Assist mechanism and vehicle equipped with the same

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide an assist mechanism that does not require any operation by the user each time it is used and is easy to use. 【Solution means】An assist mechanism X attached to a vehicle including wheels and a vehicle body, the assist mechanism X including an assist mechanism main body 2, an input unit that inputs energy obtained by the vehicle to the assist mechanism main body 2, and an output unit that transmits the drive of the assist mechanism main body 2 to the vehicle. The input unit has a motion conversion means for converting the energy obtained by the vehicle into a rotational motion. The assist mechanism main body 2 has a storage unit that stores the rotational motion converted by the motion conversion means as energy, an input transmission unit that transmits the rotational motion to the storage unit, and an output transmission unit that transmits the energy stored by the storage unit to the output unit. The output unit 3 has a drive shaft portion 31 that is rotated by the output transmission unit, a stopper 33 that abuts on the drive shaft portion 31 to control the rotation of the drive shaft portion 31, and a separation means 34. The separation means 34 separates the stopper 33 and the drive shaft portion 31 based on an external force.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an assist mechanism for assisting the driving of a vehicle.

[0002] Conventionally, as a mechanism for assisting the driving by a vehicle body, for example, an electric assist vehicle including a vehicle, a battery, and a motor has been used.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes an electric assist bicycle that assists the pedaling force by a battery-driven motor.

[0004] Further, Patent Document 2 describes a vehicle including an engine, a motor, a battery that stores electric power for driving the motor, and a control device that controls the engine and the motor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, since the bicycle of Patent Document 1 and the vehicle of Patent Document 2 assist using electric energy supplied from the outside, it was necessary to charge the battery by an external power source or replace it with a charged battery each time of use.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above actual situation, and an object thereof is to provide an assist mechanism that is easy to use while reducing the labor related to energy supply.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an assist mechanism attached to a vehicle including wheels and a vehicle body, the assist mechanism including an assist mechanism main body, an input unit for inputting energy obtained by the vehicle to the assist mechanism main body, and an output unit for transmitting the drive of the assist mechanism main body to the vehicle. The input unit has motion conversion means for converting the energy obtained by the vehicle into rotational motion. The assist mechanism main body has a storage unit for storing the rotational motion converted by the motion conversion means as energy, an input transmission unit for transmitting the rotational motion to the storage unit, and an output transmission unit for transmitting the energy stored by the storage unit to the output unit. The output unit has a drive shaft portion rotated by the output transmission unit, a stopper that abuts on the drive shaft portion to control the rotation of the drive shaft portion, and a separation means. The separation means separates the stopper and the drive shaft portion based on an external force. This is the assist mechanism.

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to utilize the energy obtained by the vehicle and have the assist mechanism assist the driving force of the vehicle, thereby reducing the labor involved in energy supply.

[0010] In a preferred form of the present invention, the output unit further includes a transmission member connecting the wheel and the drive shaft portion. The transmission member is in a tensioned state when there is the external force, and the separation means separates the stopper and the drive shaft portion by the transmission member in the tensioned state.

[0011] With such a configuration, it is possible to switch the assistance of driving by the assist mechanism by an external force.

[0012] In a preferred form of the present invention, it further includes a housing for housing the assist mechanism main body.

[0013] With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the assist mechanism main body from being damaged by an external impact.

[0014] The separation means further includes a rail portion into which the drive shaft portion is inserted and having a lower end and an upper end, the housing has a side surface portion provided with the rail portion, and the drive shaft portion moves toward the upper end side by the external force.

[0015] With such a configuration, in the absence of an external force, the drive shaft portion can come into contact with the stopper by gravity.

[0016] In a preferred form of the present invention, the housing has a partition portion, the partition portion is disposed at a position facing the side surface portion, and the rail portion is provided on each of the side surface portion and the partition portion.

[0017] With such a configuration, since the drive shaft portion is supported by the rail portions provided on the side surface and the partition portion, the drive shaft portion can be more stably separated from or approximated to the stopper.

[0018] In a preferred form of the present invention, the separation means further includes a biasing means, and the biasing means biases the drive shaft portion in a direction of abutting against the stopper.

[0019] With such a configuration, when there is no external force from the vehicle, it becomes possible to bring the drive shaft portion separated from the stopper into contact with the stopper again.

[0020] In a preferred form of the present invention, the separation means includes an arm portion into which the drive shaft portion is inserted and a shaft support portion that pivotally supports the arm portion, and the arm portion pivots the drive shaft portion upward about the shaft support portion by the external force.

[0021] With such a configuration, in the absence of an external force, the drive shaft portion can come into contact with the stopper by gravity.

[0022] The assist mechanism main body further has a housing portion that houses the storage portion and a support shaft portion that is connected to the drive shaft portion. The housing portion rotates about the support shaft portion in response to the rotational movement of the motion conversion means.

[0023] With such a configuration, even when the separation means is open, it is possible to rotate the drive shaft portion in response to the rotational movement of the motion conversion means.

[0024] In a preferred form of the present invention, at least two of the input portions are provided, and the assist mechanism main body has a housing portion that houses the storage portion and a support shaft portion that is connected to the drive shaft portion. The motion conversion means of the first input portion converts the energy obtained by the vehicle into rotational motion of the housing portion, the second input portion converts the energy obtained by the vehicle into rotational motion of the support shaft portion, and the storage portion stores the rotational motion of the housing portion and the rotational motion of the support shaft portion as energy.

[0025] With such a configuration, it is possible to store the two energies obtained by the vehicle in the storage portion simultaneously without switching between them.

[0026] Another aspect of the present invention is a vehicle provided with an assist mechanism as described above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0027] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the labor involved in energy supply and provide an assist mechanism that is easy to use.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028]

Figure 1

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Figure 15

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Figure 21

Figure 22

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0029] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 22, the assist mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. It should be noted that the following embodiments are examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Also, in these figures, reference numeral X indicates the assist mechanism according to the present embodiment. Here, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis directions shown in FIG. 1 are perpendicular to each other, and the z-axis direction is vertically upward. Also, the upward direction refers to the vertically upward direction (i.e., the z-axis direction), and the downward direction refers to the opposite direction of the upward direction. Also, the forward rotation direction refers to the direction in which the output transmission shaft portion 221 of the assist mechanism main body 2 rotates when driving is output to the vehicle V, and the backward rotation direction refers to the rotation direction opposite to the forward rotation direction. In FIGS. 8 and 10, it is assumed that the housing 4 is transparent.

[0030] <Configuration> As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the assist mechanism X includes an input unit 1 that inputs the energy obtained by the vehicle V (see FIG. 12) to the assist mechanism main body 2, the assist mechanism main body 2, an output unit 3 that transmits the drive of the assist mechanism main body 2 to the vehicle V, and a housing 4 that houses the assist mechanism main body 2.

[0031] <<Input Unit 1>> As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the input unit 1 includes a first input unit 11 that inputs the energy obtained from the rocking motion of the vehicle V (see FIG. 12) to the assist mechanism main body 2, and a second input unit 12 that inputs the energy obtained from the rotational motion of the wheel V2 (see FIG. 12) to the assist mechanism main body 2.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the first input unit 11 includes a motion conversion means 111 that converts the rocking motion of the vehicle V (see FIG. 12) into a rotational motion, and a first rotational input unit 112 that transmits the rotational motion of the motion conversion means 111 to an input transmission unit 21 of the assist mechanism main body 2 described later. In particular, the first input unit 11 inputs the impact energy obtained by the impact received by the vehicle V from the ground to the storage unit.

[0033] The motion conversion means 111 is provided with a rack R that converts the rocking motion of the vehicle V into a translational motion, a pinion P that converts the translational motion of the rack R into a rotational motion, a rack holder RH to which the rack R is attached, and an input shaft portion i1 inserted into the pinion P.

[0034] In particular, as shown in FIG. 6, the rack R includes a first rack R1 attached to the rack holder RH and a second rack R2 disposed on the rack holder RH facing the first rack R1.

[0035] The pinion P includes a first pinion P1 that rotates according to the translational motion of the first rack R1 and a second pinion P2 that rotates according to the translational motion of the second rack R2.

[0036] The first rack and pinion mechanism is constituted by the first rack R1 and the first pinion P1. The first pinion P1 rotates in the direction of rotation corresponding to the direction of the translational motion of the first rack R1.

[0037] Similar to the first rack and pinion mechanism, the second rack and pinion mechanism is constituted by the second rack R2 and the second pinion P2.

[0038] The second rack R2 and the second pinion P2 are configured to rotate in a direction opposite to the rotating direction of the first rack R1.

[0039] One-way clutches (not shown) for transmitting rotational motion in only one direction are respectively provided between the first pinion P1 and the input shaft portion i1, and between the second pinion P2 and the input shaft portion i1.

[0040] The one-way clutch (not shown) restricts the direction of rotation of the input shaft portion i1 to a predetermined direction. When the first rack R1 and the second rack R2 perform a translational operation, if the first pinion P1 and the second pinion P2 rotate in different directions, one of the first pinion P1 and the second pinion P2 that rotates in a predetermined rotational direction transmits the rotation to the input shaft portion i1 by the one-way clutch (not shown), and the other that rotates in a direction opposite to the predetermined rotational direction idles. Thereby, according to the rotational operation of the first pinion P1 or the second pinion P2, the input shaft portion i1 can rotate in a predetermined direction and be transmitted to the assist mechanism main body 2. In particular, it is possible to efficiently store the energy of the swinging motion in the storage portion regardless of the direction of the translational motion by the rack holder RH.

[0041] The rack holder RH has the first rack R1 and the second rack R2 attached thereto.

[0042] Further, the rack holder RH is provided with a mounting hole RH1 for mounting the assist mechanism X to the vehicle V. Thereby, by using a fixture or the like in the mounting hole RH1, it becomes possible to connect the rack holder RH to the vehicle V.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5 and the like, the first rotation input portion 112 is provided with a first rotation input member 112a into which the input shaft portion i1 is inserted, and a second rotation input member 112b attached to the accommodation portion 23 portion i1 described later.

[0044] The first rotational input member 112a rotates in a predetermined direction in response to the rotational movement of the input shaft portion i1.

[0045] The second rotational input member 112b abuts against the first rotational input member 112a and rotates in the forward rotation direction in response to the rotational movement of the first rotational input member 112a.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 or FIG. 7, the second input portion 12 includes a second input transmission member 121 connected to the wheel V2, and a second input rotating member 122 that transmits the movement by the second input transmission member 121 to the input transmission portion 21 of the assist mechanism main body 2 described later.

[0047] The second input rotating member 122 is connected to the wheel V2 (see FIG. 15) and the second input transmission member 121, and rotates in the backward rotation direction in response to the rotation of the wheel V2 (see FIG. 15). That is, the second input rotating member 122 is configured to rotate in a direction opposite to the direction in which the second rotational input member 112b rotates. Note that, for example, a chain or a belt is preferably used as the second input transmission member 121, but it is not particularly limited as long as it is a member that is connected to the wheel V2 and the second input rotating member 122 and is rotatable in response to the rotation of the wheel V2. In particular, the first input portion 11 inputs the impact energy obtained by the impact received by the vehicle V from the ground into the storage portion.

[0048] <<Assist mechanism main body 2>> As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 or FIG. 7, the assist mechanism main body 2 includes a storage portion (not shown) that stores the rotational movement converted by the motion conversion means 111 as energy, an input transmission portion 21 that transmits the rotational movement to the storage portion, an output transmission portion 22 that transmits the energy stored by the storage portion to the output portion 3, a housing portion 23 that houses the storage portion, and a support shaft portion 24.

[0049] The storage portion is housed in the housing portion 23. Thereby, it becomes possible to prevent the intrusion of light and liquid into the storage portion.

[0050] In this embodiment, the storage unit is a torsion spring. As a result, it becomes possible to mechanically store and release the energy obtained by the vehicle V with high efficiency. In addition, since it becomes possible to assist the driving of the vehicle V by the storage unit, it is expected to suppress the number of parts during manufacturing and suppress the manufacturing cost.

[0051] The input transmission unit 21 includes an input transmission shaft portion 211.

[0052] In this embodiment, the storage unit can store or output energy due to the relative movement change between the input transmission shaft portion 211 and the housing portion 23.

[0053] As particularly shown in FIG. 7, the input transmission shaft portion 211 is inserted into and attached to the second input rotating member 122. As a result, the input transmission shaft portion 211 rotates in response to the rotation of the second input rotating member 122.

[0054] In addition, a one-way clutch is provided between the input transmission shaft portion 211 and the second input rotating member 122 to transmit the rotational movement of the second input rotating member 122 only in the rearward rotation direction to the second input rotating member 122. In particular, due to the one-way clutch, the second input rotating member 122 does not rotate in the forward rotation direction.

[0055] In addition, a one-way clutch is provided between the input transmission shaft portion 211 and the housing portion 23 to transmit the rotational movement of the input transmission shaft portion 211 only in the forward rotation direction to the housing portion 23. In particular, due to the one-way clutch, when the input transmission shaft portion 211 rotates in the rearward rotation direction, the housing portion 23 remains stationary.

[0056] In particular, in response to the rotation of the second input rotating member 122, when the input transmission shaft portion 211 rotates in the rearward rotation direction, the housing portion 23, by means of a one-way clutch, does not follow the rearward rotation of the input transmission shaft portion 211 and remains stationary. As a result, the positions of the input transmission shaft portion 211, which is the support shaft portion 24, and the housing portion 23 relatively move in the rearward rotation direction, and the storage portion can store energy.

[0057] The second rotary input member 112b is attached to the housing portion 23.

[0058] The output transmission portion 22 includes an output transmission shaft portion 221 that transmits drive to the output portion 3.

[0059] In the present embodiment, the input transmission shaft portion 211 and the support shaft portion 24 are integrally formed. Thereby, it is expected to suppress the number of parts required for manufacturing the assist mechanism X and to suppress the manufacturing cost.

[0060] The output transmission shaft portion 221 rotates in the forward rotation direction in response to the output of the storage portion.

[0061] In the present embodiment, the output transmission shaft portion 221 is integrally formed with the input transmission shaft portion 211 and the support shaft portion 24.

[0062] In particular, when the drive shaft portion 31 and the stopper 33 described later are in contact (that is, the transmission member T is in a relaxed state), the rotation of the output transmission shaft portion 221 integral with the input transmission shaft portion 211 is fixed. Therefore, in response to the rotation of the second rotary input member 112b, the housing portion 23 rotates in the forward rotation direction, and the positions of the input transmission shaft portion 211 and the housing portion 23 relatively move, and the storage portion can store energy.

[0063] <<Output portion 3>> As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, or FIGS. 8 to 10, the output unit 3 includes a drive shaft portion 31 rotated by an output transmission shaft portion 221, a rotation output unit 32 that transmits the rotation of the output transmission shaft portion 221 to the drive shaft portion 31, a stopper 33 that contacts the drive shaft portion 31 to control the rotation of the drive shaft portion 31, and a separation means 34 that separates the stopper 33 from the drive shaft portion 31.

[0064] In particular, as shown in FIG. 8, the drive shaft portion 31 is provided with an output gear 311 to which a transmission member T (see FIG. 1) described later is attached, and a control gear 312 that contacts the stopper 33.

[0065] The output gear 311 is provided outside the housing 4, and the drive shaft portion 31 is inserted therein.

[0066] The control gear 312 is provided inside the housing 4, and the drive shaft portion 31 is inserted therein. In the present embodiment, the control gear 312 is disposed between two rail portions 343 described later.

[0067] The rotation output unit 32 is provided with a first rotation output member 321 that rotates in response to the rotation of the output transmission shaft portion 221, and a second rotation output member 322 that rotates in response to the rotation of the first rotation output member 321.

[0068] A one-way clutch is provided between the first rotation output member 321 and the output transmission shaft portion 221, and the output transmission shaft portion 221 transmits a rotational motion only in the forward rotation direction to the first rotation output member 321. In particular, when the input transmission shaft portion 211 (which is also the output transmission shaft portion 221 in the present embodiment) rotates in the reverse rotation direction, the first rotation output member 321 does not rotate due to the one-way clutch, and the first rotation output member 321 rotates only in the forward rotation direction (i.e., the same direction as the rotation of the storage portion 23 due to the rotation of the second rotation input member 112b). Thereby, when the drive shaft portion 31 is in contact with the stopper 33, it becomes possible to rotate the input transmission shaft portion 211 (which is also the output transmission shaft portion 221 in the present embodiment) to store it in the storage portion.

[0069] The second rotation output member 322 abuts against the first rotation output member 321, and the drive shaft portion 31 is inserted and attached thereto. Thus, when the first rotation output member 321 rotates, the drive shaft portion 31 rotates.

[0070] In particular, as shown in FIG. 9, the stopper 33 is provided with a protrusion 331, a stopper shaft support portion 332 pivotally supported by a partition portion 41 of a housing 4 described later, and a stopper biasing means 333.

[0071] The protrusion 331 abuts against the control gear 312. Thereby, rotation of the drive shaft portion 31 is prevented.

[0072] The stopper shaft support portion 332 is fixed to a partition portion 41 of a housing 4 described later so that the protrusion 331 side can rotate. Thereby, since it is possible to buffer the impact with the drive shaft portion 31 that occurs when the drive shaft portion 31 comes into contact from a state of being separated from the stopper 33, breakage of the stopper 33 is suppressed.

[0073] The stopper biasing means 333 biases the protrusion 331 side from a partition portion 41 of a housing 4 described later. Thereby, since it is possible to more buffer the impact with the drive shaft portion 31 that occurs when the drive shaft portion 31 comes into contact from a state of being separated from the stopper 33, breakage of the stopper 33 is further suppressed.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 1, 8 to 10, the separation means 34 includes a transmission member T connected to the wheel V2, an arm portion 341, a shaft support portion 342 that pivotally supports the arm portion 341, a rail portion 343 into which the drive shaft portion 31 is inserted, and a biasing means 344 that biases the drive shaft portion 31.

[0075] In particular, as shown in FIG. 1, the transmission member T is connected to the wheel V2 via the output gear 311 and the transmission member holder 42 provided outside the housing 4, and is attached so as to be in a relaxed state. Thus, when there is no forward driving force from the wheel V2, the output gear 311 is not pulled by the transmission member T, so the drive shaft portion 31 abuts against the stopper 33 and the drive shaft portion 31 does not rotate. In this embodiment, the forward driving force from the wheel V2 serves as an external force.

[0076] In this embodiment, the transmission member T is a metal chain, but it may also be a belt, a string-like member, or the like.

[0077] The transmission member T is attached in mesh with the output gear 311. Thus, when the output gear 311 rotates due to the output of the assist mechanism main body 2, the transmission member T can transmit the forward driving force from the wheel V2.

[0078] In particular, as shown in FIG. 9, the drive shaft portion 31 is inserted into one end 341a side of the arm portion 341. Thus, due to the forward driving force from the wheel V2, when the transmission member T is in a tensioned state, the output gear 311 is pulled by the transmission member T and one end 341a side of the arm portion 341 is arranged upward. Also, when the transmission member T is in a relaxed state, one end 341a of the arm portion 341 is arranged downward due to gravity.

[0079] The shaft support portion 342 is provided with a shaft support shaft portion and a bearing (not shown). In this embodiment, the shaft support shaft portion is the output transmission shaft portion 221, but it may be provided separately from the output transmission shaft portion 221.

[0080] The arm portion 341 is pivotally supported by the housing 4 by the output transmission shaft portion 221 which is the shaft support shaft portion. In this embodiment, the upper end side of the arm portion 341 is pivotally supported.

[0081] The arm portion 341 is formed such that the distance between the output transmission shaft portion 221 and one end 341a of the arm portion 341 is the same as the distance between the output transmission shaft portion 221 and the second rotation output member 322. Thereby, regardless of whether the drive shaft portion 31 contacts or separates from the stopper 33, the second rotation output member 322 can contact the first rotation output member 321. Therefore, even when the drive shaft portion 31 separates from the stopper 33, the second rotation output member 322 rotates according to the rotation of the first rotation output member 321.

[0082] A bearing (not shown) is interposed between one end 341a of the arm portion 341 and the output transmission shaft portion 221. Thereby, rotation of the arm portion 341 is prevented according to the rotation of the output transmission shaft portion 221.

[0083] The rail portions 343 are respectively provided at facing positions on the side surface portion 4a and the partition portion 41 of the housing 4 described later.

[0084] The rail portion 343 is formed in an arc shape. Thereby, the drive shaft portion 31 that moves in an arc by the rotation of the arm portion 341 can move along the path formed by the rail portion 343.

[0085] Further, the rail portion 343 has a lower end 343a of the rail portion where the drive shaft portion 31 is located when the drive shaft portion 31 contacts the stopper 33, and an upper end 343b of the rail portion that is the other end of the lower end 343a of the rail portion and is located above the lower end 343a of the rail portion. Thereby, when the transmission member T is in a tensioned state, the drive shaft portion 31 is pulled by the transmission member T, and the drive shaft portion 31 moves to the upper end 343b side of the rail portion. Also, when the transmission member T is in a relaxed state, the drive shaft portion 31 is disposed on the lower end 343a side of the rail portion by gravity. In addition, since the lower end 343a of the rail portion forms the end of the rail portion 343, the drive shaft portion 31 abuts against the stopper 33 even when the transmission member T is in a tensioned state due to the driving force acting rearwardly on the wheel V2.

[0086] The biasing means 344 is provided from the housing 4 described later toward one end 341a of the arm portion 341. In particular, since the drive shaft portion 31 is inserted into one end 341a of the arm portion 341, the biasing means 344 biases the drive shaft portion 31 from the housing 4 described later via the arm portion 341.

[0087] The biasing means 344 is a tension spring, and extends in accordance with the distance by which the drive shaft portion 31 moves away from the stopper 33, and the biasing means 344 biases the drive shaft portion 31 in the direction of abutting against the stopper 33. Note that a tension spring is preferably used as the biasing means 344, but a compression spring or the like may also be used.

[0088] <<Housing 4>> As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 11, the housing 4 has a partition portion 41, side surface portions 4a, a transmission member holder 42, a guard portion 43, and a notch 44.

[0089] The partition portion 41 is disposed at a position facing the side surface portions 4a.

[0090] Between the partition portion 41 and the side surface portions 4a, the stopper 33 and one end 341a of the arm portion 341 are disposed.

[0091] The transmission member holder 42 is pivotally supported outside the side surface portions 4a.

[0092] In addition, two transmission member holders 42 are provided outside the side surface portions 4a.

[0093] Also, the two transmission member holders 42 are respectively disposed above the lower end 343a of the rail portion. Accordingly, when there is a driving force forward by the wheel V2, the transmission member T (see FIG. 1) is in a tensioned state, and when there is no driving force forward of the wheel V2, the transmission member T is in a relaxed state.

[0094] The guard portion 43 is disposed at a position facing the side surface portion 4a.

[0095] Also, the length between the guard portion 43 and the side surface portion 4a is arranged to be longer compared to the length of the rack holder RH in the x-axis direction. Thereby, when the rack holder RH makes a translational movement, the rack holder RH is prevented from moving in the x-axis direction and derailing from the pinion P (see FIG. 6).

[0096] The notch 44 is formed on the upper surface of the housing 4, and a part of the first rotation input member 112a (see FIG. 5) is exposed. Thereby, it becomes possible to visually confirm the input operation by the first input portion 11.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 12, the assist mechanism X is mounted on a vehicle V including a vehicle body V1, a wheel V2, and a hinge H interposed between the vehicle body V1 and the wheel V2.

[0098] In the assist mechanism X, the housing 4 is attached to the vehicle body V1 side, and the rack holder RH is attached to the wheel V2 side. By doing so, the assist mechanism X suspends the vehicle body V1 and the wheel V2, and the rack holder RH can make a translational movement according to the swing of the wheel V2. In this embodiment, the vehicle V is a bicycle in which a suspension V3 is disposed between the vehicle body V1 and the wheel V2. However, as shown in FIG. 13, it is not particularly limited as long as the wheel V2 swings with respect to the vehicle body V1. In addition, as shown in FIG. 14, the vehicle V is not limited as long as it is a vehicle equipped with wheels that swing with respect to ground irregularities, such as a motorized bicycle, an automobile, or a trailer, instead of a bicycle.

[0099] <Usage method> Hereinafter, the usage method of the assist mechanism X will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 22.

[0100] When the assist mechanism X is to recover the impact energy received from the ground while the vehicle V is running, first, the user drives the vehicle V equipped with the assist mechanism X. At this time, as shown in FIG. 15(a) or FIG. 15(b), when the vehicle V passes through the uneven surface C, the rack holder RH makes a translational motion in accordance with the swing of the wheel V2.

[0101] Next, as shown in FIG. 16, in accordance with the translational motion of the rack holder RH, the first pinion P1 and the second pinion P2 rotate in opposite directions, respectively. At this time, the input shaft portion i1 rotates only in a predetermined direction by a one-way clutch (not shown) provided between the first pinion P1 and the second pinion P2 and the input shaft portion i1.

[0102] Next, as shown in FIG. 17, when the input shaft portion i1 rotates, the first rotational input member 112a rotates, and when the first rotational input member 112a rotates, the second rotational input member 112b rotates.

[0103] Since the second rotational input member 112b is attached to the accommodating portion 23, the accommodating portion 23 rotates in the forward rotation direction by the rotation of the second rotational input member 112b. At this time, since a one-way clutch (not shown) is provided between the accommodating portion 23 and the input transmission shaft portion 211, the input transmission shaft portion 211 does not rotate by the rotation of the accommodating portion 23.

[0104] By doing so, it becomes possible to wind the spring by rotating the accommodating portion 23 in the forward rotation direction with the input transmission shaft portion 211 fixed in accordance with the translational motion of the rack holder RH, and it becomes possible to store the swing energy obtained by the vehicle V in the spring.

[0105] When using the energy stored in the storage unit (the mainspring) to assist the driving force of the vehicle V (see Fig. 15), first, the user operates the vehicle so that the wheel V2 (see Fig. 15) has a driving force in the forward direction. In this embodiment, the user obtains a driving force in the forward direction for the wheel V2 by rowing the pedal V4 of the vehicle V (see Fig. 15). When the vehicle V is a motorized bicycle, an automobile, or the like, the user obtains a driving force in the forward direction for the wheel V2 by performing an accelerator operation.

[0106] Next, as shown in Fig. 18(a), due to the driving force of the wheel V2, the transmission member T becomes tense, and the output gear 311 is pulled by the transmission member T, and the drive shaft portion 31 (see Fig. 8) moves along the path formed by the rail portion 343.

[0107] At this time, as shown in Fig. 18(b), when the drive shaft portion 31 moves, one end 341a side of the arm portion 341 is disposed above the lower end 343a of the rail portion.

[0108] As a result, as shown in Fig. 19(a), the control gear 312 into which the drive shaft portion 31 is inserted separates from the stopper 33, and as the mainspring loosens, it is output from the storage unit. At this time, as shown in Fig. 20(a), the output transmission shaft portion 221 (which is also the input transmission shaft portion 211) rotates in the forward rotation direction, and in response to the rotation of the output transmission shaft portion 221, the first rotation output member 321 and the second rotation output member 322 rotate, so that the drive shaft portion 31 and the output gear 311 rotate.

[0109] By doing so, the energy stored in the storage unit (the mainspring) is used to assist the driving force of the vehicle V.

[0110] When the wheel V2 passes through the uneven surface C as shown in Fig. 15 while there is a driving force on the wheel V2, the housing portion 23 rotates in the forward rotation direction in accordance with the rocking of the wheel V2 in the same procedure as when storing the rocking energy obtained by the vehicle V in the mainspring. In particular, as shown in Fig. 20(b), since a one-way clutch (not shown) is provided between the housing portion 23 and the output transmission shaft portion 221 (which is also the input transmission shaft portion 211), in a state where the driving force of the wheel V2 is present (i.e., a state where the drive shaft portion 31 is separated from the stopper 33), the output transmission shaft portion 221 also rotates in the forward rotation direction due to the rotation of the housing portion 23 in the forward rotation direction. Therefore, even in a state where the driving force of the wheel V2 is present, it is possible to assist the driving force of the vehicle V by using the energy obtained by the vehicle V.

[0111] When stopping the assistance of the driving force of the vehicle V (see Fig. 15) by the assist mechanism X, first, the user operates so that the wheel V2 (see Fig. 15) does not have a driving force in the forward direction. In the present embodiment, when the user does not row the pedal V4 of the vehicle V (see Fig. 15), the wheel V2 has no driving force and runs by inertia. When the vehicle V is a motorized bicycle, an automobile, or the like, the user can prevent the wheel V2 from having a driving force in the forward direction by not performing an accelerator operation.

[0112] Next, as shown in Fig. 21(a), the transmission member T changes from a tensioned state to a relaxed state, and the output gear 311 is not pulled by the transmission member T. The drive shaft portion 31 moves along the path formed by the rail portion 343 by gravity toward the lower end 343a (see Fig. 11) of the rail portion.

[0113] At this time, as shown in Fig. 21(b), when the drive shaft portion 31 moves, one end 341a side of the arm portion 341 is arranged in a direction approaching the stopper 33 by gravity.

[0114] Also, at this time, since the extended biasing means 344 biases the drive shaft portion 31 in a direction of abutting against the stopper 33, it is arranged in a direction of abutting against the stopper 33 on one end 341a side of the arm portion 341 into which the drive shaft portion 31 is inserted.

[0115] As a result, as shown in FIG. 19(b), the control gear 312 into which the drive shaft portion 31 is inserted prevents the main spring from loosening because it approaches and contacts the stopper 33.

[0116] By doing so, it becomes possible to stop the assistance of the driving force of the vehicle V by the assist mechanism X.

[0117] When recovering the energy related to the running that the vehicle V discards by deceleration or the like in the assist mechanism X, first, the user runs the vehicle V equipped with the assist mechanism X. At this time, as shown in FIG. 22, the rotation of the wheel V2 causes the second input transmission member 121 to move. By rotating the second input rotating member 122 by the operation of the second input transmission member 121, the input transmission shaft portion 211 rotates, and it becomes possible to wind the main spring of the assist mechanism main body 2.

[0118] By doing so, it becomes possible to store the energy of the rotational motion of the wheel V2 in the main spring.

[0119] <Effect> According to the present embodiment, it has a drive shaft portion 31 rotated by the output transmission portion 22, a stopper 33 that contacts the drive shaft portion 31 and controls the rotation of the drive shaft portion 31, and a separation means 34. The separation means 34 reduces the labor related to energy supply by separating the stopper 33 and the drive shaft portion 31 based on the driving force of the vehicle V acting forward, which is an external force, and it becomes possible to provide a user-friendly assist mechanism X.

[0120] Further, the transmission member T is in a tensioned state when there is a driving force of the vehicle V, and the separation means 34 separates the stopper 33 and the drive shaft portion 31 by the transmission member T in the tensioned state, so that it becomes possible to switch the assistance of the drive by the assist mechanism X by the energy of the driving force of the vehicle V.

[0121] Furthermore, by further providing a housing 4 that houses the assist mechanism main body 2, it becomes possible to prevent the assist mechanism main body 2 from being damaged by an external impact.

[0122] Also, the separation means 34 further includes a rail portion 343 into which the drive shaft portion 31 is inserted and has a lower end 343a and an upper end 343b. The housing 4 has a side surface portion 4a provided with the rail portion 343. The drive shaft portion 31 can move toward the upper end 343b by a driving force, so that in a state where there is no forward driving force as an external force, the drive shaft portion 31 can contact the stopper 33 due to gravity.

[0123] Also, since the rail portion 343 is provided on the side surface portion 4a and the partition portion 41, respectively, the drive shaft portion 31 is supported by the rail portion 343 provided on the side surface portion 4a and the partition portion 41, so that the drive shaft portion 31 can be more stably separated from or approach the stopper 33.

[0124] Also, the biasing means 344 biases the drive shaft portion 31 in a direction to contact the stopper 33, so that when there is no forward driving force by the vehicle V, the drive shaft portion 31 separated from the stopper 33 can be brought into contact with the stopper 33 again.

[0125] Also, the arm portion 341 rotates the drive shaft portion 31 upward about the shaft support portion 342 by a driving force, so that in a state where there is no forward driving force, the drive shaft portion 31 can contact the stopper 33 due to gravity.

[0126] Also, the housing portion 23 rotates about the support shaft portion 24 which is the input transmission shaft portion 211 in accordance with the rotational movement of the motion conversion means 111. Even when the drive shaft portion 31 is separated from the stopper 33 by the separation means 34, the drive shaft portion 31 can be rotated in accordance with the rotational movement of the motion conversion means 111.

[0127] In addition, there are at least two input units 1. The motion conversion means 111 of the first input unit 11 converts the energy obtained by the vehicle V into the rotational motion of the storage unit 23. The second input unit 12 converts the energy obtained by the vehicle V into the rotational motion of the support shaft portion 24 which is the input transmission shaft portion 211. The storage unit stores the rotational motion of the storage unit 23 and the rotational motion of the support shaft portion 24 as energy, so that it becomes possible to store two different kinetic energies obtained by the vehicle body V1 in the storage unit.

[0128] <Modified Example> Note that the various shapes, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above-described embodiment are merely examples, and can be variously changed based on design requirements and the like.

[0129] For example, the pinion P may be formed integrally with the storage unit 23, and the pinion P and the storage unit 23 may be rotated in accordance with the translational motion of the rack R.

[0130] By doing so, it becomes possible to store the energy obtained by the vehicle V in the storage unit more efficiently.

[0131] For example, the separation means 34 may further include switching means for switching to bring the stopper 33 into contact with or separate from the arm portion 341. Specifically, the switching means is provided with a lever and a wire connected to the lever. The wire is connected to the stopper 33 shown in FIG. 9 etc., and may be configured to separate the stopper 33 from the arm portion 341 by the tensile force of the lever. Note that in this case, the tensile force of the lever becomes the external force described above.

[0132] By doing so, it is possible to assist the driving force of the vehicle V at the timing desired by the user.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0133] X Assist Mechanism 1 Input Unit 11 First Input Unit 111 Motion Conversion Means 112 First rotation input section 112a First rotation input member 112b Second rotation input member 12 Second input section 121 Second input transmission member 122 Second input rotation member 2 Assist mechanism main body 21 Input transmission section 211 Input transmission shaft section 22 Output transmission section 221 Output transmission shaft section 23 Housing section 24 Support shaft section 3 Output section 31 Drive shaft section 311 Output gear 312 Control gear 32 Rotational output section 321 First rotational output member 322 Second rotational output member 33 Stopper 331 Protrusion 332 Stopper shaft support 333 Stopper biasing means 34 Spacing means 341 Arm section 341a One end 342 Shaft support 343 Rail section 343a Lower end 343b Upper end 344 Biasing means 344b Upper end 4 Housing 4a Side surface section 41 Partition section 42 Transmission member holder 43 Guard section 44 Notch C Concave-convex surface H Hinge P Pinion P1 First pinion P2 Second pinion R Rack R1 First rack R2 Second rack RH rack holder RH1 mounting hole i1 input shaft portion T transmission member V vehicle V1 vehicle body V2 wheel V3 suspension V4 pedal

Claims

1. An assist mechanism that is attached to a vehicle having wheels and a vehicle body, an assist mechanism main body; an input unit that inputs energy obtained by the vehicle to the assist mechanism main body; and an output unit that transmits drive of the assist mechanism main body to the vehicle, The input unit has a motion conversion means for converting the energy obtained by the vehicle into rotational motion, the assist mechanism body includes a storage unit that stores the rotational motion converted by the motion converting means as energy, an input transmission unit that transmits the rotational motion to the storage unit, and an output transmission unit that transmits the energy stored in the storage unit to the output unit, the output portion includes a drive shaft portion rotated by the output transmission portion, a stopper that contacts the drive shaft portion to control the rotation of the drive shaft portion, and a spacing means; The separating means separates the stopper and the drive shaft portion based on an external force, The output portion further includes a transmission member that connects the wheel and the drive shaft portion, The transmission member is in a tensioned state when the external force is applied, The spacing means is an assist mechanism that separates the stopper and the drive shaft portion by the transmission member in the tensioned state.

2. The assist mechanism according to claim 1 , further comprising a housing that houses the assist mechanism body.

3. the spacing means further includes a rail portion into which the drive shaft portion is inserted and having a lower end and an upper end; the housing has a side surface on which the rail portion is provided, The assist mechanism according to claim 2 , wherein the drive shaft portion is moved toward the upper end side by the external force.

4. The housing has a partition, The partition is disposed at a position facing the side surface, The assist mechanism according to claim 3 , wherein the rail portion is provided on each of the side portion and the partition portion.

5. The spacing means further includes a biasing means, The assist mechanism according to claim 2 , wherein the biasing means biases the drive shaft in a direction in which the drive shaft abuts against the stopper.

6. the spacing means includes an arm portion into which the drive shaft portion is inserted and a pivot support portion that pivotally supports the arm portion, The assist mechanism according to claim 2 , wherein the arm portion rotates the drive shaft portion upward about the shaft support portion by the external force.

7. The assist mechanism body further includes a storage portion that stores the storage portion and a support shaft portion that is connected to the drive shaft portion, The assist mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the housing portion rotates about the support shaft portion in response to the rotational motion of the motion conversion means.

8. An assist mechanism that is attached to a vehicle having wheels and a vehicle body, an assist mechanism main body; an input unit that inputs energy obtained by the vehicle to the assist mechanism main body; and an output unit that transmits drive of the assist mechanism main body to the vehicle, The input unit has a motion conversion means for converting the energy obtained by the vehicle into rotational motion, the assist mechanism body includes a storage unit that stores the rotational motion converted by the motion converting means as energy, an input transmission unit that transmits the rotational motion to the storage unit, and an output transmission unit that transmits the energy stored in the storage unit to the output unit, the output portion includes a drive shaft portion rotated by the output transmission portion, a stopper that contacts the drive shaft portion to control the rotation of the drive shaft portion, and a spacing means; The separating means separates the stopper and the drive shaft portion based on an external force, At least two of the input units are provided, The assist mechanism main body has a storage portion that stores the storage portion and a support shaft portion that is connected to the drive shaft portion, The motion conversion means of the first input section converts energy obtained by the vehicle into a rotational motion of the storage section, The second input portion converts the energy obtained by the vehicle into the rotational motion of the support shaft portion, The storage unit is an assist mechanism that stores the rotational motion of the housing unit and the rotational motion of the support shaft unit as energy.

9. A vehicle comprising the assist mechanism according to claim 1 or 8.

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