MXPA00009328A - Road vehicle for transporting people and goods, with variable weights displacement - Google Patents

Abstract

In the traditional vehicles, the driver's position is fixed on one of the 2 sides;this involves an unbalancing of the weights in the order of 6/7%. In a small vehicle a fixed position of the driver could cause weight's unbalance above 25%. This fact can decrease the vehicle stability on the bends. This industrial invention allows the side shifting of the driver's position in the vehicle, thus always allowing the establishment of the weights balance. Therefore it provides the best road holding to the vehicle. Moreover, the system facilitates the use of such vehicle by handicapped people.

Description

CAR ROAD VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORTING PERSONS AND ARTICLES WITH VARIABLE WEIGHT DISPLACEMENT FIELD OF THE INVENTION Normally in traditional vehicles, the steering wheel has a fixed place on one side of the vehicle. Therefore, the driver's position is also fixed on the left side or on the right side (England). In this way, when the driver is alone, an imbalance of weights results in the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART Vehicle manufacturers partially counteract this imbalance by placing, on the opposite side, some heavy component, such as for example: the battery, the water tank, the differential, pumps, alternators, etc. And it happens that, when the passenger is much heavier than the driver, the imbalance of weights is emphasized. However, in a traditional medium-sized vehicle with a weight of approximately 1,300 kg, the lateral position of the driver induces an imbalance of approximately 6/7%, which is only considerable under extreme driving conditions. Although, in a small vehicle weighing approximately 300 kg, if the driver is alone, can induce an imbalance greater than 25%. If under these conditions, the vehicle turns right at a closed angle and at a considerable speed, the internal wheels could be lifted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The innovations that are the object of this industrial invention, have the purpose of eliminating the imbalance in the weight in a small vehicle, by means of the possibility of displacing the steering wheel and the position of the driver, in order to achieve a perfect balance, also considering the weights of passengers and articles, which can reach 250 kg. For example, the driver can sit at the center, if he is alone; Sit normally on the left, if you are accompanied and, in any case, position your position in the right place to balance the present weights of passengers and luggage. For vehicles driving on the right side, all of the above is the other way around. The above is obtained by moving the steering wheel support, in order to place it directly in front of the driver, wherever he chooses to sit, moving laterally in the vehicle. This is possible because, in a small vehicle where, in any case, the distance of the pedals from the seat must be anatomical, this distance is relatively long and therefore allows lateral movements of the driver's position to induce a minimum displacement of the steering wheel with respect to the pedals, which would be measured at approximately 10 °. This limited displacement, which allows the balance of the weights, is practically irrelevant and is more included than in many vehicles currently in circulation. This displacement is even less noticeable when the vehicle has a transmission that varies continuously, which reduces the pedals only to the brake and the accelerator, which allows driving with only one foot. Although it is unnecessary, a mechanism could be adopted that changes the pedals in correspondence with the movements of adjustment of the direction. The possibility of lateral displacement of the conductor, which is achieved by an appropriate change in the angles of the plane and the steering wheel support, is the main aspect of this industrial invention, independently of the mechanism adopted. The mechanisms that are shown below as examples, are in any case part of the invention. The movement of the steering wheel can be obtained in several ways, including: 1) if the steering wheel column is positioned laterally as in Figures 1 and 4 of the annexed drawing table, which is an important part of this invention, its rotation at an angle of a few degrees, you can achieve the centering of the steering wheel in front of the driver, at any point where you can sit, and that is between the center and the lateral end of the vehicle (left for Italy). Figure 1 shows, with a projection from above, a column of lateral direction that pivots in (4) which, at the end of a horizontal arm (2), supports the steering wheel. When the driver sits at the center in the bench seat or bench seat, the steering column, which pivots in (4) moves the horizontal arm and steering wheel, respectively to positions (2a) and (3a), placing to the steering wheel in the correct position in front of the driver. Figure 4 shows the same steering system as that of Figure 1, but, seen from the front of the vehicle. The numbers (4) and (5) of Figure 4 show 2 possible positions that the driver can take. The steering column (2) of Figure 4 can turn clockwise and vice versa and can be secured / released in (1) in order to correctly fix the steering wheel to the front of the driver. This structure allows the rotation of the steering wheel and the steering column at a wider angle of 90 ° (ninety degrees); therefore, it is possible to completely release the access to the running seat, moving all the adjustment of the direction to the left side. Also a disabled person can enter the vehicle (backwards), while sitting in his wheelchair, without help. Rotation and securing of the lateral steering column can occur in several ways.

Some of these are described below: Figure 2 shows disks (3) and (5) separated by a suitable material (cork or similar). These discs are pressed by eccentric members (6), screws or else, suitable to secure and release the rotation of the steering column. Figure 2 shows the discs separately, for a better understanding. Or adopt more simply, as in Figure 3, a sleeve (1) clutched around the steering column (2) by means of fins (3) secured by screws (4), eccentric or the like. 2) Figure 5 shows an alternative mechanism that, by adjusting: a) the support (5) of the steering column, rotating according to (14); P1131 b) the rotation of the steering column (2) with the steering wheel (1), vertically with respect to the axle (13); • c) the horizontal angle of the 5-way column (2), with the steering wheel (1); allows to obtain the best possible position of the steering wheel in front of the driver, in any place where he decides to sit, in the left half of the seat. 10 The steering column (2) is connected to the shaft # of address (13), through a universal joint (3), which also allows the movements described in points b) and c) above. The knob (9) rotates a shaft that is screwed into the nut (11), thus tightening 2 crowns (10) placed on both ends of the perforated bar (15). This makes it possible to fix the two guides (6) at an angle that provides the best vertical position to the column / steering wheel unit, as for the driver. 20 The bearing (4) can be fixed in the desired position by means of the knob (12) which, by screwing inside the bearing (4), holds the 2 guides (6), holding the bearing in the desired position. The ball joint (8) allows the steering wheel (1) to reach the correct position.

P1131 The bands (7) are designed to reinforce the whole of the mechanism to the steering support (5). This type of mechanism, as shown in Figure 5, allows, in addition to the possibility of providing the steering wheel with an infinite number of micrometric adjustments, also the possibility of easily and completely releasing the access to the running seat, by rotating the support (5) of the steering column by more than 90 °. This is also useful to allow disabled people to sit in their wheelchair, of course after having removed part of the standard running seat. 3) Adopting a more traditional steering column (Figure 6), an integral part of this invention, the lateral displacement of the steering wheel and, consequently, of the driver, can also be activated, also through a cardan joint (3) to the floor. Also, through this mechanism, it is possible to obtain the balance of weights; although it may not be equally functional for use by disabled people. In Figure 6, the steering wheel (1) and the relevant column (2) are oriented towards the driver who sits on the left side and transmits the P1131 rotation to an axis located at floor level, through a cardan joint (3) or another type of flexible joint. The steering column (2) is connected to the column (5) by means of a sliding ball joint. When the driver, to establish the balance of the weights, has to move laterally to the steering wheel toward the center of the vehicle, sliding it along the column (5), as in Figure 6, towards positions (la), (2a) and (4a), it will place itself in the ideal position for the driver. Also, in this case, when fixing the column (5) with one of the mechanisms indicated in Figures 2 and 3 and when fixing the ball joint (4) along the column (5) it is possible to choose practically angles without end and inclinations suitable for the driver and to balance the weights. In the lower part, the cardan joint (3) ends with a collar (7) which has a larger metal ring in the upper part. The collar is coupled on a vertical axis (8) in an appropriate manner, from which the rotation of the steering wheel is transmitted, through traditional mechanisms, to the steered wheels. A sliding yoke (9) is inserted over the metal ring (11) of the collar (7), preventing the cardan joint (3) from falling off or detaching from the shaft (8). The floor (10), through P1131 of the hole (11), will make it possible to disengage or detach the cardan joint (3) from the shaft (8), when the yoke (9) moves backward, according to the drawings. Figure 7 shows • an increase of Figure 6 that includes the cardan joint and its form of coupling / uncoupling of the lower shaft (8). The disinsertion of the column (2) of the axle (8), together with the rotation of more than 90 ° of the column (5), makes it possible to completely clear the access from the front, towards the interior of the vehicle, with the exception of the two driving pedals. • This can be done, because the column (5), the steering wheel (1) and the column (2), by means of a rotation according to (6) can be put to the left (for the driving vehicles on the left side) in a position occupying spaces not required for entry.

• P1131

Claims (2)

CLAIMS 1. A very small road vehicle, approximately 2 meters long, for transporting people and articles, in which it is possible to change the position of the steering wheel in such a way as to allow lateral displacement of the driver's position, by means of a steering wheel support, which is angled so that it has in its own hand the steering wheel, laterally displaced from its pivoting axis at its other end; thus balancing the weights in accordance with the people and articles transported, - the vehicle has been designed: not for adaptation to countries with driving on the right or left side; nor to improve sight or visibility while maneuvering. The very small vehicle according to claim 1 above, wherein the steering wheel mechanism can be easily rotated, by more than 90 °; thus completely liberating the entrance from the front; this allows: disabled people to enter the vehicle going backwards, while sitting in their wheelchair, approach the vehicle and drive without any help; easy entry of 2/3 people with your equipment. 3. The very small vehicle according to the preceding claims, wherein the empty weight is approximately 300 kg and it can transport 2/3 people with luggage for an additional 250 kg; it is due to the Variable Weight Distribution that the vehicle has a high driving stability despite the very low empty weight ratio: weight transported. 4. The very small vehicle according to the preceding claims which, due to the Variable Weight Distribution, can run above 80 km / h and turn at high speed. 5. "The very small vehicle according to claims 1 to 5 above, which normally has a bench seat or bench seat that allows easier positioning for a better balance of people and equipment 6. The very small vehicle according to the preceding claims, wherein the pivoting support of the steering wheel can be released / secured easily and in a simple manner, where desired, by means of approximately two screws or eccentrics or other simpler devices.
1. P1131 7. The very small road vehicle according to the preceding claims, wherein it is possible to rotate the pedals, in order to center them with respect to the driver, as already said for the steering wheel, in any position where the driver can be sitting, from the center to the sides; in the case of the use of a continuous variable speed transmission that only requires two pedals - the brake and the accelerator - this particularity can be omitted, since the vehicle could only be driven with a foot that, in accordance with the position of the driver, could be the right or the left. 8. The very small vehicle, where the old, traditional and dangerous accident has been removed, steering column in favor of a lateral support for steering wheel that protects the driver by absorbing the crashes through the collars or engage the steering wheel support on its base; In addition, it can be taken out of the way, according to the previous claim
2. 2.