JPH06134049A - Golf cart - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To change a direction easily at the time of manual (hand) operation of a golf cart. CONSTITUTION:This golf cart apparatus is equipped with a caster axis 57 with a spline formed in the outer peripheral part and with an electric steering mechanism 47 for transmitting the torque of an electric steering motor 58 to the caster axis 57 via final output axis 59 with a spline formed therein, and the electric steering mechanism 47 is arranged on the outer periphery side of the final output axis 59 and caster axis 57 and movably along the axial direction of both axes. Further, the apparatus has a shifter clutch 60 for engaging with the final output axis 59 and caster axis 57 via the spline formed in the inner peripheral part and a lock mechanism part for fixing the shifter clutch 60 respectively in a connected position for engaging with the final output axis 59 and caster axis 57 and in a non-connected position for engaging only with the final output axis 59.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a golf cart used for transporting golf bags on a golf course, and more particularly to a non-passenger type golf cart which can carry two golf bags.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, golf courses have been introduced with a golf cart in order to promote self-playing in order to reduce the labor of the caddy and prevent the caddy from running short. Are roughly classified into a riding-type golf cart in which the passenger rides and a non-riding-type golf cart in which only a golf bag is mounted.

FIG. 11 is a conventional example of a non-riding electric remote control type golf cart for mounting one bag. The golf cart has two driving wheels 1 and 2 and one steering wheel 3. A holder 6 for mounting the bottom portion of the golf bag 5 is provided on the upper portion of the caster 4 that supports the steered wheels 3, and a golf ball is attached to a shaft 8 that is vertically provided on a cart body 7 that houses a drive wheel motor and the like. A holding part 9 for holding the upper part of the bag 5 and a band 10 are provided, a handle grip 11 and a switch box 12 are provided at the base end of the shaft 8, and further transmitted to the cart body 8 from a remote control box. The antenna 13 is provided for receiving the remote control signal.

[0004]

However, in the case of the above-mentioned conventional non-riding electric golf cart, the structure is such that the traveling direction can be changed to the left or right depending on the speed difference between the left and right driving wheels. Since the steered wheels are always free, there is a problem that the running direction of the golf cart cannot be accurately controlled because it is easy to descend to the lower side on the slope. On the other hand,
The steering wheel is electrically steered by the motor by providing an electric steering motor on the golf cart and connecting the output shaft of the motor and the caster shaft of the caster that supports the steering wheel via a worm gear. However, in this method, when the battery is exhausted or the power switch is turned off, the steered wheels do not become free from external force, and therefore the golf cart can be manually turned. Difficult problems arise.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems.
By providing a clutch between the motor output shaft of the electric steering mechanism and the caster shaft of the steered wheels, it is possible to provide a golf cart which facilitates direction change particularly during manual (hand pushing) operation of the golf cart. To aim.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a golf cart which has at least two driving wheels and one steering wheel and which can carry a plurality of golf bags. A caster shaft disposed on a caster that pivotally supports the steered wheels, and a spline is formed on the outer peripheral portion,
An electric steering motor for the steered wheels, and a motor output shaft that is connectable to the caster shaft and has a spline formed on the outer peripheral portion thereof are arranged above the caster shaft and have a rotational force of the electric steering motor. Is provided to the caster shaft via the motor output shaft, and a controller for controlling the electric steering mechanism.
The motor output shaft and the caster shaft are arranged so as to be movable on the outer peripheral side and along the axial direction of the both shafts, and mesh with the motor output shaft and the caster shaft through a spline formed on the inner peripheral portion. A structure that includes a cylindrical transmission mechanism and a fixing mechanism that fixes the transmission mechanism to a coupling position that meshes with the motor output shaft and the caster shaft, or a non-coupling position that meshes only with the motor output shaft. Is.

[0007]

According to the present invention, when the steering wheel of the golf cart is steered by the electric steering mechanism, the transmission mechanism is fixed by the fixing mechanism to the connecting position where the transmission mechanism meshes with the motor output shaft and the caster shaft. To do. As a result, the rotation of the electric steering motor of the electric steering mechanism is transmitted to the steered wheels via the motor output shaft and the caster shaft, so that the golf cart can be run while electrically steering the steered wheels by the electric steering mechanism. . On the other hand, when the steered wheels of the golf cart are separated from the electric steering mechanism in the neutral state, the fixing mechanism fixes the transmission mechanism to a non-coupling position in which only the motor output shaft meshes. As a result, the caster shaft is brought into a neutral state, so that the golf cart can be run while being operated manually (by hand). Therefore, the player can drive the golf cart in a desired manner from among manual (hand push) traveling and electric steering traveling, and can easily move the golf cart forward, backward, and turn even during manual traveling. .

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment and a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(1) First embodiment. First, the overall structure of the non-riding type golf cart of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.
1 is a 4-way operation selection of manual (hand push) operation / electric (hand switch) operation / remote control operation / orbital traveling (automatic transfer) operation by making the front wheels, which are the steered wheels, electrically steerable by the electric steering mechanism. It is possible to mount two golf bags, and the structure is left-right symmetric with respect to the upper frame arranged at the center line of the golf cart 21 in the traveling direction.

In the golf cart of the first embodiment, the steering wheel barrel is manually moved by manually pulling up / down the clutch shift lever of the clutch mechanism portion of the electric steering mechanism described later to move the shifter clutch in the vertical direction. It is characterized in that the front wheels can be manually switched between an electric steering enabled state (during electric traveling) and a neutral state (during manual traveling by pushing).

The structure of the golf cart 21 will be described in detail. The golf cart 21 includes the axle shaft casing 2
The vehicle is equipped with a left rear wheel 23 and a right rear wheel 24, which are drive wheels disposed at both ends of the axle shaft, and a front wheel 26, which is a driven wheel supported by a caster shaft of a caster 25. In this case, the axle shaft is located inside the axle shaft casing 22 and includes the left rear wheel 23 and the right rear wheel 2.
4 is supported by bearings (not shown) near each inside. A left side frame 27 and a right side frame 28 are mounted in a floating state on both axial ends of the axle shaft casing 22 via a side axle casing bracket, a rear axle mount bracket, and a side axle mount rubber (not shown above). Between these side frames 27, 28,
The cross frame 29 is fixed by bolts in a horizontally stretched state.

From the center of the cross frame 29 to both sides,
Mounts (not shown) for supporting the upper portion of the golf bag G mounted on the golf cart 21 are mounted respectively, and between the center portion of the cross frame 29 and the upper end portions of both side frames 27, 28. Bands (not shown) for fixing the upper portion of the golf bag G to the mounts are attached. Further, between both side frames 27, 28, auxiliary frames 34, 35 are fixed by bolts in an intersecting state. In this case, the axle shaft casing 22, the left side frame 27, the right side frame 28, and the cross frame 29 constitute a rectangular (square-shaped) closed frame.

A head pipe 36 is fixed to the caster 25 supporting the front wheel 26 by bolts, and one end portion of the upper frame 37 in the axial direction and one end portion of the lower frame 38 in the axial direction are fixed to the head pipe 36. Are fixed by bolts. In this case, the strength can be improved by further welding the respective one ends of the upper frame 37 and the lower frame 38. The vicinity of the axial center of the upper frame 37 is fixed to the axial center of the cross frame 29 by a bolt via a gusset plate 56. In this case, the fixing method may be welding.

A remote control box (not shown) for remotely controlling the golf cart 21 is provided at a substantially central portion of the upper surface of the gusset plate 56 fixed to the upper frame 37 and the cross frame 29.
An antenna 39 for receiving radio waves based on the operation of is vertically provided. In this case, two remote control boxes are prepared corresponding to the number of golf bags mounted, that is, the number of players.

On the other end of the upper frame 37 in the axial direction, a handle grip 40 for manually operating the golf cart 21, a power switch, a forward / backward switch, a predetermined time traveling switch, an emergency stop switch, and front wheels. An electric steering switch, a stepless speed adjusting volume, and a switch box 41 equipped with a battery voltage display LED are mounted. A travel switch 42 for traveling the golf cart 21 is arranged at the lower end of the handle grip 40. In this case, golf cart 21
Runs only while the traveling switch 42 is being pressed, and stops when the pressing operation is stopped.

The other axial end portion of the lower frame 38 is welded or bolted to the axle shaft casing 2
While being fixed to 2, the golf bag holder 4 is provided with mounting plates 43 and 44 for mounting the bottoms of the two golf bags in the vicinity of one axial end of the lower frame 38.
5 is fixed to the mounting plates 43 and 44, and locking members 43a and 44 for locking the bottom side surface of the golf bag.
a is integrally provided. Further, at the lower end portion of the golf bag holder 45, when the golf cart 21 travels along a cart road, an AGV (Auto G) for detecting the magnetism of a magnet buried in the ground or the low frequency current of a cable is used.
The uided vehicle sensor 46 is fixed.

In the golf cart 21, the left side frame 27, the right side frame 28, the cross frame 2
9, the axle shaft / casing 22, the upper frame 37, and the lower frame 38 form a basic frame, and the frame, the casing, the head pipe 36, and a battery holder 48 described later form the entire frame. The axle shaft casing 22, the left side frame 27, the right side frame 28, and the cross frame 29 constitute a rectangular (square-shaped) closed frame.

An electric steering mechanism 47 is fixed to the upper portion of the head pipe 36 with bolts.
When the vehicle 1 is in the electric traveling mode, the electric steering mechanism 47 performs electric steering to control the turning angle of the front wheel 26, which is the steered wheel. Inside the head pipe 36, the casters 2
The caster shaft 5 is arranged in a penetrating state, and the caster shaft is connected to the motor output shaft of the electric steering mechanism 47. As a result, the front wheels 26 are supported by the upper frame 37 via the casters 25 and the head pipe 36, and are rotated by the electric steering mechanism 47. The detailed configuration of the electric steering mechanism 47 will be described later.

The left side frame 27 and the right side frame 28 are axially centered to the lower end and the lower frame 38.
A battery holder 48 is mounted in a space formed by the axial rear end of the battery holder 48, and two batteries 49 and 50 are symmetrically mounted on the battery holder 48. A main controller 51 is arranged between the batteries 49 and 50, while a remote control receiver / electric steering controller 52 is arranged above the batteries 49 and 50.
The remote control signal received by the antenna 39 is decoded from the remote control box, the driving command signal is output to the main controller 51 based on the signal decoding, and the steering command signal to the electric steering mechanism 47 is output.

The axle shaft casing 22 includes
Separated axle shaft for left rear wheel 23 and right rear wheel 2
A gear box 53 provided with a differential gear that is interposed between the axle shaft for four and connects the two is provided. The gear box 53 has a left rear wheel 2
3. A drive motor 54 for driving the right rear wheel 24 is attached. In this case, in an emergency such as a decrease in battery voltage, the lever 55 of the gear box 53 is operated to set the left rear wheel 23 and the right rear wheel 24 in a free state, thereby manually operating the golf cart 21. You can do it.

When the golf cart 21 is operated by a hand switch, the front wheel electric steering switch of the switch box 41 is operated to the "right side" or the "left side". Since the steering wheel can be steered to, the traveling direction of the golf cart 21 can be freely changed. When the forward / backward switch 41b of the switch box 41 is operated and the traveling switch 42 is operated, the golf cart 21 is moved forward / backward, and the traveling switch 41c is operated for a predetermined time and the traveling switch 42 is operated. When the golf cart 21 travels for a predetermined time and operates the emergency stop switch 41f, the golf cart 21 comes to an emergency stop.

When the golf cart 21 is operated by remote control, the remote control signal is supplied to the antenna 39 by turning on the power switch of the remote control box and appropriately operating various buttons (forward / backward / turn right / turn left). Is transmitted to the remote control receiver / electric steering controller 52 via the controller 52, the controller 52 decodes the signal, outputs the drive command signal to the main controller 51, and outputs the steering command signal to the electric steering mechanism 47. Forward / backward movement of the golf cart 21,
Turning of the front wheels 26 by electric steering, traveling for a predetermined time, and emergency stop can be performed.

When manually operating the golf cart 21,
When the lever 55 of the gear box 53 is operated, the clutch of the gear box 53 is disengaged, so that the left rear wheel 23 and the right rear wheel 24 can be brought into a free state, whereby the golf cart 21 can be manually operated by the handle grip 40. Can be moved forward / backward.

When the golf cart 21 travels on a track, a guideway is laid in advance on a golf course such as a cart road, and a magnet or a cable is embedded in the ground along the guideway so that The golf cart 21 can be driven by a magnetic induction method of inducing by magnetism or an electromagnetic induction method of inducing by applying a low frequency current to the cable.

Next, the detailed structure of the electric steering mechanism 47 mounted on the golf cart 21 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, as shown in FIGS. A caster shaft 57 is fixed to an upper end portion of the caster 25 that pivotally supports the shaft 25. The caster shaft 57 is arranged inside the head pipe 36 in a penetrating state. An electric steering motor 58 having an external shape shown in FIG. 5 is disposed above the head pipe 36. The electric steering motor 58 has a final output shaft that transmits the motor rotational force to the caster shaft 57. 59 are provided. The caster shaft 57 and the final output shaft 59 are located on the same axis, and are in a connected state or a non-connected state by a clutch mechanism portion 62 including a shifter clutch 60 which is a transmission mechanism, a clutch shift lever 61 which is an operation portion, and the like. It is possible to switch to either manually.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the shifter clutch 60 of the clutch mechanism portion 62 is composed of a substantially cylindrical member having a slightly thicker outer diameter on the upper side.
A spline 60a is formed on the inner peripheral portion, while a substantially hemispherical portion of a ball 63, which will be described later, is engageable at two locations on the outer peripheral portion at predetermined intervals in the axial direction. The barrel groove portions 60b and 60c are formed. Similarly, a spline 57a is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the caster shaft 57, and a spline 59a is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the final output shaft 59. The shifter clutch 60 includes a spline 60a,
While always meshing with the final output shaft 59 via 59a, it meshes with the caster shaft 57 via splines 60a and 57a during electric steering.

On the other hand, in the vicinity of the outer peripheral side of the shifter clutch 60, there is provided a lock mechanism portion 65 which is a fixing mechanism having a ball 63 which is a second engaging portion and a spring 64 which biases the ball 63 toward the shifter clutch 60. The ball 63, which is provided and biased by the spring 64, is adapted to engage with the groove portion 60 b or the groove portion 60 c of the shifter clutch 60. In the shifter clutch 60, when the clutch shift lever 61 is manually pushed down, the spline 60a meshes with the caster shaft 57 and the splines 57a and 59a of the final output shaft 59, respectively.
7, 59 are connected (see FIG. 4).

On the other hand, the shifter clutch 60 has the caster shaft 5 through the splines 60a, 57a and 59a when the clutch shift lever 61 is manually pulled up.
By moving the outer peripheral portions of the output shaft 7 and the final output shaft 59 in the axial direction by a predetermined distance, both shafts 57 and 59 are brought into a non-connected state (see FIG. 3). In this case, the shifter clutch 60 is locked by the lock mechanism portion 65 in each of the state of FIG. 3 (uppermost end position) and the state of FIG. 4 (lowermost end position).
It is designed to be held in the proper position.

Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the electric steering mechanism 47 includes an electric steering motor 58, a primary reduction gear 66,
A secondary speed reducer 67, and a primary speed reducer 66.
Is provided with a worm 69 arranged at the tip of the motor shaft 68 of the electric steering motor 58 and a worm gear 70 meshing with the worm 69. The secondary reduction gear 67 is arranged coaxially with the worm gear 70. The worm gear 71 and the worm 72 that meshes with the worm gear 71. In this case, the primary speed reducer 66 and the secondary speed reducer 67 are
The gear boxes 73 and 74 are respectively housed. The rotation of the motor shaft 68 of the electric steering motor 58 is decelerated by the primary reduction gear 66 and the secondary reduction gear 67 and transmitted to the final output shaft 59.

Next, the operation of the clutch mechanism portion of the electric steering mechanism of the first embodiment constructed as described above will be described.

For example, when the front wheel 26, which is a steered wheel, is brought into a neutral state in order to manually (push) the golf cart 21, when the clutch shift lever 61 of the clutch mechanism portion 62 is pulled upward, the shifter clutch 6
The state in which 0 is engaged with the caster shaft 57 and the final output shaft 59 (see FIG. 4), that is, the state in which the upper groove portion 60b of the shifter clutch 60 and the ball 63 of the lock mechanism portion 65 are engaged is released. Therefore, the shifter clutch 60 moves upward and is fixed at a position where the lower groove portion 60c of the shifter clutch 60 and the ball 63 of the lock mechanism portion 65 are engaged with each other (see FIG. 3).

When the shifter clutch 60 is fixed in the state shown in FIG. 3, the shifter clutch 60 is in a state of meshing only with the final output shaft 59, the meshing of the shifter clutch 60 and the caster shaft 57 is disengaged, and the caster shaft 57 and the final shaft 57 are disengaged. As a result of releasing the connection state with the output shaft 59, the caster shaft 57 becomes free. As a result, the front wheels 26, which are the steered wheels, are brought into a neutral state, and thus the batteries 49,
In an emergency such as a decrease in the charging voltage of 0, the golf cart 21 can be easily moved forward / backward or turned (direction changed) by a manual (manual push) operation. In this case, when the golf cart 21 is moved straight by a manual operation, even if the front wheels 26 face either the left or right direction, the direction of the front wheels 26 returns to the straight traveling direction.

On the other hand, for example, when the front wheels 26, which are the steered wheels, can be electrically steered in order to electrically drive the golf cart 21, when the clutch shift lever 61 of the clutch mechanism portion 62 is pushed down, the shifter clutch 60 is pressed.
Is in a non-connected state in which only the final output shaft 59 is engaged (see FIG. 3), that is, the groove portion 60 on the lower side of the shifter clutch 60.
Since the state where c and the ball 63 of the lock mechanism portion 65 are engaged is released, the shifter clutch 60 moves downward, and the groove 60b on the upper side of the shifter clutch 60 and the ball 63 of the lock mechanism portion 65 are engaged. It is fixed in the mating position (see Fig. 4).

When the shifter clutch 60 is fixed in the state shown in FIG. 4, the shifter clutch 60 is in a state of meshing with the caster shaft 57 and the final output shaft 59, and the caster shaft 57 and the final output shaft 59 are in a connected state. . As a result, the front wheels 26, which are the steered wheels, are brought into an electrically steerable state, so that during the electric steering by the electric steering mechanism 47, the rotational force of the final output shaft 59 of the electric steering motor 58 is transmitted to the caster shaft 57. Front wheel 26 of golf cart 21
It becomes possible to travel while accurately controlling the turning angle of the electric steering.

As described above, according to the first embodiment,
Since the clutch mechanism portion 62 is arranged in the electric steering mechanism 47 of the golf cart 21, the clutch mechanism portion 62 is provided.
By manually operating the clutch shift lever 62, the front wheel 26, which is a steered wheel, can be manually switched to either the neutral state or the electric steerable state.
This is preferable because the player can drive the golf cart 21 by a desired method out of manual (hand push) traveling and electric steering traveling.

In the first embodiment, the caster shaft 57,
Although the splines are formed on the shifter clutch 60 and the final output shaft 59 respectively, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to form a plurality of vertical grooves having the same function as the splines.

(2) Second embodiment. Electric steering mechanism 8 mounted on the golf cart of the second embodiment
The configuration of No. 0 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The difference between the parts of the electric steering mechanism 80 of the second embodiment and the parts of the electric steering mechanism 47 of the first embodiment is that the end of the electric steering motor is different. The clutch for switching the output shaft and the caster shaft to the connected state or the non-connected state is an electromagnetic solenoid clutch instead of being manually operated. In this case, the configuration of the golf cart of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the electromagnetic solenoid clutch of the electric steering mechanism 80, and the illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

In the golf cart of the second embodiment, the operation of the electromagnetic solenoid clutch of the electric steering mechanism 80 is controlled based on the on / off operation of the power switch 41a of the switch box 41, so that the front wheels, which are the steered wheels, are electrically driven. It is characterized in that it is possible to automatically switch to a steerable state (during electric traveling) or a neutral state (during manual driving by pushing).

The caster shaft 81 of the caster that pivotally supports the front wheels, which are the steered wheels, is disposed inside the head pipe 82 in a penetrating state, and the electric steering motor 83 is disposed above the head pipe 82. The electric steering motor 83 has a final output shaft 84 for transmitting the motor rotational force to the caster shaft 81.
Is provided. The caster shaft 81 and the final output shaft 84 are positioned coaxially, and the plunger 8 serving as a transmission mechanism is
5. An electromagnetic solenoid clutch 88 equipped with a solenoid 86 as a fixing mechanism, a return spring 87 as an initial position setting means, and the like can automatically switch between a connected state and a non-connected state.

The plunger 85 of the electromagnetic solenoid clutch 88 is composed of a substantially cylindrical member having a slightly thicker outer diameter on the upper side, and a spline 85a is formed on the inner peripheral portion. Similarly, a spline 81a is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the caster shaft 81, and the final output shaft 84
A spline 84a is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the. The plunger 85 always meshes with the final output shaft 84 via the splines 85a and 84a, and meshes with the caster shaft 81 via the splines 85a and 81a during electric steering.

Solenoids 86 are arranged on both sides of the connecting portion of the caster shaft 81 and the final output shaft 84, and a return spring 87 is provided between the upper end of the plunger 85 and the lower end of the electric steering motor 83. Is installed,
The plunger 85 is always biased upward. Further, the solenoid 86 has a power switch 41 of the switch box.
A lead wire 89 is connected from the contact point a and is energized when the power switch 41a is turned on. In this case, primary reduction gear and secondary reduction gear (not shown)
Are housed in gear boxes 90 and 91, respectively.
In the figure, reference numeral 37 is an upper frame and reference numeral 38 is a lower frame.

When the power switch 41a is turned off, the plunger 85 stops the energization of the solenoid 86,
When the return spring 87 moves upward due to the spring force, the mesh with the caster shaft 81 is disengaged, and the spline 85
By meshing only with the final output shaft 84 via a and 84a, both shafts 81 and 84 are brought into a non-connected state. On the other hand, the plunger 85 has a power switch 41a.
When the switch is turned on, the solenoid 86 is energized to move downward against the spring force of the return spring 87,
By engaging with the caster shaft 81 and the final output shaft 84 via the splines 85a, 84a, 81a, both shafts 8
1, 84 are connected (see FIG. 10).

Next, the operation of the electromagnetic solenoid clutch in the electric steering mechanism of the second embodiment constructed as described above will be explained.

For example, when the front wheels, which are the steered wheels, are set to the neutral state in order to manually (push) the golf cart, if the power switch 41a of the switch box is turned off, the plunger 85 is deenergized and the plunger is turned off. 85 is moved upward by the spring force of the return spring 87.

When the plunger 85 moves upward, the plunger 85 and the caster shaft 81 disengage from each other, and the plunger 85 only meshes with the final output shaft 84, so that the caster shaft 81 and the final output shaft 84 are connected. As a result of the release, the caster shaft 81 becomes free. As a result, the front wheels, which are the steered wheels, are brought into a neutral state, so that, for example, in an emergency such as a decrease in the charging voltage of the battery, the golf cart can be easily moved forward / backward by a manual operation.
It is possible to move backward or turn (turn around). In this case, when the golf cart is pushed straight by hand, even if the front wheels are facing left or right, the direction of the front wheels returns to the straight running direction.

On the other hand, for example, when the front wheels, which are the steered wheels, are brought into an electrically steerable state in order to electrically drive the golf cart, when the power switch 41a of the switch box is turned on, the plunger 85 is energized and the plunger is turned on. 85 moves downward against the spring force of the return spring 87.

When the plunger 85 moves downward, the plunger 85 is in mesh with the caster shaft 81 and the final output shaft 84, and the caster shaft 81 and the final output shaft 84 are engaged.
And are connected. As a result, the front wheels, which are the steered wheels, are brought into an electrically steerable state. Therefore, during electric steering by the electric steering mechanism 80, the rotational force of the final output shaft 84 of the electric steering motor 83 is transmitted to the caster shaft 81. It becomes possible to drive while accurately controlling the turning angle of the front wheels of the cart by electric steering.

As described above, according to the second embodiment,
Since the structure is such that the electromagnetic steering clutch 80 of the golf cart is provided with the electromagnetic solenoid clutch 88, by turning on / off the power switch 41a of the switch box, the front wheel, which is a steered wheel, is in either a neutral state or an electrically steerable state. You can switch to or automatically. This is preferable because the player can drive the golf cart by a desired method from manual (hand push) traveling and electric steering traveling.

In the second embodiment, the caster shaft 81,
Although splines are formed on the final output shaft 84 and the plunger 85, respectively, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to form a plurality of vertical grooves having the same function as the splines.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the electric power steering mechanism of the golf cart is provided with the transmission mechanism and the fixing mechanism capable of switching the motor output shaft of the electric steering motor and the caster shaft for the steered wheels to the connected state or the non-connected state, With the mechanism and the fixed mechanism, the steering wheels can be electrically steered by connecting both shafts, and the steering wheels can be in the neutral state by disconnecting both shafts. ,
The player can run the golf cart in a desired manner from among manual (hand push) travel and electric steering travel, and can easily move the golf cart forward, backward, and turn even during manual travel. A golf cart having a remarkable effect can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an electric steering mechanism and a clutch mechanism portion of a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the electric steering mechanism of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an upper end position of a clutch mechanism portion of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the lower end position of the clutch mechanism portion of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an external view of the electric steering mechanism of the first embodiment.

6 is a schematic view of the electric steering mechanism of the first embodiment as viewed in the Y direction in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a left side view of the golf cart according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the golf cart according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the golf cart according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of the electric steering mechanism of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an external view of a conventional golf cart.

[Explanation of symbols]

 21 golf cart 26 front wheel 25 caster 36 head pipe 41a power switch 47 electric steering mechanism 58 electric steering motor 59 final output shaft 60 shifter clutch 61 clutch shift lever 62 clutch mechanism portion 80 electric steering mechanism 81 caster shaft 82 head pipe 83 electric steering motor 84 Final output shaft 85 Plunger 86 Solenoid 87 Return spring 88 Electromagnetic solenoid clutch

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A golf cart having at least two driving wheels and one steering wheel, capable of carrying a plurality of golf bags, wherein the golf cart is disposed on a caster that pivotally supports the steering wheels and has an outer peripheral portion. A caster shaft having a spline formed therein, an electric steering motor for the steered wheels, and a motor output shaft that is connectable to the caster shaft and has a spline formed on the outer peripheral portion, and is disposed above the caster shaft. An electric steering mechanism for transmitting the rotational force of the electric steering motor to the caster shaft via the motor output shaft; and a controller for controlling the electric steering mechanism, wherein the electric steering mechanism outputs the motor output. It is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the shaft and caster shaft so as to be movable along the axial direction of both shafts, and meshes with the motor output shaft and the caster shaft via a spline formed on the inner peripheral portion. A cylindrical transmission mechanism, and a fixing mechanism for fixing the transmission mechanism to a coupling position that meshes with the motor output shaft and the caster shaft, or a non-coupling position that meshes only with the motor output shaft. A golf cart to do. 2. The transmission mechanism is disposed at a position separated from the operation portion for moving the transmission mechanism between the coupling position and the non-coupling position by a predetermined distance along the axial direction of the outer peripheral portion. At least two first engaging portions, and the fixing mechanism engages the respective first engaging portions of the transmission mechanism to move the transmission mechanism to the coupling position or the non-coupling position, respectively. The golf cart according to claim 1, further comprising a second engaging portion for fixing. 3. The transmission mechanism includes initial position setting means for setting the transmission mechanism to the non-coupling position, and the fixing mechanism moves the transmission mechanism from the non-coupling position to the coupling position by electromagnetic force when energized. 2. The golf cart according to claim 1, wherein the solenoid is a solenoid that moves the transmission mechanism to the non-connection position from the connection position when the power supply is not energized.