Vehicle with canopy

Abstract

To provide a narrow width vehicle having a structure for covering the front and rear, upper and lower, and right and left sides of an occupant during traveling, and requiring a narrower space on the side of the vehicle when the occupant gets on and off compared with a vehicle having double doors.SOLUTION: The vehicle 1 in which the width is equal to or less than a half of the height includes a canopy 14 that is a cover that covers an occupant seated on the seat 13. A shaft member 15 is attached to the front left and right of the canopy 14. The shaft member 15 is rotatably held with respect to the main body 11 in a state of being inserted into holes provided on the front left and right sides of the main body 11. The canopy 14 changes from a closed state of covering an occupant from above so that the occupant cannot get off the vehicle 1 to an open state of being pushed up by the occupant, for example, and rotating around the axis of the shaft member 15 to allow the occupant to get off the vehicle 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle equipped with a canopy. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Currently, many of the four-wheel vehicles in widespread use allow passengers to get in and out of the vehicle by opening and closing so-called double doors.

[0003] The double doors are configured to rotate around an axis extending generally vertically, so that the doors can be in either a closed state in which the interior space of the vehicle is covered, or an open state in which the interior space of the vehicle is exposed.

[0004] Patent Document 1, for example, is an example of a patent document that discloses a vehicle equipped with double doors. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-2280 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In Japan, a new vehicle category called "specified small motorized bicycles" was introduced in July 2023. These specified small motorized bicycles have size restrictions of 1.9m or less in length and 0.6m or less in width, but they are convenient in that they can be driven without a driver's license.

[0007] As mentioned above, the width of a vehicle that meets the regulations for a specific small motorized bicycle is 0.6m or less. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the length of a vehicle that meets the regulations for a specific small motorized bicycle is 1.9m or less, meaning that the rider sits in the seat with their backs almost vertically extended. Therefore, when a rider aged 16 or older, who is permitted to drive a specific small motorized bicycle, sits in the vehicle, the rider's head height is often 1.2m or more above the ground. Therefore, if a canopy is attached to a vehicle that meets the regulations for a specific small motorized bicycle, the vehicle height must be 1.2m or more.

[0008] In other words, a vehicle that meets the regulations for a specific small motorized bicycle with a canopy has a width that is less than half of its height, meaning that it is significantly narrower than its height. Hereinafter, in this application, a vehicle whose width is less than half of its height will be referred to as a "narrow vehicle."

[0009] Vehicles that meet the regulations for specific small motorized bicycles have the same advantage as motorized bicycles and regular motorcycles, that is, they can be parked in narrow spaces.

[0010] However, as far as the inventors of the present application are aware, all existing specific small motorized bicycles, like motorized bicycles and ordinary motorcycles, do not cover the left and right sides of the driver, and therefore have the same disadvantages as motorized bicycles and ordinary motorcycles, in that the driver and other passengers must wear rain gear in rainy weather and cold weather gear in cold seasons.

[0011] To solve the above problem, it is conceivable to equip vehicles that meet the regulations for specific small motorized bicycles with double doors, similar to many standard automobiles (four-wheeled vehicles). However, vehicles with double doors require space on the side of the vehicle for the doors to open when they are in the open position. Therefore, when parking the vehicle, it is necessary to secure an area on the side of the vehicle that is larger than the area required for the occupant to stand.

[0012] In other words, vehicles that meet the regulations for specific small motorized bicycles have the advantage of requiring less space for parking, but if they are fitted with double doors to increase passenger comfort in rainy or cold weather, the area required for parking increases, undermining the advantage of being able to park in a small space.

[0013] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a narrow vehicle that has a structure that covers the front, rear, top, bottom, left and right of occupants when traveling, and that requires less space on the sides of the vehicle when occupants get in and out compared to vehicles with double doors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle whose width is less than half its height, and which is equipped with a canopy that is rotatably attached to the body of the vehicle around an axis in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and that, as the vehicle rotates around the axis, changes into one of two states: a closed state in which the occupants of the vehicle are covered from above so that they cannot get off the vehicle, and an open state in which the occupants of the vehicle can get off the vehicle.

[0015] In another aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle whose width is less than half its height, comprising a front canopy attached to the vehicle body so as to be rotatable around a first axis in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and a rear canopy attached to the vehicle body so as to be rotatable around a second axis in the left-right direction of the vehicle that is located rearward of the first axis, wherein the front canopy and the rear canopy change from a closed state in which they cover occupants from above to prevent them from disembarking from the vehicle, to an open state in which occupants can disembark from the vehicle by the front canopy rotating counterclockwise as viewed from the left side of the vehicle and the rear canopy rotating clockwise as viewed from the left side of the vehicle.

[0016] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a vehicle having a width that is less than half its height, and equipped with a canopy that is slidably attached to the body of the vehicle along a predetermined path and that, as the vehicle slides along the path, changes into one of two states: a closed state in which the vehicle covers the occupants from above so that they cannot get off the vehicle, and an open state in which the occupants can get off the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, a narrow vehicle is realized that is comfortable for occupants even in rainy or cold weather and requires less space on the sides of the vehicle when occupants get in and out compared to vehicles with double doors. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle according to a second embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle according to a third embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle according to a modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] [First embodiment] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Note that vehicle configurations unrelated to the features of the present invention are omitted from the illustration, and their description will be omitted below (the same applies to the second embodiment, etc.).

[0020] 1(A) and 1(B) are both views of the vehicle 1 as seen from the left side. Hereinafter, left and right refer to left and right relative to the forward direction of the vehicle 1 (left and right as seen from the driver), front and rear refer to front and rear in the straight-ahead direction of the vehicle 1, and up and down refer to up and down when the vehicle 1 is placed on a horizontal plane (the same applies to the second embodiment, etc.).

[0021] Vehicle 1 is a narrow vehicle, i.e., the width of vehicle 1 is less than half the height of vehicle 1.

[0022] Fig. 1(A) shows the vehicle 1 in a closed state, and Fig. 1(B) shows the vehicle 1 in an open state. The closed state of the vehicle 1 means a state in which the canopy 14 covers the occupants from above so that the occupants cannot get off the vehicle 1. The open state of the vehicle 1 means a state in which the canopy 14 moves from the closed state, allowing the occupants to get off the vehicle 1.

[0023] The vehicle 1 comprises a main body 11, four wheels 12 attached to the front, rear, left and right sides of the main body 11, a seat 13 on which an occupant sits while the vehicle 1 is moving, a canopy 14 which is a cover that covers the front, left and right sides and above the occupant seated in the seat 13 while the vehicle 1 is moving, and an axis member 15 which is a member for holding the canopy 14 rotatably relative to the main body 11.

[0024] In this embodiment, the shaft members 15 are cylindrical or columnar members that extend in the left-right direction and are attached to the front left and right of the canopy 14. The shaft members 15 are disposed forward of the seating position of the occupant.

[0025] Holes for receiving shaft members 15 are provided on the left and right front of the main body 11, and when the shaft members 15 are inserted into the holes, the canopy 14 is rotatably held on the main body 11 via the shaft members 15.

[0026] In addition, in order to reduce the frictional force between the shaft member 15 and the main body 11 when the shaft member 15 rotates, and to reduce wear on the shaft member 15 or the main body 11, a bearing or a bottom friction material (for example, a plastic such as a fluororesin whose friction coefficient is lower than that of average plastics) may be placed at the part where the main body 11 and the shaft member 15 come into contact.

[0027] The canopy 14 of the vehicle 1 changes from a closed state (FIG. 1(A)) to an open state (FIG. 1(B)) by rotating counterclockwise around an axis in the left-right direction when viewed from the left side of the vehicle 1. In addition, the canopy 14 of the vehicle 1 changes from an open state (FIG. 1(B)) to a closed state (FIG. 1(A)) by rotating clockwise around an axis in the left-right direction when viewed from the left side of the vehicle 1.

[0028] The movement of the canopy 14 (in this case, movement in the rotational direction) to change the vehicle 1 from a closed state to an open state or from an open state to a closed state may be performed manually by a passenger or the like, or may be performed by a driving force generated by a device such as a motor. Also, a damper such as an oil damper may be disposed between the main body 11 and the canopy 14 so as to counteract at least a portion of the weight of the canopy 14 while the canopy 14 is moving.

[0029] If there is enough space for the occupant to stand on either the right or left side of the vehicle 1, the occupant can get on and off the vehicle 1.

[0030] In this application, the term "vehicle" broadly refers to a moving object that travels on a road, but does not include an aircraft that travels on a runway for takeoff and landing.

[0031] [Second embodiment] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figures 2(A) and 2(B) are both views of the vehicle 2 as seen from the left side, with Figure 2(A) showing the vehicle 2 in a closed state and Figure 2(B) showing the vehicle 2 in an open state.

[0032] 2, components of vehicle 2 that are common to those of vehicle 1 are designated by the same reference numerals as those of vehicle 1. Below, differences between vehicle 2 and vehicle 1 will be described, and common features between vehicle 2 and vehicle 1 will not be described.

[0033] The vehicle 2 is provided with a shaft member 25 instead of the shaft member 15 provided in the vehicle 1. The shaft member 25 is attached to the rear of the canopy 14. A hole for receiving the shaft member 25 is provided in the main body 11 of the vehicle 2 at a position rearward of the seating position of a passenger riding in the vehicle 2.

[0034] The canopy 14 of the vehicle 2 changes from a closed state (FIG. 2(A)) to an open state (FIG. 2(B)) by rotating clockwise around an axis in the left-right direction when viewed from the left side of the vehicle 2. The canopy 14 of the vehicle 2 also changes from an open state (FIG. 2(B)) to a closed state (FIG. 2(A)) by rotating counterclockwise around an axis in the left-right direction when viewed from the left side of the vehicle 2.

[0035] [Third embodiment] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Both Fig. 3(A) and Fig. 3(B) are views of the vehicle 3 as seen from the left side, with Fig. 3(A) showing the vehicle 3 in a closed state and Fig. 3(B) showing the vehicle 3 in an open state.

[0036] 3, among the components of vehicle 3, those that are common to the components of vehicle 1 or vehicle 2 are given the same reference numerals as vehicle 1 or vehicle 2. Below, we will explain the differences between vehicle 3 and vehicle 1 and vehicle 2, and will omit explanations of the commonalities between vehicle 3 and vehicle 1 or vehicle 2.

[0037] Vehicle 3 is equipped with a front canopy 141 and a rear canopy 142 instead of the canopy 14 equipped in vehicle 1 or vehicle 2. The front canopy 141 is a cover that covers the front, left and right front sides, and upper front side of the occupant. The rear canopy 142 is a cover that covers the left and right rear sides and upper rear side of the occupant.

[0038] Shaft members 15 are attached to the left and right sides of the front canopy 141, and the front canopy 141 is held rotatably relative to the main body 11 with these shaft members 15 inserted into holes provided on the left and right sides of the main body 11 forward of the seating position.

[0039] Shaft members 25 are attached to the left and right rear sides of the rear canopy 142, and with these shaft members 25 inserted into holes provided on the left and right rear of the seating position of the main body 11, the rear canopy 142 is held rotatably relative to the main body 11.

[0040] In the vehicle 3, the front canopy 141 rotates counterclockwise around the axis of the shaft member 15 (an example of a first axis) when viewed from the left side of the vehicle 3, and the rear canopy 142 rotates clockwise around the axis of the shaft member 25 (an example of a second axis) when viewed from the left side of the vehicle 3, thereby changing from a closed state (FIG. 3(A)) to an open state (FIG. 3(B)). In addition, in the vehicle 3, the front canopy 141 rotates clockwise around the axis of the shaft member 15 when viewed from the left side of the vehicle 3, and the rear canopy 142 rotates counterclockwise around the axis of the shaft member 25 when viewed from the left side of the vehicle 3, thereby changing from an open state (FIG. 3(B)) to a closed state (FIG. 3(A)).

[0041] [Fourth embodiment] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle 4 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Both Fig. 4(A) and Fig. 4(B) are views of the vehicle 4 as seen from the left side, with Fig. 4(A) showing the vehicle 4 in a closed state and Fig. 4(B) showing the vehicle 4 in an open state.

[0042] 4, among the components of vehicle 4, those that are common to the components of vehicle 1 are given the same reference numerals as those of vehicle 1. Below, the differences between vehicle 4 and vehicle 1 will be explained, and explanations of the commonalities between vehicle 4 and vehicle 1 will be omitted.

[0043] The vehicle 3 is provided with a front rail pair 41 and a rear rail pair 42 in place of the shaft members 15 provided in the vehicle 1.

[0044] The front rail pair 41 is composed of outer rails 411 attached to the front left and right of the main body 11, and inner rails 412 attached to the front left and right of the canopy 14. The outer rails 411 hold the inner rails 412 slidably in the longitudinal direction.

[0045] The rear rail pair 42 is composed of outer rails 421 attached to the left and right rear sides of the main body 11, and inner rails 422 attached to the left and right rear sides of the canopy 14. The outer rails 421 hold the inner rails 422 slidably in the longitudinal direction.

[0046] The canopy 14 of the vehicle 4 is attached to the main body 11 via a front rail pair 41 and a rear rail pair 42 so as to be slidable on a predetermined path on the main body 11.

[0047] The canopy 14 of the vehicle 4 changes from a closed state (FIG. 4(A)) to an open state (FIG. 4(B)) by moving mainly in an upward direction. Note that "mainly in an upward direction" means that the vertical component included in the movement direction when the canopy 14 changes from the closed state to the open state is greater than the longitudinal component.

[0048] The canopy 14 of the vehicle 4 changes from the open state (FIG. 4(B)) to the closed state (FIG. 4(A)) by moving mainly downward. Note that "mainly downward" means that the vertical component included in the movement direction when the canopy 14 changes from the open state to the closed state is greater than the longitudinal component.

[0049] [Variations] Each of the first to fourth embodiments described above is a specific example of the present invention, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Examples of such modifications are shown below. Note that two or more of the following modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0050] (1) The shaft members 15 provided on the vehicle 1 or vehicle 3 and the holes provided in the main body 11 that receive them, and the shaft members 25 provided on the vehicle 2 or vehicle 3 and the holes provided in the main body 11 that receive them are examples of mechanisms that rotatably hold the canopy 14 (or the front canopy 141 and the rear canopy 142) relative to the main body 11, and other mechanisms may be employed. For example, a shaft member attached to the main body 11 may be inserted into a hole provided in the canopy 14. Also, for example, the vehicle 1 may be provided with one or more hinges connected to each of the canopy 14 and the main body 11, and the canopy 14 may be rotatably held relative to the main body 11 by these hinges.

[0051] (2) The rotation axis of at least one of the canopy 14 provided on the above-mentioned vehicle 1 or vehicle 2, or the front canopy 141 and the rear canopy 142 provided on the above-mentioned vehicle 3, may be configured to be movable along a predetermined path.

[0052] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an example of a vehicle 2 according to this modified example. A groove G is provided in the main body 11 of the vehicle 2 in Fig. 5, extending diagonally upward and rearward and then curving downward and rearward, and a shaft member 25 is inserted into the groove G. The shaft member 25 is rotatable and movable within the groove G.

[0053] In the vehicle 2 of Figure 5, the occupant or the like pushes up the canopy 14 from the closed state shown in Figure 5(A), moving the position of the shaft member 25 from the lower end to the upper end of the groove G, resulting in the state shown in Figure 5(B). Next, the occupant or the like pushes up the canopy 14 further upward and rearward, causing the canopy 14 to rotate around the axis of the shaft member 25, resulting in the open state shown in Figure 5(C). The occupant or the like can return the vehicle 2 from the open state to the closed state by following the procedure in reverse.

[0054] The mechanism for holding the rotation shaft of the canopy 14 of vehicle 1 or vehicle 2, and the front canopy 141 or rear canopy 142 of vehicle 3, so that they can move along a predetermined path is not limited to the shaft member and the groove that receives it. For example, a rail may be attached to the main body 11, and the shaft member 15 or shaft member 25 may slide on the rail.

[0055] (3) The front rail pair 41 and the rear rail pair 42 provided on the vehicle 4 described above are one example of a mechanism for slidably holding the canopy 14 relative to the main body 11, and other mechanisms may be employed. For example, the vehicle 4 may be provided with only one of the front rail pair 41 and the rear rail pair 42. Also, for example, the outer rail 411 of the front rail pair 41 may be attached to the canopy 14, and the inner rail 412 may be attached to the main body 11.

[0056] (4) The canopy 14 provided on the vehicle 4 described above slides in a linear direction while being guided by the front rail pair 41 and the rear rail pair 42, but the sliding direction of the canopy 14 is not limited to a linear direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the canopy 14 may slide in an arc while being guided by the curved front rail pair 41 and the curved rear rail pair 42.

[0057] (5) At least one of the canopy 14 provided on vehicle 1, vehicle 2, and vehicle 4, or the front canopy 141 and the rear canopy 142 provided on vehicle 3 may be detachable from the main body 11. In this case, the occupants can increase their comfort by removing the canopy when, for example, the temperature is high.

[0058] (6) The shapes and sizes of the vehicles and their components, the arrangement and number of the vehicle components, etc. shown in the drawings are merely examples and may be modified in various ways. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1...vehicle, 2...vehicle, 3...vehicle, 4...vehicle, 11...main body, 12...wheel, 13...seat, 14...canopy, 15...shaft member, 25...shaft member, 41...front rail pair, 42...rear rail pair, 141...front canopy, 142...rear canopy, 411...outer rail, 412...inner rail, 421...outer rail, 422...inner rail.

Claims

1. A vehicle whose width is less than half its height and which is equipped with a canopy that is attached to the body of the vehicle so as to be rotatable around an axis in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and which, as the vehicle rotates around the axis, changes into one of two states: a closed state in which the canopy covers the occupants from above so that they cannot get off the vehicle, and an open state in which the occupants can get off the vehicle.

2. The canopy changes from the closed state to the open state by rotating counterclockwise about the axis as viewed from the left side of the vehicle. The vehicle of claim 1 .

3. The axis is disposed in the body of the vehicle forward of the seating position of a passenger riding in the vehicle.

3. The vehicle of claim 2.

4. The canopy changes from the closed state to the open state by rotating clockwise about the axis as viewed from the left side of the vehicle. The vehicle of claim 1 .

5. The axis is disposed in the body of the vehicle rearward of the seating position of a passenger riding in the vehicle.

5. The vehicle of claim 4.

6. The shaft is movable along a predetermined path in the body of the vehicle. The vehicle of claim 1 .

7. a front canopy attached to a vehicle body so as to be rotatable about a first axis in the left-right direction of the vehicle; a rear canopy attached to the vehicle body so as to be rotatable around a second axis in the left-right direction of the vehicle, the second axis being located rearward of the first axis; Equipped with The front canopy and the rear canopy change from a closed state in which they cover the occupants from above so that they cannot get off the vehicle, to an open state in which the occupants can get off the vehicle by rotating the front canopy counterclockwise as viewed from the left side of the vehicle and the rear canopy clockwise as viewed from the left side of the vehicle. A vehicle whose width is less than half its height.

8. At least one of the first axis and the second axis is movable along a predetermined path in the body of the vehicle.

8. The vehicle of claim 7.

9. A vehicle having a width equal to or less than half of its height, and equipped with a canopy that is slidably attached to the vehicle body along a predetermined path, and that, as the vehicle slides along the path, can be in one of two states: a closed state in which the vehicle covers the occupants from above so that the occupants cannot get off the vehicle, and an open state in which the occupants can get off the vehicle.

10. The vertical component included in the movement direction when the canopy changes from the closed state to the open state is larger than the longitudinal component.

10. The vehicle of claim 9.

Images