Tilting vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a tilting vehicle (2) with at least one support structure (4), with at least one seat (6) which is fixed to the support structure (4) and on which at least one driver and at least one passenger can be arranged, and with at least one handle unit (8) which is fixed on a side of the tilting vehicle (2) facing away from the direction of travel (10), wherein the handle unit (8) comprises at least one handle means (12) which is arranged in a plane extending transversely to the vertical axis of the tilting vehicle (2) in a manner that is entirely or at least partially free of overlap with respect to the seat (6) and which is accessible at least to the passenger when sitting on the seat (6), and wherein the handle unit (8) comprises at least one aerodynamically effective profile section (14) which is arranged on the handle means (12) and which is exposed to airflow and is aerodynamically effective when the tilting vehicle (2) is in motion.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tilting vehicle.

[0002] Tilting vehicles are known from the state of the art, in which so-called winglets are mounted on the supporting structure of the tilting vehicle. These winglets are aerodynamically effective and increase the downforce of the tilting vehicle toward the ground as the vehicle's speed increases.

[0003] As a result, the tilting vehicle is pushed towards the road surface with increasing force, which on the one hand increases road grip and on the other hand allows cornering at increased speed.

[0004] The well-known winglets are arranged on a front wheel fork of the tilting vehicle or on a side of a supporting structure facing the direction of travel.

[0005] Increasing the downforce is particularly advantageous when cornering the tilting vehicle, as the road grip and stability of the tilting vehicle can be increased when cornering.

[0006] An object of an embodiment of the invention is to propose a tilting vehicle in which downforce can be increased, in particular when cornering.

[0007] This object is achieved by a tilting vehicle with at least one supporting structure, with at least one seating device which is fixed to the supporting structure and on which at least one driver and at least one pillion passenger can be arranged, and with at least one handle unit which is fixed on a side of the tilting vehicle facing away from the direction of travel, wherein the handle unit comprises at least one handle means which is arranged in a plane running transversely to the vertical axis of the tilting vehicle in a manner which is wholly or at least partially non-overlapping with respect to the seating device and which can be grasped at least by the pillion passenger when sitting on the seating device, and wherein the handle unit comprises at least one aerodynamically effective profile section which is arranged on the handle means and around which air flows when the tilting vehicle is traveling and which is aerodynamically effective.

[0008] Because the tilting vehicle comprises a gripping unit on which an aerodynamically effective profile section is arranged on at least one gripping element, the downforce of the tilting vehicle toward the ground can be increased. Because the aerodynamically effective profile section is formed on an already existing gripping unit, the tilting vehicle can be designed compactly without additional components, and the function of the gripping unit is expanded.

[0009] A tilting vehicle is understood to mean bicycles, motorcycles or motorcycle-like motor vehicles, such as scooters, in particular two-, three- or four-wheeled scooters, tilting trikes, quads or the like.

[0010] The seat device can be designed in one piece or in two parts, so that the driver sits only on one driver seat of the seat device and the pillion passenger only on one pillion seat of the seat device.

[0011] It proves to be advantageous if the handle unit is fixed to the seat device or to the support structure in a detachable manner, in particular by form-fitting or frictional locking, or in a non-detachable manner, in particular by form-fitting, frictional locking or material locking.

[0012] If the handle unit is detachably mounted on the seat or on the support structure, the handle unit can be mounted if the tilting vehicle is intended to transport a passenger in addition to the driver. Furthermore, the handle unit can be easily disassembled, replaced, and / or serviced. In this case, the handle unit, in particular the at least one gripping means, can be secured to the seat or the support structure, for example by screwing or clipping.

[0013] If the handle unit is permanently attached to the seat device or the support structure, the play between the handle unit and the seat device or support structure can be reduced.

[0014] In a further development of the latter embodiment, it proves to be advantageous if the handle unit is fixed to the seat device on a side of the seat device facing away from a seat surface or if the handle unit is fixed to the support structure on a side of the support structure facing the seat device.

[0015] In a further development of the tilting vehicle, it is provided that the aerodynamically effective profile section is designed like a wing profile and / or that the aerodynamically effective profile section generates a downforce in the direction of the driving surface when the air flows around it.

[0016] If the aerodynamically effective profile section is designed like a wing profile, a higher dynamic pressure can be easily set on one side of the aerodynamically effective profile section than on the opposite side of the aerodynamically effective profile section.

[0017] Because the total pressure remains constant, the static pressure component is lower on the side with the higher dynamic pressure component, and the static pressure component is higher on the side with the lower dynamic pressure component. The resulting force thus acts from the side with the higher static pressure component toward the side with the lower static pressure component.

[0018] Total pressure, dynamic pressure component and static pressure component satisfy the formula: Ptotal=Pdyn+Pstat

[0019] When the aerodynamically effective profile section generates downforce toward the road surface when exposed to airflow, the tilting vehicle is pushed toward the road surface with increasing force, thereby increasing the vehicle's grip and stability. This is particularly advantageous when cornering.

[0020] From a technical perspective, according to the so-called Kamm circle of tire contact, the greater the force pressing the tire onto the road, the more cornering force can be transmitted. Cornering force is the force that counteracts the centrifugal force caused by the vehicle's inclination. Consequently, increased downforce, i.e., the force pressing the tire onto the road, enables faster cornering or increases stability.

[0021] The aerodynamic effectiveness is greatest when riding without a passenger.

[0022] Embodiments of the tilting vehicle are conceivable in which the gripping means comprises a gripping section which can be grasped by the user and at least one fixing section to which the gripping section is fixed and spaced apart from the seating device and the supporting structure in a contact-free manner, wherein the fixing section forms the aerodynamically effective profile section at least in some areas.

[0023] Because the at least one securing section forms the aerodynamically effective profile section at least in part, the profile section can be formed at a location on the gripping means that does not affect a driver or passenger when gripping the gripping means. In particular, this allows the gripping section of the gripping means to be adapted to the requirements of an object to be grasped, and a compromise between gripability and aerodynamic effectiveness can be found.

[0024] In principle, it is conceivable that only a single fixing section is provided, from which the grip section of the gripping means extends.

[0025] In order to increase the stability of the grip means and to increase the downforce of the tilting vehicle, it proves to be advantageous if the grip unit comprises two fixing sections and a grip section extending therebetween, wherein at least one of the fixing sections forms the aerodynamically effective profile section at least in some areas or wherein both fixing sections each form an aerodynamically effective profile section at least in some areas.

[0026] If each of the at least two securing sections forms an aerodynamically effective profile section, the downforce acting on the tilting vehicle can be increased. By arranging the grip section between the two securing sections, the leverage effect when a passenger of the tilting vehicle holds the grip section is reduced, thus increasing driving safety.

[0027] In principle, it is conceivable that the aerodynamically effective profile section is optimized for straight-line travel of the tilting vehicle. To increase downforce when cornering, a further development of the tilting vehicle provides for the fixing section containing the aerodynamically effective profile section to be extended and aligned such that the downforce generated by the aerodynamically effective profile section is greater when cornering than when driving straight ahead. Furthermore, the downforce can be increased by utilizing the driver's active driving position. The driver can move away from the center axis of the vehicle through a so-called "hanging off" position, which allows for better airflow to the aerodynamically effective profile.

[0028] The orientation of the aerodynamically effective profile section can be selected in such a way that when cornering, the resulting force vector between the negative pressure side and the positive pressure side with respect to the profile section is maximum in the direction of the driving surface.

[0029] In principle, it is conceivable for the handle unit to comprise only a single handle. Furthermore, an embodiment of the tilting vehicle is conceivable in which the handle unit comprises two handles arranged on opposite sides relative to the seating device. Each of the two handles can comprise at least one aerodynamically effective profile section.

[0030] In addition to or as an alternative to the aforementioned embodiments, a further embodiment of the tilting vehicle provides that the handle unit comprises two handle means which are arranged on opposite sides with respect to the seating device, and at least one connecting element which is fixed to the handle means on the side of the handle unit facing away from the direction of travel and which forms the aerodynamically effective profile section at least in some areas.

[0031] This allows the connecting element to be arranged in a spoiler-like manner on a side of the tilting vehicle facing away from the direction of travel. The connecting element can be attached to the two gripping means in such a way that it continues the seating surface of the seating device or is arranged above and spaced from the seating surface of the seating device with respect to the vertical axis of the tilting vehicle.

[0032] In a further development of the latter embodiment, it can be provided that the connecting element is fixed to the handle means in a detachable manner, in particular by means of a positive or non-positive connection, or in a non-detachable manner, in particular by means of a positive, non-positive connection or material connection.

[0033] If the connecting element is detachably attached to the handles, particularly by positive or non-positive locking, the connecting element can be retrofitted to the handle unit. This allows conventional tilting vehicles to be easily retrofitted with an aerodynamically effective profile section.

[0034] Furthermore, in a further development of the tilting vehicle, two connecting elements can be provided which are arranged substantially parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another without contact and which are each fixed to the handle means on the side of the handle unit facing away from the direction of travel, and each of the connecting elements forms a profile section at least in part.

[0035] Further features, details and advantages of the invention emerge from the appended patent claims, from the drawings and the following description of two embodiments of the tilting vehicle.

[0036] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 A perspective schematic representation of a first embodiment of the tilting vehicle; Fig. 2 A perspective schematic representation of a second embodiment of the tilting vehicle.

[0037] The figures show two exemplary embodiments of a tilting vehicle, designated overall by the reference numeral 2. The tilting vehicles 2 each comprise a support structure 4 (shown only schematically in the figures) and a seating device 6 (shown only schematically in the figures). The seating device 6 is secured to the support structure 4. A driver and at least one passenger can be arranged on the seating device 6.

[0038] In addition, the tilting vehicle 2 comprises a handle unit 8, which is fixed on a side of the tilting vehicle 2 facing away from the direction of travel 10. In the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, the handle unit 8 comprises two handles 12, each of which is releasably attached to the seat device 6 of the tilting vehicle 2. The handles 12 are arranged in a plane extending transversely to the vertical axis of the tilting vehicle 2, completely without overlap with the seat device 6. The handles 12 can be grasped by a passenger sitting on the seat device 6 of the tilting vehicle 2.

[0039] Furthermore, in the embodiments shown in the figures, the handle unit 8 comprises aerodynamically effective profile sections 14 around which air flows when the tilting vehicle 2 is moving and which are aerodynamically effective.

[0040] In the embodiments of the tilting vehicle 2 shown in the figures, a handle means 12 each comprises two securing sections 16 and a handle section 18 arranged between the two securing sections 16, which can be grasped by a passenger when traveling with the tilting vehicle 2.

[0041] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the tilting vehicle 2, in which the fixing sections 16 each form the profile section 14.

[0042] The profile section 14 is designed like a wing profile and generates a downforce in the direction of the driving surface when the air flows around it.

[0043] Fig. Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the tilting vehicle 2, in which a connecting element 20 is formed between two gripping means 12, forming the profile section 14. The connecting element 20 is secured to the securing sections 16 of the gripping means 12.

[0044] The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the claims and in the drawings can be essential both individually and in any combination in the realization of the invention in its various embodiments within the scope of the following claims. List of reference symbols 2 tilting vehicles 4 Supporting structure 6 Seating device 8 Handle unit 10 Direction of travel 12 Grips 14 Profile section 16 Determination section 18 Handle section 20 connecting element

Claims

[1] Tilting vehicle (2) with at least one supporting structure (4), with at least one seating device (6) which is fixed to the supporting structure (4) and on which at least one driver and at least one pillion passenger can be arranged, and with at least one handle unit (8) which is fixed on a side of the tilting vehicle (2) facing away from the direction of travel (10), wherein the handle unit (8) comprises at least one handle means (12) which is arranged in a plane running transversely to the vertical axis of the tilting vehicle (2) in a manner which is wholly or at least partially non-overlapping with respect to the seating device (6) and which can be grasped at least by the pillion passenger when sitting on the seating device (6), and wherein the handle unit (8) comprises at least one aerodynamically effective profile section (14) which is arranged on the handle means (12) and around which air flows when the tilting vehicle (2) is traveling and which is aerodynamically effective. [2] Tilting vehicle (2) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the handle unit (8) is fixed to the seat device (6) or to the support structure (4) detachably, in particular by form fit or friction fit, or non-detachably, in particular by form fit, friction fit or material fit. [3] Tilting vehicle (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the handle unit (8) is fixed to the seat device (6) on a side of the seat device (6) facing away from a seat surface or that the handle unit (8) is fixed to the support structure (4) on a side of the support structure (4) facing the seat device (6). [4] Tilting vehicle (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the aerodynamically effective profile section (14) is designed like a wing profile and / or that the aerodynamically effective profile section (14) generates a downforce in the direction of the driving surface when the air flows around it. [5] Tilting vehicle (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the gripping means (12) comprises a gripping section (18) which can be grasped by the user, and at least one fixing section (16) to which the gripping section (18) is fixed and spaced apart from the seating device (6) and the supporting structure (4) in a contact-free manner, wherein the fixing section (16) forms the aerodynamically effective profile section (14) at least in some regions. [6] Tilting vehicle (2) according to claim 5, characterized by in that the handle unit (8) comprises two fixing sections (16) and a handle section (18) extending therebetween, wherein at least one of the fixing sections (16) forms the aerodynamically effective profile section (14) at least in some areas or wherein both fixing sections (16) each form an aerodynamically effective profile section (14) at least in some areas. [7] Tilting vehicle (2) according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized bythat the fixing section (16) having the aerodynamically effective profile section (14) comprises an extension and orientation by means of which the downforce generated by the aerodynamically effective profile section (14) is greater when cornering than when driving straight ahead. [8] Tilting vehicle (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the handle unit (8) comprises two handle means (12) which are arranged on opposite sides with respect to the seat device (6), and at least one connecting element (20) which is fixed to the handle means (12) on the side of the handle unit (8) facing away from the direction of travel (10) and which forms the aerodynamically effective profile section (14) at least in some regions. [9] Tilting vehicle (2) according to claim 8, characterized bythat the connecting element (20) is fixed to the handle means (12) detachably, in particular by form-fitting or frictional locking, or non-detachably, in particular by form-fitting, frictional locking or material locking. [10] Tilting vehicle (2) according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized by at least two connecting elements (20) which are arranged substantially parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another without contact and which are each fixed to the handle means (12) on the side of the handle unit (8) facing away from the direction of travel (10), and each of the connecting elements (20) forms a profile section (14) at least in some areas.

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