Model vehicle and track combination

Abstract

A model vehicle has a steering actuator configured to be actuated by a bias from a remote controller and a magnetic bias from a track. The track has a main guide 2,4 providing the magnetic bias which is greater than the radio controller bias. It also has one or more junction guides 1 and corresponding alternative guides 3. The junction guides 1 have a magnetic bias that is less than the radio controller bias. This means that in use, providing the radio controller bias when the vehicle is over a junction guide 1 causes the actuator to steer the vehicle via an alternative guide 3 to a main guide 4.

Description

Cross reference to Related Applications[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.K. Patent Application No. GB1103173.9, filed Feb. 24, 2010.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to model vehicle and track combinations, lane change sections of track, and vehicles for use with such a combination.[0003]Model or toy vehicles or cars guided by a magnet following a ferromagnetic wire or strip embedded in the track surface are known. The magnet is attached to a horizontally pivoting arm under the front of the car which is also connected to the steerable front wheels so that, as the magnet follows the guide wire, the front wheels are steered to also follow the guide wire around the track. Racing such model cars is known as follows. The cars are powered by electric motors with onboard batteries and have speed control and an alternative steering actuator operated by the drivers using a radio control system. This is to enable the cars to be steered to different gu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The steering actuator may comprise a steering plate, two permanent magnets attached to the steering plate; and a fixed electromagnet located adjacent to the permanent magnets. In use, the controller causes the fixed electromagnet to interact with the permanent magnets to provide the first bias causing the front wheels to steer the vehicle. One permanent magnet may have its north pole adjacent to the electromagnet and the other has its south pole so positioned. Current fed through the electromagnet from a radio receiver may attract one of the permanent magnets, thus moving the steering plate and causing the front wheels to steer the vehicle.

[0012]The junction guide may be a flat metal plate that is thinner than the main guide. The lower face of the junction guide may be level with a lower surface of the adjacent main guide. The width of the flat metal place provides second bias to the actuator whatever the speed of the vehicle.

Problems solved by technology

This gap in the guide wire system causes problems however.

If the cars are driven slowly at this point however, possibly by accident or by a novice driver, the radio controlled steering will operate more effectively and the car may turn too sharply, miss the alternative guide wire and run off the track.

A further problem which arises from the guide wire gap is that if the steering is inadvertently turned the wrong way, which is quite easy for a novice driver, the car will leave the track and crash.

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