JP7219385B2 - Electric car - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to electric vehicles.

Vehicles with wheels and tracks are well known. For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-196131 (Patent Document 1) discloses a mobile crane in which wheels and crawler belts are mounted on a chassis.

According to Patent Document 1, either the wheels or the crawler belt is configured to be in contact with the ground, and while the vehicle is driven by the wheels when traveling on roads, it is possible to move quickly. By grounding the crawler belt, the safety of lifting work can be improved.

However, due to the complexity of its structure, transportation means with wheels and crawlers are often applied to special vehicles, such as the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, and are mainly limited to large vehicles, and are not suitable for passenger cars. there were. Here, the structure of a general gasoline vehicle for passenger use is shown below.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a conventional gasoline vehicle. 4(a) shows a front view of the vehicle 100, FIG. 4(b) shows a side view of the vehicle 100, and FIG. 4(c) shows a bottom view of the vehicle 100. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4C, the vehicle 100 includes wheels 101, an engine 102 for driving them, a transmission 103, a tank 104 for storing fuel to be supplied to the engine 102, and exhaust gas from the engine 102. and an exhaust 107 for discharging the In the case of four-wheel drive, it also has a shaft 105 for transmitting power to the rear wheels and a differential gear 106 for adjusting the speed difference between the inner and outer wheels.

By the way, in recent years, as an environmentally friendly means of transportation, an electric vehicle whose wheels are driven by a motor has attracted attention. An electric vehicle has the advantage of having a smaller number of parts and a higher degree of freedom in arranging parts than a gasoline vehicle or a hybrid vehicle as shown in FIG. On the other hand, electric vehicles are heavier than gasoline vehicles and are inferior in running performance on rough roads. Agricultural electrification, IT, and AI are gaining momentum, but no solution has been found for a power source that can supply the large amount of electricity that is essential at that time to the side of the field.

In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-80813 (Patent Document 2) describes a technique related to an electric caterpillar.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-196131 JP 2014-80813 A

Therefore, there has been a demand for a technology that applies crawler belts that have a large contact area and excellent running stability on rough roads and the like to electric vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric vehicle equipped with a mechanism for assisting running stability on rough roads or the like.

That is, according to the present invention, an electric vehicle in which wheels and caterpillars are driven by electric power supplied from a battery,
When the electric vehicle is driven, the caterpillar is moved downward so as to be in the position of the wheel with respect to the vehicle and is grounded on the road surface. in preparation for
The caterpillar is driven by a motor powered by the battery, and is capable of controlling and/or supplying power to EV vehicles, working drones, and working robots in the field, and the caterpillar is via a keel. An electric vehicle is provided , characterized by comprising a keel as a chassis connected to the vehicle body and on the center line of the vehicle .

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the present invention provides an electric vehicle equipped with a mechanism for assisting running stability on rough roads and the like.

The figure which illustrates the structure of the electric vehicle in this embodiment. The perspective view of the electric vehicle of this embodiment. The figure which shows the operation|movement of the caterpillar in the electric vehicle of this embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a conventional gasoline vehicle; FIG. The figure which shows the embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the conventional caterpillar wheel. The figure which shows the conventional caterpillar wheel. The figure which shows the conventional caterpillar wheel.

The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described later. In addition, in each figure referred to below, the same reference numerals are used for common elements, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

In the drawings in the following description, the embodiment is described by showing a truck-type light vehicle, but this is an example and does not limit the present invention, and a passenger car or the like may be used.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an electric vehicle 100 according to this embodiment. 1(a) is a front view of the vehicle 100, FIG. 1(b) is a side view of the vehicle 100, and FIG. 1(c) is a bottom view of the vehicle 100, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1(c), the electric vehicle includes a motor 108 for driving wheels 101 and a battery 109 as a power source for the motor. In the case of a four-wheel drive vehicle, connecting the motor 108 to the front wheels enables four-wheel drive. The motors 108 and the battery 109 are connected by harnesses (not shown). Vehicle 100 also includes a control device for transmitting accelerator operation, brake operation, steering wheel operation, and the like to motor 108 .

Compared to the conventional gasoline vehicle 100 shown in FIG. 4, the electric vehicle 100 has a smaller number of parts, so that the parts can be easily arranged and a space can be secured. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1(c), a caterpillar 150 is arranged in the space created by motorizing power. The crawler belt is a drive mechanism that advances by rotating a belt-like connected plate, an annular belt, or the like while being tensioned by internal rollers. In addition to crawler belts, there are various names such as crawlers, endless tracks, and caterpillars (registered trademark).

In the vehicle 100 of this embodiment, the caterpillar 150 is arranged near the center of the bottom surface of the vehicle body. As a result, the empty space of the vehicle body can be effectively utilized, and the position of the center of gravity can be stabilized. Furthermore, it is preferable to have two caterpillars 150, which makes it possible to vary the rotation speed of each crawler track according to the steering angle of the steering wheel, thereby enabling smooth direction change.

The caterpillar 150 of this embodiment is driven by a motor. That is, similarly to the other wheels 101 of the vehicle 100, electric power is supplied from the battery 109, and each internal roller is rotated by the motor to be driven. In addition, the rotation of the left and right caterpillars 150 can be independently controlled by each motor by the control device, thus facilitating the change of direction. In addition, the caterpillar 150 functions as a rectenna unit for charging, charges the battery while the caterpillar 150 moves, and prevents the rectenna unit from overheating.

The caterpillar 150 is arranged at a height that matches the height of the wheel 101 and touches the road surface during driving. Thereby, the weight of the vehicle body can be distributed and supported not only by the four wheels 101 but also by the caterpillars 150 . In particular, since the caterpillar 150 has a larger contact area than the wheel 101, the vehicle body can be stably run. Therefore, even on rough roads such as unpaved roads and soft ground, a sufficient ground contact area can be secured, and the running performance is excellent.

Next, the detailed structure of the electric vehicle of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electric vehicle of this embodiment.

The vehicle 100 of the electric vehicle of this embodiment includes a caterpillar 150 near the center of the bottom surface of the vehicle body. The vehicle 100 and the caterpillar 150 are preferably connected by a keel 151 as shown in FIG. The keel 151 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body perpendicular to the axles of the left and right wheels 101 . Caterpillar 150 is mainly intended to assist driving on rough roads, etc., and to properly absorb vibrations and shocks, and to ensure the comfort of the driver's seat, suspension (not shown) It is connected with the keel 151 .

By providing the keel 151 as illustrated, the reaction force from the road surface generated when the caterpillar 150 is driven can be absorbed from above the caterpillar 150 . In addition, since the keel 151 can improve the rigidity of the vehicle body, the running performance can be further improved.

In FIG. 2, the battery 109 is housed inside the front bonnet and on both left and right sides of the cargo bed. , at a position facing the caterpillar 150 with respect to the keel 151 . As a result, a driving space can be secured, and heavy objects can be concentrated near the center of the vehicle body, so that the weight distribution of the vehicle 100 can be improved.

In addition, the vehicle 100 of this embodiment can move the caterpillar 150 up and down. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the operation of the caterpillar 150 in the electric vehicle of this embodiment.

The caterpillar 150 acts as an auxiliary drive mechanism when the vehicle 100 is running, especially when running on rough roads. On the other hand, when traveling on a flat road surface or a highway, the assistance of the caterpillar 150 is not required, and from the viewpoint of saving the battery capacity, it is preferable that the caterpillar 150 is not driven. However, if the vehicle travels by driving the wheels 101 while the non-driven caterpillars 150 are in contact with the ground, the friction of the crawler belts acts as a load and consumes more battery power.

Therefore, it is preferable that the caterpillar 150 of this embodiment can move up and down. FIG. 3 shows an example of a vehicle 100 with a caterpillar stowage 152 . The caterpillar housing portion 152 is a space indicated by broken lines in FIG. 3 and is installed on the bottom surface of the vehicle body. When traveling on a rough road, the caterpillar 150 is grounded as shown in FIG. It is stored in the storage part 152 and travels.

The vertical movement of the caterpillar 150 may be performed by the driver's operation, or a sensor for acquiring road surface conditions may be provided on the vehicle body, and the sensor may automatically operate according to the road surface conditions acquired. good.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an implementation of this embodiment. The vehicle of the present embodiment has a size suitable for traveling on a footpath in a field 210 such as a rice field. , making it possible to cure footpaths. Also, the vehicle 100 is charged via the caterpillar 150 from an electromagnetic charging facility 220 configured underground such as a footpath. Furthermore, in the field 210, a work robot 240 performs weeding and other work on the ground while acquiring the position by a GPS satellite 250, and a work drone 260 sprays pesticides, fertilizers, etc., and removes harmful birds from the air. Is going. Also, a DGPS post 230 for acquiring position information or a real-time kinematic GPS may be installed at the corner of the field 210 to enable position confirmation.

The vehicle 100 further communicates with the control room 200 to report its work status, and receives commands from the operator of the control room 200 to perform various types of work. 260 to issue a command. In addition, the vehicle 100 charges the working robot 240 and the working drone 260 from the battery 109 mounted thereon via the multipurpose switchboard.

According to the embodiments of the present invention described above, it is possible to provide an electric vehicle equipped with a mechanism for assisting running stability on rough roads or the like.

Noise reduction (shielded cabin)
The noise caused by the engine has changed from noisy, gasoline-powered vehicles to quiet EVs, and new problems have emerged. It becomes deafening. Most of the road noise comes from the tread surface of the tire.
It was found in the running test of the caterpillar that examined the MC that the caterpillar of the present application is located at the center of the vehicle, so that the sound tends to be muffled, and that it is a source of even louder noise for the MC passengers.

While considering countermeasures, the inventor came to the idea that an EV that does not generate any exhaust gas has the characteristic that it is not necessary to consider the exhaust gas of the own vehicle at all. And the ventilation mechanism for the crew's breathing must be equipped and operated reliably.
There are several solutions for this EV road noise,
Improvement of tires and caterpillars,
Adjusting the timbre that turns road noise into a road sound like the rattling sound of a train,
introduction of a noise canceling system,
Introduction of the shielded compartment of the present application.

In a gasoline car, the cabin (the space where the driver and passengers are, the inside of the car, the cabin) is normally visible so that even if the cabin is filled with the exhaust gas of the gasoline engine, it can be ventilated before you know it. There are many gaps that are designed to be impossible, and when the air conditioner or heater in the car is turned off, the room suddenly becomes hot or cold, and this gap is also a major cause. Road noise intrudes from this space.

In the present application, a shielded compartment is devised that secures breathing space for the occupant and thoroughly isolates noise below the occupant's nose and ears.
Cables should be bundled as much as possible, and the part that passes through the cabin wall should be as high as possible, and the seal should be thorough. Such a design can also reduce the use of sound insulation materials that take up considerable space, weight and cost.
An air replacement system for occupants' breathing, with intake and exhaust ports located in locations where outside noise is difficult to enter. It has a feature that the air intake and exhaust ports for breathing of the occupants are also used as a mechanism for listening to external sounds, and the sound of other vehicles' horns can be heard. In the production, using the acoustic analysis program of the hearing aid "Fukumimi" sold by the inventor, only sounds that cannot be overlooked such as horns are taken into the vehicle interior. If the wind gets too much while driving, it can be throttled.

Mainly, the shaded areas below the occupant's nose and ears in the accompanying drawing are thoroughly sound-insulated, that is, the bottom, the inside of the tire house, and the sides are mainly sound-insulated.
The GW sports car, another invention of the inventor, has an independent compartment, so it is easy to install such equipment.

A sensor is installed to detect the concentration of carbon dioxide in the breath of the occupant and notify the danger. If necessary, equip a device to amplify the sound outside the vehicle into the vehicle interior, or simply open the windows. If the humidity in the cabin is high, some ventilation openings will open to let the moisture out. The use of non-connected steering, accelerator pedals, brake pedals, etc. enhances the airtightness of the passenger compartment.

An advantage of the shielded cabin is that road noise can be reduced. The efficiency of cooling and heating can be improved both when the vehicle is running and when the vehicle is stopped, and electricity consumption can be improved. Reduces the amount of sound insulation material used. It is possible to reduce the damage inside the vehicle due to submersion in the event of a flood. Long-distance driving can reduce driver fatigue.
The technology of the shielded cabin of the present application can be applied to all EVs to varying degrees. Fuel cell vehicles, which are a type of electric vehicle, are somewhat different because hydrogen is used as fuel, and it is necessary to avoid staying in the vehicle body. The inventor is researching the shielding film. Plug-in hybrid vehicles and PHV vehicles cannot use the technology of the present application.

As described above, the present invention has been described with embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and within the scope of embodiments that can be conceived by those skilled in the art, as long as the actions and effects of the present invention are exhibited. , are within the scope of the present invention.
<Inventor's Opinion>

The opinions of the inventors are described below.

MC Motor caterpillar,
Mid-caterpillar
Daihatsu's light tiger has quite a gap. Catalog reference

The present invention relates to an electric caterpillar drive unit.

Autumn 2016 will be remembered as the first year of EV. This is because the world's three major automakers have all started the popular electric vehicle business, and the number of electric vehicles (EV) will increase rapidly. Little by little, EVs that work as light wagons and light trucks are being introduced to the market. Agriculture does not make up a large proportion of Japan's total industrial production, but it is an extremely important activity, as the Niinamesai Festival will explain why people die without food. The world's definition of food security, which is also described in the book "National Business General Code Number System", is "Is the nation well-fed?" "Can the poor afford it?" Can it be procured at the right time? A robot that is powered and controlled by the MC is an independent farmer who does not rely on technical intern trainees.

In order to promote agriculture in our country, it is necessary to promote the electrification of agriculture and electric farming, and there is a demand for the provision of power that is powerful and flexible and, if possible, derived from nature. Generally speaking, electric vehicles tend to slip on soft road surfaces due to their weight. In the case of Mitsubishi's light truck, the electric vehicle weighs 930kg, and the gasoline vehicle weighs 740kg. However, the MC type vehicle can run even in places with low load capacity because of its low contact pressure to the ground.

The main difference between the MC and the crawler is that the MC hardly supports the weight of the electric vehicle and is used as the drive source. It has a complicated structure. On the other hand, in the MC device, the four tires on the outer circumference serve as suspensions. For this reason, the MC can be simplified in function to drive and leveling functions, be inexpensive, and be less fragile. The running speed is also different. On the road, the MC runs on 4 wheels with the caterpillar part retracted, so the speed is much faster than the crawler, and it is quiet and comfortable to ride.

The appearance and cargo bed are the same as gasoline vehicles at first, but the structure is significantly different, and it is also different from EV light trucks. The MC is characterized by its keel and caterpillar located in the center of the vehicle, but in an electric vehicle, both the storage battery and motor can be placed within the available space due to the high degree of freedom in their placement. EVs are superior to gasoline cars in terms of the ease of caterpillar drive sources. The degree of freedom in locating the power source is much higher in an EV motor than in a gasoline vehicle engine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a unique caterpillar drive unit (MC) that utilizes the characteristics of electric vehicles. Fields in Japan are not normally wired. It is said that agriculture is IT-oriented, but we propose the electrification of agriculture and electrification. This is the electrification of farm work itself, and for that reason, the core of Japanese agriculture is the MC-type EV light car and light truck, which are highly capable of traveling on rough terrain. Almost none of the Japanese agricultural machinery is powered by electricity. Agricultural machinery manufacturers seem to be researching electric tractors, and the direction is clearly different from the present application, and the vehicles are large and expensive, and cannot be easily purchased. There seems to be little need to make new investments for small-scale farmers, but large-scale agricultural corporations are likely to be able to reduce labor costs. In March, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries formulated guidelines that set safety standards for self-driving tractors. By 2020, it is said that the policy is to develop a system that allows remote monitoring instead of the naked eye to operate. In line with this, Kubota wants to release a completely unmanned agricultural machine. Speaking of self-driving cars, many people think of passenger cars, but major agricultural equipment manufacturers are also working on self-driving cars, and the practical application is now in sight.

It is expected to help solve the problems of aging population and labor shortage. Since the main purpose is not to run on public roads, it is easier to realize than a passenger car, and full-scale sales are likely to start in 2018. It can be said that the automatic operation of agricultural machinery whose main work is limited to the farmland is an easy theme to promote. In fact, not only tractors but also lawn mowers and weeders are being developed for automatic operation. This is good news for agricultural corporations that want to scale up but are suffering from labor shortages, but the challenge is how to keep the price of agricultural machinery down. It seems that the entire agricultural industry, including agricultural cooperatives that play the role of “wholesale,” will need to work together. However, with the agricultural reforms that began in 2016, it was pointed out that "farmers are suffering from persistently high prices for agricultural materials (equipment)," and manufacturers are required to make efforts to lower prices through mass production.

Electric farming, which electrifies agriculture, is the direction of the future, but electric farming requires a power source, and ordinary fields have almost no electricity. Basic power supply facilities will be installed in agricultural areas where transportation is convenient, and locally produced electricity from solar cells and wind power generation will be used for electric agriculture. However, there is a big problem in using a mobile high-performance storage battery such as the product name of the inventor of the present application, "Moving Power," in the electric farming of small-scale farms operated by part-time farmers. Mobile power is a heavy storage battery with wheels or an electric vehicle, so these are heavy and cannot safely travel on farm roads or ridges with low pressure resistance.

Azemichi has an excellent feature in that it can be flexibly changed or removed according to the convenience of agricultural work, and because of its necessity, it also has low pressure resistance. There are cars that use caterpillars like the attached image shown in FIG. 6, but in general cars, it can be said that there are almost none. This is because the caterpillar device cannot be placed in the center of the vehicle because it will be taken away. Furthermore, in the case of a gasoline vehicle that uses normal tires, the battery installed does not have enough power to drive the caterpillar, so the power must be transmitted from the engine, and the drive mechanism becomes too complicated and almost meaningless. don't do it

According to the present invention, the engine, transmission, exhaust pipe, and muffler that are present in the case of gasoline vehicles are effectively used in EVs, and a tunnel in which a unique retractable caterpillar drive unit (MC) can be installed in the center of the vehicle body. A space called is arranged, and a keel and an electric caterpillar drive unit are provided. The EV is a PHV, and development of a vehicle with a special design is desired. Gasoline vehicles refer to internal combustion engines that run on petroleum-based fuel, including diesel vehicles and natural gas vehicles. "caterpillar" and "tracked tractor" are trademarks of Caterpillar Inc., but since they have become common nouns throughout the world, they are commonly referred to as "caterpillar" in this specification.

Normally, it runs on four wheels, but on ridge roads, snowy roads, muddy roads, and uphills, the caterpillar drive unit housed in the vehicle body is grounded on the ground and used as a stable and powerful drive source.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, an electric vehicle can be provided with the excellent running performance on a rough road called a caterpillar drive, and its commercial value can be improved. In the public eye, it is said that agriculture is IT-oriented.

In most cases, caterpillar drive is superior to 4WD when it comes to running on rough roads. 4WD capability is not required except for high-end applications, and the price can be lowered. At the time of mass production, we would like to offer the MC type more cheaply than the 4WD. Unlike electric tractors that are still in the research stage, the MC model is based on a low-priced EV light truck, and we can fully expect mass production to further reduce the price. Japanese manufacturers cannot afford to develop electric tractors on their own. Agricultural equipment manufacturers are cooperating with each other to develop electric tractors in order to share the development costs, but since it is a new technology with a small expected production volume even if it is sold, it is not easy to sharply lower the price. .

At first glance, the technology of the present application is limited to mini vehicles, but the derivatives of this unit can be widely applied to other EVs such as SUVs and pickup trucks.

However, the maximum speed when the caterpillar is driven is about 50km, and it is dangerous to go so fast on a bad road that is not flat. A snowmobile with a similar structure has been recorded as having a maximum speed of 220km/h in good snow conditions.

A space called a tunnel is placed in the center of the vehicle where a unique caterpillar drive unit (MC) can be installed, a keel is provided, and a canoe type (Canoe) caterpillar drive unit is installed.

The size of the installation surface of the caterpillar is about 60 cm wide and 100 cm long (1 m) in the case of a light truck, and it is located in the center of the car body. It can be driven by multiple motors. When multiple motors work together to drive, it is possible to finely adjust the tension applied to the caterpillar, making it possible to achieve stable contact with the ground and lighten the load on the bandage. With Caterpillar, two 30cm-wide bandages are placed in the same unit and move independently on the left and right, which is almost impossible with a mechanical system, but possible with an electric drive. The width and length of the bundle can be stored in the lower surface of the EV and can be increased to a size that does not interfere with running. The Caterpillar drive unit has a minimum ground clearance of 20 cm or less in the stowed state, which is the same as that of current light trucks during normal driving. The caterpillar drive unit (MC) shock absorber uses a highly durable leaf spring.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described using embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described later. FIG. 1 is a side view of the MC type of this embodiment. From the outside, it looks like a mass-produced, inexpensive light truck familiar in Japan.

In this application, there is a caterpillar in what is called a tunnel on the centerline of the vehicle. Alignment with the drive caterpillar is also possible with the battery. In gasoline vehicles, the engine, exhaust pipes, and transmission made it impossible to place the caterpillar on the center line of the vehicle in the first place.

The presence or absence of obstacles on the road surface ahead, including cat's eye in the zebra zone of the road, adopts ISB (cyber sensor body), and is constantly alerted automatically with various sensors, and if danger is detected, It automatically decelerates and runs to avoid collisions. In order to facilitate maintenance and inspection, it is desirable that the caterpillar drive unit be equipped with an ISB so that the canoe type drive unit can be automatically and easily attached and detached. The caterpillar drive unit is connected to the keel, which is the chassis structural member. Since the present application has a keel, it can receive the force of the caterpillar drive unit from above. The conventional structure, which does not have the keel, which is a feature of the present application, cannot firmly receive the large reaction force when the caterpillar is driven.

If the keel is made of iron, it will be large and heavy, but now it is small, light, and has more strength and flexibility than iron. is also reduced. Since the MC model has a keel, if you provide a space for storing long luggage on the left and right sides of the keel, you can carry a small amount of antennas and poles of about 3m in spite of the short overall length of the mini vehicle. increase the usefulness of Extension poles for multifunctional masts, etc. Since the MC weighs nearly 1 ton, it can safely support a high pole that improves radio communication conditions, and there is no need to set up a pole stand on farmland where it is difficult to secure a foothold.

The MC vehicle has several driving modes.
Normal driving mode Caterpillar driving mode Snow driving mode

After driver's approval work, switch the on-board computer to caterpillar driving mode, lower the caterpillar to the ground. Since it is a retractable type, it does not wear out when running on general paved roads, so the tread shape of the caterpillar can be made edgy and sharp with high grip, and its sharpness lasts for a long time.

The four wheels and caterpillar are fine-tuned according to the driving conditions, and work together to provide the optimum driving force. The vertical mechanism of the central caterpillar has a leveling function and can also be used as a car body jack. This can be easily realized because it is lifted at the center of the vehicle, and the MC type has a structure that can be used together with a maintenance lift for gasoline vehicles.

The problem with installing caterpillars in the center of the vehicle is cleaning after use.

A light truck with a minimum ground clearance of 16 cm has only about 40 cm between the body and the ground at a large point, and it is extremely difficult for humans to enter and inspect the caterpillar in the center of the vehicle because there is no space. The MC type of the present application is equipped with a monitoring camera and a cleaning mechanism. A surveillance camera on the caterpillar drive surface checks the condition of the caterpillar. The dirt removal cleaning mechanism uses water guns, spatulas, ultrasonic waves, high-pressure air nozzles, and the like. Equipped with piping for supplying water and high-pressure air from the outside.

Reference explanation of ISB
Intelligent Sensor Brick □□□□ ISB
1.Independent Sensor Body
what we provide
ISBoffers you a standardized platform to various types of hi-grade sensors.
☆Configurations of ISB
almostany type of sensor, snapdragon 800series CPUusing windows10 OS,
power supply, communication chips, Bluetooth (registered trademark), I/O interface
IS Bis the intelligent sensor module.
★ideal features
comparing to traditional system, ISB shortens calibration time .
IS Bis very close to a sensor, gathers minimum noise.
ISBis easy to upgrade, a sensor, software program, CPU.
Asensitive sensor can be in mechanical trouble, you can easily change sensor or ISB.
ISBCPUaccomplishes complicated calculations, ISB lessens a central CPU workload.
ISBuses self diagnosis system, offers strong antivirus firewall.
Firmwire-less data communication achieved because ISB CPU accomplishes complicatedcalculations and send minimum vital data using common base accomplishes an easyintegration.
☆Beloware significant features of ISB
Short-cut function input trend analysis and treatment can be done by ISB CPU.
Sensor patch function
ISBoffers an interchangeable system according to missions.
uplevel integration CPU can exist, likely nerve system exists.
ISBhas a mechanical shutdown switch for unthinkable troubles.
ISB acts as ideal components of a net-centric system.
Explanations
Short-cutfunction or conditioned response function reacts to an actuator against asensor input, bypassing a central CPU decision.
ISBCPU notifies a trouble to central CPU and succeeds a mission.
reusability easy programming by windows.

If a rectenna (power-receiving antenna) for receiving power is provided on the caterpillar, it can be brought close to the power-supply surface, enabling efficient and reliable cordless power transmission to EV light trucks. This makes it possible to receive power from the road surface not only when the vehicle is stopped, but also when climbing a steep slope, which consumes the most power. The rectenna (power-receiving antenna) heats up while receiving power, so the caterpillar spins at a very low speed, and the MC's heat-refrigerant function cools it down. The biggest issue with cordless power feeding is overheating of the rectenna (power receiving antenna). The use of gallium arsenide elements, which are resistant to heat, is also under consideration. The caterpillar is rotated so that the temperature at any point A of the bundle does not exceed the limit, and can be turned up to the mechanical limit of rotational speed. The power receiving area is nearly 2.5 times larger than normal. If you specialize in cordless power supply, it is possible to realize a caterpillar type rectenna unit for receiving power that is not used for driving.

Since the MC model does not have a heavy and large engine train in the center, a keel (keel) like a ship is made and arranged with light and small carbon fiber parts. Using CgES, it becomes the central tool of electric farming.

Heat countermeasures Since the MC type caterpillar drive motor is located in the center of the vehicle, it is difficult for air to hit it. Air currents and blowing fans are also used while driving, but when each component gets hot, cold air and cold water are used to cool it. Targets are battery-related parts, motors, and the like. In conventional gasoline vehicles, the cooling is around the engine, but in the MC model, the cold heat source is supplied. For example, for motors, improved cooling performance is essential for high performance. Therefore, we built a direct water cooling system to achieve effective cooling of the stator. In addition, by integrally molding the insulator into the stator core, it is lightweight and compact, while greatly reducing the thermal resistance from the coil, which is the heat source, to the cooling water. can be maintained. Exhaust heat is used for secondary purposes such as heaters and warming food. These coolants can be used to fine-tune the weight balance of the vehicle.

In this application, PureDC, which is a high-speed power supply within 10 minutes using a storage battery with our own technology, is implemented. In this technology, the cooling of various devices is indispensable, and the heat generated during high-speed charging of in-vehicle equipment is exhausted by the powerful cooling equipment of the MC type. Don't let the long charging time negate the rationalization of farm work. Such a charging device has hardly been commercialized at the time of filing of the present application.

Although it is an optional equipment, the MC type EV has 2 to 4 electric jacks in the chassis in a well-balanced manner, and the tires can be easily attached and detached. The drive unit can be replaced.

Since MC electric vehicles store energy in batteries, unlike gasoline vehicles, the center of gravity does not change much due to consumption of gasoline.

MC efficiently uses electricity obtained from photovoltaic power generation and wind power generation for transportation via a hydrogen and electric energy integration system provided by the inventor.

Most of the current agricultural machinery and greenhouses are powered by gasoline (heavy oil), so the burden of energy costs is heavy.

Although it is an optional equipment, it is equipped with a solar panel on the carrier. In the case of EVs, all devices stop working when the power is cut off, so this is to reduce the risk as much as possible. Since it is a loading platform, it is easy to turn over or roll it up so as not to damage it when carrying luggage.

◎Additional drive unit The standard MC model is strong on rough roads, but the additional caterpillar drive unit makes it easy to replace the four wheels and switch to caterpillar drive. I want to divert the suspension for tires. Although it is difficult due to regulations, we would like to remove the tires and brakes as a single unit to simplify operation.

Such operation is possible because the power source of the drive unit is an electric motor. In the case of a gasoline vehicle, it is necessary to connect the drive shaft and a lot of work is required, but in the case of the MC model, the power source is simply connected by electric wires, so it is easy. As for the division of roles, the center caterpillar mainly produces the driving force, and the additional caterpillar drive unit supports the car body and is used for turning. If you have an additional caterpillar drive unit, you can also perform a super-pivot turn at a single point, and you can also use the central caterpillar as the pivot for the center of rotation.

The additional drive unit has an inner type and an outer type.

The inner mold has a width that fits within the standard width of 148 cm for mini vehicles shown in Fig. 7, and the outer mold has a caterpillar that fits within 2.4 m in width like a side pontoon as shown in Fig. 8. be. As you can easily see from the image, the inner type lacks stability partly due to the higher vehicle height. The outer type has a low vehicle height and is wide, so it is stable and safe, but it is no longer a light vehicle standard. Somehow, during agricultural work and snowfall when chain regulations are issued, I want the outer mold to limit the narrow area and allow the road to pass. The side caterpillar is equipment that increases the stability of the vehicle and is not fashion, so in farming applications and heavy snowfall areas, the side caterpillar should be deregulated as a mini vehicle if the vehicle width is within 2.4m. sea bream.

Furthermore, at the time of large-scale disaster certification, I would like you to approve the temporary use as an exception. Although it is not necessary, the MC type, which uses an additional drive unit, cannot run at high speeds.

Drive unit replacement procedure The replacement work should be done in a place as smooth and strong as possible so as not to interfere with traffic.

Prepare the left and right drive units in their approximate expected positions.

Stop the MC light car. Activate the center jack and lift.

Replace either the left or the right. Because it is dangerous, the operation should be performed while standing in front of and behind the vehicle as much as possible. Remove tire. Install the drive unit. Remove the tire on the opposite side, install the drive unit, and check the fixation of the installed unit.

Connect the power and control wires of the drive unit and the vehicle body. Rotate the caterpillar at a very low speed, and if no abnormality is found, activate the center jack and ground the car body.

Automatic drive unit exchange function Connects the drive power supply from the vehicle body to the additional drive unit.It is premised on the use of ISB, but various sensors, gyros, and AI are used to automatically connect to the position of the positioning pin. The worker fixes the car body and the additional drive unit. Connect power and control wires of minimum length between the drive unit and the vehicle body. Since it is electric, it can also run on its own with a minimum storage battery built into the additional drive unit. In this way, if all caterpillars are used, electric vehicles are currently heavier than gasoline-powered vehicles, but because the ground contact area is greatly increased, ground contact pressure is significantly reduced and running performance on rough roads is greatly improved.

A solar cell with an area of 10 tatami mats can generate approximately 3 kW of electricity, and a farm can easily secure a solar cell installation site of this size to supply power to the MC model.
It can reduce tragic accidents. Accidents of heatstroke often occur while working in greenhouses, but if MC-type power supplies and ventilation equipment are used, it is possible to lower the temperature inside the greenhouse. I would like to develop a drone that automatically tracks workers and shades them from the sun.

The communication router mounted on the MC model is configured to be able to control a wired LAN or wireless LAN module such as WiFi, enabling network communication conforming to the Ethernet (registered trademark) and IEEE802.11x protocols. there is In addition, in this embodiment, a communication device for satellite communication can be mounted. Promoting electrification with powerful communication functions. Such advanced communication requires an MC type that can stably supply a large output.

The ideas of the inventors are described below.

When this caterpillar-equipped mobile power for agriculture is used to realize electric farming, high-output drones in the sky and farming robots on land will play an active role.

High output drone in the sky, SKY ARM. The payload is 20kg or more, and the maximum is 100kg. The Aircraft Manufacturing Business Act was revised in April 2014, and the total weight of the aircraft has increased from 100 kg to 150 kg for unmanned helicopters. The payload adopts a container method so that it can be shared with the container used for cargo collection at JA. A standard container measures about 640 mm long and 320 mm wide. It is completely different from small drones that are mainly used for photography, and it is used for spraying pesticides, transporting harvested products, eliminating pests, security, lighting from the sky, rice planting, snow removal, and transporting daily necessities. SKY ARM is an innovation that provides a foothold in the air. Currently, there are electric drones with a maximum payload of 20 kg. In raising young rice seedlings, the weight of a mat seedling containing water and a box is about 6 kg, so a seedling box and a seed planting device can be equipped. If the seeds are planted from the air, they are flying, so there is no need to get stuck in the rice field, which is the cause of the difficulty of rice planting.

It is possible to maintain most of the conditions such as the water gradient of fields that have been plowed and leveled. It is easy to stir the water in the rice field to prevent weeds. The SKY ARM is waterproof and can fly even in the rain, so it can be used in paddy fields. Since the SKY ARM is smaller and lighter than a rice transplanter, it is possible to deploy a rental SKY ARM along the northward movement during the rice planting season.

High-output drones, SKY ARM, fly on electric power, but the power supply can be self-sustaining type (rapid charging type, battery pack exchange type), wired power supply type (power supply by power cable, aerial power supply type by millimeter wave), etc. . Aerial power transmission using millimeter waves is steadily being improved at the Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University.

Use it carefully so as not to collide, but use multiple SKY ARMs at the same time to increase productivity. Depending on how SKY ARM is used, it is possible to minimize aisles and turning headlands, increasing the cultivated area in the greenhouse. The drone should have high horizontal stability and positioning accuracy without assuming high-speed flight.

Watch out for sensors and do not fly above people, dogs, cats, etc. They carry transmitters to let the SKY ARM detect their whereabouts. SKY ARM is alerted by AI. However, if a person flies over his head by mistake, he runs away. It also has a propeller protection cover that minimizes the loss of efficiency. High-power drones are currently expensive devices, but if the standards are met and mass-produced, the price can be dramatically lowered to the point where it becomes popular.

The land farming robot, ROVER ARM, is a farming robot that has both caterpillar-driven legs and a stabilizing tail, and is able to pass between crops at a low surface pressure, preferably below the ground pressure of 0.15 kg/ ^cm2 of human feet. I want to. It is lower and moves to perform various agricultural tasks, transporting goods and crops, clearing undergrowth in furrows, guarding, and transporting daily necessities. The main arms are on the left and right, and the abdomen is provided with a third arm for assistance. The ROVER ARM has a major feature in this application that all joints are 4 joints. Various forms are conceivable depending on the crops to be cultivated and the nature of the work. At the time of sorting and harvesting, we would like to use the sensor of ROVER ARM to perform the primary sorting of crops and lead to prompt shipment. It can also be harvested at night. Electric machines also reduce the oily odor caused by waste gas and grease, which are major enemies of high-quality crops, and sell at a high price.

SKY ARM and ROVER ARM can also increase productivity by working together. You can also use the two together. In rice cultivation in Japan, the weight of a mat seedling containing water and a box is about 6 kg. This transportation is often done by elderly people and women, and it is a heavy burden. Also, humans can work in the extreme heat of summer, the cold of winter, and at night like a tomato harvesting robot. Thanks to the efforts of many engineers, agricultural robots are making rapid progress. With higher performance sensors, lower prices, and the spread of ISB, what is currently called unskilled work will be replaced by robots in an instant in the near future. However, in rural areas, it is dangerous to rely on cars and not get enough exercise every day. Electric farming requires a large amount of electricity compared to the past, and electricity will be provided by agricultural mobile power MC with caterpillar. Electric power supplies are safer than topping up gasoline to agricultural machinery. Battery packs used in electric farming equipment should have standards like Tesla S's 18650 batteries and square batteries. To replenish the power used by the storage battery in these operations, it is possible to supply power by mounting a fuel cell power generation unit that uses hydrogen as fuel.

If you have a MC-type light car, you have a powerful power supply, so you can use a clean electric incineration toilet sold by the inventor at the farm, and waste time going to and from home during the busy farming season. It's gone.

Mobile base MC vehicles can be used to control and power multiple SKY ARMs and ROVER ARMs. Since the farmland is privately owned and restricted to entry, laws and ordinances corresponding to new technology have been put in place, and automatic piloting and driving are also possible. If MC collectively controls all SKY ARMs and ROVER ARMs in the field, the danger of collision between drones and robots that occurs in actual operation will be eliminated. The mobile base can be used not only locally, but also as a relay base for communication with regional centers. In principle, it is operated locally, but if you think of it as the control of each group, you can operate SKY ARM and ROVER ARM. If specialized operators from the regional center intervene, the amount of work can be done with a small number of people, which can contribute to solving the labor shortage in agriculture. There seems to be little need to make new investments for small-scale farmers, but large-scale agricultural corporations are likely to be able to reduce labor costs. Against the backdrop of such moves by manufacturers, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries formulated guidelines that stipulate safety standards for self-driving tractors and other products in March. By 2020, it is said that the policy is to develop a system that allows remote monitoring instead of the naked eye to operate.

In line with this, Kubota wants to release a completely unmanned agricultural machine. Speaking of self-driving cars, many people think of passenger cars, but major agricultural equipment manufacturers are also working on self-driving cars, and the practical application is now in sight. It is expected to help solve the problems of aging population and labor shortage. Since the main purpose is not to run on public roads, it is easier to realize than a passenger car, and full-scale sales are likely to start in 2018. However, as the agricultural reforms since 2016 have pointed out that "farmers are suffering from the high price of agricultural materials (equipment)," manufacturers are required to make efforts to lower prices through mass production.

It can be said that the automatic operation of agricultural machinery whose main work is limited to the farmland is an easy theme to promote. In fact, not only tractors but also lawn mowers and weeders are being developed for automatic operation. This is good news for agricultural corporations that want to scale up but are suffering from labor shortages, but the challenge is how to keep the price of agricultural machinery down. It seems that the entire agricultural industry, including agricultural cooperatives that play the role of “wholesale,” will need to work together. Since the SKY ARM and ROVER ARM can carry only a small amount of weight, they need a large number of machines to operate, so group control such as RDCS (Distributed Robot Coordination System) using AI is essential. With the active job openings-to-applicants ratio surpassing that of the bubble period, labor shortages are becoming more serious at agricultural production sites. The active job openings-to-applicants ratio by job category is on the rise, surpassing other industries. While the expansion of the scale of farmers and the increase in the number of agricultural corporations require employment labor, there is also a labor shortage across all industries, making it difficult to secure short-term part-time jobs during the harvest season. This situation could hinder the maintenance and expansion of management.

The active job openings-to-applicants ratio for agricultural workers, who cultivate and harvest rice, vegetables, and fruit trees, rose from 1.08 in fiscal 2012 to 1.63 in fiscal 2016. The active job openings-to-applicants ratio for all industries was 0.82 in fiscal 2012 and 1.39 in fiscal 2016. The figure for June 2017 announced on the 28th was 1.51. It was the highest level in months.

In such an all-industrial labor shortage, the number of agricultural workers exceeds the overall number. This is due to an increase in the number of leading farmers who have expanded their scale and cannot handle the work with family labor alone, and corporate management that employs full-time employees. “With the economic recovery, job seekers are moving to the manufacturing industry, and more farmers are suffering from labor shortages.”

The active job openings-to-applicants ratio is for full-time job openings, but in addition to the large number of baby boomers leaving farming, JA Zenchu believes that it is becoming difficult to secure short-term part-time jobs during the busy farming season (1). Relatives and local women who had been asked to do the work until now have retired due to aging.

A vegetable farmer said, "There are many farmers who say they can't get enough people even if they recruit people. It's difficult to get them to come for a short period of time, so they say it's better to work at a convenience store." In addition to manual labor, farming, which is short-term and depends on the weather, is difficult to earn and seems to be avoided. SKY ARM and ROVER ARM carry out equipment maintenance when there is no fixed standby labor cost and when the weather is bad.

In response to this situation, the government and JA are looking for support measures. Ehime Prefecture's JA Ochiimabari started a support team of staff members in 2013, and since 2015 it has partnered with a temporary staffing company to provide labor support, mainly used by citrus farmers. This is because of a sense of crisis that the shortage of workers will become a bottleneck and "not only will it be impossible to expand the scale, but it will also be impossible to maintain the production area."

In fiscal 2016, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries started a project to support the establishment of a "Labor Force Securing Strategy Center" that recruits and coordinates labor for each production area. The Agricultural Labor Support Council, which was launched last year by Zenchu, JA Zen-Noh, and the Japan Agricultural Corporations Association, will soon make policy recommendations to secure a stable supply of agricultural human resources.

Use SCPS (Site Cubic Positioning System), which incorporates DGPS to determine altitude, and use real-time kinematic GPS and "Michibiki" positioning to implement highly productive operations. Automatic power feeding is also possible. Such an operation is less difficult to implement than telemedicine.

The mobile base may be a unit house that can be mounted on the carrier of an MC light truck, or a dedicated MC light wagon. By installing a small server in the mobile base, it is possible to reduce the number of cyber functions installed on the SKY ARM and ROVER ARM side and lower the price.

Since many base stations for relaying communication between regional centers and mobile base stations are located on hills, MC vehicles can also be used for maintenance of communication base stations, which have many difficult spots on connecting roads, and for supplying emergency power.

It reduces the maintenance cost of full-scale roads and makes it possible to reach the base station even when the weather conditions are severe.

In the event of a repeater base station failure, the SKY ARM could be equipped with a repeater antenna, perhaps even wired to relay important communications over the air.

This technology is under development.

This unit is equipment for light trucks and wagons, but can be used for any electric vehicle that can be equipped with a derivative type. I would also like to consider a pickup truck like the Hilux (product name).

Coordination with the building's solar panels is desirable, there are no residents, and if electricity is stored in electric vehicles during the daytime and used at night to cover the time difference between generation and use, the electricity bills purchased from the electric power company will be significantly reduced. can be reduced, the stationary storage battery on the building side can be made significantly smaller and cheaper, and by using the inventor's CgES and smart inverter, power can be safely sold to the grid. . A solar cell with an area of 10 tatami mats can generate approximately 3 kW of electricity. Roof combined type with low installation cost is preferable.

CgES is an EV / PHEV charging outlet sold exclusively for electric vehicles sold by the inventor. It is an IT-type distributor that safely and reliably utilizes CHAdeMO charging stations, EVs, PHEVs, and hydrogen vehicles as power sources for power tools in the event of a disaster.

The powerful batteries of electric vehicles can supply power to drones and agricultural robots equipped with high-output engine motors capable of performing various types of agricultural work, both wired and wirelessly. Since the MC model has a low ground contact pressure, it can be driven into the center of the field to minimize the cable length, especially for wired.

It can also drive emergency drainage and water supply pumps. In principle, water for growing crops comes naturally from irrigation water, but when pumping up water, power is required for power. Although it is difficult to take measures against cold damage outdoors, the lack of sunlight can be compensated for by various artificial light sources that are optimal for each crop in practical use and mobile power is available.

Although we recognize the ability of dedicated agricultural machinery in large-scale farms, we often see and hear the fact that the high price of dedicated agricultural machinery hinders the profitability of agricultural management. In the future, if the MC light truck becomes a common platform for small and medium-sized farms with many part-time farmers, it will be possible to make it profitable. With SKY ARM and ROVER ARM, even part-time farmers want to increase productivity close to that of dedicated agricultural machinery. We also want to carry out small-scale binder and combine work. However, since the soil of paddy fields is extremely fine, the technical hurdles for sealing materials are high. A car manufacturer that also manufactures farm equipment is desirable. The MC has a caterpillar at the center of its weight, and can be used as a stand for changing four wheels, including a brake unit that allows tire changes.
Removing the Snow Behind the image of the back of Japan, there is a battle with snow that continues to this day. Using power from MC to remove snow with high-powered drones and robots can reduce sad snow-removal accidents. Agricultural equipment is often used for a short period of time in a year, but systems centered on MC are also active in snow removal work as well as agricultural work. This equipment is intended for use by contractors, but the main purpose of snow removal is to prevent the roof from collapsing under the weight of the snow. None. Like a tractor, it is used by connecting props dedicated to removing snow.
Explain along the procedure of work.

A cordless power line with a built-in heater before the snow season. Laying on the top of the roof. It may use SKY ARM.
Starting to remove the snow, the parent aircraft flew and grabbed the power cable. The functions of the power supply cable are to supply power to the snow removal device, to anchor the child machine when it is hoisted, and to prevent the child machine from falling. Depending on the snow removal, a simple work method that does not use power lines may be selected.
Snow is removed from power lines by the main unit, and after removing snow, a heater prevents snow from accumulating.
The slave snow blower separates and flies to the edge of the eaves. The surface of the snow is usually bumpy, and another major feature of this invention is that it reaches the eaves by flying.

While hoisting the child machine with a winch, the snow crushed by the child machine's crusher is blown under the eaves by the downdraft of the propeller. If it is not enough to remove the snow by hoisting it once, it will go back and forth.
The fallen snow is collected by the ROVER ARM at the same time and loaded onto the MC or the like. Since it is a robot, there is no need to worry about injuries even if snow falls from above.
Snow removal is carried out little by little by parallel movement of the main unit along the edge of the eaves.
When removing snow from a small roof, etc., use the power supply cable to prevent it from falling, and use the cordless handset to fly.
Carry out the collected snow. The MC has high running performance on snow due to the caterpillar.
Remove the power cable in the spring.

Since the work is done by a robot, there is no need to worry about falling accidents, and if AI is used, almost automatic operation can be achieved. Since it is self-driving, there is no need to rush, and the same area can be removed little by little many times a day. Humans don't really need a break, which is natural. In the case of a crossbow or snow, in heavy snowfall areas, the residents are exhausted because they have to dig snow many times a day, but if there is a power supply from MC, the effort and danger of snow removal for the residents will be drastically reduced. . Even in winter, SKY ARM and ROVER ARM can be used effectively. This is related to laws and ordinances, but if supplies and communication devices are delivered to an isolated village with SKY ARM and ROVER ARM in emergency relief, the lives of crew members are in danger. be able to. It would be a good idea to use the ROVER ARM as a snow mole under the snow.

By blowing strong air from the top of the roof in the direction of the leeward eaves, it is secondary, but the amount of snow accretion on the roof can be reduced. Although the amount of snowfall does not change, the snow on the roof is less Become.

Reference material, ISB description, http://www.watanabe-ele.com/pdf/iisb.pdf

In the event of a large-scale disaster, MC can deliver rescue materials and relief supplies even in places full of debris with many tires punctured.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100... Vehicle, 101... Wheel, 102... Engine, 103... Transmission mechanism, 104... Fuel tank, 105... Shaft, 106... Differential device, 107... Exhaust mechanism, 108... Motor, 109... Battery, 150... Caterpillar, 151 … keel, 152 … caterpillar housing

Claims (1)

An electric vehicle in which wheels and caterpillars are driven by power supplied from a battery,
When the electric vehicle is driven, the caterpillar is moved downward so as to be in the position of the wheel with respect to the vehicle and is grounded on the road surface. in preparation for
The caterpillar is driven by a motor powered by the battery, and can control and/or supply power to EV vehicles, working drones, and working robots in the field, and the caterpillar is connected to the keel via the keel. An electric vehicle characterized by comprising a keel as a chassis connected to a vehicle body and on the center line of the vehicle .

Images