Electric draisine

Abstract

A draisine (10) comprises a support plate (14) adapted to receive a standing occupant, at least three wheels (20) for rolling on the rails (30) of a railway track, and at least one electric motor for driving at least one of the at least three wheels (20).

Description

Electric railcar technical field

[0001] This disclosure falls within the domain of railcars. More specifically, this application relates to an electric railcar designed to carry only one occupant at a time. Previous technique

[0002] In the railway sector, areas requiring intervention by a technician are often difficult to access, particularly when located between two stations, stops, or stops. While the technician may travel by vehicle, railway tracks can be quite a distance from roads. Furthermore, access points between railway tracks and roads are generally limited. Each access point requires monitoring to prevent unauthorized entry onto the tracks.

[0003] For underground railways, in particular, road access is generally not possible. In this case, the worker is usually forced to walk from the nearest station or stop to the point where they need to intervene. Besides the safety risks associated with this practice, it results in a particularly long travel time to the intervention site.

[0004] Furthermore, in the field of rail transport, there are vehicles known as draisines. A draisine is a self-propelled vehicle. A draisine designed to run on a railway is generally very bulky, if only because of the gap between the two rails on which the draisine's wheels must rest. The draisine is also generally heavy. For these two reasons in particular, a draisine is generally a difficult vehicle to transport and therefore to use by a single person. Summary

[0005] This disclosure improves the situation.

[0006] A draisine is proposed comprising a support platform adapted to accommodate a standing occupant, at least three wheels intended to run on the rails of a railway, and at least one electric motor to drive at least one of the at least three wheels.

[0007] Preferably, the railcar according to the invention comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination: - at least one electric motor is integrated into one of the at least three wheels, the railcar preferably having at least two wheels equipped with an integrated motor, preferably at least four wheels equipped with an integrated motor; - at least one wheel, preferably each wheel, is connected to the support platform by an arm; - at least one arm, preferably each arm, is mounted pivoting relative to the support platform, so that it can be folded along and / or under the support platform; - the railbike includes a handlebar fixed to the support platform; - the handlebar is mounted pivoting relative to the support plate, so that it can be folded along and / or onto the support plate; - the handlebars are height adjustable; - the handlebar is fixed in rotation around an axis normal to the support plate; -the handlebar is positioned at a distance from one longitudinal end of the support plate, the distance between the longitudinal end of the support plate and the handlebar preferably being between one third and one half of the length of the support plate, the distance between the longitudinal end of the support plate and the handlebar preferably still being substantially equal to one third of the length of the support plate; - the handlebar is positioned at a longitudinal end of the support plate, in particular at a distance from a longitudinal end of the support plate less than one-third of the length of the support plate, preferably less than one-fifth of the length of the support plate, preferably even less than one-tenth of the length of the support plate; - at least one wheel, preferably each wheel, is associated with at least one guide roller on a rail, each roller being fixed to pivot around an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the associated wheel; - the railbike includes at least one handle, preferably attached to the support platform; - the support platform extends mainly in a longitudinal direction, the railcar comprising a handle in the vicinity of a first longitudinal end of the support platform, and at least one wheel in the vicinity of a second longitudinal end of the support platform, opposite the first longitudinal end; - the railbike includes at least one electric battery to power at least one electric motor, the at least one electric battery preferably being fixed to the support platform; - the railcar includes a braking device, in particular at least one of a mechanical friction braking device and a magnetic braking device, the railcar preferably including at least one first mechanical friction braking device and at least one magnetic braking device. Brief description of the drawings

[0008] Other features, details, and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below and analyzing the attached drawings, on which:

[0009] Fig. 1 schematically represents, in perspective, a first example of a draisine in deployed position.

[0010] Fig. 2 schematically represents a detail of the railcar from Fig. 1 running on a railway track.

[0011] Fig. 3 schematically represents the railcar of Fig. 1 in its folded position.

[0012] Fig. 4 schematically represents in perspective a second example of a draisine, in a folded position.

[0013] Fig. 5 schematically represents a third example of a draisine in the deployed position, viewed from above. Description of the implementation methods

[0014] In the following description, identical elements or elements with identical functions in the different examples are marked with the same reference symbol. These elements are not described in detail within each illustrated example. Rather, for the sake of brevity, only the differences between the examples shown are mentioned.

[0015] Fig. 1 schematically represents a first example of an electric railcar 10. Here, the railcar 10 is self-contained, in that it does not require an external power supply. To achieve this, the railcar includes an electric battery 12.

[0016] As illustrated, the railcar 10 consists first of all of a support platform 14, designed to accommodate one or two standing occupants. Preferably, the support platform 14 is sized to accommodate only one occupant in a standing position. Thus, in particular, the railcar 10 lacks a seat or bench allowing an occupant to sit. As a result, the railcar 10 is significantly more compact, lighter, and therefore easier to transport.

[0017] As illustrated, the support platform 14 can be formed by a plate 16, for example, a metal plate, here associated with two longitudinal tubes 18. The tubes 18 reinforce the plate 16. Each tube 18 can be fixed, notably welded, to the plate 16. The plate 16 defines through-holes 15 with each tube 18. A hand can thus be passed through these through-holes 15 and each tube 18 used as a handle to carry the railcar 10. Alternatively, handles can be fixed to the plate 16. Alternatively still, the plate 16 can define, on its own, one or more through-holes that can be used as handle(s), particularly when the railcar 10 is in its folded configuration, as described below.

[0018] Here, battery 12 is fixed to plate 16. Advantageously, a battery 12 receiving housing is fixed to plate 16. The housing can be opened from a top face, so as to make access to the battery easier.

[0019] The railcar 10 also has four wheels 20, called load-bearing wheels because they are designed to support the rest of the railcar 10. Here, each wheel 20 is a drive wheel, equipped with an integrated electric motor. Alternatively, only two wheels 20 can be drive wheels and, preferably, equipped with an integrated electric motor, in particular the two front wheels 20 or the two rear wheels 20. The drive wheels 20 are advantageously controlled by a motor control system. The motor control system can be located near the electric battery 12, in particular in the same housing as the electric battery 12.

[0020] Each wheel 20 is connected to the support plate 14 by an associated arm 22. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the axis of rotation of each wheel 20 is parallel to the extension axis of the associated arm 22, from the support plate 14 to the wheel 20. Each arm 22 can be mounted on the support plate 14, pivoting about a respective axis A1-A4. Thus, each arm 22 can selectively be: - in a folded position, in which the arm 22 extends along and / or under the support plate 14, as illustrated in Fig. 3; or - in a deployed position, in which the wheel 20 is substantially in its furthest position from the support platform 14, as illustrated in Fig. 1. In the deployed position of the arms 22, corresponding to the deployed position of the railcar 10, the arms 22 can be parallel. In particular, the two front arms of the railcar can be aligned, on the one hand, and the two rear arms can be aligned, on the other hand.

[0021] In the illustrated example, each axis A1-A4 of pivoting of the arms 22 with respect to the support plate 14 is substantially normal to the support plate 14, in particular to the plate 16 of the support plate 14.

[0022] In the illustrated example, each wheel 20 is associated with a guide device 24 on a railway track. Here, each guide device 24 is formed by one, preferably two, roller(s) 26, oriented perpendicularly to the associated wheel 20. The rollers 26 are thus called guide rollers, as opposed to the wheels 20, which are called load-bearing wheels. The rollers 26 do not support the rest of the railcar 10, but guide the wheels 20 along the rail. Thus, as illustrated in Fig. 2, when a wheel 20 is intended to run on the tread corresponding to the upper face 28 of a rail 30, each associated roller 26 is intended to run on an inner lateral face 32 of the rail 30. Thus, by configuring the position of the rollers 26 associated with the two wheels 20 front, on the one hand, and to the two wheels 20 rear, on the other hand, in such a way that the distance between the wheels 26 considered is substantially equal to the distance between the internal lateral faces 32 of the rails 30 of a railway track, a good hold in position of the railcar 10 on the railway track is ensured, in particular at the level of the switches.

[0023] The illustrated railcar 10 also includes a handlebar 34. Here, the handlebar 34 does not serve to steer the railcar 10, but rather to assist the balance of the occupant of the railcar 10. Thus, the handlebar 34 is fixed and rotates about an axis B, perpendicular to the support plate 14. Here, the handlebar 34 is mounted to pivot about an axis C, parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheels 20, between a folded position in which the handlebar 34 extends along the support plate 14, and an extended operating position, in which the handlebar 34 is substantially perpendicular to the support plate 14. A locking device 35, well known to those skilled in the art, allows the handlebar 34 to be held in the extended operating position, illustrated in Fig. 1.

[0024] The handlebar 34 is here disposed at a longitudinal end of the support plate 14, in particular at a distance from a longitudinal end of the support plate 14 less than one-third of the length of the support plate 14, preferably less than one-fifth of the length of the support plate 14, and preferably still less than one-tenth of the length of the support plate 14. In particular, the handlebar 34 is here disposed at a longitudinal end of the plate 16 of the support plate 14, in particular at a distance from a longitudinal end of the plate 16 of the support plate 14 less than one-third of the length of the plate 16 of the support plate 14, preferably less than one-fifth of the length of the plate 16 of the support plate 14, and preferably still less than one-tenth of the length of the plate 16 of the support plate 14.Here, the handlebar 34 is arranged so that the main extension axis B of the handlebar 34 cuts the side of the plate 16 of the support plate 14, forming the end, here front, of the support plate 14.

[0025] Here, the handlebar 34 has a first tube 36 and a second tube 38, mounted telescopically in the first tube 36. This allows height adjustment of the handlebar 34. The handlebar 34 has a bend 40, forming two straight grips 42, fixed to the end of the second tube 38.

[0026] A trigger can be attached to the handlebar 40 to control the drive wheels, particularly for accelerating the railbike 10. Alternatively, or in addition, a user can operate the railbike 10 in much the same way as a conventional electric scooter. Thus, after an initial push with one leg to launch the railbike 10, the drive wheels 20 propel the railbike 10 and maintain the rotation of the drive wheels 20, initiated by the user's push.

[0027] The railcar 10 can also be equipped with a braking system. This braking system can be a friction braking system, in particular one using friction on the wheels 20, and / or a regenerative braking system. The regenerative braking system can advantageously be used to partially recharge the battery 12.

[0028] The railcar 10, as described above, allows an occupant to move easily and quickly along a railway line, independently. An employee needing to intervene on a railway line between two stations, stops, or stations can thus easily reach the intervention point, even in the event of a power outage on the railway.

[0029] However, before and / or after the intervention, the operator can fold the arms 22 along and / or under the support platform 14. In this folded position of the railcar 10, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the railcar 10 is particularly compact and can easily be transported by one person. Thus, in particular, in the folded position of the railcar 10: - the length L2 of the railcar 10 can be greater than 1 m and / or less than 1.50 m; and / or - the width 12 of the railcar 10 may be less than 50 cm; and / or - the height H2 of the railcar 10 may be less than 30 cm.

[0030] It should be noted here that the length L2 of the folded railcar 10 is approximately equal to the length of the support platform 14, in this case the plate 16 of the support platform 14.

[0031] For comparison, in the deployed position of the railcar 10, illustrated in Fig. 1: - the length L1 of the railcar 10 can be greater than 1 m and / or less than 1.50 m, the length L1 of the railcar 10 when deployed being preferably substantially equal to the length L2 of the railcar 10 when folded; and / or - the width 11 of the railcar 10 may be greater than 1.5 m, in particular approximately equal to 1.67 m; and / or - the height H1 of the railcar 10 can be approximately equal to 1 m, it being indicated here that the height H1 of the railcar 10 deployed depends essentially on the height adjustment of the handlebar 34.

[0032] The Draisine 10 has the advantage of weighing less than 25 kg, making it easily transportable by a single user.

[0033] The example of the 100 railcar illustrated in Fig. 4 differs from the previous example of the 10 railcar, essentially in that the support platform 14 comprises, here, a of, a metal plate 16, on which two handles 44 are fixed. The support platform 14 is thus devoid of tubes 18 running along a respective edge of the plate 16.

[0034] The example of a railcar 200 shown in Fig. 5 includes a single tube 18 running partially along both sides of the plate 16, maintaining gaps 15. The tube 18 also extends opposite and at a distance from one front end of the plate 16. The tube 18 thus forms a handle 46, here located at the front of the support platform 14. The handle 46 can advantageously be used to pull the railcar 200 in its folded position, in which the arms 22 are folded along and / or under the support platform 14. In this case, it is indeed possible to roll the railcar 200 on wheels provided for this purpose at the rear end of the plate 16, opposite the end where the handle 46 is formed.

[0035] Furthermore, here, the position of the handlebar 34 is slightly different from the position of the handlebar 34 illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3. Here, in fact, the handlebar 34 is positioned at a distance L3 from one end, here the front end, of the plate 16 of the support platform 14, which is between one-third and one-half of the total length of the plate 16 of the support platform 14. Preferably, the handlebar 34 is positioned approximately one-third of the way along the length of the plate 16 of the support platform 14. It has been found that better stability for the occupant of the railcar 200 is then achieved.

[0036] In the case illustrated in Fig. 5, the battery 12 powering the drive wheels 20 can then be arranged longitudinally between the handlebar 34 and the end closest to the plate 16 of the support platform 14. The battery 12 can in particular be fixed under the plate 16 of the support platform 14.

[0037] This disclosure is not limited to the examples described above, which are illustrative and not exhaustive. Rather, this disclosure encompasses all variations that a person skilled in the art could consider regarding the chosen technical solutions.

[0038] Thus, in the examples described, the 10, 100, 200 railcar has four 20 wheels, all of which are drive wheels. However, the 10, 100, 200 railcar can also have three, four, or even more wheels. In all cases, the 10, 100, 200 railcar preferably has at least two 20 drive wheels. The two drive wheels advantageously share a common geometric axis of rotation.

[0039] In the examples further illustrated, each wheel 20 is connected to the support plate 14 by means of a respective arm 22. However, it is possible to imagine that only the wheel(s) of the railcar 10 located on the same longitudinal side of the support plate 14 are connected to the support plate 14 by means of an arm 22. In this case, the support plate 14 in operation is positioned closer to one rail 30 of the railway than the other, or even is positioned significantly above one rail 30 of the railway.

[0040] In the first two examples shown, handles designed for carrying the railcar 10, 100 in its folded position are formed or attached only to the longitudinal sides of the support platform 14. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more handles can be added to one or both longitudinal ends of the support platform 14, as illustrated on the railcar 200 in the third example shown. It is also possible to equip the support platform 14 of the railcars 10, 100, as shown in the first and second examples, with: - one or more handles at one longitudinal end of the support platform 14; and - one or more wheels at the other longitudinal end of the support platform 14. Such a configuration allows the railcar 10, 100 to be moved off the rails 30 of a railway track, by pulling it and rolling it on the wheels, much like a suitcase.

[0041] In the first illustrated examples, the electric battery 12 is mounted on the support plate 16 of the support platform 14. However, it is generally preferred that the electric battery 12 be mounted below the support plate 16 of the support platform 14 to lower the center of gravity of the railcar. Alternatively, the electric battery 12 is mounted on the support plate 16 of the support platform 14 for easier access.

Claims

Demands

1. Railcar (10; 100; 200) comprising a support platform (14) adapted to receive a standing occupant, at least three wheels (20) intended to run on the rails (30) of a railway track, and at least one electric motor to drive at least one of the at least three wheels (20).

2. Railcar according to claim 1, wherein at least one electric motor is integrated into one of the at least three wheels (20), the railcar (10) preferably comprising at least two wheels (20) equipped with an integrated motor, preferably at least four wheels (20) equipped with an integrated motor.

3. Railcar according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one wheel (20), preferably each wheel (20), is connected to the support platform (14) by an arm (22).

4. Railcar according to claim 3, wherein at least one arm (22), preferably each arm (22), is mounted pivotally relative to the support platform (14), so as to be able to be folded along and / or under the support platform (14).

5. Draisine according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a handlebar (34) fixed to the support platform (14).

6. Railcar according to claim 5, wherein the handlebar (34) is mounted pivotally relative to the support plate (14), so as to be able to be folded along and / or onto the support plate (14).

7. Railcar according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the handlebar (34) is height adjustable.

8. Railcar according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the handlebar (34) is fixed in rotation about an axis (B) normal to the support plate (14).

9. Handcar according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the handlebar (34) is disposed at a distance from a longitudinal end of the support plate (14), the distance (L3) between the longitudinal end of the support plate (14) and the handlebar (34) being preferably between one third and one half of the length of the support plate (14), the distance (L3) between the longitudinal end of the support plate (14) and the handlebar (34) being preferably still substantially equal to one third of the length of the support plate (14).

10. A handcar according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the handlebars (34) are disposed at a longitudinal end of the support platform (14), in particular at a distance from a longitudinal end of the support platform (14) less than one-third of the length of the support platform (14), preferably less than one-fifth of the length of the support plate (14), preferably still less than one tenth of the length of the support plate (14).

11. Railcar according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one wheel (20), preferably each wheel (20), is associated with at least one guide roller (26) on a rail (30), each roller (26) being fixed pivotally about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the associated wheel (20).

12. A handcar according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one handle (44; 46), preferably integral with the support platform (14).

13. A handcar according to claim 12, wherein the support platform (14) extends principally in a longitudinal direction, the handcar (200) comprising a handle (46) in the vicinity of a first longitudinal end of the support platform (14), and at least one wheel in the vicinity of a second longitudinal end of the support platform (14), opposite the first longitudinal end.

14. A handcar according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one electric battery (12) for powering at least one electric motor, the at least one electric battery (12) preferably being attached to the support platform (14).

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