wheel

Abstract

To provide a wheel high in flexibility of laying out members.SOLUTION: A wheel 100 comprises: a shaft 2; a support member 3; a flange member 4; a flywheel 5; a first bearing member 7; and a second bearing member 8. The shaft 2 is disposed so as not to be rotatable. The support member 3 is fitted to the shaft 2. The flange member 4 is disposed to be rotatable relative to the shaft 2. The flywheel 5 is disposed to be rotatable relative to the flange member 4. The first bearing member 7 rotatably supports the flange member 4. The second bearing member 8 rotatably supports the flywheel 5. At least one of the first bearing member 7 and the second bearing member 8 is fitted to the support member 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wheel.

Background Art

[0002] While bicycles are used by many people, there is a risk of falling for infants and the elderly. Therefore, Patent Document 1 proposes a wheel for preventing a bicycle from falling. This wheel has a flywheel. The flywheel is rotatably supported on an axle via a bearing member. And the bicycle is stabilized and the fall is prevented by the gyroscopic effect generated by rotating the flywheel by human power or a motor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described wheel, not only the flywheel but also a pair of flange members (outer shells) are rotatably supported on the axle via bearing members. Thus, the conventional wheel has a low degree of freedom in the layout of each member. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a wheel having a high degree of freedom in the layout of each member.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A wheel according to the first embodiment comprises a shaft, a support member, a flange member, a flywheel, a first bearing member, and a second bearing member. The shaft is positioned so as not to rotate. The support member is attached to the shaft. The flange member is positioned so as to rotate relative to the shaft. The flywheel is positioned so as to rotate relative to the flange member. The first bearing member rotatably supports the flange member. The second bearing member rotatably supports the flywheel. At least one of the first bearing member and the second bearing member is attached to the support member.

[0006] With this configuration, since at least one of the first bearing member and the second bearing member is attached to the support member, it is not necessary to align both the first and second bearing members axially on the shaft. As a result, the degree of freedom in the layout of each component of the wheel can be increased.

[0007] The wheel according to the second embodiment is configured as follows in the wheel according to the first embodiment: The support member has an extended portion extending radially from the shaft and a cylindrical portion extending axially from the extended portion. At least one of the first bearing member and the second bearing member is attached to the cylindrical portion.

[0008] The wheel according to the third embodiment is configured as follows in the wheel according to the second embodiment: The first bearing member is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion. The second bearing member is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion.

[0009] The wheel according to the fourth embodiment is configured as follows in the wheel according to any of the first to third embodiments: The first bearing member and the second bearing member are arranged to overlap in a radial view. This configuration makes the wheel more compact in the axial direction.

[0010] A wheel according to the fifth embodiment further comprises an electric motor in the wheel according to any of the first to fourth embodiments. The electric motor is configured to rotationally drive a flywheel. The electric motor has a stator mounted on a shaft and a rotor positioned radially outward from the stator.

[0011] The wheel according to the sixth embodiment is configured as follows in the wheel according to the fifth embodiment: The rotor has a cylindrical portion configured as part of the flywheel, a magnet attached to the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, and a restricting mechanism configured to restrict the axial movement of the magnet.

[0012] The wheel according to the seventh embodiment is configured as follows in the wheel according to the sixth embodiment: The flywheel has an inner circumferential member and an outer circumferential member attached to the inner circumferential member. The inner circumferential member includes a cylindrical portion.

[0013] The wheel according to the eighth embodiment further comprises a restricting mechanism configured to restrict the axial movement of the stator, as in the wheel according to any of the fifth to seventh embodiments.

[0014] The wheel according to the ninth embodiment further comprises a pair of flange members, a plurality of spokes, and a battery for driving an electric motor, in addition to the wheel according to any of the fifth to eighth embodiments. Each spoke extends radially outward from the flange member. The battery is located outside the space defined by the plurality of spokes and the pair of flange members.

[0015] The wheel according to the tenth embodiment further includes a control unit for controlling an electric motor, as in the wheel according to any of the fifth to ninth embodiments. The control unit determines whether or not the gyroscopic effect of the flywheel is unnecessary, and if it determines that it is unnecessary, it operates the electric motor as a generator by rotating the flywheel.

[0016] The wheel according to the 11th aspect is configured as follows in the wheel according to any one of the 1st to 10th aspects. The flywheel has an inner peripheral member and an outer peripheral member attached to the inner peripheral member.

[0017] The wheel according to the 12th aspect is the wheel according to any one of the 1st to 11th aspects, and further includes a plurality of spokes extending radially outward from the flange member and a cover attached to the plurality of spokes. - and.

[0018] The wheel according to the 13th aspect is the wheel according to any one of the 1st to 12th aspects, and includes a pair of flange members. The flywheel is disposed at the center between the pair of flange members in the axial direction.

[0019] The wheel according to the 14th aspect is configured as follows in the wheel according to any one of the 1st to 13th aspects. The flywheel has a mass member on the outer periphery.

[0020] The wheel according to the 15th aspect includes a shaft, a flange member, a flywheel, a first bearing member, and a second bearing member. The shaft is disposed non-rotatably. The flange member is disposed rotatable relative to the shaft. The flywheel is disposed rotatable relative to the flange member. The first bearing member rotatably supports the flange member. The second bearing member rotatably supports the flywheel. The first bearing member and the second bearing member are disposed so as to overlap in a radial view.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, the degree of freedom in the layout of each member of the wheel can be increased.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, the wheel 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the axial direction is the direction in which the rotation axis O of the wheel 100 extends. The circumferential direction is the circumferential direction of a circle centered on the rotation axis O, and the radial direction is the radial direction of a circle centered on the rotation axis O.

[0024] <Wheel> FIG. 1 is a plan view of the wheel, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wheel 100 includes a shaft 2, a pair of support members 3, a pair of flange members 4, a flywheel 5, an electric motor 6, a pair of first bearing members 7, and a pair of second bearing members 8. The wheel 100 also includes a pair of collars 9 and a control unit 11. The wheel 100 is configured to be attached to a bicycle.

[0025] <Shaft> The shaft 2 is attached to the frame of the bicycle. The shaft 2 is arranged non-rotatably. The shaft 2 is non-rotatable in a state where it is attached to the frame of the bicycle. The shaft 2 extends in the axial direction. The shaft 2 is arranged coaxially with the rotation axis O.

[0026] <Support member> Each support member 3 is attached to the shaft 2. Each support member 3 is immobile relative to the shaft 2. That is, each support member 3 is positioned so as to be immobile. Each support member 3 is attached to the shaft 2 so as to be immobile in the axial direction. Each support member 3 is positioned with an axial gap between them.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the support member 3 has an extended portion 31 and a first cylindrical portion 32. The extended portion 31 extends radially from the shaft 2. In detail, the extended portion 31 is disc-shaped. An opening is formed in the center of the extended portion 31, into which the shaft 2 fits.

[0028] The first cylindrical portion 32 extends axially from the extended portion 31. More specifically, the first cylindrical portion 32 extends from the outer peripheral end of the extended portion 31 toward the flywheel 5. The first cylindrical portion 32 also has a first stepped portion 321 at the tip of its outer peripheral surface. This first stepped portion 321 is formed over the circumferential direction.

[0029] The first cylindrical portion 32 has a second stepped portion 322 at its base end on its inner circumferential surface. The second stepped portion 322 is formed over the circumferential direction.

[0030] <Flange component> As shown in Figure 2, each flange member 4 is rotatable around the rotation axis O. That is, each flange member 4 is rotatable relative to the shaft 2. Each flange member 4 is positioned radially outward relative to each support member 3. In a radial view, each flange member 4 overlaps with each support member 3.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, each flange member 4 has an annular portion 41 and a second cylindrical portion 42. The annular portion 41 extends radially and circumferentially. The annular portion 41 has a plurality of through holes 411 formed on its outer circumference for attaching spokes 101. Each spoke 101 extends radially outward from the annular portion 41. The through holes 411 are arranged in the circumferential direction. The flange member 4 also has a plurality of openings 412 (see Figure 1). The openings 412 are arranged in the circumferential direction. The openings 412 are positioned radially inward relative to the through holes 411.

[0032] The second cylindrical portion 42 extends axially from the annular portion 41. More specifically, the second cylindrical portion 42 extends from the inner circumferential end of the annular portion 41 toward the flywheel 5. The second cylindrical portion 42 is positioned radially outward from the first cylindrical portion 32. In a radial view, the second cylindrical portion 42 overlaps with the first cylindrical portion 32.

[0033] The second cylindrical portion 42 has a third stepped portion 421 at the base end of its inner circumferential surface. The third stepped portion 421 is formed over the circumferential direction.

[0034] <Flywheel> As shown in Figure 2, the flywheel 5 is rotatable around the rotation axis O. The flywheel 5 is rotatable relative to the flange member 4. Furthermore, the flywheel 5 is rotatable relative to the shaft 2.

[0035] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a flywheel 5 and an electric motor 6 attached to a shaft 2. As shown in Figure 5, the flywheel 5 has an inner circumferential member 51 and an outer circumferential member 52.

[0036] The inner circumferential member 51 has a third cylindrical portion 511 and a flange portion 512. The third cylindrical portion 511 is also a component of the rotor 62, which will be described later. The third cylindrical portion 511 extends in the axial direction.

[0037] The third cylindrical portion 511 has a pair of fourth stepped portions 513 on its outer circumferential surface. Each of the fourth stepped portions 513 is formed in the circumferential direction. The third cylindrical portion 511 also has a fifth stepped portion 514 on its inner circumferential surface. The fifth stepped portion 514 is formed in the circumferential direction.

[0038] Figure 6 is a plan view of the flywheel 5. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the flange portion 512 extends radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the third cylindrical portion. The flange portion 512 is annular in shape and extends in the circumferential direction.

[0039] The outer peripheral member 52 is attached to the inner peripheral member 51. More specifically, the outer peripheral member 52 is attached to the inner peripheral member 51 by rivets 102. The outer peripheral member 52 is plate-shaped. By making the outer peripheral member 52 a separate component from the inner peripheral member 51, manufacturing can be simplified and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0040] The outer peripheral member 52 has a base member 521 and a plurality of inertial rings 522 (an example of mass members). The base member 521 is disc-shaped and has an opening in the center. The base member 521 is attached to the flange portion 512 of the inner peripheral member 51 at its inner peripheral end.

[0041] The base member 521 has an inner annular portion 523, an outer annular portion 524, and a plurality of connecting portions 525. The inner annular portion 523 is attached to the flange portion 512. The outer annular portion 524 is positioned radially outward relative to the inner annular portion 523. Each connecting portion 525 extends radially. Each connecting portion 525 connects the inner annular portion 523 and the outer annular portion 524.

[0042] The inertial ring 522 is attached to the outer periphery of the base member 521. More specifically, the inertial ring 522 is attached to the connecting portion 525 by rivets 103. In this embodiment, the inertial ring 522 is divided into four sections in the circumferential direction.

[0043] The flywheel 5 is positioned in the center of the pair of flange members 4 in the axial direction. The center of the pair of flange members 4 in the axial direction is, as shown in Figure 7, the area between the pair of flange members 4 is divided into three equal parts in the axial direction, and the central part of these three parts is region C. Furthermore, the positioning of the flywheel 5 in the center region C means that the center of gravity of the flywheel 5 is located in the center region C.

[0044] <Electric motor> As shown in Figure 5, the electric motor 6 is configured to rotate the flywheel 5. The electric motor 6 is mounted on the shaft 2. The electric motor 6 is powered by the battery 104. When the electric motor 6 is used as a generator, it stores its power in the battery 104. The battery 104 is located outside the space defined by the multiple spokes 101 and the pair of flange members 4, as schematically shown in Figure 2. For example, the battery 104 is detachably fixed to the bicycle frame or the like. The cable connecting the battery 104 and the electric motor 6 extends through one of the pair of support members 3.

[0045] As shown in Figure 5, the electric motor 6 has a stator 61 and a rotor 62. The stator 61 is mounted on the shaft 2 and is positioned so as not to rotate. The stator 61 has a stator core 611 and a coil 612. The coil 612 is wound around the teeth of the stator core 611 via an insulator.

[0046] The rotor 62 is positioned radially outward from the stator 61. In other words, the electric motor 6 is an outer rotor type. The rotor 62 has a third cylindrical portion 511. The third cylindrical portion 511 is part of the flywheel 5. In other words, the rotor 62 and the flywheel 5 are integrated.

[0047] The rotor 62 also includes a magnet 621 and a first regulating mechanism. The magnet 621 is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the third cylindrical portion 511. The first regulating mechanism is configured to restrict the axial movement of the magnet 621. In detail, the first regulating mechanism consists of a fifth stepped portion 514 and a retaining ring 622. The retaining ring 622 is fixed by a groove formed on the inner circumferential surface of the third cylindrical portion 511. By sandwiching the magnet 621 in the axial direction between the fifth stepped portion 514 and the retaining ring 622, the axial movement of the magnet 621 is restricted.

[0048] <First bearing member> As shown in Figure 2, each first bearing member 7 rotatably supports each flange member 4. Each first bearing member 7 is attached to each support member 3. More specifically, each first bearing member 7 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 32 of each support member 3. The axial movement of each first bearing member 7 is restricted by each first stepped portion 321 and each third stepped portion 421. In this way, each flange member 4 is rotatably supported by each support member 3 via each first bearing member 7.

[0049] <Second bearing component> Each second bearing member 8 rotatably supports the flywheel 5. Each second bearing member 8 is attached to each support member 3. More specifically, each second bearing member 8 is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 32 of each support member 3. The axial movement of each second bearing member 8 is restricted by each second stepped portion 322 and each fourth stepped portion 513. In this way, the flywheel 5 is rotatably supported by each support member 3 via each second bearing member 8.

[0050] The second bearing member 8 is positioned so as to overlap with the first bearing member 7 in a radial view. While the second bearing member 8 partially overlaps with the first bearing member 7 in a radial view, it may also completely overlap with the first bearing member 7 in a radial view. Because the first bearing member 7 and the second bearing member 8 overlap in a radial view in this way, the wheel 100 can be made more compact in the axial direction.

[0051] <Color> The pair of collars 9 are configured to restrict the axial movement of the stator 61. In other words, the pair of collars 9 constitute a restricting mechanism. Each collar 9 is attached to the shaft 2. Each collar 9 is positioned in the axial direction between each support member 3 and the stator 61. Thus, the stator 61 is sandwiched by the collars 9 in the axial direction, and its axial movement is restricted.

[0052] <Department Head> The control unit 11 is configured to control the electric motor 6. The control unit 11 controls the rotational speed of the electric motor 6, for example, by controlling the drive voltage. The control unit 11 also determines whether or not the gyroscopic effect from the flywheel 5 is unnecessary. For example, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the gyroscopic effect is unnecessary based on the speed of the bicycle. The control unit 11 determines that the gyroscopic effect is unnecessary if the speed of the bicycle is above a predetermined value. If the control unit 11 determines that the gyroscopic effect is unnecessary, it operates the electric motor 6 as a generator by rotating the flywheel 5. That is, it regenerates the kinetic energy from the rotation of the flywheel 5 with the electric motor 6 and stores the regenerated power in the battery 104.

[0053] <Operation> In the wheel 100 configured as described above, the control unit 11 operates the electric motor 6 to rotate the flywheel 5 in response to user operation. Alternatively, the control unit 11 operates the electric motor 6 to rotate the flywheel 5 when the bicycle's speed is below a predetermined value. The gyroscopic effect caused by the rotation of this flywheel 5 suppresses the bicycle from tipping over. This gyroscopic effect from the flywheel 5 is particularly effective when the bicycle is traveling at a low speed.

[0054] [Differentiation] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the following modifications can basically be applied simultaneously.

[0055] (a) In the above embodiment, both the first bearing member 7 and the second bearing member 8 were attached to the support member 3, but the configuration of the wheel 100 is not limited to this. For example, the first bearing member 7 may be attached to the support member 3, while the second bearing member 8 may not be attached to the support member 3. In this case, the second bearing member 8 is attached to the shaft 2. Alternatively, the second bearing member 8 may be attached to the support member 3, while the first bearing member 7 may not be attached to the support member 3. In this case, the first bearing member 7 is attached to the shaft 2.

[0056] (b) In the above embodiment, the first bearing member 7 is positioned radially outward relative to the second bearing member 8, but these arrangements are not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 8, the first bearing member 7 may be positioned radially inward relative to the second bearing member 8.

[0057] (c) As shown in Figure 9, the wheel 100 may further have a pair of covers 12. Each cover 12 is attached to a spoke 101. By attaching these covers 12, it is possible to prevent foreign objects from entering the wheel 100 from the outside and coming into contact with the flywheel 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 2: Shaft 3: Support member 31: Extension part 32: First cylindrical section 4: Flange member 5: Flywheel 51: Inner circumferential member 512: Flange section 52: Peripheral member 522: Inertialing 6: Electric motor 61: Status 62: Rotor 621: Magnet 7: First bearing member 8: Second bearing member 9: Color 11: Control Unit 12: Cover 100: Wheel 101: Spoke 104: Battery C:Central part

Claims

1. A shaft positioned so as not to rotate, A support member attached to the shaft, A flange member arranged to be rotatable relative to the shaft, A flywheel arranged to be rotatable relative to the flange member, A first bearing member that rotatably supports the flange member, A second bearing member that rotatably supports the flywheel, Equipped with, At least one of the first bearing member and the second bearing member is attached to the support member. The support member has an extended portion extending radially from the shaft and a cylindrical portion extending axially from the extended portion. At least one of the first bearing member and the second bearing member is attached to the cylindrical portion. wheel.

2. The first bearing member is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion. The second bearing member is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion. The wheel according to claim 1.

3. The first bearing member and the second bearing member are arranged to overlap in a radial view. The wheel according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The system further comprises an electric motor configured to rotate the flywheel, The electric motor has a stator attached to the shaft and a rotor positioned radially outward from the stator. The wheel according to claim 1.

5. The rotor comprises a cylindrical portion configured as part of the flywheel, a magnet attached to the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, and a restricting mechanism configured to restrict the axial movement of the magnet. The wheel according to claim 4.

6. The flywheel has an inner circumferential member and an outer circumferential member attached to the inner circumferential member, The inner circumferential member includes the cylindrical portion, The wheel according to claim 5.

7. The system further comprises a restricting mechanism configured to restrict the axial movement of the stator. The wheel according to claim 4.

8. A pair of flange members, Multiple spokes extending radially outward from the flange member, A battery for driving an electric motor is located outside the space defined by each of the spokes and the pair of flange members, Furthermore, The wheel according to claim 4.

9. The electric motor is further provided with a control unit for controlling the electric motor, The control unit determines whether the gyroscopic effect of the flywheel is unnecessary, and if it determines that it is unnecessary, it operates the electric motor as a generator by rotating the flywheel. The wheel according to claim 4.

10. The flywheel comprises an inner circumferential member and an outer circumferential member attached to the inner circumferential member. The wheel according to claim 1.

11. Multiple spokes extending radially outward from the flange member, A cover attached to the plurality of spokes, The wheel according to claim 1, further comprising:

12. A pair of flange members are provided, The flywheel is positioned in the center between the axial directions of the pair of flange members. The wheel according to claim 1.

13. The flywheel has a mass member on its outer circumference. The wheel according to claim 1.

14. A shaft positioned so as not to rotate, A flange member arranged to be rotatable relative to the shaft, A flywheel arranged to be rotatable relative to the flange member, A first bearing member that rotatably supports the flange member, A second bearing member that rotatably supports the flywheel, Equipped with, The first bearing member and the second bearing member are arranged to overlap in a radial view. wheel.

15. A shaft that is positioned so as not to rotate, A support member attached to the shaft, A flange member arranged to be rotatable relative to the shaft, A flywheel arranged to be rotatable relative to the flange member, A first bearing member that rotatably supports the flange member, A second bearing member that rotatably supports the flywheel, An electric motor configured to rotate the flywheel, Equipped with, At least one of the first bearing member and the second bearing member is attached to the support member. The electric motor has a stator attached to the shaft and a rotor positioned radially outward from the stator. wheel.

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