Snow-covered vehicle

Abstract

To provide a snow-moving vehicle suitable for moving and transporting goods on snow. [Solution] The snow-moving vehicle is characterized by having multiple rotating paddles 1, each having multiple plate-shaped parts 2 arranged radially with respect to a rotation axis 3, and by transmitting driving force to the snow surface by the plate-shaped parts 2 scooping up snow as the rotating paddles 1 rotate, and by the elastic force of the elastic member 16 pressing the rotating paddles 1 against the snow surface, the amount that the plate-shaped parts 2 penetrate into the snow surface is automatically adjusted independently for each rotating paddle 1. Alternatively, the vehicle may have one or more pairs of rotating paddles 1 arranged in left and right pairs, and each rotating paddle 1 may have a motor for driving it, and may have the ability to control the direction of travel or turn in place based on the difference in rotation speed and rotation direction of each rotating paddle 1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a snowmobile suitable for moving and transporting on snow.

Background Art

[0002] [[ID=ll]] Generally, snowmobiles and snowmobiles, which are generally known, are mostly used as moving bodies for moving and transporting on snow. Although ordinary automobiles can be used on snow that has accumulated shallowly on hard ground such as roads in some cases, on deep snow, crawler-type moving bodies such as snowmobiles and snowmobiles are mostly used. However, it is difficult to manufacture a crawler in a lightweight manner due to the complexity of its structure, the large number of parts, and the presence of heavy parts.

[0003] A moving body that obtains propulsion force by scraping snow by rotating a plate-like object can be manufactured lighter than a crawler-type moving body. Such moving bodies are disclosed in Patent Documents ˗2.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Mobile vehicles that obtain propulsion by raking snow through the rotation of a plate-shaped object are disclosed in References 1 and 2. However, in the mobile vehicle of Reference 1, the amount the blade penetrates the snow surface is adjusted manually using a shock absorber height adjustment screw, and adjustment cannot be made while the vehicle is in motion. Furthermore, since the left and right blade-equipped wheels are connected by a shaft, it is not possible to adjust the amount the blade penetrates the snow surface or control the rotation speed of the blade-equipped wheels independently on the left and right sides. In the mobile vehicle of Reference 2, the amount the blade penetrates the snow surface is adjusted by changing the blades with bolts, and adjustment cannot be made while the vehicle is in motion. Furthermore, since the left and right blades are connected by a main shaft, it is not possible to adjust the amount the blade penetrates the snow surface or control the rotation speed of the blades independently on the left and right sides.

[0006] The present invention provides a snow-moving vehicle in which a plate-shaped part 2 scrapes snow to generate propulsion through the rotation of a rotating paddle 1, and the amount of penetration of the plate-shaped part 2 into the snow surface is automatically adjusted independently for each rotating paddle 1 during operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The snow-moving vehicle is characterized by having multiple rotating paddles 1, each having multiple plate-shaped parts 2 arranged radially with respect to a rotation axis 3, and by transmitting driving force to the snow surface by the plate-shaped parts 2 scooping the snow as the rotating paddles 1 rotate, and by the elastic force of an elastic member 16 pressing the rotating paddles 1 against the snow surface, the amount of penetration of the plate-shaped parts 2 into the snow surface is automatically adjusted independently for each rotating paddle 1. Furthermore, it may be equipped with one or more pairs of rotating paddles 1 in left and right pairs, and each rotating paddle 1 may be equipped with a motor for driving the rotating paddles 1, and may have features that control the direction of travel or turn in place based on the difference in rotation speed and rotation direction of each rotating paddle 1. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The rotating paddle 1 of the snow-mobile vehicle of the present invention can be manufactured at a lighter weight compared to tracks, and therefore the snow-mobile vehicle of the present invention can be manufactured at a lighter weight compared to a tracked vehicle. Being lightweight increases the likelihood of manual recovery even if the vehicle becomes immobile on rough terrain, making lightness an important factor in movement on unstable snow.

[0009] In the rotating paddle 1 of the snow-moving vehicle of the present invention, the plate-shaped portion 2 is assumed to flex appropriately. As the load on the plate-shaped portion 2 changes, the degree of flexing changes, and the distance between adjacent plate-shaped portions 2 changes, so that snow is less likely to get stuck between the plate-shaped portions 2 and even if it does get stuck, it is easily discharged.

[0010] Snow surfaces are not flat, and the hardness of the snow is not uniform. In the snow-moving vehicle of the present invention, each rotating paddle 1 operates independently, and the amount of penetration of the plate-shaped part 2 is automatically adjusted according to the condition of the snow surface. Specifically, the elastic force of the elastic member 16 presses the rotating paddle 1 against the snow surface, so that the amount of penetration is reduced on hard snow surfaces and increased on soft snow surfaces such as fresh snow. This action allows the snow-moving vehicle to be propelled efficiently. Without this adjustment mechanism, the resistance to driving would increase due to the resistance of trying to penetrate the plate-shaped part 2 deeply into hard snow surfaces, or the amount of penetration of the plate-shaped part 2 would be insufficient on soft snow surfaces, causing the rotating paddle 1 to spin freely and preventing propulsion. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of Example 1. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the disassembled state of Example 1. [Figure 3] This is a partial perspective view of the disassembled state of the rotating paddle 1 of Example 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The snow-moving vehicle is characterized by having multiple rotating paddles 1, each having multiple plate-shaped parts 2 arranged radially with respect to a rotation axis 3, and by transmitting driving force to the snow surface by the plate-shaped parts 2 scooping the snow as the rotating paddles 1 rotate, and by the elastic force of an elastic member 16 pressing the rotating paddles 1 against the snow surface, the amount of penetration of the plate-shaped parts 2 into the snow surface is automatically adjusted independently for each rotating paddle 1. Furthermore, it may be equipped with one or more pairs of rotating paddles 1 in left and right pairs, and each rotating paddle 1 may be equipped with a motor for driving the rotating paddles 1, and may have features that control the direction of travel or turn in place based on the difference in rotation speed and rotation direction of each rotating paddle 1.

[0013] Figures 1-2 show Embodiment 1 of this snow-walking vehicle. In Embodiment 1, this snow-walking vehicle is constructed by installing a frame, drive unit, etc. on a commercially available sled 21. The frame consists of a main frame 4, a front sliding surface 5, an intermediate sliding surface 6, an insulation box 7, and a sled mounting beam 8. The drive unit consists of a rotating paddle 1, a rotating shaft 3, a swing arm 9, a swing arm rotating shaft 10, and a swing arm rotating bearing 11. Although not shown, the swing arm 9 and the swing arm rotating shaft 10 contain a motor and a reduction mechanism. Figures 1-3 depict the main structure and do not show wires, bolts and nuts, connecting fittings, etc., but their absence does not mean that these are unnecessary.

[0014] Regarding the fact that the vehicle in Example 1 is constructed by dividing it into a commercially available sled 21, a frame, and a drive unit: While commercially available sleds 21 come in various sizes, when manufacturing this snow-mobilizing vehicle to match these sizes, instead of individually designing and manufacturing each size of sled 21, the drive unit is standardized to facilitate diverse configurations. For example, assuming that two sizes of drive units are available, a small sled 21 can be fitted with one pair (2 sets) of small drive units on each side, while a large sled 21 can be fitted with three pairs (6 sets) of large drive units on each side, for example, to transport light loads. Diverse configurations using various sizes of commercially available sleds 21 can be easily implemented. Standardization is not limited to the drive unit; standardization of the front sliding surface 5, intermediate sliding surface 6, and insulation box 7 of the frame is also effective.

[0015] In Example 1, as shown in Figure 2, the sled 21 and the left and right frame and drive units can be easily separated. This separation makes transportation and storage convenient, and if a small sled 21 is used, it can even be transported in a regular passenger car.

[0016] In this snow-mobile vehicle, the majority of the total weight (at least 50% of the total weight) of the combined weight of the main body and the load is supported by the bottom surface and gliding surface (front gliding surface 5, middle gliding surface 6) of the sled 21. This structure reduces the load on the rotating paddle 1 and the rotating paddle pressing mechanism, allowing for a smaller and lighter structure for these parts. In addition, compared to a case where the total weight is supported only by the rotating paddle 1, this structure prevents the plate-shaped part 2 from digging into the snow surface more than necessary.

[0017] Figure 3 shows a disassembled portion of the rotating paddle 1 of Example 1. In the rotating paddle 1 of Example 1, the plate-shaped portion 2 has a separate structure consisting of plate-shaped members 13 and a hub 14. Multiple plate-shaped members 13 are overlapped on one plate-shaped portion 2 and fixed by being sandwiched between the hub 14. In addition, reinforcing members 15 with tensile rigidity, compressive flexibility, and other properties are provided between adjacent plate-shaped portions 2. Due to the separate structure of the plate-shaped members 13, only the damaged portion can be replaced in case of damage to the plate-shaped portion 2. Due to the overlapping structure of multiple plate-shaped members 13, the plate-shaped portion 2 is less likely to break under large deformations. The reinforcing members 15 suppress excessive deformation of the plate-shaped portion 2 under high loads. Furthermore, the reinforcing members 15 have width, and when the reinforcing members 15 are embedded in the snow, the reinforcing members 15 act as resistance, suppressing the sideways sliding of the snow-moving body.

[0018] In Example 1, each rotating paddle 1 is equipped with a sliding surface (tip sliding surface 5, intermediate sliding surface 6) in front of it. As a result, the rotating paddle 1 transmits driving force to the snow surface compacted by the sliding surface, allowing for more efficient transmission of driving force than to an uncompacted snow surface.

[0019] In Embodiment 1, the elastic force of an elastic member 16 connecting the tip of a lever 12 fixed to the swing arm rotation axis 10 and the main frame 4 rotates the swing arm 9, pressing the rotating paddle 1 against the snow surface. This allows the amount of penetration of the plate-shaped part 2 of each rotating paddle 1 to be automatically and independently adjusted according to the snow surface conditions. Specifically, the amount of penetration is reduced on hard snow surfaces and increased on soft snow surfaces such as fresh snow.

[0020] Example 1 includes a hand pull brake. The hand pull brake is composed of a rod-shaped member 18 that rotates about a fulcrum 17 installed on the main frame 4. By pulling a grip 19 installed near the end of the rod-shaped member 18, the other end side of the rod-shaped member 18 penetrates into the snow surface to serve as a brake. In Example 1, a brake fin 20 is attached to the snow-penetrating portion of the rod-shaped member 18 to increase resistance and enhance the braking effect. Also, by adopting a structure that can fix the rod-shaped member 18 in a state where it has penetrated the snow surface, it also functions as an anchor.

[0021] In Example 1, a battery for driving the motor, motor control equipment, and wireless communication equipment are arranged in a heat-insulating box 7 installed on the intermediate sliding surface 6. Thereby, the heat generated from the motor control equipment can be utilized for keeping the battery warm. Since some types of batteries are extremely weak in low temperatures, it is also effective to install a heater in the heat-insulating box 7.

[0022] In Example 1, it is assumed that the operation is performed by a controller 22 that is detachably installed on the heat-insulating box 7. The operation signal from the controller 22 is transmitted to the motor control equipment in the left and right heat-insulating boxes 7 by wireless communication to control the motor. By making the controller 22 detachable, it can be operated remotely whether one is on or off the snowmobile, and whether one is riding it or not.

[0023] In Example 1, although not shown in the figure, it includes a mechanism for fixing the swing arm 9 at the movable upper limit (a position where the rotating paddle 1 does not contact the snow surface). By fixing the swing arm 9 at the movable upper limit, the snowmobile can be used as a sled, so it can be towed by other moving bodies or manually in situations such as failures, battery depletion, or impassable terrain.

[0024] Although not shown in the diagram, it is also effective to make it possible to attach and detach metal claws or fins perpendicular to the plate-shaped part 2 of the rotating paddle 1. Attaching metal claws allows for efficient propulsion on ice floes and hard-frozen snow surfaces, while attaching fins helps prevent sideways slipping on slopes.

[0025] Example 1 is merely one example of an embodiment of the snow mobility device of the present invention, and the snow mobility device of the present invention is not limited to Example 1. For example, while Example 1 uses a commercially available sled 21, it would also be beneficial to design the snow mobility device independently by equipping it with a cabin like a snow vehicle or seats like a snowmobile. It is also conceivable to integrally mold the rotating paddle 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0026] 1 rotation paddle 2 Plate-shaped part 3 rotation axes 4 Mainframe 5. Tip of the gliding surface 6. Intermediate running surface 7. Insulated box 8. Beam for attaching the sled 9. Swingarm 10 Swing arm rotation axis 11 Swing arm rotating bearing 12 Lever 13 Plate-shaped member 14 Hubs 15 Reinforcement members 16 Elastic members 17 Fulcrum 18. Rod-shaped member 19 grip 20 Brake Fins 21 Sled 22 controllers

Claims

1. A snow-moving vehicle characterized by having multiple rotating paddles (1) each having multiple plate-shaped parts (2) arranged radially with respect to a rotating axis (3), the rotation of the rotating paddles (1) causes the plate-shaped parts (2) to scoop up snow, thereby transmitting driving force to the snow surface for propulsion, and the elastic force of an elastic member (16) pressing the rotating paddles (1) against the snow surface to automatically adjust the amount that the plate-shaped parts (2) penetrate into the snow surface independently for each rotating paddle (1).

2. A snow-moving vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by having one or more pairs of rotating paddles (1) in a left-right pair, each rotating paddle (1) having its own motor for driving the rotating paddles (1), and controlling the direction of travel or turning in place by the difference in rotational speed and direction of each rotating paddle (1).

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