Cart with assist mechanism

Abstract

To provide a carriage with an assist mechanism, excellent in practicability, and configurated so as to facilitate installing an assist mechanism in which assist rotation drive is automatically regulated according to a pressing force degree of an existing carriage, and facilitate installing (post-installation) for instance, in a commercially available carriage such as a convenient truck for railroad.SOLUTION: A carriage with an assist mechanism is equipped with an assist mechanism A that is configured so as to transmit the rotational force of an assisting electric motor 11 adjusted and controlled based on a pressing force detection part 8 for detecting a degree of an operational pressing force for traveling to a pressing handle 6, to a transmission gear 10 equipped with a wheel 2, and to automatically assist the travel of a carriage part 1 by pressing operation of the pressing handle 6 by adjustment according to the operational pressing force.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cart with an assist mechanism in which the assist rotation drive is automatically adjusted according to the degree of operating pressure. [Background technology]

[0002] Railway trolleys, such as light-duty trolleys that are pushed along railway tracks to transport materials and equipment to work sites, are very popular.

[0003] On the other hand, among such transport trucks, trucks have been developed that are equipped with an assist mechanism that automatically adjusts the assist rotational drive in accordance with the degree of pushing force for traveling.

[0004] For example, an automatically adjusting type of assist mechanism has been developed that uses a strain sensor on the (hand) push handle used for driving the vehicle to detect the degree of pressure applied during driving, and based on this detection result, controls the assist rotational driving force (the rotational force of the assist electric motor) to reduce the burden on the worker.

[0005] Therefore, it would be convenient to provide such an assist mechanism on the commonly used railway bogies (the aforementioned light railway trolleys), but providing such an assist mechanism is not easy to manufacture and would be costly, making it difficult to popularize. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the current situation and has solved the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a highly practical bogie with an assist mechanism that can be easily equipped to existing bogies with an assist mechanism that automatically adjusts the assist rotation drive according to the degree of pressing force, and that can be easily equipped (retrofitted) on commercially available bogies such as light rail trolleys. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The gist of the present invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0008] The carriage 1 is provided with a brake device 4 that prevents the wheels 2 from rotating and holds the carriage 1 in a stopped state. A push handle 6 is provided on the carriage 1 or is detachably attached to a handle attachment portion 5 of the carriage 1 to release the brake device 4. Push An assist mechanism that rotates the wheel 2 in the traveling direction when operated The structure A cart with an assist mechanism, The structure is , provided on the pushing handle 6 And Alternatively, a pushing force detecting unit 8 is provided on the handle mounting unit 5 of the cart unit 1 and detects the operating pushing force on the pushing handle 6 for traveling, a transmission gear 10 is attached to the axle 9 of the wheel 2, and the torque of an assist electric motor 11 that serves as an assist rotation drive source is transmitted to the transmission gear 10. Transmit and an assisting rotational driving force transmission mechanism 12 that transmits the output of the assisting electric motor 11 based on a signal output from the pressing force detection unit 8 to the wheel 2 for assisting rotation. operation and an assist control mechanism 13 that controls the pressure depending on the degree of pressure. The vehicle is provided with a brake release mechanism 7 that releases the brake device 4 by pushing the push handle 6 in the traveling direction of the bogie unit 1, thereby separating the brake pressure contact portion 3 that stops and holds the bogie unit 1; the push handle 6 is pushed in the traveling direction of the bogie unit 1 to release the brake device 4 by the brake release mechanism 7; and an assist mechanism is provided that, when the push handle 6 is pushed in the same traveling direction in addition to this pushing operation, rotates the wheel 2 in the traveling direction; and the transmission gear 10 of the assist mechanism is fitted to the outside of the axle 9 and is retrofitted to the axle 9 so as to rotate together with the axle 9. The present invention relates to a carriage with an assist mechanism, characterized in that:

[0009] The wheels 2 of the carriage 1 are capable of running on a railway track. The aforementioned The brake device 4 is provided to stop and hold the carriage unit 1 by pressing the brake pressure contact portion 3, and by operating the push handle 6 which is provided on the carriage unit 1 or is detachably provided on the handle mounting portion 5 of the carriage unit 1, the brake pressure contact portion 3 is moved away from the wheel 2 to release the brake device 4. The aforementioned The assist mechanism is provided with a brake release mechanism 7, and when the pushing handle 6 is pushed, the wheel 2 is rotated in the traveling direction. The structure The present invention relates to a bogie with an assist mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with:

[0010] The pressing force detecting unit 8 is provided at the lower part of the pushing handle 6 or at an intermediate part 14 whose lower part is attached to the handle mounting part 5 and whose upper part is provided with the handle mounting part 5. Article 1 This relates to a carriage equipped with an assist mechanism.

[0011] (delete)

[0012] The assist machine Structure The output of the assisting electric motor 11 is operation The assist control mechanism 13, which controls the braking force according to the degree of the pressing force, is configured to operate based on an output from a brake release detection unit 15 that detects that the braking device 4 is released. Article 1 This relates to a carriage equipped with an assist mechanism.

[0013] The assist machine Structure The power supply unit of the assisting electric motor (11) is configured so that a charging pack (17) is detachably attached to a charging pack attachment portion (16) connected to the assisting electric motor (11), and power from the charging pack (17) is supplied to the assisting electric motor (11). Article 1 This relates to a carriage equipped with an assist mechanism. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] Since the present invention is configured as described above, an assist mechanism that automatically adjusts the assist rotation drive according to the degree of pressing force can be easily equipped on existing bogies, resulting in a bogie with an assist mechanism that is highly practical and can be easily equipped (retrofitted) on commercially available bogies such as light rail trolleys. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an explanatory perspective view of the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory rear view of the main part of the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory front view of the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory right side view of the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory bottom view of the brake device of the present embodiment before release. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a bottom view illustrating the state of the vehicle when the brake device is released and the vehicle is being pushed forward in this embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory right-side cross-sectional view showing that the drive transmission gear of the assist mechanism of this embodiment is retrofitted to the axle, making it easy to retrofit the assist mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The best mode for carrying out the present invention will now be briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrating the operation of the present invention.

[0017] A push handle 6 is provided on the cart section 1 or is detachably attached to the handle attachment section 5 of the cart section 1, for example. Press and operate When the brake is turned, the brake release mechanism 7 is activated, the brake pressure contact portion 3 moves away from the wheel 2, and the brake device 4 is released.

[0018] For example, if the brake is released in this way and the push handle 6 is further pushed, the wheels 2 will roll and the vehicle will travel.

[0019] At this time, a pushing force detecting unit 8 provided on the pushing handle 6 or on the handle mounting unit 5 of the cart unit 1 detects this pushing force. for The pushing force (degree) applied to the handlebars 6 for driving is detected, and the detected result is transmitted to the assist control mechanism 13. but output And Based on this, the assist control mechanism 13 controls the output (rotational force) of the assist electric motor 11. operation The pressure is controlled according to the degree of pressure.

[0020] This automatically adjusted and controlled assist reduces the pushing force required for the worker to move. In other words, even if a heavy load is placed on the cart section 1 or if the cart section 1 is tilted, the assist is provided with a rotational driving force according to the load, so the load is reduced efficiently, and the burden on the worker can be reduced while consuming electricity efficiently.

[0021] Furthermore, this assist mechanism is configured such that the pressing force detection unit 8 is provided on the pushing handle 6 or on the handle mounting portion 5 of the trolley unit 1, and further such that a transmission gear 10 is attached to the axle 9 of the wheel 2, and an assist rotational drive force transmission mechanism 12 (reduction transmission mechanism) is provided on this transmission gear 10 to transmit the rotational force of an assist electric motor 11, which serves as an assist rotational drive source, to the transmission gear 10, thereby assisting the rotation of the wheel 2, and such that an assist control mechanism 13 is provided which controls the output (rotational force) of the assist electric motor 11 according to the degree of the pressing force based on the signal output from the pressing force detection unit 8, so that it can be easily equipped (retrofitted) on commercially available trolleys, for example, light rail trolleys.

[0022] That is, the torque of the assisting electric motor 11, which is controlled based on the pressure detecting unit 8 that detects the degree of the operating pressure on the push handle 6 for traveling, is transmitted to the transmission gear 10 attached to the wheel 2, and the assisting device is configured to automatically assist the traveling of the cart unit 1 by pushing the push handle 6 with the amount corresponding to the operating pressure. Structure For example, it can be easily attached to a bogie with an assist mechanism having an existing configuration. [Example]

[0023] Specific implementation of the present invention For example: This will be explained with reference to the drawings.

[0024] In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a light railway trolley of an existing configuration that runs on railway tracks (railroad rails), and axles 9 are provided at the front and rear of a flat bogie section 1 on which materials and work equipment are placed, and a total of four wheels 2 for running on the railway tracks are provided on each side of the axles 9, and one of these wheels 2 is equipped with a brake device 4 that presses a brake pressure contact section 3 (brake pad) against the wheel 2 to stop and hold the bogie section 1.

[0025] In this embodiment, a push handle 6 is detachably inserted into a handle mounting portion 5 provided on the carriage portion 1, and by rotating the upper horizontal operating rod portion of the push handle 6, the brake pressure contact portion 3 moves away from the wheel 2, and the brake device 4 is released by a brake release mechanism 7. Furthermore, by pushing the push handle 6 in the traveling direction, the carriage portion 1 travels, and an assist mechanism that rotates (assists) the wheel 2 in the traveling direction is provided. Structure The system is configured to include:

[0026] This assist device in this embodiment The structure is , which is structured as follows: The intermediate part 14, whose lower part is inserted into the handle mounting part 5 into which the push handle 6 is inserted and whose upper part has the handle mounting part 5 attached, is inserted into the handle mounting part 5 in this way and attached, and the push handle 6 is inserted into the handle mounting part 5 at the upper part of this intermediate part 14.The intermediate part 14, which is retrofitted to this existing configuration, is provided with a strain gauge as a pressing force detection part 8 that detects the pressing force (degree) applied to the push handle 6 when it travels.

[0027] In other words, the existing push handle 6 remains in place, and the lower part of the intervening part 14 equipped with a strain gauge is inserted into the handle mounting part 5 of the push handle 6, and the push handle 6 can be inserted into the handle mounting part 5 at the top of this intervening part 14 in the same manner as the existing configuration and used, but this intervening part 14 is equipped with a pressing force detection part 8 that detects the pressing force applied to the push handle 6 when it is moving.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pressing force detection unit 8 is provided in the intervening portion 14, but it may also be provided in the pushing handle 6. In that case, all that is required is to manufacture a new pushing handle 6 that is simple and easy to manufacture, and insert it into the existing handle mounting portion 5 using existing methods. Therefore, as with this embodiment, it is a sufficiently easy configuration to equip the assist mechanism with an existing configuration.

[0029] In addition, in this embodiment, a transmission gear 10 is retrofitted to the axle 9 of the wheel 2, and an assisting rotational drive force transmission mechanism 12 is provided to this transmission gear 10 via a reduction gear or the like to transmit the rotational force of an assisting electric motor 11, which serves as an assisting rotational drive source, to the transmission gear 10, thereby assisting the wheel 2 to rotate, and an assist control mechanism 13 is provided to increase or decrease the output of the assisting electric motor 11 according to the degree of the pressing force based on a signal output from the pressing force detection unit 8.

[0030] Specifically, the assist device Structure The transmission gear 10 is configured to be fitted onto the axle 9 from the outside and to be retrofitted to the axle 9 so as to rotate together with the axle 9. In other words, the transmission gear 10 is configured such that a gear portion is provided on a fitted member that can be separated, fitted, and connected.

[0031] The assist machine Structure The assist control mechanism 13, which controls the output of the assist electric motor 11 according to the degree of pressing force, is configured to operate based on the output from a brake release detection unit 15, which detects that the brake device 4 has been released.

[0032] Therefore, when the brake is released and the pushing handle 6 is pressed, the pushing force is detected and an assist rotation drive is performed according to the magnitude of the pushing force, thereby reducing the burden on the worker.

[0033] That is, in this embodiment, by operating the existing push handle 6, for example, by rotating it horizontally, the brake release mechanism 7 releases the brake device 4, and by operating the push handle 6 in the traveling direction, the pushing force detection unit 8 detects the force of this push. for The pressure applied to the handlebars 6 for driving is detected, and the detection result is fed back to the assist control mechanism 13, and based on this, the assist control mechanism 13 controls the output of the assist electric motor 11 in response to the degree of the pressure.

[0034] This feedback control reduces the pushing force of the worker, and even if a heavy load is placed on the cart section 1 or if it is tilted, the load is assisted by a rotational driving force corresponding to the load, so the load is reduced efficiently, and the burden on the worker can be reduced while consuming power efficiently.

[0035] Furthermore, the pushing force detection unit 8 is provided in an intermediate portion 14 that is inserted into a handle attachment portion 5 into which the pushing handle 6 is inserted, and the pushing handle 6 is inserted into the handle attachment portion 5 provided on the upper portion of this intermediate portion 14, and further a transmission gear 10 is attached to the axle 9 of the wheel 2, and this transmission gear 10 is provided with an assisting rotational drive force transmission mechanism 12 that transmits the rotational force of an assisting electric motor 11, which serves as an assisting rotational drive source, to the transmission gear 10 to assist the rotation of the wheel 2, and an assist control mechanism 13 is provided that controls the output of the assisting electric motor 11 according to the degree of the pushing force based on the signal output from the pushing force detection unit 8, so that the configuration can be easily equipped (retrofitted) on commercially available bogies such as the light rail trolley mentioned above.

[0036] In addition, the assist device of this embodiment Structure The power supply section of the assist electric motor 11 is configured so that charging packs 17 are detachably attached to a plurality of charging pack attachment sections 16 connected to the assist electric motor 11, and the power of the charging packs 17 is supplied to the assist electric motor 11.

[0037] For example, by configuring the charging pack mounting portion 16 so that it can mount a mass-produced charging pack 17 used as a power source for a sequentially rechargeable power tool or the like, the practicality of the device can be further improved.

[0038] In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a light trolley of an existing configuration that runs on railway rails as described above, and the brake release mechanism 7 is configured so that, when the upper horizontal operating rod portion of the push handle 6 is rotated, the lower rod mounting rotation portion 18 rotates, and the rod 19 attached to this rod mounting rotation portion 18 is pushed forward against the return spring 20, and the brake rotation portion 21 to which this rod 19 is axially attached rotates against the return spring 20, and the brake moving shaft 22 attached to the opposite side of this brake rotation portion 21 moves in a direction that separates the brake pressure contact portion 3, and this brake pressure contact portion 3 separates from the wheel 2, and the brake device 4 is released.

[0039] An interlocking operating rod 23 is provided on the brake rotating part 21 which rotates as the rod 19 of this brake release mechanism 7 moves back and forth, and a detection moving part 24 is provided on this interlocking operating rod 23 which moves forward in conjunction with the forward movement of the rod 19 when the brake is released, and a brake release detection part 15 is provided which is configured to sink when contacted by this detection moving part 24, and is configured to detect whether or not the brake state in which the brake pressure contact part 3 is pressed against the wheel 2 by the return bias spring 20 has changed to the brake release state in which it has separated as described above.

[0040] In this embodiment, the handle attachment portion 5 of the push handle 6 is provided on each of the front and rear wheels 2, and for example, an interposed portion 14 with the pushing force detection portion 8 is provided on each of the handle attachment portions 5, so that either one can be selected depending on the direction of travel, and the push handle 6 can be inserted and pushed to travel. In other words, whichever one is inserted, the brake device 4 is released by rotating it horizontally, and by pushing the push handle 6 as it is, this pushing force is detected and the assist mechanism In structureIt is automatically assisted by a rotational driving force that corresponds to the pushing force, allowing for speedy and easy pushing.

[0041] In order to operate in this manner, a travel direction detection unit 25 is provided to detect which of the handle mounting parts 5 at the top of the intervening part 14 the push handle 6 is inserted into, thereby controlling the forward and reverse rotational drive.

[0042] The present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the specific configuration of each component can be designed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 Bogie section 2 wheels 3 Brake pressure contact 4 Brake device 5 Handle mounting part 6 Push handle 7 Brake release mechanism 8 Pressure detection unit 9 axles 10 Transmission gear 11 Assist electric motor 12 Assist rotational drive force transmission mechanism 13 Assist control mechanism 14 Intervening part 15 Brake release detection unit 16 Charging pack attachment section 17 Charging Pack 18 Rod mounting rotation part 19 Rod 20 Return spring 21 Brake rotating part 22 Brake movement shaft 23 Interlocking operating rod 24 Moving part for detection 25 Travel direction detection unit

Claims

1. The carriage is provided with a brake device that prevents the wheels from rotating and holds the carriage in a stopped state. The assist mechanism-equipped truck is provided with an assist mechanism that releases the brake device and drives the wheels to rotate in the traveling direction when a push handle that is provided on the truck section or that is detachably provided on a handle mounting section of the truck section is pushed, This assist mechanism is a pushing force detection unit that is provided on the pushing handle or on the handle mounting portion of the cart unit and detects an operating pushing force applied to the pushing handle for traveling; a transmission gear attached to the wheel axle; an assisting rotational drive force transmission mechanism that transmits the rotational force of an assisting electric motor, which serves as an assisting rotational drive source, to the transmission gear to assist the rotation of the wheel; and an assist control mechanism that adjusts the output of the assist electric motor in accordance with the degree of the operating pressure based on a signal output from the pressure detection unit; The configuration is provided with a brake release mechanism is provided that, by pushing the push handle in the traveling direction of the carriage unit, separates a brake pressure contact portion that stops and holds the carriage unit, thereby releasing the brake device; The push handle is pushed in the traveling direction of the carriage section to release the brake device by the brake release mechanism, and when the push handle is further pushed in the same traveling direction in addition to this pushing operation, the assist mechanism drives the wheels to rotate in the traveling direction, A bogie with an assist mechanism, characterized in that the transmission gear of the assist mechanism is retrofitted to the axle so as to be fitted from the outside of the axle and rotate together with the axle.

2. The bogie with assist mechanism according to claim 1 is characterized in that it is configured to include the brake device that presses the brake pressure contact portion against the wheel of the bogie portion that can run on a railway track to stop and hold the bogie portion, the brake release mechanism that moves the brake pressure contact portion away from the wheel and releases the brake device by operating the push handle that is provided on the bogie portion or is detachably provided on the handle mounting portion of the bogie portion, and the assist mechanism that drives the wheel to rotate in the running direction when the push handle is pushed.

3. The cart with assist mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the pushing force detection unit is provided at the lower part of the pushing handle or at an intermediate part having a lower part attached to the handle mounting part and an upper part provided with the handle mounting part.

4. The bogie with assist mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the assist control mechanism, which controls the output of the assist electric motor of the assist mechanism according to the degree of the operating pressure, is configured to operate based on the output from a brake release detection unit that detects that the brake device has been released.

5. 2. The cart with assist mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a power supply unit for the assist electric motor of the assist mechanism is configured to detachably mount a charging pack to a charging pack mounting unit connected to the assist electric motor, and power from the charging pack is supplied to the assist electric motor.

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