Electric cart

Abstract

Provided is an electric cart that is relatively compact and can be smoothly converted between a hand-push type and a self-propelled type.　An intermediate region (23) of an electric cart (10) is foldable by means of a link mechanism, and has a lock mechanism including a lower link (40) and a locking frame (70). The lock mechanism has a first lock mechanism for maintaining a state in which the intermediate region (23) is deployed, and a second lock mechanism for maintaining a state in which the intermediate region (23) is folded.

Description

Electric cart

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric cart for use when traveling on the road, on a golf course, in a supermarket, in a shopping mall, or the like.

[0002] Shopping carts and golf carts that can accommodate luggage and move around are well known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a push-type shopping cart that has a cart body, front and rear wheels attached to the cart body, and a loading platform located on the front side of the cart body. Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a single-seater electric golf cart that has a body structure similar to that of an electric wheelchair.

[0003] Utility Model Publication No. 5-5652 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-323548

[0004] The hand-pushed shopping cart disclosed in Patent Document 1 can be moved while holding luggage on the platform, making it convenient for shopping and moving around on the street. However, when the user is elderly or carrying a lot of luggage, there are limitations to pushing the cart by hand.

[0005] The electric golf cart disclosed in Patent Document 2 allows the user to place golf equipment and other items on the carrier and drive the cart while sitting, eliminating physical strain. However, it is relatively large, limiting the space available for daily use and increasing the cost. Furthermore, due to its relatively large size, it is difficult to secure storage space, and a more compact electric cart has been desired.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an improved electric cart that is relatively compact and can be smoothly converted between a push-button type and a self-propelled type.

[0007] In order to solve the technical problems, the present invention relates to an electric cart having vertical, lateral and longitudinal directions, a front area having a handle and a pair of front wheels steered by the handle, a rear area having a pair of rear wheels drive-controlled by a control device, and an intermediate area located between the front and rear areas.

[0008] The transformable electric cart of the present invention is characterized in that the intermediate region can be folded by a link mechanism, and further comprises an upper link extending in the front-to-rear direction, a lower link positioned opposite and spaced apart from the upper link in the vertical direction, a locking frame to which the lower link is connected, and a locking mechanism formed by the lower link and the locking frame, and the locking mechanism comprises a first locking mechanism that maintains the intermediate region in an unfolded state and a second locking mechanism that maintains the intermediate region in a folded state.

[0009] In one or more embodiments of the electric cart of the present invention, the middle section can be folded to make it more compact, allowing it to be used as either a push-button or a self-propelled type depending on the user's needs. Furthermore, the locking mechanism prevents the frame from coming off, allowing for safe use in either mode.

[0010] The drawings show specific embodiments of the electric cart according to the present invention, and include not only essential configurations of the invention but also alternative and preferred embodiments. A perspective view of the electric cart according to the present invention as seen from the rear. A side view of the electric cart. An exploded perspective view of the electric cart. An enlarged view of a portion surrounded by line IV in FIG. 3. (A) An enlarged view of a portion of the rear region as seen from below. (B) An enlarged view of the link mechanism. (A) An exploded view of the electric cart. (B) A view showing the electric cart during folding operation. (C) A view of the electric cart in the folded state. (A) A view of the locking mechanism in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6(A). (B) A view of the locking mechanism in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6(B). (C) A view of the locking mechanism in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6(C). A view showing a self-propelled use mode of the electric cart. A view showing a pedal-operated use mode of the electric cart. A view showing a push-type use mode of the electric cart.

[0011] The following describes in detail an electric cart 10 according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying Figures 1 to 10. The following embodiments include not only essential features of the present invention, but also features that can be selectively adopted and features that can be combined as appropriate.

[0012] 1 to 3, an electric cart 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention has an up-down direction Y, a lateral direction X, and a front-rear direction Z, and includes a handle 2, a front region 21 having a pair of left and right front wheels 3, 3 steered by the handle 2, a rear region 22 having a pair of left and right rear wheels 4, 4 drive-controlled by a control device 5 having an electric motor, and an intermediate region 23 located between the front and rear regions 21, 22.

[0013] The control device 5 is composed of a microcomputer, RAM, ROM storing programs and data for causing the microcomputer to execute control processing, an input / output interface, etc. The electric cart 10 is equipped with drive-related components of a typical electric cart, for example, power supply-related components such as a battery 7, and drive-related components such as a motor with built-in electromagnetic brakes and axles, and is equipped with the battery 7 and a charger as power supply-related components, and can be charged by connecting the charger to a commercial power source, so it can be charged at home, etc.

[0014] Next, in terms of operation, the electric cart 10 is equipped with the components of a typical electric cart, and a power switch 2a is located next to the handle 2. The motor is controlled to operate by turning the handles 2, 2, and the motor is released and the electric cart 10 stops by pulling the brake lever.

[0015] The front region 21 has a handle bar extending in the lateral direction X, a handle frame extending downward from the handle bar, and a support frame (handle post) 25 to which the handle frame is connected. A pair of front wheels 3, 3 are drivably attached below the support frame 25.

[0016] An annular auxiliary handle (steering frame) 27 is located above the support frame 25. The auxiliary handle 27 is generally rectangular and has a front end fixed to the support frame 25, both side portions extending diagonally downward from the front end toward the rear, and a rear end extending parallel to the front end.

[0017] The handlebars are equipped with a holder 11 for holding a mobile phone and a display 12 that displays power-related and drive-related information for the electric cart 10, such as speed, distance traveled, remaining battery charge, forward / reverse switching, and drive control for each wheel. The display 12 is preferably a touch panel, allowing various settings to be freely controlled. A drink holder 13 is also provided below the auxiliary handle 25 on the support frame 25.

[0018] A battery holder for holding the battery 7 is located on the support frame 25 between the auxiliary handle 27 and the front wheel. The battery holder has a pair of holding rings aligned in the vertical direction and a bottom plate on which the battery 7 is placed. A control device 5 is attached to the support frame 25 behind the battery 7.

[0019] A loading platform arm 28 is positioned below the battery holding portion and extends forward. A loading platform 28a for placing luggage is attached to the tip of the loading platform arm 28. The loading platform arm 28 has a link mechanism and is movable toward and away from the support frame 25. An optional storage basket for storing luggage may be disposed on the loading platform 28a. A holding belt 29a is attached to the tip of a support arm 29 that extends forward from the holding ring of the battery holding portion and that holds luggage such as a golf bag placed on the loading platform 28a. The support arm 29 may be extendable and have a mechanism that allows its angle to be adjusted in the fore-and-aft direction Z.

[0020] 4 and 5, upper and lower links 30, 40 are located in the intermediate region 23, extending in the front-rear direction Z and aligned in the up-down direction Y. The upper link 30 has front and rear ends 31, 32 positioned opposite each other and spaced apart in the front-rear direction Z, and each of the front and rear ends 31, 32 has a through hole 31 a, 32 a formed therein.

[0021] The lower link 40 has front and rear ends 41, 42 positioned opposite each other and spaced apart in the front-rear direction Z, with one through hole 41a formed in the front end 41 and a locking portion 43 located at the rear end 42. The locking portion 43 has a through hole 44 that communicates with a mounting hole in the connecting frame (described later) and a pair of through holes 45 located in front of the through hole.

[0022] In addition, the engaging portion 43 has a first protrusion 46 that protrudes rearward along the upper edge of the lower link 40, an engaging protrusion 47 that extends diagonally downward, a second protrusion 48 that extends downward in front of the engaging protrusion 47, a first engaging recess 49A located between the first protrusion 46 and the engaging protrusion 47, and a second engaging recess 49B located between the engaging protrusion 47 and the second protrusion 48.

[0023] The connecting frame 50 has first and second attachment portions 51, 52 that protrude from the main body portion, and a third attachment portion 53 that is located at the lower end of the main body portion and has a through hole.

[0024] The front ends 31, 41 of the upper and lower links 30, 40 are rotatably attached via rotation shafts (bolts) that pass through holes 31 a, 41 a formed in the links and through holes located in the attachment portions of the support frame 25. On the other hand, the rear ends 32, 42 of the upper and lower links 30, 40 are rotatably attached via rotation shafts (bolts) that pass through holes 32 a, 42 a formed in the links and through holes 51 a, 52 a located in the first and second attachment portions 51, 52 of the connecting frame 50.

[0025] The rear region 22 has a floor panel 60 to which a pair of rear wheels 4 driven by a driving means such as a motor are attached, and a locking frame 70 extending forward from below the floor panel 60. The floor panel 60 has a front portion 61 that is concave toward the front, and a footrest 62 located between the rear wheels 4, 4 on which the user places their feet. A support member 80 is disposed in front of the footrest 62, penetrating the floor panel 60 in the up-down direction Y.

[0026] The support member 80 includes an upper end portion 81 having a pair of plate-shaped portions with through holes and a first gap formed between the plate-shaped portions, and a lower end portion 82 located below the floor board 60 and having a pair of plate-shaped portions with through holes and a second gap formed between the plate-shaped portions.

[0027] The locking frame 70 is generally L-shaped and has an arm portion 71 extending upward and a rearward extending portion 72 extending rearward. A connecting portion 73 that connects to the lower link 40 is located at the base end of the arm portion 71, and a locking projection 74 that projects forward is located at the tip. A through-hole 72a is located at the front side of the rearward extending portion 72, and an operating step 75 that is located between the rear wheels 4 is located at the rear side. An elastic means 78 made of a compression spring is attached to the connecting portion 73, and a hook 77 is located at the tip of the elastic means 78.

[0028] The connecting frame 50 is rotatably connected to the support member 80 by inserting the third mounting portion 53 into the first gap in the upper end 81 of the support member 80, and by connecting the through-hole 53a of the third mounting portion 53 to the through-hole in the plate-like portion of the upper end 81 and passing through them. The locking frame 70 is rotatably connected to the support member 80 by inserting the front side into the second gap in the lower end 82 of the support member 80, and by connecting the through-hole 72a to the through-hole in the plate-like portion of the lower end 82 and passing through them.

[0029] When the locking frame 70 is connected to the support member 80, the arm portion 71 of the locking frame 70 is located inside the front portion 61 of the floor board 60, and the hook 77 of the elastic means 78 is engaged with the locking hole 61a of the front portion 61 opposite it. This causes the locking frame 70 to be constantly biased downward.

[0030] The electric cart 10 has a first locking mechanism used to maintain the unfolded state and consisting of the locking protrusion 74 of the locking frame 70 and the first engaging recess 49A of the locked portion 43 of the lower link 40, and a second locking mechanism used to maintain the folded state and consisting of the locking protrusion 74 and the second engaging recess 49B of the locked portion 43 of the lower link 40. As described above, the locking frame 70 is constantly biased downward, so when the first and second locking mechanisms are locked, the locking protrusion 74 abuts against the first and second engaging recesses 49A, 49B and will not accidentally come off.

[0031] 6(A) to 6(C) and 7(A) to 7(C), the folding method of the electric cart 10 will be described. First, in the assembled state, the user steps on the operating step 75 with one foot while gripping the handle 2 and / or the auxiliary handle 27. This causes the front portion 61 of the floor board 60 to rise, and the locking protrusion 74 of the locking frame 70 disengages from the first engaging recess 49A of the locked portion 43 of the lower link 40 against the bias of the elastic means 78, thereby releasing the first locking mechanism. With the user stepping on the operating step 75, the user operates the rear region 22 to move forward, causing the upper and lower links 30, 40 to rotate about the rotation axes P1, P2, and enter the folded state.

[0032] At this time, the locking projection 74 of the locking frame 70 moves downward along the curved surface of the engaged projection 47 and enters the second engaging recess 49B of the engaged portion 43. This locks the upper and lower links 30, 40 in the folded state by the second locking mechanism formed by the locking projection 74 and the second engaging recess 49B.

[0033] 8, when using the electric cart with its electric functions, first, the user 1 places both feet on the footrest 62, grips the handle 2, and switches on the electric cart 10. The front and rear wheels 3, 3, 4, 4 are driven by the control device 5, and the user 1 can operate the front wheel by gripping the handle 2 and the auxiliary handle 27. A golf bag 19 is placed on the loading platform 28a.

[0034] When the electric cart 10 is in use, the first locking mechanism consisting of the locking protrusion 74 of the locking frame 70 and the first engagement recess 49A of the locked portion 43 of the lower link 40 keeps the electric cart 10 in a stable assembled state, and the first locking mechanism will not be released during use.

[0035] As shown in Figure 9, the user 1 can also move without using the electric function by placing one foot (for example, the right foot) on the footrest 62 and pedaling by kicking the ground with the other foot.

[0036] The electric cart 10 can be used as a golf cart, with the loading platform 28a capable of carrying golf equipment such as a golf bag 19. It can also be used as an electric cart for sports, carrying various sports equipment other than golf. It can also be used as a shopping cart for carrying shopping bags and other items in retail stores such as shopping centers and supermarkets, and as a silver cart for elderly people to carry their luggage when going out. In this way, the electric cart 10 can be used for a variety of purposes depending on the usage situation of the user 1.

[0037] 10, the electric cart 10 can be folded and used as a hand-pushed cart that can be moved by the user 1. In this state of use, the electric function drives the front and rear wheels 3, 4, allowing smooth movement even when a heavy load is placed on the platform. Furthermore, if the load is light, the cart can be moved entirely by hand without using the electric function.

[0038] Furthermore, in the case of such a push-type electric cart, the user moves by grasping the auxiliary handle 27 extending rearward from the support 25, rather than the handle 2, which positions the user rearward away from the electric cart 10, thereby realizing smooth walking without the user's toes coming into contact with the rear wheels 4 when walking.

[0039] The present invention can include at least the following embodiments. The embodiments can be adopted separately or in combination with each other. (1) The lower link has a locking portion located at its rear end, the locking portion having a first protrusion protruding rearward along the upper edge of the lower link, a locking protrusion extending diagonally downward, a second protrusion extending downward in front of the locking protrusion, a first engaging recess located between the first protrusion and the locking protrusion, and a second engaging recess located between the locking protrusion and the second protrusion. The locking frame is generally L-shaped and has an arm portion extending upward and a rearward extending portion extending rearward, and a locking protrusion protruding forward is located at the tip of the arm portion. The first locking mechanism is composed of the locking protrusion of the locking frame and the first engaging recess of the lower link, and the second locking mechanism is composed of the locking protrusion of the locking frame and the second engaging recess of the lower link. (2) The outer surface of the engaging protrusion is curved. (3) The locking frame further has an operation step for releasing the first locking mechanism. (4) The bicycle bicycle further has a support frame having the handle and the front wheel, and the support frame has a ring-shaped auxiliary handle below the handle.

[0040] 2 Handle 3 Front wheel 4 Rear wheel 5 Control device 10 Electric cart 21 Front region 22 Rear region 23 Middle region 25 Support frame 27 Auxiliary handle 40 Lower link 43 Locked portion 46 First protrusion 47 Engaged protrusion 48 Second protrusion 49A First engaging recess 49B Second engaging recess 70 Locking frame 71 Arm portion 72 Rear extension portion 74 Locking protrusion 75 Operation step X Lateral direction Y Up-down direction Z Forward-backward direction

Claims

1. An electric cart having vertical, lateral and longitudinal directions, a front region having a handle, a pair of front wheels steered by the handle, a rear region having a pair of rear wheels drive-controlled by a control device, and a middle region located between the front and rear regions, wherein the middle region can be folded by a link mechanism and further has an upper link extending in the longitudinal direction, a lower link positioned facing and spaced apart from the upper link in the vertical direction, a locking frame to which the lower link is connected, and a locking mechanism consisting of the lower link and the locking frame, wherein the locking mechanism has a first locking mechanism which keeps the middle region unfolded, and a second locking mechanism which keeps the middle region folded.

2. An electric cart as described in claim 1, wherein the lower link has an engaged portion located at its rear end, the engaged portion having a first protrusion protruding rearward along the upper edge of the lower link, an engaged protrusion extending diagonally downward, a second protrusion extending downward in front of the engaged protrusion, a first engaging recess located between the first protrusion and the engaged protrusion, and a second engaging recess located between the engaged protrusion and the second protrusion, the engaging frame is approximately L-shaped and has an arm portion extending upward and a rearward extending portion extending rearward, and a engaging protrusion protruding forward is located at the tip of the arm portion, the first locking mechanism is composed of the engaging protrusion of the locking frame and the first engaging recess of the lower link, and the second locking mechanism is composed of the engaging protrusion of the locking frame and the second engaging recess of the lower link.

3. The electric cart according to claim 2, wherein the outer surface of said engaging projection is curved.

4. The electric cart according to claim 1, wherein the locking frame further comprises an operating step for unlocking the first locking mechanism.

5. The electric cart according to claim 1, further comprising a support frame having said handle and said front wheels, said support frame having an annular auxiliary handle below said handle.

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