Airframe moving device

Abstract

To provide an airframe moving device capable of easily moving a flying object on the ground.SOLUTION: An airframe moving device 1 comprises: a first wheel unit 10a, 10b installed on the bottom of a flying object P so as to align a long axis direction with the cross direction of the flying object P and attached to one end of a long skid PS for supporting the flying object P on the ground; and a second wheel unit 20a, 20b attached to the other end of the skid PS. The first wheel unit 10a, 10b includes a first fixed wheel 111, 112 fixed in a rotation direction to the long axis direction of the skid, a second fixed wheel 151, 152 fixed in a rotation direction to a direction different from the long axis direction of the skid, a first lifting mechanism 14 for lifting the first fixed wheel, and a second lifting mechanism 17 for lifting the second fixed wheel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle movement device. [Background technology]

[0002] Some flying vehicles, such as flying cars or helicopters, have skids at the bottom to support the vehicle when it lands on the ground. By using these skids, the vehicle can be stopped stably on the ground.

[0003] Furthermore, units with wheels are installed in front and behind the skid, and an operator can apply force to the aircraft, allowing it to be easily moved on the ground. In this case, the wheels of the unit installed behind the skid are fixed wheels whose rotation direction is fixed in the front-to-rear direction of the aircraft, and the wheels of the unit installed in front of the skid are free wheels whose rotation direction can be freely changed, allowing an operator to move the aircraft while appropriately changing its direction of movement and making turns (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-6958 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when a unit such as that described above is installed on the skid of an aircraft, if the weight of the aircraft increases, it becomes difficult to change the direction of movement in order to turn the aircraft, resulting in a problem of reduced operability.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an aircraft moving device that can easily move an aircraft on the ground. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned objective, the aircraft movement device comprises a first wheel unit attached to one end of a long skid that is installed on the bottom of the aircraft with its longitudinal axis aligned with the fore-and-aft direction of the aircraft and that supports the aircraft on the ground, and a second wheel unit attached to the other end of the skid, wherein the first wheel unit has a first fixed wheel whose rotation direction is fixed to the longitudinal direction of the skid, a second fixed wheel whose rotation direction is fixed in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the skid, a first lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the first fixed wheel, and a second lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the second fixed wheel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the aircraft moving device of the present invention, the aircraft can be easily moved on the ground. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an aircraft on which an aircraft body moving device according to one embodiment of the present invention is installed and the installation positions of each component of the aircraft body moving device on this aircraft body. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a first wheel unit in a machine body moving device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a top view of a first wheel unit in a machine body movement device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of first and second lifting mechanisms in a machine body moving device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5A] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an installation example (1) of a second fixed wheel of a first wheel unit in a machine body movement device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an installation example (2) of the second fixed wheel of the first wheel unit in the machine body movement device according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The aircraft body moving device used to move an aircraft body will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an aircraft body P on which an aircraft body moving device 1 according to this embodiment is installed and the installation positions of each component of the aircraft body moving device 1 on this aircraft body P.

[0011] Two skids PS1 and PS2 are installed at the bottom of the aircraft P to support the aircraft P on the ground. Skids PS1 and PS2 have an elongated shape and are installed on the body of the aircraft P with a predetermined distance between them in the left-right direction of the aircraft P, with their long axes aligned with the fore-and-aft direction of the aircraft P.

[0012] The aircraft moving device 1 comprises two first wheel units 10a, 10b attached to positions SA1, SA2 on the skids PS1 and PS2, respectively, corresponding to the front of the aircraft P, and two second wheel units 20a, 20b attached to positions SB1, SB2 on the skids PS1 and PS2, respectively, corresponding to the rear of the aircraft P.

[0013] Hereinafter, when it is not specified which of the skids PS1 and PS2 it is, it will be referred to as skid PS. When it is not specified which of the first wheel units 10a and 10b it is, it will be referred to as first wheel unit 10. When it is not specified which of the second wheel units 20a and 20b it is, it will be referred to as second wheel unit 20.

[0014] Fig. 2 is an external perspective view of the first wheel unit 10, and Fig. 3 is a top view of the first wheel unit 10. The first wheel unit 10 has a pair of first fixed wheels 111, 112, a frame 12 that supports the first fixed wheels 111 and 112, a flange 13 that grips the skid PS, and a first lifting mechanism 14 that is fixed to the frame 12 and flange 13 and changes the distance between the frame 12 and flange 13. The first fixed wheels 111, 112 are fixed to frames 121, 122 so that their rotation direction is the longitudinal axis of the skid.

[0015] The first wheel unit 10 also has a pair of second fixed wheels 151, 152, a frame 16 that supports the second fixed wheels 151 and 152, and a second lifting mechanism 17 that is fixed to the frame 16 and the flange 13 and changes the distance between the frames 161 and 162 and the flange 13. The second fixed wheels 151, 152 are fixed to the frame 16 so that their rotation directions are different from the longitudinal direction of the skid.

[0016] The first lifting mechanism 14 and the second lifting mechanism 17 are connected by a connecting member 18. The first lifting mechanism 14 and the second lifting mechanism 17 are configured by, for example, a jack device.

[0017] 4 is an external perspective view of the first lifting mechanism 14. The first lifting mechanism 14 has a threaded rod 141 with its axial direction extending in the vertical direction, support rods 142 and 143 attached to both sides of the threaded rod 141, an upper block 144 fixed to the upper parts of the threaded rod 141 and the support rods 142 and 143, and a lower block 145 fixed to the lower parts of the threaded rod 141 and the support rods 142 and 143.

[0018] A nut 141a is threadedly fitted to the threaded rod 141 at a position between the upper block 144 and the lower block 145. A nut 142a is provided on the support rod 142 between the upper block 144 and the lower block 145 so as to be slidable on the support rod 142. A nut 143a is provided on the support rod 143 between the upper block 144 and the lower block 145 so as to be slidable on the support rod 143.

[0019] A head portion 141b at the upper end of the threaded rod 141 protrudes above the upper block 144 and has a rectangular shape so that it can be easily clamped with a wrench (not shown).

[0020] Additionally, an intermediate block 146 is fixed to the nuts 141a, 142a, and 143a.

[0021] The flange 13 is fixed to the lower block 145 of the first lifting mechanism 14 configured in this manner, and the frame 12 is fixed to the intermediate block 146. When an operator rotates the head portion 141b with a wrench, the threaded rod 141 rotates and the nut 141a moves upward or downward, thereby changing the relative height position of the intermediate block 146 with respect to the upper block 144 and the lower block 145. This changes the height positions of the first fixed wheels 111, 112 fixed to the intermediate block 146 with respect to the skid PS fixed to the lower block 145.

[0022] The second lifting mechanism 17 has a configuration similar to that of the first lifting mechanism 14, with the flange 13 fixed to a lower block 175 of the second lifting mechanism 17 and the frames 161 and 162 fixed to an intermediate block 176. When an operator rotates the head portion 171b with a wrench, the threaded rod 171 rotates and the nut 171a moves upward or downward, thereby changing the relative height position of the intermediate block 176 with respect to the upper block 174 and the lower block 175. This changes the height positions of the second fixed wheels 151 and 152 fixed to the intermediate block 176 with respect to the skid PS fixed to the lower block 175.

[0023] The second wheel unit 20 (not shown) may have any configuration and shape as long as it has a mechanism for gripping the skid SP and a third fixed wheel whose rotation direction is fixed in the longitudinal direction of the skid SP.

[0024] The worker uses the above-described aircraft movement device 1 to move the aircraft P on the ground from its current position to its destination by combining straight forward movement and turning movement. The worker determines the rotation direction of the second fixed wheels 151, 152 in the first wheel unit 10 based on the turning angle of the aircraft P when turning movement is performed during movement and the installation position of the first wheel unit 10 in the aircraft P. The worker adjusts the installation angle of the second fixed wheels 151, 152 relative to the frame 16 in advance based on the determined rotation direction. The installation angle of the second fixed wheels 151, 152 will be described later.

[0025] When moving the aircraft P, the operator attaches the two first wheel units 10a, 10b to positions SA1 and SA2 in FIG. 1, and attaches the two second wheel units 20a, 20b to positions SB1 and SB2.

[0026] Furthermore, when moving the flying object P in a straight line, the worker uses a wrench to appropriately rotate head portion 141b of each of first wheel units 10a, 10b to lower first fixed wheels 111, 112, or to appropriately rotate head portion 171b to raise second fixed wheels 151, 152, or to appropriately rotate both head portions 141b and 171b to position second fixed wheels 151, 152 above first fixed wheels 111, 112, thereby bringing first fixed wheels 111, 112 into contact with the ground and lifting second fixed wheels 151, 152 off the ground. With first fixed wheels 111, 112 in contact with the ground, the worker can easily move the flying object P in a straight line by applying force to the flying object P from the rear of the aircraft toward the front.

[0027] Furthermore, when turning the flying object P, the worker uses a wrench to rotate head portion 141b of each of first wheel units 10a, 10b as needed to raise first fixed wheels 111, 112 upward, or rotate head portion 171b as needed to lower second fixed wheels 151, 152 downward, or rotate both head portions 141b and 171b as needed to position first fixed wheels 111, 112 above second fixed wheels 151, 152, thereby bringing second fixed wheels 151, 152 into contact with the ground and lifting first fixed wheels 111, 112 off the ground. The worker can easily turn the flying object P by applying force to the flying object P from the rear of the aircraft in the turning direction with second fixed wheels 151, 152 in contact with the ground.

[0028] 5A is an explanatory diagram of an installation example (1) of second fixed wheels 151, 152. In FIG. 5A, in order to rotate the flying object P, first fixed wheels 111, 112 of first wheel units 10a, 10b are lifted off the ground, and second fixed wheels 151, 152 are placed on the ground. In addition, the installation angle between second fixed wheels 151 and 152 of first wheel unit 10a and second fixed wheels 151 and 152 of first wheel unit 10b is adjusted so that the center of rotation of the rotating movement of flying object P when the operator applies force to the flying object P in the rotating direction, for example, to the left, is aligned with midpoint Q1 between second wheel units 20a and 20b.

[0029] By adjusting the installation angles of the second fixed wheels 151, 152 of each of the first wheel units 10a, 10b in this manner, the aircraft P can be moved efficiently when an operator performs work that applies force to the aircraft P.

[0030] 5B is an explanatory diagram relating to installation example (2) of second fixed wheels 151, 152. Similarly, in FIG. 5B, in order to cause flying object P to turn, first fixed wheels 111, 112 of first wheel units 10a, 10b are lifted off the ground, and second fixed wheels 151, 152 are placed on the ground. In addition, the installation angle between second fixed wheels 151 and 152 of first wheel unit 10a and second fixed wheels 151 and 152 of first wheel unit 10b is adjusted so that the center of rotation of the turning movement of flying object P when an operator applies force to flying object P in the turning direction is aligned near point Q2 of second wheel unit 20a.

[0031] By adjusting the installation angles of the second fixed wheels 151, 152 of the first wheel units 10a, 10b in this way, it is possible to further improve operability by the operator compared to installation example (1). Also, the same effect can be obtained by adjusting the installation angles of the second fixed wheels 151 and 152 of the first wheel unit 10a and the second fixed wheels 151 and 152 of the first wheel unit 10b so that the center of rotation of the turning movement of the flying object P is near the second wheel unit 20b.

[0032] In the above-described embodiment, a pair (two) of first and second fixed wheels are installed in the first wheel units 10a and 10b, but the number is not limited to this. For example, one first fixed wheel and one second fixed wheel may be installed in the first wheel units 10a and 10b. This simplifies the configuration of the first wheel units 10a and 10b. Furthermore, three or more first fixed wheels and two or more second fixed wheels may be installed in the first wheel units 10a and 10b. This allows the aircraft P to be stably supported even when the aircraft P is heavy.

[0033] In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the first wheel unit 10 having the first fixed wheels 111, 112 and the second fixed wheels 151, 152 is attached to a skid position corresponding to the front of the aircraft P, and the second wheel unit having the third fixed wheel is attached to a skid position corresponding to the rear of the aircraft P. However, this is not limited to this, and the first wheel unit 10 may be attached to a skid position corresponding to the rear of the aircraft P, and the second wheel unit may be attached to a skid position corresponding to the front of the aircraft P. In this case, the operator applies force from the front of the aircraft P to move the aircraft P.

[0034] [Effects of the embodiment] As described above, the aircraft movement device according to this embodiment includes a first wheel unit attached to one end of a long skid that is installed on the bottom of the aircraft with its longitudinal axis aligned with the longitudinal direction of the aircraft and that supports the aircraft on the ground, and a second wheel unit attached to the other end of the skid. The first wheel unit also includes a first fixed wheel whose rotation direction is fixed to the longitudinal axis of the skid, a second fixed wheel whose rotation direction is fixed in a direction different from the longitudinal axis of the skid, a first lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the first fixed wheel, and a second lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the second fixed wheel. This allows the aircraft to easily move between straight-line movement and turning movement as needed.

[0035] In the above-described embodiment, the second wheel unit has a third fixed wheel whose rotation direction is fixed to the longitudinal axis of the skid. As a result, whether moving straight or turning, the wheel used is a fixed wheel whose rotation direction is fixed, allowing for stable movement and improving operability for the operator.

[0036] In the above-described embodiment, the aircraft has two skids installed at a predetermined distance in the left-right direction of the aircraft, and the aircraft movement device has a pair of first wheel units attached to one end of each of the two skids and a pair of second wheel units attached to the other end of each of the skids. This allows the aircraft to be supported by the left and right wheel units and to move in a stable manner.

[0037] In the above-described embodiment, the first wheel unit includes a pair of first fixed wheels and a pair of second fixed wheels installed on both sides of the skid in the longitudinal direction, a first lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the pair of fixed wheels, and a second lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the pair of second fixed wheels, thereby enabling the flying object to move while being supported more stably.

[0038] In the above-described embodiment, the rotation direction of the second fixed wheel may be adjusted in advance by either raising the first fixed wheel upward with the first lifting mechanism, lowering the second fixed wheel downward with the second lifting mechanism, or performing both of these operations so that the center of rotation of the turning movement of the aircraft is aligned with one of the second wheel units when a force is applied to the aircraft with the first fixed wheel not in contact with the ground but the second fixed wheel in contact with the ground. This further improves the operability of the operator when moving the aircraft.

[0039] In the above-described embodiment, the first lifting mechanism and the second lifting mechanism may be configured as jack devices. This allows an operator to easily raise and lower the first fixed wheel and the second fixed wheel. The first lifting mechanism and the second lifting mechanism are not limited to jack devices and may be any mechanism that can move the first fixed wheel and the second fixed wheel in the vertical direction, that is, any mechanism that can change the relative height positions of the first fixed wheel and the second fixed wheel with respect to the gripped skid.

[0040] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments can be modified or varied based on the above disclosure. All components of the above embodiments and all features described in the claims may be individually extracted and combined as long as they are not mutually inconsistent. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1. Aircraft movement device 10, 10a, 10b First wheel unit 12 frames 13 Flange 14 First lifting mechanism 16 frames 17 Second lifting mechanism 18 Connecting member 20, 20a, 20b Second wheel unit 111, 112 1st fixed ring 141, 171 Threaded rod 141a, 171a nuts 141b, 171b head part 142, 143 Support rod 142a Second nut 143a Third Nut 144, 174 upper block 145, 175 lower block 146, 176 Intermediate Block 151, 152 2nd fixed ring

Claims

1. a first wheel unit attached to one end of an elongated skid that is installed on the bottom of the aircraft so that its longitudinal axis is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the aircraft and that supports the aircraft on the ground; and a second wheel unit attached to the other end of the skid. The first wheel unit is a first fixed wheel whose rotation direction is fixed in the longitudinal direction of the skid; a second fixed wheel whose rotation direction is fixed in a direction different from the longitudinal axis direction of the skid; a first lifting mechanism that lifts and lowers the first fixed wheel; A machine body moving device having a second lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the second fixed wheel.

2. The second wheel unit is The machine body movement device according to claim 1 , further comprising a third fixed wheel whose rotation direction is fixed in the longitudinal direction of the skid.

3. The skids are installed in two pairs at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction of the aircraft, 2. The machine body movement device according to claim 1, comprising a pair of the first wheel units attached to one end of each of the two skids, and a pair of the second wheel units attached to the other end of each of the skids.

4. 2. The machine body movement device according to claim 1, wherein the first wheel unit has a pair of the first fixed wheels and a pair of the second fixed wheels installed on both sides of the skid in the longitudinal direction, the first lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the pair of first fixed wheels, and the second lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the pair of second fixed wheels.

5. The second fixed ring is 4. The aircraft movement device according to claim 3, wherein the rotation direction is adjusted in advance so that when at least one of the first lifting mechanism or the second lifting mechanism is operated such that the first fixed wheel is in a higher position than the second fixed wheel and the second fixed wheel is in contact with the ground and a force is applied to the aircraft, the center of rotation of the turning movement of the aircraft is aligned with one of the second wheel units.

6. The machine body moving device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first lifting mechanism and the second lifting mechanism are configured by jack devices.

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