JP3135232B2 - Vehicle sound generator - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle sound generator which is attached to a hub constituting wheels of a vehicle such as a bicycle and emits a bell as the vehicle runs.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a bell as one of means for notifying a pedestrian or the like that a running bicycle is approaching, and a cyclist rings the bell to notify the approaching pedestrian of the existence of the bicycle. Notify them to avoid dangers such as collisions. However, although the bell is arranged near the handle of the bicycle, the cyclist must ring the bell separately or simultaneously with the operation of the handle, especially in a town where there are many pedestrians. The operation is cumbersome, especially since it must be performed frequently. Further, the bell sound that is continuously operated is perceived as harsh and may cause pedestrians to feel uncomfortable. On the other hand, if the bicycle is provided with a bell or other informational means but the bell is not operated, the advantage of having the informational means will not be used at all, and the bicycle will approach especially from behind a pedestrian. There is a risk of colliding with pedestrians when you do.

[0003] As described above, a bicycle is a vehicle that is originally a quiet vehicle with less noise than other vehicles, does not consume oil energy, is free of exhaust gas, and contributes to environmental conservation. There is a problem that a pedestrian or the like does not notice the approach of the bicycle because the running sound is too quiet, or does not notice at all.

[0004] From such a viewpoint, for example, an example in which an electronic sound is generated by electricity generated by a current generator using the rotation of a tire, and an example in which a bell is hit with a bell driving portion including a bell driving rod and a spring. An example in which a polygonal rotating body is applied to a tire, or an indicator joint portion attached to a tire shaft, a hitting portion, and a sound generating portion, and the hitting portion is turned into a sound generating portion by rotating the tire as the bicycle runs. A bicycle running sound generating apparatus has been proposed which exemplifies a sound generated by colliding with a bicycle.
No. 61677). When a bicycle is running, it emits a unique or natural sound, such as a motorcycle or car, constantly or periodically, so that pedestrians can know the approach of the bicycle early and feel a sense of danger from the bicycle. I am trying to get rid of it.

A bicycle alarm device has been proposed in which the bellows is fixed by sandwiching the axle of the bicycle by the center of the bellows support in which several bells are inserted (Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 61-61).
-101082). One portion of the cylindrical bellows surrounding the axle and one portion of the center of the support sandwiching the axle are the fitting portions.

[0006]

However, the structure in which the running sound generating device for generating the running sound of the bicycle is mounted on the hub body with screws increases the number of parts, increases the manufacturing cost, and turns the screws. The mounting operation becomes complicated due to the operation. Also, with regard to the sound generating mechanism by rotating around the fulcrum and striking the sound generating part, the structure is complicated, the number of parts is increased and the production cost is increased, and the striking sound is light and easy to hear. The sound is not always comfortable, and furthermore, sound may not be easily generated due to the effect of the centrifugal force that increases as the running speed of the bicycle increases. Further, when a sound generator or a warning device is mounted on the axle by being sandwiched, a large deformable portion is used as the sandwiching portion, which must be easily elastically deformed, and the mounting strength is not ensured. Requires additional fasteners. Therefore, a vehicle sound generator that has good workability and mountability to a hub body constituting wheels of a vehicle such as a bicycle and can generate a bell sound even at a high traveling speed is obtained. There are issues to be solved.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is extremely easy to mount the wheel on a hub body without using a fixing tool such as a screw. By providing a vehicle sound generator that is capable of generating a light bell sound in the ear even when the vehicle travels at a high speed, with a secure frictional grip against the vehicle and hardly coming off once attached. is there.

[0008] The present invention comprises a main body attachable to a hub body constituting a vehicle wheel, and a bell sound generator comprising a bell hooked to the main body at a position different from the mounting position to the hub body. A mounting portion that can be mounted on the hub body, a locking portion that rotatably locks the bell, and a connection portion between the mounting portion and the locking portion, and a connection of the main body to the hub body. A mounting portion provided with a rod-shaped connecting portion extending in a radial direction of the hub body, wherein the mounting portion has an opening capable of pushing the hub body on a side opposite to a side to which the connecting portion is connected; And a boss formed integrally with the holding piece in the radial direction and engaging with the hub body, and a boss that is formed integrally with the holding piece and engages with the hub body. Formed integrally on the radial outside of It relates to and the gripping piece vehicle sound generating device which comprises has a flange to increase the shape retention.

According to this vehicle sound generating device, the main body includes the mounting portion, the hooking portion, and the connecting portion, and when the main body is mounted on the hub body, the connecting portion extends in the radial direction from the mounting portion mounted on the hub body. And the bell is hung on the hooking portion. When attaching to the hub body, even if access to the hub body is difficult due to wheel spokes, etc.
For example, by holding the connection portion or holding the connection portion with a tool, by pushing the opening formed in the gripping piece toward the hub body on the side opposite to the side to which the connection portion is connected,
The hole of the gripping piece squeezes the hub body by the return force of the elastic deformation. Since the boss formed integrally with the gripping piece on the radially inner side engages with the hub body on its inner peripheral surface, the vehicle sound generator does not tilt with respect to the hub body, and the mounting state is stable. . Further, the flange integrally formed on the gripping piece on the radially outer side enhances the shape retention of the gripping piece. When the wheels rotate as the vehicle travels, the vehicle sound generator rotates with the rotating hub body, and the bell hung on the main body whirls due to the centrifugal force and the vibration of the wheels, sounds a pleasant sound, and walks. Notify people of approaching vehicles.

[0010] The gripping piece of the mounting portion has a tapered surface which is connected to the opening and which is widened to the outside, thereby facilitating the pushing of the hub body into the mounting portion and the holding member of the hub body. The opening angle of the tapered surface is made smaller than the opening angle of the hole at the opening to make it difficult to remove the tapered surface from the mounting portion. When the hub body is pushed into the opening, the hub body is guided to the taper surface of a small angle, so that the taper surface and thus the opening can be opened with a relatively small force, and the pushing of the hub body is facilitated. However, when the hub body tries to escape through the opening, a large force is required to open the opening because the opening angle of the hole at the opening is large. Therefore, it is difficult for the hub body to be pulled out from the hole of the mounting portion, and it is difficult for the vehicle sound generator to be detached from the hub body due to vibration or mischief caused by running of the vehicle.

The bells are a plurality of bells hung so as to be in contact with each other, and each of the bells has a different whirling length from the hooking portion. In the case of a single bell, if the speed of the vehicle increases, the whirling of the bell may be reduced due to the effect of centrifugal force and the sound may not be heard. When the wheels are rotated as fast as possible, the bells change their positions relative to each other even when the wheels rotate at a high speed, and a sound is generated at that time. Since each bell has a different whirling length from the hook, the relative position of each bell becomes unstable when each bell rotates around the hub body as the vehicle travels, and the whirling of each bell And noise is less likely to occur even when driving at high speed. When a bell sound generator is constituted by two bells, one of the bells is hooked on the hooking portion via the first ring as one of the forms in which the whirling length from the hooking portion is different, It is conceivable to hook the other bell on the second ring hooked on the first ring. With two rings,
The large whirling of each bell is ensured, and the locking structure of both bells can be manufactured easily and at low cost.

The main body is integrally formed by molding a synthetic resin material. By manufacturing by molding of synthetic resin material, mounting part, connecting part and hook part,
A vehicle sound generator can be manufactured at a low cost as an integrally connected molded product.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle sound generator according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG.
Is a side view showing one embodiment of a vehicle sound generator according to the invention,
FIG. 2 is a front view showing a part of the vehicle sound generator shown in FIG. 1 in a cross section along the center plane of the vehicle sound generator, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the vehicle sound generator shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state where the device is mounted on a hub body constituting the device.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle sound generator 1 is shown.
Is composed of a main body 2 and a bell sound generator 3. Body 2
A mounting portion 4 is provided at one end thereof and is mounted on a hub body 30 (shown by imaginary lines) constituting a vehicle wheel. The mounting portion 4 is provided at the other end and is used to lock the bell sound generator 3. There is provided a hooking portion 5 and a long connecting portion 6 for connecting the attaching portion 4 and the hooking portion 5. The bell generator 3 is attached to the hook 5 of the main body 2 so as to swivel, and each bell 14 and 15 of the bell generator 3 will be described later in detail.
Sounds when the hub body 30 swings by rotating. The connecting portion 6 has a reinforcing rib 21 formed on a pair of opposite surfaces.

In the main body 2, the mounting portion 4, the hooking portion 5, and the connecting portion 6 are integrally formed by molding a synthetic resin material. The mounting portion 4 has a cylindrical boss 9 formed along the inside of a pair of gripping pieces 7 and 8 connected to each other on one side.
The hub body 3 is engaged by engaging over a range exceeding 0 °.
0 can be squeezed. The gripping pieces 7 and 8 have openings 10 that are open on the other side, have tapered surfaces 11 and 11 that extend outward from the openings 10 of the gripping pieces 7 and 8, and the elasticity of the synthetic resin material. The opening 10 can be expanded by deformation. The mounting portion 4 has a reinforcing rib 12 extending to the connecting portion 6 and a flange 13 formed on the outside to enhance shape retention against elastic deformation.

The bell sound generator 3 comprises two bells 14 and 15 which are mounted so as to be in contact with each other in the illustrated example. Each of the bells 14 and 15 includes a bell body 16 and a mounting wheel 17 formed integrally with the bell body 16. A locking hole 18 is formed in the locking portion 5 of the vehicle sound generating tool 1, and a first ring 19 is engaged with the locking hole 18, and a second ring 20 is engaged with the first ring 19. ing. The bell 14 is swingably hung on the hook 5 by engaging the mounting wheel 17 with the first ring 19. The bell 15 is swingably hung on the hook 5 by engaging the mounting wheel 17 with the second ring 20. The bell 14 and the bell 15, in FIG. 1, for bell 14 is shown at a distance L _1,
As shown by the distance L ₂ is about bell 15, the distance from the engaging hole 18 of the engaging part 5 are hooked in different states, are and provided to be able to contact each other. Therefore, bell 1
When 4 and bell 15 rotate around hub body 30,
Both of them do not necessarily occupy a stable position, are placed in an unstable state, a large whirling is ensured, and when one of the bells changes its position, the other bell also changes its position, making it easier to generate a bell sound. In addition, since only two small rings are used, the locking structure of the two bells can be manufactured simply and at low cost.

When the vehicle sound generator 1 is mounted on the hub 30, the opening 1 of the pair of gripping pieces 7, 8 of the mounting portion 4 is formed.
The hub 30 is pushed into the mounting portion 4 with the tapered surfaces 11, 11 formed on the tip side from 0 being pressed against the peripheral surface of the hub 30. By this pushing operation, the gripping pieces 7, 8
When the opening 10 exceeds the dead center corresponding to the position of the diameter of the hub body 30, the gripping pieces 7, 8 are closed by the return force of the elastic deformation to close the hub body 30 inside. Hole 2
Wrap in the direction of closing in 1. Hub body 3 with inner diameter of boss 9
By making the diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of
The vehicle sound generator 1 is attached to the hub body 30 without inclining or rattling with respect to the hub body 30 by gripping the hub body 30 by frictional force.

Since the opening angle α of the tapered surfaces 11, 11 is smaller than the opening angle β of the opening 10 of the hole 21 formed in the gripping pieces 7, 8, the opening angle α of the hub body 30 to the mounting portion 4 is small. Pushing is facilitated, but it is difficult to pull out the hub 30 from the mounting portion 4. That is, when the hub body 30 is pushed into the opening 10, the hub body 30 is guided by the tapered surfaces 11, 11 having a small angle α, so that the opening 10 can be opened with a relatively small force. It will be easier. When the hub body 30 squeezed into the hole 21 tries to escape through the opening 10, a large force is required to open the opening 10 because the opening angle β of the hole 10 at the opening 10 is larger than the angle α. Therefore,
It is difficult for the hub body 30 to be pulled out from the hole 21 of the mounting part 4 and it is not possible to remove the hub sound 30 from the hub body 30 due to mischief. It becomes difficult.

The opening 10 is formed so that the center of the opening 10 is located on the side opposite to the side to which the connecting portion 6 of the mounting portion 4 is connected, more specifically, on the extension of the connecting portion 6. When attaching the vehicle sound generating device 1 to the hub 30, the user holds the connecting portion 6 in his / her hand or presses the connecting portion 6 toward the hub 30 while holding the connecting portion 6 with a tool. By applying a force in the compression direction in the longitudinal direction, the hub body 30 can be easily pushed through the opening 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle sound generator 1 is mounted on a hub body 30 constituting a bicycle wheel. The wheels, some of which are shown in FIG.
Is rotatably supported by a front axle 36 via a bearing (not shown). A front fork 33 having a bifurcated lower portion engages both ends of a front axle 36 and
Are attached to the front axle 36 by nuts 35 which are threadedly engaged with the threaded portions at both ends of the front axle. At both ends of the hub body 30,
A spoke attachment flange portion 34 is integrally formed with a space therebetween, and a plurality of spokes 37 are attached between the spoke attachment flange portion 34 and the rim 32 of the wheel supporting the tire 31 in a substantially radial manner. ing. The hub body 30 supports a rim 32 that supports the tire 31 via a spoke 37, and rotates together with the tire 31 and the rim 32.

The vehicle sound generator 1 is inserted into the wheel from the gap between the spokes 37, and is fitted to the hub body 30 by pressing the mounting section 4 against the hub body 30 to elastically deform the mounting section 4. You. Thus, a plurality of spokes 3
Since the vehicle sound generator 1 is arranged in the space surrounded by 7, the spokes 37 protect the vehicle sound generator 1 even if the bicycle falls, and the vehicle sound generator 1 is damaged. Or the likelihood of being disengaged from the hub body 30. Further, the spokes 37 only slightly hinder the attachment of the vehicle sound generator 1 to the hub body 30, but attempts to remove the vehicle sound generator 1 from the hub body 30 by mischief have been made. , The presence of the spokes 37 is very difficult.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the vehicle sound generator according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state in which another embodiment of the vehicle sound generator according to the present invention is mounted on a hub body. Elements and portions that are the same as the components and portions of the hub body shown in FIG. 3 are given the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will not be repeated. The vehicle sound generator 40 shown in FIG. 4 has a doll decoration on a main body 42. By providing such a decoration, playfulness is stimulated, and the pleasure of riding a vehicle can be improved. Obviously, the decoration is not limited to a doll, but may be a miniature of an article or another decoration that imitates the form of accessories or goods. The structure of the mounting portion 4 and the structure of the bell sound generator 3 may be the same as the embodiment shown in FIGS.

As for the bell sound generator 3, two bells 14,
Although the example including 15 is given, various modifications are possible without being limited to this example. For example, the number of bells may be three or more. Also, the size of the bell can be changed individually. Further, a chain or a wire may be used instead of the ring as means for swinging the bell to the hanging portion 5 of the main body 2, and the swing length may be changed.
This can be dealt with by appropriately changing the length of the chain or the wire.

In the case of a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine such as an automobile or a motorcycle, the engine sound can inform a pedestrian of the approach of the vehicle. There is almost no need to provide a sound generating means for generating a sound at all times in order to avoid this. The vehicle sound generator 1 according to the present invention is suitable not only for the bicycles described as the embodiment, but also for vehicles such as unicycles, tricycles, strollers, wheelbarrows, and the like, whose running sounds are quiet. It is clear that the vehicle sound generator 1 is also applicable to electric assisted bicycles and the like which have recently become popular. When the invention is applied to a bicycle for a child, the parent can also confirm by ear that a child is nearby as long as the sound of the vehicle sound generator 1 can be heard.

[0025]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. That is, in the vehicle sound generator according to the present invention, the overall shape has a simple shape extending from the mounting portion to the hook portion where the bell sound generator is hooked via the rod-shaped connection portion. It does not impair the appearance of. Since the work required for mounting the wheel to the hub body is only to push the opening formed in the mounting part into the hub body and engage with the hub body, the mounting work to the hub body is extremely simple, and after the wheel is once mounted. According to the method, the hole of the gripping piece is securely gripped and tightened by the return force of the elastic deformation, and the mounting property is good. Since no separate parts such as screws are required for mounting the vehicle sound generator to the hub body, the product can be provided at low cost. The boss integrally formed on the gripping piece on the radially inner side engages with the hub body to stabilize the mounting state, and the flange integrally formed on the gripping piece on the radially outer side retains the shape of the gripping piece. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently prevent the vehicle sound generator from being pulled out from the hub body. Since the bell sound generator generates a bell sound, even if the sound is constantly generated during the running of the vehicle, it is light and not unpleasant for not only the driver of the vehicle but also the pedestrian, and the feeling of resistance is small.

By making the opening angle of the tapered surface outside the opening formed in the mounting portion smaller than the opening angle of the hole for gripping the hub body, the mounting of the vehicle sound generator to the hub body is easy. However, removal from the hub body can be effectively prevented. In addition, since a plurality of bells provided on the bell sound generator can be in contact with each other, the position of the bell is more unstable than when a single bell is provided, so that the running speed of the bicycle is higher. Therefore, even if the centrifugal force becomes large, the sound is easily generated by the wind and the vibration of the wheels. Further, by forming the main body by molding of a synthetic resin material, it is possible to manufacture the main body at lower cost and more easily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of a vehicle sound generator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a cross section of a part of the vehicle sound generator shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view showing a state in which the vehicle sound generator shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on a hub constituting a wheel of a bicycle.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state in which another embodiment of the vehicle sound generator according to the present invention is mounted on a hub body.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1,40 Vehicle sound generator 2 Main body 3 Bell sound generator 4 Mounting part 5 Hook part 6 Connection part 7,8 Grip piece 9 Boss 10 Opening 11,11 Tapered surface 13 Flange 14,15 Bell 19 First ring 20 First 2 Ring 21 Hole 30 Hub Body 31 Tire 34 Spoke Mounting Flange 37 Spoke 42 Decorated Body (Doll) α Opening Angle of Tapered Surface β Opening Angle of Hole

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A main body which can be attached to a hub which constitutes a vehicle wheel, and a main body which is different from a mounting position to the hub.
And Suzuon generator comprising a bell which hooked on Oite the body
And the body has an attachment mountable to the hub body.
Part, a hanging part for hanging the bell in a swivelable manner, and
A hub connected to a mounting portion and the hook portion and of the main body;
A rod-shaped rod extending in the radial direction of the hub body when attached to the body
A connection portion, wherein the attachment portion is connected to the connection portion.
Can push the hub body on the side opposite to the side that is connected
An opening, which is connected to the opening and returns by elastic deformation.
A gripping piece formed with a hole for gripping the hub body
The hub is formed integrally on the radially inner side of the gripping piece, and
Boss that engages the body, and is integrated radially outside the gripping piece
Flange formed to enhance shape retention of the gripping piece
A vehicle sound generator comprising: 2. The holding piece of the mounting portion is provided with the opening
Has a tapered surface that extends outward to connect to the front
Facilitates pushing of the hub body into the mounting portion and
This makes it difficult to pull out the hub from the mounting portion.
Therefore, the opening angle of the tapered surface is different from the opening of the hole.
Claim that is smaller than the opening angle
Item 4. The vehicle sound generator according to Item 1. 3. The bells are hung so that they can contact each other.
A plurality of bells, each of the bells oscillating from the hook
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the circumferences are different.
Vehicle sound generator. 4. The main body is formed by molding a synthetic resin material.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein
2. The vehicle sound generator according to claim 1.