Skateboard equipped with a circuit breaker device

Abstract

Skateboard (1) comprising: - a platform (2) on which is fixed at least one electric propulsion motor (M) and at least one electrical power supply circuit (4), and - at least one battery (31) electrically connected to the at least one electrical power supply circuit (4) by means of at least one power cable (33), characterized in that the skateboard (1) comprises: - at least one circuit breaker device (6) configured to assume an open position and a closed position, and - an actuator (5) for the at least one circuit breaker device (6), the actuator (5) being fixed to the at least one power cable (33), the actuator (5) being configured to put the at least one circuit breaker device (6) in the open position when a force is applied to the at least one power cable (33). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Skateboard equipped with a circuit breaker device technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of skateboards and in particular to a skateboard, a connection method and a disconnection method. Prior art

[0002] A skateboard, also known as a skateboard, is a platform on which a user positions themselves to move around.

[0003] Generally, a skateboard includes at least one wheel.

[0004] Skateboards equipped with an electric propulsion device comprising at least one electric propulsion motor and at least one electrical power supply circuit are known. The electric propulsion device enables the rotation of at least one wheel.

[0005] A power supply for such a skateboard includes at least one battery which is positioned on the platform or in a bag carried by the user, for example a backpack. The battery may be in a connected or disconnected position from the electrical power supply circuit.

[0006] When the battery is worn by the user and in the connected position, the battery is electrically and physically connected to the electric propulsion motor by means of a power cable. In the disconnected position, the battery is not electrically or physically connected to the electrical power supply circuit.

[0007] It sometimes happens that the power cord is unplugged while the skateboard is in motion, for example when the user falls. This creates a risk of an electric arc or a voltage surge that could damage the electrical power supply circuit.

[0008] There is therefore a need for a skateboard with better electrical safety in case of accidental disconnection. Description of the invention

[0009] One embodiment relates to a skateboard comprising:

[0010] - a platform on which at least one electric propulsion motor is fixed and at least one electrical power supply circuit for said at least one propulsion motor, the at least one electrical power supply circuit being provided with a first part of a power connector, and

[0011] - at least one battery electrically connected to at least one electrical circuit power supply by means of at least one power cable, said at least one cable The power supply is attached to the first part of the power connector by a second part of the power connector.

[0012] characterized in that the skateboard (1) comprises:

[0013] - at least one circuit breaker device configured to assume an open position in which the first part of the power connector is electrically separated from at least one propulsion motor, and a closed position in which the first part of the power connector is electrically connected to at least one propulsion motor, and

[0014] - an actuator of at least one circuit breaker device, the actuator being fixed on at least one power cable, the actuator being configured to put at least one circuit breaker device in the open position when force is applied to at least one power cable.

[0015] The platform is an element having, on a first face, at least one flat surface configured to allow a user to position themselves on it, preferably configured to allow a user to position their feet on it.

[0016] The platform comprises, on a second face opposite to the first face, at least one wheel and preferably at least three wheels.

[0017] The platform includes an electric propulsion motor configured to rotate at least one wheel.

[0018] The platform includes at least one electrical power supply circuit for the propulsion motor, said electrical power supply circuit being provided with a first part of a power connector. For example, the first part of the power connector includes at least two female, or alternatively male, electrical terminals.

[0019] The propulsion motor is electrically powered by a battery which is electrically connected to at least one electrical power supply circuit by means of a power cable. The power cable is provided with a second part of the power connector. For example, the second part of the power connector comprises at least two female, or alternatively male, electrical terminals.

[0020] The second part and the first part of the power connector are configured to cooperate with each other so that the second part can be inserted into the first part, or respectively the first part into the second part, in order to create an electrical connection between them.

[0021] The battery is configured to be carried by a user, for example in a bag. In other words, the battery is not fixed to the platform when the skateboard is in operation. The battery can be in a connected or disconnected position from the electrical power supply circuit.

[0022] In the connected position, the second part of the power connector cooperates with the first part of the power connector so that the battery is electrically and physically connected to the platform by the power cable.

[0023] In the disconnected position, the second part of the power connector is independent of the first part of the power connector so that the battery is electrically and physically disconnected from the platform.

[0024] The skateboard is innovative in that it includes a circuit breaker device which cooperates with an actuator.

[0025] The circuit breaker device can assume an open position in which the first part of the power connector is electrically disconnected from at least one propulsion motor. In this position, the battery can no longer supply power to the propulsion motor.

[0026] The circuit breaker device can also assume a closed position in which the first part of the power connector is electrically connected to at least one propulsion motor. In this position, the battery, when connected, can electrically supply power to the propulsion motor.

[0027] The circuit breaker device is therefore a switch that allows an electric current to be interrupted or allowed to flow. For example, the circuit breaker device includes a switch.

[0028] The actuator is configured to change the position of the circuit breaker. More specifically, the actuator is configured to open the circuit breaker when a force, for example a tensile force, is applied to the power cable, particularly when the battery is connected. For this purpose, the actuator is directly attached to the power cable.

[0029] Indeed, stress on the power cable can cause the two parts of the power connector to disconnect. The invention allows the electrical circuit to be opened, i.e., the circuit breaker to be put in the open position, so that said disconnection of the two parts of the power connector does not cause damage to the power supply circuit by an overvoltage or an electric arc, for example.

[0030] The object of this presentation may also have one or more of the following characteristics taken alone or in combination.

[0031] In some embodiments, the actuator is configured to put at least one circuit breaker device in the open position before disconnecting the two parts of the power connector.

[0032] In certain embodiments, the actuator comprises a connecting element fixed rigidly to the power cable, and a contact element configured to assume an engaged position in which the circuit breaker device is in the closed position, and a retracted position in which the circuit breaker device is in the open position.

[0033] Thus, the contact element controls the position taken by the circuit breaker device.

[0034] In some embodiments, the connecting element is a flexible element.

[0035] Thus, a certain force, for example a force exceeding a threshold, must be applied to the power cable in order to change the position of the actuator. It is therefore possible that, during the use of the skateboard, a small force, for example a force below the threshold, may be exerted without causing an electrical disconnection of the propulsion motor.

[0036] The use of the skateboard is therefore facilitated.

[0037] In some embodiments, a fixing point of the connecting element on the power cable is fixed.

[0038] In some embodiments, a length of the connecting element is less than a length of the power cable measured between a fixing point of the connecting element on the power cable and the second part of the power connector.

[0039] Thus, when force is applied to the power cable, the contact element will be disconnected, i.e., move to the withdrawn position, before the two parts of the power connector are disconnected. In other words, the circuit breaker will move to the open position before the battery moves to the disconnected position. The electrical safety of the skateboard is therefore ensured.

[0040] In some embodiments, the contact element in the engaged position is configured to be removably attached to at least one circuit breaker device.

[0041] In the engaged position, the contact element is fixed, i.e. in contact, with the circuit breaker device, and in the withdrawn position the contact element is no longer in contact, i.e. independent, from the circuit breaker device.

[0042] In some embodiments, the contact element in the engaged position is configured to be fixed by a clip, or by an insertion.

[0043] Thus, the transition from the engaged position to the withdrawn position is facilitated.

[0044] In some embodiments, the second part of the power connector is removably attached to the first part.

[0045] A force exerted on a part of the power connector makes it possible to separate said two parts.

[0046] Thus, the transition from the connected position of the battery to the disconnected position is facilitated.

[0047] The invention also relates to a method for connecting at least one battery of a skateboard according to any one of the preceding claims, including: - A fastening step in which the second part of the power connector is connected to the first part of the power connector, - A power-up stage in which the actuator is positioned to put the circuit breaker device in the closed position.

[0048] The electrical supply of the propulsion motor therefore requires two independent steps which can be carried out in any order.

[0049] In some embodiments, in the fixing step, the second part of the power connector is inserted into the first part of the power connector.

[0050] In some embodiments, in the fixing step, the battery is positioned in connected mode.

[0051] In some embodiments, in the feeding step, the contact element is positioned in the engaged position.

[0052] The invention also relates to a method for disconnecting at least one battery from a skateboard according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising: - A switching step in which the actuator is positioned to put the circuit breaker device in the open position, - A disconnection step, following the disconnection step, in which the second part of the power connector is removed from the first part of the power connector.

[0053] Electrical disconnection of the propulsion motor requires two successive steps so as not to create an overvoltage or an electric arc which could degrade the electrical supply circuit.

[0054] In some embodiments, in the switching step, the contact element is positioned in the withdrawn position.

[0055] In some embodiments, in the switching step, the battery is positioned in disconnected mode. Brief description of the drawings

[0056] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to an embodiment according to the present invention, given by way of non-limiting example and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing, in which:

[0057] [Fig-1] is a schematic representation of a skateboard according to the invention. Description of the implementation methods

[0058] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been represented.

[0059] The invention relates to a skateboard comprising a platform 2.

[0060] Platform 2 is an element having, on a first face, at least one flat surface configured to allow a user to position themselves on it, preferably configured to allow a user to position their feet on it.

[0061] The platform 2 comprises, on a second face opposite the first face, at least one wheel and preferably at least three wheels. The wheels are configured to be in contact with the ground.

[0062] Platform 2 also includes an electric propulsion motor M configured to rotate the wheels.

[0063] The platform 2 includes at least one electrical power supply circuit 4 for the propulsion motor M. The electrical power supply circuit 4 is provided with a first part 411 of a power connector 4L. For example, the first part 411 of the power connector 41 includes at least two female, or alternatively male, electrical terminals.

[0064] The electrical power supply circuit 4 finally includes two fans and a lamp.

[0065] The electrical power supply circuit 4 also includes a cutting-off device circuit 6 configured to take an open position in which the first part 411 of the power connector 41 is electrically separated from at least one propulsion motor M, and a closed position in which the first part 411 of the power connector 41 is electrically connected to at least one propulsion motor M.

[0066] In the open position, no electrical power supply can supply power to the propulsion motor M by being connected to the power connector 4L

[0067] In the closed position, a power supply connected to the power connector 41 can electrically supply the propulsion motor M.

[0068] The circuit breaker device 6 is therefore a switch for interrupting or allowing the passage of an electric current. For example, the circuit breaker device 6 includes a switch.

[0069] The skateboard 1 also includes at least one battery 31.

[0070] The battery 31 is configured to be worn by a user, for example in a bag 3. In other words, the battery 31 is not fixed to the platform 2 when the skateboard 1 is in operation. The battery includes a connection connector 32 allowing the battery 31 to be connected electrically and physically to a power cable 33.

[0071] The power cable 33 includes a second part 412 of the connector power supply 41. For example, the second part 412 of the power supply connector 41 includes at least two female electrical terminals, or alternatively male ones.

[0072] The second part 412 and the first part 411 of the power connector 41 are configured to cooperate with each other so that the second part 412 can be inserted into the first part 411, or respectively the first part 411 into the second part 412, in order to create an electrical connection between them.

[0073] In some embodiments, the second part 412 of the power connector 41 is removably fixed to the first part 411. A force exerted on a part 412, 411 of the power connector 41 makes it possible to separate said two parts 412, 411.

[0074] The battery 31 can be in a connected or disconnected position from the electrical power supply circuit 4. In the connected position, the second part 412 of the power connector 41 cooperates with the first part 411 of the power connector so that the battery 31 is electrically and physically connected to the platform 2 by the power cable 33. In the connected position, the propulsion motor M is therefore electrically powered by the battery 31. In the disconnected position, the second part 412 of the power connector 41 is independent of the first part 411 of the power connector 41 so that the battery 31 is electrically and physically disconnected from the platform 2.

[0075] The skateboard 1 also includes an actuator 5 of at least one circuit breaker device 6.

[0076] The actuator 5 is configured to change the position of the circuit breaker device 6. More specifically, the actuator 5 is configured to open the circuit breaker device 6 when a force, for example a tensile force, is applied to the power cable 33, particularly when the battery 31 is in the connected position. For this purpose, the actuator 5 is fixed rigidly to the power cable 33 at a mounting point 35.

[0077] In certain embodiments, the actuator 5 is configured to put the circuit breaker device 6 in the open position before disconnecting the two parts 412, 411 of the power connector 4L

[0078] As illustrated in [Fig.1], the actuator 5 comprises on the one hand a flexible connecting element 51, fixed in a rigid manner at the fixing point 35 of the power cable 33, and on the other hand a contact element 52.

[0079] The attachment point 35 of the connecting element 51 on the power cable 33 is fixed.

[0080] More specifically, a length of the connecting element 51 is less than a length of the power cable 33 measured between a fixing point 35 of the connecting element 51 on the power cable 33 and the second part 412 of the connector power supply 41.

[0081] The contact element 52 is configured to take an engaged position in which the circuit breaker device 6 is in the closed position, and a withdrawn position in which the circuit breaker device 6 is in the open position.

[0082] In the engaged position, the contact element 52 is fixed, i.e. in contact, with the circuit breaker device 6, and in the withdrawn position the contact element 52 is no longer in contact, i.e. independent, from the circuit breaker device 6.

[0083] In some embodiments, the contact element 52 in the engaged position is configured to be removably fixed to the circuit breaker device 6.

[0084] In some embodiments, the contact element 52 in the engaged position is configured to be fixed by a clip, or by an insertion.

[0085] The contact element 52 therefore controls the position taken by the circuit breaker device 6.

[0086] When force is applied to the power cable 33, the contact element 5 will be disconnected, i.e., move to the withdrawn position, before the two parts 411, 412 of the power connector 4L are disconnected. In other words, the circuit breaker device 6 will move to the open position before the battery 31 moves to the disconnected position. The electrical safety of the skateboard is therefore ensured.

[0087] More specifically, and in order to facilitate the use of the skateboard, the force exerted on the power cable 33 to disconnect the contact element 5 must be greater than a threshold force. Thus, it is possible that during the use of the skateboard 1, a force lower than the threshold force may be exerted without causing an electrical disconnection of the propulsion motor M.

[0088] The invention allows an opening of the electrical circuit, i.e. a putting in open position of the circuit breaker device 6, so that a disconnection of the two parts 411, 412 of the power connector 41 does not cause a degradation of the electrical power supply circuit by an overvoltage or an electric arc for example.

[0089] A method for connecting the battery 31 of the skateboard 1 implements a fixing step in which the second part 412 of the power connector 41 is connected, for example inserted, to the first part 411 of the power connector 4L. In other words, in the fixing step, the battery 31 is positioned in connected mode.

[0090] The connection method also includes a power-up step in which the actuator 5 is positioned to put the circuit-breaker device 6 in the closed position. In other words, in the power-up step, the contact element 52 is positioned in the engaged position.

[0091] The electrical supply of the propulsion motor M therefore requires two independent steps which can be carried out in any order.

[0092] A method for disconnecting the battery 31 from the skateboard 1 includes a disconnection step in which the actuator 5 is positioned to put the circuit breaker 6 in the open position. In other words, in the disconnection step, the contact element 52 is positioned in the withdrawn position.

[0093] The disconnection process also includes a disconnection step, subsequent to the disconnection step, in which the second part 412 of the power connector 41 is removed from the first part 411 of the power connector 41. In other words, in the disconnection step, the battery 31 is positioned in disconnected mode.

[0094] Electrical disconnection of the propulsion motor M requires the two successive steps above so as not to create an overvoltage or an electric arc which could degrade the electrical supply circuit.

[0095] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is evident that modifications and changes can be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In particular, individual features of the various embodiments illustrated / mentioned can be combined in additional embodiments. Therefore, the description and drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

[0096] It is also evident that all the characteristics described with reference to a process are transposable, alone or in combination, to a device, and conversely, all the characteristics described with reference to a device are transposable, alone or in combination, to a process.

Claims

Demands

1. Skateboard (1) comprising: - a platform (2) on which is fixed at least one electric propulsion motor (M) and at least one electrical power supply circuit (4) for said at least one propulsion motor (M), the at least one electrical power supply circuit (4) being provided with a first part (411) of a power connector (41), and - at least one battery (31) electrically connected to the at least one electrical power supply circuit (4) by means of at least one power cable (33), said at least one power cable (33) being fixed to the first part (411) of the power connector (41) by a second part (412) of the power connector (41),characterized in that the skateboard (1) comprises: - at least one circuit breaker device (6) configured to assume an open position in which the first part (411) of the power connector (41) is electrically disconnected from at least one propulsion motor (M), and a closed position in which the first part (411) of the power connector (41) is electrically connected to at least one propulsion motor (M), and - an actuator (5) of at least one circuit breaker device (6), the actuator (5) being fixed to at least one power cable (33), the actuator (5) being configured to put at least one circuit breaker device (6) into the open position when a force is applied to the at least one power cable (33).

2. Skateboard (1) according to claim 1, wherein the actuator (5) comprises a linking element (51) fixed permanently to the power cable (33), and a contact element (52) configured to assume an engaged position in which the circuit breaker device (6) is in the closed position, and a withdrawn position in which the circuit breaker device (6) is in the open position.

3. Skateboard (1) according to claim 2, wherein the connecting element (51) is a flexible element.

4. Skateboard (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a length of the connecting element (51) is less than a length of the power cable (33) measured between a point of attachment (35) of the connecting element (51) on the power cable (33) and the second part (412) of the power connector (41).

5. Skateboard (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the contact element (5) in the engaged position is configured to be removably attached to at least one circuit breaker device (6).

6. Skateboard (1) according to claim 5, wherein the contact element (5) in the engaged position is configured to be fixed by a clip, or by an insertion.

7. Skateboard (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second part (412) of the power connector (41) is removably attached to the first part (411).

8. Method of connecting at least one battery (31) of a skateboard (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: - A fastening step in which the second part (412) of the power connector (41) is connected to the first part (411) of the power connector (41), - A powering step in which the actuator (5) is positioned to put the circuit breaker device (6) in the closed position.

9. Method of disconnecting at least one battery (31) from a skateboard (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising: - A switching step in which the actuator (5) is positioned to put the circuit breaker device (6) in the open position, - A disconnecting step, subsequent to the switching step, in which the second part (412) of the power connector (41) is removed from the first part (411) of the power connector (41).

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