Electric-assisted vehicle of the heavy quadricycle type

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle having a platform intended to receive a load and having means for measuring the mass of the load deposited on the platform, which vehicle comprises means for controlling the electric motor, which means are able and arranged so as to control the supply of electric energy to the electric motor when the value of the force exerted by a user is equal to a predetermined threshold value, and to control the amount of electric energy output to the motor by the electric energy storage unit according to the measured value of the speed of rotation of the pedal crank mechanism, the measured value of the force exerted on the pedal crank mechanism and the measured value of the mass of the load deposited on the platform.

Description

[0001] HEAVY QUADRICYCLE TYPE ELECTRIC ASSISTANT VEHICLE

[0002] 1. Field of the invention

[0003] The field of the invention is that of electrically assisted vehicles.

[0004] More specifically, the invention relates to an electrically assisted vehicle equipped with a pedal assembly.

[0005] The invention finds particular application in the implementation of heavy quadricycles capable of transporting a load of up to one tonne.

[0006] 2. State of the art

[0007] There are different types of light electric vehicles with electrical assistance.

[0008] An electric bicycle is equipped with an electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery that provides pedal assistance. There are several types of electric bicycles, including city bikes, touring bikes, and cargo bikes.

[0009] A disadvantage of these electrically assisted bicycles is that their speed is limited by regulation to 25 km / h.

[0010] Another disadvantage of popular electric bikes is that their travel range is limited, due to the size of the battery they can carry.

[0011] Another disadvantage of these well-known bikes, and more specifically of electrically assisted cargo bikes, is that they are only capable of carrying a few dozen kilos of goods or loads, due to the fact that they are designed to provide electrical assistance proportional to the effort made by the cyclist, which limits their power.

[0012] There are also tricycles and quadricycles that offer a larger battery capacity and allow for higher travel speeds, up to 100 km / h.

[0013] A disadvantage of these well-known tricycles or quadricycles is that their high cost does not make them accessible to the majority of people.

[0014] Furthermore, the power provided by pedaling with these known tricycles or quadricycles is used exclusively to recharge batteries and is not used for their propulsion. Finally, these electrically assisted tricycles or quadricycles are intended solely for the transport of one or two people and have the disadvantage of being able to carry only a small amount of luggage.

[0015] They are therefore not suitable for use in transporting goods.

[0016] We also know of electric trucks that can transport any type of object or goods.

[0017] Besides being expensive, these well-known electric trucks consume a lot of electricity and do not use the driver's muscle power to propel themselves.

[0018] Furthermore, due to their size, these well-known electric trucks are not suitable for accessing certain urban areas or making deliveries, or are not authorized to do so.

[0019] 3. Objectives of the invention

[0020] The invention therefore aims in particular to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art cited above.

[0021] More specifically, the invention aims to provide an electrically assisted electric vehicle technique capable of transporting up to a ton of load, reaching a speed of 80 km / h and having a significant travel autonomy.

[0022] An objective of the invention is in particular to provide such an electrically assisted vehicle technique which can be propelled at low speed by the user's muscular power alone on flat ground, in order in particular to save electrical energy when traveling over short distances.

[0023] Another objective of the invention is to provide an electrically assisted electric vehicle technique which is simple to implement and inexpensive.

[0024] 4. Statement of the invention

[0025] These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved using an electrically assisted vehicle equipped with at least three wheels for rolling on the ground and means for propelling said vehicle comprising a pedal assembly and at least one electric motor intended to rotate said wheels of said vehicle mounted at the front of said vehicle and at least one electrical energy storage unit connected to said motor, said vehicle further comprising means for measuring the force exerted by a user on the pedal assembly and means for measuring the rotation speed of the pedal assembly.

[0026] According to the invention, said vehicle has a platform intended to receive a load and means for measuring the mass of the load placed on said platform, and said vehicle comprises means for controlling said electric motor arranged for and capable of: controlling the supply of electrical energy to said electric motor when the value of the force measured by the means for measuring the force exerted by a user is equal to a predetermined threshold value; controlling, when the motor is powered, the quantity of electrical energy delivered to the motor by said electrical energy storage unit as a function of the measured value of the rotation speed of the pedal assembly, the measured value of the force exerted on the pedal assembly and the measured value of the mass of the load placed on the platform.

[0027] Thus, in a novel way, the invention proposes a 3 or 4-wheel electrically assisted vehicle capable of transporting large loads and intended for the delivery of parcels, orders, or any other known object not exceeding a mass of approximately one tonne. The use of this vehicle is also particularly advantageous in terms of carbon footprint, because the user saves on low-carbon electrical energy by taking advantage of muscular propulsion.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said vehicle has at least one electric motor intended to drive in rotation at least one of the rear wheels of said vehicle and means for measuring the value and detecting the direction of the longitudinal inclination of said vehicle and comprises means for controlling said electric motor intended to drive in rotation at least one rear wheel arranged for and capable of:

[0029] - calculate a quantity of electrical energy necessary to cancel the effects of the slope as a function of the measured value of the longitudinal inclination of said vehicle and the measured value of the mass of the load placed on the platform;

[0030] - controlling the delivery of said calculated quantity of electrical energy to said electric motor intended to drive in rotation at least one of the rear wheels when said means for measuring the value and detecting the direction of the longitudinal inclination of said vehicle detect that the vehicle is on an incline and that the value of the longitudinal inclination measured by said means for measuring the value and detecting the direction of the longitudinal inclination of said vehicle is greater than a predetermined slope value.

[0031] This means that the vehicle can move on steep slopes, even when loaded, thanks to the motors mounted at the rear of the vehicle which cancel out the effect of the slope.

[0032] Preferably, an electrically assisted vehicle as described above comprises means for controlling the stopping of the electric motor intended to drive in rotation said wheels of said vehicle mounted at the front and said control unit of said electric motor is arranged to keep said motor supplied with electrical energy after it has been powered until said means for controlling the stopping of the electric motor are activated.

[0033] In a particular embodiment of the invention, said means for controlling the stopping of the electric motor comprise means for detecting the direction of rotation of said pedal assembly and in that said control means are configured to be activated when said means for detecting the direction of rotation of said pedal assembly detect a backpedaling action.

[0034] The user simply has to backpedal to stop the electric assistance, when he feels able to propel the vehicle simply by pedaling and / or to practice more intense physical activity.

[0035] Advantageously, a plurality of solar panels are mounted on the chassis of said vehicle and connected to said electrical energy storage unit so as to enable recharging of said electrical energy storage unit.

[0036] This increases the vehicle's travel autonomy.

[0037] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a vehicle as described above comprises a transmission assembly to said front wheels of said vehicle of the torque from the pedal assembly and the torque from the electric motor intended to drive in rotation the wheels of said vehicle mounted at the front, said transmission assembly comprising a gear change device and means for securing said pedal assembly and said electric motor intended to drive the wheels mounted at the front of said vehicle each to a pinion of said gear change device.

[0038] This allows the vehicle to reach high speeds of up to 80 km / h, while the pedal rotation speed remains suitable for a human being.

[0039] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said transmission assembly comprises a differential.

[0040] According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, said means for controlling the electric motor intended to rotate the wheels of said vehicle mounted at the front comprise means for selecting at least two distinct control modes for the quantity of energy delivered to this motor.

[0041] It is thus possible to select different modes configured according to the use of the vehicle, for example a sports mode, a mode adapted to people whose physical condition only allows them to provide moderate effort or to tired people wishing to limit their effort in order to rest or even a mode where the carbon footprint resulting from the movement of the vehicle is optimized.

[0042] Advantageously, an electrically assisted vehicle as described above comprises a reclining seat making it possible to adapt the position of a user of said vehicle in relation to said pedal assembly.

[0043] This allows the user to tilt the seat to adopt an ergonomic position, suitable for optimal pedaling.

[0044] In a particular embodiment of the invention, said vehicle is a heavy quadricycle.

[0045] For the purposes of the invention, the term "heavy quadricycle" means a motorized quadricycle with an unladen weight of less than 500 kg and capable of carrying a load of up to one tonne. The term "heavy quadricycle" is not limited to vehicles of administrative category L7e.

[0046] 5. List of figures

[0047] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of an embodiment of the invention, given as a simple illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings among which: Figure 1 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of an electrically assisted vehicle according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic top view of the elements ensuring the propulsion of the vehicle presented with reference to Figure 1; Figure 3 is a representation in synoptic form of the diagram for controlling the movement of the vehicle presented with reference to Figure 1.

[0048] 6. Detailed description of the invention

[0049] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an electrically assisted vehicle 10 according to the invention with four wheels (two front wheels 12A and two rear wheels 12R).

[0050] The user 11 of this vehicle is installed at the front of the vehicle on a reclining seat 14 and his feet rest on the pedals of a pedal assembly 13 equipped with a sensor measuring the force exerted by the user on the pedal assembly 13 and a sensor measuring the rotation speed of the pedal assembly 13 (not shown in FIG. 1).

[0051] In this particular embodiment of the invention, the seat 14 can tilt backwards to allow the user to adopt an ergonomic pedaling position.

[0052] At the rear of the vehicle, a loading volume 15 is provided for transporting boxes 16 that the user must deliver to several addresses on his route sheet.

[0053] These boxes rest on a pivoting tray 17 designed to be kept horizontal, equipped with a sensor 18 measuring the mass of the boxes 16 carried by the tray 17.

[0054] Six displacement sensors 19 distributed on the sides of the platform 17 measure the displacements of the platform 17 relative to the chassis of the vehicle 10. These sensors 19 are connected to a unit for calculating the value and direction of the slope (not shown in FIG. 1) which calculates the longitudinal inclination of the vehicle and determines the direction of the slope from the measurements of the sensors 19.

[0055] Furthermore, solar panels 110 are mounted on the roof of the vehicle 10. These solar panels 110 ensure recharging of an electric battery (not shown in FIG. 1) powering the electric motors installed on the vehicle 10. FIG. 2 shows, in schematic form, the elements ensuring the propulsion of the vehicle 10.

[0056] The axle of the pedal assembly 13 actuated by the user 11 has at its distal end a pinion which meshes with pinions of a gearbox 21. This gearbox 21 is also engaged with a pinion mounted on the output shaft of an electric motor 22 intended to provide assistance in driving the front wheels 12A of the vehicle 10 in rotation.

[0057] In this embodiment of the invention, a manual control 23 acting on the gearbox 21 makes it possible to move the vehicle in reverse. In a variant of this particular embodiment of the invention, the vehicle can be put into reverse after stopping the vehicle by acting, for example, on a control on the steering wheel or by turning the pedals a quarter turn in the opposite direction to that intended to propel the vehicle forward.

[0058] The output pinion of the gearbox 21 is coupled to the front axle of the vehicle 10, via a chain or a transmission belt, 14 and transmits to it a torque resulting from the actuation of the pedal assembly and / or the action of the electric motor 21.

[0059] It will be noted that in this particular embodiment of the invention, a differential is mounted on the front axle in order to distribute, in a manner known per se, the torque 25 appropriately to the left and right front wheels 12A of the vehicle in order to prevent slipping of one or other of the wheels in a bend. In a particular embodiment of the invention, it may be a limited slip differential.

[0060] A computer 26 determines from the value of the force measurement exerted on the crankset, the rotation speed of the crankset and the mass of the load supported by the chainring 17 measured by the sensor 18 the electrical power to be delivered to the electric motor 22. This data of the power to be delivered determined by the motor is transmitted to the control members of the electric motor 22. This computer also ensures the management of the gearbox 21 in order to allow a progressive increase in the speed of the vehicle, while maintaining a rotation speed of the crankset compatible with the capacities of the user.

[0061] It should be noted that the calculator 26 also takes into account the weight of the user which has been pre-recorded in a data storage memory, the unladen weight of the vehicle and a pre-recorded threshold value of the force to be exerted on the pedals by the user, which is a function of the physical capacities of the user.

[0062] This calculator 26 is in particular configured to favor the use of muscular propulsion at low speed. Concretely, during the initial acceleration phase of the vehicle, the calculator 26 sets the value of the electrical power to be delivered to the motor 22 to zero as long as the measured value of the force exerted on the pedals is lower than the predetermined pre-recorded threshold value.

[0063] Furthermore, the computer 26 is also configured for several modes of use of the vehicle and for example in this embodiment of the invention a sporty mode of use, a mode of use where the electric assistance is reinforced and / or a mode optimizing the carbon footprint of the movement of the vehicle depending, for example, on the quantity of electrical energy supplied by the solar panels, the wear of the battery, the power supply required by the user, etc.

[0064] As can be seen in Figure 2, the vehicle 10 is also equipped with two additional independent electric motors 1 and 28 intended respectively to apply torque to the left rear wheel 12R and to the right rear wheel 12R, in order to compensate for the effect of the slope on the vehicle.

[0065] The value of the electrical power supplying these motors T1 and 28 is determined by the computer 26 as a function of the values ​​of the longitudinal inclination and the mass of the load supported by the platform 17. This is zero as long as the value of the longitudinal inclination is less than a threshold slope value and then increases with the value of the slope.

[0066] Figure 3 shows schematically the control of the servo-control of the vehicle transmission components and the engines 22, T1 and 28 carried out by the computer 26.

[0067] Examples of the operating mode of the vehicle 10 are presented below for illustration purposes. a) vehicle start-up phase

[0068] In this start-up phase, the user 11 sets the vehicle 10, initially stationary, in motion by rotating the pedals.

[0069] It will be noted that the computer 26 is configured to detect a station of the vehicle at a standstill using information provided by a speed detection sensor mounted opposite a wheel of the vehicle. When it detects that the vehicle is at a standstill, the computer 26 delivers a signal to a gearbox control module 21 which actuates the gearbox to position it in the first gear. It should also be noted that this first gear has been sized to allow the user to set the vehicle in motion without electrical assistance when the loading volume 15 of the vehicle is empty.

[0070] The vehicle 10 is therefore set in motion progressively according to the force exerted by the user on the pedals until the value of the latter reaches the predetermined pre-recorded threshold value and the gearbox control module ensures the change of gears of the gearbox 21 according to the pedaling cadence measured by the sensor for measuring the rotation speed of the pedals. It will be noted that the force to be exerted on the pedals at a given cadence increases progressively by 10 to 20% between each gear ratio, in this particular embodiment of the invention.

[0071] In this starting phase, if the loading volume 15 is empty and the vehicle 10 is moving on the flat, the user contributes alone, by his muscular force, to the movement of the vehicle 10, without any electric assistance. In a situation where the loading volume 15 is loaded with boxes, electric assistance is provided to the front wheels of the vehicle, so as to compensate for this load, and electric assistance is provided to the rear wheels of the vehicle to compensate for the effect of the slope if the vehicle is moving on a path with a positive slope. Thus in this starting phase, the effort to be exerted by the user on the pedals to move the vehicle will be unchanged regardless of the load transported and the value of the slope of the traffic lane on which the vehicle is moving. b) nominal advance phase

[0072] When the vehicle 10 has reached the speed desired by the user 11, the latter simply has to maintain the constant cadence and pedaling effort to continue moving forward at this same speed.

[0073] To go faster, the user simply needs to increase the pedaling effort, as long as this effort remains moderate for him, to accelerate until reaching the new desired speed. Conversely, to decrease the speed of the vehicle 10, the user simply needs to reduce the pedaling effort and cadence.

[0074] If the user finds that he has reached his limit capacity in terms of effort, he can, to further increase the speed of the vehicle 10, operate a control on the steering wheel to benefit from additional electric assistance delivered by the electric motor 22, the intensity of which he can define. This manipulation has the effect of reducing the effort at isospeed for the user or of increasing the speed of movement at iso-effort. It will be noted that the reduction in effort is inversely proportional to the contribution of the electric assistance motor 22.

[0075] It should be noted that in addition to this steering wheel control, the user has the possibility of selecting in advance on a screen connected to the calculator the value of the force threshold beyond which the electric motor provides electric assistance and the level of power delivered by the electric assistance to adapt them to his physical capacities and / or his current state of fitness.

[0076] In addition, the calculator is equipped with a software application dedicated to user training. This application allows the user to be informed about the number and duration of the tours he / she completes over a defined period, the average muscular power that the user has developed during his / her journeys and the value of the power peaks that he / she has provided. c) braking phase

[0077] Since the vehicle can be controlled by operating the pedals and also using a manual control on the steering wheel, the user can stop pedaling to slow down the vehicle, after possibly deactivating the manual control on the steering wheel which provides additional electric assistance.

[0078] Furthermore, if the user performs a backpedaling movement, the direction of rotation of the motor shaft will be reversed, and the motor will exert a torque on the wheels which will oppose their rotation just as in a regenerative braking system. By gradually reducing the rate of the backpedaling movement, the user will thus be able to progressively slow down the vehicle and adapt its speed to the traffic conditions. It should be noted that the intensity of the wheel braking exerted by the electric motor can be modulated by the user by adjusting its level via the communication interface, for example a screen or adjustment dials, with the computer, in order to limit battery discharge and to improve driving pleasure.

[0079] In addition, the vehicle 10 is equipped with disc brakes controlled by a hydraulic or cable handbrake, intended to be activated in an emergency situation and an ABS system (acronym for "Antiblokiersystem" in German) to prevent the wheels from locking. When this handbrake is pulled by the user, the computer 26 sends a digital signal to an actuator which disengages the pedal assembly and cuts off the electrical power supply to the electric motor 22.

[0080] Other features of the vehicle described above may also be envisaged in other embodiments of the invention, and for example:

[0081] When a nominal speed has been reached, the user can decide by operating a control on the steering wheel to switch the vehicle to a 100% electric operating mode, where only the electric motor propels the vehicle, to allow it to recharge the battery by pedaling;

[0082] The gearbox of the vehicle 10 may be equipped with a reverse gear, which can be engaged manually at the steering wheel when the vehicle is stationary. The movement of the vehicle in reverse is then propelled in the same way as in the starting phase in forward direction, by acting on the pedals and beyond a predetermined force threshold with the additional assistance of the electric motor;

[0083] A cruise control can be fitted to the vehicle to regulate the speed at high speeds, for example above 25 km / h, when the vehicle is powered by 100% electric power.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Electrically assisted vehicle equipped with at least three wheels for rolling on the ground and means for propelling said vehicle comprising a pedal assembly and at least one electric motor intended to rotate said wheels of said vehicle mounted at the front of said vehicle and at least one electrical energy storage unit connected to said motor, said vehicle further comprising means for measuring the force exerted by a user on the pedal assembly and means for measuring the rotation speed of the pedal assembly, characterized in that said vehicle has a plate intended to receive a load and means for measuring the mass of the load placed on said plate and in that it comprises means for controlling said electric motor arranged for and capable of: - control the supply of electrical energy to said electric motor when the value of the force measured by the means for measuring the force exerted by a user is equal to a predetermined threshold value; - controlling, when the motor is powered, the quantity of electrical energy delivered to the motor by said electrical energy storage unit as a function of the measured value of the rotation speed of the crankset, the measured value of the force exerted on the crankset and the measured value of the mass of the load placed on the chainring.

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that it has at least one electric motor intended to drive in rotation at least one of the rear wheels of said vehicle and means for measuring the value and detecting the direction of the longitudinal inclination of said vehicle and in that it comprises means for controlling said electric motor intended to drive in rotation at least one rear wheel arranged for and capable of: - calculate a quantity of electrical energy necessary to cancel the effects of the slope as a function of the measured value of the longitudinal inclination of said vehicle and the measured value of the mass of the load placed on the platform; - controlling the delivery of said calculated quantity of electrical energy to said electric motor intended to drive in rotation at least one of the rear wheels when said means for measuring the value and detecting the direction of the longitudinal inclination of said vehicle detect that the vehicle is on an incline and that the value of the longitudinal inclination measured by said means for measuring the value and detecting the direction of the longitudinal inclination of said vehicle is greater than a predetermined slope value.

3. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it comprises means for controlling the stopping of the electric motor intended to drive in rotation said wheels of said vehicle mounted at the front and in that said control unit of said electric motor is arranged to keep said motor supplied with electrical energy after it has been powered up until said means for controlling the stopping of the electric motor are activated.

4. Vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that said means for controlling the stopping of the electric motor comprise means for detecting the direction of rotation of said pedal assembly and in that said control means are configured to be activated when said means for detecting the direction of rotation of said pedal assembly detect a backpedaling action.

5. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a plurality of solar panels are mounted on the chassis of said vehicle and connected to said electrical energy storage unit so as to allow recharging of said electrical energy storage unit.

6. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a transmission assembly to said front wheels of said vehicle of the torque of the pedal assembly and of the torque of the electric motor intended to drive in rotation the wheels of said vehicle mounted at the front, said transmission assembly comprising a gear change device and means for securing said pedal assembly and said electric motor intended to drive the wheels mounted at the front of said vehicle each to a pinion of said gear change device. Vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that said transmission assembly comprises a differential. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said means for controlling the electric motor intended to rotate the wheels of said vehicle mounted at the front comprise means for selecting at least two distinct control modes for the quantity of energy delivered to this motor. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a reclining seat making it possible to adapt the position of a user of said vehicle relative to said pedal assembly. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said vehicle is a heavy quadricycle.

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