 53 into the first gap of the upper end portion 81 of the support member 80 and passing a bolt that communicates and penetrates the through hole 53a of the third attachment portion 53 and the through holes of the plate-like portions of the upper end portion 81. Further, the locking frame 70 is rotatably connected to the support member 80 by inserting the front side into the second gap of the lower end portion 82 of the support member 80 and passing a bolt that communicates and penetrates the through hole 72a and the through holes of the plate-like portions of the lower end portion 82.

[0029] In a state where the locking frame 70 is connected to the support member 80, the arm portion 71 of the locking frame 70 is located within the front portion 61 of the floor board 60, and the hook 77 of the elastic means 78 is locked to the locking hole 61a of the opposing front portion 61. As a result, the locking frame 70 is constantly biased downward.

[0030] The electric cart 10 includes a first locking mechanism composed of a locking projection 74 of the locking frame 70 and a first engaging recess 49A of the engaged portion 43 of the lower link 40, which is used to maintain the deployed state, and a second locking mechanism composed of the locking projection 74 and a second engaging recess 49B of the engaged portion 43 of the lower link 40, which is used to maintain the folded state. As described above, since the locking frame 70 is constantly biased downward, in the locked state of the first and second locking mechanisms, the locking projection 74 abuts against the first and second engaging recesses 49A and 49B and does not accidentally disengage.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 6(A)-(C) and FIGS. 7(A)-(C), the folding method of the electric cart 10 will be described. First, in the assembled state, while the user holds the handle 2 and / or the auxiliary handle 27, the user steps on the operation step 75 with one foot. Thereby, the front portion 61 of the floor board 60 rises, and against the biasing of the elastic means 78, the locking projection 74 of the locking frame 70 disengages from the first engaging recess 49A of the engaged portion 43 of the lower link 40, and the first locking mechanism is released. By operating so as to move the rear region 22 forward while the user steps on the operation step 75, the upper and lower links 30 and 40 rotate around the rotation axes P1 and P2 and enter the folded state.

[0032] At this time, the locking projection 74 of the locking frame 70 moves downward along the curved surface of the engaged projection 47 and enters the second engaging recess 49B of the engaged portion 43. As a result, the second locking mechanism formed by the locking projection 74 and the second engaging recess 49B locks, and the upper and lower links 30 and 40 can maintain the folded state.

[0033] Referring to Fig. 8, when using the electric cart by utilizing its electric function, first, the user 1 places both feet on the footrest 62, holds the steering wheel 2, and turns on the switch of the electric cart 10. The front and rear wheels 3, 3, 4, 4 are driven by the control device 5, and the user 1 can hold the steering wheel 2 and the auxiliary steering wheel 27 to operate the front wheels. A golf bag 19 is placed on the loading platform 28a.

[0034] In the usage state of such an electric cart 10, the first locking mechanism composed of the locking projection 74 of the locking frame 70 and the first engaging recess 49A of the locked portion 43 of the lower link 40 stably maintains the assembled state of the electric cart 10, and the lock of the first locking mechanism is not released during use.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 9, the user 1 can also move by kicking the ground with the other foot while placing one foot (for example, the right foot) on the footrest 62 without using the electric function.

[0036] In the electric cart 10, golf equipment such as a golf bag 19 can be placed on the loading platform 28a, and it can be used as an electric golf cart. Also, in addition to golf, it can be used as an electric sports cart for placing various sports equipment and moving. Furthermore, in retail stores such as shopping centers and supermarkets, it can be used as a shopping cart for placing shopping bags and moving, and it can also be used as a silver cart for the elderly to place luggage and move when going out. Thus, the electric cart 10 can be used for various purposes according to the usage situation of the user 1.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 10, the electric cart 10 can also be used as a handcart that the user 1 can push and move by folding the electric cart 10. In such a use state, even when a large load is applied to the loading platform by driving the front and rear wheels 3 and 4 by an electric function, it can move smoothly. Also, when the load is light, it is possible to move completely by hand without using the electric function.

[0038] Further, in such a hand-pushing type case, by gripping the auxiliary handle 27 extending rearward from the support 25 instead of the handle 2 and moving, the user is in a position away from the rear of the electric cart 10, so that when walking, the toes do not contact the rear wheel 4 and smooth walking can be realized.

[0039] The present invention can include at least the following embodiments. The embodiments can be adopted separately or in combination with each other. (1) The lower link has a locked portion located at the rear end. The locked portion has a first protrusion protruding rearward along the upper edge of the lower link, an engaged protrusion extending obliquely downward, a second protrusion extending downward in front of the engaged protrusion, a first engagement recess located between the first protrusion and the engaged protrusion, and a second engagement recess located between the engaged protrusion and the second protrusion. The locking frame is substantially L-shaped and has an arm portion extending upward and a rearward extension portion extending rearward. A locking protrusion protruding forward is located at the tip of the arm portion. The first locking mechanism is composed of the locking protrusion of the locking frame and the first engagement recess of the lower link. The second locking mechanism is composed of the locking protrusion of the locking frame and the second engagement recess of the lower link. (2) The outer surface of the engaged protrusion is curved. (3) The locking frame further has an operation step for releasing the first locking mechanism. (4) It further has a support frame having the handle and the front wheel. The support frame has an annular auxiliary handle below the handle.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0040] 2 Handles 3 Front Wheels 4 Rear Wheels 5 Control Device 10 Electric Cart 21 Front Region 22 Rear Region 23 Intermediate Region 25 Support Frame 27 Auxiliary Handle 40 Lower Link 43 Locked Part 46 First Projection 47 Engaged Projection 48 Second Projection 49A First Engagement Recess 49B Second Engagement Recess 70 Locking Frame 71 Arm Part 72 Rear Extension 74 Locking Projection 75 Operation Step X Lateral Direction Y Vertical Direction Z Front - Rear Direction

Claims

1. An electric cart having an up-down direction, a lateral direction, and a front-rear direction, comprising a steering wheel, a front region having a pair of front wheels that are steered by the steering wheel, a rear region having a pair of rear wheels that are driven and controlled by a control device, and an intermediate region located between the front and rear regions, wherein the intermediate region is foldable by a link mechanism, further comprising an upper link extending in the front-rear direction, a lower link positioned opposite and spaced apart from the upper link in the up-down direction, a locking frame to which the lower link is connected, and a locking mechanism formed by the lower link and the locking frame, the locking mechanism including a first locking mechanism for maintaining the intermediate region in a deployed state and a second locking mechanism for maintaining the intermediate region in a folded state.

2. The lower link has a locked portion located at the rear end, and the locked portion has a first protrusion protruding rearward along the upper edge of the lower link, an engaged protrusion extending obliquely downward, a second protrusion extending downward in front of the engaged protrusion, a first engagement recess located between the first protrusion and the engaged protrusion, and a second engagement recess located between the engaged protrusion and the second protrusion. The locking frame is substantially L-shaped and has an arm portion extending upward and a rearward extension portion extending rearward. A locking protrusion protruding forward is located at the tip of the arm portion. The first locking mechanism is composed of the locking protrusion of the locking frame and the first engagement recess of the lower link, and the second locking mechanism is composed of the locking protrusion of the locking frame and the second engagement recess of the lower link. The electric cart according to Claim 1.

3. The electric cart according to Claim 2, wherein the outer surface of the engaged protrusion is curved.

4. The electric cart according to Claim 1, wherein the locking frame further has an operation step for releasing the first locking mechanism.

5. The electric cart according to Claim 1, further comprising a support frame having the steering wheel and the front wheels, and the support frame having an annular auxiliary steering wheel below the steering wheel.

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