Running unit and running vehicle

Abstract

To provide a running unit and a vehicle equipped therewith that have a simple configuration, improve running stability and operability, offer a high degree of freedom in design layout, are easy to assemble and adjust, and can provide a riding feel tailored to the user. [Solution] A pair of left and right wheels are supported so as to be able to swing around a pivot axis extending horizontally, and are supported by a swing arm whose vertical movement is linked to an alternating pattern. A neutral return mechanism is provided, which includes an extendable member that extends and retracts in accordance with the swinging of the swing arm, and is configured such that the torque acting on the swing arm due to the restoring force of the extendable member remains substantially constant regardless of the amount of swinging of the swing arm.

Claims

1. A running unit comprising a pair of left and right wheels, a left wheel support mechanism that pivotably supports the left wheel about a pivoting central axis extending in the left-right direction, a right wheel support mechanism that pivotably supports the right wheel about the pivoting central axis, a frame unit that supports the left wheel support mechanism and the right wheel support mechanism, and an interlocking mechanism that causes the other wheel to pivot in the opposite direction to the pivoting of one wheel, Each of the left-side wheel support mechanism and the right-side wheel support mechanism comprises a swing arm, one end of which is connected to the wheel axle and the other end of which is connected to the frame unit so as to be able to swing about the pivot axis, and a neutral return mechanism for returning the swing arm to a neutral position. The neutral return mechanism is characterized by comprising an extendable member that extends and retracts in accordance with the oscillation of the swing arm, and is configured such that the torque acting on the swing arm due to the restoring force of the extendable member remains substantially constant regardless of the amount of oscillation of the swing arm.

2. The travel unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the telescopic member is arranged in a position that extends in a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the swing arm extends.

3. The aforementioned extendable member is arranged such that one end is connected to the frame unit as a first pivot point at a position close to the pivot center axis, and the other end is connected to the swing arm as a second pivot point. The travel unit according to claim 1, further comprising a relief mechanism configured to allow the first or second pivot point of each of the telescopic members to be displaceable, so as to prevent the other swing arm from being subjected to torque by the telescopic member of the other neutral return mechanism when torque is applied to one of the swing arms by the telescopic member of one of the neutral return mechanisms.

4. A shaft member is provided at one end or the other end of the telescopic member, and the shaft member is pivotally attached to a support portion in the frame unit or a support portion in the swing arm. The relief mechanism is comprised of an opening formed in the support portion of the frame unit or the support portion of the swing arm, The travel unit according to claim 3, characterized in that the opening is configured such that the shaft member can engage with the swing arm when the swing arm swings in the direction of extending the telescopic member, and that the shaft member can move when the swing arm swings in the direction of contracting the telescopic member.

5. The interlocking mechanism includes a first oscillating rotating body that rotates about the oscillating central axis in conjunction with the oscillating of one of the swing arms, a second oscillating rotating body that rotates about the oscillating central axis in conjunction with the oscillating of the other swing arm, an interlocking shaft positioned on a rotation central axis extending parallel to the oscillating central axis, a first transmission rotating body and a second transmission rotating body provided on the interlocking shaft, a first transmission strip that transmits rotation between the first oscillating rotating body and the first transmission rotating body, and a second transmission strip that transmits rotation between the second oscillating rotating body and the second transmission rotating body. The travel unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the first transmission strip and the second transmission strip are provided such that the rotation directions of the first oscillating rotating body and the second oscillating rotating body are opposite to each other.

6. A vehicle comprising a body section having a main frame, and a front wheel unit and a rear wheel unit attached to the main frame, wherein at least one of the front wheel unit and the rear wheel unit is composed of a vehicle unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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