Utility Vehicle

Abstract

To provide a utility vehicle having a structure which forbids a vehicle speed limitation set by a specific person from being changed by a person other than the specific person.SOLUTION: A utility vehicle includes: travel devices 11, 12 which support a travel vehicle body on the ground; a power unit mounted on the travel vehicle body; a power transmission device 20 which transmits power from the power unit to the travel devices 11, 12 as travel power; a speed change operation tool 18 which changes a vehicle speed which is a speed of the travel power; a vehicle speed limitation operation tool 34 which sets an upper limit value of the vehicle speed; and a vehicle speed limitation forbidding unit 35 which forbids an operation to the vehicle speed limitation operation tool.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a utility vehicle equipped with a vehicle speed limiting device. [Background technology]

[0002] Because utility vehicles travel not only on roads but also off-road, it is important to drive within an appropriate vehicle speed range depending on the driver's skill and driving purpose. Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle equipped with a system that allows vehicle parameters such as vehicle speed and engine speed to be set for each driver. When a transmitter built into an ignition key or the like transmits an identification code to a system controller, the vehicle parameters corresponding to the identification code are set. For example, when a vehicle is driven using a specific ignition key, the vehicle is limited to a speed determined by the ignition key.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a vehicle in which the maximum speed is limited in relation to the driver's skill level. This limited maximum speed can be modified by the driver. Furthermore, if a GPS device detects that the vehicle is located outside or inside a predetermined area, the engine is stopped or the vehicle speed is limited. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 7,822,514 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2021 / 0206263 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the vehicles disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the vehicle speed is limited automatically or by the driver's operation. However, no mechanism is considered for prohibiting the vehicle speed limited by a specific person, such as a vehicle manager, from being changed by anyone other than the specific person. In view of this situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a utility vehicle having a structure that prohibits the vehicle speed limit set by a specific person from being changed by anyone other than the specific person. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The utility vehicle according to the present invention comprises a traveling body, a traveling device that supports the traveling body on the ground, a power unit mounted on the traveling body, a power transmission device that transmits power from the power unit to the traveling device as traveling power, a speed change operating device that changes the vehicle speed, which is the speed of the traveling power, a vehicle speed limit operating device that sets an upper limit value of the vehicle speed, and an operation device for operating the vehicle speed limit operating device. Prohibited a vehicle speed limiting operation prohibition unit that prohibits the vehicle speed limiting operation from being stopped; The vehicle speed limit operation prohibition unit is configured as an attachment / detachment mechanism for attaching / detaching the vehicle speed limit operation tool to / from a member constituting the traveling vehicle body, and the upper limit value of the vehicle speed last set by the vehicle speed limit operation tool is maintained so as to be valid even after the vehicle speed limit operation tool is detached from the traveling vehicle body. .

[0007] According to this configuration, the upper limit vehicle speed, which is the upper limit value of the vehicle speed, can be set by operating the speed limit operating device, but operation of this speed limit operating device can be prohibited by the speed limit operation prohibition unit. Therefore, if a specific person sets the upper limit vehicle speed and does not want anyone other than the specific person to change the set upper limit vehicle speed, the specific person can use the speed limit operation prohibition unit to prohibit the operation of changing the upper limit vehicle speed using the speed limit operating device. Furthermore, if it is okay for anyone other than the specific person to change the set upper limit vehicle speed, by keeping the speed limit operation prohibition unit in a speed operation permitted state, anyone other than the specific person can change the upper limit vehicle speed using the speed limit operating device.

[0008] In the present invention, the vehicle speed limit operation prohibition unit can be configured as an attachment / detachment mechanism for attaching / detaching the vehicle speed limit operation tool to / from a member constituting the traveling vehicle body. In this configuration, after a specific person sets the upper limit vehicle speed, the vehicle speed limit operation tool can be detached from the traveling vehicle body using the attachment / detachment mechanism of the vehicle speed limit operation prohibition unit. In other words, since the vehicle speed limit operation tool used to set and change the upper limit vehicle speed is removed from the traveling vehicle body, it becomes impossible to change the upper limit vehicle speed using the vehicle speed limit operation tool. In this form, when the vehicle speed limit operation prohibition unit is attached to a member constituting the traveling vehicle body, the vehicle speed limit operation prohibition unit is in a vehicle speed operation permitted state, and when the vehicle speed limit operation prohibition unit is detached from the member constituting the traveling vehicle body, the vehicle speed limit operation prohibition unit is in a vehicle speed operation prohibited state.

[0009] In the present invention, a vehicle speed limit display unit is provided that shows the upper limit set by the vehicle speed limit operating device, and the vehicle speed limit display unit is retained on the vehicle body even after the vehicle speed limit operating device is detached from the vehicle body. With this configuration, not only does the vehicle speed limit display unit make it easy to set the upper limit vehicle speed using the vehicle speed limit operating device, but even if the vehicle speed limit operating device is detached from the vehicle body, the vehicle speed limit display unit still displays the upper limit vehicle speed that is set at that time, which is convenient because the driver can easily know the upper limit vehicle speed.

[0010] The upper speed limit display unit may be a display device that is electronically controlled in response to the operation of the speed limit operating tool, but a configuration that has an upper speed limit pointer that is mechanically linked to the operation of the speed limit operating tool is more cost-effective. Such a configuration is also highly resistant to vibrations and wind and rain, making it advantageous for off-road vehicles, etc.

[0011] The vehicle speed limiting operation device may be a dial-operated or slide-operated device, but from the standpoint of operability and space saving, it is preferable that the vehicle speed limiting operation device be a dial-operated operation device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a utility vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a utility vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the operation panel and its surroundings in the driving section. [Figure 4] 3 is a schematic diagram showing an auxiliary speed change lever, a vehicle speed limiting operation tool, and a vehicle speed limiting operation prohibiting unit; FIG. [Figure 5] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a vehicle speed limiting operation tool and a vehicle speed limiting operation prohibiting unit. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a control system of the utility vehicle. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing a control system of a utility vehicle according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In this specification, unless otherwise specified, "front" means forward in the longitudinal direction (traveling direction) of the aircraft, and "rear" means rearward in the longitudinal direction (traveling direction) of the aircraft. Furthermore, left-right or lateral direction means the transverse direction (width direction) of the aircraft that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the aircraft. "Up" or "down" refers to the positional relationship in the vertical direction (perpendicular direction) of the aircraft, and indicates the positional relationship based on the height above the ground.

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. An example of a utility vehicle shown in Figures 1 and 2 is configured as a vehicle that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as transporting loads and recreation. Utility vehicles according to the present invention also include all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), buggies, off-road vehicles, agricultural vehicles, and civil engineering vehicles.

[0015] The illustrated utility vehicle is equipped with a pair of left and right front wheels 11 that can be driven and steered, and a pair of left and right rear wheels 12 that can be driven, as running gear. The running body 1 is capable of running using the pair of left and right front wheels 11 and the pair of left and right rear wheels 12. A driving section 13 where a driver sits and operates the vehicle is provided in the center of the running body 1. A loading platform 14 that can carry cargo is provided in the rear of the running body 1. A power unit 2 is mounted on the running body 1 in an area below the loading platform 14 on the running body 1. The running body 1 is also equipped with a power transmission device 20 that transmits power from the power unit 2 to the running gear as running power.

[0016] The driver's section 13 is surrounded and protected by a frame-shaped ROPS frame 15. The driver's section 13 is provided with a driver's seat 16 where the operator sits. In addition, in front of the driver's seat 16 in the driver's section 13, there are provided a front panel 3 on which various operating tools and display devices are mounted, and a steering wheel 17 for steering the left and right front wheels 11. An accelerator pedal serving as a gear change operating tool 18 is provided on the floor located below the steering wheel 17.

[0017] In this embodiment, the power unit 2 is configured with an electric motor 2m as its core component, but in another embodiment, a power unit 2 may be adopted that is configured with an internal combustion engine 2e (see Figure 7) such as a gasoline engine as its core component.

[0018] 2, the power transmission device 20 to which power is input from the power unit 2 includes a gear transmission mechanism 21, a rear wheel differential mechanism 22, a front wheel differential mechanism 23, etc. The gear transmission mechanism 21 in this embodiment includes an auxiliary transmission device 24 that can select between a high speed and a low speed using a high / low speed change clutch.

[0019] 3, the front panel 3 is mounted with a meter panel 31 having a liquid crystal panel and LED lamps, an auxiliary gearshift lever 32 for switching the gear position of the auxiliary transmission 24, a vehicle speed limiting operation device 34, etc. The auxiliary gearshift lever 32 is displaceable along a substantially H-shaped gearshift operation path 33 formed on the front panel 3.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, the four path ends of the gearshift operation path 33 are used as a forward low-speed position 33a, a forward high-speed position 33b, a reverse low-speed position 33c, and a reverse high-speed position 33d. The intermediate position between the forward low-speed position 33a and the forward high-speed position 33b is a forward neutral position, and the intermediate position between the reverse low-speed position 33c and the reverse high-speed position 33d is a reverse neutral position, with the forward neutral position and the reverse neutral position being connected by a lateral operation path. In other words, in this embodiment, the auxiliary gearshift lever 32 is also used as a forward / reverse selector lever that switches between forward and reverse. Of course, in another embodiment, the forward / reverse selector lever and the auxiliary gearshift lever 32 can be configured separately.

[0021] In this embodiment, the vehicle speed limit operation device 34, which sets the upper limit of the vehicle speed, is configured as a circular dial-type operation device. As schematically shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the vehicle speed limit operation device 34 is fixed to a vehicle speed limit operation prohibition unit 35, which is detachably attached to the front panel 3, which is a component of the traveling vehicle body 1. In other words, the vehicle speed limit operation device 34 is indirectly attached to the front panel 3 via the vehicle speed limit operation prohibition unit 35. A corresponding portion of the front panel 3 that makes the vehicle speed limit operation prohibition unit 35 detachable is formed in a socket shape to receive the vehicle speed limit operation prohibition unit 35. Furthermore, the vehicle speed limit operation prohibition unit 35 functions as an attachment / detachment mechanism for the front panel 3 so that the vehicle speed limit operation prohibition unit 35 can be attached and detached integrally with the vehicle speed limit operation device 34 to a component (front panel 3) that constitutes the traveling vehicle body 1. The vehicle speed limit operation prohibition unit 35 has an engagement portion that detachably engages with the front panel 3 so that the vehicle speed limit operation prohibition unit 35 attached to the front panel 3 is securely fixed.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 4, an arc-shaped vehicle speed upper limit display unit 36 ​​is provided around the vehicle speed limit operation device 34. An arc-shaped scale indicating the vehicle speed is formed on the vehicle speed upper limit display unit 36, and above this arc-shaped scale is provided a vehicle speed upper limit pointer 37 that is mechanically linked to the operation of the vehicle speed limit operation device 34. The interlocking link that interlocks the vehicle speed limit operation device 34 and the vehicle speed upper limit pointer 37 is made up of two members so that they can be separated when the vehicle speed limit operation prohibition unit 35 is removed.

[0023] 6 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a gear change control system for a utility vehicle. This gear change control system includes a power control unit 4 and a gear change control unit 5. In this embodiment, the power control unit 4 is configured as a motor control unit, and based on a power control command (motor speed command) from the gear change control unit 5, it provides a power control signal to an inverter (not shown) to control the speed of the electric motor 2m.

[0024] The gear shift control unit 5 includes an input / output processing unit 50, a power management unit 51, a gear shift management unit 52, and a vehicle speed limit management unit 53. The input / output processing unit 50 receives as input a vehicle speed limit command based on the amount of operation of the vehicle speed limit operating device 34 and a gear shift command (vehicle speed command) based on the amount of operation of the gear shift operating device 18, and provides these to the various functional units of the gear shift control unit 5. The vehicle speed limit command is sent from an operation detector 35a that is incorporated in the vehicle speed limit operation prohibition unit 35 and detects the amount of operation of the vehicle speed limit operating device 34. The input / output processing unit 50 also provides the gear shift control signal and power control command generated by the various functional units of the gear shift control unit 5 to the power control unit 4.

[0025] The power management section 51 generates a power control command based on a gear change command via the gear change operating device 18, a command related to the rotational speed of the electric motor 2m from the gear change management section 52, and the like, and gives the generated power control command to the power control unit 4. The gear change management section 52 calculates the rotational speed of the electric motor 2m and the gear ratio of the power transmission device 20 from the calculated target vehicle speed based on the gear change command, and gives the power management section 51 a command related to the rotational speed of the electric motor 2m and gives the power transmission device 20 a gear change control command.

[0026] The vehicle speed limit management unit 53 generates a vehicle speed limit command based on the vehicle speed control command generated by the operation detector 35a through operation on the vehicle speed limit operating device 34, and provides the generated vehicle speed limit command to the shift management unit 52. The vehicle speed limit management unit 53 has a function of recording the input vehicle speed limit command (vehicle speed limit). When a new vehicle speed limit command is input, the previous recorded vehicle speed limit command is overwritten with the newly input vehicle speed limit command.

[0027] By removing the vehicle speed limit operation prohibition unit 35 from the front panel 3, the vehicle speed limit operation device 34 is also removed from the front panel 3. This makes it impossible to rewrite the vehicle speed control command using the vehicle speed limit operation device 34, and the vehicle speed limit command based on the vehicle speed control command (vehicle speed limit) recorded at that time is maintained. In order to rewrite the vehicle speed control command and generate a new vehicle speed limit command, it is necessary to attach the vehicle speed limit operation prohibition unit 35 together with the vehicle speed limit operation device 34 to the front panel 3, operate the vehicle speed limit operation device 34, and send the new vehicle speed limit command to the vehicle speed limit management unit 53.

[0028] [Another embodiment] (1) In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle speed limiting operation device 34 and the vehicle speed limiting operation prohibition unit 35 are disposed on the front panel 3, but they may be disposed in other locations, such as the steering wheel 17 or the driver's seat 16. Also, the operation detector 35a that detects the amount of operation of the vehicle speed limiting operation device 34 may be configured to remain on the traveling vehicle body 1. Furthermore, the operation detector 35a may be connected to the transmission control unit 5 wirelessly rather than by wire.

[0029] (2) In the above-described embodiment, an electric motor 2m is used as the power unit 2. However, as shown in FIG. 7, an internal combustion engine 2e may also be used. In this case, the power control unit 4 is configured as a well-known engine control unit. Unlike the electric motor 2m, the internal combustion engine 2e is unable to switch its rotation direction, and its efficient rotation speed range is not as wide as that of the electric motor 2m. For this reason, the power transmission device 20 is provided with a continuously variable transmission 25 or a multi-speed transmission, and the gear transmission mechanism 21 is provided with a forward / reverse switching device.

[0030] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle speed limiting operation device 34 and the vehicle speed limiting operation prohibition unit 35 are configured as separate entities, but the vehicle speed limiting operation device 34 and the vehicle speed limiting operation prohibition unit 35 may also be configured as an integrated entity.

[0031] (4) In the above-described embodiment, the traveling device is configured with a pair of left and right front wheels 11 and a pair of left and right rear wheels 12, but it may also be configured with a three-wheel type or a two-wheel type.

[0032] The configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies below) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradiction arises. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are examples, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope that does not deviate from the purpose of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0033] The present invention is applicable to utility vehicles in general in a broad sense. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1: Running vehicle 2: Power unit 2e: Internal combustion engine 2m: Electric motor 4: Power control unit 17: Steering wheel 18: Gear shifting device 20: Power transmission device 21: Gear transmission mechanism 22: Rear wheel differential mechanism 23: Front wheel differential mechanism 24: Sub-transmission device 25: Continuously variable transmission 32: Sub-gear lever 33: Gear shift operation path 33a: Forward low speed position 33b: Forward high speed position 33c: Reverse low speed position 33d: Reverse high speed position 34: Speed ​​limiter 35: Speed ​​limit operation prohibition unit 35a: Operation detector 36: Upper speed limit display 37: Upper speed limit indicator 5: Transmission control unit 50: Input / output processing section 51: Power management department 52: Gear shift control section 53: Vehicle Speed ​​Limit Management Department

Claims

1. A running vehicle body, a traveling device that supports the traveling vehicle body on the ground; a power unit mounted on the traveling vehicle body; a power transmission device that transmits power from the power unit to the traveling device as traveling power; a speed change operation device for changing a vehicle speed, which is the speed of the driving power; a vehicle speed limiting operation tool for setting an upper limit value of the vehicle speed; a vehicle speed limiting operation prohibition unit that prohibits operation of the vehicle speed limiting operation tool, the vehicle speed limiting operation prohibition unit is configured as an attachment / detachment mechanism that attaches / detaches the vehicle speed limiting operation tool to / from a member that constitutes the traveling vehicle body, A utility vehicle in which the upper limit value of the vehicle speed last set by the vehicle speed limiting device is maintained so as to remain valid even after the vehicle speed limiting device is removed from the traveling vehicle body.

2. A utility vehicle as described in claim 1, in which a vehicle speed limit command is generated based on a vehicle speed control command generated through operation of the vehicle speed limit operating device, the vehicle speed limit command is recorded, and when a new vehicle speed limit command is input, the previous recorded vehicle speed limit command is overwritten with the newly input vehicle speed limit command.

3. A utility vehicle as described in claim 1, which is provided with a vehicle speed upper limit value display unit that shows the upper limit value set by the vehicle speed limit operating device, and the vehicle speed upper limit value display unit is retained on the vehicle body even after the vehicle speed limit operating device is removed from the vehicle body.

4. 4. The utility vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the vehicle speed upper limit display unit has a vehicle speed upper limit pointer that is mechanically linked to the operation of the vehicle speed limit operating device.

5. The utility vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the vehicle speed limiting operation device is a dial-type operation device.

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