Crawler-type vehicle

Abstract

To provide a crawler type vehicle that is able to stably travel.SOLUTION: A crawler type vehicle 10 includes: an operation unit 20 operated by a driver D seated; a pair of traveling units 30 supporting the operation unit 20 by sandwiching the operation unit 20 from both sides; and a drive unit 40 mounted on the operation unit 20 and configured to drive traveling by the traveling units 30. Each traveling unit 30 includes: an annular main frame 311 formed in a size that allows the driver D to pass through and ride on the operation unit 20; a sub-frame 312 extending rearward from the main frame 311; a drive wheel 33 attached to the sub-frame 312 and configured to be driven by the drive unit 40; and a crawler 34 configured to circle around outer peripheral portions of the drive wheel 33 and the main frame 311, with a ground contact section L provided between the drive wheel 33 and the main frame 311.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a crawler-type vehicle in which a crawler travels around the circumference of an annular main frame.

Background Art

[0002] In a vehicle having an annular main frame, for example, the conventional vehicles described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are known, in which a driver rides through the main frame or drives while being located inside the main frame.

[0003] The amphibious unicycle described in Patent Document 1 includes an annular case having a chamber, doors for sealing the openings on both sides of the annular case are rotatably connected to the annular case, externally rotator motors are respectively provided annularly on the annular case, and a power system for driving the operation of the unicycle is provided in the chamber.

[0004] The unicycle vehicle described in Patent Document 2 includes a wheel outer edge having a tire, a frame rotatably attached inside the wheel outer edge and supporting a seat, and moving means and braking means configured to propel the vehicle.

[0005] Among the wheels of the unicycle described in Patent Document 3, a vehicle driven by a person determines the size of the rim according to the height of the user, attaches a tire, makes the frame body contact the rim apex via a bearing, sandwiches the rim protrusion with rollers from the left and right as anti-disengagement, provides this at two locations and integrates it with the wheel, fixes a handlebar, grips, saddle, pedals, cranks, and front gears to the frame body, hangs a chain on the rear gear meshed with the teeth for the rear gear of the frame body on the parallel-connected gears and the front gear, and when the pedals are stepped on, the rim rotates and the vehicle travels.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-527133 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-535044 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-151182 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0007] However, in the amphibious unicycle described in Patent Document 1, it runs by a pair of externally mounted rotors arranged side by side. Therefore, when the externally mounted rotor rides over an obstacle such as a step, the anti-slip wheel provided at the lower end of the support frame touches the ground for support, but there is a risk of instability.

[0008] Also, in the unicycle vehicle described in Patent Document 2, it runs by a pair of auxiliary wheels attached on both sides sandwiching a tire attached to the frame at the center. Therefore, when the unicycle vehicle rides over a step, the large-diameter tire can ride over it, but the small-diameter auxiliary wheels may not be able to ride over it, resulting in a risk of instability.

[0009] Furthermore, in the unicycle described in Patent Document 3, the braking rubber wheel protrudes forward for braking. Therefore, when the unicycle vehicle rides over a step, the braking rubber wheel may first come into contact with the step, resulting in a risk of instability.

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a crawler-type vehicle that can run stably. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0011] The crawler-type vehicle of the present invention includes an operation unit on which a driver sits and drives, a pair of traveling units that sandwich and support the operation unit on both sides of the operation unit, and a drive unit that is mounted on the operation unit and drives the traveling by the traveling units. The traveling unit includes an annular frame formed in a size that allows a driver to pass through and board the operation unit, a drive wheel attached to the rear portion of the frame and driven by the drive unit, and a crawler that circulates around the drive wheel and the outer peripheral portion of the frame with a predetermined range between the drive wheel and the bottom of the frame as a grounding section.

[0012] According to the crawler-type vehicle of the present invention, when the driver sits on the operation unit and drives, a pair of traveling units that sandwich and support the operation unit on both sides are driven by a drive unit mounted on the operation unit and travel. A drive wheel driven by the drive unit is attached to the rear portion of the annular frame formed in a size that allows a driver to pass through and board the operation unit. And with a predetermined range between the drive wheel and the bottom of the frame as a grounding section, the crawler circulates around the drive wheel and the outer peripheral portion of the frame. Therefore, the crawler can overcome obstacles and steps. In addition, since the grounding section is between the drive wheel separated from the frame and the frame, the grounding length of the crawler can be increased.

[0013] A predetermined number of guide wheels for guiding the circulation of the crawler wound around the drive wheel may be arranged between the peripheral surface of the frame and the crawler. Since a predetermined number of guide wheels are arranged, the crawler circulates in a state separated from the frame. Therefore, even if there are steps or small objects in front, the crawler bends and deforms toward the frame side, so it can be easily overcome.

[0014] The first guide wheel provided at the lower end of the frame may be formed to have a larger diameter than the second guide wheel provided at other positions of the frame. The operating unit and the traveling unit can be supported by the first guide wheel having a larger diameter than the second guide wheel, and can be strengthened against loads, so that stable traveling can be achieved.

[0015] A predetermined number of the second guide wheels can be provided between the first guide wheel and the drive wheel. By doing so, the crawler in the contact area can be stably grounded, so that the drive by the crawler can be reliably transmitted to the ground.

[0016] The second guide wheel can be formed such that its height can be adjusted in the outer circumferential direction. By adjusting the height of the second guide wheel, the tension of the crawler can be adjusted.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] The present invention can overcome obstacles and steps by the crawler, and can increase the ground contact length of the crawler, so that stable traveling can be achieved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] (Embodiment 1) The crawler-type vehicle according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the crawler-type vehicle 10 includes an operation unit 20 on which a driver D sits and drives, a pair of traveling units 30 that sandwich and support the operation unit 20 on both sides of the operation unit 20, and a drive unit 40 that is mounted on the operation unit 20 and drives the traveling by the traveling units 30.

[0020] The operation unit 20 includes a base plate 21 connected to the pair of traveling units 30, a saddle portion 22 provided on the base plate 21, and an operation unit 23 for the driver D to operate forward, backward, and turning.

[0021] The base plate 21 is formed in a rectangular shape, and both front and rear ends in the front-rear direction are connected to the traveling unit 30 (main frame 311 described later) by screwing. The saddle portion 22 includes a saddle body 221 on which the driver D sits, and a post 222 erected from the base plate 21 to support the saddle body 221. The operation unit 23 includes an operation panel 231 provided with a pair of levers 231a and 231b for operating the pair of traveling units 30, and a post 232 erected from the base plate 21 to support the operation panel 231.

[0022] The traveling unit 30 includes a frame 31 formed in an annular shape, a drive wheel 33 attached to the frame 31 and driven by the drive unit 40, and a crawler 34 that circulates around the outer peripheral portion of the drive wheel 33 and the frame 31 with a predetermined range between the drive wheel 33 and the bottom of the frame 31 as a grounding section L.

[0023] The frame 31 includes a circular main frame 311 and a sub-frame 312 extending rearward from the main frame 311. Therefore, the grounding section L is between the drive wheel 33 and the bottom of the main frame 311. In the present embodiment, the main frame 31 is formed in a size that allows the driver D to pass through and get on or off the vehicle. For example, the inner diameter is formed to be about 1.2 m.

[0024] The sub-frame 312 is formed by two flat plate members (bar-shaped members). One end 312a is connected to the main frame 311, and the other ends 312b are connected to each other and are rotatably connected to the rotation axis of the drive wheel 33, thereby forming a V shape.

[0025] The drive wheel 33 is formed to have a smaller diameter than the main frame 311. A sprocket 33a is provided coaxially on the drive wheel 33. A chain 41 from the drive unit 40 is wound around this sprocket 33a. The axles 33b of the drive wheels 33 shown in FIG. 2 are connected by a joint portion 33c. The joint portion 33c integrally connects the axles 33b to enhance the rigidity as a single axle, while preventing the rotation of the axles 33b from being transmitted.

[0026] The crawler 34 is a belt wound around the drive wheel 33 and the guide wheel 35 and circulating. The crawler 34 can be made of highly wear-resistant rubber.

[0027] Between the peripheral surface of the main frame 311 and the crawler 34, a predetermined number of guide wheels 35 for guiding the crawler 34 wound around the drive wheel 33 are arranged around the main frame 311 from the rear obliquely upward to the position that turns around the front part and becomes the lower part. The guide wheel 35 includes a large-diameter first guide wheel 351 located at the lower end of the main frame 311 and a second guide wheel 352 having a smaller diameter than the first guide wheel 351.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the first guide wheel 351 is fitted into a through hole 311a formed along the circumferential direction of the main frame 311, and the axle 351a is rotatably attached to the main frame 311. As shown in Fig. 1, eight second guide wheels 352 are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the main frame 311. The second guide wheels 352 are attached by fixing the top plate to the main frame 311. The second guide wheels 352 are rotatably attached to the axles of the wheels between the tips of a pair of forks, and thus the wheels rotate. The second guide wheels 352 are formed so that their height can be adjusted in the outer peripheral direction. Thereby, the tension of the crawler 34 can be adjusted.

[0029] The drive unit 40 includes a chain 41 wound around the drive wheel 33 described above on one side, a motor 42 around which the other side of the chain 41 is wound around a rotating shaft, and a battery 43 that powers the motor 42. The motor 42 and the battery 43 are housed in a case 44 fixed to the base plate 21, and the chain 41 extends from a through hole formed in the rear wall surface of the case 44 to the drive wheel 33.

[0030] The operation and usage state of the crawler vehicle 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the driver D gets on the crawler vehicle 10. When the driver D gets on, the driver approaches from the side of the crawler vehicle 10, passes through the inside of the main frame 311, gets on the base plate 21, and sits on the saddle portion 22.

[0031] When the driver D gets on from the front, the operation unit 23 gets in the way, and when getting on from the rear, the drive wheels 33 and the drive unit 40 get in the way. However, since the main frame 311 is formed to a size that allows the driver D to pass through, the driver can easily get on from the side.

[0032] When moving forward, the driver D tilts both of the pair of levers 231a and 231b of the operation unit 23 forward. By doing so, the motors 42 rotate, and the chains 41 circulate. When the chains 41 circulate, the drive wheels 33 rotate. By the rotation of the drive wheels 33, the crawlers 34 are guided by the guide wheels 35 and circulate.

[0033] With the contact section L between the drive wheel 33 and the main frame 311, the crawler 34 between the drive wheel 33 and the first guide wheel 351 is in contact with the ground and rotates, causing the crawler vehicle 10 to move forward. The first guide wheel 351 is provided on the main frame 311, and the drive wheel 33 is provided on a sub-frame 312 that extends rearward from the main frame 311 and is separated from the first guide wheel 351. Therefore, since the long sections of the pair of crawlers 34 are in contact with the ground, the crawler vehicle 10 can travel in a stable state if the traveling road is a flat road. Also, even if there are steps or obstacles ahead, the crawler 34 located diagonally downward in front of the main frame 311 can travel while climbing over the steps or obstacles.

[0034] At the front of the crawler vehicle 10, the crawler 34 rotates while being separated from the main frame 311 by the second guide wheel 352. Therefore, even if there are steps or small objects ahead, the crawler 34 can elastically deform toward the main frame 311 side and can easily climb over them.

[0035] Also, among the guide wheels 35, the first guide wheel 351 is formed with a larger diameter than the second guide wheel 352 provided at another position on the main frame 311. Therefore, the operation unit 20 and the traveling unit 30 can be supported by the first guide wheel 351 having a larger diameter than the second guide wheel 352, and can be strengthened against the load, so that the vehicle can travel stably.

[0036] Next, the driver D tilts both of the pair of levers 231a and 231b of the operation unit 23 backward. By doing so, the motors 42, 42 reverse, and the chains 41, 41 rotate in the reverse direction. Therefore, since the drive wheels 33, 33 reverse, the crawlers 34, 34 reverse, so that the crawler vehicle 10 can be reversed.

[0037] Also, the driver D tilts one lever 231a of the operation unit 23 forward and the other lever 231b backward. By doing so, one crawler 34 (the crawler 34 on the right side with respect to the operation unit 20) rotates forward, and the other crawler 34 (the crawler 34 on the left side with respect to the operation unit 20) rotates backward. Therefore, the crawler vehicle 10 can turn on the spot.

[0038] In this embodiment, a motor 42 corresponding to each driving wheel 33 is used as the drive source. However, for example, an engine that drives by burning fuel may also be used. In that case, it is possible by providing a transmission for changing the rotational speed of the engine and a differential device for absorbing the rotational difference between the inner driving wheel 33 and the outer driving wheel 33 while transmitting the drive from the transmission to the driving wheels 33, 33.

[0039] Also, in the first embodiment, the crawler 34 is guided around the main frame 311 by the guide wheel 35. However, if the crawler 34 can rotate around the outer peripheral surface of the main frame 311 with low friction, the guide wheel 35 can be omitted.

[0040] (Embodiment 2) The crawler vehicle according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIGS. 4 and 5, components having the same configuration as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted. The crawler vehicle 11 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 has an annular frame 36 in the traveling unit 30. The frame 36 is formed in a water droplet shape by a rear frame 361 whose distance gradually widens from the center of the driving wheel 33 forward, and a front frame 362 that is connected to the tips of the rear frame 361 and is formed in an arc shape that bulges forward.

[0041] In the second embodiment, a predetermined range from the rear end portion of the frame 36 where the driving wheel 33 is provided to the tip portion of the bottom of the frame 36 is defined as the grounding section L. The frame 36 is provided with a second guide wheel 352, similar to the first embodiment. However, in the second embodiment, a predetermined number of second guide wheels 352 are also provided in the contact area L of the crawler 34 between the first guide wheel 351 and the drive wheel 33. In the second embodiment of the present invention, three second guide wheels 352 are provided in the contact area L. Therefore, the crawler 34 in the contact area L can be stably grounded, so that the driving force by the crawler 34 can be reliably transmitted to the ground.

[0042] Among the second guide wheels 352, the second guide wheel 352 located at the upper rear end of the frame 36 is formed so that its height can be adjusted in the outer circumferential direction. Thereby, even in the crawler-type vehicle 11 according to the second embodiment, the tension of the crawler 34 can be adjusted.

[0043] Further, the crawler-type vehicle 11 has an operation unit 24. The operation unit 24 includes a base portion 241, a switch portion 242, a handle portion 243, and an accelerator pedal 244. The front portion 241a of the base portion 241 is formed in an arc surface shape along the front frame 362 with an arc shape at the front portion 21a of the base plate 21. The switch portion 242 and the handle portion 243 are provided on the top surface portion 241b of the base portion 241. The switch portion 242 includes a main switch 242a for turning on or off all the power supplies of the crawler-type vehicle 11, and a direction change switch 242b for switching between forward and reverse.

[0044] The handle portion 243 has gripping portions 243a and 243b extending in the left-right direction from a rotating shaft 243c. By rotating either one of the gripping portions 243a and 243b forward, the circumferential speed of one crawler 34 increases according to the rotation angle, and the circumferential speed of the other crawler 34 decreases. The accelerator pedal 244 transmits the depressed state to the drive unit 40, and the circumferential speed of the crawler 34 is adjusted.

[0045] Next, the operation and usage state of the crawler-type vehicle 11 will be described with reference to the drawings. When driving the crawler vehicle 11, the driver D gets on from the side of the crawler vehicle 11, sits on the saddle part 22, sets the direction change switch 242b to the forward state, and enables the main switch 242a. By doing so, the drive unit 40 is energized. Next, when driving straight ahead, first, the driver steps on the accelerator pedal 244 with the gripping parts 243a and 243b of the steering wheel part 243 in a parallel state in the left - right direction. By doing so, the drive unit 40 drives the drive wheels 33, causing the crawlers 34 to rotate. At this time, since the pair of crawlers 34 rotate at the same speed, the crawler vehicle 11 moves straight ahead.

[0046] Next, when turning right, the driver D pushes the gripping part 243b located on the left side of the steering wheel part 243 forward, causing the gripping part 243a located on the right side to move backward. Then, the drive unit 40 increases the rotation of the left - hand motor 42 and decreases the rotation of the right - hand motor 42. Therefore, the rotation of the left - hand crawler 34 speeds up and the rotation of the right - hand crawler 34 slows down, so the crawler vehicle 11 turns to the right. When turning left, the driver D pushes the gripping part 243a located on the right side of the steering wheel part 243 forward. Similar to the right - turn case, the crawler vehicle 11 turns to the left.

[0047] When stopping, if the accelerator pedal 244 is returned to its original state, the current to the motor 42 stops flowing, so the crawler vehicle 11 comes to a stop.

[0048] When reversing, the direction change switch 242b is switched from forward to reverse. By doing so, the current to the motor 42 is switched to flow in the reverse direction. Therefore, if the accelerator pedal 244 is stepped on, the crawlers 34 reverse, so the crawler vehicle 11 reverses. When turning to the rear right, by lowering the gripping portion 243a located on the right side of the handle portion 243 rearward, the gripping portion 243b located on the left side moves forward. Then, the drive unit 40 raises the rotation of the left motor 42 and lowers the rotation of the right motor 42. Therefore, the reverse rotation of the left crawler 34 speeds up and the reverse rotation of the right crawler 34 slows down, so the crawler vehicle 11 turns to the rear right.

[0049] When turning to the rear left, by lowering the gripping portion 243b located on the left side of the handle portion 243 rearward, the gripping portion 243a located on the right side moves forward. Since the subsequent operations are the same as when turning to the rear right, they are omitted.

[0050] Even if the frame 36 is formed in a water droplet shape by the rear frame 361 and the front frame 362 in this way, the driver D can pass through the frame 36 and board the operation unit 20. In addition, the crawler vehicle 11 can overcome obstacles and steps by the crawlers 34. Furthermore, since the area between a predetermined range of the drive wheels and the bottom of the frame is set as the grounding area, the grounding length of the crawlers can be increased.

Industrial Applicability

[0051] The crawler vehicle of the present invention is suitable for traveling not only on paved roads but also on unpaved roads. Moreover, it is suitable not only for traveling on general roads but also for traveling on snow as a snowmobile or for use as an attraction in a play facility.

Explanation of Signs

[0052] 10, 11 Crawler vehicle 20 Operation unit 21 Base plate 21a Front part 22 Saddle part 221 Saddle body 222 Post 23 Operation part 231 Operation panel Lever 231a, 231b Post 232 Operation unit 24 Base 241 Front part 241a Top surface 241b Switch section 242 Main switch 242a Direction change switch 242b Handle section 243 Grip parts 243a, 243b Rotating shaft 243c Accelerator pedal 244 Travel unit 30 Frame 31 Main frame 311 Through hole 311a Sub-frame 312 One end 312a The other end 312b Drive wheel 33 Sprocket 33a Axle 33b Joint part 33c Crawler 34 Guide wheel 35 First guide wheel 351 Axle 351a Second guide wheel 352 Frame 36 Rear frame 361 Front frame 362 Rear end 36a Bottom 36b Tip 36c Drive unit 40 Chain 41 Motor 42 Battery 43 Case 44 Driver D Grounding section L

Claims

**Claim 1**: An operation unit having an operation part that receives operations by a driver, an operation unit on which the driver sits and drives, a pair of traveling units provided on both the left and right sides of the operation unit and supporting the operation unit, and a drive part mounted on the operation unit and having a drive source for driving the traveling units. The traveling unit includes a frame that forms an annular shape in a side view and has an inner peripheral space as an entry / exit part for the driver with respect to the operation unit, a drive wheel attached to the rear part of the frame and driven by receiving the transmission of power from the drive source by the operation of the operation part, a guide wheel located below the operation unit and provided at the lower end of the frame, and a crawler that circulates around the outer peripheral side of the drive wheel and the frame with a portion between the drive wheel and the guide wheel as a grounding section. A crawler-type vehicle. **Claim 2** The crawler-type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of second guide wheels attached to the frame and guiding the circulation of the crawler are arranged between the frame and the crawler. **Claim 3** The crawler-type vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the guide wheel is formed to have a larger diameter than the second guide wheel. **Claim 4** The crawler-type vehicle according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein a predetermined number of second guide wheels are provided between the guide wheel and the drive wheel.

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