Vehicle for the transport of at least one person with dual steering system and method of piloting such a vehicle
The three-wheeled ATV with dual steering sets addresses the limitation of single-steering ATVs by allowing two drivers to control the vehicle independently, enhancing maneuverability and providing unique driving experiences.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2021011212
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-10-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-18
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-10-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) with a single steering wheel limit passenger involvement and offer limited driving experiences, requiring a change of drivers for shared enjoyment and new sensations.
A three-wheeled ATV design with two separate steering sets, one at the front and one at the rear, allowing independent control by two drivers, enhancing maneuverability and providing unique driving experiences.
Enables simultaneous control by two drivers, offering new driving sensations and increased maneuverability, suitable for leisure and team activities with reduced environmental impact.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Vehicle for transporting at least one person with dual steering assembly and method of steering such a vehicle Technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of all-terrain vehicles, and in particular relates to a vehicle for transporting at least one person comprising at least three steered wheels and two separate steering assemblies, each of said steering assemblies controlling at least one steered wheel placed at a separate end of said vehicle.
[0002] It also relates to a method of piloting such a vehicle for the transport of at least one person. Prior art
[0003] Recreational vehicles such as side-by-side vehicles (SxS) have been growing in popularity for several years.
[0004] The term “side-by-side” herein refers to the bucket seat arrangement of the off-road vehicle in which the driver and passenger sit next to each other.
[0005] These all-terrain vehicles offer amazing off-road sensations, allowing you to venture onto rough terrain, with passengers directly exposed to the air with the feeling of freedom and direct contact with the natural environment that an open cockpit offers.
[0006] Some of these all-terrain vehicles are classified in the sports category and have powerful engines for racing on difficult tracks, particularly sandy or muddy ones.
[0007] A constant of this type of all-terrain vehicle is nevertheless that it has a single steering wheel and consequently, a single driving position.
[0008] Thus, the passenger(s) remain spectators and only the driver of the all-terrain vehicle has the possibility of maneuvering and controlling the latter.
[0009] A change of driver is therefore necessary to allow everyone to experience additional sensations by directly driving the all-terrain vehicle.
[0010] Furthermore, the playful possibilities offered by this type of vehicle remain limited in themselves, the discovery of new sensations coming essentially from the beauty of the places to which these vehicles provide access.
[0011] There is therefore a pressing need for an all-terrain vehicle, the design of which original allows to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art set out above. Subject of the invention
[0012] The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing an all-terrain vehicle and a method for driving such a vehicle, simple in their design and in their operating mode, allowing not only a main driver, but also the passenger placed side by side with this main driver, to control the vehicle for a shared experience.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is such a vehicle and such a driving method offering new driving possibilities and increased maneuverability.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is such a vehicle and such a driving method making it possible to return to a configuration with a single driving position of the vehicle, or even a single-driver configuration. Statement of the invention
[0015] For this purpose, the invention relates to a vehicle for transporting at least one person comprising a vehicle frame, at least one front steering wheel coupled to the frame and at least one rear steering wheel coupled to the frame, said vehicle comprising at least three steering wheels, a first steering assembly only coupled to said at least one front steering wheel, said first steering assembly comprising a first steering wheel. According to the invention, this vehicle comprises: - a second steering assembly solely coupled to said at least one rear steering wheel, said second steering assembly comprising a second steering wheel, - a first seat and a second seat placed side by side, said first steering wheel being located in front of the first seat to define a first driving position of said vehicle and said second steering wheel being located in front of said second seat to define a second driving position of said vehicle distinct from said first driving position, each steering wheel thus being operable by a separate driver to independently control said at least one front steering wheel and said at least one rear steering wheel of said vehicle.
[0016] The original design of this all-terrain vehicle advantageously offers new driving sensations to the main driver and the passenger sitting next to him in the vehicle. In particular, it allows you to experiment with new trajectories and new behaviors which can, for example, be similar to drift driving.
[0017] This all-terrain vehicle thus provides strong and unique sensations to a large number of people: women, men, couples, colleagues, young children accompanied, disabled people, accompanied or not, ...
[0018] This vehicle for transporting at least one person may be a motorized vehicle or a human-powered vehicle, such as a vehicle equipped with at least one pair of pedals.
[0019] It has three or more steered wheels, at least two of said wheels being driven.
[0020] Advantageously, this all-terrain vehicle is secure and electrically powered to integrate better into natural environments, in particular by ensuring a reduction in pollution and noise, and thus offering the possibility of enjoying the experience it provides or leisure in complete peace and quiet.
[0021] Such a vehicle guarantees a multitude of possible applications, among which will be cited, purely for illustrative purposes: - closed circuit leisure activities for agility and maneuver courses, - leisure activities on a closed symmetrical circuit for competitions with competing crews, - leisure activities on a crossing circuit, combining maneuvers and elevation changes, - team building and strengthening group communication.
[0022] Preferably, said steering columns pass through the same dashboard.
[0023] According to one embodiment of this vehicle for the transport of at least one person, it comprises a pair of front steering wheels and a pair of rear steering wheels, a first steering bar controlled by a first steering column at one end of which is placed a first steering wheel of the vehicle and driving pivoting members of only the front steering wheels of this vehicle as well as a second steering bar controlled by a second steering column at one end of which is placed a second steering wheel of the vehicle and driving pivoting members of only the rear steering wheels of this vehicle. Alternatively, this vehicle may still have a single front steering wheel or a single rear steering wheel and form a motorized or non-motorized tricycle. It could still be a vehicle with two sets of front wheels and a pair of rear steering wheels.
[0024] According to another embodiment of this vehicle for the transport of at least one person, it comprises a propulsion means controlled by a single pedal assembly comprising at least two pedals. Preferably, this pedal assembly is placed at the level of the first seat, on the left or right depending on the road legislation of the country.
[0025] According to yet another embodiment of this vehicle for the transport of at least one person, in which said vehicle is a three-wheeled vehicle for the transport of at least one person comprising a single front steering wheel and a pair of rear steering wheels, a front steering bar controlled by a steering column at one end of which is placed a first steering wheel of the vehicle and driving pivoting members of said single front steering wheel, said vehicle comprises: - a rear steering bar controlled by a second steering column at one end of which is placed a second steering wheel of said vehicle, said second steering wheel being separate from said first steering wheel and driving pivoting members of only the rear steering wheels, - a first seat and a second seat placed side by side, said first steering wheel being located in front of the first seat to define a first driving position of said vehicle and said second steering wheel being located in front of said second seat to define a second driving position of said vehicle distinct from said first driving position, each steering wheel being thus operable by a separate driver to independently control said at least one front steering wheel and the pair of rear steering wheels of said vehicle. Alternatively, it may still be a three-wheeled vehicle for transporting at least one person, in which the vehicle comprises a vehicle frame, front steering wheels coupled to the frame, a first steering assembly coupled to said front steering wheels, said first steering assembly comprising a first steering wheel,a single rear steering wheel coupled to the vehicle frame, a second steering assembly coupled to said single rear steering wheel, said second steering assembly comprising a second steering wheel, a first seat and a second seat placed side by side, said first steering wheel being located in front of the first seat to define a first driving position of said vehicle and said second steering wheel being located in front of said second seat to define a second driving position of said vehicle separate from said first driving position, each steering wheel being thus operable by a separate driver to independently control said front steering wheels and said rear steering wheel of said vehicle.
[0026] Of course, the single front or rear steering wheel of the three-wheeled vehicle must be understood as being able to comprise one or more rotating circular members on which the vehicle rests and linked together, being spaced apart or not, to form a unit. The single front or rear steering wheel could thus comprise two rotating circular members, also called wheels.
[0027] According to yet another embodiment of this vehicle for transporting at least one person, it comprises a locking system for locking the front steering wheel(s), or the rear steering wheel(s) in a given steering angle. It is possible to lock the front steering wheel(s) or the rear steering wheel(s) in a given steering angle, whether they are driven or not. Preferably, each steering assembly comprising a steering column at the end of which said corresponding steering wheel is placed, this locking system comprises a locking element configured to lock in position the steering column of the front steered wheel(s), or the steering column of the rear steered wheel(s). For example, this steering column then has a housing to receive this locking element. Advantageously, said locking system comprises a control device configured to actuate said locking element on a determined steering angle value of the steered wheel(s) controlled by said corresponding steering column. The locking of the corresponding steering assembly is then automatic and the driver then only has to press an actuator remote from the control device such as a button placed on the dashboard. Alternatively, said vehicle comprising a pair of front steering wheels and a pair of rear steering wheels, each of the steering wheels being mounted on the chassis by means of a pivot, called a steering pivot, so that it can be steered, said locking system comprises for each steering pivot of a single one of said pairs of wheels, a locking element, these locking elements being intended to be controlled remotely to simultaneously lock in position each steering pivot of said pair of wheels. For example, these locking elements can be controlled from the dashboard by a simple control button.
[0028] According to yet another embodiment of this vehicle for transporting at least one person, this locking system is configured to allow adjustment of the value of the steering angle at which said front steering wheel(s) are locked in position, or at which said rear steering wheel(s) are locked in position. The steering angle adjustment can be carried out continuously or in increments of an angular step of a predetermined value.
[0029] According to yet another embodiment of this vehicle for transporting at least one person, it is an all-terrain vehicle comprising a chassis, at least one front steering wheel coupled to the chassis and at least one rear steering wheel coupled to the chassis, said vehicle comprising at least three steering wheels, each of said wheels comprising a tire, at least a first pair of seats mounted on the chassis and placed side by side, and at least one engine.
[0030] This side-by-side vehicle (SxS) may have more than two seats and include three (3) to six (6) seats to accommodate multiple passengers. It will, however, have two seats at the front of the vehicle, each placed in front of a steering assembly to define two separate driving positions.
[0031] This vehicle may comprise a thermal engine and / or at least one electric motor mounted on the chassis and functionally connected to at least one of said pairs of wheels. An electric motor is particularly suitable, because the motors are then compact.
[0032] Alternatively, this vehicle may comprise one or more autonomous steering wheels, i.e. each provided with a preferably electric motor unit. For purely illustrative purposes, the motor is integrated into the hub of the wheel.
[0033] It can of course include a roof and various optional or mandatory accessories such as a loading accessory for storage, seat belts, side protection plates, a roll cage or even an audio system.
[0034] According to yet another embodiment of this vehicle for transporting at least one person, it comprises a suspension device having a large suspension travel such as a suspension travel of at least fourteen (14) inches (35.6 cm) and even better twenty (24) inches (61 cm). Of course, and depending on the intended application for this vehicle, the suspension system could be completely different, and for example have classic travel.
[0035] According to yet another embodiment of this vehicle for transporting at least one person, it comprises at least one central display device such as a screen which may be touch-sensitive, a plurality of on-board cameras, i.e. mounted on the chassis of the vehicle as well as a processor and software configured to receive the video signals emitted by said cameras, process said video signals and display on said display device at least one image thus acquired. Preferably, the image thus provided is a “panoramic view” of the environment around the vehicle. Advantageously, at least some of these cameras are arranged on said chassis so as to enable the detection of a complete 360° stereoscopic vision of this vehicle in its environment and thus provide the driver or drivers with a view of the trajectory of the recreational vehicle in real time depending on the selected driving parameters. For example, these may be wide field of view cameras in the visible range that are positioned at each of the left front, right front, left rear, and right rear corners of that vehicle so as to provide a continuous region of overlapping fields of view completely surrounding the vehicle. This display device can also be removably coupled to the vehicle to allow a third party outside the vehicle to receive images from each driving position.
[0036] For the purposes of this application, the term "all-terrain vehicle" refers to a vehicle that is generally used on drivable surfaces such as paved or tarmac surfaces, but which may be operated on unpaved tracks or even soft ground such as sand or mud. For example, it may be a recreational vehicle (RV) such as a buggy, or an all-terrain vehicle ("ATV").
[0037] Remember that a "buggy" vehicle is an all-terrain recreational vehicle built from a standard or custom-made chassis and equipped with an open plastic body and wide tires.
[0038] Furthermore, terms related to spatial orientation such as forward, rearward, left and right are as they would normally be understood by a driver of the vehicle sitting in a normal driving position.
[0039] More generally, the present invention also relates to a vehicle for transporting at least one person comprising a vehicle frame, at least one front steering wheel coupled to the frame and at least one rear steering wheel coupled to the frame, said vehicle comprising at least three steering wheels, a first steering assembly only coupled to said at least one front steering wheel, said first steering assembly comprising a first steering wheel. According to the invention, this vehicle comprises: - a second steering assembly solely coupled to said at least one rear steering wheel, said second steering assembly comprising a second steering wheel, - a first seat and a second seat, said first steering wheel and said first seat defining a first driving position of this vehicle and said second steering wheel and said second seat defining a second driving position of said vehicle distinct from said first driving position, each steering wheel being thus able to be maneuvered by a different driver to independently control said at least one front steering wheel and said at least one rear steering wheel of said vehicle.
[0040] For example, said first steering wheel being located near the first seat to define a first driving position of said vehicle and said second steering wheel being located near said second seat to define a second driving position distinct from said first driving position, each of said first and second seats may be placed facing the direction of travel of said vehicle or not, or else being placed opposite one another.
[0041] The present invention also relates to a method of steering a vehicle for transporting at least one person comprising at least three (3) steered wheels, said vehicle comprising at least one front steered wheel and at least one rear steered wheel, in which the steering of the front steered wheel(s) of said vehicle and the steering of the rear steered wheel(s) of said vehicle are controlled independently of each other by two separate steering assemblies of said vehicle, which are placed side by side. Each steering assembly comprises a steering column at one end of which is placed a steering wheel of said vehicle.
[0042] According to an embodiment of this method of steering a vehicle for transporting at least one person, the front steered wheel(s) are steered in a first direction with a non-zero steering angle while the rear steered wheel(s) of said vehicle are steered in a direction opposite or identical to said first direction with a non-zero steering angle.
[0043] According to another embodiment of this method of steering a vehicle for the transport of at least one person, only one of said steering assemblies is locked, the corresponding steered wheel(s) having a steering angle of between 0° and at least 45°, and even better at least 60°, and even more preferably 90°. The other steering assembly is left free so as to be freely maneuvered by a driver of said vehicle.
[0044] According to yet another embodiment of this method of steering a vehicle for transporting at least one person, the steering column of the corresponding steering assembly is locked in position after having adjusted the steering angle of the corresponding steered wheel(s). Brief description of the drawings
[0045] Other advantages, aims and particular characteristics of the present invention will emerge from the description which follows, given, for explanatory and in no way limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: Fig.l
[0046] [Fig.l] is a schematic perspective representation of an all-terrain vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2
[0047] [Fig.2] shows schematically the different components constituting the running gear of the all-terrain vehicle illustrated in [Fig.l]; Fig. 3
[0048] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective representation of a vehicle for the transporting at least one person according to a second embodiment of the present invention, this vehicle here being based on a modification of a golf cart to have two separate steering assemblies; Fig. 4
[0049] [Fig.4] is a top view of the all-terrain vehicle illustrated in [Fig.l], showing a first effect produced by the movement of the pairs of steering wheels of the vehicle in the same direction, with equal steering angles, the vehicle moving crab-like; Fig. 5
[0050] [Fig.5] is a top view of the all-terrain vehicle illustrated in [Fig.l], showing a second effect produced by the movement of the pairs of steering wheels of the vehicle in the same direction, with equal steering angles, the vehicle moving crab-like; Fig. 6
[0051] [Fig.6] is a top view of the all-terrain vehicle illustrated in [Fig.l], showing a first effect produced by moving the pairs of steered wheels of the vehicle in opposite directions, with equal steering angles; Fig. 7
[0052] [Fig.7] is a top view of the all-terrain vehicle illustrated in [Fig.l], showing a second effect produced by moving the pairs of steered wheels of the vehicle in opposite directions, with equal steering angles; Fig. 8
[0053] [Fig.8] is a top view of the all-terrain vehicle illustrated in [Fig.l], showing an effect produced by moving the pairs of steered wheels of the vehicle in the same direction, the steering angle of the rear steered wheels being greater than the steering angle of the front steered wheels, the vehicle moving crab-like while being rotated because the rear part of this vehicle rotates faster than its front part; Fig. 9
[0054] [Fig.9] schematically represents different possible trajectories likely to be taken by the all-terrain vehicle illustrated in [Fig.l], these trajectories being obtained for fixed steering angles of the pairs of steered wheels of said vehicle; Description of the embodiments
[0055] The drawings and the description below contain, for the most part, elements of a certain character. They may therefore not only serve to better understand the present invention, but also contribute to its definition, if necessary.
[0056] First of all, note that the figures are not to scale.
[0057] Figures 1 and 2 and 4 to 9 schematically illustrate an all-terrain vehicle 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0058] This all-terrain vehicle 10 comprises a pair of front steering wheels 11, a front steering bar controlled by a steering column at one end of which is placed a first steering wheel 12 of the vehicle and driving pivoting members of only the front steering wheels of this vehicle.
[0059] It also comprises a pair of rear steering wheels 13, a rear steering bar controlled by a second steering column at one end of which is placed a second steering wheel 14 of said vehicle, said second steering wheel 14 being separate from said first steering wheel 12 and driving pivoting members of only the rear steering wheels.
[0060] This vehicle comprises a first seat 15 and a second seat 16 placed side by side.
[0061] The first steering wheel 12 is located in front of the first seat 15 to define a first driving position of said vehicle while said second steering wheel 14 is located in front of said second seat 16 to define a second driving position of said vehicle distinct from said first driving position.
[0062] Each steering wheel 12, 14 can thus be operated by a separate driver to independently control the pair of front steering wheels 11 and the pair of rear steering wheels 13 of the vehicle for transporting at least one person.
[0063] The all-terrain vehicle 10 comprises a propulsion means controlled by a single pedal assembly comprising a brake pedal, an accelerator pedal and a clutch pedal, the vehicle having a manual gearbox. This single pedal assembly is here placed at the level of the first driving position.
[0064] It also comprises an open cell 17 comprising a roof bar.
[0065] In order to be able to return to a single-driver vehicle steering configuration, it comprises a locking element 18 such as a locking finger, or notch, which is housed in an associated housing of the vehicle's steering column to lock the latter in position.
[0066] This locking element is either added by the driver and is then a pin for example, or mounted to move on the vehicle between a first release position, in which it is set back from the steering column, and a second active, or deployed, position, in which it is introduced at least partially into the housing of the steering column to lock the latter.
[0067] The steering column advantageously comprises several housings distributed around its periphery to define pitches spaced 15° apart. The driver can thus lock the pair of rear steering wheels 13 with a given steering angle, which can be zero or non-zero.
[0068] The advantage of the all-terrain vehicle 10 lies in the fact that it can be driven and maneuvered by two people. Thus, the unique feature is being able to share control of a vehicle with its passenger.
[0069] Good behavior and trajectory tracking for the vehicle are now linked to good cohesion and good complementarity of these two drivers.
[0070] Advantageously, the directions of the front and rear steering wheels thus decoupled allow the vehicle to take on unconventional and completely unusual behaviors. This makes driving it fun and therefore a source of strong sensations and complicity between the drivers.
[0071] Advantageously, it is also possible to drive this vehicle alone, in the main driver's position, by locking the position of the rear steering wheels here.
[0072] This will allow us to find, if necessary, traditional behavior of the vehicle.
[0073] However, this driving mode will also offer the possibility of enjoying the vehicle alone with unusual behavior. Indeed, it will be possible to lock the position of the rear steering wheels in an angular position not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chassis of the all-terrain vehicle 10.
[0074] Operating in reverse or attached to a small towed or pushed trailer will also provide additional levels of difficulty and distraction.
Claims
Claims
1. Vehicle for transporting at least one person comprising a vehicle frame, at least one front steering wheel (11) coupled to the frame and at least one rear steering wheel (13) coupled to the frame, said vehicle comprising at least three steering wheels (11, 13), a first steering assembly only coupled to said at least one front steering wheel (11), said first steering assembly comprising a first steering wheel (12), characterized in that it comprises: - a second steering assembly only coupled to said at least one rear steering wheel (13), said second steering assembly comprising a second steering wheel (14), - a first seat (15) and a second seat (16) placed side by side,said first steering wheel (12) being located in front of the first seat (15) to define a first driving position of said vehicle and said second steering wheel (14) being located in front of said second seat (16) to define a second driving position of said vehicle distinct from said first driving position, each steering wheel (12, 14) being thus operable by a separate driver to independently control said at least one front steering wheel (11) and said at least one rear steering wheel (13) of said vehicle.,
2. Vehicle for transporting at least one person according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a propulsion means controlled by a single pedal assembly comprising at least two pedals.
3. Vehicle for transporting at least one person according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a locking system for locking the front steering wheel(s), or the rear steering wheel(s) in a given steering angle.
4. Vehicle for transporting at least one person according to claim 3, characterized in that each steering assembly comprising a steering column at the end of which is placed said corresponding steering wheel, said locking system comprises a locking element configured to lock in position the steering column of the front steering wheel(s), or the steering column of the rear steering wheel(s).
5. Vehicle for transporting at least one person according to claim 4, characterized in that said locking system comprises a control device configured to actuate said locking element on a determined steering angle value of the steered wheel(s) controlled by said corresponding steering column.
6. Vehicle for transporting at least one person according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said locking system is configured to allow adjustment of the value of the steering angle at which said front steering wheel(s) are locked in position, or at which said rear steering wheel(s) are locked in position.
7. Vehicle for transporting at least one person according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is an all-terrain vehicle (10) comprising a chassis, at least one front steering wheel coupled to the chassis and at least one rear steering wheel coupled to the chassis, said vehicle comprising at least three steering wheels, each of said wheels comprising a tire, at least a first pair of seats mounted on the chassis and placed side by side, and at least one engine.
8. Method of steering a vehicle for transporting at least one person comprising at least three (3) steered wheels, said vehicle comprising at least one front steered wheel (11) and at least one rear steered wheel (13), in which the steering of the front steered wheel(s) of said vehicle and the steering of the rear steered wheel(s) of said vehicle are controlled independently of each other by two separate steering assemblies of said vehicle, which are placed side by side.
9. Method for steering a vehicle for transporting at least one person according to claim 8, characterized in that the front steered wheel(s) are steered in a first direction with a non-zero steering angle while the rear steered wheel(s) of said vehicle are steered in a direction opposite or identical to said first direction with a non-zero steering angle.
10. Method for steering a vehicle for transporting at least one person according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that only one of said steering assemblies is locked, the steering wheel(s) corresponding to said steering assembly having a steering angle of between 0° and at least 45°, and even better at least 60°, and even more preferably 90°.
11. Method for steering a vehicle for transporting at least one person according to claim 10, characterized in that the steering column of the corresponding steering assembly is locked in position after adjusting the steering angle of the corresponding steered wheel(s).