GB2121694A - Toy vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

A model vehicle adapted to run on a slotless surface having a plurality of conductive zones connected to a power source, is provided with a plurality of conductors which roll along the surface, the conductors providing a current path between the conductive zones on the surface and a motor which powers the vehicle. If the conductors and the conductive zones become disconnected, then a carrier for the conductors is automatically moved relative to the vehicle and hence relative to the surface.

Description

SPECIFICATION Electrical conduction between relatively moving objects The present invention relates primarily but not exclusively to electrical conduction between relatively moving objects.

The invention relates also to a method of, and means for, enabling conduction of an electrical current from a stationary member or surface thereof to an object adapted to move relative to said object and/or over said surface as the case may be.

The invention has application in the transmission of electrical power from a supporting surface such as a "track" to objects such as model vehicles adapted to move along said track and receive power from conductors provided in or on said track.

Electrically powered model vehicles are well known and it is further known to provide a track with a pair of conductive strips on respective sides of a slot. The vehicle is intended to run along the track and is provided with locating means projecting into said slot so as to align conductors provided on the vehicle with said conductive strips to enable power to be supplied from a source through said conductive strips on the track and the conductors on the vehicle to an electrical motor in the vehicle.

A disadvantage with such arrangement is that movement of the vehicle is restricted by projection of the locating means into the slot provided in the track.

Further model vehicle control systems have been provided in which the model vehicle is controlled through the intermediary of signals transmitted at radio frequency or infra-red signals. However, with such systems, it has been normal to provide the power source for the vehicle in the vehicle itself in the form of batteries. This has the disadvantage of severely limiting the power supplied to the vehicle and the inherent disadvantage of increased running costs in the continual need for replacement of the batteries or the inconvenience of continually re-charging the batteries to maintain model vehicles in a usable condition.

It has further been proposed to provide the track having conductive zones over which a model vehicle may travel, the vehicle being provided with contact whereby power may be transmitted from the track through the contacts to motive means on the vehicle.

In practice, such a system has not been found practical since metal conduction between the track and the contacts tends to be intermittent. Furthermore, considerable wear of the contacts and possible damage to the conductive zones of the track may occur, and increased pressure between the contacts and the track enhances the wear of the contacts and track and renders the model vehicles uncontrollable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new or improved means for enabling electrical conduction between relatively moving objects.

According to one aspect of the present invention, we provide a first object presenting a surface provided with a plurality of electrically conductive zones and isolating zones, at least some of said electrically conductive zones being isolated from each other by said isolating zones to enable the application of an electrical potential between said isolated conductive zones, a second object comprising an array of conductors positioned on said second object in relation to said conductive zones to enable at least two conductors to be in electrical contact, each with a respective conductive zone of different potential, each of said two conductors comprising a first part secured to said second object, and a second part mounted for rotational movement relative to said first part and capable of rolling movement relative to said first part.

Preferably, each of said conductors has an outer wheel-like member capable of making rolling engagement with the track, each outer wheel-like member having formed therewith an integral axle or being connected to an axle, which axle is mounted in one or more bearing members and which bearings themselves provide a current path between said axle and a motor control circuit or an alternative current path is provided by a conductive member, such as a brush or wiper conductively engaging said axle.

Alternatively, each of said conductors has an inner member secured to and electrically connected to said second object, and an outer member mounted for relative rotational movement around said inner member, said outer member being adapted to roll over said conductive zones.

Conveniently, further roller bodies are provided between said inner and outer members and may comprise roller bearings, needle bearings or ball bearings.

Preferably at least three conductors are provided and conveniently each second object is provided with four conductors.

Where four or more conductors are provided, at least one of said conductors is mounted resiliently relative to said other conductor to assist in maintaining all conductors in electrical contact with said first object.

Preferably each conductor so resiliently mounted is mounted through resilient support means which is also electrically conductive to enable a conduction path to be made between said second object and said conductor.

In the case where the second object is supported by wheels relative to the first object, all of said conductors provided on the wheeled second object may be provided with resilient biasing means to bias the conductors into contact with the conductive zones.

Conveniently all of said conductors provided on said other object may be secured to a carrier member.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a model vehicle adapted to run on and receive power from a surface having conductive zones.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a model vehicle includes conductor means capable of conductively engaging said conductive zones, said conductor means being carried by a carrier member mounted for pivotal movement relative to said model vehicle about an axis substantially at right angles to the surface on which the model vehicle is supported.

Preferably said conductor means rollingly engages said conductive zones.

It is intended that the term "substantially vertical" includes angles near the vertical that may on some occasions be slightly inclined thereto to allow for castor angle or other desirable variations from the vertical.

Preferably said conductors provided on the model vehicle provide at least some of the load support means for the vehicle, by means of which it is supported on the track and conveniently said pivotal mounting between the carrier member and said vehicle may be controlled in a manner to steer the vehicle in a desired direction on the surface.

Said carrier member may be, for example, mounted at the front end or rear end of a model vehicle and take the place of, or supplement, the normally positioned front or rear wheel or wheels respectively.

In the case where the carrier member and its conductors supplement the front or rear wheels as the case may be, pivotal movement of said carrier member relative to the model vehicle may be connected in a manner such that said front or rear wheels move simultaneously with movement of said carrier member to enhance the steering of the vehicle.

Preferably said steering of the vehicle is caused by pivotal movement about said axis of said carrier member relative to the vehicle, said pivotal movement being carried out by electrically powered servo means which may be controlled remotely by signals transmitted at radio frequency to receiver means provided on the vehicle, or infra-red coded signals or any other suitable means.

In the case where pivotal movement of the carrier member relative to the model vehicle provides for steering of the vehicle, each said conductor may comprise a bearing race having an outer member adapted to engage and roll along the surface, hereinafter referred to for convenience as a track, an inner member secured to the carrier member and roller bodies between said inner and outer member, said outer member may be provided with a flange in order to minimise the length of contact transverse to the direction of travel of the vehicle between said track and said conductor, and so not only improve conduction between the vehicle and the track by increasing pressure per unit area of contact, but also enhances directional stability by minimising the tendency for sliding movement to occur between said conductors and said track in a direction transverse to the direction of travel.

Preferably the axis of pivotal movement between said carrier member and said model vehicle is displaced from and does not intersect any of the axes of rotation of said conductors to promote a small relative sliding movement between each conductor and said track in response to each movement about said pivotal axis between said carrier member and said model vehicle, such relative sliding movement having a wiping effect on the conductors of both the track and the vehicle to promote cleanliness of the conductors and enhance long term operation.

It is desirable that, assuming no fault has occurred to one of the vehicles and power is supplied to the track, operation of the model vehicle on the track will be continuously available. Unfortunately contamination of the conductors on the vehicle or the conductive zones on the track even in a very small area may break a conduction path of the vehicle energising motor and so render the vehicle inoperative on the track.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a model vehicle which overcomes or minimises the above mentioned problem.

According to a still further aspect of the invention, we provide a model vehicle having conductors mounted thereon, said conductors being adapted to engage conductive zones on a supporting track and thereby receive electrical power from a power supply connected to said zones, at least some of said conductors being carried by a carrier member movable relative to said mode, vehicle wherein means are provided to cause movement of said conductors relative to said track in the event of said vehicle being disconnected from said power supply.

The provision of means for causing said movement in the event of disconnection of a vehicle from the power supply has the dual effect of: (a) moving the positions of the conductors relative to the track and so each conductor engages a different part of the track; (b) causing relative sliding movement between the conductors and the track thus effectively wiping not only the conductors but also the track, thus cleaning the conductive zones of the track and the conductors on the vehicle.

The contamination of both effects has been found to be very satisfactory to re-establish a conductive path between the power supply Preferably said means for causing movement between the carrier member and hence the conductors of the model vehicle may comprise an electrically powered control means which may serve the additional purpose of effecting steering of the model vehicle along the track by causing movement of the carrier member relative to the vehicle.

Electrical storage means may be provided to energise said electrical control means to cause said movement in the event of disconnection of the power supply. Preferably the storage means may comprise a capacitor.

Alternatively, said control means may be resiliently biased to a position, the resilient bias normally being overridden by the electrically powered control means, but in the event of a power disconnection the resilient means taking over to cause movement between the carrier member and the model vehicle.

The present invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only, with reference to a model vehicle and associated track shown in the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of track; Figure 2 illustrates the geometric relationship of the conductors to be provided on the model vehicle, operating in conjunction with a track shown in Fig. 1; Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a construction of the embodiment of conductor; Figure 5 is a plan view of one embodiment of a conductor carrier member with alternative conductors complete with diode matrix; Figure 6 is a side elevation of a conductor carrier member shown in Fig. 5; Figure 7 is a block diagram of a typical circuit for a model vehicle using a conductor carrier member as shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 6; Figure 8 is a circuit diagram of the power circuit shown in block form in Figure;; Figure 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of a model vehicle chassis; and Figure 10 is a plan view of the chassis shown in Fig. 8.

Referring first to Fig. 1, a section of track is generally illustrated at 10, the track 10 comprising conductive areas 11, 12, 1 3 and 1 4 each conductive zone being spaced from adjacent conductive zones by a non-conductive area 15.

The conductive zones may extend longitudinally along the track, or alternatively may be arranged transversely across the track. The width of each conductive zone is designated by A and the width of each non-conductive zone is designated by B.

Alternate zones, i.e. 11 and 13, will be electrically connected as will zones 1 2 and 14. A potential difference is then applied between adjacent zones such that, for example, if D.C. potential was applied zones 11 and 1 3 could be positive and zones 1 2 and 14 negative.

It will be appreciated that different potentials may exist between-adjacent zones at different parts of the track if, for example, it was desired to cause model vehicles travelling therealong to travel at a different speed or at least have a limitation on the speed to which they could travel along different lengths of the track Fig. 2 illustrates the geometric arrangement of conductors to be provided on a model vehicle to use the track as shown in Fig. 1. A conductor (not shown in Fig. 2) is connected at each apex 20, 21 and 22 of an equilateral triangle and a fourth conductor is connected at the point of intersection of the bisectors at either the angles or the sides (the position being the same) designated at 23.

The length of each side of the triangle is equal to the width A of each conductive zone plus twice the width of each insulated zone B.

Thus the length of each side is A plus 2B.

It is envisaged that there may be many different arrangements of conductor arrays which will work satisfactorily and those shown in Figs. 1 and 2 have been found to operate well.

Referring first to Fig. 3, one form of conductor comprises a wheel-like outer part 25 formed integrally with or connected to axle 26. The axle 26 is mounted in bearings 27 mounted on member 28. Electrically conducting members 29 ensure a current path from wheel-like outer part 25 to bearing members 27. The bearing-members 27 are mounted in electrical contact with the motor circuit to enable conduction from the track to the motor.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, the arrangement of conductors are illustrated in detail, together with the diode matrix to which they are connected so that power may be supplied from a power supply through the conductive zones in the track to a motor powering the vehicle.

Four conductors generally indicated at 30, 31, 32 and 33 are provided, each conductor may be as shown in Fig. 3 or may alternatively comprise an outer part 34 which makes contact with the conductive zones on the track, and an inner part 35 which is secured through axle means 36 to the conductor carrier member 37.

The outer part 34 is mounted for rotation relative to the inner part 35 and may be mounted thereon through the intermediary of roller bodies such as roller bearings or ball bearings.

The complete conductor, such as that shown at 32, may comprise a bearing race comprising an outer bearing member 34, inner bearing member 35 and roller bodies therebetween.

The conductor carrier plate 37 is provided with conductive areas such as that shown at 38, whereby the conductor 30 may be electrically connected through the axle 35 to the conductive area 38.

Conveniently, the axle 35 may be secured to the inner bearing member 35 and connected by any suitable means, for example soldered, to the conductive area 38.

Each of the conductors 31 and 32 are secured in like manner.

The conductor 33 has its inner member 40 connected to an axle 41 which is supported by conductive resilient arms 42 and 43 which in turn are connected, for example by soldering, to a conductive area 43.

The conductive areas 38, 43, 44 and 45 are connected by respective conductors to a diode matrix generally indicated at 47 to ensure that depending on the polarity of the conductive zone with which each conductor makes contact, there is a continuous potential difference supplied to the motor control circuit for powering the vehicle.

The carrier member 37 is pivotally mounted to the vehicle about an axis substantially at right angles to the conductor carrier member 47, which axis intersects the carrier member 37 at 50. The position 50 of the pivotal axis does not coincide with the centre of any of the conductors 30 to 33 thus pivotal movement of the carrier member relative to the vehicle to which it is pivotally mounted will cause some sliding movement of the conductors relative to the track, such movement assisting in the maintenance of good electrical connection between the conductive zones on the track and the conductors themselves.

Referring now to Fig. 5, a circuit diagram for controlling the vehicle is shown in block form.

The conductive carrying member 37, by means of which power is conducted from the conductive zones on the track to the vehicle, is electrically connected to the diode matrix 47. From the diode matrix 47 power is supplied to both a power storage means such as a capacitor shown at 48, and a signal receiver 51 which may operate at radio frequency or alternatively may, for example, comprise an infra-red signal receiver. The power storage means 48 is also connected to a power hunt circuit 49 the operation of which will be dealt with in more detail with reference to Fig. 6.

The receiver 51 is connected to a signal decoder 52 which has several outputs, output 53 to a servo amp 54 which in turn powers a servo 55 to cause steering of the vehicle, for example by causing relative pivotal movement between the vehicle and the conductor carrying member 37.

A second output from the decoder 56 is connected to an amplifier circuit 57 operation of which varies the amount of power supplied to a motor 58 which powers the vehicle. A third output 60 from the decoder 52 may be utilised to operate same novelty feature on the vehicle such as for example a "light" gun, the output 60 controlling the feature, control amplification circuit 61 of the "light" gun 62 itself being energised from power supplied through the diode matrix 47 and through an oscillator circuit 63.

In use of the vehicle, power, for example D.C. supply, connected to the conductive zones 11, 12, 1 3 and 14, the potential difference between alternate zones causes a current to flow through the conductors 30 to 33 and diode matrix 47 so as to provide power for the receiver circuit 51 to enable drive of the servo amplifier 54 for steering the vehicle and the drive amplification and control circuit 57 to energise the motor 58.

The receiver circuit 51 feeds signals from, for example a radio transmitter, and the signals are sent to decoder 52 which controls the power supplied to both the drive motor 58 and the servo amplifier and hence the servo 55 to control steering of the vehicle along the track.

Thus the arrangement of the present invention allows complete remote control of the vehicle through radio control of operation of the vehicle while eliminating the need for providing an energy supply in the vehicle through the novel arrangement of rolling conductors for current conduction from the track to the vehicle.

Referring now in addition to Fig. 6 the power hunt circuit" shown at 49 in Fig. 5 will now be described in more detail.

The storage means 48 comprises a capacitor connected across the receiver circuit 51, decoder circuit 52 and amplifier circuits shown collectively at 70.

Servo control amplifier 54 which controls movement of the servo causes steering of the vehicle through a gearbox is connected through variable resistor 71 to supply line Li.

The variable contact of the variable resistor 71 is connected to the servo amplifier circuit 54.

The variable contact 72 is also connected through transistor 73 to the supply line L1.

The base of transistor 73 is connected through a potential divider between lines L0 and L2, the potential divider comprising resistors 74 and 75.

The potential of the base of transistor 73 is, when the circuit is in operation, such that transistor 73 is switched off thus the conduction path between lines L1 and the variable contact 72 of resistor 71 will be non-operational.

In the advent of failure of the supply, for example due to a bad contact on one of the conductive zones on the track and/or the contacts of the vehicle, then capacitor 48 which will be fully charged will begin to discharge through the potential divider comprising resistors 74 and 75 until the potential at the base of transistor 73 decreases the value of transistor 73 conducts, thereby effec tively connecting line L1 to the variable contact 72 of resistor 71 causing the servo to move to one of its extreme positions causing relative movement between the vehicle and the conductors and also relative movement between the conductors and the conductive zones on the track.

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8, the chassis of a vehicle is shown, the chassis comprising a chassis member 80 which carries the rear wheel 81 and carrier member 37. The carrier member 37 being pivotally mounted to an elongate pivot member 82 pivotally mounted about an axis 83 to the carrier member 37.

The pivot member 82 has secured to its upper end an arm 84 connected by link member 85 to a second arm 86 connected to the steering servo 55. Movement of the arms 84 and 86 and the link 85 are shown by arrows 87.

The model vehicle shown somewhat schematically in Figs. 7 and 8 may be provided with a suitable body to give an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Whereas the invention has been described in detail with reference to a model vehicle and its track, it is envisaged that the means for providing conduction between the two relatively moving objects of the present invention may have many other suitable applications.

Claims (22)

1. A first object presenting a surface provided with a plurality of electrically conductive zones and isolating zones, at least some of said electrically conductive zones being isolated from each other by said isolating zones to enable the application of an electrical potential between said isolated conductive zones, a second object comprising an array of conductors positioned on said second object in relation to said conductive zones to enable at least two conductors to be in electrical contact, each with a respective conductive zone of different potential, each of said two conductors comprising a first part secured to said second object, and a second part mounted for rotational movement relative to said first part and capable of rolling movement relative to said first part.

2. Conduction means as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said second part of said conductors comprises a wheel-like part and said first part of said conductors comprises an electrically conducting member conductively engaged with a surface of said second part.

3. Conduction means as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein said second part of said conductors comprises a wheel-like part and said first part comprises an axle about which said wheel-like part can rotate, at least part of said axle being electrically conductive to enable conduction from said wheel-like part to said second object.

4. Conduction means as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein said first part of said conductors the inner race of a bearing member and the second part of said conductors comprises an outer race of said bearing member, and roller bodies positioned between said inner and outer bearing races, which roller bodies enable electrical conduction from said outer race to said inner race.

5. Conduction means as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein four conductors are provided on a mounting member and resilient mounting means are provided whereby at least one of said conductors is mounted resiliently relative to said mounting member.

6. Conduction means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said first object comprises a track and said second object a model vehicle, said model vehicle being provided with a carrier member carrying said conductor means and pivotal mounting means by means of which said carrier member is mounted for pivotal movement relative to said model vehicle about an axis substantially at right angles to said surface on said track.

7. Conduction means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein control means are provided to enable control of the pivotal movement of said carrier means relative to said model vehicle to steer the vehicle in a desired direction along said track.

8. Conduction means wherein the first object presents a surface provided with a plurality of electrically zones and isolating zones, at least some of said electrically conductive zones being isolated from each other by said isolating zones to enable application of an electrical potential between said isolated conductive zones, the second object comprising a row of conductors positioned on said second object in relation to said conductive zones to enable at least two conductors to be in electrical contact, each with a respective conductive zone of different potential, and wherein movement means are provided to cause relative pivotal movement between said second object and said conductors so as to cause relative movement between said conductors and said first object in the event of disconnection of said second object from said electrical potential.

9. Conduction means as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein movement means are provided to cause relative pivotal movement between said second object and said conductors so as to cause relative movement between said conductors and said first object in the event of disconnection of said second object from said electrical potential.

1 0. Conduction means as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9 wherein said movement means comprises an electrically energised device supplied with power from power storage means in the event of disconnection of said second object from said electrical potential.

11. Conduction means as claimed in Claim 10 wherein said power storage means comprises a capacitor which, in use of said second object, reaches a predetermined charged state and is at least partly discharged to effect said movement on disconnection of said second object from said electrical potential.

1 2. Conduction means as claimed in Claim 10 wherein said movement means comprises mechanical storage adapted to be activated to release energy stored therein upon disconnection of said second object from said electrical potential.

13. Conduction means as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 1 2 wherein said first object comprises a track and said object comprises a model vehicle and wherein said model vehicle is provided with a carrier member to cary said conductors, and pivotal mounting means are provided whereby said carrier member may be pivotally mounted to the model vehicle and said movement means provides pivotal movement of said carrier member about said pivotal axis relative to said model vehicle.

14. Conduction means as claimed in Claim 6 or any claim appendant thereto wherein said model vehicle has pivotally mounted thereto said carrier member at or near one end thereof, the model vehicle being provided with at least one further track engaging wheel mounted near the other end of the vehicle.

1 5. In or for a model vehicle conductor means capable of conductively engaging with a surface provided with a plurality of electrically conductive zones and isolating zones, at least some of said electrically conductive zones being isolated from each other by said isolating zones to enable the application of an electrical potential between said isolated conductive zones to said conductor means comprising an array of conductors enabling at least two conductors to be in electrical contact, each with a respective conductive zone of different potential, said conductor means being carried by a carrier member mounted for pivotal movement relative to said model vehicle about an axis substantially at right angles to the surface on which the model vehicle is supported.

16. Conductive means in or for a model vehicle having conductors mounted relative thereto, said conductors being adapted to engage conductive zones on a supporting surface and thereby receive electrical power from a power supply connected to said zones, at least some of said conductors being carried by a carrier member movable relative to said model vehicle and wherein means are provided to cause movement of said conductors relative to said supporting surface in the event of said vehicle being disconnected from said power supply.

1 7. Conduction means substantially as hereinbefore described comprising conductors substantially with reference to Figs. 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

1 8. Conductive means substantially as hereinbefore described and comprising conductors as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

1 9. Conduction means substantially as hereinbefore described comprising a carrier member substantially as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

20. Conduction means substantially as hereinbefore described comprising a second object substantially as shown in Fig. 9 of the accompanying drawings.

21. Conduction means substantially as hereinbefore described and comprising a second object substantially as shown in Fig. 10 of the accompanying drawings.

22. Conduction means including any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.