Electric micro-vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric micro vehicle (10), in particular an electric scooter, comprising a rear wheel (26), a frame (12), a carrier (20) with a footboard (28) and a wheel folding mechanism (36). The carrier (20) comprises a rear carrier section (24) connected with the rear wheel (26) and a front carrier section (22) connected with the frame (12) and having a receptacle (30) for the rear wheel (26). The wheel folding mechanism (36) comprises a first articulation (38) with a first pivot axis (R) by means of which the electric micro vehicle (10) can be adjusted from an unfolded state into a folded state. The front carrier section (22) is connected with the rear carrier section (24) by means of the first articulation (38). Furthermore, the rear wheel (26) is positioned in an outer position in the unfolded state, in which the rear wheel (26) is arranged outside the receptacle (30), and in an inner position in the folded state, in which the rear wheel (26) is at least partially arranged inside the receptacle (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric micro vehicle, particularly an electric scooter, the electric micro vehicle comprising: a steerable front wheel, a rear wheel, a frame having a steering head for the front wheel, and a carrier having a pedal. Background Technology

[0002] Electric micro-vehicles, such as electric scooters or electric pedals, are known. They have electric drive units and are often used as vehicles for short distances such as the “last mile” or “last kilometer”.

[0003] In the context of the German Electric Mini-Vehicle Regulation (eKFV), an electric mini-vehicle is a motor vehicle with an electric drive system and a maximum speed determined by its structural type of not less than 6 km / h and not more than 20 km / h. Such a motor vehicle has the following characteristics in particular:

[0004] 1. Vehicles without seats or self-balancing vehicles with or without seats.

[0005] 2. For motor vehicles with seats, the steering rod or retaining rod should be at least 500 mm long, while for motor vehicles without seats, the steering rod or retaining rod should be at least 700 mm long.

[0006] 3. When at least 60% of the power is used for self-balancing, the rated continuous power shall not exceed 500 watts, or the rated continuous power shall not exceed 1400 watts.

[0007] 4. The total width shall not exceed 700mm, the total height shall not exceed 1400mm, and the total length shall not exceed 2000mm.

[0008] 5. When there is no driver present, the maximum vehicle weight shall not exceed 55 kg.

[0009] Some electric micro-vehicles have a folding mechanism that allows them to be compactly folded when not in use, such as for transport in public transportation or for storage to save space. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The objective of this invention is to provide an electric micro-vehicle with a folding mechanism that can be folded particularly compactly.

[0011] To address the aforementioned task, an electric micro-vehicle, particularly an electric scooter, is provided, comprising: a steerable front wheel, a rear wheel, a frame with a steering head for the front wheel, a carrier with pedals, and a wheel folding mechanism. The carrier here has a rear carrier section connected to the rear wheel and a front carrier section connected to the frame and having a receiving portion for the rear wheel. The wheel folding mechanism includes a first hinge with a first pivot axis, by means of which the electric micro-vehicle can be adjusted from an unfolded state to a folded state. Furthermore, the front carrier section is connected to the rear carrier section via the first hinge. The rear wheel is positioned in an external position in the unfolded state and in an internal position in the folded state; in the external position, the rear wheel is disposed outside the receiving portion, and in the internal position, the rear wheel is at least partially disposed within the receiving portion.

[0012] In the interior position, the rear wheels are positioned closer to the front wheels than in the exterior position.

[0013] It has been recognized that the size of electric micro-vehicles can be effectively reduced by means of wheel folding mechanisms, thus making the electric micro-vehicles particularly compact and transportable in the folded state.

[0014] In particular, the distance between the front and rear wheels in the folded state is only 70% to 75% of the distance between the front and rear wheels in the unfolded state.

[0015] In one embodiment, the wheel folding mechanism includes a second hinge having a second pivot axis. The pedal is connected to the front carrier section via this second hinge. Furthermore, the pedal is adjustable between a closed position and an open position via the second hinge, in which the pedal provides a pedal surface and at least partially covers and / or locks the receiving portion, and in the open position, the pedal releases the receiving portion to accommodate the rear wheel. Here, the pedal is in the closed position in the deployed state of the electric micro-vehicle and in the open position in the folded state of the electric micro-vehicle. In this way, the space that serves as the pedal surface in the deployed state is used to provide space for the rear wheel in the folded state. Therefore, the electric micro-vehicle can be folded particularly compactly.

[0016] Advantageously, the rear wheel can pivot on a track about a first pivot axis via a first articulation, which points below the carrier, i.e. between the carrier and the lane, in the vertical driving position of the electric micro vehicle, so as to adjust the rear wheel from an external position to an internal position.

[0017] Here, the electric micro vehicle may have a stop designed to prevent the rear wheels from pivoting against the pivoting path, i.e., pivoting upwards away from the lane, in the outer position.

[0018] In another embodiment, the rear support section forms a first angle relative to the front support section in the folded state and a second angle in the unfolded state. The difference between the first angle and the second angle is between 150° and 210°, particularly 180°.

[0019] It can be specified that the rear wheel is rotatably supported about a rotation axis extending parallel to the first pivot axis. The rear wheel is here rotatably supported about the rotation axis in its internal position and extends downward beyond the support member in the vertical pushing position of the electric micro-vehicle. Therefore, the electric micro-vehicle can be pushed in its vertically folded state by the front and rear wheels, both of which are rolling on the ground. In this configuration, both the front and rear wheels remain freely rotatable, allowing the electric micro-vehicle to be pushed without needing to be carried.

[0020] This electric micro-vehicle may have a drive unit and be designed so that, in a folded state, the electric micro-vehicle can be driven by the drive unit via the front wheels. In this way, it is preferable to provide electric propulsion assistance via hub motors in the front wheels, so that the electric micro-vehicle can move, for example, on a slope with electric assistance up to 6 km / h.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the electric micro-vehicle has a handlebar unit and a handlebar folding mechanism, the handlebar folding mechanism including a third hinge having a third pivot axis. The handlebar unit is thus able to pivot about the third pivot axis between a driving position and a transport position via the third hinge.

[0022] Preferably, the third pivot axis extends through the steering head support of the steering head, thereby allowing the electric micro vehicle to fold in a particularly space-saving manner.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, the handlebar unit may be shaped such that, in the transport configuration of the electric micro-vehicle—in which the rear wheel is in the inner position and the handlebar unit is in the transport position—a straight line extending parallel to the first pivot axis intersects the rear wheel and the handlebar unit. In other words, the handlebar unit is designed such that it extends partially beside the rear wheel in the transport position, for example, by bending the handlebar unit accordingly or having a gap for the rear wheel. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Other advantages and features are illustrated in the following description and the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 An electric micro-vehicle in a driving-ready state is shown in a schematic side view according to the invention;

[0026] Figure 2A schematic side view showing the state of being pushed. Figure 1 Electric micro-vehicles in China;

[0027] Figure 3 A perspective view showing the state of being pushed. Figure 1 Electric micro-vehicles in China; and

[0028] Figure 4 A schematic side view showing the vehicle in transit. Figure 1 Electric micro-vehicles in the world. Detailed Implementation

[0029] exist Figure 1 The image shows an electric micro-vehicle 10 in a driving preparation state and in an upright position in the vertical direction V.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the electric micro-vehicle 10 is an electric scooter, also known as an electric pedal vehicle.

[0031] The electric micro vehicle 10 includes a frame 12 with a steering head 14, a handlebar unit 16, and a front wheel 18, which is rotatably supported in the steering head 14 by means of the handlebar unit 16 and can be adjusted between different steering positions by means of the handlebar unit 16.

[0032] In addition, the electric micro vehicle 10 includes a carrier 20 having a front carrier section 22 and a rear carrier section 24, and a rear wheel 26 rotatably supported on the rear carrier section 24 about a rotation axis D.

[0033] The carrier 20 here has a pedal 28 and a receiving portion 30, which is covered by the pedal 28 in the driving preparation state.

[0034] As a drive unit, the electric micro vehicle 10 has an electric hub motor 32 in the front wheel 18 and an electric drive unit 34 coupled to the hub motor 32, which is mounted on the frame 12 and can be controlled or operated by the handlebar unit 16.

[0035] The electric micro-vehicle 10 also includes a wheel folding mechanism 36, by means of which the electric micro-vehicle 10 can be adjusted between an unfolded state and a folded state, the unfolded state including the driving-ready state of the electric micro-vehicle 10 (see...). Figure 1 The folded state includes the pushed state of the electric micro vehicle 10 (see...). Figure 2 and 3 ) and transport status (see Figure 4 ).

[0036] Therefore, the wheel folding mechanism 36 includes a first hinge portion 38 having a first pivot axis R and a second hinge portion 40 having a second pivot axis T (see...). Figure 3 With the first hinge, the front support section 22 and the rear support section 24 are pivotally connected about a first pivot axis R, and with the second hinge, the pedal 28 and the front support section 22 are pivotally connected about a second pivot axis T.

[0037] The pedal 28 can be in the closed position by means of the second hinge 40 (see...) Figure 1 ) and opening location (see Figures 2 to 4 The pedal 28 is adjusted between the closed position and the open position. In the closed position, the pedal 28 is oriented substantially horizontally and provides a pedal surface. In the open position, the pedal 28 is oriented substantially vertically and released, i.e., no longer covers the receiving part 30.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the pedal 28 is designed as a single unit.

[0039] Alternatively, the pedal 28 can be designed as a multi-piece unit, for example, divided in half along the longitudinal direction. In this case, multiple hinges are provided accordingly to adjust the pedal component covering the receiving portion 30 between the closed and open positions.

[0040] The rear wheel 26 can be in an external position by means of the first hinge 38 (see Figure 1 ) and internal location (see Figures 2 to 4 The rear wheel 26 is adjustable between the two positions. In the external position, the rear wheel 26 is disposed outside the receiving portion 30, and in the internal position, the rear wheel 26 is received in the receiving portion 30.

[0041] In order to adjust the electric micro vehicle 10 from the unfolded state to the folded state, the pedal 28 is first adjusted from the closed position to the open position, that is, folded upward to one side, and then the rear wheel 26 is pivoted along the pivot track U from the external position to the receiving part 30 and thus adjusted to the internal position.

[0042] The first pivot axis R is located directly in front of the rear wheel 26, thus making the electric micro vehicle 10 particularly compact in its longitudinal extension.

[0043] The rear wheel 26 here pivots along the pivot track U by the following angle, which corresponds to an angle α of 25° plus 180°, or a total of 205° (see [reference]). Figure 4 ).

[0044] In principle, the angular difference between the external and internal positions can be arbitrarily large. However, it is preferred that the angular difference be between 150° and 210°, especially 180°.

[0045] The pivot track U on which the rear wheel 26 pivots from the outer position to the inner position first extends downward toward the lane or toward the ground.

[0046] The first pivot axis R extends parallel to the rotation axis D, thereby orienting the rear wheel 26 in all pivot positions along the main driving direction of the electric micro-vehicle 10.

[0047] As a result, the rear wheel 26 also rolls optimally in its internal position, so that the electric micro vehicle 10 can be pushed or driven in the main travel direction with little resistance when in a pushing state.

[0048] Therefore, the electric micro vehicle 10 is designed such that the rear wheel 26 extends downward in the opposite vertical direction V beyond the support member 20 in the internal position, so that the electric micro vehicle 10 stands on the front wheel 18 and the rear wheel 26 in an upright position.

[0049] An external stop 42 is also provided on the bearing member 20, which prevents the rear wheel 26 from pivoting further than the pivot track U in the external position, i.e., pivoting upwards.

[0050] In addition, an internal stop 44 is provided on the carrier 20 to prevent the rear wheel 26 from pivoting further than the pivot track U in the internal position, i.e., upward.

[0051] In this way, the rear wheel 26 is kept in a defined position in the external position during driving and in the internal position in the pushing state based on the gravity of the electric micro vehicle 10 itself or the driver.

[0052] In addition, the wheel folding mechanism 36 has a locking mechanism 46, by means of which the wheel folding mechanism 36 can be locked and released.

[0053] The locking mechanism 46 here is a quick-release locking head.

[0054] Alternatively or additionally, the wheel folding mechanism 36 may include one or more magnets, for example, one or more magnets on the outer and / or inner stops 42, 44, which hold the rear wheel 26 in the outer or inner position.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, the electric micro vehicle 10 has a mudguard 48 for the rear wheel 26, which is adjustablely mounted on the front bearing section 22 and thus can be adapted in its orientation to the external and internal positions of the rear wheel 26.

[0056] The mudguard 48 can be coupled to the locking mechanism 46 such that the mudguard 48 is released or fixed in orientation by releasing or locking the wheel folding mechanism 36.

[0057] In order to take the electric micro vehicle 10 from the driving state (see...) Figure 2 and 3 Adjust to transport status (see) Figure 4 In the electric micro vehicle 10, the handlebar folding mechanism 50 is provided.

[0058] The handlebar folding mechanism 50 includes a third hinge 52 having a third pivot axis L, by means of which the handlebar unit 16 can be in a riding position (see...). Figures 1 to 3 ) and transportation location (see Figure 4 The handlebar unit 16 pivots about a third pivot axis L between the two sides. In the driving position, the handlebar unit 16 is oriented substantially vertically and is ready to steer the electric micro-vehicle 10 in the driving preparation state. In the transport position, the handlebar unit 16 is oriented substantially horizontally in the transport state of the electric micro-vehicle 10.

[0059] The third pivot axis L extends through the steering head support 54 of the steering head 14, through which the steering head 14 is connected to the frame 12.

[0060] The handlebar folding mechanism 50 has a locking device 56, by means of which the handlebar folding mechanism 50 can be locked and released.

[0061] The handlebar folding mechanism 50 here is a quick-release clip.

[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, the handlebar unit 16 has two struts 58 and 59 and a transverse strut 62. The two struts each have a handlebar end 60 and 61 that is angled to the corresponding strut and provides a handlebar. The transverse strut connects the two struts 58 and 59 to each other.

[0063] The handlebar unit 16 has an opening 64 between the two struts 58 and 59. When the handlebar unit 16 is adjusted from the driving position to the transport position and the electric micro-vehicle 10 is adjusted from the pushing state to the transport state, the rear wheel 26, which is in the inner position, sinks into this opening. Therefore, the struts 58 and 59 extend to the side of the rear wheel 26 in the transport state, or in other words, the rear wheel 26 is positioned in the opening 64 between the two struts 58 and 59 in the transport state.

[0064] The handlebar ends 60 and 61 can be flipped, making the electric micro-vehicle 10 more compact in transport mode.

[0065] In an alternative implementation, the handlebar unit 16 can be designed arbitrarily, for example, with a single strut.

[0066] In all cases, however, the handlebar unit 16 is preferably designed such that it has an opening 64 for the rear wheel 26 or, for example, by shaping one or more struts accordingly to leave an opening for the rear wheel.

[0067] Alternatively or additionally, the handlebar unit 16 may have a telescopic function, through which the height of the handlebar unit 16 can be adjusted.

[0068] In another embodiment, the electric micro vehicle 10 may include a luggage rack and thus reliably hold luggage in the luggage space during driving. The luggage rack has a hook for hanging luggage and two retaining wings for the luggage space located below the hook at the upper lateral limit.

[0069] The hook is, for example, placed on the transverse strut 62, while the retaining wing is fixed on the two struts 58 and 59.

[0070] In this way, an electric micro-vehicle 10 with three functional states is provided:

[0071] In the driving-ready state—with the pedal 28 in the closed position, the rear wheel 26 in the external position, and the handlebar unit 16 in the driving position—the electric micro-vehicle 10 can be driven by the driver with one or both feet on the pedal 28.

[0072] In the pushing state—with the pedal 28 in the open position, the rear wheel 26 in the inward position, and the handlebar unit 16 in the driving position—the electric micro-vehicle 10 can be pushed by the driver while standing comfortably via the handlebar unit 16, wherein the electric micro-vehicle 10 is more compact than in the driving-ready state.

[0073] In transport mode—with the pedals 28 in the open position, the rear wheel 26 in the interior position, and the handlebar unit 16 in the transport position—the electric micro-vehicle 10 occupies minimal space and can therefore be transported or stored particularly well.

[0074] This invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In particular, multiple individual features of one embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with features of other embodiments, especially independently of other features of the corresponding embodiment.

Claims

1. An electric micro-vehicle, the electric micro-vehicle comprising: The vehicle includes a steerable front wheel (18), a rear wheel (26), a frame (12) with a steering head (14) for the front wheel (18), a carrier (20) with a pedal (28), and a wheel folding mechanism (36). The carrier (20) has a rear carrier section (24) connected to the rear wheel (26) and a front carrier section (22) connected to the frame (12) and having a receiving portion (30) for the rear wheel (26). The wheel folding mechanism (36) includes a first hinge (38) having a first pivot axis (R), by means of which the electric micro vehicle (10) can be adjusted from an unfolded state to a folded state. The front support section (22) is connected to the rear support section (24) via the first hinge (38). The rear wheel (26) is positioned in an external position in the unfolded state and in an internal position in the folded state. In the external position, the rear wheel (26) is located outside the receiving portion (30), and in the internal position, the rear wheel (26) is located at least partially inside the receiving portion (30). The rear wheel (26) is rotatably supported about a rotation axis (D) extending parallel to a first pivot axis (R). The rear wheel (26) is rotatably supported about the rotation axis (D) in its internal position and extends downward beyond the support member (20) in the vertical pushing position of the electric micro-vehicle (10). The electric micro-vehicle (10) is configured such that it can be pushed in a vertically folded state by the front wheel (18) and the rear wheel (26), both of which roll on the ground. The electric micro-vehicle (10) has a drive unit (32) and is designed such that the electric micro-vehicle (10) can be driven by the drive unit (32) via the front wheels (18) in a folded state. The rear support section (24) relative to the front support section (22) forms a first angle in the folded state and a second angle in the unfolded state, the difference between the first angle and the second angle being between 150° and 210°.

2. The electric micro-vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wheel folding mechanism (36) includes a second hinge (40) having a second pivot axis (T), a pedal (28) being connected to the front carrier section (22) via the second hinge (40), the pedal (28) being adjustable between a closed position and an open position via the second hinge (40), in the closed position the pedal (28) provides a pedal surface and at least partially covers and / or locks the receiving portion (30), in the open position the pedal (28) releases the receiving portion (30) to receive the rear wheel (26), the pedal (28) being in the closed position in the unfolded state of the electric micro vehicle (10) and in the open position in the folded state of the electric micro vehicle (10).

3. The electric micro-vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The rear wheel (26) is pivotable about a first pivot axis (R) in a pivot track (U) via a first hinge (38), the pivot track extending below the carrier in the vertical driving position of the electric micro vehicle (10) so as to adjust the rear wheel (26) from the external position to the internal position.

4. The electric micro-vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that, The electric micro vehicle (10) has a stop (42) designed such that the rear wheel (26) cannot pivot further than the pivot track (U) in the external position.

5. The electric micro-vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The electric micro vehicle (10) has a handlebar unit (16) and a handlebar folding mechanism (50), the handlebar folding mechanism (50) including a third hinge (52) having a third pivot axis (L), the handlebar unit (16) being able to pivot about the third pivot axis (L) between a driving position and a transport position by means of the third hinge (52).

6. The electric micro-vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that, The third pivot axis (L) extends through the steering head support (54) of the steering head (14).

7. The electric micro-vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that, The handlebar unit (16) is shaped such that in the transport state of the electric micro vehicle (10)—in which the rear wheel (26) is in the interior position and the handlebar unit (16) is in the transport position—a straight line extending parallel to the first pivot axis (R) intersects the rear wheel (26) and the handlebar unit (16).

8. The electric micro-vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electric micro-vehicle is an electric scooter.

9. The electric micro-vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The difference between the first angle and the second angle is 180°.

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