Roller

Abstract

Scooter (10) which can be propelled by muscle power, with - an electric drive for optional propulsion of the scooter (10), - a transport device (20) which is detachably attached to the scooter (10), and - a leaning device (21), characterized in that - the leaning device (21) is formed on the transport device (20), and - an electrical energy storage device is arranged in or on the transport device (20) with which the electric drive for propelling the scooter (10) can be operated.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a scooter which can be driven by muscle power and which comprises an electric drive for alternatively driving the scooter, according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] Vehicles with additional electric drive, so-called hybrid vehicles, and purely electric vehicles are becoming increasingly important. Electric vehicles are also sold in small numbers in the two-wheeler sector. The fact that electric vehicles have not been able to establish themselves in the market so far is not least due to the fact that their range is relatively short due to limited battery capacity, charging stations for charging batteries are rarely available and charging takes a relatively long time. Although city dwellers would be a target group for small electric vehicles such as scooters, suitable parking spaces with a power connection are usually not available. In addition, kick scooters have recently become established and can even be used by adults to cover short urban distances. These scooters are used for fast travel on the so-called “last mile”. This means thatA conventional vehicle is primarily used to cover long distances, for example, from a private home to a Park and Ride parking lot. The scooter is then used to get from the parking lot, subway exit, bus stop, etc., to the destination, such as the workplace. Folding scooters are also available, which can be folded up to save space and thus carried in the trunk of a car or on public transport.

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a scooter characterized by high user comfort. A further object of the invention is to create a scooter with an electric storage unit that can be conveniently charged at an "external" charging station, as well as a corresponding transport device.

[0004] This object is achieved by the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

[0005] The invention is based on a scooter with a transport device that is detachably attached to the scooter. The term "scooter" here generally encompasses all types of scooters, in particular two-wheeled, three-wheeled, and four-wheeled vehicles, which can be powered either by muscle power or by an electric scooter. Muscle-powered scooters are, in particular, kick scooters, which can be propelled by pushing with one leg while the other leg rests on a footboard.

[0006] From DE 10 2011 106 561 A1 a cargo and / or transport scooter in the form of a kick scooter is known, which has at least three wheels, a handlebar, a loading platform and a foldable and lockable footboard, wherein the two front wheels are equipped with a tilt mechanism when cornering to absorb the centrifugal force, and wherein the handlebar is firmly connected to the loading platform via two steering columns.

[0007] DE 197 38 048 A1 discloses a substantially single-track load transport and locomotion vehicle, comprising a frame with a standing bridge, behind which at least one rear wheel is held on a frame-side bracket, a load carrier is arranged above the rear wheel; in front of the standing bridge, a steering bearing is formed on the frame, in which a steering fork with a front wheel is rotatably held.

[0008] EP 0 602 300 A1 relates to a motor-driven golf cart that is foldable so that it can be transported in the trunk of a vehicle.

[0009] A labor-saving battery for use in electrically powered vehicles is known from US 2004 / 0 070 365 A1.

[0010] To achieve this object, the invention proposes a scooter that can be driven using muscle power and additionally has an electric drive for optionally powering the scooter. The scooter also comprises a transport device that is detachably attached to the scooter. Furthermore, the scooter can comprise a leaning device or a support device. This arrangement advantageously offers a high level of vehicle comfort. The transport device offers sufficient storage space in which to store everyday items such as briefcases, laptops, shopping, items of clothing such as jackets or coats, etc. Because the scooter can be operated purely electrically without muscle power, the scooter can be operated without any physical exertion on the part of the user. The scooter is therefore suitable, for example, for trips to the office or to places where impeccable clothing is important.The leaning device significantly increases riding comfort when the scooter is in electric operation, as the scooter user can comfortably lean on it.

[0011] Furthermore, the leaning device can be designed as a support that is connected to the frame of the scooter. In this embodiment, the support is, for example, welded or otherwise firmly connected to the frame, thus creating a robust connection between the support or leaning device and the frame. Of course, the leaning device can be vertically adjustable to adapt to the user's height.

[0012] The leaning device is integrated into the transport device. The leaning device can thus be attached to the transport device as a support cushion or seat in the broadest sense. Since the transport device is detachably connected to the scooter, this design offers the advantage that, in inclement weather conditions, the transport device, including the leaning device, can be detached from the scooter and carried along. This ensures that the user's clothing does not become soiled when the leaning device is reused.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, the transport device can be designed as a trolley. Trolleys offer numerous practical advantages, as they offer sufficient storage space, are easy to carry, have an extendable and / or foldable handle, and can be easily pulled using integrated wheels. After parking the scooter, the user can detach the transport device from the scooter and pull it behind them, carrying the items in the storage space.

[0014] Furthermore, the leaning device can be arranged on the trolley's base body. According to this embodiment, the leaning device can be arranged as a seat cushion or padded support on the shell. Here, the shell is designed as a base body and encloses a hollow space that serves as storage space.

[0015] Alternatively, the leaning device can be attached to an extendable handle mechanism on the trolley. This offers the advantage of functional integration, as the extendable handle from the trolley's base allows the leaning device to be easily adjusted to the user's height.

[0016] Furthermore, an electrical energy storage unit is located in or on the transport device, which powers the electric drive to propel the scooter. By integrating the energy storage unit into the trolley, the electrical energy storage unit can be easily carried and connected to an electrical outlet for charging. To charge the vehicle battery, the transport device with the vehicle battery located on or in it simply needs to be removed from the vehicle and transported to an external charging station or power outlet.

[0017] At least one solar collector can be provided on the scooter or on the transport device, with which the electrical energy storage device can be charged. Advantageously, solar energy can thus be used to charge the electrical energy storage device. Arranging the solar collector on the transport device offers the advantage that the solar collector can be detached from the scooter and transported to a location with particularly favorable solar radiation. There, the collector can be adjusted to the solar radiation or ideally aligned with the sun in order to utilize maximum solar energy to charge the electrical energy storage device.

[0018] Furthermore, a weather protection device can be installed on the scooter facing the user in the direction of travel. This protects the rider from the elements when the scooter is moving forward. The rear or back of the rider is protected by the support device. In other words, the trolley also functions as a rear weather protection device.

[0019] According to a further development of the invention, the transport device has at least one wheel, preferably two or more wheels, which allows the transport device to be rolled, pulled, or pushed. The relatively heavy electrical energy storage device, which can be implemented, for example, as a vehicle battery, thus does not need to be carried, but can be rolled, pulled, or pushed by the transport device.

[0020] If the transport device is designed in the manner of a trolley, it can have two or more wheels or rollers and an extendable or fold-out handle, so that after the vehicle has been parked, the transport device only needs to be removed from the vehicle and can then be conveniently pulled to a charging station.

[0021] According to a further development of the invention, the vehicle battery or the electrical energy storage device, when the transport device is attached to the vehicle, is electrically connected to the vehicle's electrical system. For this purpose, mutually associated electrical contacts can be provided on the transport device or on the battery and on the vehicle. It can be provided that the contacts contact each other "automatically" as soon as the transport device is attached to the vehicle.

[0022] In addition to the vehicle battery / electrical energy storage device, charging electronics for charging the vehicle battery can be arranged in or on the transport device. The term "charging electronics" can, in particular, encompass a power supply and a control or regulation system that controls or regulates the charging process. The charging electronics can thus advantageously be connected directly to an AC power grid.

[0023] According to a further development of the invention, the transport device can be manually attached to the vehicle and manually detached from the vehicle. The transport device can be arranged, in particular, laterally, e.g., in a rear area of ​​the vehicle.

[0024] According to a further development of the invention, a "suspension device" is provided on the vehicle into which the transport device can be suspended. Additionally, securing means can be provided to prevent the transport device from slipping or coming loose.

[0025] The invention is explained in more detail below in conjunction with the drawing.

[0026] It shows in a simplified schematic representation: Fig. 1 a side view of a scooter.

[0027] The kick scooter 10 has a frame 11 to which a footboard 14 is mounted. A user of the scooter 10 can stand on the footboard with one or both feet. A fork for guiding a front wheel 16 is rotatably mounted on the frame 11. The fork is connected to a handlebar 12 and a handlebar 13 so that the rider can perform steering movements with the front wheel 16. At the rear, the frame has a rear wheel guide for guiding the rear wheel 15. In addition, the scooter 10 has an electric drive (not shown in detail here), whose electric motor is powered by a battery. Such electric motors can be integrated, for example, as wheel hub motors in the front wheel 16 or the rear wheel 15.

[0028] The battery or the electrical energy storage device is housed in a "transport device" 20, which is detachably attached to the scooter 10 and is designed in the manner of a trolley. The trolley has an extendable handle 21. Fig. 1, the transport device 20 is attached to the scooter 10, e.g. in a holding device of the scooter 10 or directly suspended from the frame 11 or the footboard 14.

[0029] In Fig. 1, the handle 21 of the transport device 20 is extended. The handle 21 serves as a leaning device or support against which a rider of the scooter 10 can lean their back or buttocks. The handle 21 is connected to the base body 22 of the trolley 20 via a stable rail guide 23 and can be extended and retracted via the rail guide 23.

[0030] In a further embodiment of the invention (not shown), the leaning device can be designed as a separate component. Thus, the leaning device is not integrated into the trolley. The leaning device is then attached to a separate support and connected to the frame 11 of the scooter 10.

[0031] As from Fig. As can also be seen in Figure 1, the transport device 20 has wheels that allow the trolley-like transport device 20 to be rolled, pulled, or pushed. The battery housed in the transport device 20 thus does not need to be carried. In addition to the vehicle battery, the transport device 20 also includes charging electronics, which includes, for example, a power supply for connection to an AC power supply and a charging controller or charging regulation system that ensures a controlled charging process.

[0032] Furthermore, first contacts are provided on the transport device 20, which interact with second, vehicle-mounted contacts. The contacts touch each other as soon as the transport device 20 is mounted on the scooter. The vehicle battery is electrically connected via the contacts to electronics mounted on the vehicle and thus to the electrical system of the scooter 10.

[0033] As continues from Fig. 1, the scooter 10 also includes a weather protection 17, which can be attached to the frame 11, the fork, or the handlebar 12. The weather protection 17 can be transparent, at least in sections, so that the driver of the scooter 10 can see through it to the front. When the scooter moves forward in Fig. 1, i.e., to the left, the driver is protected from wind and rain by the weather protection 17. In the area behind the driver, the trolley 20 serves as weather protection.

[0034] An electronic or mechanical coding may be present between the scooter 10 and the transport device 20, which prevents the operation of the scooter 10 without the associated trolley. Consequently, if a trolley 20 is mounted on a scooter 10 that is not uniquely assigned to the scooter 10, the operation of the scooter 10 is prevented. This can be achieved, on the one hand, by not providing electrical power to operate the electric motor. On the other hand, a mechanical locking of the wheels or a locking of the steering can also be provided, which is only released when the correct trolley is mounted on the scooter 10.

[0035] The advantages of the invention are briefly summarized below. By providing a trolley 20, the user can safely stow luggage. The leaning device 21 allows the advantages of a motor-driven scooter to be fully utilized. This also results in the scooter 10 being highly suitable for business purposes. Charging the electrical energy storage device, for example a battery, is greatly simplified because the battery does not have to be carried into a home or office, but can be easily carried in the trolley along with the luggage. At the same time, theft protection is increased because the luggage is contained within the trolley. Without the trolley 20 with its luggage and battery, the value of the scooter 10 is significantly lower, making it less attractive to thieves.

Claims

[1] Scooter (10) which can be driven by muscle power, with - an electric drive for optionally driving the scooter (10), - a transport device (20) which is detachably attached to the roller (10), and - a leaning device (21), characterized by , that - the leaning device (21) is formed on the transport device (20), and - an electrical energy storage device is arranged in or on the transport device (20), with which the electric drive for propelling the scooter (10) can be operated. [2] Roller (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the leaning device (21) is designed as a support which is connected to a frame (11) of the scooter (10). [3] Roller (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the transport device (20) is designed as a trolley. [4] Roller (10) according to claim 3, characterized bythat the leaning device (21) is arranged on the base body (22) of the trolley. [5] Roller (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by that the leaning device (21) is arranged on an extendable handle mechanism (23) of the trolley. [6] Roller (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one solar collector is provided with which the electrical energy storage device can be charged. [7] Roller (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a weather protection (17) is provided in front of a user in the direction of travel.

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