Traction accessory propulsion

Abstract

The invention is a vehicle propulsion device, such as a wheel or track, comprising one or more traction accessories that can change position to transition from a ground propulsion position to a fluid propulsion position, or a fluid propulsion position, or a slippery surface propulsion position. The main applications are land vehicles capable of traveling on roads, uneven or muddy terrain, and navigating on or in water, such as motor vehicles, boats capable of navigating shallow waters, submarines, or aircraft capable of landing on beaches or water.

Description

Title of the invention: Traction accessory propulsion technical field

[0001] The invention is a vehicle propulsion device that can adapt to the environment on which or in which it moves, by the use of auxiliary traction accessories such as wings, blades, vanes, anti-slip treads, removable studs and cleats, etc. Previous technique

[0002] We know of patent CN107962922A of April 27, 2018, by CUI JIE, LI QIAN, QIAO YANXIN, WANG YI, CHANG QI, ZHUANG CHENYI, SUN HONGLAI, CHEN ZHIPENG and CHEN YANG, which describes a track equipped with a plurality of paddles arranged on the outer end faces of the tracks and which provide propulsion for an amphibious vehicle in water. These paddles are permanently perpendicular to the outer faces of the tracks, so that they are not well suited for the movement of the vehicle on hard ground.

[0003] We know of CN108422821 (A) of August 21, 2018 by SUN SHILIANG which describes a similar device, which has the same drawback.

[0004] We know of CN110733305 (A) of January 31, 2020 by WANG XINGBO, LI XINYU and ZHANG SIMING which describes a blade comprising a plurality of flexible blades ensuring the propulsion of a vehicle in water, but which is also poorly suited to the circulation of a vehicle on a hard ground.

[0005] We know of US 10259280 (B 1) of April 16, 2019 by ROE RICHARD DARIN [US] which describes a vehicle equipped with wheels allowing it to roll on a ground, which have on their lateral part paddles to ensure the propulsion of the vehicle on water, but the efficiency of the drive on water of this device is low.

[0006] CN114619813A of June 14, 2022, from GAO ​​SHENGYUN [CN] is known, describing a four-wheeled amphibious vehicle with water-agitation plates that can be periodically extended and moved to a resting position. Switching between a land driving mode and a water driving mode can be achieved by rotating the angle of a cam. This vehicle cannot automatically switch to land driving mode when encountering a solid obstacle.

[0007] We know of WO2007079045A2 of July 12, 2007, from MUNSHAUR TODD [US] and VAN OSDELL STEVEN [US], which describes an amphibious vehicle equipped with floating amphibious propulsion wheels, the wheels having a number of foldable pockets arranged around the surface of the wheel and oriented in the direction of rotation of the wheel. This vehicle cannot operate in a fluid in reverse, whereas reversing is the most effective braking method for boats.

[0008] Numerous documents describing variants of the Voith Schneider cycloidal propulsion system, also known as a cyclorotor, are also known, including BRI 12023023953 (A2) dated January 30, 2024, from HOFREITHER KLE-MENS [AT] and KINAST LUKAS [AT], US1730758 (A) dated October 8, 1929, from EDWARD CALDWELL JONATHAN, RU2060203 (Cl) dated May 20, 1996, from FEDCHISHIN VIT ALU G [RU], and EP3715249 (A2) dated September 30, 2020, from CYCLOTECH GMBH [AT]. None of the devices described in these documents allows driving on hard surfaces.

[0009] We finally know of numerous documents describing tire studs and cleats that expand or retract under the effect of temperature. Technical problem

[0010] The devices described above do not allow a vehicle to switch from a configuration allowing quality driving as is permitted with wheels or tracks on a smooth and non-slip surface such as a road or dry path, to another configuration suitable for driving on mud, snow or ice, or even to aquatic or aerial propulsion.

[0011] The problem is complex because this traction accessory must deploy automatically when necessary, but also retract automatically when it encounters an obstacle such as a surface hard enough to break it. The folding pockets arranged around the wheel surface according to the aforementioned document WO2007079045A2 would tear upon encountering certain obstacles instead of closing.

[0012] In a preferred version, a traction accessory must also remain deployed in forward and reverse motion, if only to be able to brake in case of aquatic or aerial use. The folding pockets arranged around the wheel surface according to the aforementioned document WO2007079045A2 function only in one of these two directions.

[0013] The position of the traction accessory when retracted is referred to as the rest position above and below, and its position when extended is referred to as the working position. Brief description of the drawings

[0014] The invention will be well understood, and other objects, advantages and features thereof will become more apparent from the reading of the description which follows, which is illustrated by figures 1 to 12.

[0015] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of the components of a wheel according to the invention and of an assembled wheel. On the left, the traction accessories 21, 22 and 23 are visible. The following blades, which are chevron-shaped, are positioned by the secondary shaft 40, which is a ring offset from the primary shaft 10, thus driving all the blades downwards. On the right, only blades 24, 25, and 26 are visible, the others remaining enclosed in their housings 210, 220, and 230, called drawers.

[0016] [Fig. 2] is a perspective view of two IA wheels whose blades 21, 22 and following are flat and sliding. These traction accessories are blades on the left and winter tire stud assemblies on the right. Elastic returns 31, 32 and following push them in the direction from their rest position to their working position. The wheel rolls on hard ground and the lower traction accessories are retracted in the rest position, while the upper traction accessories are in the working position. If this wheel were rolling on mud or fresh snow, the lower traction accessories would be in the working position. This device is particularly suitable for airless tires.

[0017] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of two wheels according to the invention, the housings 210 and following of the traction accessories are fixed only to the tread of the wheel IA.

[0018] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of blades 21 22 and following similar to those shown in [Fig.1], each equipped with a bearing, respectively 211 221 and following allowing their position to be determined by cooperation with a concave cam visible in [Fig.5].

[0019] [Fig. 5] is a perspective view of the mechanism that determines the position of the blades according to their position in the rotation cycle of the wheel. Elastic returns (not shown) push the blades towards their working positions, but this movement is limited by the concave cams 401 and / or 402. On the left, the concave cam 402 places them all at an equal distance from the primary shaft 10, while on the right, the concave cam has pivoted 180 degrees and released the blades such that it is the oblong-shaped cam 401 that allows the blades in the lower part of the wheel to be deployed while those in the upper part are not.

[0020] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with paddle wheels according to figures 1, 4 and 5. It is equipped with 4 wheels according to the invention and in addition at the front of an obstacle crossing assistance device according to patent application FR3048404A3 of September 8, 2017.

[0021] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of two mechanical sub-assemblies of this vehicle. The one on the left is in hard ground travel mode and all the blades are in the rest position, while the one on the right is in water travel mode and the lower blades are in the working position.

[0022] [Fig-8] is a perspective view of two devices functioning as a wheel but constructed according to the cyclorotor method. The blades are wings which are here in their rest position (left and right) to form a complete wheel. A wing 21 pivots relative to the wheel along axis 51, and its inclination is determined by the position of the arm of an element 4 called the synchronizer, which rotates around the shaft 40 called the secondary shaft, to determine sets of possible positions of the blades 21, 22, 23 and subsequent blades. This axis of the main shaft 10 driving the rotation of the wheel coincides here with that of the shaft 40 driving the rotation of the synchronizer, and all the blades are in their rest position.

[0023] [Fig.9] is a perspective view of two identical wheels that differ by the distance of the hub constituting the secondary shaft 40 with the assembly formed by the left part of the wheel and the wings. On the left, it is away from this assembly and the wings are in the rest position, while on the right it is closer to it, which increases the circumference of the synchronizer and brings all the wings into the working position.

[0024] [Fig. 10] is a perspective view of another implementation of the invention, in Three different configurations exist, with blades 21, 22, 23, and following blades oriented differently depending on the direction of rotation. Those on the left and right wheels are in a propulsion position within a fluid, in one or the opposite direction of rotation, while those on the center wheel are in a resting position. The blades are flexible and create a homogeneous running surface, giving this wheel optimal road handling capabilities.

[0025] [Fig. 11] is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with wheels 1A1 and 1A2 according to the [Fig.3], rolling forwards on road, then on soft ground and finally in water.

[0026] [Fig. 12] is a perspective view of a caterpillar according to the invention. The blades 21 Tracks 22 and above are in the lower working position, providing propulsion on soft ground or on or in water, while those at the top are in the rest position. The elastic return springs are not shown, but two belts 61 and 62 can be seen forcing the upper vanes of track IB to move into the rest position. Description of the invention

[0027] The invention is a vehicle propulsion device such as a wheel (IA) or a track (IB) comprising - a plurality of elements called traction accessories (21, 22 and following), - and a means called deployment / retraction allowing a traction accessory to deploy from a position called rest in which it does not protrude or protrudes only slightly from the periphery of the rolling track defined below, to a position of work in which it protrudes further from said rolling track, and conversely to retract, characterized in that it comprises an elastic return means (31) ensuring the retraction of said traction accessories when an obstacle opposes their deployment, this elastic return being freely determined by the designer of the device, it being specified that above and below - by rolling path the rolling path that the said propulsion device would present if all the said traction accessories were in the rest position, - and by deploying and retracting the movements of a traction accessory going respectively in the direction going from the rest position to the working position and vice versa. Detailed description of the invention

[0028] In its principal embodiment, the present invention is a wheel or track that allows a vehicle to travel on land, on water, or in water. The traction accessory in this case is a propulsion vane that propels the vehicle by its pressure on a fluid such as air or water.

[0029] A traction accessory can also be an outgrowth of a tire or a track allowing to roll on muddy ground, or a stud or a series of studs allowing not to slip on black ice or ice.

[0030] The principle of the present invention is to equip the running surface of a wheel or track with a plurality of traction accessories that can move to automatically adapt to the medium on or in which the vehicle is moving. A traction accessory thus places itself in a so-called resting position when the vehicle is on solid ground such as a road, and in a so-called working position when the vehicle is moving either on soft ground such as mud or snow, or on slippery ground such as ice or black ice, or in or on the surface of a fluid. This also makes it possible to travel on irregular surfaces such as uneven ground or shallows and to navigate on rivers or streams considered unnavigable, or even in poorly known maritime areas.

[0031] The movement of the traction accessory can be arranged so that, when moving forward, it moves backward relative to the wheel's axis of rotation as it transitions from the working position to the rest position, and moves in the opposite direction relative to the wheel's axis of rotation when moving backward. This facilitates its retraction if it encounters an obstacle. If the traction accessory is moved by sliding, it is sufficient that the direction of the sliding be inclined relative to the wheel radius passing through the same point on the track.

[0032] According to the invention, ideally an elastic return must be chosen such that it pushes the traction accessory into its working position from a determined threshold to operate in water or mud, but that it does not resist under any circumstances an excessive centripetal radial force that would be applied to it, for example the contact of a traction accessory with an obstacle or with a ground that is too hard.

[0033] The geometry of the device must also be designed in such a way that the trajectory of a traction accessory is such that the effect of a rotational moment applied to it, if it is less than a determined threshold, is not sufficient to make it pass from its working position to the rest position.

[0034] Those skilled in the art have many means at their disposal to prevent a traction accessory in the so-called working position from moving into the rest position under the effect of a rotational moment applied to it, in both directions of rotation known as forward and reverse. - in the case of sliding, the trajectory is perpendicular to the force - in case of rotation, the moment does not give rise to a rotational moment of the traction accessory because the force exerted on the salient part of the traction accessory is aligned with its center of rotation.

[0035] The rotation of the traction accessory caused by the moment can also cause it to hit an obstacle which prevents its retraction.

[0036] The designer can also determine the characteristics of an elastic return to be applied to the traction accessories such that the rotational moment applied to one of them is less in said direction of rotation said forward motion than a threshold said second safety threshold, and in said direction of rotation said reverse motion than a third threshold said third safety threshold.

[0037] This is particularly important with regard to traction accessories located in the lower part of the running track, in which the angle of the running track with the ground is less than 10°.

[0038] A device according to the invention can combine several different types of traction accessories, and be controlled independently of each other by the user.

[0039] A traction accessory can cross the tread as shown in the figures.

[0040] To maintain the material continuity and sealing of the tread, or for other reasons, it may also be located inside this tread and deform it by bearing on its inner surface when it moves into the working position, rather than being embedded in this tread in the rest position and moving away from it in the working position. These versions are not shown.

[0041] A traction accessory can have all sorts of possible shapes (not shown), such as a flat surface, a portion of a sphere, or a rod or a set of rods, depending on the intended use.

[0042] The travel of a traction accessory can be greater than that which moves it from the rest position to the working position, both inward along the track to reach a so-called extreme retraction position, and outward to reach a so-called extreme extension position. The extreme extension position can, for example, cause the traction accessory and / or track cleats to protrude, in addition to the conventional protrusions that allow driving on muddy ground.

[0043] The extension and retraction of traction accessories can be achieved in numerous different ways without departing from the scope of the present invention. Each traction accessory or traction accessory location can be equipped with its own motorized means for moving the traction accessory in question. This could be an electromagnetic or pneumatic means, for example, but the simplest and recommended solution is to equip the device with a so-called synchronizer 4, linking a plurality of traction accessories together to determine sets of possible traction accessory positions. Such a means is shown in Figures 1, 8, 9, and 10.

[0044] This synchronizer can advantageously undergo elastic deformation and have flexible parts. It can even be used as an elastic return 31.

[0045] The synchronizer can be connected to the traction accessories by conventional mechanical linkages, but also by magnets. This can be advantageous for maintaining the airtightness of an inflated tire, or preventing foreign objects from penetrating the tread. Fixed magnets can, for example, be used to move or hold the traction accessories in the rest position in the upper travel, and electromagnets to move the traction accessories into the working position on command.

[0046] Where the device according to the invention is a wheel, the synchronizer may consist of a mechanical assembly comprising a shaft 40 connected directly or indirectly to all or part of the traction accessories by rigid or flexible links. This mechanical assembly may rotate, completing one full revolution for each revolution of the wheel. In some cases, it is necessary to provide a specific device to synchronize the rotation of the secondary shaft 40 with that of the primary shaft 10.

[0047] The synchronizer's axis of rotation can be moved up and down, with the result that in its lowered position, the synchronizer moves the traction accessories located at the bottom of the wheel towards their working position and has the opposite effect. on those located at the top. An elastic return pushing it downwards keeps the traction accessories at the bottom of the wheel in the working position, but automatically moves them to the resting position when one of them encounters an obstacle such as the ground.

[0048] The synchronizer's rotation axis can also be moved forward and / or backward. This movement allows the kinematics of the traction accessories to be modified.

[0049] Another type of synchronizer is illustrated by [Fig.5] which shows the combination between two concave cams 401 and 402 which each determine the set of possible positions of the traction accessories, according to two different configurations made available to the user who can thus put into service the cam 402 to drive on a road and the cam 401 to navigate on water or in mud.

[0050] An elastic means may be provided so that, when a traction accessory has been placed in its fully retracted, resting, working, or fully extended position, it remains in equilibrium. In either of these two cases, the synchronizer or another mechanical means may be used to place a traction accessory in one or more of these equilibrium positions. An advantage of this solution is that it can maintain all traction accessories in a stable position throughout the rotation of the wheel or the entire cycle of a track, without friction between the traction accessory and the track. In this case, the device must be equipped with several means for changing the equilibrium position of a traction accessory.

[0051] Traction accessories advantageously have an internal structure made of rigid but flexible materials and are easily removable for quick replacement. In the example shown in Figures 11 and 12, they form the tread of the tires and are therefore their main wear parts, which allows the bulk of the tire to last longer.

[0052] It is advantageous for the position of a traction accessory to automatically move to its so-called resting position in the upper part of the track, in order to limit the device's bulk and, above all, to avoid offering resistance to the forward movement of the vehicle, which is equipped with a wheel or track according to the invention, when it is moving on or in water. This distinguishes the device according to the invention from older wheels with traction accessories, the upper part of which could strike waves, thus hindering the boat's progress, and it allows the use of a wheel that is completely submerged. The device according to the invention thus makes it possible to propel a submarine, a land vehicle, or a boat that becomes a submarine. This also makes it possible to use wheels according to the invention with existing vehicles, preventing the traction accessories from striking the wheel arch. the bodywork. This can be achieved by many means available to those skilled in the art, such as a stop fixed to the vehicle chassis preventing the deployment of the traction accessories in the upper part of the device. Such a stop is made up of belts 61 and 62 on the track of the [Fig. 12].

[0053] The designer of the device according to the invention chooses the elastic return force to determine the threshold above which the centripetal radial force causes the traction accessory to move to the so-called rest position, and this threshold can advantageously be modified by the user or by a computer receiving information concerning the nature of the medium on or in which the vehicle is to move. In a simple version, such a means of modification is not essential.

[0054] It may be advantageous to limit by friction, for example by playing on the structure of the surfaces in contact during a sliding or rotation of a traction accessory, the possibility of retraction of a traction accessory when it is subjected to a significant torque resulting from resistance to the forward movement of the vehicle.

[0055] A wheel can be made up of traction accessories which are cyclorotor wings forming, in their rest position, a circular track allowing it to roll on the ground. The synchronizer can be designed so that the wings propel the vehicle only when they move from front to back in their lower section; a preferred solution is for this propulsion to occur, as with conventional cyclorotors, when they move from top to bottom and bottom to top. The advantage of these two solutions is that the wheel can be completely submerged in water. These solutions are shown in Figures 8 to 10.

[0056] The traction accessories are then wings, and they can be moved into the working position in the lower part of the track and into the resting position in the rest of the track, but it is advantageous to use the method applied to cyclorotors as shown in [Fig. 9]. This also makes it possible to change the direction of the thrust provided by the wings without changing the direction of rotation of the device, simply by shifting the rotation axis of the synchronizer forward or backward. A vehicle equipped with such cyclorotor wheels can thus travel on the ground, propel itself on or through a fluid, or even fly. It also offers the advantage of virtually automatic cleaning of the wings when driving in mud or snow.

[0057] In a particular version, not shown, a cyclorotor includes one or two side flanges serving as wheels, in addition to the wings in the rest position.

[0058] Advantageously, a position can be provided in which the hub 40 of the traction accessory is located in the axis of rotation of the hub 10 of the wheel, the traction accessories are stationary relative to the rest of the wheel throughout the wheel rotation. There is then no longer any friction due to the movement of traction accessories from one position to another. [Fig. 9] shows how all traction accessories can be maintained in their rest or working position. The position of all traction accessories is determined by adjusting the distance between the wheel hub and the synchronizer hub.

[0059] This may be suitable, for example, when the traction accessories are studs or sets of studs protruding from the tread when the ground is icy. This particular configuration can be achieved by causing a suitable deformation of the synchronizer, the hub here also being located on the axis of rotation of the wheel

[0060] When the wheel is driven by means of a shaft connecting the motor to the wheel, it is difficult to position the synchronizer hub on the wheel's axis of rotation if the hub does not have a central recess through which the shaft connecting the motor to the wheel passes. In this embodiment, the synchronizer hub is bulkier and can also be more expensive to manufacture, particularly if it incorporates ball bearings. One solution is to position it on the side of the wheel opposite the vehicle chassis, as shown in Figures 8 and 9.

[0061] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, not shown, the motor of a wheel according to the invention is located in the wheel itself. In this case, the wheel no longer has an external drive hub shaft, and the synchronizer hub can be located on the wheel's axis of rotation to determine the position of all traction accessories, while being situated on the side connecting the wheel to the vehicle chassis.

[0062] It is also possible to use a hubless wheel driven by its rim, to obtain the same advantage.

[0063] When the device according to the invention is a track, the synchronizer can elastically push the lower traction accessories towards their working position. Advantageously, it simultaneously and continuously pushes those at the top towards their rest position. This can be a simple stop, a rail, a cable, or belts 61 and 62 as shown in [Fig. 12].

[0064] It is advantageous that the traction accessories do not cause water or mud to be drawn upwards when they pass from the lower part of the device to its upper part, as this represents not only unnecessary bulk, but above all a loss of energy that would reduce the efficiency of the device in certain use cases. Consequently, it is advantageous that the device according to the invention be equipped with a means acting directly or indirectly on the highest traction accessories, those located in the part of said track whose angle with the ground is less than 10°, so that they are automatically placed in a rest position or in a so-called fully retracted position. In an improved version, traction accessories can even be held in a resting or extremely retracted position in at least 75% of their highest positions.

[0065] The synchronizer can advantageously be constructed of a material or have an architecture that allows it to undergo elastic deformation. This means that, if the friction due to the movement of a traction accessory from one position to another exceeds a certain threshold, it can deform to cease producing the expected effect, and thus avoid causing damage to the traction accessory in question or to the synchronizer.

[0066] Without departing from the scope of the invention, a wheel may be fitted with one or more circular flanges allowing it to roll on the ground. The same applies to a track that may be fitted with an auxiliary track supporting part or most of the weight of the vehicle.

[0067] In a particular embodiment, the wheels or tracks constituting the device according to the invention can be floating, and even provide the vehicle's buoyancy on their own when it drives on water.

[0068] Wheels or wheel parts located between traction accessories, inflated at low pressure or made of very flexible materials, can ensure comfortable rolling and efficient propulsion on uneven ground. This also applies to tracks or track links.

[0069] The present invention is particularly suited to airless wheels that have an internal structure made of slightly flexible materials, allowing them to deform and providing comfort practically equivalent to that of conventional inflated tires. Indeed, the use of these airless wheels makes it easiest to design wheels with housings to allow the retraction of traction accessories.

[0070] Figure 3 illustrates an implementation particularly suited to this case. The wheel The left one has blade deployment / retraction controls (51 for blade 21) while the right one does not, the blades being either each positioned according to the resistance of the ground or according to an autonomous deployment / retraction device.

[0071] The advantage provided by the fact that the housings 210 and following of the traction accessories are fixed only to the tread of the wheel IA is important, because in this case these housings can be rigid and allow deployment with low friction of the traction accessories.

[0072] In a particularly advantageous version for high-speed road traffic, the traction accessories include a portion of said tread, these portions forming almost the entire tread of the device when all the traction accessories are in their rest position. This embodiment is shown in Figures 10 and 11 and is compatible with conventional tires Inflated. These traction accessories are preferably flexible and incorporate the tire tread, which can therefore be removed. Different types of traction accessories are available, each specifically suited to different surfaces such as asphalt or dirt, or mud, snow, ice, or water.

[0073] The traction accessories shown in Figures 10 and 11 are positioned differently depending on whether they propel the vehicle forwards or backwards. When the wheel changes direction of rotation, the rotational moment applied to them by water or soft ground causes them to move from one position to another opposite one, but does not cause them to retract.

[0074] In the case where the propulsion device is a track, a traction accessory may be a portion of this track that can pivot around an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of one of said wheels supporting said track as shown in [Fig. 12].

[0075] Advantageously, the propulsion device is equipped with a means of determining the position of the traction accessories according to different rules to adapt to the environment on which or in which the vehicle moves.

[0076] A mechanical means (not shown) may be provided to automatically switch certain traction accessories into their working position when the force exerted by the propulsion device on the vehicle chassis is below a certain value. This allows, for example, the accessories to automatically switch into their working position when the vehicle is floating on water, since the force exerted by the propulsion device on the vehicle chassis is then reduced.

[0077] The user or a computer can choose to keep the traction accessories permanently in a so-called rest position when the vehicle is traveling on the ground, and to cyclically switch them from this position to a so-called working position when it is traveling on mud or water. Rules for positioning the traction accessories can be chosen according to the nature of the terrain, which can be analyzed by computer to determine the most appropriate rule.

[0078] In a particular version, the traction accessories are not permanently linked to the wheel or track. A so-called selector device has the effect – either in a first configuration – of moving the traction accessories into a rest position, and then they stack one on top of the other, without being driven by the wheel or track. - either in a second configuration to move them into working position, in which they are driven with the wheel or the track, moving away from the tangent plane at the periphery of the wheel or the track as the case may be. An additional device allows the traction accessories that will pass towards the top of the wheel or track to move into a resting position.

[0079] All means known to a person skilled in the art who is familiar with cyclorotor technologies, which allow the position of the traction accessories to be varied according to their position in the cycle, can be implemented.

[0080] It is also possible, without departing from the scope of the invention, to vary the geometry of the cyclorotor as described in application FR2406057 of 09 / 06 / 2024. This makes it possible to substantially increase the radius of rotation of the wings as well as their surface area, which has a significant effect on the transmissible power and therefore the speed of the vehicle in water or even in air.

[0081] The invention is also a vehicle equipped with a propulsion device according to the invention described above.

[0082] It is also the method of propelling a vehicle by means of a propulsion device according to the invention described above. Applications

[0083] The main applications of the present invention are land vehicles that can travel on roads as well as on uneven or muddy ground and sail on water or in certain versions take off and land vertically and fly in all directions, as well as a large or small boat, a submarine navigating in the water or on the bottom, or an aircraft, all these vehicles being able to land on a beach and cross shallows without damage.

[0084] These vehicles can be used for leisure or work but also for military combat.

[0085] They can be piloted by humans, whether passengers or not, using radio controls, or by computers.

[0086] An important interest is also to make navigable many rivers which are not currently navigable.

[0087] Toys also constitute an important application.

Claims

Demands

1. A vehicle propulsion device such as a wheel (IA) or a track (IB) comprising - a plurality of elements called traction accessories (21, 22 and following), - and a means called deployment / retraction allowing a traction accessory to deploy to move from a position called rest in which it does not or only slightly protrudes from the periphery of the track defined below, to a working position in which it protrudes more from said track, and conversely to retract, characterized in that it comprises a predetermined elastic return means (31) ensuring the retraction of said traction accessories when an obstacle opposes their deployment, it being specified that above and below, - the track means the track that said propulsion device would have if all said traction accessories were in a rest position,- and by extending and retracting the movements of a traction accessory going respectively in the direction from the rest position to the working position and vice versa.

2. Propulsion device according to claim 1 characterized in that said traction accessory is a blade enabling the propulsion of the vehicle by its pressure on a fluid.

3. Propulsion device according to claim 1 characterized in that said deployment / retraction means determines the position of said traction accessories according to their position in the cycle.

4. Propulsion device according to claim 1 characterized in that it is equipped with a means called synchronizer (4) determining sets of possible positions of said traction accessories (21, 22, 23 and following).

5. Propulsion device according to claim 4 characterized in that said synchronizer allows switching from a configuration in which all traction accessories are in the rest position to a configuration in which all or part of the traction accessories are in the working position

6. Propulsion device according to claim 1 characterized in that the housings (210 and following) of the traction accessories are fixed only to said tread.

7. Vehicle equipped with a propulsion device according to any one of the preceding claims

8. A method of propelling a vehicle by means of a propulsion device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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