WO2014053713A1 - Individual electric vehicle - Google Patents

Description

 INDIVIDUAL ELECTRIC VEHICLE

The present invention relates to a three-wheel electric vehicle, simple, practical, lightweight and pleasant to use for individual transport.

 There are many vehicles with thermal or electric motor transport, some of which are derived from vehicles with thermal engines that have been adapted for an electric motor and of which other light are derived from human powered devices that have been motorized, such as for example electric bicycles and electric scooters.

 More recently, there have been other electric personal transport vehicles such as:

 - single-wheel devices whose stability requires sophisticated electronic devices,

 - Two-wheeled parallel devices placed on either side of a platform footrest. These dynamic self-balancing gyropode devices stand upright and their stability is achieved by sophisticated electronic devices,

 tricycles with a steering wheel and two rear wheels with or without cornering inclination (WO 20091 17528 and FR 2689082),

three-wheeled vehicles with inverted tricycle type architectures with two front steering wheels and a rear wheel (documents FR 2085428, FR 2918634 and FR 2962403),

 - vehicles of the inverted tricycle type with a front suspension device similar to those used in the automobile and allowing a tilting of the wheels before cornering (documents US 2008/0258416 and WO 2005/002957),

 - four-wheeled vehicles that stand up with a change of direction mechanism obtained by inclination of a steering arm relative to two independent footrests hinged at the front and each carrying a rear wheel (US2004 / 0262871 document) ).

Some of these light electric vehicles are made collapsible for transport in a car, on the train, in an elevator or for storage (documents FR 2962403 and US 6866275). These different individual transport vehicles have disadvantages:

 - for electric-assisted bicycles: an architecture that depends on that of the bicycle originally designed for purely human propulsion and kept for mixed human and electric propulsion, since mixed propulsion is a brake on the choice of more compact architectures; a poorly adapted architecture for purely electric propulsion, which does not allow urban transport without any effort and stable standing transport.

 - for electric-assisted bicycles and scooters: an architecture that is ill-suited for the stable transport of luggage such as a shopping bag, rucksack, suitcase, stability at a standstill requiring driver operations with support against a support or use of a crutch, and the need to put feet on the ground to ensure stability during traffic stops.

 - for gyropod-type devices: the footrest platform remains parallel to the ground when cornering so that the position of the driver who must bow in a turn to prevent rollover while keeping the feet flat is not ergonomic.

 The present invention aims to overcome these disadvantages by providing a simple solution, pleasant use, efficient and economical for individual transport.

 The subject of the invention is a low-cost, ergonomic, compact, stable, practical, fun, intuitive to use, safe, multi-purpose and multi-user electric vehicle that allows standing driving while offering excellent stability at a time. in motion and at a standstill, as well as the transport of a bulky load or baggage without altering the stability by placing its center of gravity very low compared to a bicycle and which allows standing by to be tolerant vis-à-vis the attire for urban use and to keep this outfit in perfect condition during transport.

More particularly, the subject of the invention is an electric transport vehicle of the "inverted tricycle" type with two front steering wheels and a rear driving wheel, equipped with footrests which can be tilted directly with the front wheels and which, during turns, can be reproduced. at best the attitude of a skier. It proposes for this purpose a vehicle of the aforementioned type, characterized in that it comprises:

 a first central part consisting of a beam forming a housing for electric batteries, a motorized rear wheel with or without a suspension, and a folding steering column,

 a second complementary part composed of:

 . two independent arms each equipped with a footrest, a steering swivel of the two front wheels and three swiveling links,

 . a transverse bar providing the links between the front of the central part and the two arms of the complementary part,

 . a flexible connection ensuring the attachment of the center of the transverse bar to a front zone of the central part,

 . two links connecting the two arms and a fixed part of the steering column,

 . two front wheel sets with or without suspension,. a steering assembly comprising a steering bar, two steering arms being fixed on the outside of the front wheel forks, a steering rod connecting the center of the steering bar and the lower end of the steering column; direction, a home part attached to the lower end of the steering column and providing the removable connection with the steering rod, and rotulantes links between bars and rods.

 Each of the arms equipped with a footrest and a steering wheel swivel steering wheel has two swiveling links at the bottom and a swivel link at the top. The two links in the lower part are placed as close as possible to the ground and are substantially aligned in plan view with the vertical points of support on the ground of a front wheel and the rear wheel.

 Each of the footrest is substantially centered in a top view on a line passing through the two low swivel links of the arms and the vertical ground support points of a front wheel and the rear wheel.

During turns, each footrest remains perpendicular to the axis of the steering pivot of the front wheels. The footrests have in top view a sufficient support surface and a relative position relative to a handlebar for stable driving in the standing position for different user morphologies.

 These arm / footrest / steering pivoting architecture arrangements make it possible to best reproduce the movement of a ski that naturally slopes in turns according to the speed and the turning radius. The driver can adopt a position similar to that of the skier and find the natural feeling of stability during a ski turn.

 The flexible linkage between the cross bar and the front of the center section allows for both natural cornering and stability at a standstill without placing the feet on the ground, allowing feet to sit on the seats. -Feet.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the vehicle is made from a central portion of the electric scooter type without wheel and front wheel fork and the aforementioned complementary portion.

 Advantageously, the architecture of the device makes it possible to limit the number of components in order to reduce the production costs.

 The goal of low cost is achieved by combining:

 - A central part with an electric scooter type base selected among the most widespread in the world and having a good compromise between the following criteria: cost, performance, robustness, reliability, ability to accept the anchor points provided for the complementary part ,

- a complementary part designed to: reproduce as well as possible the positions adopted by a skier, limit the number of components, limit the anchoring points on the central part of an existing scooter to a minimum, make maximum use of the components already used on the scooter base retained, pivots, wheels, suspensions, brakes base scooter can advantageously be used, and use components already made in large series.

The flexible link between the cross bar and the front area of the center portion of the scooter base includes a reduced number of components to reduce cost. It is provided by springs (two parallel helical springs with vertical axes according to an embodiment of this invention. bond). The position and stiffness of these springs is provided to ensure the stability of the vehicle stationary in the presence or name of a driver while allowing the natural inclination in turns.

 This flexible connection is also provided to allow freedom of movement in the space of the connection points of the crossbar and the arms during the inclination of the vehicle.

 The geometry of the steering assembly is designed to respect the "Jeantaud's planes" as closely as possible in all cornering and tilting configurations. The geometry thus makes it possible to maintain a different steering angle and adapted for each of the front wheels inside and outside the turn.

 The architecture of the vehicle according to the invention allows its folding for introduction into a passenger car or storage. To ensure this function, the articulation of the steering column placed at the front of the central part makes it possible to fold this steering column towards the rear on the central part after separation of the steering column and the steering rod. . The locking and unlocking of the joint are performed by one of the devices already used on scooters.

 The positions of the ball joint joints connecting links between the central steering column and the arms supporting the two front wheels are positioned and oriented to allow the free return of the steering column.

 In order to reduce the length of the folded vehicle, joints are placed on each of the arms at the junction of the front part of each of the arms and the pivoting of the front wheels. They allow to fold the two front wheels upwards and backwards. The locking and unlocking of the joints are performed by one of the devices already used on scooters.

 The three wheels can be mounted without or with suspensions depending on whether the used scooter base is provided with suspensions or not.

 A removable seat can be added to the central part as on some existing scooters.

A removable load carrier can be placed in front of the steering column and at most just above the steering bar of the vehicle for accommodate all types of luggage (backpacks, suitcase, crate, golf equipment ....). This load carrier is anchored in three points:

 - Two anchor points are located at the front of the central part on either side of the steering column. Positioning and immobilization are carried out on two lugs linked to the box of the central part,

 a third anchoring point makes it possible to suspend the removable load carrier in front of the steering column by cable or chain taking up the loads while allowing rotation of the steering column.

 In a shortened version of the vehicle, the rear wheel is brought under the box of the central portion which becomes inclined forward to reduce the length of the vehicle. The arms are connected to the central portion on the fork of the rear wheel in the vicinity of the axis of the wheel. This shortened version comprises a luggage rack placed between the steering column and the box of the central portion which also allows the locking of the non-rotating part of the steering column in the use position or its release for folding.

 The invention will be better understood and other details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear on reading the following detailed description given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

 FIG. 1 is a schematic representation in perspective and in a vertical position when the vehicle is stopped according to the invention,

 FIG. 2 is a schematic representation in perspective and in an inclined position of the vehicle according to the invention,

 FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the central portion of the connection points between the central part and the complementary part of the vehicle represented in FIG. 1;

 FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the complementary part of the connection points between the central part and this complementary part,

FIG. 5 shows in vertical position and in front view an embodiment of the vehicle of FIG. 1 as well as the attitude of the driver while standing, FIG. 6 represents, in an inclined position and in front view, an embodiment of the vehicle of FIG. 1 as well as the attitude of the driver in an inclined standing position,

 FIG. 7 represents a view from above of the geometry and an embodiment of the vehicle of FIG. 1,

 FIG. 8 is a side view of an embodiment of the vehicle of FIG. 1,

 FIG. 9 shows in front view and in vertical position when stopped an embodiment of the vehicle of FIG. 1,

 FIG. 10 represents, in front view and in an inclined position, an embodiment of the vehicle of FIG. 1,

 FIG. 11 is a detail view of FIG. 9 showing the connecting element between the transverse bar and the front of the box of the central part of the vehicle of FIG. 1,

 FIG. 12 represents an embodiment of the load carrier that can be added to the vehicle of FIG. 1,

 FIG. 13 represents an embodiment of the folding of the central part of the vehicle of FIG. 1,

 FIG. 14 represents an embodiment of the folding of the arms of the complementary part,

 FIG. 15 is a schematic representation of a compact version of the vehicle of FIG. 1.

 An individual transport vehicle 1 according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 15.

 With reference to FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 comprises a first part called the central part 2 represented in FIG. 3 and a second complementary part 3 represented in FIG.

The central portion 2 shown in Figure 3 is derived from an existing electric scooter devoid of wheel and front wheel fork. It consists of a box-forming beam 19 housing electric batteries, an upper face 16, a motorized rear wheel 4 with or without suspension, a handlebar 15, a foldable steering column 5, a non-rotating part 4 of the steering column, and a reception part 22 rigidly fixed in part steering column 5. The non-rotating part 14 of the steering column receives two rotational links 20 connecting with rods 13 of the complementary part 3.

 The casing 19 receives two rotulantes links 8 ensuring the connection with the complementary part 3.

 This consists of:

 two independent arms 6 each equipped with a footrest 7, the steering pivoting of each of the two front wheels 25 and three swiveling connections 8, 9, and 12,

 a transverse bar 10 ensuring the connections between the front of the central part 2 and the two arms 6 of the complementary part:

 a flexible connection 11 ensuring the attachment of the center of the transverse bar 10 to the front zone of the box 19 of the central portion 2,

 two links 13 connecting the two arms 6 and the fixed part 14 of the steering column

 - two front wheel-fork assemblies with or without suspension,

 - A steering assembly comprising a steering bar 18, two steering arms 24 being fixed on the outside of the front wheel forks, a steering rod 21 providing the connection between the lower part of the steering column 5 and the center of the steering bar 18, a reception part 22 fixed to the bottom of the steering column and providing the detachable connection with the steering rod 21, and the rotulantes links between bars and rods.

 Each of the arms 6 is equipped with a footrest 7, a front wheel steering pivoting 25 and carries two rotary links 8 and 9 at the bottom and a swivel link 12 in the high position.

As can be seen in FIG. 7, the two lower links 8 and 9 are substantially aligned in plan view with the vertical of the ground support points of a front wheel and the rear wheel. Each of the footrests 7 is substantially centered in plan view on the line passing through the two low swivel links 8 and 9 of the arms 6 and the vertical ground support points of a front wheel and the rear wheel. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the two lower links 8 and 9 are placed as close as possible to the ground.

 These architectural geometrical arrangements concerning the rear-wheel assembly 4 / arms 6 / footrests 7/25-direction steering pivots make it possible to reproduce as well as possible the movement of skis which naturally incline in turns according to the speed and steering radius. Figures 7 and 10 show the position of the footrest 7 which allows the driver to adopt a posture similar to that of the skier and to regain the natural feeling of stability during a ski turn.

 The flexible connection 1 1 between the transverse bar and the front of the central portion 2 allows both a natural inclination in a turn and stability at a standstill without placing the feet on the ground, so that the feet can remain on the seats feet 7.

 As can be seen in FIG. 11, the flexible link 11 comprises a reduced number of components in order to reduce the cost thereof. It consists of two helical springs 17 parallel vertical axes each fixed at the top by a bolt / washer assembly 29 on a bracket 28 for fixing on the box 19 of the central portion 2. In the lower part the springs 17 are each fixed by a bolt / washer assembly 30 on the transverse bar 10.

 FIG. 10 also shows an exemplary embodiment of the transverse bar 10 based on an angle profile and an example embodiment of the rotary links 9.

 The steering assembly is shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 and 13. This assembly comprises a steering rod 18 connected by two-arm rotary links 24 and a central connecting rod 21 which transmits the movement imposed by the handlebar and the steering column. 5.

The connecting rod 21 is attached to the steering column 5 by means of a reception part 22 integral with the lower end of the steering column 5 and a knurled screw 23 allowing rapid separation at the time of folding. . The connecting rod 21 is immobilized with respect to the receiving part by means of a hole allowing it to be centered on the lower end of the steering column 5 and a threaded hole receiving the screw 23. As can be seen in Figures 13 and 14, the device 1 according to the invention allows folding, for introduction into a passenger car or storage.

 FIG. 13 shows the steering column 5 and its non-rotating part 14 which carries an axis 38 making it possible to fold them back on the upper face 16 of the box 19. Before folding, the unscrewing of the knurled screw 23 makes it possible to separate the steering rod 21 of the reception room 22. The blocking and unlocking of the articulation of the part 14 relative to the box 19 are made by one of the bolt type devices, spring, eccentric already used on scooters.

 Figure 14 shows the possibility of folding back to the footrest 7, by rotation about the axis 41, the assembly formed by an arm 6, its steering pivoting 25 and a front wheel. The blocking between the steering column 25 and the arm 6 can be made as shown in FIG. 14 by a bolt 40 coming into a notch machined in two welded sectors on either side of the arm 6. After loosening, the bolt can be brought upwards beyond the notch to escape the two sectors and allow rotation of the pivoting 25 about the axis 39.

 FIG. 8 shows the possibility of using a removable seat 25 comprising a tube which is fixed in the casing 19.

 As can be seen in FIG. 12, a removable load carrier 31 can be placed in front of the steering column 5 and just above the steering bar 18 to accommodate all types of luggage (backpacks, suitcase, body). , golf equipment ....).

The load carrier 31 comprises three anchor points. Two points are located on lugs 38 secured to the front of the box 19 and placed on either side of the non-rotating portion 14 of the steering column. The notches machined in the arms 32 allow positioning and immobilization on the two lugs 38. A third anchor point makes it possible to suspend the removable support 31 in front of the steering column 5 by a cable or a chain 36 attached to it. fixed way at the bottom to the arms 32 and removably at its upper end by a pin 37 to a part integral with the steering column 5. The load carrier 31 also comprises flat slats 35 for the distribution and maintenance of the loads and an element 34 placed at its upper part to ensure its centering with respect to the steering column 5.

 Figure 15 shows a shortened version 42 of the device in which the rear wheel 4 is brought under the housing 19 of the central portion 2 which becomes inclined forward to reduce the length of the device. The rear links 42 of the arms 43 are brought back to the fork of the rear wheel in the vicinity of the axis of the wheel. The arms 43 and the footrests 44 are shortened while maintaining the same functions as in the basic version of the device 1 shown in FIG.

 As can be seen in FIG. 15, in a shortened version 42 of the device 1, the locking of the steering column 5 in the position of use is ensured by a load carrier 48 whose support 47 is articulated on an axis 40 passing through the element 14. The other end of the support 47 is fixed detachably by two knurled screws 50 on the casing 19. The mounting of a load carrier 31 shown in FIG. 12 remains possible on the shortened version 42 of the device 1.

 The vehicle according to the invention is particularly intended to be a low-cost, lightweight, practical and user-friendly means of transport that creates a high level of attractiveness for a wide variety of uses and users, thereby reducing impact of individual transport on the environment.

Claims

1-individual electric vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises a first central portion (2) comprising at least a box beam housing electric batteries, a motorized rear wheel (4) and a collapsible steering column (5). ), and a second complementary part (3) comprising at least two arms (6) each equipped with a footrest (7), a steering swivel of two front wheels and three swiveling links, the first (8) ) providing the connection with the rear of the central portion (2), the second (9) with a transverse bar (10) of the second portion (3) itself connected at its center by a flexible member (11) to the front of the box of the central part, the third (12) providing the connection via a rod (13) of each of the arms to a fixed portion (14) of the steering column.  2- Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each arm (6) has two low rotulantes links (8 and 9) which are placed as close as possible to the ground and are substantially aligned with the vertical points of ground support of a front wheel and rear wheel.  3- Vehicle (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that each footrest (7) remains perpendicular to the steering axis of the front wheels and is substantially centered in top view on the line passing through the two links low rotulantes (8 and 9) of the arms (6) and the vertical points of support on the ground of a front wheel and the rear wheel (4).  4- Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each repoe-foot (7) has a top view of a sufficient bearing surface and a position relative to a handlebar (15) for stable driving in position standing for different user morphologies.  5- Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each footrest (7) has a flat surface positioned at a stop substantially at the same height as the upper face (16) of the central portion (2) . 6. Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible element (11) comprises one or more springs of stiffness chosen to allow both the inclination of the vehicle cornering, stability at a standstill in the presence or absence of the driver and the movements of the transverse bar (10) imposed by the movement of the arms (6) during cornering inclinations.  7- Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible element (11) consists of two helical springs (17) with vertical axes rigidly connected at their lower ends to the transverse bar (10) and in their high end to a bracket (28) having attachment points on the front of the box (19) of the central portion (2).  8- Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second complementary part (3) has rotulantes links (8, 9 and 12) at its points of attachment to the central part which are positioned and oriented so as to allowing the steering column to fold backwards after the steering rod (21) has only been detached from a receiving part (22) at the lower end of the steering column (5) .  9- Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each footrest (7) has a contour in plan view intended to fit more closely the contour of the upper face (16) of the central portion (2). ) by maintaining a necessary clearance between them during the relative movements in cornering and during the movements of withdrawal of the steering column.  10- Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a removable load carrier placed in front of the steering column (5) has two arms (32) whose shape allows positioning and immobilization on two pins (38) on the housing (19) of the central part (2) and a flexible connection (36) to the steering column by cable or chain carrying the loads while allowing the rotation of the steering column (5) . 11- Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the deflection of the front wheels is provided a transverse direction bar (18) attached by rotulante links to two steering arms (24) rigidly fixed to the outer portions of forks of both front wheels and a central rod (21) attached by a screw (23) removably to a reception room (22) itself fixed on the lower end of the steering column (5). 12- Vehicle (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the central rod (21) has a centering hole on the lower end of the steering column (5) and a threaded hole for quick locking by knurled screw ( 23) on the reception piece (22) equipping the lower end of the steering column (5).  13- Vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, in a shortened version (42), the rear wheel is brought under the housing (19) of the central portion (2) which becomes inclined forward to reduce the length of the device, the rear fasteners (8) of the arms (6) to the central portion (2) being returned to the fork of the rear wheel (4) in the vicinity of the axis of the wheel.  14- Vehicle (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the locking of the steering column in the use position is provided by a luggage rack (48) whose support (47) is articulated on an axis (49). ) passing through the fixed portion (14) of the steering column and removably secured by two knurled screws (50) on the housing (19).