Pedal-powered vehicle for collective and collaborative transport
The pedal vehicle design with independent passenger groups driving separate rear wheels and a decoupled cockpit mechanism addresses complexity and reliability issues, enabling efficient and safe collective transport.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023000876
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-01-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-01-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing pedal vehicles for collective transport are complex and lack reliability, particularly when multiple passengers are propelling the vehicle, and there is a need for non-polluting collective transport solutions.
A pedal vehicle design with at least three wheels, including a front wheel and two rear wheels, where each passenger group pedals independently to drive a separate rear wheel, with a decoupled cockpit pedal assembly driving the front wheels, and an electric pedaling assistance mechanism for the driver.
The design ensures simple mechanical chains, improved reliability, and efficient propulsion by passengers, with the driver having variable transmission ratios for ease of operation, enhancing vehicle efficiency and safety.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Pedal vehicle for collective and collaborative transport
[0001] The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of pedal vehicles.
[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a pedal vehicle allowing the transport of several people, including passengers who also have pedals to be able to propel the vehicle.
[0003] Vehicles with a plurality of wheels, for example named “Rosalie”, can accommodate one or more passengers who have pedals to propel it.
[0004] In the field of the invention, the patent application published under number FR 2 592 356 is known, which describes a two-seater quadricycle comprising a mechanism for transmitting a propulsion force by pedaling the passengers.
[0005] This document describes in particular two quadricycles which each allow two people to pedal to propel the quadricycle.
[0006] For the first quadricycle, the pedaling of the two people is retransmitted separately and independently to two wheels of the same axle, and more specifically the pedaling of a person located on the left of the vehicle is retransmitted to the left wheel of the axle while the pedaling provided by the person located on the right of the vehicle is retransmitted to the right wheel of the axle.
[0007] For the second quadricycle, the two passengers are positioned in line on the vehicle and the transmission chains make it possible to retransmit the pedaling forces to the wheels of the same axle, always distinguishing the origin of the driving force from the pedaling of the passengers depending on the wheel.
[0008] More generally, certain types of design of quadricycles and pedal vehicles for the transport of a plurality of persons are complex and may potentially present a reliability defect.
[0009] A relative need for non-polluting means of collective transport is also emerging, in particular to replace potentially polluting types of transport.
[0010] The invention aims in particular to overcome this need of the prior art and its drawbacks.
[0011] More specifically, the invention aims to propose a pedal vehicle for public transport which has a simple mechanism.
[0012] The invention also aims to provide such a vehicle which has significant reliability, even if a large number of passengers are pedaling at the same time.
[0013] These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved thanks to the invention which relates to a vehicle comprising: - at least three wheels, including at least one front wheel, one right rear wheel, and one left rear wheel; - a cockpit comprising a steering member coupled to the front wheel to modify the orientation of the vehicle, and a pedal assembly coupled to said at least one front wheel to drive it in rotation; - at least two passenger positions divided into two groups, including a right group and a left group, each passenger position including a pedal assembly; characterized in that: - the right group crankset(s) are coupled only to the right rear wheel to drive it in rotation; - the left group crankset(s) are coupled only to the left rear wheel to drive it in rotation, - the cockpit pedal assembly is coupled only to the front wheel(s).
[0014] This vehicle constitutes a means of collective transport, and allows the transport of at least two passengers, including at least one in each group.
[0015] This means of transport is also collaborative because the passengers carried by the vehicle can participate in the propulsion of the vehicle by pedaling.
[0016] Thanks to the decoupling between the two groups, an additional collaborative aspect appears. There is no differential between the two rear wheels and in certain situations the absence of pedaling from one group can harm the quality of the vehicle's propulsion, which naturally leads to the motivation of all passengers to pedal to propel the vehicle.
[0017] This design is also particularly simple. Indeed, there is no coupling between the pedaling performed by the two groups, and between the pedaling performed by each of these groups with that of the driver.
[0018] In other words, if only the left group is pedaling, then only the left rear wheel will be driven into motion by the pedaling.
[0019] Finally, this design involves simple mechanical chains, limiting mechanical constraints.
[0020] This limitation of mechanical constraints improves the reliability of the vehicle. Indeed, a single axle of a rear wheel does not undergo all the forces resulting from the pedaling of all the people pedaling on the vehicle.
[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the vehicle comprises an electric pedal assistance mechanism associated with the pedal assembly of the cockpit.
[0022] The driver of the vehicle can thus easily move the vehicle forward in the absence of passengers who could provide additional pedaling effort to his own.
[0023] The pedal vehicle thus allows the driver to reach places where passengers are picked up or dropped off without putting too much strain on the driver.
[0024] Preferably, the vehicle comprises two front wheels coupled to each other by a differential.
[0025] The pilot then has greater ease in turning.
[0026] According to a preferred design, the pedals of each passenger position are independent freewheel pedals.
[0027] In this way, each pedal assembly of a passenger position is configured so as not to be rotated by the other pedal assembly of the group, or by the rotation of the rear wheel coupled to the pedal assembly of said group.
[0028] This makes it possible to avoid a passenger who is unable to pedal at a sufficient speed, or who is temporarily unable to pedal, having to follow the pace imposed by the progress of the vehicle or by the pedaling of the other passengers in his group.
[0029] According to an advantageous embodiment, the vehicle comprises, for each of the right rear wheel and the left rear wheel, a transmission pinion integral in rotation with said rear wheel.
[0030] Thanks to this embodiment, the forces resulting from the pedaling of a plurality of people in a group of passenger positions do not cause a sum of forces which would risk compromising the reliability of the connection at the level of the transmission pinion which is integral in rotation with the rear wheel. Indeed, unlike a freewheel type pinion, a transmission pinion integral with the wheel axle has, for equivalent dimensions, better mechanical resistance.
[0031] According to a preferred solution, the vehicle comprises a chassis comprising two beams extending longitudinally parallel to each other, including a right beam located on the right side of the vehicle, and a left beam located on the left side of the vehicle, and in that: - the right beam supports the passenger positions of the right group which are arranged in line; - the left beam supports the passenger positions of the left group which are arranged in line.
[0032] This solution simplifies the architecture of the vehicle and makes it possible to improve its reliability because the forces resulting from the presence of passengers on the passenger positions are taken up directly by the beams.
[0033] Preferably, the pedals of the passenger positions are directly assembled on the beams.
[0034] This solution is simple and facilitates the integration of the pedals on the vehicle.
[0035] Preferably, for each group: - the crankset(s) directly adjacent to the rear wheel to which they are coupled, relative to the other cranksets of said group, are directly coupled to the transmission sprocket integral in rotation with said rear wheel by a separate transmission chain for each crankset; - the other cranksets each being coupled with a separate transmission chain per pair of directly adjacent cranksets.
[0036] This series set of transmission chains facilitates the retransmission of pedaling efforts while presenting a design that is simple to implement and to make reliable.
[0037] A fault on one of the transmission chains does not impact the other transmission chains downstream towards the rear wheel coupled to the groupset crankset.
[0038] According to a preferred embodiment of the vehicle: - the pedal assembly of the cockpit is coupled to the front wheel(s) by a transmission device comprising a plurality of transmission ratios, including a high-ratio transmission ratio, a low-ratio transmission ratio, and at least one intermediate transmission ratio having an intermediate reduction coefficient located between a reduction coefficient of the low-ratio transmission ratio and a reduction coefficient of the high-ratio transmission ratio; - the pedals of the passenger positions are coupled to the rear wheels by a single transmission ratio having a reduction coefficient equal to the reduction coefficient of the high reduction transmission ratio or to the reduction coefficient of one or more of the intermediate transmission ratios, or between the reduction coefficient of the high reduction transmission ratio and the reduction coefficient of one or more of the intermediate transmission ratios.
[0039] In this way, passengers have a single transmission ratio, which simplifies and makes the transmission more reliable. This avoids problems relating to the management of "under torque" gear changes and the impossibility of simply synchronizing a torque shedding conducive to gear changes.
[0040] The determination of the gear ratio of the single transmission ratio is a function of the average intended speed of use of the vehicle and the intended hill climbing capabilities. For vehicles used in mountainous regions, the gear ratio is shortened, and for those used on the plain, it is lengthened. This allows on the one hand to have greater power when climbing, where it is needed (passenger gear ratio a little short), and on the other hand to offer good pedaling comfort (pedaling frequency approximately 60 rpm *) at the vehicle's service speed (assuming approximately 15 km / h *). This also prevents passengers from driving the vehicle at excessively high speeds which could endanger it. when it is fully loaded (false flats, descents, etc.).
[0041] For his part, the pilot who has a transmission "dissociated" from the passengers, can benefit from all types of gear changes at his convenience (derailleurs, hubs with epicyclic trains, gearbox, etc.) to the extent that he can simply manage the torque breaks as he would on a traditional bicycle.
[0042] This opportunity to adjust the gear ratio makes it easier to move the vehicle "unladen", when the driver is alone. He thus benefits from a transmission spread conducive to crossing slopes and can also drive faster (flat, descents, etc.) while his mass is low and there is no danger of racing or overheating of the brakes (reduced mass and kinetic energy). This feature improves the efficiency of the vehicle, because it makes it possible to reduce time losses in phases where the vehicle does not have passengers. The vehicle is therefore very efficient unladen thanks to its ability to have variable transmission ratios for the driver.
[0043] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of different preferred embodiments of the invention, given as illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the appended drawings among which: • [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a schematic perspective representation of a vehicle according to the invention; • [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of the vehicle seen from the side according to the invention; • [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a representation according to a sectional view of a part of the vehicle illustrated in [Fig.2], centered on the pedals of a group of passengers; • [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of a sectional view of the vehicle seen from above.
[0044] With reference to Figures 1 to 4, a vehicle 1 according to the invention is shown.
[0045] This vehicle 1 comprises at least three wheels 2 including at least one front wheel 21, one right rear wheel 22, and a left rear wheel 23.
[0046] According to the present embodiment, the vehicle 1 comprises two front wheels 21.
[0047] These two front wheels 21 are driving and steering wheels.
[0048] According to another conceivable embodiment, the vehicle 1 could comprise a single front wheel 21 drive and steering.
[0049] As detailed below, the right rear wheel 22 and the left rear wheel 23 are also driven.
[0050] According to the present embodiment, the vehicle 1 comprises a cockpit 3 and eight passenger positions 4. However, it is possible to envisage another embodiment lization that vehicle 1 would include two, four, or six passenger positions 4.
[0051] The cockpit 3 is positioned on a front part of the vehicle 1 while the passenger positions 4 are positioned set back from the cockpit 3 towards the rear of the vehicle 1.
[0052] The passenger positions 4 are in particular divided into two groups, including a right group and a left group.
[0053] According to the present embodiment, the vehicle 1 comprises four passenger positions 4 in the right group and four passenger positions 4 in the left group.
[0054] Within each group, the passenger positions 4 are arranged in a line.
[0055] In other words, the passenger positions 4 within a group are positioned the one behind the other.
[0056] With reference to Figures 1 to 4, the vehicle 1 comprises a chassis 6.
[0057] This chassis 6 comprises two beams.
[0058] The chassis 6 also comprises a plurality of crosspieces 62 connecting the two beams.
[0059] The two beams extend longitudinally parallel to each other.
[0060] The two beams consist of a right beam 611 located on the right side of the vehicle 1, and a left beam 612 located on the left side of the vehicle 1.
[0061] The right beam 611 supports the passenger positions 4 of the right group.
[0062] The left beam 612 supports the passenger positions 4 of the left group.
[0063] The cockpit 3 comprises a steering member 31 which is coupled to the front wheel 21 to modify the orientation of the vehicle 1.
[0064] The control member 31 corresponds in particular to a handlebar.
[0065] The control member 31 can also take the form of a steering wheel.
[0066] The steering member 31 makes it possible to modify the orientation of the front wheels 21 to to allow the vehicle 1 to be steered, and more particularly to allow their angular orientation to be modified around an axis transverse to a rolling plane defined by the wheels.
[0067] The cockpit 3 also includes a pedal assembly 5.
[0068] This crankset 5 is coupled to at least one front wheel 21 to drive it in rotation.
[0069] According to the present embodiment, the crankset 5 is coupled to the two front wheels 21 to drive them into rotation.
[0070] The pedal assembly 5 of the cockpit 3 is coupled only to the front wheels 21. Indeed, a transmission associated with the cockpit 3 only couples the pedal assembly 5 of the cockpit 3 to the front wheels 21.
[0071] In other words, the pedal assembly 5 of the cockpit 3 is not coupled to the rear wheels, and thus does not allow them to be driven in rotation.
[0072] The two front wheels 21 of the vehicle are coupled to each other by a differential.
[0073] In addition, the vehicle 1 comprises an electric pedal assist mechanism.
[0074] This electric pedal assist mechanism comprises in particular a pedal sensor, a controller, a rechargeable electric battery, as well as an electric motor powered by the electric battery. This electric pedal assist mechanism is associated with the pedal assembly 5 of the cockpit 3.
[0075] When the pilot installed in the cockpit 3 is pedaling, the electric pedal assist mechanism provides assistance to the pilot by detecting the pilot's pedaling via the sensor, and then operating and controlling the electric motor via the controller.
[0076] The cockpit 3 also includes a seat.
[0077] As can be seen in the figures, each passenger position 4 comprises a pedal assembly 5.
[0078] Each passenger position 4 also includes a seat.
[0079] The pedals 5 of the right group are coupled only to the right rear wheel 22 to drive it in rotation.
[0080] Similarly, the pedals 5 of the left group are coupled only to the left rear wheel 23 to drive it in rotation.
[0081] The vehicle 1 thus does not include any coupling of the motor drive resulting from pedaling between the pedals 5 of the right group and the left rear wheel 23, nor between the pedals 5 of the left group and the right rear wheel 22.
[0082] The pedal assembly 5 of each passenger station 4 is an independent freewheel pedal assembly. In other words, each pedal assembly 5 of each passenger station 4 incorporates a clutch configured to not rotate the pedal assembly during rotation of the other pedal assembly of the group, or by rotation of the rear wheel which is coupled to the pedal assembly of said group.
[0083] More specifically, the pedal assembly 5 of each passenger position 4 is provided with: - one or two transmission plates 71, provided with notches, for which, for each transmission plate 71, a separate transmission chain 73 passes through the notches of the transmission plate 71; - two pedals secured to each other and mounted to rotate around an axis on a bearing; - the clutch (freewheel type) between the transmission plate(s) 71 and the two pedals.
[0084] The vehicle 1 comprises, for each of the right rear wheel 22 and the left rear wheel 23, a transmission pinion integral in rotation with said rear wheel.
[0085] In other words, the vehicle 1 does not include a clutch of the “wheel” type. free" directly at the rear wheel. In this way the mechanism is more reliable and better supports the efforts applied by the pedaling of a plurality of passengers in a group.
[0086] As can be seen, the pedals 5 of the passenger positions 4 are directly assembled on the beams.
[0087] In other words, the beams integrate in their volume pedal bearings 5 inside which an axis integral in rotation with the pedals 5 is mounted in rotation.
[0088] As mentioned previously, the vehicle 1 comprises a plurality of transmission chains 73 for transmitting a pedaling force to the wheels of the vehicle 1.
[0089] More particularly and with reference to figures 2 to 4, for each group, the cranksets 5 directly adjacent to the rear wheel to which they are coupled (i.e. the cranksets which frame the wheel), relative to the other cranksets 5 of the group, are directly coupled to the transmission pinion integral in rotation with said rear wheel by a separate transmission chain 73 for each crankset 5.
[0090] In this case, of course, the transmission pinion has two toothed discs 72 integral in translation with each other.
[0091] In other words, the transmission pinion (of the rear wheel to which the pedals of a group are attached) sees each of its notched discs 72 engaged with a separate transmission chain 73 for each of the notched discs 72, one transmission chain 73 of which joins the pedal located towards the rear of the vehicle and the other transmission chain 73 joins the pedal located towards the front of the vehicle.
[0092] Also, for each group the other cranksets 5 are each coupled with a transmission chain 73 which is distinct per pair of directly adjacent cranksets 5.
[0093] In other words, a pedal assembly 5 is coupled with the pedal assembly of another passenger position 4 located directly in front or directly behind by a single transmission chain 73.
[0094] For example and with reference to [Fig.3], 4 rows of passengers can be distinguished with the first row located towards the rear of the vehicle while the 4th row is located just behind the cockpit 3. According to this organization: - the transmission plate 71 of the crankset 5 of the first row is coupled with a first transmission chain 73 on one of the two notched discs 72 of the transmission pinion; - the transmission plate 71 of the crankset 5 of the second row is coupled to the other notched disc 72 of the transmission pinion of the rear wheel by a second transmission chain 73, and to the transmission plate 71 of the crankset 5 of the third row by a third transmission chain 73; - the transmission plate 71 of the third row is coupled to the transmission plate 71 of the second row by the transmission chain 73 mentioned above cededly, and to the transmission chainring 71 of the crankset 5 of the first row by a fourth transmission chain 73.
[0095] All of the transmission chains of the pedals of a passenger position group 4 are protected by a casing (not shown).
[0096] Transmission chain tensioning mechanisms 73 are also coupled to the beams. These tensioning mechanisms may take the form of spring arms exerting pressure transversely on a transmission chain 73
[0097] This set of transmission means thus forms a fundamentally simple system limiting the use of complex components, and presenting significant reliability.
[0098] According to the present embodiment, the pedal assembly 5 of the cockpit 3 is coupled to the front wheels 21 by a transmission device comprising a plurality of transmission ratios. The plurality of transmission ratios consists of: - a high gear ratio with a high gear ratio, for example to facilitate climbing a hill; - a low gear ratio with a low gear ratio, for example suitable for pedaling downhill; - and at least one intermediate transmission ratio, for example three intermediate ratios, having an intermediate gear ratio located between the gear ratio of the low gear ratio and the gear ratio of the high gear ratio.
[0099] In addition, the pedals 5 of the passenger positions 4 are coupled to the rear wheels by a single transmission ratio having its own reduction coefficient. This reduction coefficient is selected according to the type of road on which the vehicle is intended to travel. The reduction coefficient is thus: - either equal to the reduction coefficient of the high reduction transmission ratio; - is equal to the gear ratio of the intermediate transmission ratio(s); - is between the gear ratio of the high gear ratio and the gear ratio of one or more of the intermediate gear ratios.
[0100] The vehicle 1 also includes, in a non-exhaustive manner, braking means accessible in the cockpit 3, a windshield 11, a roof 12, mudguards 24, grab bars for passengers, as well as signaling lights.
Claims
Claims
1. Vehicle (1) comprising: - at least three wheels (2), including at least one front wheel (21), one right rear wheel (22), and one left rear wheel (23); - a cockpit (3) comprising a steering member (31) coupled to the front wheel (21) to modify the orientation of the vehicle (1), and a pedal assembly (5) coupled to said at least one front wheel (21) to drive it in rotation; - at least two passenger positions (4) divided into two groups, including a right group and a left group, each passenger position (4) comprising a pedal assembly (5); characterized in that: - the pedal assembly(s) (5) of the right group are coupled only to the right rear wheel (22) to drive it in rotation; - the pedal assembly(s) (5) of the left group are coupled only to the left rear wheel (23) to drive it in rotation, - the pedal assembly (5) of the cockpit (3) is coupled only to the front wheel(s) (21).
2. Vehicle (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises an electric pedal assistance mechanism associated with the pedal assembly (5) of the cockpit (3).
3. Vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two front wheels (21) coupled to each other by a differential.
4. Vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pedal assembly (5) of each passenger position (4) is an independent freewheel pedal assembly.
5. Vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, for each of the right rear wheel (22) and the left rear wheel (23), a transmission pinion integral in rotation with said rear wheel.
6. Vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a chassis (6) comprising two beams extending longitudinally parallel to each other, including a right beam (611) located on the right side of the vehicle (1), and a left beam (612) located on the left side of the vehicle (1), and in that: - the right beam (611) supports the passenger positions (4) of the right group which are arranged in line; - the left beam (612) supports the passenger positions (4) of the left group which are arranged in line.
7. Vehicle (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the pedals (5) of the passenger positions (4) are directly assembled on the beams.
8. Vehicle (1) according to claim 5, and any one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that, for each group: - the pedal assembly(s) (5) directly adjacent to the rear wheel to which they are coupled, relative to the other pedal assembly(s) (5) of said group, are directly coupled to the transmission pinion integral in rotation with said rear wheel by a transmission chain (73) separate for each pedal assembly (5); - the other pedal assembly(s) (5) each being coupled with a transmission chain (73) separate for each pair of directly adjacent pedal assembly(s) (5).
9. Vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - the pedal assembly (5) of the cockpit (3) is coupled to the front wheel(s) (21) by a transmission device comprising a plurality of transmission ratios, including a high-reduction transmission ratio, a low-reduction transmission ratio, and at least one intermediate transmission ratio having an intermediate reduction coefficient located between a reduction coefficient of the low-reduction transmission ratio and a reduction coefficient of the high-reduction transmission ratio;- the pedals (5) of the passenger positions (4) are coupled to the rear wheels by a single transmission ratio having a reduction coefficient equal to the reduction coefficient of the high reduction transmission ratio or to the reduction coefficient of one or more of the intermediate transmission ratios, or between the reduction coefficient of the high reduction transmission ratio and the reduction coefficient of one or more of the intermediate transmission ratios.;