JP5489943B2 - Steering device for automobile toys - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automobile toy steering apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a steering device for an automobile toy, a left link is provided with a parallel crank having two links positioned on the left and right and facing each other and two links positioned on the front and rear and facing each other, the front link being a fixed link. There is known a structure in which an axle of a left wheel protrudes leftward and an axle of a right wheel protrudes rightward on a right link (for example, Patent Document 1).

Utility Model Registration No. 3030650

However, in the steering device described in Patent Document 1, the left and right wheels rotate on the shafts on both sides of the front link, that is, the rotation of the knuckle arm located inside the left and right wheels and near the center of the wheel width. Since the wheel arch (opening of the wheel housing) is small, the wheel interferes with the wheel arch because the direction is changed around the axis. Therefore, the wheel arch has to be enlarged, and there has been a problem that the design differs significantly from the actual vehicle.
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a steering apparatus for an automobile toy that can reduce the wheel arch.

The invention of claim 1
A steering device for an automobile toy,
Two links positioned on the left and right and facing each other, two links positioned on the front and rear and facing each other, a first shaft that interconnects the left link and the front link, and the front link and the right link are interconnected A four-axis rotating chain is configured by the second shaft that connects the third link that connects the right link and the rear link, and the fourth shaft that connects the rear link and the left link. And
A left wheel axle is provided on the left link so as to protrude leftward, and a right wheel axle is provided on the right link so as to protrude rightward.
A first line segment connecting the centers of the first axis and the second axis; a second line segment connecting the centers of the second axis and the third axis; the third axis; When considering a third line segment connecting the centers of the fourth axes, and a fourth line segment connecting the centers of the fourth axis and the first axis, the left wheel and the right wheel are In the neutral position facing forward, the first line segment and the third line segment are parallel to the width direction of the car toy, and the second line segment and the fourth line segment are car toys. Is in a symmetrical position with respect to the center line in the width direction of
A fifth axis parallel to the third axis and the fourth axis, which is located behind the third line segment in the neutral position at the center in the width direction of the automobile toy;
The rear link is rotatably provided with respect to the fifth axis;
In the center of the width direction of the toy car, the neutral position is located in front of the first line segment, and includes a sixth axis parallel to the first axis and the second axis,
The front link is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the sixth axis.
This is a steering device for an automobile toy.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the steering apparatus for an automobile toy according to claim 1, wherein the rear link or the front link is an input link, and the input link is connected to a driving means, and this drive It is comprised so that it may rotate by a means.

  The invention of claim 3 is the steering device for an automobile toy according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when viewed in the neutral position, an offset distance from the third line segment to the center of the fifth axis; The offset distance from the first line segment to the sixth axis is the same.

  Invention of Claim 4 is a steering device of the toy car according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fifth line connecting the centers of the fifth axis and the third axis, When considering the sixth line segment connecting the centers of the fifth axis and the fourth axis, the rotation angle of the rear link is such that the fifth line segment is parallel to the width direction of the toy car. The sixth line segment is set in a range from the place to be parallel to the width direction of the car toy.

According to the present invention, for example, when turning to the left, when viewed with the left wheel, the fourth shaft moves from the neutral position forward and inward in the width direction of the car toy while the first shaft is in the neutral position. From the front of the car toy and outward in the width direction, and the outer edge of the left link faces diagonally to the left of the car toy. This causes the left wheel to turn to the left. When turning to the left, when viewed with the right wheel, the second shaft moves from the neutral position to the rear of the car toy and inward in the width direction, while the third axis moves from the neutral position to the rear of the car toy and Moving outward in the width direction, the outer edge of the right link faces diagonally forward of the car toy. This turns the right wheel to the left.
Therefore, the directions of the left and right wheels can be freely changed even when the wheel arch is small. In the case of a right turn, the operation of each member is reversed, but the same effect can be obtained.

It is a perspective view of the car toy of an embodiment. It is a top view of the chassis of the car toy of an embodiment. It is a top view of the drive mechanism of the rear wheel of the car toy of an embodiment. It is a top view of the steering device of the toy car of an embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the motor vehicle toy of embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the steering apparatus of the toy car of embodiment, (A) is a top view in the state where the front wheel faced ahead, (B) is a top view when the front wheel faces the left. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action and effect of the steering device of the toy car of embodiment, (A) is a schematic plan view of the steering device of embodiment, and its periphery, (B) is a steering device of a comparative example, and its It is a schematic plan view of the periphery. It is a schematic diagram which shows the modification of a 4-joint rotation chain, (A) is a top view in the state in which the front wheel faced ahead, (B) is a top view in case the front wheel turns to the left.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automobile toy according to an embodiment. The car toy 1 includes a chassis 2 (FIG. 2) and a body 3 shown in FIG. Among these, although the front part and the side part of the body 3 are not particularly limited, the body 3 has a certain degree of elasticity, and is provided with a recess or a convex part (not shown) inside the front part and inside the side part. The body 3 is attached to the chassis 2 by elastically engaging the recesses or protrusions of the body 3 with the not-shown protrusions or recesses of the chassis 2. The car toy 1 has an antenna device ANT (FIG. 5) that receives a control signal from a controller (not shown), and the car toy 1 travels and steers based on the control signal from the controller. ing.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of the chassis 2. A battery box 4 is provided at the center of the chassis 2. A battery (not shown) is installed in the battery box 4. The battery in this case may be a rechargeable battery.

  A mechanical box 5 is provided at the rear of the chassis 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the mechanical box 5 is provided with a motor M and a gear mechanism 7 for transmitting the power of the motor M to the axles 6 of the rear wheels 2b and 2b. The motor M is driven by a motor driving device 21 (FIG. 5). The rear wheels 2b and 2b are rotated together by the motor power.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, a steering device 8 for steering the front wheels 2c, 2c is provided at the front portion of the chassis 2. FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the steering device 8. In FIG. 4, a symbol L indicates a center line in the width direction of the automobile toy 1.
The steering device 8 includes a four-bar rotation chain 9. The four-joint rotating chain 9 includes links 10a and 10c that are positioned on the left and right sides of the toy 1 and facing each other, links 10b and 10d that are positioned on the front and rear of the toy 1 and facing each other, a left link 10a, and a front link 10b. A first shaft 11a that interconnects, a second shaft 11b that interconnects the front link 10b and the right link 10c, a third shaft 11c that interconnects the right link 10c and the rear link 10d, A fourth shaft 11d is provided for connecting the rear link 10d and the left link 10a to each other. Among these, the left link 10a and the right link 10c are configured in the same size and shape. The left link 10 a and the right link 10 c are arranged in a direction that is symmetrical with respect to the center line in the width direction of the car toy 1.

The left axle 2d is fixedly provided at the center in the front-rear direction of the left link 10a so as to protrude leftward. The left wheel 2c is attached to the left axle 2d so as to be idle.
On the other hand, the right axle 2d is fixedly provided at the center in the front-rear direction of the right link 10c so as to protrude rightward. The right wheel 2c is attached to the right axle 2d so as to be idle.

Moreover, the front side link 10b has the shape which the center of the width direction of the motor vehicle toy 1 bulged in the mountain shape toward the front by planar view. The front link 10b has an elongated hole on a perpendicular bisector of a line segment (first line segment) connecting the centers of the first shaft 11a and the second shaft 11b and ahead of the line segment. 12 is formed. The long hole 12 is oval and has a shape extending along a perpendicular bisector of a line segment (first line segment) connecting the first shaft 11a and the second shaft 11b. On the other hand, the chassis 2 is provided with a sixth shaft 13 that is parallel to the first shaft 11a and the second shaft 11b. The sixth shaft 13 is located at the center in the width direction of the automobile toy 1. The sixth shaft 13 is inserted into the long hole 12 of the front link 10b. As a result, the front side link 10 b is rotatable with respect to the sixth shaft 13.
In the case of the embodiment, the sixth shaft 13 is configured by the shaft of the screw S1 (FIG. 2). Thus, in the case where the sixth shaft 13 is constituted by the shaft of the screw S1, the front link 10b can be sandwiched between the head of the screw S2 and the fixing portion of the chassis 2, so that 4 The structure for attaching the knot rotating chain 9 to the chassis 2 is simplified.

The rear link 10d has a vertical bisector of a line segment (third line segment) connecting the centers of the third shaft 11c and the fourth shaft 11d, and the rear link 10d is behind the line segment. A third shaft 11c and a fifth shaft 14 parallel to the fourth shaft 11d are attached. The fifth shaft 14 is located at the center in the width direction of the automobile toy 1. The fifth shaft 14 is supported by the chassis 2. In the case of the embodiment, the fifth shaft is constituted by the shaft of the screw S2 (FIG. 2). As described above, when the fifth shaft 14 is configured by the shaft of the screw S2, the rear link 10d can be sandwiched between the head of the screw S2 and the fixing portion of the chassis 2. The structure for attaching the four-bar rotating chain 9 to the chassis 2 is simplified.
The rear link 10 d configured as described above is rotatable with respect to the fifth shaft 14. Unlike the front link 10b that rotates while moving back and forth, the rear side link 10d does not move back and forth but only rotates on the spot.
When viewed at the neutral position, the offset distance from the third line segment to the center of the fifth axis 14 and the offset distance from the first line segment to the sixth axis 13 are the same.

The rear link 10d constitutes an input link in the four-node rotating chain 9. A lever 15 is attached to the rear link 10d. The lever 15 extends rearward along a vertical bisector of a line segment (third line segment) connecting the centers of the third shaft 11c and the fourth shaft 11d. A permanent magnet 16 is provided at the tip of the lever 15.
On the other hand, on the chassis 2, coils C <b> 1 and C <b> 2 that can selectively face the permanent magnet 16 are provided behind the lever 15 at left and right positions sandwiching the center line in the width direction of the toy car 1. The coils C1 and C2 are driven by a coil driving device 22 (FIG. 5). Then, by generating a magnetic force between the coils C1 and C2 and the permanent magnet 16, the four-node rotating chain 9 is operated.
For example, when the facing surface of the permanent magnet 16 is N-pole, if the facing surface of the coil C1 is S-pole and the facing surface of the coil C2 is N-pole, the facing surface of the permanent magnet 16 is the facing surface of the coil C2. And the front wheels 2c and 2c on the left and right sides of the toy car 1 are directed to the left. When the facing surface of the permanent magnet 16 is N-pole, conversely, if the facing surface of the coil C1 is N-pole and the facing surface of the coil C2 is S-pole, the facing surface of the permanent magnet 16 is facing the coil C1. Since it receives repulsion from the surface and is attracted to the opposite surface of the coil C2, the left and right front wheels 2c, 2c of the automobile toy 1 are directed rightward. In this case, it is also possible to operate the four-joint rotation chain 9 by operating only one of the coils C1 and C2. Further, the facing surface of the permanent magnet 16 can be the S pole.
Instead of the lever 15, the permanent magnet 16 and the coils C1 and C2, a gear is provided concentrically with the rotating shaft 14 of the rear link 10d, and this gear is connected to the motor via a gear mechanism or directly. The rear link 10d may be rotated by power.

  Next, the circuit configuration of the automobile toy 1 will be described. FIG. 5 shows the circuit configuration. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 20 denotes a control device. The control device 20 is connected to an antenna device ANT, a motor drive device 21 for driving the motor M, and a coil drive device 22 for driving the coils C1 and C2. The coil driving device 22 in this case constitutes a driving means for the four-node rotating chain 9 together with the permanent magnet 16 and the coils C1 and C2.

  The control device 20 incorporates a program for running and steering, demodulates and decodes the control signal received by the antenna device ANT, and controls the drive of the motor drive device 21 and the coil drive device 22 according to the control signal. I do. For example, when the control signal is a control signal for running, the control device 20 controls the motor drive device 21 to change the speed of the automobile toy 1. Further, when the control signal is a control signal for steering, the control device 20 controls the coil driving device 22 to steer the automobile toy 1.

  Next, the operation of the four-joint rotating chain 9 in the steering device 8 will be described. FIGS. 6A and 6B show an example of the operation of the four-bar rotation chain 9. Among these, FIG. 6 (A) shows a state when the four-bar rotation chain 9 is in the neutral position. On the other hand, FIG. 6B shows a state when the four-bar rotation chain 9 is in a left-turning state.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (A), when the four-joint rotation chain 9 is in the neutral position, the left and right front wheels 2b, 2b are in a state of facing forward. When the four-joint rotation chain 9 shifts from the neutral position to the left-turning state shown in FIG. 6B, the rear link 10d rotates clockwise around the fifth shaft 14 in plan view, On the other hand, the front link 10b also rotates clockwise about the sixth shaft 13. The left and right front wheels 2c, 2c face left. When the four-joint rotation chain 9 shifts from the neutral position to the right turning state, the rear link 10d and the front link 10b perform the reverse operations, and the left and right front wheels 2c and 2c face right.

The operation and effect of the steering device 8 of the automobile toy 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 (A) and 7 (B).
As shown in FIG. 7 (A), when turning left, when viewed on the left wheel 2c side, the fourth shaft 11d moves from the neutral position to the front of the car toy 1 and inward in the width direction, The first shaft moves from the 11a neutral position to the front of the car toy 1 and outward in the width direction, and the outer edge of the left link 10a faces diagonally left rearward. As a result, the left front wheel 2c turns to the left. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7A, when turning to the left, when viewed with the right wheel 2c, the second shaft 11b moves from the neutral position to the rear of the car toy 1 and inward in the width direction. 3 shaft 11c moves from the neutral position to the rear of the toy car 1 and outward in the width direction, and the outer edge of the left link 10c faces obliquely forward to the right. As a result, the right front wheel 2c turns to the left.
Therefore, the directions of the left and right wheels 2c, 2c can be freely changed even when the wheel arch is small. Even in the case of right turn, the operation of each member is reversed, but the same effect can be obtained.
On the other hand, as shown in the comparative example of FIG. 7B, in the conventional structure in which the front wheels 2c and 2c change the direction about the fixed shafts 2j and 2j, if the wheel arch is small, At this time, the left and right front wheels 2c, 2c hit the opening edge of the wheel housing.

FIG. 8 shows a modification of the four-bar rotation chain. 8A shows a state in which the front wheels are directed forward, and FIG. 8B shows a case in which the front wheels are directed left.
In the four-joint rotating chain 90, a line segment (second line segment) connecting the centers of the second shaft 11b and the third shaft 11c, and the centers of the fourth shaft 11d and the first shaft 11a are connected to each other. The line segment connecting the lines (fourth line segment) is not parallel. In this respect, the four-bar rotation chain 90 is different from the four-bar rotation chain 9 shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7.
In other words, in the four-joint rotation chain 90, the distance between the second line segment and the fourth line segment is set to become narrower toward the rear when viewed in the neutral position. However, when viewed in the neutral position, the axles 2d of the left link 10a and the right link 10c are provided so as to protrude right side. The four-bar rotating chain 90 of this modification can be used in place of the four-bar rotating chain 9 shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7.
Other configurations are the same as those of the four-bar rotating chain 9 shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7, and thus detailed illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  According to the four-joint rotation chain 90 of this modification, when turning, the inner link (left link 10a or right link 10c) rotates more than the outer link (right link 10c or left link 10a). Can be performed smoothly. This point is also apparent from FIG. That is, for example, in the case of a left turn, the rotation angle α1 of the left link 10a is larger than the rotation angle α2 of the right link 10c. On the other hand, although not shown, in the case of a right turn, the rotation angle of the right link 10c is larger than the rotation angle α1 of the α2 left link 10a.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to this embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, a structure for holding the four-node rotation chain 9 in the neutral position is not disclosed. For example, the four-node rotation chain 9 is also controlled by controlling energization of the left and right coils C1 and C2. Can be held in a neutral position. However, in order to stably hold the four-node rotation chain 9 in the neutral position, it is preferable to provide a spring that biases the four-node rotation chain 9 toward the neutral position.

  In the above embodiment, a structure for finely adjusting the neutral position of the four-bar rotation chain 9 is not disclosed. However, the sixth shaft 13 can be moved with respect to the chassis 2 and the four-bar rotation chain is provided. It may be possible to finely adjust the neutral position of 9.

  In the above embodiment, the structure of the suspension is not disclosed. However, if the entire four-node rotating chain 9 is given elasticity in the vertical direction, the four-node rotating chain 9 also functions as a suspension. Alternatively, if support is provided at the center in the width direction so that both ends in the width direction of the four-joint rotation chain 9 move up and down, this also functions as a suspension.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the rear link 10d is an input link, but it goes without saying that the front link 10b may be an input link instead of the rear link 10d.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment controlled the coil drive device 22 and driven the input link and steered the toy car 1, the input link was driven by the motor to steer the toy car 1. You may comprise.

  In the above-described embodiment, the steering device for the self-propelled car toy 1 has been described. However, it is needless to say that the steering device for the hand-held car toy 1 can be applied.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automobile toy 2 Chassis 2b Rear wheel 2c Front wheel 8 Steering device 9 Four-node rotation chain 10a Left link 10b Front link 10c Right link 10d Rear link 11a 1st axis | shaft 11b 2nd axis | shaft 11c 3rd axis | shaft 11e 4th Axis 13 Sixth axis 14 Fifth axis

Claims (4)

A steering device for an automobile toy,
Two links positioned on the left and right and facing each other, two links positioned on the front and rear and facing each other, a first shaft that interconnects the left link and the front link, and the front link and the right link are interconnected A four-axis rotating chain is configured by the second shaft that connects the third link that connects the right link and the rear link, and the fourth shaft that connects the rear link and the left link. And
A left wheel axle is provided on the left link so as to protrude leftward, and a right wheel axle is provided on the right link so as to protrude rightward.
A first line segment connecting the centers of the first axis and the second axis; a second line segment connecting the centers of the second axis and the third axis; the third axis; When considering a third line segment connecting the centers of the fourth axes, and a fourth line segment connecting the centers of the fourth axis and the first axis, the left wheel and the right wheel are In the neutral position facing forward, the first line segment and the third line segment are parallel to the width direction of the car toy, and the second line segment and the fourth line segment are car toys. Is in a symmetrical position with respect to the center line in the width direction of
A fifth axis parallel to the third axis and the fourth axis, which is located behind the third line segment in the neutral position at the center in the width direction of the automobile toy;
The rear link is rotatably provided with respect to the fifth axis;
In the center of the width direction of the toy car, the neutral position is located in front of the first line segment, and includes a sixth axis parallel to the first axis and the second axis,
The front link is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the sixth axis.
A toy steering apparatus for an automobile toy. The rear link or the front link is an input link,
2. The steering apparatus for an automobile toy according to claim 1, wherein the input link is connected to driving means and is rotated by the driving means.   When viewed in the neutral position, the offset distance from the third line segment to the center of the fifth axis is the same as the offset distance from the first line segment to the sixth axis. The steering device for an automobile toy according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that   When a fifth line segment connecting the centers of the fifth axis and the third axis and a sixth line segment connecting the centers of the fifth axis and the fourth axis are considered, The rotation angle of the side link is set within a range from a position where the fifth line segment is parallel to the width direction of the toy car to a place where the sixth line segment is parallel to the width direction of the car toy. The steering device for an automobile toy according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the steering device is a toy.

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