Bar handle device

Abstract

To achieve weight saving of a bar handle and high robustness of the bar handle by alleviating stress concentration.SOLUTION: A bar handle device includes: a fixing part 31 mounted on a steering mechanism; a short part 33 with a grip 32 mounted; and a long part 34 connecting the short part 33 with the fixing part 31. The long part 34 is formed by connecting a first bar member 35 and a second bar member 36 and includes a cross-linking member 37 connecting the first bar member 35 and the second bar member 36.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bar handle device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, bar handle devices that can be attached to the steering mechanism of vehicles such as racing wheelchairs, skateboards, kickboards, jet skis, snowboards, motorized two-wheelers and bicycles have been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-289673 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a conventional bar handle device, stress is concentrated at the starting point, which is the center of rotation when the steering mechanism is steered, and deterioration is likely to begin from the starting point. It is desirable to make the bar handle device lighter in order to reduce the overall weight of the vehicle, etc., but if the thickness of the handle is made thinner, the strength decreases and it becomes more susceptible to deterioration. On the other hand, if the thickness around the starting point is made thicker or the starting point is assembled so as to be wrapped, not only will it hinder weight reduction, but it will also impair the aesthetics and ease of assembly of the handle. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to realize a lighter handle and to increase the robustness of the bar handle by reducing stress concentration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] As an aspect for achieving the above object, a fixed portion attached to a steering mechanism, a short portion to which a grip is attached, The short portion is formed to be longer than the short portion,A bar handle device including a long portion connecting the short portion and the fixed portion, the long portion being formed by connecting a first bar member and a second bar member, the first bar member is located above the second bar member, The first bar member The middle part of The second bar member The middle part of The bar handle device is characterized in that it includes a bridging member that connects the

[0006] In the above bar handle device, the first bar member is The entire longitudinal direction straight line shape Formed in The second bar member may be arcuate in shape.

[0007] Also, in the above bar handle device, the first bar member and the second bar member may apply a rotational force to the steering mechanism attached to the fixed portion by steering the short portion.

[0008] In the above-mentioned bar handle device, the bridging member is In the longitudinal direction Alternatively, they may be connected at angles of 45 degrees to 135 degrees.

[0009] In the above-mentioned bar handle device, the bridging member is Longitudinal The length of the connecting portion may be connected within a range of 85% from the fixed portion side. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the above-mentioned bar handle device, the handle can be made lighter in weight, and stress concentration is alleviated, thereby improving the robustness of the bar handle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a racing wheelchair. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a left side view showing the racing wheelchair. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a racing wheelchair. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the front fork and its surroundings. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a main handle as a comparative example. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the measurement results of the relationship between the safety factor of the main handle and the arrangement position of the bridging member. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another configuration of the main handle. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another configuration of the main handle. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the main handle. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the main handle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, directions such as front, rear, left, right, up and down are the same as directions relative to the vehicle body unless otherwise specified. In addition, the symbol FR in each drawing indicates the front of the vehicle body, the symbol UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle body, and the symbol LH indicates the left side of the vehicle body. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a racing wheelchair 10. Fig. 2 is a left side view showing the racing wheelchair 10.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a racing wheelchair 10 is used for track events, road races, etc., and comprises a body frame 11, a cage 12, a pair of left and right main wheels 13, a front fork 14, a main handle 16, and a front wheel 17. The vehicle frame 11 includes a hollow frame body 11a extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body, and a head pipe 11b provided integrally with the front end of the frame body 11a. A cage 12 is provided integrally with the rear end of the frame body 11a.

[0014] The top of the cage 12 is open, and a seat 21 on which the athlete sits is provided inside the cage 12. The main wheels 13 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the cage 12, and are rotatably supported on both sides of the cage 12 with the upper ends of the main wheels 13 tilted at a predetermined angle toward the inside in the vehicle width direction relative to the lower ends. Ring-shaped hand rims 23 that an athlete 27 turns to apply driving force to the main wheels 13 are attached to the left and right main wheels 13.

[0015] The front fork 14 is supported by the head pipe 11b so as to be steerable left and right. A main handle 16 is provided at the upper end of the front fork 14, and a front wheel 17 is rotatably supported at the lower end of the front fork 14 via an axle 25. As shown in FIG. 2, the athlete 27 sits in a leaning forward position on the seat 21 (see FIG. 1) of the cage 12 and grips the main handle 16 with both hands.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the racing wheelchair 10. The vehicle body frame 11 is provided with a steering angle setting mechanism 28 that tilts the front wheels 17 to a preset steering angle by pressing and maintains that state, and an armrest 29 arranged behind the steering angle setting mechanism 28. The front fork 14 is integrally provided with an auxiliary handle 14d that protrudes laterally from one side (the right side). The steering angle setting mechanism 28 includes a damper link 41, a connecting arm 42, a track lever 43, and a pair of left and right pressing operation portions 44.

[0017] The auxiliary handle 14d is connected to a connecting arm 42 via a damper link 41. The damper link 41 is disposed on one side (the right side) of the body frame 11, and both ends of the damper link 41 are swingably connected to the auxiliary handle 14d and the connecting arm 42. The connecting arm 42 protrudes from the body frame 11 to one side (the right side), and inside the body frame 11, is connected to a track lever 43 that extends in the front-rear direction. The track lever 43 is supported by a swing shaft 46 provided on the vehicle frame 11 side so as to be swingable left and right, and a pair of left and right pressing operation parts 44 are provided at the rear end of the track lever 43. The left and right pressing operation parts 44 protrude from within the vehicle frame 11 to the outside of the vehicle frame 11 and can be pressed by the athlete.

[0018] For example, when running on a track with the racing wheelchair 10, if one of the pushing operation parts 44 is pressed to cause the track lever 43 to extend in the front-to-rear direction, this state is maintained by a friction mechanism (not shown), and the steering angle of the front wheels 17 is set in a straight line. Therefore, even if the athlete takes his / her hands off the main handlebars 16, the athlete can run along the straight course of the track. This allows the athlete to concentrate on turning the main wheels 13 while running along the straight course.

[0019] Furthermore, when the pushing operation section 44 on one of the left and right sides (for example, the left side) is pressed to swing the rear end side of the track lever 43 to the other left and right side (the right side), that state is maintained by a friction mechanism (not shown). The swinging of the track lever 43 is transmitted to the front fork 14 via the connecting arm 42, the damper link 41, and the auxiliary handle 14d, and the steering angle of the front wheel 17 is set to one of the left and right sides (the left side). This allows the rider to ride along the corners of the track even when he or she has taken his or her hands off the main handle 16, and allows the rider to concentrate on turning the main wheel 13 while riding along the corners. When the main handle 16 is operated, the damper link 41 expands and contracts when a load exceeding a predetermined value is applied in the axial direction, making it possible to steer the front wheel 17 to the left or right via the front fork 14.

[0020] When the athlete leans forward, both elbows of the athlete can be placed on the elbow rest 29. The cross section of the elbow rest 29 is formed in a streamlined shape (see FIG. 2). The cage 12 is integrally formed of left and right side walls 12a, a front wall 12b, a rear wall 12c, and a bottom wall 12d, and a tubular member 48 extending in the vehicle width direction is attached to the left and right side walls 12a so as to penetrate therethrough. Wheel cover parts 12e are integrally formed on the upper edges of the left and right side walls 12a, covering the upper parts of the left and right main wheels 13 from above to prevent athletes from interfering with the main wheels 13. The cylindrical member 48 supports axles (not shown) of the left and right main wheels 13 at both ends. A seat 21 is arranged in the cage 12 behind the cylindrical member 48.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the front fork 14 and its surroundings. As shown in FIG. 4, the front fork (steering mechanism) 14 includes a pair of left and right fork legs 14a supporting the front wheel 17, a bridge 14b connecting the fork legs 14a, and a fork stem 14c extending obliquely upward and rearward from the bridge 14b. An auxiliary handle 14d is integrally formed on one side (right side) of the bridge 14b so as to protrude outward in the vehicle width direction. The auxiliary handle 14d is formed flat from top to bottom (more specifically, its cross section is streamlined), and the front end of the damper link 41 is swingably connected to the auxiliary handle 14d via a universal joint 49. The fork stem 14c is a portion that is rotatably supported by the head pipe 11b, and a main handle 16 is attached to the upper end of the fork stem 14c.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the main handle 16. The main handle 16 is a member that corresponds to an example of a bar handle device. In the racing wheelchair 10, the athlete 27 can turn the racing wheelchair 10 in a desired direction by operating the main handle 16. The main handle 16 is formed by a metal powder additive manufacturing method. However, the method is not limited to this, and the main handle 16 may be formed by various processing methods or manufacturing methods such as casting, welding, cutting, etc.

[0023] As shown in Figure 5, the main handle 16 has a fixed portion 31 that is attached to the upper end of the fork stem 14c and a short portion 33 to which a grip 32 is attached, and the short portion 33 and the fixed portion 31 are connected by a long portion 34. The fixing portion 31 is a cylindrical body divided in half, and is attached to the upper end of the fork stem 14c by clamping the upper end of the fork stem 14c and fastening it with a bolt 38. The short portion 33 is Y-shaped when viewed from above, and has a pair of grips 32 attached thereto for the athlete to grasp. In order to reduce weight, an opening 33A is formed in the short portion 33. This opening 33A is a through hole that penetrates the main handle 16 in the width direction (left-right direction). The short portion 33 has a thin columnar end member 39 at its front end.

[0024] In order to reduce weight, an opening 33B is formed on the lower surface of the short portion 33. The opening 33B communicates with the opening 33A. The space formed in the short portion 33 by the openings 33A and 33B functions as a hollow portion of the main handle 16.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a side view showing the main handle 16. 5 and 6, the long portion 34 is composed of a first bar member 35 and a second bar member 36. One end of the first bar member 35 is connected to an upper portion 31A of the fixed portion 31, and the other end is connected to an upper portion 39A of an end member 39 of the short portion 33. The second bar member 36 is disposed below the first bar member 35 with a distance δ therebetween. One end of the second bar member 36 is connected to the lower portion 31B of the fixed portion 31, and the other end is connected to the lower portion 39B of the end member 39 of the short portion 33.

[0026] The first bar member 35 and the second bar member 36 are connected by at least one bridging member 37. The bridging member 37 is a thin columnar member extending along the height direction (vertical direction) of the main handle 16. In addition, in the second bar member 36, a portion from the lower portion 31B to a position where the bridging member 37 is connected to the second bar member 36 is defined as a stress dispersing portion 36C.

[0027] The first bar member 35 has a straight shape, and the second bar member 36 has an arch shape with the connecting position with the bridging member 37 convex downward. When the grip 32 is gripped and the short portion 33 is steered, the first bar member 35 and the second bar member 36 apply a force in a rotational direction to the front fork 14 attached to the fixed portion 31.

[0028] 6, a horizontal line (horizontal direction of the long portion 34) H passes through a midpoint M between the upper portion 31A of the fixed portion 31 and the lower portion 31B of the fixed portion 31. In FIG. The bridging members 37 are connected to the horizontal line H at an angle of 45 degrees to 135 degrees.

[0029] Further, the bridging member 37 is connected at a position where the length dimension L2 from the fixed portion 31 side falls within a range of 85% of the horizontal length dimension L1 of the long portion . 6, the length dimension L1 is the length dimension from the midpoint M to the intersection point N where the horizontal line H intersects with the end member 39. The length dimension L2 is the length dimension from the midpoint M to the intersection point O where the horizontal line H intersects with the bridging member 37.

[0030] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In the racing wheelchair 10, the athlete 27 grips and operates the main handle 16 with both hands, thereby making it possible to turn the racing wheelchair 10 in a desired direction.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a main handle 50 as a comparative example. As shown in FIG. 7, a main handle 50 as a comparative example is provided with a fixing part 51 attached to the upper end part of a fork stem 14c, and a grip 52, similar to the main handle 16. Furthermore, the main handle 50 includes a handle body 53 that connects the fixed part 51 and the grip 52. The handle body 53 is formed in a solid rod shape having a predetermined length.

[0032] In the main handle 50 as a comparative example, a certain amount of stress is applied when the athlete 27 grasps and operates the main handle 50. In the main handle 50, the greatest stress is applied to the starting point 57 at the joining position on the upper surface side of the fixed part 51 and the handle body 53 during operation.

[0033] In the main handle 16 of the present embodiment, a first bar member 35 and a second bar member 36 of the long portion 34 are provided at a location corresponding to the handle body 53 of the main handle 50 as the comparative example. As a result, when the main handle 16 is gripped and operated by the athlete 27, the predetermined stress is distributed to the first bar member 35 and the second bar member 36, thereby preventing the concentration of the stress.

[0034] In addition, the main handle 16 is equipped with a first bar member 35 and a second bar member 36, and the second bar member 36 is formed in a downwardly convex arched shape, so that when stress above a predetermined value is applied, the stress dispersal portion 36C is likely to become the starting point of deformation. That is, when a stress of a predetermined value or more is applied to the main handle 16, the stress dispersion portion 36C is actively bent and deformed. This makes it possible to prevent breakage of each portion of the main handle 16. Therefore, the robustness of the main handle 16 can be improved.

[0035] Furthermore, in the main handle 16, by providing the first bar member 35 and the second bar member 36 of the long portion 34, a space is provided between the first bar member 35 and the second bar member 36 of the long portion 34. This space functions as a hollowed-out portion of the main handle 16. Therefore, the main handle 16 can be made lighter and have improved robustness.

[0036] Next, an experiment conducted by the inventors to analyze the strength of the main handle 16 of this embodiment will be described. The inventors verified the effect of the bridging member 37 on the performance of the main handle 16 of this embodiment through structural analysis by simulation using the main handle 16 of this embodiment and a main handle 50 as a comparative example. Specifically, the inventors placed the bridging members 37 on the main handle 16 at different positions along the horizontal direction of the long portion 34 of the main handle 16, and measured the allowable stress of the main handle 16 in each case.

[0037] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the measurement results of the relationship between the safety factor of the main handle 16 and the arrangement position of the bridging member 37. In Fig. 8, the vertical axis indicates the safety factor. This safety factor indicates the ratio of the allowable stress of each of the main handles 16 in which the bridging members 37 are disposed at different positions to the allowable stress of the main handle 50 as a comparative example. On the vertical axis in Fig. 8, a safety factor of 1.0 indicates that the main handle 16 has the same allowable stress as the main handle 50 as the comparative example. 8, the horizontal axis represents the distance ratio. This distance ratio indicates the ratio of the length dimension L2 from the fixed portion 31 side to the arrangement position of the bridging member 37 to the horizontal length dimension L1 of the long portion 34.

[0038] As shown in Figure 8, the main handle 16 has the maximum allowable stress when the bridging member 37 is connected to the fixed part 31 at a position where the length dimension L2 is about 20% of the horizontal length dimension L1 of the long part 34. In addition, the results showed that when the bridging member 37 is connected from the fixed portion 31 side to a position where the length dimension L2 is approximately 85% of the horizontal length dimension L1 of the long portion 34, the main handle 16 has an allowable stress that is approximately the same as the allowable stress of the main handle 50 as a comparative example.

[0039] From these results, the inventors have come to the knowledge that the main handle 16 can have sufficient allowable stress by connecting the bridging member 37 to a position where the length dimension L2 from the fixed portion 31 side is within 85% of the horizontal length dimension L1 of the long portion 34.

[0040] Next, the inventors verified the effect that the angle that the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the bridging member 37 makes with respect to the horizontal direction of the long portion 34 has on the strength performance of the main handle 16. Specifically, the inventors placed bridging members 37 at different positions along the horizontal direction of long portion 34 of main handle 16, and measured the allowable stress of main handle 16 in each case. Specifically, the inventors arranged the bridging member 37 on the main handle 16 while changing the angle that the bridging member 37 forms with respect to the horizontal line H, and measured the allowable stress of the main handle 16 in each case.

[0041] The results showed that the main handle 16 had the greatest allowable stress when connected to the elongated portion 34 at an angle of 90 degrees to the horizontal line H. Furthermore, the results showed that when the main handle 16 was connected to the long portion 34 at an angle of 45 degrees to 135 degrees with respect to the horizontal line H, the main handle 16 had an allowable stress that was approximately the same as the allowable stress of the main handle 50 as a comparative example. From these results, the inventors discovered that the main handle 16 can have sufficient allowable stress by connecting the bridging member 37 at an angle of 45 degrees to 135 degrees with respect to the horizontal line H.

[0042] As described above, according to this embodiment, the main handle 16 comprises the fixed portion 31 attached to the front fork 14, the short portion 33 to which the grip is attached, and the long portion 34 connecting the short portion 33 and the fixed portion 31. The long portion 34 is formed by connecting a first bar member 35 and a second bar member 36 together, and comprises a bridging member 37 connecting the first bar member 35 and the second bar member 36.

[0043] According to this, the main handle 16 is provided with the first bar member 35 and the second bar member 36, and the first bar member 35 and the second bar member 36 are connected by the bridging member 37, so that the stress applied to the main handle 16 can be dispersed throughout the entire main handle 16. Therefore, the main handle 16 can be prevented from breaking at a predetermined position. Furthermore, in the main handle 16 configured in this manner, stress dispersion is achieved. This allows the main handle 16 to be made thinner and to have hollowed-out portions, thereby enabling the main handle 16 to be made lighter.

[0044] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the first bar member 35 may be linear, and the second bar member 36 may be arcuate. According to this, the arched shape causes the second bar member 36 to deform when stress above a predetermined value is applied to the main handle 16, thereby preventing stress concentration in the main handle 16 and allowing stress to be relieved throughout the entire main handle 16. In addition, when stress equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied to the main handle 16, the deformation state of the second bar member 36 can be visually confirmed, urging the athlete 27 or a designated worker to replace the main handle 16 before it breaks.

[0045] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the first bar member 35 and the second bar member 36 may apply a rotational force to the front fork 14 attached to the fixed portion 31 by steering the short portion 33. According to this, the athlete 27 can steer the racing wheelchair 10 by operating the main handle 16, to which the first bar member 35 and the second bar member 36 are attached, in a normal steering operation.

[0046] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the bridging members 37 may be connected to the long portions 34 at an angle of 45 degrees to 135 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction. According to this, the main handle 16 can have sufficient allowable stress by connecting the bridging member 37 at an angle of 45 degrees to 135 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction of the long portion 34.

[0047] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the bridging member 37 may be connected within a range of 85% of the horizontal length of the long portion 34 from the fixed portion side. According to this, the main handle 16 can have a sufficient allowable stress by connecting the bridging member 37 within a range of 85% of the horizontal length of the long portion 34 from the fixed portion side.

[0048] The above-described embodiment is merely an example of one aspect of the present invention, and any modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0049] In the above-described embodiment, the short portion 33 of the main handle 16 is Y-shaped. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be T-shaped, for example. Also, an opening may be formed on the upper surface of the short portion 33 in order to reduce weight. Furthermore, the short portion 33 may be formed solid without being provided with the openings 33A and 33B. For example, the first bar member 35 and the second bar member 36 may be connected by a plurality of bridging members 37.

[0050] In the embodiment described above, the short portion 33 of the main handle 16 is provided with a hollowed-out portion consisting of the opening 33A and the opening 33B. However, this is not limited to this, and as in the handle 116 shown in Fig. 9, the hollowed-out portion may be provided with a cylindrical portion 140 for guiding a brake wire or the like. Furthermore, for example, like a main handle 216 shown in FIG. 10, the short portion 33 may be provided with a third handle 232 extending from between the two grips 32.

[0051] In the above-described embodiment, the main handle 16 is provided on a racing wheelchair 10, but this is not limited to this and the main handle 16 may be used on various vehicles that use T-shaped or Y-shaped handles, such as snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the main handle 16 may be used as a steering handle for a watercraft 300 such as a personal watercraft. Also for example, as shown in FIG. 12, the main handle 16 may be used as a handle of a bicycle 400. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 10 Racing Wheelchair 14 Front fork (steering mechanism) 16, 116, 216 Main handle (bar handle device) 31, 51 Fixed part 32, 52 Grip 33 Short section 34 Long section 35 First bar member 36 Second bar member 37 Bridge members H horizontal line L1 Length dimension L2 Length dimension M midpoint N, O intersection δ Spacing

Claims

1. A bar handle device including a fixed portion attached to a steering mechanism, a short portion to which a grip is attached, and a long portion formed longer than the short portion and connecting the short portion and the fixed portion, The long portion is formed by connecting a first bar member and a second bar member, the first bar member is located above the second bar member, A bridging member is provided to connect the middle portion of the first bar member and the middle portion of the second bar member. A bar handle device comprising:

2. The first bar member is formed in a straight line shape in the entire longitudinal direction, and the second bar member is formed in an arcuate shape.

2. The bar handle device according to claim 1 .

3. The first bar member and the second bar member apply a force in a rotational direction to the steering mechanism attached to the fixed portion by steering the short portion.

3. The bar handle device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The bridging member is connected at an angle of 45 degrees to 135 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the long portion.

4. The bar handle device according to claim 1, wherein the handle is a straight bar.

5. The bridging member is connected within a range of 85% of the longitudinal length of the long portion from the fixed portion side.

5. A bar handle device according to claim 1.

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