Vehicles equipped with doors that move along rails

Abstract

The present invention provides a narrow vehicle that requires less space on the sides of the vehicle when passengers get in and out or when loading and unloading items, compared to a vehicle equipped with structures that enclose the occupants in the front, rear, above, below, and to the sides while the vehicle is in motion, and which also has double doors. [Solution] A vehicle 1, whose width is less than half its height, comprises a main body 11 which is a collection of components including a floor frame and components immovably connected to the floor frame, a door 12 which is movably connected to the main body 11, and a coupling mechanism which movably connects the door 12 to the main body 11. The door 12 opens and closes an opening in the body of the main body 11 by moving relative to the main body 11. The coupling mechanism of the vehicle 1 comprises a rail attached to the main body 11 and a movable member attached to the door 12 which moves along the rail.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle provided with a door that moves along a rail.

Background Art

[0002] Currently, in many of the popular four-wheel vehicles, passengers can get on and off the vehicle by opening and closing a door called a so-called sliding door.

[0003] The sliding door can be in either a closed state covering the interior space of the vehicle or an open state opening the interior space of the vehicle by rotating around an axis extending generally in the vertical direction.

[0004] As a patent document disclosing a vehicle provided with a sliding door, for example, there is Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In Japan, a vehicle category called a specific small motor-assisted bicycle was introduced in July 2023. This specific small motor-assisted bicycle has size restrictions of a length of 1.9 m or less and a width of 0.6 m or less, but has the convenience of being able to be driven without a driver's license.

[0007] As mentioned above, the width of a vehicle that meets the regulations for a specified small motorized bicycle is 0.6m or less. Also, as mentioned above, the length of a vehicle that meets the regulations for a specified small motorized bicycle is 1.9m or less, so the occupant will be seated in a posture with their spine almost vertical. Therefore, when an occupant aged 16 or older, who is permitted to drive a specified small motorized bicycle, is seated in such a vehicle, the height of the occupant's head will often be 1.2m or more from the ground. Consequently, when a canopy is attached to a vehicle that meets the regulations for a specified small motorized bicycle, the height of the vehicle will be 1.2m or more.

[0008] In other words, a vehicle that meets the requirements for a specific small motorized bicycle equipped with a canopy has a shape in which the width is less than half the height, meaning that the width is significantly narrower than the height. Hereinafter, in this application, a vehicle in which the width is less than half the 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: they can be parked in narrow spaces.

[0010] However, to the best of the inventor's knowledge, all existing small motorized bicycles, like motorized bicycles and regular motorcycles, have the same disadvantages as motorized bicycles and regular motorcycles: the driver's sides are not covered, so the driver and other passengers must wear rain gear in rainy weather and warm clothing in cold weather.

[0011] To resolve the above issues, it is conceivable to equip vehicles that meet the regulations for specific small motorized bicycles with double doors, similar to many regular automobiles (four-wheeled vehicles). However, vehicles equipped with double doors require space on the side of the vehicle for the doors to open. Therefore, when parking or stopping the vehicle, it is necessary to secure a larger area on the side of the vehicle than is required for the occupants 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. However, if double doors are installed to improve passenger comfort in rainy weather or cold seasons, the required parking space increases, thus negating the advantage of being able to park in narrow spaces.

[0013] In view of the circumstances described above, the present invention provides a narrow vehicle that has a structure that covers the occupants in the front, rear, above, above, and to the left and right when the vehicle is in motion, and that requires less space on the sides of the vehicle when occupants get in and out or when loading and unloading items into the vehicle compared to a vehicle equipped with double doors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a vehicle with a width of half or less of its height, comprising: a main body which is an assembly of a floor frame and components immovably connected to the floor frame; a door which is movably connected to the main body; and a connecting mechanism which movably connects the door to the main body, wherein the door opens and closes an opening in a box-shaped body which covers the floor panel of the main body from above by moving relative to the main body, and the connecting mechanism has a rail attached to the main body and a movable member attached to the door which moves along the rail. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, a narrow vehicle is realized in which occupants can stay comfortable even in rainy or cold weather, and which requires less space on the side of the vehicle when occupants get in and out or when loading and unloading items compared to a vehicle with double doors. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the exterior of a vehicle according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram showing the exterior of a vehicle according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] A diagram showing the structure of the coupling mechanism according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure showing the structure of the coupling mechanism according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure showing the appearance of the vehicle according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure showing the appearance of the vehicle according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure showing the structure of the coupling mechanism according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure showing the structure of the coupling mechanism according to a modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure showing the structure of the coupling mechanism according to a modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure showing the structure of the coupling mechanism according to a modification of the second embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] In the present application, front, rear, left, and right mean the front, rear, left, and right when the vehicle is moving forward.

[0018] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are views showing the appearance of the vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a view of the vehicle 1 seen from the left side, and FIG. 2 is a view of the vehicle 1 seen from the upper left obliquely.

[0019] The vehicle 1 is a narrow vehicle whose width is less than or equal to half of its height.

[0020] FIGS. 1(A) and 2(A) show the vehicle 1 in the closed state, and FIGS. 1(B) and 2(B) show the vehicle 1 in the open state.

[0021] In the present application, the closed state means a state in which the opening for allowing the internal space and the external space of the vehicle 1 to communicate with each other is closed by a door. Further, in the present application, the open state means a state in which the opening for allowing the internal space and the external space of the vehicle 1 to communicate with each other is not closed by a door and is open.

[0022] Vehicle 1 comprises a main body 11, a door 12, and a coupling mechanism 13 (not shown in Figures 1 and 2).

[0023] The main body 11 is a collection of components of the vehicle 1, including the floor frame and components that are immovably connected to the floor frame. The main body 11 includes a box-shaped body that covers the floor panel of the vehicle 1 from above. The body is provided with openings that allow the internal and external spaces of the vehicle 1 to pass through.

[0024] The door 12 is movably connected to the main body 11 and is a component that opens and closes an opening provided in the body.

[0025] The interior space of vehicle 1 refers to the space enclosed by the floor panel, body, and door 12 when the vehicle is closed. The exterior space of vehicle 1 refers to the space outside the interior space, separated from the interior space by the floor panel, body, and door 12 when the vehicle is closed.

[0026] The connecting mechanism 13 is a mechanism that connects the main body 11 and the door 12. The connecting mechanism 13 maintains the connection between the main body 11 and the door 12, while holding the door 12 movably relative to the main body 11, thereby enabling the door 12 to be opened and closed.

[0027] Figures 3 and 4 show the structure of the coupling mechanism 13. Figures 3(A) and 3(B) are top views of the coupling mechanism 13. Figure 3(A) shows the coupling mechanism 13 in the closed state, and Figure 3(B) shows the coupling mechanism 13 in the open state. Figure 4 is a cross-section of the coupling mechanism 13, cut at the dashed line position in Figure 3(B), as seen in the direction of arrow X. Vehicle 1 is equipped with the coupling mechanism 13 shown in Figures 3 and 4 at the upper and lower edges of the door 12.

[0028] The coupling mechanism 13 includes an outer rail 131 (an example of a second rail), an outer rail 132 (an example of a second rail), an inner rail 133 (an example of a second movable member), an inner rail 134 (an example of a second movable member), an outer rail 135 (an example of a first rail), an intermediate rail 136 (an example of a first movable member), and an inner rail 137 (an example of a first movable member).

[0029] Furthermore, the outer rail 131 and inner rail 133, or the outer rail 132 and inner rail 134, constitute an example of a movement mechanism that moves the door 12 laterally outward when the door 12 transitions from a closed state to an open state.

[0030] Outer rails 131 and 132 are attached to the main body 11 so as to extend laterally outward from the main body 11. Outer rail 131 is a member that houses at least a portion of the inner rail 133 inward and holds the inner rail 133 so as to be movable in the extension direction. Outer rail 132 is a member that houses at least a portion of the inner rail 134 inward and holds the inner rail 134 so as to be movable in the extension direction.

[0031] The inner rail 133 is a member that moves along the outer rail 131 with at least a portion of it housed inside the outer rail 131. The inner rail 134 is a member that moves along the outer rail 132 with at least a portion of it housed inside the outer rail 132.

[0032] The outer rail 135 is attached to the inner rails 133 and 134, and is a member that houses at least a portion of the intermediate rail 136 inward and holds the intermediate rail 136 so that it can move in the extension direction. The outer rail 135 is attached to the inner rails 133 and 134 so as to extend in the front-rear direction.

[0033] The intermediate rail 136 is a member that moves along the outer rail 135, with at least a portion of it housed inside the outer rail 135. The intermediate rail 136 also houses at least a portion of the inner rail 137 inside and holds the inner rail 137 so that it can move in the extension direction.

[0034] The inner rail 137 is a component that moves along the intermediate rail 136, with at least a portion of it housed inside the intermediate rail 136.

[0035] The inner rail 137 is installed on the inside of the door 12.

[0036] If a user inside (in the internal space) of a closed vehicle 1 wants to open vehicle 1, the user first pushes door 12 outward to the side, causing inner rail 133 to protrude outward from outer rail 131, and inner rail 134 to protrude outward from outer rail 132. Similarly, if a user outside (in the external space) of a closed vehicle 1 wants to open vehicle 1, the user first pulls door 12 outward to the side, causing inner rail 133 to protrude outward from outer rail 131, and inner rail 134 to protrude outward from outer rail 132.

[0037] Next, the user applies a rearward force to the door 12, causing the intermediate rail 136 to protrude rearward from the outer rail 135, and the inner rail 137 to protrude rearward from the intermediate rail 136. As a result, the door 12 moves rearward, and the vehicle 1 opens.

[0038] The user can switch vehicle 1 from the open state to the closed state by performing the reverse of the above action.

[0039] [Second Embodiment] Figures 5 and 6 show the external appearance of a vehicle 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a view of the vehicle 2 from the left side, and Figure 6 is a view of the vehicle 2 from the upper left.

[0040] Vehicle 2 is a narrow vehicle whose width is less than half its height.

[0041] Figures 5(A) and 6(A) show vehicle 2 in the closed state, while Figures 5(B) and 6(B) show vehicle 2 in the open state.

[0042] Vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment is equipped with a door 12 that opens and closes an opening on the side of the body of the main body 11, whereas vehicle 2 according to the second embodiment is equipped with a door 22 that opens and closes an opening on the rear of the body of the main body 21. Vehicle 2 is equipped with a coupling mechanism 23 that movably connects the door 22 to the main body 21.

[0043] When the main body 21 is closed, the door 22 covers a portion of the right side, a portion of the left side, and a portion of the rear side of the main body 21. In the examples shown in Figures 5 and 6, the door 22 covers a portion of the top surface of the main body 21 when it is closed, but the door 22 does not necessarily have to cover the top surface of the main body 21.

[0044] Figure 7 shows the structure of the coupling mechanism 23. Figure 7 is a top view of the coupling mechanism 23. Figure 7(A) shows the coupling mechanism 23 in the closed state, and Figure 7(B) shows the coupling mechanism 23 in the open state.

[0045] The coupling mechanism 23 includes an outer rail 231L (an example of a left rail), an intermediate rail 232L (an example of a movable member), an inner rail 233L (an example of a movable member), an outer rail 231R (an example of a right rail), an intermediate rail 232R (an example of a movable member), and an inner rail 233R (an example of a movable member).

[0046] The outer rail 231L is attached to the left side of the main body 21 so as to extend in the front-rear direction. The outer rail 231L houses at least a portion of the intermediate rail 232L inward and is a member that holds the intermediate rail 232 so as to be movable in the extension direction.

[0047] The intermediate rail 232L is a member that moves along the outer rail 231L with at least a portion of it housed inside the outer rail 231L. The intermediate rail 232L also houses at least a portion of the inner rail 233L inside and holds the inner rail 233L so that it can move in the extension direction.

[0048] The inner rail 233L is a component that moves along the intermediate rail 232L, with at least a portion of it housed inside the intermediate rail 232L.

[0049] The inner rail 233L is installed on the left inner side of door 22.

[0050] The outer rail 231R is attached to the right side of the main body 21 so as to extend in the front-rear direction. The outer rail 231R accommodates at least a portion of the intermediate rail 232R inward and is a member that holds the intermediate rail 232 so as to be movable in the extension direction.

[0051] The intermediate rail 232R is a member that moves along the outer rail 231R, with at least a portion of it housed inside the outer rail 231R. The intermediate rail 232R also houses at least a portion of the inner rail 233R inside and holds the inner rail 233R so that it can move in the extension direction.

[0052] The inner rail 233R is a component that moves along the intermediate rail 232R, with at least a portion of it housed inside the intermediate rail 232R.

[0053] The inner rail 233R is installed on the right inner side of door 22.

[0054] If the user wants to move vehicle 2 from the closed state to the open state, they apply a rearward force to the door 22, causing the intermediate rail 232L to protrude rearward from the outer rail 231L, the inner rail 233L to protrude rearward from the intermediate rail 232L, the intermediate rail 232R to protrude rearward from the outer rail 231R, and the inner rail 233R to protrude rearward from the intermediate rail 232R. As a result, the door 22 moves rearward, and vehicle 2 opens.

[0055] The user can switch vehicle 2 from the open state to the closed state by performing the reverse of the above action.

[0056] [Differentiation] The first and second embodiments described above are specific examples of the present invention and can be modified in various ways within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Examples of these modifications are shown below. Two or more of the following modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0057] (1) The vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment described above has a door 12 on the left side, but instead of that, or in addition, the vehicle 1 may have a door 12 on the right side.

[0058] (2) The vehicle 2 according to the second embodiment described above is provided with a door 22 on the rear side, but instead of that, or in addition, the vehicle 2 may be provided with a door 22 on the front side. In that case, the door 22 provided on the front side of the vehicle 2 covers a part of the right side of the main body 21, a part of the left side of the main body 21, and a part of the front side of the main body 21 when closed. The vehicle 2 then transitions from a closed state to an open state as the door 22 moves forward.

[0059] (3) The first and second embodiments described above may be combined. For example, the vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment may be equipped with the door 22 and coupling mechanism 23 that are provided in the vehicle 2 according to the second embodiment.

[0060] (4) The coupling mechanism 13 provided in the vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment described above includes a movement mechanism that moves the door 12 laterally outward when the door 12 transitions from a closed state to an open state, but the coupling mechanism 13 does not have to include a movement mechanism. In that case, the door 12 in the closed state protrudes laterally outward from the main body 11 and closes the opening in the body.

[0061] (5) The coupling mechanism 13 provided in the vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment described above comprises a single-stage sliding mechanism having an outer rail 131 and an inner rail 133, a single-stage sliding mechanism having an outer rail 132 and an inner rail 134, and a two-stage sliding mechanism (slide rail) having an outer rail 135, an intermediate rail 136 and an inner rail 137, but the configuration of the coupling mechanism 13 is not limited to this.

[0062] For example, the coupling mechanism 13 may have a single-stage sliding mechanism or a sliding mechanism with three or more stages instead of a two-stage sliding mechanism having an outer rail 135, an intermediate rail 136, and an inner rail 137.

[0063] Furthermore, the moving member of the coupling mechanism 13 that moves along the rail is not limited to a rail-shaped member.

[0064] Figures 8 and 9 show an example of a coupling mechanism 13 having a roller-shaped moving member. Figure 8 is a top view of the coupling mechanism 13 according to this modified example. Figure 8(A) shows the coupling mechanism 13 in the open state, and Figure 8(B) shows the coupling mechanism 13 in the open state. Figure 9 is a cross-section of the coupling mechanism 13 according to this modified example, cut at the position indicated by the diagonal lines in Figure 8(B), as seen in the direction of arrow Y.

[0065] The connecting mechanism 13 according to this modified example comprises a rail 331 (an example of a rail) attached to the main body 11, a roller 332 (an example of a moving member) and a roller 333 (an example of a moving member) that are housed inside the rail 331 and roll on the rail 331, a shaft 334 that connects the roller 332 to the door 12, and a shaft 335 that connects the roller 333 to the door 12.

[0066] The body of the vehicle 1 according to this modified example is provided with a recess C1 for accommodating a roller 332 that moves laterally inward after disengaging from the rail 331 when closed, and a recess C2 for accommodating a roller 333 that moves laterally inward after disengaging from the rail 331 when closed.

[0067] An opening O1, of a size and shape that allows the roller 332 to pass through, is provided in the portion of the rail 331 facing the recess C1. Similarly, an opening O2, of a size and shape that allows the roller 333 to pass through, is provided in the portion of the rail 331 facing the recess C2.

[0068] In this modified example, when vehicle 1 transitions from a closed state to an open state, if a force is applied to the door 12 toward the side and outward, the roller 332 housed in recess C1 moves from outside the rail 331 to onto the rail 331 through opening O1, and the roller 333 housed in recess C2 moves from outside the rail 331 to onto the rail 331 through opening O2. Subsequently, if a force is applied to the door 12 toward the rear, the rollers 332 and 333 roll along the rail 331, causing the door 12 to move backward.

[0069] In this modified example, the vehicle 1 transitions from the open state to the closed state by the reverse operation of the above. That is, when the vehicle 1 transitions from the open state to the closed state, with roller 332 in a position facing recess C1 and roller 333 in a position facing recess C2, if a force is applied to the door 12 toward the side and inward, roller 332 on the rail 331 moves out of the rail 331 through opening O1 and is housed in recess C1, and roller 333 on the rail 331 moves out of the rail 331 through opening O2 and is housed in recess C2.

[0070] (6) The coupling mechanism 23 provided in the vehicle 2 according to the second embodiment described above comprises a two-stage sliding mechanism having an outer rail 231L, an intermediate rail 232L, and an inner rail 233L, and a two-stage sliding mechanism having an outer rail 231R, an intermediate rail 232R, and an inner rail 233R, but the configuration of the coupling mechanism 23 is not limited thereto.

[0071] Figure 10 shows the configuration of the coupling mechanism 23 provided in a modified vehicle 2. Figure 10(A) is a top view of the coupling mechanism 23 in the closed state, and Figure 10(B) is a top view of the coupling mechanism 23 in the open state.

[0072] The coupling mechanism 23 according to this modified example includes a rail 431L (an example of a left-side rail) attached to the left side of the body, and rollers 432L (an example of a moving member) and 433L (an example of a moving member) that roll within the rail 431L connected to the door 22.

[0073] Furthermore, the coupling mechanism 23 according to this modified example includes a rail 431R (an example of a right-side rail) attached to the right side of the body, and rollers 432R (an example of a moving member) and 433R (an example of a moving member) that roll within the rail 431R connected to the door 22.

[0074] (7) The shapes and sizes of the vehicle and its components, the arrangement and number of the vehicle's components, etc., as illustrated in the diagrams are illustrative and may be modified in various ways. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1...Vehicle, 2...Vehicle, 11...Main body, 12...Door, 13...Coupling mechanism, 21...Main body, 22...Door, 23...Coupling mechanism, 131...Outer rail, 132...Outer rail, 133...Inner rail, 134...Inner rail, 135...Outer rail, 136...Intermediate rail, 137...Inner rail, 231...Outer rail, 232...Intermediate rail, 233...Inner rail, 331...Rail, 332...Roller, 333...Roller, 334...Shaft, 335...Shaft, 431...Rail, 432...Roller, 433...Roller.

Claims

1. The main body is a collection of components that are immovably connected to the floor frame and the floor frame, A door is movably connected to the main body, A connecting mechanism that movably connects the door to the main body and Equipped with, The door, by moving relative to the main body, opens and closes an opening in the body, which is a box-shaped body that covers the floor panel of the main body from above. The coupling mechanism includes a rail attached to the main body and a movable member attached to the door that moves along the rail. A vehicle whose width is less than half its height.

2. The coupling mechanism includes a moving mechanism that moves the door laterally outward when transitioning from a closed state in which the door closes the opening to an open state in which the opening is open. The vehicle according to claim 1.

3. The moving member moves away from the rail and to the side inward when transitioning from the open state to the closed state, and moves from outside the rail onto the rail when transitioning from the closed state to the open state. The vehicle according to claim 2.

4. When the rail is designated as the first rail and the moving member as the first moving member, The moving mechanism includes a second rail that moves the first rail laterally outward when transitioning from the closed state to the open state, and a second moving member that is attached to the first rail and moves along the second rail. The vehicle according to claim 2.

5. The rail comprises a right-side rail attached to the right side of the main body and a left-side rail attached to the left side of the main body. When the door is in the closed state, closing the opening, it covers a portion of the right side of the main body, a portion of the left side of the main body, and a portion of the rear side of the main body. The vehicle according to claim 1.

6. The rail comprises a right-side rail attached to the right side of the main body and a left-side rail attached to the left side of the main body. When the door is in the closed state, closing the opening, it covers a portion of the right side of the main body, a portion of the left side of the main body, and a portion of the front side of the main body. The vehicle according to claim 1.

7. The aforementioned rail is an outer rail, The moving member has an intermediate rail that moves along the outer rail and an inner rail that moves along the intermediate rail. The vehicle according to claim 1.

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