Electric mobility apparatus

Abstract

Provided is an electric mobility apparatus having at least a pair of vehicle wheels (20) and a vehicle body frame (121), wherein: the electric mobility apparatus comprises a pair of swing parts (2); when one vehicle-width-direction end of each swing part (2) is a base end and the other vehicle-width-direction end of each swing part (2) is a distal end, the base-end side of each swing part (2) is supported by the vehicle body frame (121) so as to be capable of swinging in the vertical direction around a swing axis (150a) extending in the vehicle front-rear direction; each vehicle wheel (20) is supported by a swing part (2) so as to move in the vertical direction together with the distal-end side of the swing part (2); and the electric mobility apparatus also comprises urging members (140) that apply downward force to the swing parts (2) when the distal-end sides move upward, and a swing control part (3) that suppresses different-direction swinging in which the base-end side of one of the pair of swing parts (2) swings in a different direction in the vertical direction than the other or that restricts the swing parts (2) to a prescribed range.

Description

Electric Mobility

[0001] The present invention relates to electric mobility.

[0002] Known examples of such electric mobility vehicles include a pair of swing bases supported on a body frame so as to be swingable in the vertical direction, a pair of rear wheels supported on the pair of swing bases, and a biasing member that applies a downward force to the pair of swing bases. See, for example, Patent Document 1.

[0003] International Publication No. 2021 / 132533

[0004] In the electric mobility vehicle, if a biasing member with a low spring constant is used and the range of vertical swing of each swing base is increased to provide soft suspension characteristics, the ride comfort will improve, but the electric mobility vehicle will be more likely to lean outward during cornering or turning.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, there is a demand for an electric mobility vehicle that can control the behavior of leaning to the outside during cornering or turning.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an electric mobility having at least a pair of wheels and a body frame, and is equipped with a pair of oscillating parts, and when one end of each oscillating part in the vehicle width direction is a base end and the other end in the vehicle width direction is a tip end, the base end side of each oscillating part is supported on the body frame so as to be able to oscillate up and down around a swing axis extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and each of the wheels is supported on the oscillating part so as to move up and down together with the tip end side of each of the oscillating parts, and is equipped with a biasing member that applies a downward force to each of the oscillating parts when the tip end side moves upward, and a swing control part that suppresses or restricts, within a predetermined range, different directional swing in which one of the base end sides of the pair of oscillating parts swings in a different direction in the up and down direction relative to the other.

[0007] 5 is a rear perspective view of an electric mobility vehicle according to one embodiment. FIG. 6 is a side view of the electric mobility vehicle according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a front view of the electric mobility vehicle according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the electric mobility vehicle according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a plan view of a rear wheel side body of the electric mobility vehicle according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the rear wheel side body of the electric mobility vehicle according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 5. FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the rear wheel side body of the electric mobility vehicle according to the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a main part of the rear wheel side body of the electric mobility vehicle according to the present embodiment. FIG. 14 is a rear view of the swing base of the electric mobility vehicle according to the present embodiment and a swing control unit of a first modified example. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a main part of the rear wheel side body of the electric mobility vehicle according to the present embodiment and a swing control unit of a first modified example. FIG. 16 is a rear view of the swing base of the electric mobility vehicle according to the present embodiment and a swing control unit of a second modified example. FIG. 17 is a rear view of the swing base of the electric mobility vehicle according to the present embodiment and a swing control unit of a third modified example. FIG. 18 is a rear view of the swing base of the electric mobility vehicle according to the present embodiment and a swing control unit of a fourth modified example. FIG. 19 is a rear view of the swing base of a modified example of the electric mobility vehicle according to the present embodiment and a swing control unit of a fifth modified example. 18 is a rear view of a swing base of another modified example of the electric mobility device of this embodiment and a swing control unit of a sixth modified example. FIG. 19 is a side view of a front wheel of the electric mobility device of this embodiment. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX in FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX-XX in FIG. 18, showing attachment of a nut to a hub part. FIG. 20 is a rear perspective view of the electric mobility device of this embodiment. FIG. 21 is a side view of the electric mobility device of this embodiment in a towing state. FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a control unit of the electric mobility device of this embodiment. FIG. 23 is a side view of the electric mobility device of this embodiment in a stored state.

[0008] An electric mobility 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the electric mobility 1 has a mobility body 30. The mobility body 30 has a front wheel 10, a pair of rear wheels (wheels) 20, and a body 31 supported by the front wheel 10 and the rear wheel 20. The electric mobility 1 also has a seat unit 40 detachably attached to the mobility body 30. The electric mobility 1 of this embodiment is designed for one person to sit on the seat unit 40. Such vehicles are sometimes referred to as personal mobility vehicles. In the following description, the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction may be simply referred to as the fore-and-aft direction, and the vehicle's width direction may be simply referred to as the width direction. Furthermore, the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction and the mobility body 30 or body 31 coincide with each other, and the vehicle's width direction and the width direction of the mobility body 30 or body 31 coincide with each other. The following description will essentially be directed to the electric mobility 1 placed on a horizontal plane in an unloaded state or with a predetermined load applied. An example of a state in which a predetermined load is applied is a state in which an object or person of the allowable weight of the electric mobility 1, or an object or person of two-thirds the allowable load, is resting on the seat unit 40.

[0009] 6 and 7 , in this embodiment, an output shaft 51 of a motor 50 is connected to each of a pair of rear wheels 20, and each of the two rear wheels 20 can be driven by each motor 50. In this embodiment, the output shaft 51 of the motor 50 functions as the axle of the rear wheels 20. Alternatively, the driving force of the motor 50 may be transmitted to the front wheels 10 via a power transmission member such as a belt, a gear, a shaft, or the axle of the rear wheels 20.

[0010] The front wheel 10 is supported by a body 31. In this embodiment, the front wheel 10 has a hub 12 rotatably supported by the body 31, and an outer peripheral member 13 that is provided on the outer periphery of the hub 12 and has an outer peripheral surface made of a material with rubber-like elasticity such as rubber or silicone. The front wheel 10 is rotatable via bearings or other bearings (not shown).

[0011] In this embodiment, each rear wheel 20 has an axle, such as the output shaft 51 of the motor 50, a hub 22 attached to the axle, and an outer peripheral member 23 provided on the outer periphery of the hub 22, the outer peripheral surface of which is formed from a material having rubber-like elasticity such as rubber or silicone.

[0012] In this embodiment, the front wheel 10 and the rear wheel 20 may be pneumatic tires or solid tires formed from a material having rubber-like elasticity all the way to the inside.

[0013] The mobility main body 30 has a front-wheel-side body 110 and a rear-wheel-side body 120 detachably connected to the front-wheel-side body 110. The front-wheel-side body 110 has a front-wheel-side frame 111 formed so that its longitudinal middle portion and / or front end extends along the ground, and to which the axle of the front wheel 10 is attached via a front-wheel suspension 160 such as a coil spring. The rear end of the front-wheel-side frame 111 is a vertical frame 111a extending upward, to the upper end of which the seat unit 40 is attached. The front-wheel-side body 110 also has a front-wheel-side cover 110a, which is provided to cover at least a portion of the front-wheel-side frame 111 and is used to protect the front-wheel-side frame 111, to provide a footrest for a rider seated in the seat unit 40, to place luggage, as a mudguard, etc.

[0014] The front wheel side frame 111 is made of a material suitable for obtaining strength, such as metal.

[0015] 1, 4, etc., the rear-wheel-side body 120 has a rear-wheel-side frame (body frame) 121 and a rear-wheel-side cover 120a that is provided to cover at least a portion of the rear-wheel-side frame 121 and is used to protect the rear-wheel-side frame 121, as a mudguard, etc. (FIG. 5). The front-wheel-side frame 111 and the rear-wheel-side frame 121 form the entire body frame of the mobility main body 30.

[0016] The rear wheel side frame 121 is made of a material suitable for obtaining strength, such as metal.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1 and other figures, the rear wheel side frame 121 is provided with a pair of detachable anti-tip members 126 in the width direction to prevent the electric mobility 1 from tipping backward.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a rechargeable battery BA is detachably attached to the rear wheel side body 120.

[0019] The seat unit 40 includes a seat surface 41 on which a rider sits and a backrest 42. A center shaft 171 is rotatably attached to the front end of the front-wheel-side frame 111, and a handle shaft 181 is attached to the upper end of the center shaft 171 so as to be swingable in the front-rear direction. The handle shaft 181 can be fixed to an upper swing position shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 by a handle angle adjustment mechanism (not shown), and can also be swung to a lower swing position shown in FIG. 24. A handle 180 is fixed to the upper end of the handle shaft 181, and the handle includes a first operating unit 180a and a second operating unit 180b, each of which is an operating lever, a button, or the like. The rider can move the operating units 180a and 180b toward the rear of the vehicle. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 24, a stand member 197 is attached to the rear end of the electric mobility 1. The stand member 197 has a support portion 197a that is fixed to the seat unit 40 and extends rearward from the seat unit 40, and a widthwise extending portion 197b that has a central portion fixed to the support portion 197a and extends in the vehicle width direction. Both ends of the widthwise extending portion 197b are located rearward of the central portion of the vehicle, and anti-slip members 197c made of a material having rubber-like elasticity may be attached to both ends.

[0020] 24 , the user can tilt the electric mobility 1 backward using the anti-tip members 126 as a fulcrum, and place both ends of the widthwise extending portions 197b on the ground, allowing the electric mobility 1 to stand on its own thanks to the anti-tip members 126 and the widthwise extending portions 197b. This state is useful for reducing the storage space required for the electric mobility 1. Furthermore, the user can store the electric mobility 1 without having to perform any operations such as folding it.

[0021] When the handle shaft 181 is not in a rotation position for a pivot turn (described later), operating the operation unit 180a causes the control device 80 (described later) to rotate the pair of rear wheels 20 in the forward direction using both motors 50. Furthermore, when the handle shaft 181 is not in a rotation position for a pivot turn, operating the operation unit 180b causes the control device 80 to rotate the pair of rear wheels 20 in the backward direction using both motors 50. When the handle shaft 181 is in a rotation position for a pivot turn, operating the operation unit 180a or 180b causes the control device 80 (described later) to rotate the pair of rear wheels 20 in opposite directions using both motors 50. When the steering angle of the front wheels 10 is set to approximately 90° using the handle 180 and the pair of motors 50 are rotated in opposite directions, the electric mobility 1 turns, for example, around the midpoint or center of the pair of rear wheels 20 in the width direction. In this embodiment, this turning is referred to as a pivot turn. It is also possible for the control device 80 to automatically drive the electric mobility 1 based on a program without the rider having to operate the handlebars 180, the operation units 180a, 180b, etc.

[0022] A signal corresponding to the amount of displacement of the operating portions 180a and 180b is transmitted to a control unit 60, which will be described later, and the motors 50 are driven in response to the signal.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 23, the control unit 60 includes a motor driver 70 that drives each motor 50, and a control device 80.

[0024] The control device 80 has a processor 81 having, for example, a CPU, RAM, etc., a storage device 82 having non-volatile memory, ROM, etc., and a transmitter / receiver 83. The storage device 82 stores a program for controlling the electric mobility 1, and the processor 81 operates based on the program and transmits drive signals for driving each motor 50 to the motor driver 70.

[0025] In this embodiment, the front-wheel-side vehicle body 110 and the rear-wheel-side vehicle body 120 are detachably connected, but the front-wheel-side vehicle body 110 and the rear-wheel-side vehicle body 120 may be integral.

[0026] Each rear wheel 20 is attached to the rear-wheel-side vehicle body 120 via a rear-wheel suspension. As shown in FIG. 7 , each rear-wheel suspension has a swing base 131 and a spring 140 made of metal such as steel. The swing base 131 is formed using a material suitable for obtaining strength, such as aluminum or other metallic materials. A portion of the swing base 131 may be made of plastic. The electric mobility 1 of this embodiment has a swing unit 2 including the swing base 131 and a motor 50 fixed to the swing base 131. The swing unit 2 is a part that swings together with the swing base 131, and the swing unit 2 may further have other components.

[0027] The base end side of the swing base 131 is attached to the rear-wheel-side frame 121 of the rear-wheel-side body 120 so as to be swingable in the vertical direction, and when the swing base 131 swings, the tip of the swing base 131 moves in the vertical direction. The base end side of the swing base 131 is located toward the center in the width direction of the underside of the rear-wheel-side frame 121, and the tip end part of the swing base 131 is located outward in the width direction from the rear-wheel-side frame 121. In this embodiment, the base end, base end part, and base end side of the swing unit 2 are the base end, base end, and base end side of the swing base 131, and the tip end, tip end, and tip side of the swing unit 2 are the tip end, tip end, and tip side of the swing base 131.

[0028] More specifically, a pair of shaft support portions are provided on the underside of the rear wheel side frame 121, and each shaft support portion is provided with a through-hole extending in the front-rear direction. Meanwhile, as shown in Figure 4, a shaft 150 extending in the front-rear direction is fixed to the base end side of the swing base 131.

[0029] A bearing such as a plain bearing is provided between the shaft 150 and the shaft support portion.

[0030] With the above-described configuration, the oscillating base 131 oscillates around an oscillating axis 150a (see FIGS. 4, 7, etc.), which is the central axis of the shaft 150. Note that a shaft support portion may be provided on the base end side of the oscillating base 131, and the shaft 150 may be fixed to the underside of the rear wheel side frame 121.

[0031] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a rear wheel support member 132 is provided at the tip of the oscillating base 131. The rear wheel support member 132 is a member provided at the tip of the oscillating base 131. In this embodiment, the oscillating base 131 and the rear wheel support member 132 are integrally formed by pressing (bending, cutting, etc.) a steel plate, welding, etc. When the rear wheel support member 132 is fixed to the oscillating base 131, the rear wheel support member 132 is part of the oscillating base 131. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the rear wheel support member 132 extends upward from the tip of the oscillating base 131, and in this embodiment, the housing of the motor 50 is fixed to the rear wheel support member 132 with a plurality of bolts.

[0032] The hub 22 of the rear wheel 20 is fixed to the output shaft 51 of the motor 50. This supports the motor 50 and the rear wheel 20 at the tip of the oscillating base 131. In other words, the rear wheel support member 132 supports the rear wheel 20 to the oscillating base 131 via the motor 50. Other mechanical elements such as bearings, axles, other members, etc. may be fixed to the rear wheel support member 132, and the rear wheel support member 132 may support the rear wheel 20 via the other mechanical elements, axles, other members, etc. Also, the housing of the motor 50 may be fixed to the tip or middle portion of the oscillating base 131. In this case, the rear wheel 20 is supported by the oscillating base 131 via the motor 50 even without providing the rear wheel support member 132. Also, other mechanical elements such as bearings, axles, other members, etc. may be fixed to the tip of the oscillating base 131, and the tip of the oscillating base 131 may support the rear wheel 20 via the other mechanical elements, axles, other members, etc. In either case, the rear wheel 20 is disposed on the tip side of the swing base 131 and is supported by the swing base 131 so as to move up and down together with the tip side of the swing base 131 .

[0033] As shown in Figure 7, stopper portions 128a, 128b are provided on the rear-wheel-side frame 121 and / or the swing base 131, and when the tip end of the swing base 131 moves downward, the base end of the swing base 131 abuts against the rear-wheel-side frame 121 from below via the stopper portion 128a. This position is the lower limit swing position of the swing base 131. On the other hand, when the tip end of the swing base 131 moves upward, the base end of the swing base 131 abuts against the rear-wheel-side frame 121 from below via the stopper portion 128b. This position is the upper limit swing position of the swing base 131.

[0034] It should be noted that even if the tip of the oscillating base 131 oscillates downward, the base end of the oscillating base 131 may not come into contact with the rear wheel side frame 121 or the like, and the downward or upward oscillation of the oscillating base 131 may be stopped by the force of the spring 140. In this case, the position where the downward or upward oscillation of the oscillating base 131 is stopped by the support of the spring 140 becomes the lower limit oscillation position or the upper limit oscillation position.

[0035] The rear wheel width W1 (FIG. 7), which is the widthwise distance between the outer ends of one rear wheel 20 and the other rear wheel 20, is, for example, 450 to 650 mm. In this embodiment, the rear wheel width W1 is 530 to 550 mm. In contrast, the support shaft width W2 (FIG. 7), which is the widthwise distance between one swing axis 150a and the other swing axis 150a, is, for example, 50 to 200 mm. In this embodiment, the support shaft width W2 is 120 to 130 mm or less.

[0036] In this embodiment, the distance from the swing axis 150a to the outer edge of the rear wheel 20 is approximately 210 mm, and when the swing base 131 swings from the upper swing position to the lower swing position, the rear wheel 20 moves up and down by 25 mm or more. To improve passenger comfort, it is preferable that the rear wheel 20 be configured to move up and down relative to the body frame by 15 mm or more, and more preferably by 20 mm or more, but these numerical values ​​are not limiting and it is sufficient to realize the required suspension function.

[0037] 6, one end of a spring 140 is attached to the tip of the oscillating base 131. In this embodiment, one end of the spring 140 is attached to the tip of the oscillating base 131 via a rear wheel support member 132. Note that one end of the spring 140 may be attached to another part of the oscillating base 131.

[0038] On the other hand, the other end of the spring 140 is attached to the rear wheel side frame 121 .

[0039] In this embodiment, the angle between the extension direction of the spring 140 and the width horizontal line is 20° or less. In one example, the width horizontal line is parallel to a line passing through the center point of the axle of one rear wheel 20 and the center point of the axle of the other rear wheel 20. In another example, the width horizontal line is parallel to a line passing through the radial center point of the axle of one front wheel 10 and the center point of the axle of the other front wheel 10.

[0040] In one example, the extension direction of the spring 140 is a straight line passing through the radial center of one end of the spring 140 and the radial center of the other end of the spring 140. For example, the angle is set in the range of 5° to 20°. If the angle is 50° or less, it may be possible to achieve the same function as when the angle is 20°.

[0041] It is also preferable to use a known non-linear spring as spring 140. One example of a non-linear spring has a different winding pitch at one end than at the other, which results in a higher spring rate as compression progresses than at the beginning of compression. Other types of non-linear springs may also be used.

[0042] In this manner, in this embodiment, the spring 140 extends in the vehicle width direction and also extends obliquely downward from the inside to the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0043] When a force is applied to each rear wheel 20 from below and each rear wheel 20 moves upward relative to the rear-wheel-side frame 121, each spring 140 is compressed. Because the springs 140 are arranged as described above, the ratio of the horizontal force component to the vertical force component of the force applied from the other end of each spring 140 to the rear-wheel-side frame 121 is large. In other words, the vertical force is less likely to be transmitted from each spring 140 to the rear-wheel-side frame 121. It is also possible to provide a damper arranged in parallel with the spring 140. For example, a known damper such as an oil damper may be arranged inside the spring 140. In another example, instead of the spring (biasing member) 140, another biasing member such as an air cylinder may be provided. In this case, a biasing system can be configured that includes an air cylinder capable of supplying air to the base end and tip end of the cylinder, a pump that supplies air to the cylinder, electronically controlled valves provided on the base end and tip end of the cylinder, and a control device. By controlling the pump and the electronically controlled valve with the control device, it is possible to achieve an appropriate suspension function according to the weight of the rider. The biasing member may be any member that can apply a downward force to the swinging portion 2 when the tip side of the swinging portion 2 moves upward.

[0044] The electric mobility 1 is required to be small, lightweight, have a simple structure, and be durable, among other things. For this reason, the space available for arranging suspensions, springs, dampers, etc. is relatively small, and it is often not possible to make the suspensions, springs, dampers, etc. large. The above configuration is useful for effectively cushioning the force acting from below on the rear wheels 20 in a limited space. Note that the force from below includes the force that the rear wheels 20 receive from the ground when a rider sits on the seat unit 40, the force that the rear wheels 20 receive from unevenness in the ground when the electric mobility 1 is traveling, etc.

[0045] In this embodiment, the swing base 131 of the swing unit 2 extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the swing axis 150a and also extends substantially horizontally from the swing axis 150a. In this embodiment, when the angle formed by the extension direction of the swing base 131 or the swing unit 2 in the vehicle width direction with respect to the horizontal direction is 35° or less, it can be said that the swing base 131 extends substantially horizontally from the swing axis 150a. The angle is preferably 25° or less, more preferably 10° or less, and even more preferably 5° or less.

[0046] In one example, the extension direction of the oscillating base 131 (oscillating unit 2) is a direction passing through the centroid of the cross section of the base end of the oscillating base 131 and the centroid of the cross section of the tip end of the oscillating base 131. The cross section is a cross section cut by a plane extending in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction of the vehicle. In another example, the extension direction of the oscillating base 131 is a direction in which the bottom surface or the top surface of the oscillating base 131 substantially extends.

[0047] In this embodiment, when no passenger is sitting on the seat unit 40, the rocking base 131 extends slightly downward from the rocking axis 150a relative to the horizontal. When a passenger sits on the seat unit 40, the rocking base 131 rocks upward against the reaction force of the spring 140, and the rocking base 131 extends slightly upward from the rocking axis 150a relative to the horizontal. When the passenger is light, the rocking base 131 extends horizontally from the rocking axis 150a or slightly downward from the horizontal.

[0048] In this state, one end of the spring 140 is attached to the tip of the swing base 131 via the rear wheel support member 132, and the spring 140 extends in the vehicle width direction as described above. Therefore, as the swing position of the swing base 131 approaches the upper limit swing position, the compression amount of the spring 140 per unit swing amount of the swing base 131 increases. With this configuration, when a lighter passenger is riding, the compression amount of the spring 140 per unit swing amount of the swing base 131 is smaller than when a heavier passenger is riding.

[0049] Alternatively, spring 140 may be a nonlinear spring whose spring rate increases as compression progresses. In one example, spring 140 is a nonlinear spring whose spring rate after increase is 1.3 times or more, preferably 1.5 times or more, of the spring rate before increase. In other words, the spring rate of the entire rear wheel suspension changes in accordance with the weight of the rider. Note that the mere fact that spring 140 is a nonlinear spring can achieve the effect of changing the spring rate of the entire rear wheel suspension in accordance with the weight of the rider.

[0050] In this way, the spring rate of the entire rear wheel suspension changes depending on the rider's weight, preventing excessive rocking of the rocking base 131 when a heavy rider is riding on the vehicle. This configuration, which adjusts the spring rate according to the rider's weight, not only reduces vibration but also protects each frame of the mobility body 30. Furthermore, when the electric mobility vehicle 1 turns or pivots, a large force is applied to the spring 140 of one of the pair of rear wheels 20. Here, the spring rate of the spring 140 increases when a large force is applied. For example, when a light rider is riding on the electric mobility vehicle 1 and the electric mobility vehicle 1 is stationary or moving straight, the spring rate has not yet increased, but when the electric mobility vehicle 1 turns or pivots, the spring rate of the outer rear wheel suspension increases. This suppresses the roll angle when turning or pivoting, stabilizing the posture of the electric mobility vehicle 1 and the rider.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a swing control unit 3 is provided that prevents or restricts different vertical movements of the base ends of the pair of swing units 2, thereby preventing the tip side of one of the pair of swing units 2 from becoming higher than the tip side of the other, or restricts the height to within a predetermined range. As shown in Fig. 9 and other figures, the swing control unit 3 of this embodiment has a first member 310 and a second member 320 made of metal, hard plastic, or the like. More preferably, the first member 310 and the second member 320 are made of a spring material such as stainless steel or spring steel that is used in the manufacture of springs such as coil springs.

[0052] The first member 310 has a main body 310a fixed by bolts or the like to the base end portion of one (right side) of the pair of oscillating bases 131, and the second member 320 has a main body 320a fixed by bolts or the like to the base end portion of the other (left side) of the pair of oscillating bases 131. The first member 310 has a plurality of upper contact portions 311 arranged at intervals from each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a plurality of lower contact portions 312 arranged at intervals from each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0053] In this embodiment, each of the contact portions 311, 312 extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the main body 310a and is fixed to the main body 310a. Alternatively, each of the contact portions 311, 312 is formed integrally with the main body 310a. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the upper contact portions 311 and the lower contact portions 312 are arranged alternately in the vehicle front-rear direction. The upper contact portions 311 are arranged above the lower contact portions 312.

[0054] The second member 320 also has a plurality of upper contact portions 321 spaced apart from one another in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a plurality of lower contact portions 322 spaced apart from one another in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Each of the contact portions 321, 322 extends from the main body 320a toward the inside of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction, and is fixed to the main body 320a. Alternatively, each of the contact portions 321, 322 is formed integrally with the main body 320a. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the upper contact portions 321 and the lower contact portions 322 are alternately arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The upper contact portions 321 are arranged above the lower contact portions 322.

[0055] The first member 310 and the second member 320 are fixed to a pair of swing bases 131 so that the upper contact portions 311 of the first member 310 and the lower contact portions 322 of the second member 320 are aligned in the vertical direction, and the lower contact portions 312 of the first member 310 and the upper contact portions 321 of the second member 320 are aligned in the vertical direction (FIG. 9). As described above, when the left and right rear wheels 20, which can move in the vertical direction, are positioned at the same height relative to the vehicle frame, that is, when the tip ends of the pair of swing bases 131 (swing units 2) are positioned at the same height relative to the vehicle frame, the first member 310 and the second member 320 do not come into contact with each other, or are in light contact with each other without engaging with each other in the vertical direction. The tip end of the swing base 131 (swing unit 2) is, for example, a specific portion at the tip of the swing base 131.

[0056] Here, the height position can be measured relative to a reference plane (reference height position) based on a reference element, a reference shape, a reference position, etc. of the rear-wheel-side body 120. The reference element is, for example, a part or all of the underside of the rear-wheel-side frame 121 in the body frame, a pair of anti-toppling members 126, their central axes, etc. The reference shape is, for example, a single or multiple characteristic shapes of the rear-wheel-side frame 121. The reference position is, for example, the height position of the specific part of the rear wheel 20 or the oscillating base 131 relative to the body frame, measured when the electric mobility 1 is stationary and unloaded.

[0057] For example, in the case of a reference element, a reference plane (reference height position) can be set based on a single or multiple grooves, protrusions, flat surfaces, etc. extending horizontally in the vehicle width direction on the underside of the rear wheel side frame 121, or holes, grooves, protrusions, flat surfaces, etc. lined up in the vehicle width direction on the underside of the rear wheel side frame 121. The reference shape and reference position can also be set in a similar manner.

[0058] When the electric mobility vehicle 1 is turning, centrifugal force acts on the electric mobility vehicle 1, and a large load may be applied to the rear wheel 20 on the outside of the turning or corner of the pair of rear wheels 20. In this case, the electric mobility vehicle 1 may lean toward the outside of the turning or corner, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3 . This behavior is sometimes referred to as rolling. This leaning behavior may also occur when a passenger puts their weight on one side of the vehicle width. For example, a passenger sitting on a stopped electric mobility vehicle 1 may put their weight on one side of the vehicle width to reach an item next to the electric mobility vehicle 1.

[0059] This leaning behavior can also occur when a passenger stands on the footrest and puts their weight on one side of the vehicle width. As mentioned above, this leaning behavior is more likely to occur when a soft rear wheel suspension is used to improve passenger comfort. This leaning behavior can also be considered a rotational behavior around an axis extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

[0060] In this embodiment, due to this tilting behavior, the height position of the tip end side of one of the pair of oscillating parts 2 becomes higher than the height position of the tip end side of the other oscillating part 2. For example, when the difference between the two height positions reaches a predetermined difference of 10 mm, the multiple upper contact portions 311 and the multiple lower contact portions 322 come into contact in the vertical direction. At this time, in this embodiment, the multiple lower contact portions 312 of the first member 310 and the multiple upper contact portions 321 of the second member 320 also come into contact in the vertical direction. This contact restricts the vertical movement of the first member 310 and the second member 320 relative to each other. In other words, the difference between the height position of the tip end side of one of the pair of oscillating parts 2 and the height position of the tip end side of the other oscillating part 2 is prevented or restricted from exceeding the predetermined difference. More specifically, the difference between the height position of the tip end side of one of the pair of oscillating parts 2 and the height position of the tip end side of the other oscillating part 2 is restricted to a predetermined range of 10 mm.

[0061] The predetermined range can be set as appropriate. Specific values ​​vary depending on factors such as the size of the electric mobility vehicle 1. For example, if the predetermined range is set to a relatively small range of 2 to 10 mm, the electric mobility vehicle 1 will be less likely to roll. If the predetermined range is set to a relatively large range exceeding 10 mm, the electric mobility vehicle 1 will have greater freedom of movement to tilt when turning.

[0062] This configuration reduces the tilting behavior while realizing a soft rear wheel suspension for improved rider comfort, as described above. This leads to improved driving performance of the electric mobility 1 and further improved rider comfort. Note that, if the first member 310 and the second member 320 are formed using spring material as described above, a configuration can be adopted in which, when the upper contact portion 311 and the lower contact portion 322 come into contact with each other in the vertical direction, the upper contact portion 311 and / or the lower contact portion 322 can deform within a range of elastic deformation in response to a force applied in the vertical direction to the contact portions. In this case, for example, a force of 500 N, 1000 N, or the like is applied to the contact portions in the vertical direction, and in response to this force, the tip of the upper contact portion 311 and / or the tip of the lower contact portion 322 can be displaced in the vertical direction by 0.3 mm or more, 0.5 mm or more, or 1 mm or more. This configuration is expected to soften the restriction on the displacement of the oscillating portion 2 and make the members 310 and 320 less susceptible to settling (permanent deformation).

[0063] Alternatively, the first member 310 may be provided with a single upper contact portion 311 and a single lower contact portion 312, and the second member 320 may be provided with a single upper contact portion 321 and a single lower contact portion 322. In this case as well, the above-described advantageous effects can be similarly achieved.

[0064] It is also possible to omit the second member 320 and achieve the above effect using only the first member 310. In this case, a portion of the base end of one oscillating base 131 is disposed below the plurality of upper contact portions 311 of the first member 310 fixed to the base end of the other oscillating base 131. Also, a portion of the base end of the other oscillating base 131 is disposed above the plurality of lower contact portions 312 of the first member 310. When the portion of the base end functions in the same manner as the second member 320, the above effect is achieved.

[0065] A part or all of the first member 310 and the second member 320 can be part of the base end of the oscillating base 131. For example, the upper contact portion 311 and the lower contact portion 312 may be integrally provided on the base end side of one oscillating base 131, and the upper contact portion 321 and the lower contact portion 322 may be integrally provided on the base end side of the other oscillating base 131.

[0066] Alternatively, a hole or a notch may be formed on the base end side of one of the oscillating bases 131, and a protrusion inserted into the hole or notch may be formed on the base end side of the other oscillating base 131. The upper end surface of the hole or notch functions as an upper contact portion that contacts the protrusion from above, and the lower end surface of the hole or notch functions as a lower contact portion that contacts the protrusion from below.

[0067] As mentioned above, in order to regulate the different direction swinging in which one of the base ends of a pair of swinging parts 2 swings in a different vertical direction relative to the other, it is sufficient that the base end side of at least one of the swinging parts 2 is provided with an upper contact portion that contacts the base end side of the other swinging part 2 from above and a lower contact portion that contacts it from below.

[0068] 10 and 11 can be used instead of the swing control unit 3 of this embodiment. The swing control unit 4 has a connecting member 400 in which a first fixing portion 410 is fixed to the base end side of one of the pair of swing bases 131 by a bolt or the like, and a second fixing portion 420 is fixed to the base end side of the other of the pair of swing bases 131 by a bolt or the like. The swing control unit 4 may have other members in addition to the connecting member 400.

[0069] The connecting member 400 has a force generating portion 430 made of metal, hard plastic, or the like that connects the first fixing portion 410 and the second fixing portion 420, and the force generating portion 430 has an elastically deformable shape. One end of the force generating portion 430 is a connecting portion with the first fixing portion 410, and the other end of the force generating portion 430 is a connecting portion with the second fixing portion 420.

[0070] An example of an elastically deformable shape is a shape disposed over a range of 170° or more around an axis 431 extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, as shown in Figure 10. The axis 431 is disposed within an area surrounded by the force generating unit 430 and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction. For this reason, the elastically deformable shape is usually a shape disposed over a range of 180° or more around the axis 431.

[0071] The cross-sectional shape of the force generating unit 430 may be various shapes, such as a shape consisting of a single arc, a shape formed by connecting multiple arcs, a shape formed by connecting one or multiple arcs with one or multiple straight lines, or a shape formed by removing some of the sides of a polygon. The cross-sectional shape is the shape of a cross section cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Some or all of the arcs may have a center of curvature outside the force generating unit 430. The force generating unit 430 in FIG. 10 has a cross-sectional shape formed by connecting multiple arcs. Furthermore, the force generating unit 440 in FIG. 12, which is a modified example of a swing control unit 4', has a cross-sectional shape formed by connecting multiple arcs having a center of curvature outside the force generating unit 440.

[0072] Since the force generating units 430, 440 have the above-described configuration, when the base ends of the pair of oscillating bases 131 oscillate together upward or downward (same-direction oscillation), a first deformation occurs in which one end and the other end of the force generating units 430, 440 are displaced horizontally relative to each other. When the pair of oscillating bases 131 oscillate in the same direction, the force generating units 430, 440 having the above-described configuration apply a relatively small reaction force to the base ends of the pair of oscillating bases 131.

[0073] On the other hand, during different-direction swing, in which the base end of one of the pair of swing bases 131 swings upward or downward relative to the base end of the other, a second deformation occurs in which one end and the other end of the force generating units 430, 440 are displaced vertically relative to each other. In this manner, the force generating units 430, 440 deform in a different mode from that during same-direction swing. In this embodiment, the ratio of the force from the force generating units 430, 440 to the amount of deformation of the second deformation during different-direction swing (second spring constant; second ratio) is 3 times or more, more preferably 5 times or more, compared to the ratio of the force from the force generating units 430, 440 to the amount of deformation of the first deformation during same-direction swing (first spring constant; first ratio). This ratio may be 1.5 times or more. The ratio of the second spring constant to the first spring constant is not limited to this value, and may be any value that can reduce the tilting behavior as described above. The same applies to the following description.

[0074] Therefore, the swing control units 4, 4' suppress different-direction swinging, in which one of the base ends of the pair of swinging units 2 swings in a different vertical direction relative to the other. This configuration can suppress or restrict the difference in height between the tip end of one of the pair of swinging units 2 relative to the vehicle body frame and the tip end of the other of the pair of swinging units 2 from exceeding the predetermined range. In the case of suppression, the force generating units 430, 440 generate a sufficiently large force before the difference exceeds the predetermined range, thereby making it less likely that the difference will exceed the predetermined range. The same applies to the other force generating units.

[0075] It is also possible to use a swing control unit 4'' shown in FIG. 13, which has a modified shape of the force generating unit 430 of the swing control unit 4 described above in this embodiment. The force generating unit 430'' of the swing control unit 4'' also has an elastically deformable shape. The force generating unit 430'' is also shaped to be disposed over a range of 170° or more around an axis 431, and has a cross-sectional shape formed by connecting multiple arcs.

[0076] 14 can be used in place of the swing control unit 3 of this embodiment. The swing control unit 5 has a connecting member 500 in which a first fixing portion 510 is fixed to the base end side of one of the pair of swing bases 131 by a bolt or the like, and a second fixing portion 520 is fixed to the base end side of the other of the pair of swing bases 131 by a bolt or the like. The swing control unit 5 may have other members in addition to the connecting member 500.

[0077] The connecting member 500 has a force generating unit 530 made of a thread-like member, string-like member, band-like member, or the like that connects the first fixing portion 510 and the second fixing portion 520. The force generating unit 530 of this embodiment is made by winding a thread made of polyester fiber, nylon fiber, aramid fiber, or the like multiple times around the first fixing portion 510 and the second fixing portion 520. The thread-like member or string-like member can be made of chemical fiber such as polyester fiber, nylon fiber, or aramid fiber, natural fiber, or metal fiber. The band-like member can be made of metal, plastic, rubber, or the like. The force generating unit 530 of this embodiment may have a rubber-like elasticity that covers the force generating unit 530.

[0078] Since the connecting member 500 has the above-described configuration, during the same-direction swing, a first deformation occurs in the force generating unit 530, in which the first fixed portion 510 side and the second fixed portion 520 side of the force generating unit 530 are displaced horizontally relative to each other. The length of the force generating unit 530 between the first fixed portion 510 and the second fixed portion 520 is set so that a strong tension is not generated during the deformation.

[0079] On the other hand, during the anisotropic oscillation, a second displacement occurs in the force generating unit 530, in which the first fixed portion 510 side and the second fixed portion 520 side of the force generating unit 530 are displaced vertically relative to each other. In this embodiment, the ratio (second spring constant; second ratio) between the force (tension) from the force generating unit 530 and the deformation amount of the second deformation during the anisotropic oscillation is 3 times or more, more preferably 5 times or more, compared to the ratio (first spring constant; first ratio) between the force (tension) from the force generating unit 530 and the deformation amount of the first deformation during the anisotropic oscillation. This ratio may be 1.5 times or more. As mentioned above, this ratio is not limited to these values. The deformation amount can also be considered as the displacement amount (change in distance) of the first fixed portion 510 relative to the second fixed portion 520.

[0080] Therefore, the swing control unit 5 suppresses or restricts opposite-directional swinging, in which one of the base ends of the pair of swinging units 2 swings in a different vertical direction relative to the other. This configuration suppresses or restricts the difference in height between the tip end of one of the pair of swinging units 2 relative to the body frame and the tip end of the other of the pair of swinging units 2 relative to the body frame from exceeding the predetermined difference.

[0081] The swing control unit 6 can also be provided on the swing base 131' in Figure 15. In Figure 15, components equivalent to those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. In Figure 15, the shaft 150 fixed to the base end of the right swing base 131' is positioned to the left of the shaft 150 fixed to the base end of the left swing base 131'. The swing control unit 6 has a connecting member 600 that connects the base end of the right swing base 131' to the base end of the left swing base 131'. The swing control unit 6 may have other members in addition to the connecting member 600.

[0082] The connecting member 600 can also be said to be a force generating unit made of a thread-like member, string-like member, band-like member, etc. that connects the base end side of the right oscillating base 131′ and the left oscillating base 131′. The force generating unit can be made of the same material as the force generating unit 530.

[0083] Since the connecting member 600 has the above-described configuration, the change in the distance between both ends of the force generating portion in the vertical direction (first deformation) is small during the same-direction swing. The length of the force generating portion is set so that a strong tension is not generated at this time.

[0084] On the other hand, during the opposite-direction swing, the distance between the two ends of the force generating unit in the vertical direction changes significantly (second deformation). In this embodiment, the ratio of the force (tension) from the force generating unit to the deformation amount of the second deformation during the opposite-direction swing (second spring constant; second ratio) is 3 times or more, more preferably 5 times or more, compared to the ratio of the force (tension) from the force generating unit to the deformation amount of the first deformation during the same-direction swing (first spring constant; first ratio). The ratio may be 1.5 times or more. As mentioned above, the ratio is not limited to these values. The deformation amount can also be considered as the displacement amount (change in distance) of the upper end of the force generating unit relative to the lower end.

[0085] Therefore, the swing control unit 6 suppresses or restricts opposite-directional swinging, in which one of the base ends of the pair of swinging units 2 swings in a different vertical direction relative to the other. This configuration suppresses or restricts the difference in height between the tip end of one of the pair of swinging units 2 relative to the body frame and the tip end of the other of the pair of swinging units 2 relative to the body frame from exceeding the predetermined difference.

[0086] The swing control unit 7 can also be provided on the swing base 131" in FIG. 16. In FIG. 16, components equivalent to those in the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 16, the shaft 150 fixed to the base end of the right swing base 131" and the shaft 150 fixed to the base end of the left swing base 131" are spaced a predetermined distance apart in the vehicle width direction. While the rear wheel support member 132 is fixed to the swing base 131" in FIG. 16, the lower end of the rear wheel support member 132 may be connected to the swing base 131" so as to be swingable in the vehicle width direction, as in a double wishbone suspension. In this case, the upper end of the rear wheel support member 132 may be connected to an upper swing base (not shown) so as to be swingable in the vehicle width direction, as necessary. In such a case, the motor 50 may be fixed to the rear wheel-side frame 121, and the output shaft of the motor 50 may be connected to the rear wheel 20 via a shaft, a universal joint, or the like.

[0087] The swing control unit 7 has a connecting member 700 in which a first fixing portion 710 is fixed to the base end side of one of the pair of swing bases 131'' by a bolt or the like, and a second fixing portion 720 is fixed to the base end side of the other of the pair of swing bases 131'' by a bolt or the like. The swing control unit 7 may have other members in addition to the connecting member 700. In one example, the fixing portions 710 and 720 are each pulleys fixed to the swing base 131'' coaxially with the swing axis 150a. The connecting member 700 also functions as a force generating unit.

[0088] The connecting member 700 has force generating portions 731, 732 made of thread-like, string-like, or band-like members that connect the first fixing portion 710 and the second fixing portion 720. The force generating portions 731, 732 of this embodiment are band-like members that can be created in the same way as the force generating portion 530. One end of the force generating portion 731 is fixed to the upper end of the fixing portion 710, and the other end of the force generating portion 731 is fixed to the lower end of the fixing portion 720. One end of the force generating portion 732 is fixed to the lower end of the fixing portion 710, and the other end of the force generating portion 732 is fixed to the upper end of the fixing portion 720.

[0089] Because connecting member 700 has the above-described configuration, during the same-direction swing, first fixed portion 710 and second fixed portion 720 rotate in different directions, and this rotation causes a first deformation in force generating portions 731 and 732. The lengths of force generating portions 731 and 732 between first fixed portion 710 and second fixed portion 720 are set so that strong tension is not generated during this deformation.

[0090] On the other hand, during the different direction swing, for example, the first fixed portion 710 and the second fixed portion 720 rotate in the same direction, and this rotation causes a second displacement in which one of the force generating portions 731, 732 is stretched more than the first deformation.

[0091] For this reason, during the second deformation, the swing control unit 7 suppresses or restricts rotation of the first fixed part 710 and the second fixed part 720 about the swing axis 150a with a force greater than during the first deformation. This suppresses or restricts different-directional swing, in which one of the base ends of the pair of swinging parts 2 swings in a different vertical direction relative to the other. This configuration suppresses or restricts the difference in height between the tip end side of one of the pair of swinging parts 2 relative to the body frame and the tip end side of the other of the pair of swinging parts 2 from becoming greater than the predetermined difference.

[0092] In the swing control unit 7, the first fixed portion 710 and the second fixed portion 720 may be gears such as spur gears instead of pulleys, and the first fixed portion 710 and the second fixed portion 720 may be meshed with each other. In this case, the meshed first fixed portion 710 and the second fixed portion 720 allow swing in the same direction and restrict swing in different directions. A single or multiple gears may be provided between the first fixed portion 710 and the second fixed portion 720. In this case, the rotation of the first fixed portion 710 may be transmitted to the second fixed portion 720 via a single or multiple gears, and the single or multiple gears may allow swing in the same direction and restrict swing in different directions. Furthermore, instead of a single or multiple gears, a member such as a rod or plate extending in the vertical direction may be provided, and rack gears extending in the vertical direction may be provided on both left and right ends of the member. In this case, if the member is attached to the vehicle body frame by a linear guide or the like so as to be movable only in the up and down direction, the member will allow swinging in the same direction and restrict swinging in the opposite directions.

[0093] As mentioned above, each of the swing control units controls the tilting behavior when the vehicle is moving, such as when the user stands on the footrest, and contributes to stabilizing the vehicle's posture, so they can also be called stabilizers.

[0094] When the swing control unit 4 is configured to connect a pair of swing units 2, like the connecting member 400 of the swing control unit 4, the spring constants of the force generating units 430, 430'', 440 when swinging in the same direction can be adjusted to supplement or replace the spring 140. In other words, the swing control unit has the function of a stabilizer as well as the function of a suspension spring.

[0095] A front wheel 10 according to this embodiment is shown in Figures 17 to 20. As shown in Figures 17 to 19, the hub 12 has a pair of hub components 12a, 12b, which are made of plastic, metal, or the like. The outer peripheral member 13 of the front wheel 10 is sandwiched between the pair of hub components 12a, 12b in the axial direction of the front wheel 10, thereby securing the outer peripheral member 13 to the hub 12. For this reason, the pair of hub components 12a, 12b must be firmly secured to each other, and in this embodiment, the pair of hub components 12a, 12b are secured to each other by threading a plurality of bolts 14 into a plurality of nuts 15.

[0096] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 18 and Figure 20, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX-XX of Figure 18, one or more nut accommodating portions 12c are formed in the hub component 12a, and the nut accommodating portions are accessible from the radially outside of the hub 12. In other words, the nut accommodating portion 12c opens to the radially outside of the hub 12, and this opening communicates with the space 12e in Figure 19. If the outer peripheral member 13 is not present, the space 12e communicates with the outside of the wheel on the radially outside of it. Therefore, before the outer peripheral member 13 is fixed to the hub 12, the nut 15 can be accommodated in the nut accommodating portion 12c from the radially outside of the hub 12. It is preferable for the nut 15 to fit lightly into the nut accommodating portion 12c, as this facilitates assembly.

[0097] As shown in Figure 19, the hub component 12a also has one or more nut accommodating portions 12d similar to the nut accommodating portion 12c. In this embodiment, the nut accommodating portions 12c, 12d are located in positions that cannot be seen from the outside of the hub 12. This configuration allows the outer peripheral member 13 to be firmly fixed to the hub 12 while giving the outer surface a sleek appearance. A wheel having a structure similar to the front wheel 10 can also be used for the rear wheel 20, and it can also be used for other wheels of electric mobility vehicles.

[0098] 21 and 22 show cases in which one electric mobility vehicle 1 tows another electric mobility vehicle 1. As shown in FIG. 21 , a towing member 190 is attached to, for example, a member 126a connecting a pair of anti-toppling members 126, the rear wheel side frame 121, or the like. The towing member 190 may be fixed to the member 126a, the rear wheel side frame 121, or the like with bolts, or may be removably attached using a grip bolt, a toggle structure, or the like. Furthermore, the towing member 190 may be attached to the member 126a, the rear wheel side frame 121, or the like so that it can swing upward from the state shown in FIG. 21 . Furthermore, the towing member 190 may be formed to be foldable using a hinge, or the like.

[0099] When towing another electric mobility object 1, the user places the front wheel 10 of the other electric mobility object 1 on a towing member 190, as shown in Fig. 22 . The user then gets on the front electric mobility object 1 and starts driving the front electric mobility object 1. This causes the other electric mobility object 1 to be towed. It is also possible to attach a towing member 190 to the other electric mobility object 1 and place the front wheel 10 of yet another electric mobility object 1 on the towing member 190.

[0100] The central axis of the spring 140 is disposed on the vehicle front side relative to the rotation axis of the rear wheel 20. This configuration is advantageous for reducing the dimension of the electric mobility 1 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0101] In addition, in the rear-wheel-side cover 120a, it is preferable that the fender 120b (FIGS. 1 and 5) for the right rear wheel 20 is fixed to the right swinging unit 2. The same is true for the left fender 120b. For example, the fender 120b is fixed to the rear wheel support member 132 of the swinging unit 2, the motor 50, etc. using a plurality of bolts (not shown).

[0102] In this case, the fender 120b moves up and down together with the swinging part 2 and the rear wheel 20. Therefore, even if the rear wheel 20 moves significantly up and down around the swing axis 150a, the change in shape of the electric mobility device 1 appears small when viewed from the rear, side, etc. This configuration improves the functionality of the rear wheel suspension while maintaining the appearance of the electric mobility device 1, thereby improving the mood of the rider of the electric mobility device 1.

[0103] Note that the various effects of the rear wheel suspension and the swing control unit can be similarly achieved even when one or more pairs of front wheels 10 are provided on the front-wheel-side vehicle body 110. Furthermore, the various effects of the rear wheel suspension and the swing control unit can be similarly achieved even when other wheels are provided between the front wheels 10 and the rear wheels 20, or when other wheels are provided behind the rear wheels 20. Furthermore, the various configurations of the rear wheel suspension and the swing control unit described above may be adopted for a pair of front wheels 10 or a pair of other wheels, and the various effects can be similarly achieved in this case. Furthermore, the various configurations of the rear wheel suspension and the swing control unit of this embodiment can also be applied to the electric mobility described in International Publication No. 2021 / 132533.

[0104] Furthermore, the above-described various effects of the rear wheel suspension and the swing control unit can be achieved even when the front-wheel side body 110 and the rear-wheel side body 120 are permanently connected to each other. In this case, the front-wheel side frame 111 and the rear-wheel side frame 121 are, for example, integral with each other, and the front-wheel side frame 111 and the rear-wheel side frame 121 form the body frame of the electric mobility 1.

[0105] Furthermore, if the rear wheel support member 132 is not provided at the tip of the oscillating base 131, one end of the spring 140 may be fixed to another member such as the housing of the motor 50, or may be fixed to another member fixed to or provided on the oscillating base 131. In this case, one end of the spring 140 is attached to the tip of the oscillating base 131 via the member. On the other hand, one end of the spring 140 may be attached directly to the tip of the oscillating base 131. Even in these cases, the various effects of the rear wheel suspension described above can be achieved.

[0106] It is also possible to attach two (or more) seat units 40 aligned in the fore-and-aft direction to the electric mobility 1. In this case, two (or more) people will be seated aligned in the fore-and-aft direction on the electric mobility 1. Even in such a case, the various effects of the rear wheel suspension and the swing control unit described above can be achieved.

[0107] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electric mobility 2 Swing unit 3, 4, 4', 4'', 5, 6, 7 Swing control unit 10 Front wheel 20 Rear wheel (wheel) 30 Mobility main body 40 Seat unit 50 Motor 110 Front wheel side body 111 Front wheel side frame 120 Rear wheel side body 121 Rear wheel side frame (body frame) 131 Swing base 132 Rear wheel support member 140 Spring BA Battery

Claims

1. An electric mobility having at least a pair of wheels and a body frame, comprising a pair of oscillating parts, wherein when one end of each of the oscillating parts in the vehicle width direction is a base end and the other end in the vehicle width direction is a tip end, the base end side of each of the oscillating parts is supported by the body frame so as to be able to oscillate up and down around a swing axis extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and each of the wheels is supported by the oscillating parts so as to move up and down together with the tip end side of each of the oscillating parts, and comprising: a biasing member that applies a downward force to each of the oscillating parts when the tip end moves upward, and a swing control part that suppresses different directional swing in which one of the base end sides of the pair of oscillating parts swings in a different direction in the up and down direction relative to the other, or restricts it to a specified range.

2. The electric mobility described in claim 1, wherein the swing control unit has an upper contact portion and a lower contact portion provided on the base end side of at least one of the pair of swing parts, and the upper contact portion and the lower contact portion contact the base end side of the other of the pair of swing parts from above and below, thereby restricting the different directional swing within the specified range.

3. The electric mobility described in claim 1, wherein the swing control section has a connecting member connecting the base end sides of the pair of swinging sections to each other, the connecting member having a force generating section in which a first deformation occurs during same-direction swing in which the base end sides of the pair of swinging sections swing together in the up and down direction, and a second deformation of a mode different from the first deformation occurs during different-direction swing, and a second ratio between the force generated in the force generating section during the second deformation and the amount of deformation of the second deformation is 1.5 times or more compared to a first ratio between the force generated in the force generating section during the first deformation and the amount of deformation of the first deformation.

Images