Amphibious vehicle and float support mechanism

Abstract

To provide an amphibious vehicle having good mounting workability of a float and obtaining sufficient buoyancy from the float.SOLUTION: A vehicle body (2), tires (3) attached to the vehicle body (2), an engine-equipped screw (4) attached to the vehicle body (2), a float support mechanism (5A) attached to the vehicle body (2), a float mounting part (6) displaced by the float support mechanism (5A), and a float (7) mounted on the float mounting part (6), wherein the float support mechanism (5A) includes a base plate member (10) attached to a lower surface of the vehicle body (2), and a lifting arm (12) supported by the base plate member (10) and extending to a vehicle-width-direction outer side, the height of a float installing part 6 installed in a tip part of the lifting arm 12 is changed to an installing position higher than a grounding surface of the tire 3 and a water sailing position lower than the installing position by the movement of the lifting arm 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an amphibious vehicle and a float support mechanism used therein. [Background technology]

[0002] The amphibious vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1 comprises a body that ensures the watertightness of the cabin, land tires attached to the body, water tires (tires with water deflectors attached) attached to the body, and a body float that can be attached to the space between the front and rear wheels of the water tires.

[0003] When traveling on land, the vehicle is fitted with land tires, but when traveling on water, these are replaced with water tires, and body floats are fitted in the space between the front and rear water tires, allowing the vehicle to travel on the water by rotating the water tires. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-171222 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, since the body float is mounted in the space below the body, it is necessary to get under the body to perform the mounting work, which has the problem of poor mounting workability.

[0006] In addition, the body floats are installed in the space below the body, which is limited to the space between the front and rear wheels, so there is a possibility that they may not be able to provide sufficient buoyancy.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an amphibious vehicle in which floats can be easily attached and in which sufficient buoyancy can be obtained from the floats, and a float support mechanism for use therein. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and is an amphibious vehicle comprising: (1) a vehicle body, running wheels attached to the vehicle body, a water propulsion device attached to the vehicle body, a float support mechanism attached to the vehicle body, a float mounting section that is displaced by the float support mechanism, and a float mounted to the float mounting section, wherein the float support mechanism has a base member attached to the underside of the vehicle body and a lifting arm that is supported by the base member and extends outward in the vehicle width direction, and wherein the height of the float mounting section attached to the tip of the lifting arm can be changed by moving the lifting arm between a mounting position that is higher than the contact surface of the running wheels and a water navigation position that is lower than the mounting position.

[0009] (2) In the above (1), the lifting arm has a rotating arm portion rotatably mounted on the base member, and a swinging arm portion fixed to the tip of the rotating arm portion and having the float mounting portion fixed to the tip thereof, and the height of the float mounting portion is changed by varying the tip height of the swinging arm portion through rotation of the rotating arm portion.

[0010] (3) In the above (1), the lifting arm has a plurality of parallel arm sections whose base ends are each rotatably supported on the base member and whose tip ends have the float mounting section fixed thereto, and the height of the float mounting section is changed by varying the tip height of the parallel arm sections through parallel movement of the plurality of parallel arm sections.

[0011] (4) In the above (2), an actuator that applies a rotational force to the rotating arm portion is provided.

[0012] (5) In the above (3), an actuator for applying a translation force to the parallel arm portion is provided.

[0013] (6) In the above (3) and (5), the float mounting portion is configured to be movable to the space below the vehicle body when in the mounting position.

[0014] (7) A float support mechanism attached to a vehicle body, the float support mechanism having a support arm whose base end is supported on the lower part of the vehicle body and which extends to the outside of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction, the support arm being configured so that the height of the float mounting part attached to the tip of the support arm can be changed between a mounting position higher than the ground contact position of the tire and a water navigation position lower than the mounting position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, the float mounting portion is located at a lateral position outside the vehicle body when the float mounting portion is mounted, eliminating the need to crawl under the vehicle body to mount the float, making mounting easy. Because the mounting position is at a lateral position outside the vehicle body, it is possible to ensure space for arranging the float without being restricted by the positions of the front and rear tires, etc. As a result, an amphibious vehicle can be provided in which floats are easily mounted and sufficient buoyancy is obtained from the floats. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] The drawings illustrate specific embodiments of the invention according to the present disclosure, including essential features of the invention as well as alternative and preferred embodiments. [Figure 1] 1A and 1B show a first embodiment, in which FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a float support mechanism and a float, and FIG. 1B is a side view showing a connecting structure between a float mounting portion and the float. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B show a first embodiment, in which (a) is a perspective view of an amphibious vehicle with a float mounting portion having a float mounted thereon in a mounting position (land driving position), and (b) is a rear view thereof. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B show a first embodiment, in which (a) is a perspective view of an amphibious vehicle in which a float mounting portion having a float mounted thereon is positioned at an intermediate position, and (b) is a rear view thereof. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B show a first embodiment, in which (a) is a perspective view of an amphibious vehicle in which a float mounting portion having a float mounted thereon is positioned at a position for traveling on water, and (b) is a rear view thereof. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the float in the first embodiment, with the casters in the retracted position. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the float in the first embodiment, with the casters in the protruding position. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the amphibious vehicle before the float is towed according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an amphibious vehicle towing a float according to a first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an amphibious vehicle towing a float according to a first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a float support mechanism and a float according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the second embodiment and illustrating the connecting structure between the float mounting portion and the float. [Figure 12] 1A and 1B show a second embodiment, in which (a) is a perspective view of an amphibious vehicle with a float mounting portion having a float mounted thereon in the mounting position (land driving position), and (b) is a rear view thereof. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B show a second embodiment, in which (a) is a perspective view of an amphibious vehicle in which a float mounting portion having a float mounted thereon is positioned at an intermediate position, and (b) is a rear view thereof. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B show a second embodiment, in which FIG. 10A is a perspective view of an amphibious vehicle in which a float mounting portion having a float mounted thereon is positioned at a position for traveling on water, and FIG. 10B is a rear view thereof. [Figure 15] This shows a modified example of the second embodiment, where (a) is a perspective view from below of an amphibious vehicle with a float-mounted float mounting portion in the mounting position (land driving position), and (b) is an enlarged view of the main part of section XV(b) in (a). [Figure 16] A modified example of the second embodiment is shown, in which (a) is a perspective view from below of an amphibious vehicle in which the float mounting part with the float mounted thereon is in the mounting position (land driving position) and the connecting rod is retracted inward from the vehicle body, and (b) is an enlarged view of the main part of part XVI(b) in (a). [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an amphibious vehicle towing a float, showing a modification of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Each embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these embodiments, a description of already known technologies will be omitted. Furthermore, the following merely illustrates devices and methods for embodying the technical concept of the invention, and the technical concept of the present invention is not limited to the following. Various modifications can be made to the technical concept of the present invention within the scope of the claims. It should be noted that the drawings are schematic and may differ from the actual product.

[0018] (First embodiment) Figures 1 to 9 show a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, an amphibious vehicle 1 comprises a body 2, tires 3 serving as running wheels attached to the bottom of the body 2, a propeller 4 with an engine attached to the rear of the body 2 as a water propulsion device, a float support mechanism 5A attached to the underside of the body 2, a float mounting part 6 that is movable by the float support mechanism 5A, and four floats 7 attached to the float mounting part 6.

[0019] The vehicle body 2 has a cabin 2a with a driver's seat. There are four tires 3, two in the front and two in the rear. The engine-equipped screw 4 is provided at the lower end of a lifting rod 4a attached to the rear of the vehicle body 2. The lifting rod 4a is configured to be movable in the vertical direction, and the height of the engine-equipped screw 4 can be adjusted by changing the position of the lifting rod 4a.

[0020] 1, the float support mechanism 5A has a base plate member 10 which is a substantially flat base member that can be fitted closely to the underside of the vehicle body 2. The base plate member 10 is attached to the underside of the vehicle body 2 by an attachment means (not shown). The float support mechanism 5A can also be attached to the vehicle body 2 of a commercially available vehicle as a retrofit.

[0021] The float support mechanism 5A has four sets of actuators 11 and lifting arms 12 driven by these actuators 11, arranged at symmetrical positions on the left and right of a base plate member 10. The four sets of actuators 11 are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Each lifting arm 12 has a rotating arm portion 13 extending from the corresponding actuator 11 in the vehicle width direction and a swinging arm portion 14 fixed to the tip of the rotating arm portion 13, and the float mounting portion 6 is provided at the tip of the swinging arm portion 14.

[0022] The actuator 11 has, for example, a motor (not shown) and a group of gears (not shown) inside that decelerate and output the rotation of the motor, and applies a rotational force about an axis to the rotating arm portion 13. The rotating arm portion 13 is rotatably mounted on the base plate member 10 via the actuator 11. The base end of the swinging arm portion 14 is fixed to the rotating arm portion 13. The tip side of the rotating arm portion 13 extends in a direction approximately perpendicular to the rotating arm portion 13. The rotating arm portion 13 and the swinging arm portion 14 are configured to form a roughly L-shape as a whole, and the swinging arm portion 14 swings when the rotating arm portion 13 rotates (spins).

[0023] The float mounting part 6 is fixed to the tip of the swing arm part 14 and is composed of a connecting rod 15 that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction. The float 7 is mounted on this connecting rod 15. The mounting procedure is described below. The height of the tip of the swing arm part 14 is changed by rotating the rotating arm part 13, and thereby the height of the float mounting part 6 is changed.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 2, the height of the float mounting portion 6 is at its highest when the longitudinal direction of the swing arm portion 14 is in an almost upper position, and this position is the mounting position. The mounting position is higher than the ground contact surface of the tire 3, and the underside of the mounted float 7 is higher than the ground contact surface. In the mounting position, the tire 3 can travel on land even without the float 7 mounted, and because the mounted float 7 floats above the ground contact surface, the tire 3 can also travel on land with the float 7 mounted. In other words, in this first embodiment, the mounting position is also the land driving position.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the height of the float mounting part 6 is at an intermediate height when the longitudinal direction of the swing arm part 14 is in an approximately horizontal position, and this position is the intermediate position. At the intermediate position, the bottom surface of the mounted float 7 is at approximately the same height as the ground contact surface of the tire 3. At the intermediate position, if the ground contact surface is entirely flat, the float 7 can be mounted. However, there may be cases where the ground contact surface is uneven and the float 7 cannot be installed at the mounting position.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, the height of the float mounting part 6 is at its lowest when the longitudinal direction of the swing arm part 14 is in the almost downward position, which is the water navigation position. In the water navigation position, it is lower than the ground contact surface (ground contact height) of the tire 3. In the water navigation position, the attached float 7 floats on the water, allowing water navigation.

[0027] As shown in Figures 5 to 8, each float 7 has a substantially elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape. Each float 7 is made of a strong, lightweight material, such as fiber-reinforced plastic. The interior space of each float 7 is a waterproof, sealed space, and, combined with being made of a lightweight material, it has high buoyancy. The floats 7 arranged in the forward position when sailing on water differ in their forward shape from those arranged in the rear position. The floats arranged in the forward position have a substantially triangular front side in plan view in order to reduce resistance from water when sailing on water.

[0028] A connecting rod 7c protrudes from the side of each float 7. As shown in Figure 1(b), the float is attached to the float mounting part 6 by inserting the connecting rods 15, 7c of both the swing arm part 14 and the float 7 into a connecting cylinder 20 from opposite sides and connecting them by fastening screws 21. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, horizontally arranged floats 7 are connected to each other by similarly connecting the connecting rods 15, 7c via the connecting cylinder 20 (see Figure 7). The connecting rod 15 is attached to the swing arm 14 so as to be able to rotate freely.

[0029] As shown in detail in Figures 5 and 6, the floats 7 are provided with casters 7a that can be freely extended and retracted from the outer surface. When in the extended position, the casters 7a are rotatable so that they automatically face the direction of movement. In addition, towing device attachment parts 7b are provided on all or some of the four floats 7.

[0030] As shown in Figures 7 to 9, horizontally arranged floats 7 can be connected to each other via the connecting cylinders 20 as described above, and vertically arranged floats 7 can be connected to each other using bolts or the like. Therefore, four floats 7 can be integrated. These four connected floats 7 can be towed by a vehicle using a towing tool 9. Figures 8 and 9 show the amphibious vehicle 1 being towed by connecting the four connected floats 7 to a towing tool attachment portion (not shown) at the rear of the vehicle body 2 via the towing tool 9.

[0031] Next, we will explain the operation of the amphibious vehicle 1. When traveling on land without the floats 7 attached, the propeller 4 with the engine is positioned high enough so as not to come into contact with the ground surface of the tire 3, and the float attachment parts 6 are positioned in the attached or intermediate position, and the vehicle travels on the tire 3. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the two central floats of the four float attachment parts 6 may be positioned in the intermediate position, and the two at the front and rear ends may be positioned in the attached position.

[0032] The four floats 7 may be towed by the amphibious vehicle 1, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, or may be carried by being loaded onto or towed by another vehicle.

[0033] When switching from running on land to running on water, run on land as close to the water's edge as possible. At a position close to the water's edge, for example, all of the float mounting sections 6 are set to the mounted position, and a float 7 is mounted to each float mounting section 6. To mount the floats to the float mounting sections 6, first, if the caster 7a is in the extended position, it is stored in the retracted position. Next, the float 7 is temporarily placed near the float mounting section 6, and the connecting rod 15 of the float mounting section 6 and the connecting rod 7c of the float 7 are positioned opposite each other, and the connecting rods 15, 7c are connected by the connecting cylinder 20. This procedure is performed for all four floats 7. If the ground surface conditions permit, the float mounting sections 6 may be positioned in the intermediate position to mount the floats 7.

[0034] Once the float 7 has been attached, the boat runs to the water's edge with the float attachment part 6 at the attached position, as shown in Figure 2. When entering the water, the actuator 11 is activated to gradually lower the height of the float attachment part 6 from the attached position to the intermediate position.

[0035] The amphibious vehicle 1 then enters the water from the water's edge while traveling on land using the tires 3. After entering the water, the actuator 11 is operated to gradually lower the float mounting part 6 from the intermediate position to the water navigation position, as shown in Figure 4. During this process, the float 7 gradually sinks into the water, which gradually increases buoyancy, and finally the tire 3 floats.

[0036] When traveling on water, the height of the propeller 4 with engine is set to a predetermined depth in the water, and the propeller 4 with engine can be rotated to travel on water. When switching from traveling on water to traveling on land, the procedure described above is roughly reversed.

[0037] As described above, the amphibious vehicle 1 of the first embodiment comprises a body 2, a tire 3 attached to the body 2, an engine-equipped propeller 4 attached to the body 2, a float support mechanism 5A attached to the body 2, a float mounting portion 6 moved by the float support mechanism 5A, and a float 7 attached to the float mounting portion 6. The float support mechanism 5A has a base plate member 10 attached to the underside of the body 2, and a lifting arm 12 supported by the base plate member 10 and extending outward in the vehicle width direction, and by moving the lifting arm 12, the height of the float mounting portion 6 attached to the tip of the lifting arm 12 can be changed between a mounting position higher than the contact surface of the tire 3 and a water navigation position lower than the mounting position.

[0038] Therefore, when the float mounting part 6 is mounted, it is located at a lateral position outside the vehicle body 2, eliminating the need to get under the vehicle body 2 to mount the float 7, making mounting easy. Because the mounting position is at a lateral position outside the vehicle body 2, it is possible to ensure space for arranging the float without being restricted by the positions of the front and rear tires 3. In this embodiment, the float 7 is positioned so that it is longer than the space between the front and rear tires 3, and higher than the height between the bottom surface of the vehicle body 2 and the installation surface of the tire 3. As described above, an amphibious vehicle 1 can be provided in which the float 7 is mounted easily and sufficient buoyancy can be obtained from the float 7.

[0039] In the first embodiment, the float support mechanism 5A is installed in the space below the vehicle body 2, and therefore can be retrofitted to a commercially available vehicle, making it possible to convert a commercially available vehicle into an amphibious vehicle.

[0040] In the first embodiment, the lifting arm 12 has a rotating arm portion 13 rotatably mounted on the base plate member 10, and a swinging arm portion 14 fixed to the tip of the rotating arm portion 13 and having a float mounting portion 6 fixed to its tip, and the height of the tip of the swinging arm portion 14 is changed by rotating the rotating arm portion 13, thereby changing the height of the float mounting portion 6. Therefore, the height of the float mounting portion 6 can be changed by the simple action of rotating the rotating arm portion 13.

[0041] The first embodiment has an actuator 11 that applies a rotational force to the rotating arm portion 13. Therefore, the rotating arm portion 13 can be rotated automatically, which is convenient and easy to use.

[0042] (Second embodiment) 10 to 14 show a second embodiment of the present invention. This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the configuration of the float support mechanism 5B. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same components in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation.

[0043] That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the float support mechanism 5B, like the first embodiment, has a base plate member 10 attached to the underside of the vehicle body 2, four sets of lifting arms 30 on each side that are supported by the base plate member 10 and extend outward in the vehicle width direction, and an actuator 40 that applies a moving force to each of the lifting arms 30.

[0044] The lifting arm 30 has two parallel arm sections 31 whose base ends are each rotatably supported on the base plate member 10 and whose tip ends have float mounting sections 6 fixed thereto, and a link section 32 connecting the tips of the two parallel arm sections 31.

[0045] In other words, a parallel link mechanism is formed by the two parallel arm portions 31, the portion of the base plate member 10 where the base ends of the two parallel arm portions 31 are connected, and the link portion 32. The two parallel arm portions 31 move in parallel with respect to the base plate portion 10, and the link portion 32 maintains a vertical orientation regardless of the displacement position of the parallel arm portions 31.

[0046] As shown in Figure 10, the float mounting part 6 is fixed to the link part 32 and is configured by a connecting rod 35 that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction. The float 7 is mounted on this connecting rod 35. The height of the connecting rod 35 is changed by the parallel movement of the two parallel arm parts 31, and thereby the height of the float mounting part 6 is changed.

[0047] The float 7 is attached using the connecting rod 35 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the connecting rods 35 and 7c of both the plate portion 34 and the float 7 are inserted into the connecting cylinder 20 from opposite sides and then fastened with screws 21 to connect them.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 10, the actuator 40 has a fixed portion (no particular reference number) and a movable rod portion (no particular reference number) extending from the tip of the fixed portion. The fixed portion is connected to the base plate portion 10, and the tip of the movable rod portion is connected to the intermediate position of the lower parallel arm portion 31. The movable rod portion extends and contracts using electromagnetic force, hydraulic pressure, etc. When the actuator 40 is driven, the pair of parallel arm portions 31 rotate (swing) around their base ends as the rotation fulcrum, changing the height of the float mounting portion 6.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 12, the height of the float mounting portion 6 is highest when the longitudinal direction of the two parallel arm portions 31 is horizontal, and this position is the mounting position. The mounting position is higher than the ground contact surface of the tire 3, and the underside of the mounted float 7 is higher than the ground contact surface. In the mounting position, the tire 3 can travel on land even without the float 7 mounted, and because the mounted float 7 floats above the ground, the tire 3 can also travel on land with the float 7 mounted. In other words, in this second embodiment, the mounting position is also the land driving position.

[0050] As shown in Figure 13, the height of the float mounting part 6 is at an intermediate height when the longitudinal direction of the two parallel arm parts 31 is slightly diagonally downward, and this position is the intermediate position. The intermediate position is higher than the contact surface of the tire 3, and the underside of the mounted float 7 is at approximately the same height as the contact surface of the tire 3. At the intermediate position, if the contact surface is entirely flat, it is possible to mount the float 7. However, there may be cases where the contact surface is uneven and the float 7 cannot be installed at the mounting position.

[0051] As shown in Figure 14, the height of the float mounting part 6 is at its lowest when the longitudinal direction of the two parallel arm parts 31 is further diagonally downward than in Figure 13, and this position is the water navigation position. The water navigation position is lower than the contact surface of the tires 3. In the water navigation position, the attached floats 7 float on the water, allowing the boat to navigate on water.

[0052] Each float 7 has a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 11, the floats 7 and the float mounting parts 6 are connected by inserting the connecting rods 7c and 35 of both into the connecting cylinders 20 and fastening the screws 21. The operation of the amphibious vehicle 1B is also similar to that of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0053] As explained above, for the same reasons as in the first embodiment, the second embodiment of the amphibious vehicle 1 provides an amphibious vehicle 1 that is easy to install the floats 7 and that can obtain sufficient buoyancy from the floats 7. Also, as in the first embodiment, the float support mechanism 5B is installed in the space under the vehicle body 2, so it can be installed later on commercially available vehicles, making it possible to convert commercially available vehicles into amphibious vehicles.

[0054] In the second embodiment, the lifting arm 30 has two parallel arm sections 31 whose base ends are each rotatably supported on the base plate member 10 and whose tip ends are fixed to the connecting rods 35 of the float mounting section 6, and the height of the float mounting section 6 is changed by varying the tip height of the parallel arm sections 31 through parallel movement of the two parallel arm sections 31.

[0055] Therefore, the height of the float mounting portion 6 can be changed by the simple operation of translating the two parallel arm portions 31.

[0056] The second embodiment has an actuator 40 that applies a translational force to the parallel arm portion 31. Therefore, the parallel arm portion 31 can be translated automatically, which is convenient and easy to use.

[0057] (Modification of the second embodiment) 15 to 17 show a modified example of the second embodiment. In this modified example, as shown in Fig. 15, fixed block portions 32A are rotatably supported at the tip ends of two parallel arm portions 31. A protruding rod portion 33 that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction is provided on this fixed block portion 32A. A plate portion 34 having a fixed base end is provided at the tip end of this protruding rod portion 33, and a connecting rod 35 that serves as the float mounting portion 6 is provided at the tip end of this plate portion 34.

[0058] Figure 15(a) shows the mounted position of the float support mechanism 5B. The protruding rod portion 33 is configured so that it can be retracted toward the center of the vehicle body from the normal protruding position relative to the fixed block portion 32A, as shown by the arrow D in Figure 15(b). The protruding rod portion 33 is selectively positioned between the normal protruding position and the retracted position by the fixing knob 32a of the fixed block portion 32A. Furthermore, the protruding rod portion 33 is provided so as to be rotatable about the axis relative to the fixed block portion 32A, as shown by the arrow R in Figure 15(b). By rotating the protruding rod portion 33 and retracting it toward the center of the vehicle body, it can be placed in the state shown in Figure 16(b). That is, with this configuration, when the float support mechanism 5B is in the mounting position, the connecting rod 35 which is the float mounting portion 6 can be moved to a position where it is hidden in the space below the vehicle body 2, as shown in FIG.

[0059] 15(a) and (b) will be used to explain in detail the movement of the float mounting part 6. In the mounting position of FIG. 15(a), the fixing knob 32a is set to the unlocked position, and the vertical plate part 34 is rotated to a horizontal position (in the direction of the arrow R in FIG. 15(b)). Next, the protruding rod part 33 is moved linearly in the retracting direction (in the direction of the arrow D in FIG. 15(b)), and the fixing knob 32a is returned to the locked position. As shown in FIG. 16, the float mounting part 6 can be moved to the space below the vehicle body 2 where it does not protrude outward from the vehicle body 2.

[0060] Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment, and the same components in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0061] In this modified example, the connecting rod 35 of the float mounting part 6 is configured to be able to move into the space below the vehicle body 2. Therefore, when traveling on land, the float support mechanism 5B does not protrude outward from the vehicle body, and the vehicle can be driven without having to consider protrusions in the vehicle width direction.

[0062] (Other Modifications of the First and Second Embodiments) In each of the above embodiments, the float 7 has a substantially elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the shape is not limited thereto. Four floats 7 are used, but the number is not limited thereto.

[0063] In the above-described embodiments, the running wheels are tires 3, but any other structure that allows the running wheels to travel on land may be used, for example, caterpillar tracks.

[0064] In the above embodiments, the water propulsion device is an engine-equipped screw 4, but any device that can provide propulsive force for traveling on water may be used, such as a water jet device. Of course, the water propulsion device may be attached to the vehicle body 2 after the fact.

[0065] In the above-described embodiments, the actuators 11 and 40 are configured as devices that are automatically operated, but the actuators 11 and 40 may also be configured as devices that are manually operated.

[0066] In each of the above embodiments, the amphibious vehicle 1 is a four-wheeled automobile, but any type of vehicle can be used as long as it can be equipped with the float support mechanisms 5A, 5B.

[0067] In the second embodiment and its modified example, there are two parallel arm portions 31, but any number of parallel arm portions may be used, such as three or four. However, two parallel arm portions are preferable in terms of simplifying the installation space, making the device compact, reducing weight, etc.

[0068] The towing device 9 connecting the amphibious vehicle 1 and the float 7 can be used to tow rubber boats, rescuers, necessary materials, etc. by increasing the length of the towing device 9.

[0069] In each of the above embodiments, the amphibious vehicle 1 is driven on land with the float mounting portion 6 at the mounting position or intermediate position. The mounting position or intermediate position of the float mounting portion 6 is on the outer side of the vehicle body 2, and is in a range that exceeds the vehicle width range of the vehicle body 2. However, when driving on public roads, it is acceptable as long as the amount of protrusion from the vehicle width is within the range permitted by law, and current law allows the left and right protrusion dimensions to be within a range of up to 0.1 times the vehicle width on each side.

[0070] Although each embodiment has been described in detail above, it is not limited to a specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the claims. It is also possible to combine all or a plurality of components of the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1. Amphibious vehicles 2. Body 3 Tires (running wheels) 4. Engine-equipped screw (water propulsion device) 5A, 5B Float support mechanism 6 Float mounting part 7. Float 10 Base plate member (base member) 11,40 Actuator 12,30 Lifting arm 13 Rotating arm 14 Swing arm 15,35 Connecting rod (float mounting part) 31 Parallel arm section

Claims

1. The water propulsion device comprises a vehicle body, a running wheel attached to the vehicle body, a water propulsion device attached to the vehicle body, a float support mechanism attached to the vehicle body, a float mounting part displaceable by the float support mechanism, and a float mounted to the float mounting part, The float support mechanism has a base member attached to the underside of the vehicle body and a lifting arm supported by the base member and extending to the outside in the vehicle width direction, An amphibious vehicle characterized in that the height of the float mounting portion attached to the tip of the lifting arm can be changed between a mounting position higher than the contact surface of the running wheels and a water navigation position lower than the mounting position by moving the lifting arm.

2. 2. The amphibious vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the lifting arm has a rotating arm portion rotatably mounted on the base member, and a swinging arm portion fixed to a tip of the rotating arm portion and having the float mounting portion fixed to its tip, and wherein the height of the tip of the swinging arm portion is changed by rotating the rotating arm portion, thereby changing the height of the float mounting portion.

3. 2. An amphibious vehicle as described in claim 1, wherein the lifting arm has a plurality of parallel arm sections, each of whose base ends is rotatably supported by the base member and whose tip ends have the float mounting section fixed thereto, and the height of the float mounting section is changed by varying the height of the tip ends of the parallel arm sections through parallel movement of the plurality of parallel arm sections.

4. 3. An amphibious vehicle according to claim 2, further comprising an actuator for applying a rotational force to said rotary arm portion.

5. 4. An amphibious vehicle according to claim 3, further comprising an actuator for applying a translational force to said parallel arm portion.

6. 6. An amphibious vehicle according to claim 3 or claim 5, wherein the float mounting portion is configured to be movable into a space below the vehicle body when in the mounting position.

7. A float support mechanism attached to a vehicle body, the float support mechanism has a base end supported on a lower portion of the vehicle body and a lifting arm extended to an outer side of the vehicle body in a vehicle width direction, A float support mechanism characterized in that the lifting arm is configured so that the height of the float mounting portion attached to the tip of the lifting arm can be changed between a mounting position higher than the ground contact position of the tire and a water navigation position lower than the mounting position.

Images